As we say goodbye to 2021 and turn our attention to the new horizons of 2022 it is a time of reflection and looking forwards. 2021 was a difficult year for cinema, with numerous major releases being delayed and many cinemas sadly having to close as a result of the pandemic, but we should all remember that the year also saw some fantastic releases to put a shiver down your spine, a lump in your throat and, most importantly, a smile on your face!
2022 seems in prime position to meet these high standards again, with several incredible high-profile releases slated for the year. So, to make sure you don’t miss out on a single cinematic sensation this season here’s our list of the Top 10 not to miss this year!
10. Nightmare Alley
The newest film from one of the most twisted directors in the business is sure to kick off the new year with a bang, as Guillermo del Toro’s Nightmare Alley promises to bring a thrillingly sinister story to the silver screen. Exploring the magical world of the carnival and the mystic mythology that surrounds it, Nightmare Alley boasts an all-star cast with Bradley Cooper taking the reins and a plethora of stunning supports from Willem Dafoe to Cate Blanchett to Ron Perlman. Whilst this frightening fairground ride of a film might be a bit too scary for the fainter of heart, those who relish a hair-raising experience will find it right down Nightmare Alley.
Release Date: 21 January 2022
9. Sherlock Holmes 3
This one has been a long time in the making. Due to be released a full ten years after the series’ last instalment, Sherlock Holmes 3 seeks to become the best of its saga and to capture the magic of the original two films. This sequel’s development has very much been defined by both change and continuity, seeing Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law return as Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson but replacing Guy Ritchie with Dexter Fletcher as director. The return of Downey Jr and Law come as welcome developments as their combative chemistry remains the highlight of the series so far, but the attachment of Fletcher suggests this new entry will have its own voice, moving away from Ritchie’s fast paced action towards a more character driven affair. For another memorable trip to Baker Street, this is the film for you!
Release date: 2022 (Exact date as yet unconfirmed)
8. Licorice Pizza
Paul Thomas Anderson’s first coming-of-age film looks to be an absolute titan of the genre, already deemed to be the best directed trailer of the last 12 months. Licorice Pizza has what seems to be a basic plot at the surface, following a teenage boy struggling to become an actor and the relationship that develops between him and his friend. However, its performances and characters give it a certain depth that really has to be seen to be believed. Whilst many other films on this list feature a veritable cornucopia of Hollywood heavyweights, Licorice Pizza chooses to fill out its ranks with a number of up-and-coming actors, many featuring in their first major film.
Whilst it does star Sean Penn as the most recognisable name on the cast list the male star Cooper Hoffman (the son of the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman) makes his acting debut. Amongst all the upcoming Hollywood blockbusters of 2022, Licorice Pizza offers something different, a charming, gripping story starring the next generation of cinema.
Release date: January 7th 2022
7. Uncharted
This is one for all those Indiana Jones fans out there who haven’t been able to quench their thirst for adventure since Indy hung up his hat and retired his whip. Based on the best-selling video game series of the same name, Uncharted follows Nathan Drake, a wise-cracking treasure hunter on his first expedition to discover El Dorado, the legendary city of gold. The film will undoubtably attempt to capture the essence of the original game series and there are many encouraging signs to indicate this already, the largest of which is the casting of Tom Holland as Drake, the perfect candidate for the smug explorer. Whilst it might be a bit early to say now, Uncharted looks set to launch a new titan franchise to rival Indiana Jones for its title as the greatest adventure films in cinema and is therefore definitely a release to keep a close eye on this year.
Release date: 18th February 2022
6. The Black Phone
The upcoming release from one of, if not the, biggest names in modern horror, Blumhouse Productions, is certain to give sleepless nights to all those brave enough to lay eyes upon it. The Black Phone tells the story of Finney Shaw, a young boy who must escape the dwelling of Ethan Hawke’s blood-chilling villain The Grabber, with help from the deceased, channelled through the eponymous black phone.
