Last year, we made a few key observations about the state of filmmaking / filmgoing.
- Audiences have been deemed intelligent enough to be aware of standard storytelling, and the new challenge was engaging said audiences in unexpected and exciting ways.
- The lasting effects of the global pandemic and the Hollywood strikes resulted in a benchmark year of change for Hollywood.
- Studios’ tent-pole blockbusters (franchise films) were not performing, whereas interest seemed to shift to the “eventising” of the theater experience (i.e., Barbenheimer).
To sum it up, last year was noisy. This year was… not?
It’s hard to say a year is not eventful when films like Inside Out 2 become the highest grossing animated movie of all time and streaming actually became profitable. In any case, we’ve heard a lot of people say that this was a good year for film, but not a great one. Transparently, we agree, though that doesn’t mean we don’t have our fair share of high praise.
“THE JUICE IS LOOSE.”
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Were the films this year engaging?
I’m not sure if this is good or bad in and of itself, but many films this year seemed to talk directly at me (in some cases, literally). All I know is that it doesn’t feel good when a movie is seemingly seeking my approval over telling me an interesting story.
Are the pandemic’s lasting effects and last year’s Hollywood strikes still impacting Hollywood?
There were a few stretches of 2-3 weeks where not a single new film would hit theatres, which is wild. In terms of the amount of films that came out, there was a noticeable downturn, though it looks like next year’s promising (if not overwhelming) slate has the potential to put more butts in seats than we’ve seen in a long, long time.
Is the “eventising” of the theater going experience still overtaking the franchises we’ve come to know and love (or love to hate)?
There was an effort, but “Glicked” proved to be no “Barbenheimer”, and several franchises returned to being the cash-cows we’re so used to them being - notably Marvel and Pixar (both under the Walt Disney Studios umbrella).
Furthermore, as many of us as parents have noted, it’s worth mentioning how movie theatres’ concession lines have slowly morphed into toy aisles. We won’t gripe too much though because new streams of revenue for what was once a dying business is overall a good thing. Afterall, even for us adults, popcorn tastes better coming out of a bucket shaped like Ant-Man’s head.
“THE QUESTION IS, DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOU TO MAKE IT EPIC?”
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
On that note, let me make a quick and seamless transition to why you’re actually here, the list!
This was a year of blessings and growth for Real Video Production Co. We were busy, and for that we are so so grateful. However, there are still 24 hours in a day, which means that more time doing what we love most means less time doing what we love second most. There are so many films we couldn’t get to this year, but the following list consists of the ones we were able to catch. So, while these are not necessarily the best of the year, they are our collective favorites.
1. Alien: Romulus
This movie is like a bowl of Rice Krispies cereal; lots of snapping, crackling, popping, and fluids.
What many consider to be one of the best of the franchise, Romulus kicks some serious Xenomorph butt. Putting aside a few straggling “sequelitis” symptoms, the film establishes itself as an essential viewing for longtime fans, and as an Alien for a new generation. The creatures are terrifying, the sets are claustrophobic, the cast is incredible, and the creative tension burns like acid blood. What else could we ask for?
2. Civil War
A war movie that’s secretly a journalism movie that’s actually a pretty amazing war movie.
The way those giant, silent, black & white photos are cut with some of the most intense and deafening war scenes I’ve witnessed in a theater genuinely took my breath away. The reason this film had me reshuffling my personal “Top 50 of All Time” doc was the same reason many who watched it (including some here at Real) wrestled with it - it’s very nuanced. We don’t know how the country got to this place. While, admittedly, that can be frustrating, I'd argue that makes the film timeless. Also (at the risk of over-intectualizing), in a movie about “getting the story” while remaining neutral in the face of extremity and clear abuse, wouldn’t it make sense for the film itself to wrestle with that very neutrality?
(On a side note, much of this film was shot on the “chickenhead” DJI Ronin 4D. If you’re into cameras, seek out the BTS footage. It’s pretty sweet.)
3. Deadpool and Wolverine
This film aggressively scratched whatever lizard brain, Marvel-loving, fanboy itch I had.
Here in Chicago, we sneer at ketchup and mustard on our hotdogs, but this movie had us re-consider how appetizing a red & yellow combination can be. To keep with the hotdog analogy, this movie had all the relish, peppers, onions, tomatoes, pickles, and celery salt our consumer bellies craved, even if in the end we weren’t quite nourished.
4. Dune: Part Two
We’ll join Timmy & Zendaya for a worm-walk through the galaxy’s deserts any day if the films continue to be this impactful & impressive.
Within the first 5 minutes, we knew this movie was going to be a spectacle. How the adaptation, the score, the editing, and the performances all came together under Villenueve’s direction is an astronomical flex. This movie is big. What a joy to bask in the radiant, black sun of its greatness.
5. Hundreds of Beavers
A wholly unique romp full of hilarious visual gags and slapstick ouchies.
Technically a 2022 release via the festival circuit, but leaving this future cult-classic off the list just felt wrong. What makes the film so special is that it takes pleasure in being wholly and entirely itself. The comedy is HYSTERIC throughout, and the occasional seams make it that much better. The fun the cast and crew must’ve had throughout the production definitely shows. Even if the visual style isn't to your taste, at least check it out so that you can recommend it to those who you know would scarf it down, but beware, they will ask for seconds.
RUNNERS UP
A Quiet Place: Day 1
A prequel-spinoff that’s just as solid of an entry in the franchise as its predecessors.
Challengers
What this film communicates through a simple bead of sweat dripping down someone’s forehead is more than most can in their entire run time. Yeah x10.
Here
Come for the technical mastery, stay for tear-jerking sentimentality.
MadS
The single take nature, manic performance, and unpredictable narrative left me exhausted in the best way possible. I simply can’t stop thinking about it.
Rebel Ridge
It’s rare that you’re rooting for a character to do the wrong thing, only for them to take the moral high ground and show us, the audience, what restraint and precision can accomplish.
Trap
Josh Hartnett’s performance successfully slinks between awkward dad and unnerved serial killer. We want more!
“HAVE YOU EVER DREAMT OF A BETTER VERSION OF YOURSELF?”
The Substance
And that’s a wrap! Thank you for taking the time to browse through our chaotic list. Let us know what we missed, what of your favs made it, or what recommendations you’re queuing up!
Here’s to a new year of doing what we love with the people we love. Cheers.
----- Ben Wiersema