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Every year before the Oscars, I post my 25 favorite movies from the past year, each with a picture of a puppy that reminds me of that movie.
Since the Oscars are this Sunday, it’s time for my list!
Feel free to mute this thread if you hate movies and/or adorable dogs.
Enjoy!
Since the Oscars are this Sunday, it’s time for my list!
Feel free to mute this thread if you hate movies and/or adorable dogs.
Enjoy!
25. LUCKY GRANDMA
If you ever want to see a movie about a grumpy, chain-smoking grandma who accidentally finds herself in the middle of a violent gang war, boy do I have a recommendation for you!
If you ever want to see a movie about a grumpy, chain-smoking grandma who accidentally finds herself in the middle of a violent gang war, boy do I have a recommendation for you!
24. ONWARD
This was the last movie I saw in the theater before the pandemic – it was the Friday before everything started shutting down. For that reason alone it has burned itself into my memory, but it’s also one of Pixar’s sweetest and most underrated movies!
This was the last movie I saw in the theater before the pandemic – it was the Friday before everything started shutting down. For that reason alone it has burned itself into my memory, but it’s also one of Pixar’s sweetest and most underrated movies!
23. ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI…
While the one-room location and staging make this movie feel like the play it was obviously adapted from, director Regina King gives the long dialogue scenes an energy and rat-a-tat tempo that make everything feel fresh. Everyone in the cast is sublime.
While the one-room location and staging make this movie feel like the play it was obviously adapted from, director Regina King gives the long dialogue scenes an energy and rat-a-tat tempo that make everything feel fresh. Everyone in the cast is sublime.
22. I’M YOUR WOMAN
This has nothing to do with this movie, but when you pause it while watching, it displays a list of actors. I paused it during a scene w/ a baby, but I guess the baby was played by triplets, so all three were billed above the main actor and it made me laugh.
This has nothing to do with this movie, but when you pause it while watching, it displays a list of actors. I paused it during a scene w/ a baby, but I guess the baby was played by triplets, so all three were billed above the main actor and it made me laugh.
21. JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Attention is rightfully given to LaKeith Stanfield & Daniel Kaluuya, but can we please talk about the glorious Dominique Fishback? I have always loved her, and her performance in this movie seals the deal. "She's a star!" shouts the dog below...
Attention is rightfully given to LaKeith Stanfield & Daniel Kaluuya, but can we please talk about the glorious Dominique Fishback? I have always loved her, and her performance in this movie seals the deal. "She's a star!" shouts the dog below...
20. THE INVISIBLE MAN
Any movie that came out in the Before Times™ feels like a lifetime ago. But even after all this time, I am still thinking about this super suspenseful thriller and Elisabeth Moss’ amazing performance.
Any movie that came out in the Before Times™ feels like a lifetime ago. But even after all this time, I am still thinking about this super suspenseful thriller and Elisabeth Moss’ amazing performance.
19. THE WAY BACK
This one’s a downer, but Ben Affleck is really, really good. And through all the solemnness there is a truly moving movie about redemption and recovery.
This one’s a downer, but Ben Affleck is really, really good. And through all the solemnness there is a truly moving movie about redemption and recovery.
18. DICK JOHNSON IS DEAD
At first, I was worried this documentary was going to be too gimmicky and quirky for something so serious. But, man, did I fall hard for Richard “Dick” Johnson and his wonderful, playful outlook on life and death. He inspired me!
At first, I was worried this documentary was going to be too gimmicky and quirky for something so serious. But, man, did I fall hard for Richard “Dick” Johnson and his wonderful, playful outlook on life and death. He inspired me!
17. ANOTHER ROUND
Everyone talks about the final 10 minutes of this movie and how perfect Mads Mikkelsen is. So I will just join the chorus! Both of these things are perfect!
Everyone talks about the final 10 minutes of this movie and how perfect Mads Mikkelsen is. So I will just join the chorus! Both of these things are perfect!
16. THE WILD GOOSE LAKE
This Chinese crime thriller is full of impressive action & set pieces – one highlight being a panicked crowd w/ glowing bracelets scattering into the night – but the movie also has a twisty story & gorgeous cinematography. Find this & watch it! It’s great!
This Chinese crime thriller is full of impressive action & set pieces – one highlight being a panicked crowd w/ glowing bracelets scattering into the night – but the movie also has a twisty story & gorgeous cinematography. Find this & watch it! It’s great!
15. DA 5 BLOODS
I still can’t believe that Delroy Lindo wasn’t nominated for an Oscar for this movie. It’s one of the most interesting performances I’ve ever seen.
I still can’t believe that Delroy Lindo wasn’t nominated for an Oscar for this movie. It’s one of the most interesting performances I’ve ever seen.
14. NEWS OF THE WORLD
Every year there is always a spot on my list for a solid, well-made “dad movie.” Last year it was Ford v Ferrari; this year it’s News of the World. Congrats, News of the World! And congrats to all the dads who will enjoy this movie for years to come.
Every year there is always a spot on my list for a solid, well-made “dad movie.” Last year it was Ford v Ferrari; this year it’s News of the World. Congrats, News of the World! And congrats to all the dads who will enjoy this movie for years to come.