The Black Phone looks set to be the scariest film of 2022 with its horrifying trailer firmly setting the tone for the film’s release, showing scary scenes and differentiating itself from other upcoming horror flicks like Nightmare Alley. Where Nightmare Alley hopes to be fantastically fearsome, The Black Phone is truly terrifying, not hoping to engage in the same kind of wonder of adventure, only interested in causing hairs to stand on end. For a terrifying time call The Black Phone.
Release date: 24th June 2022
5. Knives Out 2
Very little is known about the sequel to 2019’s magnificent murder mystery movie with released information being limited to returning staff and new stars as well as a vague 2022 release date but, as limited as information may be, it is still worth getting excited about. The return of writer and director Rian Johnson, the brain behind the first film, promises to keep the gripping suspense and delightful characterisation of the original, providing a murder mystery film for the modern age, whilst the reappearance of Daniel Craig as the wonder detective Benoit Blanc means a witty and engaging lead to drive the narrative.
The list of familiar faces is a cause for celebration and is surely enough to get mouths watering across the land with Kathryn Hahn, Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr. and Dave Bautista appearing as potential suspects. While it may seem easy to ignore this mystifying movie as so little is known about it, do not let it pass you by upon its release as it’s already tipped to be one of the most entertaining films of the year.
Release date: 2022 (Exact date as yet unknown)
4. Nope
Another film that is keeping its cards very close to its chest – almost all information that we have on the film comes from one image released on the director’s twitter in July. The hype for Nope comes down almost entirely to the identity of the director and writer taking charge of the film, Jordan Peele. Peele has made a name for himself in filmmaking recently with some of the best and most interesting horror films of the past 5 years, Get Out and Us, and he will undoubtably seek to continue this trend with Nope.
There are many theories circling on the internet concerning Nope’s plot with suggestions of sentient clouds or malevolent fog banded about and you can spend hours guessing what Peele’s twisted mind has in store for audiences, but one thing that is for certain is the exciting cast. Starring Get Out’s Daniel Kaluuya, Hustlers’ Keke Palmer and The Walking Dead’s Stephen Yeun, the all-star cast has huge amounts of promise, mixing horror, drama and Peele’s pedigree for what is certain to be the most memorable horror film of 2022.
Release date: 22nd July 2022
3. The Batman
There have been many cinematic incarnations of Batman, from Adam West to Michael Keaton, to Christian Bale, each with their own unique flavour and voice but Robert Pattison’s upcoming turn in the cowl is a much darker and grittier take on the famous character from director Matt Reeves. The Batman plays into the dark side of Batman and gives the often-overlooked character of Bruce Wayne a starring role. Focusing on Bruce and on the darker side of the mythology already sets The Batman apart from other takes on the character and the more realistic and grounded setting of an almost noir Gotham makes it unique amongst all comic book films released in the last ten years.
Of course, we can’t really call it a Batman film without the hero’s most defining feature, his villains. Whilst there are appearances of Catwoman portrayed by Zoë Kravitz and The Penguin, played by Colin Farrell, it is The Riddler that takes centre stage in this latest flick. Paul Dano’s take on the character will bring a sense of dread and malevolence to the film (having based his Riddler on the infamous Zodiac Killer) that is sure to creep into the nightmares of audiences in a way unlike any other comic book villains. Fans of the Caped Crusader cannot afford to miss this masterpiece.
Release date: 4th March 2022
2. The Northman
There are two types of people in this world, fans of the films of Robert Eggers and people who haven’t yet seen the films of Robert Eggers. The mind behind the Salem horror, The Witch and the surrealist sea dog tale The Lighthouse, Eggers has one of the best track records in cinema right now with both of his already released films being the most innovative and compelling films of their respective years (and are both well worth a watch if you’re unfamiliar with his work). The fact that Eggers is releasing a new film at all is enough to be excited about but especially when you learn more about this Danish drama.
