Jim Carrey Turns 60: From ‘Eternal Sunshine’ to ‘Ace Ventura,’ His 10 Best Film Performances
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Actor and comedian Jim Carrey has accumulated a wide range of memorable performances that have made him one of the most revered movie stars in history. The Canadian-born actor started alongside great stand-up comedians like Rodney Dangerfield before getting his big break on television with the classic variety series “In Living Color.”
Variety is ranking his 10 best film performances to celebrate the actor’s 60th birthday.
Carrey’s run in the 1990’s is among the most dominant for any actor in film history. In 1994, he opened three worldwide moneymaking juggernauts – “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” ($107 million), “Dumb and Dumber” ($270 million) and “The Mask” ($351 million). From that point forward, there was no stopping him.
He moved into the villainous Riddler in Joel Schumacher’s “Batman Forever” (1995) opposite Val Kilmer before reprising his role in the undervalued “Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls,” which introduced the world to a young Sophie Okonedo before she would get her Oscar nom for “Hotel Rwanda” (2004).
He made history as the first actor to be paid $20 million for Ben Stiller’s black comedy “The Cable Guy” (1996), playing a mad cable TV installer who becomes obsessed with one of his customers, played by Matthew Broderick.
It was the year of “Titanic,” and Carrey still stayed in the conversation with his take on a lawyer who is unable to lie for 24 hours in the hilarious “Liar Liar” (1997). He received a Golden Globe nod for his work, an awards competition which spawned one of Carrey’s best jokes: “It’s insane… I mean Jack Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman, Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Kline – I don’t see how I can lose.”
Looking to change it up, he teamed up with Peter Weir for the dramedy “The Truman Show” (1998), winning his first Golden Globe for lead actor drama, over top-tier actors like Ian McKellen (“Gods and Monsters”) and Tom Hanks (“Saving Private Ryan”). However, he was famously snubbed by the Academy in favor of Roberto Benigni (“Life is Beautiful”) and Edward Norton (“American History X”), which he referenced hilariously when he won the MTV Movie Award for best male performance.
Carrey’s determination to venture further into the dramatic realm remained firm. He took on the life of Andy Kaufman in Milos Forman’s “Man on the Moon” (1999), which led him to his first and only SAG nod. He also played the heartbroken Joel Barish in Michel Gondry’s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004), landing him his only BAFTA nom.
Since then, he’s been a shell of his former self in terms of box office clout, but there are still hints of his greatness, such as his con-man Steven Russell in “I Love You Phillip Morris” (2009) and even his Dr. Robotnik in “Sonic the Hedgehog” (2020).
Read Variety’s rankings of Jim Carrey’s best performances in film down below:
Honorable mentions: “Batman Forever” (1995), “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events” (2004), “Me, Myself & Irene” (2000)
The Surprising Influence H.R. Giger Had On Batman Forever
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The Surprising Influence H.R. Giger Had On Batman Forever
“Batman Forever” has gained something of an infamous reputation in the halls of comic book cinema. The 1995 film, helmed by the late Joel Schumacher and starring Val Kilmer as the Dark Knight, was a box office success upon its debut. It made $52.2 million on its opening weekend, which eventually led to a $336.6 million haul in total. However, critics were split on Kilmer’s performance as Batman and some fans cried foul over the tonal departure from the gothic visuals and dark tone established in Tim Burton’s Batman films. Schumacher chose to depict Gotham City as a towering mass of neon-lit skyscrapers and statues — including one that bears more than a passing resemblance to the Statue of Liberty.
A large part of the movie’s look is courtesy of production designer Barbara Ling. During an interview celebrating the film’s 20th anniversary, Ling and cinematographer Stephen Goldblatt revealed how the “Batman Forever” aesthetic fell into place. Perhaps the most surprising revelation regards an artist that the production team approached early in production — and how that relationship could have resulted in a very different Batmobile.
22 Times Writers And Directors Had To Work Around On-Set Drama
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Hulton Archive / Getty Images
A New York Times interview speaking to both stars of I Love Trouble really highlighted how much the actors hated each other. Roberts called Nolte " completely disgusting" and said he “seems to go out of his way to repel people.”
In response, Nolte said, “It’s not nice to call someone ‘disgusting.’ But she’s not a nice person. Everyone knows that.”
The Best Meg Ryan Movies And How To Watch Them
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Despite never really wanting to be an actress, Meg Ryan has done quite well for herself on the big screen over the years. One of the most beloved Hollywood stars of the past 35-plus years, and an actress who has been in more than a few of the best romantic comedies of all time, Ryan is one of those people you can’t help but watch whenever she’s on the screen.
