Another year has come and gone in the history of cinema, now approaching its 130th anniversary. This was a great year for movies, perhaps the best since the lockdowns of 2020. Here are my picks for the ten best films of the year:
1. The Wild Robot – This is not only the best film of the year, but the best film to come out of Dreamworks Animation since its inception a quarter century ago. It has humor, heart, a gorgeous design, and a potent pro-life message about the dignity of all beings. Rozzum’s character development from mindless drone to caring mother is the best arc of the year.
2. Orion and the Dark – A close second is Charlie Kaufman’s brilliant animated movie about a child confronting his fear of the dark (also from Dreamworks). In classic Kaufman style, there are fun time jumps and a beautiful new lore about the night time.
3. Sing Sing – This is the best film I’ve seen to portray day to day life in a prison. Divine is a long-time prisoner who leads a troupe of actors in a yearly play to make life a little more meaningful. Based on a real group called Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), it is a beautiful story of survival and redemption.
4. Thelma – This movie was just so, so funny. Ninety-year Jane Squibb gives the performance of the year as a senior citizen cheated out of ten thousand dollars who goes looking for the scammer. Think Ocean’s Eleven on a motorized scooter.
5. Dune, Part II – This is the great epic movie of the year. It brilliantly envolopes the audience is a brand new world. The story is rich and compelling, borrowing much from Christian and Muslim theology.
6. We Grown Now – Childhood is always rough but especially when you grow up in the North side Chicago project. Nonetheless, friends Malik and Eric form a bond and help one another grow through poverty, sadness, and joy.
7. The Forge – Our culture is having a crisis of masculinity, and The Forge offers a potent solution. A man is someone who sacrifices his own desires for his family and the Kingdom. It is a difficult task, but we don’t have to do it alone.
8. Am I Racist? – Matt Walsh’s sophomore effort into the documentary world confronts the DEI philosophy with Borat style bravado, going undercover as a “certified expert” in the field. It is profound, cringy, and – most importantly – hilarious.
9. Exhibiting Forgiveness – Fred Rogers said, “it’s the people you love the most who can make your feel maddest.” Tarrel seems to have life figured out until his deadbeat dad suddenly comes returns, seeking pardon for his past. Tarrel is sent on a spiritual and emotional rollercoaster, wondering if he should or even can forgive his fathers for decades of neglect and abuse.
10. January 6th: The Most Deadliest Day – This is a hilarious, Spinal Tap style mockumentary about the Capitol riots on January 6th, 2021. Filled with strange interviews, sly commentary, and constant gags, the film is political comedy at its finest.
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