The Northman is described as a Viking take on the story of Hamlet, with Alexander Skarsgård playing the character Amleth, a Viking prince whose father was killed and whose kingdom was usurped. Whilst the story seems to stay very loyal to Shakespeare’s original tragedy, Eggers mixes in his own trademark metaphorical madness that will no doubt make the film a feast for the senses, with the trailer already showing off some scenes of ethereal Nordic imagery, Valkyries and hermits.
Whilst this film will not be a crowd pleasing blockbuster, as Eggers loves to revel in the vagueness of his stories, The Northman will undoubtably be one of the most thought-provoking films of 2022 and will no doubt stay with audiences long after the credits have rolled.
Release date: 22nd April 2022
1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Part One
It is often very difficult to pick the top spot when ordering films, with almost every film from number 5 to number 2 usually being of such quality that listing them can be tricky, but this is not the case with the number one entry here. The sequel to 2018’s Enter the Spider-Verse promises to capture the same cartoonishly cathartic magic of the original whilst building on the story of Miles Morales; following his transition from trainee to full-fledged Spider-Man in the original.
Several other Spider-People have been confirmed to be appearing in this latest instalment, including the fan favourites Spider-Gwen and Peter B. Parker from the original as well as the new Spider-Woman and Spider-Man 2099. There is no confirmation how many more wall-crawlers will be joining the cast but after the original’s inclusion of Penny Parker and Spider-Ham the scope is almost infinite and it would not be surprising to see many more joining the adventure. The sequel is set to continue with its absolutely stellar casting as Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld and Jake Johnson are all set return to reprise their roles from the original whilst adding the talents of Oscar Isaac and Issa Rae as Miguel O’Hara and Jessica Drew respectively. The characters and their chemistry were one of the many highlights of Enter the Spider-Verse and with this casting news, that trend looks set to continue.
Whilst details of the plot are scarce at the moment, the ending of the original and the evocative ‘Part One’ in the title promises big things in this instalment and frankly, if it manages to capture half the charm of the original it will be the best film of the year. Quite simply, if you only see one film in 2022 make it this one.
The Beatles’ new documentary Get Back has been long-awaited by music fans, who had been waiting for fifty years to see their favourite band rehearse and practice for what is now the Beatles’ iconic last performance on the rooftop. The documentary footage, filmed during the last days of the Beatles as a band, had been in a vault for five decades until Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson decided to finally give the fans what they wanted by releasing the film Get Back in 2021. In the three-part documentary series, we see the Beatles write, rehearse and eventually perform new songs that would go on to end up on their Abbey Road (1969) and Let It Be (1970) albums. We also bear witness to the full iconic rooftop concert.
Aside from iconic music history, the series also offers some inspirational life lessons.
Here are three that you can take from the brilliant new Beatles’ documentary that can be applied to all areas of your life:
Practice Makes Perfect
The Beatles had been together as a band for nearly a decade by the time they started the Get Back sessions. They had already performed around 1400 concerts together and that number is not even including all the rehearsing and recording of albums that they did in between. Despite all those long hours of making music together, they were still practicing every day by the time they started rehearsing for the Let It Be album recordings in the Twickenham studios.
In the documentary, there are multiple moments where the band members practice Paul McCartney’s new song Get Back. There is even a moment where the band starts the intro of the song multiple times because according to Paul it should be “a bit faster”. Even one of the greatest bands of all time had to rehearse their songs multiple times to make them perfect. All the practicing paid off when the band, by the end of the third part of the documentary, performs their famous rooftop concert flawlessly.
Even if you’re not a musician, it is not a bad idea to keep on practicing and perfecting your skills as much as you can. Whether it is writing, painting, playing sports, or skills you need to further your career, practice will help you improve. No matter how good you already are, practicing more will never hurt and give you a great feeling of accomplishment as you move forward.
