The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Into the Past: 2021

Welcome to The Wasteland into the Past! Join this journey backwards in time as I take a cinematic look at years past. Each article will focus on a singular year and my Top 5 films from that year. Turn back the clock with me…and let’s get started! 

2021

Belfast

I must really love Irish films, don’t I? You are probably sensing a pattern with my favorite films each year, but this coming-of-age story certainly swept me and the audiences off our feet. Belfast is the fictionalized upbringing of writer/director Kenneth Branagh as he tells of his experiences with living during Civil War times with the conflict between Catholics and Protestants at the height. Van Morrison and beautiful black-and-white cinematography take you back to a time of youth and danger rolled into one. Branagh expresses his love of film in such poignant ways with the visits to the movies acting as some heights in the film. Jude Hill is a revelation of the young Buddy. But it is the great cast of awards worthy performances like Jamie Dornan, Ciarin Hinds, Judie Dench, and of course the shining star of the cast Catriona Balfe (who got robbed not winning Best Supporting Actress). This film has whimsy, plenty of emotional beats, and even some danger along the way. A wonderful story about growing up, family, and culture that won the hearts of audiences and critics alike.

The Power of the Dog

Was this the feel bad film of 2021? Netflix roared onto the awards scene with this pitch-black western that features towering performances from across its cast. Jane Campion took the spotlight back years after The Piano with The Power of the Dog. This was a film that I appreciated but did not love while watching it…well until the final five minutes. The turn of this climax was enough to reframe my whole perspective in the moment to truly appreciate how darkly twisted and menacing this film really is. This western is dark and dour in the way it navigates its story of abuse, trauma, and repression. This digs deep into all the underlying subversive feelings of the human psyche, and it is incredibly hard to look away. Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the darkest antagonists in recent film memory and he eats this role up delightfully. Kodi Smit-McPhee is a dark presence in this film as we are never quite sure of his motivations underneath this mysterious performance. Kirsten Dunst is the emotional heart of the film as she struggles with plenty of abuse and trauma along the way. Jesse Plemons is always in fine form as he rounds out this quartet. This is not your grandfather’s favorite western, and it fits perfectly in this modern cinema landscape.

Spencer

Who has been robbed harder in recent Best Actress memory than Kristen Stewart in Spencer? This film was completely overlooked by the Academy (not sure how much politics played in that game). This should have been one of the shining stars of the “Ball” as it is a haunting look at abuse and trauma laid against a young mother who is not happy in her crystal birdcage. Pablo Larrian has an incredible eye for filmmaking and his eyes shine bright with this gorgeous yet unnerving weekend in one of the richest palaces you will ever find. The production design, costuming, and score are out of this world. The “pearls” scene is one of the most frightening and unnerving scenes in a non-horror film in recent memory. Timothy Spall, Sally Hawkins, and Sean Harris are all fantastic in their supporting roles, but this is Stewart’s film for sure. There is no stopping this layered and empathetic turn as a woman completely at her ends with the crazy world she married into. The tender moments with her sons, the haunting moments in her old home, the rousing climax make for a film of many tastes and feelings. This biopic/slice-of-life film will one day get its due.

The Tragedy of Macbeth

What did Joel Coen have on the docket for his first directorial effort after creatively splitting from his brother Ethan? “The Scottish Play”, of course! Frances McDormand (Mrs. Joel Coen) wanted to live out her dream of playing Lady MacBeth and Joel was certainly ready to oblige. But who is paired with one of the best actors working today? Well…another one. Denzel Washington and McDormand create an electric middle-aged version of the MacBeth couple. This is a traditional take on the play as Coen utilizes the original dialogue which is an authentic but potentially isolating decision for some. But this film delivers with an incredible cast who breathe life into Shakespeare’s words so well. The impressive production design is an eerie mix of stage and cinema which works impressively well in the hands of Coen. This black-and-white adaptation is starkly beautiful and captures the essence of Shakespeare’s work so well.

Nine Days

You have probably never heard of this one, have you? That is a shame as Nine Days is one of the boldest and daring dramas in recent memory. The high concept idea of one man making the decision of which human soul deserves another shot in life is fascinating. Edson Oda creates a simple yet beautiful world with a lone building in a vast land that is striking to experience on screen. The heart is intense and there is plenty of emotion as we have quite the ensemble of human souls who seek one more chance. There is so much the film says about faith, life, and love that it is hard to forget it once you watch it for the first time. It has been a few years since this point, but the soul of this film is immense and resonates long after watching. Winston Duke leads a fantastic ensemble hear but his giant performance is as great as his stature. There is so much to his Will who navigates this tough choice. But the likes of Zazie Beetz, Bill Skarsgard, Benedict Wong, and Tony Hale deliver layered and impactful performances as well. This is a film that is endlessly beautiful in so many ways from the visuals to the heart to humanity. This is quite the cathartic experience that any cinephile should venture out to find. Oda delivers an artful film that truly captures the cinematic potential of movies.