In honor of her contributions to cinema throughout her career, we have put together a list of the best Meg Ryan movies and just about all the ways you can watch, whether it’s on a streaming service or old-fashioned physical media. There are a lot of movies (13 in total) to break down, so let’s get this show on the road.
(Image credit: Columbia Pictures)
When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
Rob Reiner’s 1989 classic romantic comedy, When Harry Met Sally…, has a simple yet terrifically effective premise: boy meets girl, girl hates boy, boy runs into girl every couple of years, they become friends, and slowly fall in love with one another.
Everything about When Harry Met Sally… just works. Nora Ephron’s writing is to die for, the supporting cast is about as good as it gets, and the two leads — Billy Crystal’s Harry Burns and Meg Ryan’s Sally Albright — have this undeniable chemistry and charm. And, let’s not forget perhaps the most iconic scene in all of romantic comedies either.
Stream When Harry Met Sally… on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy When Harry Met Sally… on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.
(Image credit: TriStar Pictures)
Sleepless In Seattle (1993)
A few years after writing When Harry Met Sally… Nora Ephron wrote and directed the second best romantic comedy of all time: Sleepless in Seattle. The movie centers on widower Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) as he becomes an overnight sensation after his son calls into a syndicated radio program in hopes of finding someone for his dad. On the other end of the country is Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), who becomes infatuated with his story.
There is no denying Sleepless in Seattle’s place in conversation of the best romantic comedies of all time. The story, cast, and even music, all work together to create this timeless classic that shows just how good a movie can be when the stars align.
Stream Sleepless in Seattle on Amazon.
Rent/Buy Sleepless in Seattle on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks got together for a third time in Nora Ephron’s 1998 romantic comedy, You’ve Got Mail. This time around, the two play rivals Kathleen Kelly and Joe Fox, who own and operate two completely different types of bookstores in New York City. Despite despising one another in real life, they unknowingly fall for one another online.
You’ve Got Mail is probably the most dated of the three movies starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, but it does serve as a time capsule to the culture of the late 1990s. Sure, it’s cheesy and a little too sentimental at times, but it’s one of those movies you can’t help but watch whenever it’s showing on TNT some random Sunday afternoon.
Stream You’ve Got Mail on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy You’ve Got Mail on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)
Joe Versus The Volcano (1990)
Before they fell in love over the radio and AOL, Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks fall for one another in the face of death. John Patrick Shanley’s offbeat romantic comedy, Joe Versus the Volcano, follows Joe Banks (Tom Hanks), a beaten down man who embarks on a journey to uncover the meaning of life before he jumps to his death in a volcano.
No surprise her, but Tom Hanks is to die for as the neurotic Joe Banks, but it’s really Meg Ryan who steals the show. Taking on not one, not two, but three different characters throughout the movie, each one more different than the last. You really see her range with this triple-threat.
Stream Joe Versus the Volcano on Hoopla.
Rent/Buy Joe Versus the Volcano on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Top Gun (1986)
Tony Scott’s legendary ’80s movie, Top Gun, mostly follows Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) as he sets out to prove his worth to his superiors and fellow Navy pilots, but also himself. Meg Ryan comes into play as Carole Bradshaw, the wife of Maverick’s wingman Nick “Goose” Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards) in two of the movie’s most memorable scenes.
Despite only having a few credits to her name by the time Top Gun came out, it’s hard to tell by the way Meg Ryan takes command of the screen. Whether it’s the light-hearted bar scene (“Hey, Goose, you big stud!”) or her emotional moment later on in the movie, it’s easy to see how she became a massive star not long after.
Rent/Buy Top Gun on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.
(Image credit: Tri-Star Pictures)
The Doors (1991)
Oliver Stone’s 1991 biographical drama, The Doors, tells the story of the astronomical rise and quick fall of the band’s lead singer and lyricist, Jim Morrison (Val Kilmer). Because Morrison’s real life journey, and that of The Doors, featured Pamela Courson (Meg Ryan) so much, it should come as no surprise that his longtime partner would have a major role in this sprawling epic.
One of the best things about Meg Ryan’s performance in The Doors, besides her commitment to the role, is the fact that she (like the woman she is portraying) is so complex throughout the movie. Her back-and-forth relationship with Val Kilmer’s version of Jim Morrison also grounds the movie that could have very well gotten too carried away.