Inspiration Comes When You Least Expect It
The Beatles’ songwriting process has always been somewhat of a mystery. Inspiration hit the band when they least expected it. The story goes that McCartney wrote the hit songs Yesterday after dreaming about scrambled eggs and Let it Be after dreaming about his mother.
In the documentary, we can see that other Beatles songs came about when they were just noodling around on instruments in the studios. This was the case for the title track Get Back. Halfway through part one of the series, you can see McCartney noodling around on his bass guitar while waiting for his bandmates. Suddenly, his strumming turns into a now familiar melody: “get back to where you once belonged”. The melody was at first accompanied by nonsense words, something the Beatles did a lot when coming up with new songs. Throughout the rest of the documentary, the song Get Back takes on the form as we know it today.
Later, we can see George Harrison playing around with the words of what was to become the hit song Something. John Lennon even gives George the advice to just put some nonsense words in there until he gets the right ones. So the “greatest love song of the past 50 years” (if you ask Frank Sinatra) would start with “attracts me like a cauliflower” as the substitute lyrics.
Seeing those iconic songs come into existence in the documentary is very inspirational. It shows that even the most genius inventions and works of art were not always present in the world, even if we cannot imagine a world without them now. So let inspiration hit you in unexpected moments too when you’re stuck for new ideas. Go for a walk, read a book or maybe noodle around on your instruments as well. Who knows what new ideas will come to you.
It’s Ok If Plans Change
When the Beatles started with the Get Back sessions, they planned on filming a TV special at the end of it. They even started with practicing in Twickenham film studios, so they could think of how they wanted the studio to look. Due to pressures from both inside and outside the band, those plans slowly changed. The TV special became a one-off performance. Various locations were discussed, including theatre ruins in Libya. One by one all these ideas were rejected until they came to the idea of performing on a rooftop. Even thirty minutes before the rooftop performance was set to begin, the band members were not sure if they wanted to do it. In the end, they rolled with the punches and gave one of the most famous performances of all time on the roofs of Saville Row in London.
The rooftop concert has been hailed as a defining moment in music history, on par with Woodstock. It has been imitated by other bands, including U2 when they performed Where the Streets Have No Name in Los Angeles in 1987. If the Beatles had stuck with the original TV special, who knows if their final performance would have been just as iconic. TV specials had been done before, while rooftop performances were a relatively new phenomenon.
The life, and maybe even career, lesson of this is that it is ok if plans change. Do not get married to the plans in your head and roll with the punches if other people come up with new and better ideas of how to approach challenges. Their input might just lift your initial ideas from mediocre to iconic.
The Beatles’ Unexpected Life Lessons
The Beatles’ new Get Back documentary series was not just an in-depth look at music-making but also provided some wonderful life lessons. The lessons might not immediately lead you to write iconic songs (or maybe they will, who knows) but can help you with personal growth and getting more out of life in all areas.
The Beatles were truly speaking some “words of wisdom”.
It’s that time of year again, the nights are getting longer, the days are getting colder, and the hectic shopping experiences have begun. Though Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year it’s easy to forget how stressful it can be, organising food, family and presents for a perfect Christmas day can sometimes seem like a part-time job so it’s little wonder that every year people find solace in films.
Christmas films have carved out their own cinematic genre by being some of the most heart-warming, joyful, gooey-on-the-inside films ever produced, savings millions of festive families and friends from the exhaustion of the season.
To help you through the holidays for this year at least we’ve amassed 10 of the best Christmas films to enjoy this bleak midwinter.
10. The Snowman
Though you might have only heard of it as the birthplace of the classic Christmas song ‘Walking in the Air’, ‘The Snowman’ is a charming Christmas cartoon that is one of the purest concentrations of Christmas magic possible without injecting eggnog directly into your veins. Whilst the story is nothing to write home about, concerning a young boy and his relationship with a magic snowman, the art style it employs is almost aggressively delightful, both striking and welcoming at the same time and makes this picture one to watch.
