Well, it's that time of year again. The time when we reflect on the year behind us and prepare for the year ahead. And honestly, let's just hope things start going back to normal...or at least normal-er? I digress.
Regardless, it's the time of year where we go back and review what truly made us happy the past year and when I reflect, I think of the television series and movies that got us through this wacky year.
Looking for new shows to binge that you might have missed? Interested in hearing my take on the 2021 movies that were the best? You are in the right place - let's begin!
TELEVISION
1. Sex Lives of College Girls
Even though it came out in late November, “Sex Lives of College Girls” quickly became one of my favorite shows of the year. It’s perfectly nostalgic for our old University days behind us and gave us unique and distinct characters and storylines that felt very real. Produced by Mindy Kaling, I definitely enjoyed this more subtle, yet effective, comedy writing over her other show “Never Have I Ever.” Available to stream on HBO Max.
2. WandaVision
The groundbreaking first Disney+ Marvel spin-off series was as entertaining as it was heartbreaking and gave our beloved Wanda Maximoff the spotlight, for once. Boldly scripted and beautifully executed, “WandaVision” was my favorite of the Marvel TV shows to hit the streamer this year. PLUS, it will be key for understanding the multitude of events that will occur in "Doctor Strange 2." Available to stream on Disney+.
3. Sex Education
The third season of this break-away Netflix series gets deeper and more serious storylines. This quiet, yet powerful series, has some of the best writing and the sweetest stories. Watch now on Netflix and a Season 4 has been confirmed! Available to stream on Netflix.
4. Mare of Eastown
Kate Winslet saying “hoagies” in a Pennsylvania accent. Need I go on? No, but seriously, I have already written a lot about this series and the Emmy’s speak for themselves. Available to stream on HBO and HBO Max.
5. Dopesick
Drama series that covers the origin and spread of the opioid crisis in middle-America. The series starts in the infancy stages of the pandemic and through the near-decade long legal battle to pull the addictive drug of OxyContin from the shelves, “Dopesick” gives a varied perspective on the people and companies affected by the addictive drug. Available to stream on Hulu.
6. Starstruck
This fun romantic comedy series was the perfect little show to watch this summer. When a movie theater employee accidentally sleeps with UK’s biggest movie star, her life gets turned upside down. Full of meet-cutes and professions of love, “Starstruck” on HBO Max is a short and sweet series that just hits the spot. Available to stream on HBO Max.
7. Shadow & Bone
For lovers of fantasy and young adult fiction, “Shadow and Bone” scratches that itch. Adapted from a popular YA novel from the mid 2010’s, “Shadow and Bone” is just the beginning of fantasy book series being adapted to the screen. With lots more on the way (looking at you “A Court of Thorns and Roses”), “Shadow and Bone” is sure to please fans of series like “Vampire Diaries” and “Riverdale.” With a second season on the way, catch up now on Netflix! Available to stream on Netflix.
8. Succession
This series is one of the many series that benefitted from a longer break between seasons. After “Succession’s” breakout first season and jaw-dropping season two finale, season three had been building up suspense during the pandemic due to the delays in production. While it was a long-awaited return, it benefitted from the break between season two and three and became one of HBO’s most watched premieres. Sabotage, deep-rooted family issues and drama – what’s not to love? Available to stream on HBO and HBO Max.
9. Maid
While the series wasn’t without faults, it did have a powerful message about a single mother’s will, not just to survive, but to live and to create a better life for her child. Margaret Qualley gives a layered first solo performance in the lead role. It is a long series, perhaps could have worked better with a shorter run time or as a movie, but it was a powerful story. Available to stream on Netflix.
10. Selling Sunset
You might be asking yourself, does this technically count? The answer is yes it does because this is the most blatantly scripted reality television show that I have ever seen. Go for the mansions, stay for the producer orchestrated, paper thin drama! Available to stream on Netflix.
