Silas’ Top 11 Favorite Films Of 2021

We are now getting deep into the award season for the best films of 2021. And yes, most of the films being honored are very good films, but are they necessarily my favorite films of the year? Not necessarily. I can appreciate the artistry of most of these award winners and get why they won, however often they aren’t films I would care to watch multiple times. So, here is my personal list of my favorite films that came out in 2021.

11. Malcolm & Marie

A filmmaker on the brink of Hollywood glory and his girlfriend, whose story made his career, find themselves pushed towards a reckoning as a single tumultuous night decides the fate of their relationship.

Initial Release: January 29, 2021

Director: Sam Levinson

Starring: Zendaya; John David Washington

Rated R

Romance/Drama ‧ 1h 45m

Available on Netflix

Why I liked it? I loved that it was shot in black & white because it really puts the focus on the actors. And really, that’s what this film is about, the actors. It’s a two person film, which you don’t see a lot of, and it’s an amazing opportunity just to watch two actors bounce off of each other – action & reaction – pinch & ouch. I liked the film for the acting.

10. The Tender Bar

Set in 1970s Long Island, 9-year-old J. R. Maguire and his mother Dorothy move back in with his grandparents following her breakup with his father. There, he forms a bond with his Uncle Charlie, the owner of a local bar. Charlie acts as a surrogate father to J. R. and encourages him in his pursuit of becoming a successful writer. Charlie’s mother is determined that he will go to Yale or Harvard and become a lawyer.

Release date: December 17, 2021 (USA)

Director: George Clooney

Starring: Ben Affleck; Tye Sheridan; Lily Rabe; Christopher Lloyd; Daniel Ranieri

Drama/Coming-of-age Story ‧ 1h 46m

Rated R

Available on Amazon Prime

Why I liked it? Ben Affleck does a wonderful job in this film. I nominated him for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Uncle Charlie. I think the directing by George Clooney is wonderful in the moments he creates and the tone that he sets. There’s nothing new about this film, but it made me feel good.

9. Zola

Zola, a Detroit waitress, is seduced into a weekend of stripping in Florida for some quick cash — but the trip becomes a sleepless 48-hour odyssey involving a nefarious friend, her pimp and her idiot boyfriend.

Release date: June 30, 2021 (USA)

Director: Janicza Bravo

Starring: Taylour Paige; Riley Keough; Nicholas Braun; Ari’el Stachel; Colman Domingo

Crime/Dark Comedy ‧ 1h 27m

Rated R

Available on Video On Demand

Why I liked it? It’s a very original, crazy story. You really have no idea where the story is going to go. Riley Keough does a fantastic job as the stripper bringing Zola into this crazy world and Colman Domingo is a fantastic bad guy.

8. Spider-Man: No Way Home

With Spider-Man’s identity now revealed, our friendly neighborhood web-slinger is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life as Peter Parker from the high stakes of being a superhero. When Peter asks for help from Doctor Strange, the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.

Release date: December 17, 2021 (USA)

Director: Jon Watts

Writers: Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Stan Lee (based on the Marvel comic book by)

Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch

Action/Adventure/Fantasy ‧ 2h 28m

Rated PG-13

Available in theaters and on Disney+ later this year

Why I liked It? The greatest Spider-Man film made to date. And one that couldn’t have happened without the over a decade building of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And it was just incredibly fun, which is why we go to movies in the first place. It’s a film I could probably watch ten times without batting an eye.


7. The Map Of Tiny Perfect Things

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things tells the story of quick-witted teen Mark, contentedly living the same day in an endless loop whose world is turned upside-down when he meets mysterious Margaret also stuck in the time loop. Mark and Margaret form a magnetic partnership, setting out to find all the tiny things that make that one day perfect. What follows is a love story with a fantastical twist, as the two struggle to figure out how – and whether – to escape their never-ending day.

Release date: February 12, 2021 (USA)

Director: Ian Samuels

Writer: Lev Grossman

Actor: Kathryn Newton, Kyle Allen

Romance/Sci-fi ‧ 1h 39m

Rated PG-13

Available on Amazon Prime

Why I liked it? It’s a great twist on the “Groundhog Day” genre of time loop scifi. I absolutely love this genre. What really stands out about this film is the writing. The writing on this is really nice. It’s a sweet story and if you enjoy the genre you should really check it out.

6. Licorice Pizza

The story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.

Release date: November 26, 2021 (USA)

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring: Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Bradley Cooper, Benny Safdie

Drama/Comedy-drama ‧ 2h 13m

Rated R

Playing In Theaters

Why I like it? Wonderful acting, wonderful writing, a compelling story. It’s really just full of everything that makes me love to watch movies. Alana Haim delivers an award deserving performance.