9. The Polar Express
Tom Hanks plays 6 different characters. What more do you need? ‘The Polar Express’ is another film that offers a surface level of simplicity (a child attempts to get to the North Pole before Christmas) whilst hiding a huge amount of entertainment value in its depths. The Polar Express’s greatest strength comes in the genuinely surprising levels of tension that it is able to generate. Despite being a cuddly, friendly Christmas cartoon at its very core its action sequences will bring even the most stony-faced of viewers to the edge of their seat.
8. Nativity!
A rather simple and modest Christmas film, ‘Nativity!’ tells the story of St. Bernadette’s Primary School putting on their annual school nativity and the conflict that arises when a white lie spirals out of control. ‘Nativity!’ is by far the cheapest feeling film on this list, being filmed almost entirely in a primary school and missing the A-list names of other festive films, but it is precisely this simplicity that makes it such an endearing watch. It feels pretty flimsy at times, but this is what makes it so lovable and gives it universal opinion for every member of the family.
7. Elf
This film is quite simply Will Ferrell at his finest as he embodies the character of Buddy the elf with the perfect levels of childlike wonder and manic energy to make the film unforgettable. The story of a boy brought to the North Pole and raised as an elf trying to find his way in the real world, offers a whole host of fish-out-of-water moments which are utilised to produce humour through Ferrell’s misunderstandings and heart-warming moments as he brings his innocent and idealistic attitude to a jaded and cynical world. ‘Elf’ is the perfect family film for the holidays, being able to appeal to parents and children alike without a disappointed face in sight. So, if you’re entertaining family and friends this year, this is the film for you.
6. Love Actually
THE definitive romantic comedy with a list of A-list songs as long as Mr Tickle’s arms! Emma Thompson, Rowan Atkinson, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, and Kiera Knightly to name but a few. Whilst including many of the romcom genres staples, (being utterly charming and completely heart-warming) ’Love Actually’ manages to be genuinely hilarious in a way that very few films in the genre can claim to, with several laugh out loud moments to bring cheer to your Christmas. ‘Love Actually’ has become somewhat iconic in recent years being referenced and parodied in all forms of media so if you’ve never seen it before make sure to take the time to experience this cultural cornerstone.
5. How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Jim Carrey’s manic comedic style is perfectly suited to this Dr. Seuss classic as he brings to life the eponymous Grinch as both a threatening villain and a sympathetic joker. The classic book is really brought to life in this festive gem with some of the greatest set and costume design of any film on this list, all of which almost surgically designed to immerse the audience in the town of Whoville. Whilst the Grinch has become so intrinsically linked with the Christmas scene that his film may seem almost cliché for those who haven’t had the viewing pleasure recently, it’s definitely worth going back and enjoying just how good this seasonal tale still is.
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas
There have been numerous arguments over the status of Tim Burton’s gothic animation as a Christmas film with some believing it is best enjoyed in the run up to Halloween. However, something that is indisputable is its quality. Featuring the greatest collection of songs ever included in a festive film, each guaranteed to have you singing along, and a stop animation style brimming with its own kind of charm, ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ is undoubtedly the best film on this list but only manages to secure 4th place as it doesn’t quite manage to capture the cosy Christmas spirit as adeptly as the top three, bringing a certain edge that isn’t for everyone in the Yuletide season.
3. It’s A Wonderful Life
An absolute Christmas classic that has managed to survive almost 70 years to remain as one of the most popular Christmas films to this day. ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ follows George Bailey, a caring man who is down on his luck and his guardian angel who tries to show him the value of his life, offering one of the most engaging narratives in any Christmas film, portrayed to perfection by the star-studded cast. Since it was initially released all the way back in 1946 some of its scenes do seem a bit dated but its compelling and endearing story keeps it relevant despite the grainy black and white presentation.