Rent/Buy The Doors on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.
(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)
Courage Under Fire (1996)
Edward Zwick’s 1996 military drama, Courage Under Fire, centers on Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Sterling (Denzel Washington) as he attempts to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding the death of helicopter pilot Captain Karen Emma Walden (Meg Ryan), who is to be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
A more dramatic role than seen in her romantic comedies, Meg Ryan still manages a way to bring out the most in her character through her sheer likability and charm, which really humanizes Karen Walden. Even though this is more remembered as a Denzel Washington movie, Ryan shows can pull off more than romantic comedies.
Stream Courage Under Fire on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Courage Under Fire on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)
Innerspace (1987)
Joe Dante’s 1987 sci-fi comedy, Innerspace, follows Tuck Pendleton (Dennis Quaid) as he shrinks down to a near-microscopic size as part of a revolutionary experiment. When outside parties attempt to sabotage the operation, Tuck finds himself transferring from one body to the another, including that of his estranged girlfriend, Lydia Maxwell (Meg Ryan).
Throughout Innerspace it is easy to see why Meg Ryan would become such a bankable star in years following its release, as the movie allows her to riff alongside co-star Martin Short and show off her charm and comedic timing.
Stream Innerspace on Kanopy.
Rent/Buy Innerspace on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.
(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)
French Kiss (1996)
Lawrence Kasden’s 1996 romantic comedy, French Kiss, centers on a woman named Kate (Meg Ryan) whose attempt to confront her cheating fiancé in Paris is upended by a charismatic and prolific thief named Luc (Kevin Kline).
Part romantic comedy and part crime caper, French Kiss is an overall good time, especially for fans of the two leads. It has a great story and the chemistry shared by Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline is to die for.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.
(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)
Prelude To A Kiss (1992)
Released in 1992, Norman René’s fantasy romance, Prelude to a Kiss, tells the story of Peter Hoskins (Alec Baldwin) and Rita Boyle (Meg Ryan), whose relationship becomes all the more complicated when Rita’s consciousness is swapped with that of an elderly man after he kisses her.
Prelude to a Kiss isn’t your standard romantic comedy and has a lot of fun with a concept. I mean, where else are you going to see Meg Ryan act like she’s an elderly man trapped in a woman’s body? It’s fun, it’s sweet, and features some of the star’s signature charm.
Stream Prelude to a Kiss on Starz.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.
(Image credit: Buena Vista Pictures)
When A Man Loves A Woman (1994)
After years of severe alcohol abuse and several close calls involving her young children, Alice Green (Meg Ryan) decides to finally seek help and make a change before it’s too late. But when her decision forces her to take a look at her relationship with her husband Michael (Andy Garcia), she finds out she’s not out of the woods yet.
Luis Mandoki’s 1994 romantic drama, When a Man Loves a Woman, features one of the rawest Meg Ryan performances. Her vulnerability and emotional range only make the movie better, especially when she tells the heart-wrenching story about misplacing her young daughter while drunk.
Stream When a Man Loves a Woman on Amazon.
Rent/Buy When a Man Loves a Woman on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)
Addicted To Love (1997)
Griffin Dunne’s 1997 romantic comedy Addicted to Love follows two broken-hearted strangers, Maggie (Meg Ryan) and Sam (Matthew Broderick), who are brought together to get back at exes who just so happen to be in an affair.
Meg Ryan plays a character with a harder edge than we’re used to seeing her portray, which gives Addicted to Love a unique quality when compared to her more toned-down Nora Ephron characters. Plus, her chemistry with Matthew Broderick adds a nice touch to the movie.
Stream Addicted to Love on Hoopla.
Rent/Buy Addicted to Love on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.
(Image credit: Miramax Films)
Kate And Leopold (2001)
Kate McKay’s (Meg Ryan) life is thrown for a loop when she meets and falls in love with Leopold (Hugh Jackman), a 19th-Century duke who is mysteriously transported to the early 21st Century.
If you are looking for a movie where a modern woman falls in love with a man out of time, then James Mangold’s 2001 fantasy romantic comedy Kate & Leopold is the movie for you. Sure, the movie has a silly concept, but Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman are so great together, you sort of forget some of the movie’s problems.
Stream Kate & Leopold on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy Kate & Leopold on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.
This is just a portion of the great Meg Ryan movies that are available streaming, but it is a good place to start. If you want to know about everything new coming to theaters and streaming services, check out our list of all the 2022 new movie releases.