5. Don’t Look Up

Two low-level astronomers must go on a giant media tour to warn mankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet Earth.

Initial release: December 5, 2021

Director: Adam McKay

Story by: Adam McKay; David Sirota

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Rob Morgan, Jonah Hill, Mark Rylance, Tyler Perry, Timothée Chalamet, Ron Perlman, Ariana Grande, Scott Mescudi, Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep

Comedy/Disaster ‧ 2h 25m

Rated R

Available on Netflix

Why I like it? I think this is one of the sharpest and on the nose satires to come out in ages. I thought it was hilarious, smart, and unexpected. The acting and the cameos are all on point. Meryl Streep is especially wonderful playing the president.

4. Encanto

The Madrigals are an extraordinary family who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a charmed place called the Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift — every child except Mirabel. However, she soon may be the Madrigals last hope when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is now in danger.

Release date: November 24, 2021 (USA)

Directors: Byron Howard, Jared Bush

Music by: Germaine Franco

Story by: Jared Bush; Byron Howard; Charise Castro Smith; Jason Hand; Nancy Kruse; Lin-Manuel Miranda

Starring: Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo, Mauro Castillo, Jessica Darrow, Angie Cepeda, Carolina Gaitán, Diane Guerrero, Wilmer Valderrama

Musical/Comedy ‧ 1h 39m

Rated PG-13

Available on Disney+

Why I like it? It’s not just a great animated film, it’s a great film. My daughter was excited to see it because finally Disney had a movie where the character reminded her of herself; just a regular, quirky, and brown girl. The film is actually much deeper than it originally appears. Having two little kids, I have seen the film more than any other film since Frozen 2. And I actually like it more each time. To top it off, an amazing soundtrack by Lin Manuel Miranda.

3. In The Heights

In Washington Heights, N.Y., the scent of warm coffee hangs in the air just outside of the 181st St. subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies a vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is a likable and magnetic bodega owner who hopes, imagines and sings about a better life.

Initial release: June 4, 2021

Director: Jon M. Chu

Music by: Lin-Manuel Miranda; Alex Lacamoire; Bill Sherman

Starring: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, Jimmy Smits

Musical/Drama ‧ 2h 23m

Available On Demand

Why I like it? This musical had me smiling from the first number. I thoroughly loved the music, the story, and the way they adapted the stage musical to screen. The actor’s pleasure in doing the film shows in the production. It really is a different kind of musical than you’ve ever seen.

2. Tick Tick Boom

Based on the autobiographical musical by playwright Jonathan Larson. It’s the story of an aspiring composer in New York City who is worried he made the wrong career choice, whilst navigating the pressures of love and friendship.

Release date: November 12, 2021 (USA)

Director: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Music by: Jonathan Larson

Adapted from: Tick, Tick… Boom!

Screenplay by: Steven Levenson

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesús, Joshua Henry, Judith Light, Vanessa Hudgens

Musical/Drama ‧ 1h 55m

Available on Netflix

Why I like it? This film is incredibly moving. The film connects to anyone who is afraid they don’t have enough time left to leave their mark on the world. Andrew Garfield is fabulous as Jonathan Larson, really the perfect choice for the role, and he’s surrounded by a wonderful supporting cast.

  1. CODA

Ruby is the only hearing member of a deaf family from Gloucester, Massachusetts. At 17, she works mornings before school to help her parents and brother keep their fishing business afloat. But in joining her high school’s choir club, Ruby finds herself drawn to both her duet partner and her latent passion for singing.

Release date: August 13, 2021 (USA)

Director: Sian Heder

Starring: Emilia Jones; Eugenio Derbez; Troy Kotsur; Ferdia Walsh-Peelo; Daniel Durant; Marlee Matlin

Screenplay by Sian Heder, Based on Famille Bélier by Victoria Bedos

Drama/Romance ‧ 1h 51m

Why I like it? This film has two of my favorite scenes from any movie in a long time. They say that great moments in acting and film are like a pearl, and the goal is to make so many pearls that you have the biggest pearl necklace possible. This film made more necklaces than any other film this year. It’s incredibly touching, funny when appropriate, and brings you into a real world that most of us would never think about.

ABOUT SILAS

When he’s not reviewing films or interviewing people for the Black & A Half podcast, Silas can be found in the greater metro Seattle, WA working as a real estate agent helping people buy and sell homes, or performing stand up comedy to fellow nerds. He has a wife and three children and desperately wants to learn to make the perfect homemade pizza.

