While in 2020 we did get quite a lot of good movies before and during the pandemic, the truth is that a lot of movies that were supposed to come out that year were pushed back to this one. So the anticipation was pretty high. Some delivered and some crashed and burned…quite a shame really.
But now I get the chance to share with you, wonderful readers, my personal top 10 best movies of the year. Some you might have definitely watched and some you might not, others you might agree with their place on the list and some might push you to call the magazine’s administrators and have me banned. I totally understand the sentiment.
But if I can make you rethink your opinion of a movie or if you decide to watch one of the movies on this list, then I’ve done my job and I’ll feel a sense of satisfaction even though I might never know if I truly made an impact in your life.
A few things that you should know about how I rank my movies for the top 10 best of the year:
First of all, I don’t see all the movies that come out, either because some films don’t make it all the way here to Mexico or I don’t have the proper streaming service (I can only afford the essentials since they are not cheap), so films like The Tragedy of Macbeth and Licorice Pizza are not in this list because I don’t have access to them…yet.
I always look for an entertaining experience. I obviously consider things like acting, directing, cinematography, storytelling, and everything else when it comes to the making of a movie. But when I look back at all the movies I’ve watched during the year I gravitate towards the ones that delivered me an entertaining and incredible experience, whether it was in the movie theatre alone or with someone special at my house. And to be clear, I’m not just talking about that “feel good” that you’re left with after watching a rom-com, being left questioning the meaning of life or being left shaken by horror also counts as an entertaining experience.
With whom I watched the movie can also have a huge impact on the ranking. I know it shouldn’t count that much, but for me it does. For example, I don’t consider James Wan’s Malignant entirely bad but also not good enough to make it to the top 10….however had I seen that film on a date with a girl who would end up becoming my girlfriend by the end of the year, then there’s a pretty high chance that it makes it at number 1….possibly the top 3.
So I shall start first with the…
Honorable Mentions
These are the movies that were on the run for best of the year but just couldn’t make it in the end. They are not arranged in any particular order whatsoever, but I will leave very brief praise for each one.
Raya and the Last Dragon were there for me while I was hospitalized for a week due to an intestinal infection caused by some tasty street tacos.
To All the Boys: Always and Forever was also there during the hospitalization and I could consider it the best rom-com of the year.
A Quiet Place Part II I enjoyed it very much, had it come out last year it would’ve definitely made it into the top 10.
Eternals I don’t care what others say, it ain’t that bad…but I was expecting more, would’ve worked better as a Disney+ series.
Don’t Look Up I like Adam McKay’s style of comedy and I might write about it later, but it’s okay and fun, depressing…but fun.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings have the best and stylish MCU villain and you can actually read my review for this one on the link attached.
Candyman was for me one of the best horrors this year and it has an incredible visual direction by Nia DaCosta, very close to making it on the list.
Encanto I’m currently writing the review for this one, but it also came close, but I will leave you with this: Venezuelan arepas are the best!.
The Suicide Squad should hopefully teach Warner Bros. not to mess with a director’s creative vision, EVER. Thank you very much, James Gunn.
No Time to Die gave Daniel Craig the proper and perfect sendoff as agent 007, it was the last one to be considered on the list.
Now to move on with the actual list, the first one being…
#10 The Matrix Resurrections
I’ve been a fan of the Matrix movies since I was in first grade. How my mom managed to smuggle me into the theatre is a story for another day, but I was very excited when the official sequel was announced alongside the return of Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Lana Wachowski.
This is a film targeted mostly to the fans, and that’s pretty much the reason why the film was made on my list. It relies heavily on the nostalgia factor but there are a few newer concepts that I found interesting. But most importantly I’m glad that Jessica Henwick is getting the proper stardom she deserves. You go, girl!
As for the reason why it isn’t not ranked higher on the list, it has to do a lot with the action. I did hope that some of the visuals that Lana employed in Sense8 could have made it into this film, but I guess that’s what happens when you don’t have the same stun team that is now working on the John Wick movies. Here’s a full review.
#9 In the Heights
Earlier this year I decided that I wanted to embrace my identity as a Latino from Venezuela and have that beautiful culture more present in my life. There were two films this year that spoke to that part of me, Encanto and In the Heights. Both of these movies have heartwarming stories, a very vibrant Latino look, and cast, and really good music courtesy of Lin-Manuel Miranda.
I went with this one because I feel the stories of all the characters in this film can connect with different people, like myself for example. While there isn’t a strong Venezuelan representation like the Puerto Ricans or Dominicans, I could still relate to that feeling of not living in your country until you gather up with the rest of your community.
We live in a time where representation is needed more than ever, and it’s time that all the Latin people around the world get their chance of proper representation. Movies have the potential of inspiring others and push others to do better as well.
#8 Free Guy
All I can say about this movie that I haven’t said in my review, which is also available here, is that this is a worthy fun time at the movie theatre. One more time I want to give a special shoutout to everyone involved in the marketing for this film.
The video game and pop cultural elements in the story were used very well in a creative and fun way. The comedy is the typical kind you are guaranteed to find in a Ryan Reynolds movie, but that hasn’t stopped working so far. The romantic side was also fun and it was enhanced by the use of one particular song that I adore. There’s also the theme of “what it truly means to have free will” and I think the movie handled it quite well.
It also has a very talented cast in this film. Reynold’s style of acting is on point. I really liked his chemistry with Jodie Corner’s character, but I do prefer a little bit more the performance and story between Corner’s and Joe Keery’s characters. I was also very impressed by Taika Waitit’s evil character.