2. The Muppet’s Christmas Carol
There have been many attempts over the years to capture the magic of Charles Dickens’ seminal novel ‘A Christmas Carol’ but none have done it quite as well as The Muppets in their 1992 motion picture. Almost every muppet lines up perfectly with one of Dickens’ characters, so much so you’ll start to wonder if it was written specifically for them, be it Waldorf and Statler sharing the role of Jacob Marley, or Fozzy Bear as Mr Fezziwig and so much more. Add in the acting powerhouse of Michael Caine as Scrooge and a number of catchy songs and you have a Christmas film for the ages.
1. Miracle on 34th Street
To take first place on this list requires something truly special and that is very much what ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ is. The core of the story comes down to a very simple but intriguing question, how could Santa prove he was Santa? This concept is mixed with a hint of charming characters and a dollop of soothing dialogue, and you have a Christmas film for the ages. Though I believe the original 1947 black and white version is the best way to enjoy this magical story it can be slightly difficult to watch with its poor video quality so if you find this prospect off-putting, the good news is that the 1994 remake captures all of the original’s magic whilst offering a bold new technology, colour film. If you only have time to watch one Christmas film this year, make it this one.
Very few directors can claim to have their own distinctive style, stamping their own expressive identity on every film they create but one director able to confidently make this claim is Quentin Tarantino. Characterised by snappy dialogue, memorable characters, sensational performances and copious amounts of violence, Tarantino’s films have carved out their own place within cinema as some of the most thrilling and gripping films of the past 30 years.
So, in preparation for the director’s 11th and final film currently developing in Tarantino’s twisted thoughts, we’ve taken up the tricky task of ranking ever Quentin Tarantino film, to finally answer the question which of his projects is superior.
10. Death Proof
An uncontroversial choice to start off the list, Death Proof is the closest thing that Tarantino has made to a bad film. Following a Hollywood stuntman who uses his near indestructible car as a murder weapon and the group of women who finally fight back against him, the film offers a profound lack of any kind of excitement or engagement usually synonymous with the director’s name. Though his attempt to take on the slasher genre, (one of the most formulaic genres) is admirable Tarantino’s motorised murder movie falls short of the mark in almost every area and all his crack character work and dramatic dialogue cannot save the fundamentally flawed premise.
9. Kill Bill Vol. 2
The first, and at time of writing only, sequel to one of Tarantino’s films, Kill Bill Vol. 2 offers a disappointing end to the story of The Bride and her quest for revenge. Despite offering captivating performances from Uma Thurman and David Carradine and gripping insight into the tumultuous nature of Bill and The Bride’s relationship, Vol. 2 suffers greatly from the change in tone from its predecessor. With much less of the over-the-top action present in Vol.1 (a film we will get onto later) the story’s conclusion is left feeling mediocre and almost dull in comparison, whilst failing to achieve its intended objective of offering a satisfying ending to the story. Hyping up Bill for almost 4 hours only to limit his threatening aura to a 5 second fight scene can leave the audience unhappy with the ultimate outcome.
8. The Hateful Eight
Rather appropriately, The Hateful Eight claims 8th place on the list, offering a plot that is a hotbed of tension that sadly fails to pay off in the end. This claustrophobic western boasts an all-star cast of Tarantino regulars such as Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Kurt Russell and Samuel L. Jackson, all of whom brilliantly play into the film’s themes of suspicion and paranoia to keep the audience in a state of suspense throughout. This palpable sense of tension carries the film through it first two acts, but it starts to struggle after the tension is lost, choosing to replace it in the third act with the stylised violence that the director is famous for, but such a sudden and coarse transition means that it falls somewhat flat.
7. Jackie Brown
The single most underrated Tarantino film, Jackie Brown is a hyper stylish heist thriller that utilises its slick dialogue and engaging plot to create a brilliant entry for the genre. Jackie Brown is a bit of an exception amongst Tarantino films, choosing to use the trademark violence sporadically throughout the picture to emphasise its effect in the few instances where it is shown, adding a layer of shock to draw in the viewer. Whilst the final act is brilliantly paced and offers a satisfying conclusion, the rest of the film leading up to it’s crescendo is long and drawn out in some places and can feel like it is only there to add context to the film’s final moments.