Review: The Tender Bar

Tender Bar Review (2021)

R ‧ Coming of Age Drama ‧ 1 hour 46 minutes

Directed by George Clooney
Screenplay by William Monahan

Based on The Tender Bar by J. R. Moehringer

Review by Silas Lindenstein

THE CAST

Ben Affleck as Uncle Charlie
Tye Sheridan as J. R. Moehringer
Lily Rabe as Dorothy Moehringer
Christopher Lloyd as Grandpa
Daniel Ranieri as Young J. R. Moehringer
Rhenzy Feliz as Wesley
Briana Middleton as Sidney
Max Casella as Chief

THE STORY

Set in 1970s Long Island,[2] 9-year-old J. R. Maguire and his mother Dorothy move back in with his grandparents following her breakup with his father. There, he forms a bond with his Uncle Charlie, the owner of a local bar. Charlie acts as a surrogate father to J. R. and encourages him in his pursuit of becoming a successful writer. Charlie’s mother is determined that he will go to Yale or Harvard and become a lawyer.

THE REVIEW

Watching The Tender Bar is like getting a big hug from an Aunt you like. It’s a comforting hug. It feels nice because it’s familiar. It isn’t the best hug, you’ve had hugs like this before, and you’ll have them again. It’s nothing special, but it’s nice. 

The Tender Bar is ripe with the nostalgia you expect from a coming of age story.  A lot of it is familiar, even if you can’t place it exactly; the boy who wishes his Dad was around, and gets more love from his Uncle and his friends than he ever could from his Dad. Dreaming of a better life when they get older and getting to see the slow crawl toward that something better. 

So the story is okay. The premise is alright. The acting….that’s where this film really shines. Ben Affleck is really great as Uncle Charlie, the “smarter than everyone else in the room Uncle” who owns a bar called The Dickens. Affleck is so natural and speaks and matches the tone of film just perfectly. He’s charming, funny, kind, and empathetic. He’s the uncle we all want and he plays it with very little effort. 

Our main character is split into two actors, the young  J. R. Moehringer played by Daniel Ranieri  and the older JR played by Tye Sheridan. Both do an exceptionally well job portraying the lead character, their innocence while marching forward in life is very relatable, slightly awkward, and fun. 

The other well done aspect of the film is the direction. The tone of the film is hit just right by director George Clooney. He does an excellent job of directing really solid moments of the film that engage you with the characters and make you root for them. He also has impeccable comic timing and makes sure that the comedy in the film runs through without being over the top or out of tone with the rest of the film. 

What stops the film from being truly great is that there is nothing new or overwhelmingly moving about the film. There isn’t a stand out scene that blows you away. It’s a solid film, but one that doesn’t make you feel like you are

seeing something incredibly special. 

THE BEST

Three BEST things about the film

  1. Ben Affleck – Golden Globe Nomination and my pick
  2. Skillful Direction
  3. Story  Well adapted from the book

THE WORST

The three WORST things about the Film

  1. Can feel slow at times
  2. Story jumps from little kid to young man quickly. 
  3. Nothing New to the story. Coming of age story is now when I was coming of age. This makes me feel old

THE LESSON

Everyone needs an Uncle Charlie.

THE FINAL WORD

You don’t watch this kind of film because you want to learn more about humanity, you watch it because of the comfort that nostalgia allows. You watch it because you are finally seeing your generations growing up on the big screen. You watch it because it will give you warm feels and you don’t risk a lot.

Will you laugh?

Yes, at times. 

THE VERDICT

My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It. 

The Tender Bar gets a Like It

The Tender Bar is available to watch for free on Amazon Prime with membership.

ABOUT SILAS

When he’s not reviewing films or interviewing people for the Black & A Half podcast, Silas can be found in the greater metro Seattle, WA working as a real estate agent helping people buy and sell homes, or performing stand up comedy to fellow nerds. He has a wife and three children and desperately wants to learn to make the perfect homemade pizza.

Review: Licorice Pizza

Licorice Pizza (2021)


R ‧ Comedy Drama /Coming of Age ‧ 133 Minutes

Written by Paul Thomas Anderson

Directed by ‎Paul Thomas Anderson

Review by Silas Lindenstein

THE CAST

Alana Haim; Cooper Hoffman; Sean Penn; Tom Waits; Bradley Cooper; Benny Safdie

THE STORY

The story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.

THE REVIEW


Some of the best films are just a simple premise done really well. To a degree, this is what makes Licorice Pizza such a good film. It’s probably in my top ten films of 2021. Well acted, great writing, funny, and a story that compels you to keep watching to see what happens next. 

