Author: Derrick Murray

For being a kind of pandemic but not really a pandemic, semi repeat of 2020, this year actually gave us a ton of terrific films. We are living in a truly special age, where films that would otherwise go unseen for ages are given new life on streaming services, and that small window of theatrical release gives even more access to films than ever. Unfortunately, that’s not a good thing for every movie. And of course, no year would be complete without some duds. They weren’t all great, and there were some that stick out above the rest as being…

For as much as people swear up and down that I don’t like anything, I actually had a harder time building a best of list than my worst of one. Not because I couldn’t find films I enjoyed, but because I had too many that I enjoyed. For all the flops, disappointments, and lackluster franchise attempts, 2021 gave us some truly magical films. While I didn’t get a chance to view everything that came out (as that would be damn near impossible), I was able to catch a large majority of the award season front runners as well as all…

“The Lost Daughter” is complex and unflinching, wrestling with issues and social norms we are seldom willing to discuss openly.

“Cyrano” is absolutely wonderful, with Dinklage delivering a dazzling, unmatched performance worthy of any and all praise and nominations.

“Licorice Pizza” is reminder of why we love films, and why we are willing to invest in the stories of others.

“Belfast” is a deeply personal coming of age story, powered by brilliant performances and sharp directorial skills.

Given everything we’ve been through in the last few years- and the impending doom of yet another year of uncertainty- it can be hard to look at ourselves in the mirror. I mean that in the broader sense of our current cultural and political climate, which “Don’t Look Up” examines with scathing accuracy and satirical undertones. It must be said that writer/director Adam McKay has never been one for subtly, and is seldom keen on finding hope in the inevitable or tragic. So it should come as no to surprise that “Don’t Look Up” is unflinching in its satire, covering…

“Power of the Dog” is another example of masterful filmmaking, delivering a powerful yet extremely subdued western with stellar performances and excellent direction.

“Spiderman: No Way Home” will spark a fire of love for the cinema we may have long since forgotten, and we are all the better for it.

There have been very few films that I have been wholly invested in until the last 30 seconds. “Snowpiercer” comes to mind. An absolute banger of a film that takes one giant leap towards the implausible in the final moments. “Being the Ricardos” somehow commits the same folly, creating a brilliant, well-written, behind-the-scenes character piece that all but crumbles in a flash as the final minute transpires. It is unfortunate, because “Being the Ricardos” is one of the most beautiful messes I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing. It was sharply written, overall decently paced, and really well acted. Its…