6. Kill Bill Vol. 1
Tarantino’s original take on the martial arts genre balances a hugely compelling story with engaging characters, with some of the most unforgettable action sequences ever put to film. It is far superior to Vol.2 as it does not make the mistake of promising more than it delivers, showing off fantastically choreographed action scenes you’d expect of a Tarantino martial arts movie. Though its ability to entertain is unparalleled, this quality can work against the more serious of the film’s elements with the almost cartoonish violence distracting from the gritty tale of betrayal and revenge attempting to be conveyed.
5. Inglorious Basterds
Possibly the most unique war film ever created, Inglorious Basterds follows a group of American soldiers dropped behind enemy lines and tasked with killing as many Nazis as possible. The film’s greatest strength is in its casting and performances, with each actor offering pitch-perfect portrayals of their characters. From Mélanie Laurent’s resilient and troubled Shoshanna, to Brad Pitt’s vulgar and aggressive Aldo Raine, no one puts a foot wrong, but head and shoulders above them all… is Christoph Waltz. Waltz’s performance as Hans Landa is nothing short of iconic and is possibly one of the greatest of his career, being able to make his character engaging, sympathetic and repulsive all at the same time. Though the film can sometimes have difficulties properly dealing with the more sensitive source material, Inglorious Basterds mix of strong characters and gory violence makes it a special kind of brilliant that could have only come from the mind of Quentin Tarantino.
4. Django Unchained
The director’s first venture into the western genre remains his most compelling, as Django Unchained offers one of his most emotionally taxing stories with some of his most exciting action scenes. Set in the southern United States during the height of slavery, the story follows freed slave Django as he searches for his wife, takes up bounty hunting and kills a whole load of slave traders. One of the strongest elements of the film is its refusal to shy away from any of the brutality of the time, depicting all the horrors endured by the slaves that can feel uncomfortable at times but never unnecessarily grotesque. Though there have been some criticisms made of the film, specifically how it tries to be a gritty depiction of American slavery and a fast-paced spaghetti western at the same time, its excellent story, realism and cast makes it essential watching for any Tarantino fan.
3. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Presented as a love letter to the years of classic Hollywood, Tarantino’s latest offering is an incredible feast for the senses. Carried by the incredible pairing of Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, offering some of the most grounded and engaging performances of their esteemed careers. Defined by its sensational story and captivating characters, the film is one of the rare cases of Tarantino giving his trademark violent action scenes a back seat, but as opposed to Jackie Brown when it is employed there is no sense of restraint, leading to one of the most bonkers and memorable ending sequences in cinematic history. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is certainly a different flavour of Tarantino film with its uniqueness offering a breath of fresh air to long-time fans of the director’s work.
2. Pulp Fiction
Just missing out on the top spot is this all-time classic from the early part of the director’s career. Certainly Tarantino’s most iconic film, Pulp Fiction presents a story straight off the pages of a comic book and follows a number of slick and interesting characters and the intersections between their stories. Pulp Fiction is the birthplace of many of pop culture’s most memorable figures and scenes; from the sleek and suave Winston Wolf, to the powerful pairing of Jules and Vincent. Even with the plaster on the back of Marsellus Wallace’s head, Pulp Fiction is baked into so much of film society in the modern day. Aside from its iconic reputation, Pulp Fiction claims the runner up position because of its incredible dialogue, creating some of the most well-known and quotable lines in cinematic history and will have you asking everyone you know… do you know what a quarter pounder is called in Europe?