A coming of age story set in the 1970s southern California area.  It’s the tale of a 15 year old entrepreneurial boy Gary (Cooper Hoffman) and his unlikely (and at times inappropriate) relationship with a 25 year old woman, Alana (Alana Haim) he meets at his school’s picture day. Their relationship strengthens as they become partners in Gary’s business and they satisfy each of their needs. Gary’s need to have something to yearn for, and Alana’s need to have the attention of someone and a potential opportunity to escape from her redundant existence. 

Cooper Hoffman is the son of the late great actor Seymour Hoffman, this is his first feature film lead and he handles it like he’s been doing it for ages. His tone is effective and right for the character throughout. Very believable as a boy searching to find the next quick buck while he yearns for an older woman that won’t let them be together.

Cooper would probably be getting more recognition for his performance if he wasn’t playing opposite Alana Haim, who delivers one of the best performances of the year. She’s a very authentic actress. She exposes herself and wrestles with her dilemmas so we can share them with her. The chemistry between Alana and Cooper as actors elevates the script so that we can understand the complicated relationship between Gary and Alana. 

The production of the film is nearly flawless. The only major thing is within the storyline itself. I had trouble rooting for the leads to get to get together because of the age difference. Ten years isn’t a deal breaker, unless one of the parties is under 18, then it’s a little creepy. 

THE BEST

Three BEST things about the film

  1. Alana Haim’s performance. Honest, passionate, and authentic. 
  2. The writing, it’s believable, turns out it is based on a real guy.
  3. The cameos; Bradley Cooper and Sean Penn make you howl.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the Film

  1. There’s really only one thing that bothered me about the film, and that’s the age difference. While it’s not clear exactly how long the film takes over, as the film develops and feelings between the characters, we have to remember that Alana is an adult and Gary, however mature he seems at times, is still a kid. The relationship isn’t appropriate and if the genders were reversed, this film wouldn’t be celebrated.

THE LESSON

You don’t need attention as much as you need appreciation. 

THE FINAL WORD

A solid film from top to bottom. Expect high praise from this film now, and extraordinary work in the future from the lead actors. Licorice Pizza is a film you need to take a bite out of. 

THE VERDICT

My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It. 

Licorice Pizza gets a Love It.


ABOUT SILAS

When he’s not reviewing films or interviewing people for the Black & A Half podcast, Silas can be found in the greater metro Seattle, WA working as a real estate agent helping people buy and sell homes, or performing stand up comedy to fellow nerds. He has a wife and three children and desperately wants to learn to make the perfect homemade pizza.

Review: The Power Of The Dog

The Power of the Dog  (2021)

R ‧ Drama/western ‧ 2h 6 m

Written by Jane Campion

Directed by ‎Jane Campion

Review By Silas Lindenstein

THE CAST

THE STORY

(In their own words) Charismatic rancher Phil Burbank inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother brings home a new wife and her son, Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.

THE REVIEW

The Power of The Dog is an incredibly well-crafted film. The cinematography is at times breathtaking, not just in the gorgeous views it shows of the landscape (it’s supposed to take place in Montana but budget constraints had it filmed in Australia), but because the cinematography really helped tell the story. The actors are first rate; Kirsten Dunst has completed transformed from her early work to such a strong, powerful actress. In this case, showing a woman being slowly broken by the constant badgering of a brother-in-law, Phil Burbank played by Benedict Cumberbatch. Always a good actor, Cumberbatch plays the badgering bully of his brother and his family. He really showcases the nuances to this complex, powerful and unlikeable character.

Though despite the great artistry of acting and production design, I couldn’t help but be completely bored through the first 30-40 minutes of the film. Were it not for needing to review it, I would have shut it off. Which, would have made me miss the surprising turn the film takes in the last third of story. While it seems to be a slice of life film to start, it turns into a little bit more……not exactly a thriller…but not everything is as it seems.

While the last part of the movie saved me from boredom I couldn’t see myself watching this film a second time. It’s just too slow without enough of a payoff. .

THE BEST

The BEST things about the film:

  1. The cinematography.
  2. Unexpected direction.
  3. The craftsmanship of this film.
  4. The acting by Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst is incredible.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the Film:

  1. So slow.
  2. First 40 minutes are really, really boring.
  3. Unrelatable.

THE LESSON

Be kind, because you just don’t know. 

THE FINAL WORD

One of the most beautiful films that has ever bored me. 

THE VERDICT

My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It. 

Like it for craftsmanship.

Lose it for entertainment.

ABOUT SILAS

When he’s not reviewing films or interviewing people for the Black & A Half podcast, Silas can be found in the greater metro Seattle, WA working as a real estate agent helping people buy and sell homes, or performing stand up comedy to fellow nerds. He has a wife and three children and desperately wants to learn to make the perfect homemade pizza.