13. SOUL
Two original non-sequel Pixar movies in a year? Yes please! Many smart people have already talked endlessly about what they love (and don’t love) about this movie, and I agree with it all! I thought it was lovely and creative and funny. That Knicks joke!
Two original non-sequel Pixar movies in a year? Yes please! Many smart people have already talked endlessly about what they love (and don’t love) about this movie, and I agree with it all! I thought it was lovely and creative and funny. That Knicks joke!
12. TIME
My favorite documentary of the year. A painful, heartbreaking portrayal of injustice that is somehow also hopeful and full of love.
My favorite documentary of the year. A painful, heartbreaking portrayal of injustice that is somehow also hopeful and full of love.
11. LET THEM ALL TALK
Seriously, let them all talk for as long as they want! I could listen to Dianne Wiest, Candice Bergen, Meryl Streep and Lucas Hedges talk on a boat all day.
Seriously, let them all talk for as long as they want! I could listen to Dianne Wiest, Candice Bergen, Meryl Streep and Lucas Hedges talk on a boat all day.
10. FIRST COW
A beautifully told story about friendship, survival and being kind. Also, it has a cute cow! The title isn’t lying!
A beautifully told story about friendship, survival and being kind. Also, it has a cute cow! The title isn’t lying!
9. BAD EDUCATION
I’m convinced that if this true-life tale didn’t premiere on HBO it would have been competing for many Oscars this Sunday, at the very least for Hugh Jackman and Allison Janney’s career-best performances.
I’m convinced that if this true-life tale didn’t premiere on HBO it would have been competing for many Oscars this Sunday, at the very least for Hugh Jackman and Allison Janney’s career-best performances.
8. PALM SPRINGS
It felt like light summer fare at the time, but the more I think about this movie the more I feel like it’s a genuine classic that I’m sure I’ll watch many more times in the future. Palm Springs the city is also a second home for me, so I might be a little biased.
It felt like light summer fare at the time, but the more I think about this movie the more I feel like it’s a genuine classic that I’m sure I’ll watch many more times in the future. Palm Springs the city is also a second home for me, so I might be a little biased.
7. PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN
After going back and forth for weeks about whether I thought this movie was a masterpiece or a little discordant with its overall message, I think I’ve settled somewhere in the middle – landing around “very, very good.”
After going back and forth for weeks about whether I thought this movie was a masterpiece or a little discordant with its overall message, I think I’ve settled somewhere in the middle – landing around “very, very good.”
6. THE FATHER
I truly don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie quite like THE FATHER. I had no idea what to expect, but was absolutely blown away. The way the visuals, editing and even set design make you feel like you are in the mind of Anthony Hopkins is shockingly effective.
I truly don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie quite like THE FATHER. I had no idea what to expect, but was absolutely blown away. The way the visuals, editing and even set design make you feel like you are in the mind of Anthony Hopkins is shockingly effective.
5. WOLFWALKERS
The best animated movie of the year. I loved WOLFWALKERS so much – an enchanting tale with perfect voice actors, impressive world building and stunning 2D animation.
The best animated movie of the year. I loved WOLFWALKERS so much – an enchanting tale with perfect voice actors, impressive world building and stunning 2D animation.
4. MINARI
This deeply personal story about a family in pursuit of their American dream feels completely authentic and vital. The entire cast is flawless, with Yuh-Jung Youn’s funny and heart-shattering performance a standout. MINARI is an all-time great family drama.
This deeply personal story about a family in pursuit of their American dream feels completely authentic and vital. The entire cast is flawless, with Yuh-Jung Youn’s funny and heart-shattering performance a standout. MINARI is an all-time great family drama.
3. SOUND OF METAL
Just like a book uses chapters to help tell its story, SOUND OF METAL uses techniques inherent to movies like sound design to effectively portray what its characters are going through. It works wonders and makes you appreciate what movies can do.
Just like a book uses chapters to help tell its story, SOUND OF METAL uses techniques inherent to movies like sound design to effectively portray what its characters are going through. It works wonders and makes you appreciate what movies can do.
2. NOMADLAND
There is so much to love about this film. I loved Frances McDormand’s performance, so tender and thoughtful. I loved Chloé Zhao’s directing, using real people and non-actors to make the story feel that much more authentic and affecting. I loved it all so much.
There is so much to love about this film. I loved Frances McDormand’s performance, so tender and thoughtful. I loved Chloé Zhao’s directing, using real people and non-actors to make the story feel that much more authentic and affecting. I loved it all so much.
1. NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS
It’s rare when a movie comes along that feels so urgent and essential that I encourage everyone to seek it out and watch it. This is one of those movies. It stuck with me more than any other film I saw last year. It’s required viewing.
It’s rare when a movie comes along that feels so urgent and essential that I encourage everyone to seek it out and watch it. This is one of those movies. It stuck with me more than any other film I saw last year. It’s required viewing.
And that’s it!
Thanks so much for following along. This is always fun for me to do every year since I love movies (and dogs!) so much.
Have fun watching the Oscars this weekend! So many good movies to celebrate.
I'll be back with this next year, I'm sure. :)
Thanks so much for following along. This is always fun for me to do every year since I love movies (and dogs!) so much.
Have fun watching the Oscars this weekend! So many good movies to celebrate.
I'll be back with this next year, I'm sure. :)
