This group of movies is probably highlighted by several “hidden gems,” movies that are criminally underseen. I hope we can change that.
Previous Rankings
#191-209
#171-190
#151-170
#131-150
#111-130
#91-110
#71-90
#51-70
Jason Segel has never been better than in OUR FRIEND, and he’s nearly matched every step of the way by Casey Affleck and Dakota Johnson. This based-on-a-true story almost veers into the over-dramatic zone, but there’s just enough humor to balance out the heavy main plotline. THE HARDER THEY FALL honors the westerns that came before it while adding its own updated twist, and it’s a blast. Add in killer music, and you’ve got yourself a massive hit. Andrew Garfield is at his peak in TICK, TICK…BOOM! He perfectly captures the wide range of emotions required to play the late Jonathan Larson. Fun musical numbers abound, and has a great supporting cast to boot.
Rosamund Pike shines in her anti-hero role in I CARE A LOT, doing most of the heavy lifting. There might be some plot issues, but she’s so strong, and the character work surrounding her is so well done. NOBODY rules. Among some great contenders, this might be the single most fun movie of the year. Do you like John Wick? Yes? Then you’ll like this one too.
Another entry in the stuck-in-a-time-loop genre, THE MAP OF TINY PERFECT THINGS manages to set itself apart with its unique setup and beyond charming leads. I’M YOUR MAN is a smart rom-com with an AI twist, a whip-smart script, and two perfect leads. THE SUMMIT OF THE GODS is in contention for the most beautifully animated movie I’ve ever seen. That alone is reason enough to watch it. But with a compelling fictional story based on true life, it just serves to make it one of the year’s must watches.
Lucille Ball seems like a perfect person to match with an Aaron Sorkin script, and the results in BEING THE RICARDOS are as good as you would expect. Some of the other story elements don’t work as well – especially one particular moment near the end; you’ll know it – but it’s got a great cast and when it works, it really flies. SMALL ENGINE REPAIR is another 2021 hidden gem, one that I’d implore everyone to see.
Similar to Red Notice, FREE GUY’S success depends on how much you like Ryan Reynolds doing his Ryan Reynolds thing. But if you’re into it, it works. Plus, Jodie Comer! Some might find THE GREEN KNIGHT to be a bit too leisurely paced, and that’s fair. But it’s a pretty great adaptation of the Arthurian legend. And it’s one of the most beautiful looking films from last year. Vanessa Kirby is amazing – as we’ve come to expect – in PIECES OF A WOMAN, and it’s largely on her performance that carries the success of the movie.
THE LOST DAUGHTER isn’t exactly “my thing,” but when you get Olivia Colman and Dakota Johnson together, good things happen. THE NIGHT HOUSE maybe feels incomplete? But whatever is there is fantastic, highlighted by Rebecca Hall, who has a lot of scenes on her own, which just make it all the more impressive.
If PARALLEL MOTHERS proves one thing, it’s that I need to see more Pedro Almodóvar movies. Penélope Cruz and Milena Smit really bring home the heavy emotional beats. It’s a really powerful story. ENCANTO is lovely. It bucks the trend of most animated movies, most movies to be honest, by not really having a villain. The conflicts are all internal, but it’s no less effective. It also has one of the most beautiful scenes of any movie, in any sense of the word. INDIA SWEETS AND SPICES might be my number one hidden gem recommendation. It shows an under-represented group, and does so to hilarious and heartfelt effect.
Being a biographical film doesn’t make BENEDETTA any less wild. It’s a movie about a lesbian nun experiencing visions of Jesus Christ, directed by Paul Verhoeven. That should tell you everything you need to know. THE MAURITANIAN is fairly generic, but still manages to both effectively inspirational and heartbreaking, thanks largely to Jodie Foster and Tahar Rahim.