Wow, that was a lot. If you haven't seen all of the above, make sure to check them out if you are looking for something new to watch this week.
And onto movies. I do want to call out with an extreme asterisk that I have not yet seen "Licorice Pizza" It just came out on December 25th and I have not had a chance to go to the theater. That being said, I will say with 100% certainty that if I had seen it, it would have been on my list, at the top!
Ok. moving on. Here is my Top 10 Movies of 2021.
MOVIES:
1. Little Fish
Honestly, if you have been following by blog all year, you should know that I haven’t been able to shut up about this movie since I saw it this past summer. A sci-fi romance that takes place in our modern pandemic-laced world. Although this time, instead of suffering from a sickness like COVID, people are slowly losing their memories. Emma and Jude, a young married couple, struggle to hold their relationship together as Jude begins forgetting their time together. Incredible movie and will appeal to fans of indie-drama-romances like 2010’s “Like Crazy.” Available to stream on Hulu.
2. Promising Young Woman
“It’s every guy’s worst nightmare getting accused like this.”
“Can you imagine every woman’s worst nightmare?”
Although this movie came out to VOD in early January 2021, it is still one of my top favorite movies of the year. Available to steam on HBO Max.
3. Tick, Tick…Boom!
2021 quietly became the year of Andrew Garfield….and I’m not mad about it. Garfield is most likely going to be nominated for Best Actor in this Bio-Pic of Jonathon Larson, creator of “Rent.” The musical covers his life before his untimely death at the young age of 35. Also, it gives us perhaps one of the most relatable lyrics: “Turn 30, 1990, bang you’re dead, what can you do?” What can you do, indeed. Available to stream on Netflix.
4. Quiet Place II
A fantastic follow-up to the 2019 break-away indie-movie, “A Quiet Place,” this was my first theater experience in over a year due to the pandemic. The theater was packed with fans and made all the jumps and screams hit that much harder. Can’t wait for the final installment in this probable trilogy.
5. Last Night in Soho
A fever dream of 1960’s London, “Last Night in Soho,” is a wild depiction of almost mental health in a way. It’s wild and thrilling and great for exactly 2/3rds of the movie. A nice Halloween watch, dare I suggest. Available on VOD.
6. Spider-Man: No Way Home
I wrote an entire article about this last week, check it out if you are looking for spoilers.
7. To All The Boys I Loved Before, Always and Forever, Lara Jean
The final installment for one of the coziest, comfort movies ever created. The final of the trilogy with Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky. I will miss them!
8. Being the Ricardo’s
There is very little that Aaron Sorkin can’t do when it comes to creating an excellent script. While his directorial efforts still need some fine tuning, “Being the Ricardo’s” proves that he is still perfecting that craft. When Sorkin writes, he demands your attention. No, literally. You have to pay attention if you want to catch everything that is going on, his style is fast and to the point. The movie is a bio-pic about Lucille Ball, yes. But the story decides to focus on a very specific week in their lives. Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
9. Swan Song
Another quiet contender this year, came out in the last month. Mahershala Ali proves, once again, that he can take any role and just make it better. "Swan Song" takes place in the not so distant future, where technology has advanced enough to replicate humans and transfer memories into the new hosts. Cameron Turner discovers that he is suffering from an incurable disease, rather than to lose his wife and kids, he decides to move forward with the procedure. The movie is more about family and integrity than it is a sci-fi thriller. Sweet and subtle, it's a great watch. Available to stream on Apple TV.
10. Coda
“CODA” stands for Child of Deaf Adults in the Apple TV+ heart-warming drama. Ruby (Emilia Jones) has lived most of her life as her family’s interpreter, advisor and protector. But with a looming high school graduation on the horizon, Ruby must decide whether or not she should leave her family to pursue her own dreams. A break-out role for Emilia Jones and just a great, whole-some story. Available to stream on Apple TV+
Check out next week's article where I will cover my most anticipated 2022 projects coming soon to our screens!
And that's the sitch.
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