1. Reservoir Dogs
Taking the highest honours is Tarantino’s first and simplest feature film, Reservoir Dogs is a masterclass in creating greatness from minimalism. As Tarantino’s first film the budget was modest compared to his projects since and, as a result, much of the film is set in the same room and the main cast is incredibly limited, but what is amazing is how the film uses these facts to its advantage. The singular location adds to the sense of claustrophobia and paranoia built into the story and the small cast is bolstered by the continued referencing of off-screen characters such as Mr. Brown and Mr. Blue. The way that the film uses its problems to its advantage is not only admirable but incredible, adding hugely to the tone of the film and making the gritty, almost slimy criminal group even more believable. Though Reservoir Dogs is undeniably a sensational film, the main reason for its place at the top of this list is its ability to balance all of Tarantino’s trademark qualities perfectly in one film, from the unforgettable characters, intense action and violence and sharp dialogue, Reservoir Dogs has it all, making it the most quintessential Tarantino film.
It’s hard to keep up with all the movies being released in this period of post-pandemic renaissance with cinema finally regaining its ‘lost’ time. The 2021 Venice Film Festival has been the test bench for many movies that will enthral us through the months to come, whether in the theatres or on streaming platforms.
Many blockbusters are already hitting the big screen and creating buzz after having debuted in September 2021. Dune (check out our review here), Last Night in Soho, Spencer…all these productions speak for themselves: their majestic casts, cinematography, production and costume designs are a true delight for the eye.
Still, there are many other titles that deserve your attention that you should definitely consider including on your to-watch list.
Some films coming from very different productions and with varied geographical, socio-cultural and even historical backgrounds have common underlying themes that can create rich discussions on similar topics.
Female Justice-Seekers
What do a Palestinian seventeen-year-old girl in today’s Jerusalem and the wife of a knight in 14th century France have in common?
In Amiraand The Last Duel, the two protagonists are victims of two very different kinds of outrage that leave them emotionally or physically harmed and undermine their sense of identity and their reputation in the eyes of the societies they live in.
This vulnerability though, becomes a motivation to take control over their lives in unprecedented ways and seek truth and justice for themselves.
Troubling Maternities
In L’événement(the winner of the Golden Lion) and Madres Paralelas unexpected maternity makes for an interesting turn-of-events, an inevitable resignation or a dreadful kick in the teeth.
If pregnancy and motherhood in Madres Paralelas signal the start of a personal quest and a coming-of-age journey (paralleled also by a shared search crucial for the historical legacy of Spain), in L’événement they become an impending doom against which the protagonist starts a nervous and suffocating struggle.
Dystopian Childhoods
Children suffering and replicating the brutality of the adult world are the focus of these two films that blink at literatures classics like Lord of the Flies and Oliver Twist.
El Hoyo en la Cerca and Mondocane throw the audience in to two harsh dystopian worlds: respectively, a realistic present-day catholic summer camp in Mexico and a plausible (not-so-distant) future in polluted Southern Italy.
Both films build on the toxic dynamics of the group against the individual. Every child (and adult) hides some weaknesses or emotional needs but this fails to make them feel any empathy for each other. Their life is ruled by the survival of the fittest which prevails on any social interaction.
The Intimate Struggles of Social Outcasts
When a peculiar hearing impairment hits a sound designer in Out of Syncand a businesswoman suffers a psychological downfall while her daughter is under Covid lockdown in Pu Bu (The Falls), the two characters suddenly see their worlds falling in on them.
Things they took for granted disappear in a matter of days. They are fired, isolated and considered unreliable and at first, denial seems the only solution.
Only when they and the people around them adapt to the new circumstances and reconnect with their sense of self, does life acquire a new and improved significance.
On The Edge Of Your Seat
It’s not a shared theme that bonds the next two titles but their capacity for leaving you breathless with suspense and they do it in completely different ways.
The Power of the Dog reveals its well-constructed drama slowly. Nothing is as it seems in the Burbank brothers’ ranch in 1920s Montana and only at the end do you realise you were in a psychological trap throughout, just like the protagonist.
On the Job: The Missing 8instead is an adrenaline-filled political thriller that sheds light on the systemic corruption in the Philippines and follows the gradual realisation and decisive actions of a journalist.