Archive for December, 2021|Monthly archive page
jcm’s TOP 10 Movies, Docus & Series of ‘21!
I promised myself after last year’s historic S.I.P., and no doubt breaking my own personal streaming record, I wouldn’t take in QUITE as much content in ’21, also not knowing how much longer the pandemic would lagger on, as well as the surge of new variants. Well, thankfully I did meet my promise, watching only about 80% of my ’20 amount. 🤣🤣🤣 But, ’21 also brought plenty of great content, and I’d love to offer these tips for you any you may have overlooked, and share my highlights of the year, acknowledging there’s loads of content I wasn’t drawn to, or didn’t see. Any favorites of yours I missed? Share in the comments!
TOP 10 MOVIES
1) Supernova (US theatrical release ’21) • Underrated IMO, particularly in the award show noms, where it was largely ignored. A poignant, intimate, and painfully real close-up on a partnership, confronted with a terrible cognitive challenge.
2) Nomadland (US theatrical release ’21)
3) West Side Story ’21 (see review at bottom)
4) Passing (Netflix)
5) Cruella
6) Dune
7) Promising Young Woman
8) The Father (US theatrical release ’21)
9) US vs. Billie Holliday (Hulu)
10) Bo Burnam: Inside (Netflix) • SUCH a unique and relevant piece!
TOP 10 DOCUMENTARIES
1) Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided To Go For It (Netflix) • This helped open my eyes up to just how trailblazing, and instrumental she has been. Holder of the rare EGOT, and yet, a seemingly ego-free, spacious human being. It’s also the perfect follow up to watching the new “WSS”!
2) The New York Times Presents: Framing Britney Spears (Hulu) • THIS has surely been Britney’s year. Rightfully so.
3) Roadrunner • About the real Anthony Bourdain. Necessary viewing for all human beings.
4) Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir (Netflix)
5) TINA (HBO)
6) This is a Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist (Netflix)
7) Tiny Shoulders: Redefining Barbie (Hulu)
8) STRAY (Magnolia Pictures)
9) The Magic of Callas (PBS/Amazon)
10) FOUND (Netflix) • About three teenage girls born in China, abandoned by their parents, and adopted by US families.
TOP 10 SERIES
1) Feel Good (S2, Netflix) • This series perfectly rides that line between humor and raw poignancy, no doubt an embodiment of Canadian-born lead Mae Martin’s stand-up comedy material and tone.
2) Hacks (S1, HBO)
3) Only Murders in the Building (S1, Hulu)
4) The Other Two (S2, HBO)
5) The White Lotus (HBO)
6) The Chair (S1, Netflix)
7) Genius: Aretha (NG/Hulu)
8) Special (S2, Netflix)
9) Sex Education (S3, Netflix)
10) insecure (S5, HBO)
BEST DOCU SERIES
1) Penguin Town (Netflix) • These Penguins come to life as full-blown characters. Their trials and pleasures are captured so compellingly.
2) Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy: Naples, Bologna, Tuscany, Milan, Sicily, Roma (CNN)
3) Behind the Attraction (Disney) • This is a VERY fun series!
4) Bad Sport, Gold War episode (Netflix)
5) Worn Stories (Netflix)
BEST ANIMATED MOVIES
1) Soul (DisneyPlus, Dec. 25, 2020) • This movie offers an important culture reference to “flow state“, which is an important awareness for mental well being.
2) Luca (Amazon) • Very sweet to see the story of two best boy friends develop.
3) OUT (short film, DisneyPlus)
4) Muppets Haunted Mansion (Disney) • a 1-hour Holiday Special
BEST REALITY COMPETITION / SERIES
1) Portrait Artist of the Year (S3, Amazon) • A simply stunning series. It teaches you SO much about artists’ process.
2) The Great Pottery Throw Down (S4, HBO) • I SO vibe with this show, thanks to its tactile art form, and compelling filmed setting.
3) The Great British Bake-Off (S9, Netflix)
4) DragRace AllStars (S6, Paramount)
5) Motel Makeover (Netflix)
jcm’s “CHEESIEST” AWARD
A Castle For Christmas (Netflix) • COMPLETE cheese, with Brooke Shields as a famous writer escaping to a Scottish castle to find herself again, but I gobbled it up.
jcm’s “RAZZIE AWARD” (i.e. worst movie)
A Clüsterfünke Christmas (Comedy Central) • Despite the very talented SNL-alum writing team, I couldn’t finish it! It was pretty unwatchable.
West Side Story ’21 REVIEW:
It’s hard to be objective about a piece that I’ve listened to since childhood, is literally a part of me, and in large part formed my musical and romantic ideals (the latter part not a good plan, of course). I got to play Diesel on stage, have sung “Something’s Coming” several times (and Maria’s/Anita’s parts in private…lol). My tears flowed throughout the entire movie…which was largely about my past memories, overlaid with current projections of this new piece itself.
Mike Faist (Riff) of Newsies and Dear Evan Hanson fame was a TOTAL star…I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Not a false note in his performance for me, he simply seemed to exist as this character. And he embodied unique casting as well, not the typical more thug-like Riff. He was more lithe and viscerally wounded. I REALLY hope he isn’t altogether overlooked in the awards show nominations.
The other leads were all stunning as well, even Ansel Egort, considered by most not at the same level as the others, was the best Tony I’ve seen in a modern version, offering moments that called to mind a young Brando. This may have been the first time I didn’t want to fast-forward through “Gee, Officer Krupke,” my least favorite song in the show, the staging concept was so kinetic.
The end of “America” is surely one of the greatest modern large company stagings ever captured on film…I was almost in disbelief at its grand scale. Rita Moreno’s LIVE “Somewhere” was a study in sincerity and longing. As much as I love the original, more traditional operatic approach, she sold me on this more intimate, and integrated one. Her portrayal was a gift, anchor, and thread of tradition for this production. Janusz Kaminski’s cinematography had us literally RIGHT in the midst of the action. It could not have been more experiential on a 2D screen.
The soundtrack, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel was also FULL of new layers and nuance, making the score sound fresh and new again. Nary a complaint, which is VERY rare indeed for a movie musical redux…only one may be that they cut the Somewhere Ballet.
CLASSICS FINALLY SEEN
Citizen Kane (’41)
Frida (’02)
The Artist (’11)
Versailles ‘73: American Runway Revolution (‘12 Docu.)
Frozen (’13)
The Lego Movie (’14)
The Sound of Metal (’19)
I May Destroy You (‘20 Series) – DO NOT MISS this series!
Are there any of your favorites that I left out? If so, share in the comments!
Also, check out last year’s BEST OF 2020 list (scroll down to see the movie, docu., series nods)!