#7 Last Night in Soho
Here is a movie that I was looking forward to seeing but at the same time I wasn’t.
It’s weird because I’m a fan of Edgar Wright’s work, but I don’t remember seeing a lot of material related to the movie. All I knew about it was that it would have some sort of element of time travel and horror starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Thomasin McKenzie.
I think that not being fully aware of the plot of the film, it contributed to my personal experience of seeing the thriller in the story unfold as it went on and of being surprised once again by Wright’s style of filmmaking.
While the performances are noteworthy, I’m going to remember this movie more because of its technical and aesthetic qualities. The 60’s look for the costumes, makeup, and sets are spot on. Wright’s continuous search for wanting to use new camera movement and scene transitions that are not used that frequently in today’s movies, especially in those that belong to a specific genre.
#6 King Richard
Ever since I watched the first trailer I knew that this was going to be my favourite for the upcoming awards season, but whether it wins or not in any category it is still a good time at the movies.
It’s definitely a role that Will Smith has portrayed similarly before in the past but still different, and also a story that’s been told before on the big screen but still unique in its own way to be entertaining and deliver that “feel good” feeling by the end. The rest of the cast was good as well, particularly Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton as the future tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams.
When the family is on the screen you buy into the fact that this is an actual family working tirelessly to surpass the struggles as a black family in Compton and reach a common goal.
I actually wanted to see more of Venus and Serena on the tennis court or at least have more of a moment where you as an audience are deeply invested in the character reaching their goal, so you celebrate every point scored during a game or match.
#5 The Harder They Fall
This one almost didn’t make it into the list because it took me a while to see it and I struggled to decide where to put it…so I watched it again to be sure about my final decision.
I loved the entire cast that was put together for this film and the characters that each one of them were assigned to play. Everyone did a great job here. It’s a cast that perfectly balances already established actors and actresses and talented newcomers.
I also have to give a lot of praise to Jeymes Samuel who directed, wrote and composed the music. He manages to balance some classic western elements with modern dialogue and a cool hip-hop soundtrack for certain scenes. It’s a movie that has a singular and clear vision of what it wants to do and ends up delivering a film with cool characters, action scenes, dialogues, and a soundtrack.
I have a soft spot for westerns, and I’m glad that this is a film genre that is still going strong.
#4 The Green Knight
Although it’s not an official franchise or film series, I’m a huge fan of anything that involves Arthurian legends, and while its most popular elements appear subtly in the story, the film still finds a way to stand on its own and make something amazing.
The best way to describe this film created by David Lowery is that it has a realistic side and a fantastical side.
On the realistic side you have the performances from Dev Patel as Sir Gawain who’s the hero of the story and the struggles in his journey. There is the theme of how we as people should behave with integrity, which I believe have kind of forgotten what that is.
On the fantastical side, that’s where the film made me fall in love with it and reignite my love for the fantasy genre. Everything about the Green Knight character, how it was created, his portrayal by Ralph Ineson, and his role in the story can serve as very interesting topics of conversation.
#3 Dune
The moment the credits for this movie started rolling I knew right away that this was going to be among my top three favourite movies of the year.
To be honest, everything that Denis Villeneuve has done in the past years makes it into my top 10, so I might be biased but it can’t be denied that this man is a genius and very talented film director who knew exactly what to do in order to properly adapt a fantasy world that many considered “unfilmable”.
The performances were great, not a single character was wasted in this movie and those that didn’t have much screen time will (hopefully) be compensated in the next one. The visuals, in all of their scales, were outstanding and brought me to the edge of my seat.
If you want to read more about my opinion of this cinematic epic, you can find my review here.
#2 Spider-Man: No Way Home
After an entire year without MCU movies, Marvel Studios came back hitting strong and they saved their very best for the end of the year. I was expecting many things from this movie and it didn’t disappoint in delivering on any of them.
If I add Tom Holland’s performance, the rest of the supporting cast, the villains, the visuals, the story as its own and as the conclusion of a trilogy, the impact that it has on the MCU moving forward, the many references that it has to comics and the work done by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, and the of the charts fun I had watching it in theatres with my best friends, it all comes down to one of the most entertaining experiences I’ve ever had watching a movie this year.
Dare I say the best MCU movies? Now that’s for another day.
It made me remember why I love Spider-Man so much and it took me 20 years into the past when I first watched the very first live-action Spidey film in 2002.
You can read more about how this movie had a deep impact on me here.
#1 The Mitchells vs The Machines
I honestly thought that Spider-Man was going to take the top spot in this list, but if there was a movie that came out this year and made me laugh, cry, laugh again, reflect on my own life, and just entertain the heck out of me…is this one.
I had a lot of fun watching this movie and that fun stayed with me as I was writing the review (which I consider the best review I’ve ever written and you can find it here) and it has persisted on the multiple rewatches I’ve had.
All of the films in this list share a personal connection with me. But Mitchell’s story, more specifically Katie’s, made a deeper connection with a part of me that fell in love with movies and wanted to dedicate my life to them.
In a year where I considered reinventing myself and I really needed something to work out for me, I needed to be reminded why I love movies, and I’m ending the year with a great job and with a lot more to come in 2022. So thank you Mike Rianda and everyone involved.
If you like this top 10 then go ahead and share it with your friends. If you don’t like it, then share it as well. I would also love to know what are your favourite movies of the year, so let me and/or the guys here at Scribe Magazine know.
Happy New Year everybody.
