The 5 Best Films of 2021

Creating a top 5 list of the best films of 2021 proved to be surprisingly difficult. We were spoilt for choice as films began actually releasing again.
From the local art house cinemas to the giant multiplexes to everything in between, cinema felt like it was on a come back in 2021. And with the unprecedented shortening of the window between a cinema release and a home release, more people had access to great cinema than ever before.
But with so much to choose from, which 5 films actually made the cut?

Doctor Who – ‘Village of the Angels’ Review

Doctor Who: Flux is back on its feet after that shaky outing last week. ‘Village of the Angels’ is the show at its best though; with a great setting and fun supporting characters and returning villains who, for my money, are up there with the Daleks and Cybermen as the greatest Doctor Who nemeses.

Doctor Who – ‘War of the Sontarans’ Review

After last week’s fantastic but ever so slightly convoluted opener, this week’s episode of Doctor Who followed it up with an outstanding episode. And for my money, it was one of the very best stories of the entire Chibnall era.

Everything about this episode is Doctor Who on top form, from the writing to the performances to the music to the VFX. And that’s not to mention the direction and cinematography, which was downright amazing.

No Time To Die (2021) Review

A new James Bond film being released is like national holiday for me. And with the long delayed release of No Time To Die, it was like all my Christmases had come at once.

No Time To Die is beautiful and heartbreaking, in equal measure. It’s a tragic love story masquerading as an action film. It’s one of the best and boldest Bond films ever made and one that will surely prove controversial for some Bond fans…

The Suicide Squad (2021) Review

The first thing to note about James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad is that it is better in every imaginable way to David Ayer’s disastrous 2016 effort. Rather more surprisingly however, is just how good Gunn’s film is when compared to the rest of the DC superhero movie pantheon. It’s a gross-out splatter-fest, earning it’s 15 rating in almost every minute of run time, but with a big ol’ heart underneath all the guts and gore. It’s not entirely perfect, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun and is undoubtedly the DCEU’s best movie yet.

Duel (1971) – 50th Anniversary Blu-ray Review

Duel is a must watch if you’re a fan of Spielberg or even if you’re just after a fantastic and taut thriller. From the acting to the directing to the sparse Billy Goldenberg score; everything about it is pitch perfect. Despite it’s original TV movie trappings, the film is pure, edge-of-your-seat cinema. Duel deserves to be remembered as one of Spielberg’s greatest.

Lost – Season 6 Rewatch and Review

Season 6 of Lost is where (most of) the questions throughout the show’s 6 year run get answered. It follows on directly from the explosive season 5 finale, as we see the gang wake up on the island in the modern day and also a flash-sideways reveals a world where we are shown what would happen if the island was sunk

From the very beginning it’s clear that this season is intended to wrap up the show and provide the audience with some closure. Whether it manages that or not though is going to differ from each person but I really, really like the ending of Lost, even if season 6 does stumble occasionally.

Lost – Season 5 Rewatch and Review

Season 5 of Lost is, with out a doubt, the absolute best season of the entire show. This might be a slightly controversial opinion to some – especially those that prefer the more grounded island survival tone of the first 3 seasons. But for me, season 5 develops the mythology of the show into new and exciting places and, despite some of the show’s most outlandish stuff taking place this season, it does so in way true to the original spirit of the show.

Cinema of New Zealand: Sleeping Dogs (1977) Review

Sleeping Dogs is a landmark film for the cinema of New Zealand. It kick-started the countries very own new wave cinema movement and it heralded the arrival of two new voices with director Roger Donaldson and star Sam Neill.

But away from all that, it’s also just a really good thriller. The pacing is occasionally uneven but the film is certainly never boring. The beautiful cinematography and explosive action sequences disguises the film’s low-budget roots while Donaldson’s passionate direction shines throughout.

Lost – Season 4 Rewatch and Review

Season 4 as a whole is one of the strongest seasons of the show, with no real weak points. I feel it’s the turning point for the show, between the first three seasons with their survival thriller vibes and the last three, more outlandish, science fiction and fantasy seasons. This change will polarise some watchers but I love it and believe these final seasons to be the best in the entire show. And season 4, with it’s tight scripting, fantastic characters, and it’s wonderfully realised science fiction concepts, might just be the best of the lot.