Welp, it’s about that time of the year. The time to look back on some of the greatest things to hit cinema – and the not-so-great things.
Obviously, the movie market has changed thanks to the pandemic, but, surprisingly enough, some good work still manages to get churned out. Then some works which have you wondering just what the producers were thinking?
All the same, here are my picks for the best and worst movies of 2021!
Worst Movies – Bring On the Stinkers!
10. Spiral
Even the star power of Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson couldn’t stop this chapter of Saw from feeling like a retread. Maybe it’s time for Jigsaw to hang it up.
9. Chaos Walking
Take the director of Edge of Tomorrow and the stars of Spider-Man and Star Wars and you have…a mess? Yep, an illogical mess that we can’t figure out.
8. Eternals
A rare misfire from Marvel that felt more like it was trying to be something artistic rather than telling a story. The end credits stuff was great, but little else was not.
7. Dear Evan Hansen
Proof positive that just because something clicks on a stage doesn’t necessarily mean it would work as a movie. This one just drags and drags and draaaaags.
6. Tom and Jerry
Roger Rabbit it ain’t. Hell, Space Jam it ain’t. Tom and Jerry feel like it lets down the iconic duo, saddled with a horrible story, lame performances, and bad directing. Leave Droopy alone, guys.
5. Snake Eyes
This G.I. Joe add-on feels cheap and doesn’t feel cohesive to the franchise as a whole. Some of the action is alright, but, c’mon, the legendary hero deserved better.
4. Thunder Force
Melissa McCarthy tries to play an unlikely hero in a movie that never finds its comic timing. Even some good side performances can’t save it from being the bad guy.
3. Home Sweet Home Alone
We’d rather watch Home Alone 3 again than put on this made-for-Disney-Plus dreck about a kid that fends off not-so-typical break-in types. An insult to the franchise as a whole.
2. Space Jam: A New Legacy
Even the glory of Don Cheadle and an inspired Rick and Morty cameo can’t save this overproduced, overmarketed mess from melting on-screen. James is certainly no Jordan.
1. Infinite
Mark Wahlberg in a time-tripping, overproduced mess of a film. So bad that it didn’t even go to theaters, but left many wondering if their Paramount+ subscription was worth it. Skip it and stay finite.
And Now the Best!
10. Pig
We had a ton of good Nicolas Cage films this year, but nothing tops this emotional drama, with a chef dealing with the loss of his beloved pig. Not the usual revenge material, and we’re happy about that.
9. Copshop
An incredibly fun comedy/crime drama with Gerard Butler and Frank Grillo battling unlikely types. Good performances all around, and a lot of laughs from director Joe Carnahan (The A-Team). Check it out.
8. The Suicide Squad
James Gunn wins yet again with this fun sequel to the 2016 film, featuring Idris Elba and Margot Robbie at their best. John Cena damn near steals the show, and, of course, King Shark rules. “HAND!”
7. Free Guy
The best video game film ever made? Nah, but Free Guy is still a hilarious, breezy ride through a virtual world where chaos reigns supreme. Good fun all around, with a lot of surprises.
6. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
What an entertaining Marvel romp this is. Between Simu Liu kicking butt, Awkwafina providing humorous back-up, and Ben Kingsley finding redemption for his character, it’s insanely good to watch.
5. Raya and the Last Dragon
It didn’t quite get the cinematic justice it deserved, but Disney’s animated tour-de-force deserves to be seen. Wonderful characters, fast action, and a meaningful, heartfelt story. Plus, two-for-two for Awkwafina!
4. Ghostbusters: Afterlife
A heartfelt follow-up to Ghostbusters that feels more like a natural fit than the 2016 film (which was still pretty good). Some fun surprises here and there, and, of course, it’s always terrific to see Paul Rudd being, well, Paul Rudd.
3. Godzilla vs. Kong
Quite simply the best modern Godzilla move out there, thanks to spellbinding direction, some truly epic battles, and a final skirmish with Mechagodzilla that brings the house down. More of this, please.
2. The Mitchells vs. the Machines
An absolute masterpiece from Sony that somehow ended up on Netflix (before finding a home release), this is a real treat. A fun family comedy filled with meaningful laughs and surprises, all based around…the rise of the robots? Hey, it totally works.
1. Spider-Man: No Way Home
This movie piles on so much greatness that it could fit across two films. Truly great fan service throughout, not to mention some nice set-ups for the future. Also, Alfred Molina, Jamie Foxx and Willem Dafoe feel right at home. Again.