Top 20 Films of 2021
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With the year over and the annual Hollywood throw-away month beginning (known to some as January), let’s take a break from reviews and enjoy the best movies had to offer this past year!
Before we start, I need to give a little background; this is a combination of my nerdy filmmaking/critical analysis and my plain bias as a simple man who just really likes movies. So, some movies are better than others despite their ratings. I did my best to combine enjoyment and quality, so some ratings will differ from their actual placement. Additionally, it was difficult to see every movie released as so many movies were put out. Some of the ones that could easily make the top 10 aren’t even available in the U.S. Therefore, if you want to see what movies I have/haven’t seen, please direct yourself to my Letterboxd where you can easily see what I had to choose from.
Now, after watching 45 films this year, let’s see the Top 20 Films of 2021.
#20: Val Dir. Leo Scott, Ting Poo
Rating: 4/5
Val is a documentary on the actor Val Kilmer, told partially through Val himself as he kept a camcorder throughout his entire career. We get to see behind-the-scenes looks at The Doors, Top Gun, Batman Forever, Tombstone, and so much more. It was incredibly informative and heartfelt seeing where he is now with his battle with throat cancer and who he really is. Although a pretty good documentary, I wish they showed the flip side of Kilmer. From the footage to the present day, the entire documentary is all from Val’s perspective. Although mentioned, he is notoriously a difficult actor to work with. He is insanely passionate about his craft, talented, and has a bit of an ego. Sure, they recognize that but all from Val’s POV. I wish we could’ve gotten some opinions from a different source. All in all, fascinating stuff.
#19: The Green Knight Dir. David Lowrey
Rating: 4/5
Dev Patel, if you’re reading this, never stop making movies. The Green Knight by David Lowrey is a phenomenal and surreal adaptation of the classic Arthurian tale. It effectively takes a weird story and doubles down on that while making an extremely competent film about what it means to be “chivalrous” and how everything returns to green in the end. Fantastic performances all around and an enjoyable time for all you A24 fans and just a simple, quality film.
#18: The Tragedy of Macbeth Dir. Joel Coen
Rating: 4/5
The Tragedy of Macbeth is Joel Coen’s first solo film, and he proved to be much more than half of what he and his brother have done in the past. With some of the prettiest shots of the year, some solid performances, and a script…well… it’s Shakespeare’s Macbeth, so you really can’t lose with this one. Had some issues with the direction, but overall an excellent movie. Check out my full thoughts here.
#17: The Mitchells vs. The Machines Dir. Michael Rianda
Rating: 4/5
Our first of three animated movies on this list, the Pill Lord and Chris Miller’s (always a good sign when these guys are attached) The Mitchells vs. The Machines. Despite a Netflix release, this one went under the radar for many people. So please go see this movie. At first glance, it’s one of those “technology bad” kinda movies, but I promise, it provides good commentary and is an entertaining movie for people of all ages. It’s really about family, what it means to be a part of one, the little sacrifices we make for loved ones, and that family means you are accepted and loved unconditionally. Katie Mitchell is a great protagonist with plenty of quirks and relatability that anyone is bound to fall for. The character design is stunning, and the animation is so much fun. Although the “Katie-vision” bit got a little old, this movie is a real gem that I beg more people to see (also, the FYC campaign is killing it right now, so props to the marketing team).
#16: The Matrix: Resurrections Dir. Lana Wachowski
Rating: 3.5/5
The Matrix: Resurrections is a fascinating movie that I’ll be thinking about for a very, very, very, very long time. The action is terrible, it’s pretty messy, and I loved every single second of it. I will not justify it further…but if you really want me to, check out my review of it.
#15: Licorice Pizza Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
Rating: 4/5
Okay, let’s get the elephant out of the room; I will not weigh in on the discourse of this movie. I will say that most people in the discourse of this film are people who haven’t seen the movie. I kindly ask you to go see it and make your own opinion and think of the goal Paul Thomas Anderson is trying to get across here. Look at his previous works and see that very few characters are “morally correct.” That being said, Licorice Pizza was an off-kilter but very entertaining ride. It felt like a movie told in chapters but forgot to tell us where the chapter ends and begins with some sort of title card marking it. To be honest, I really liked that. It had this certain flawed and messy (but intentionally so) look and feel, which gave it a certain charm that I could really get into. All the “adult characters” are unbelievable. I really don’t want to give away anything specific except that Alana Haim is a movie star now, and I’m all for it. Easily the best trailer I’ve seen in a very long time (edited by the director himself). Oh, also that poster? The one of Alana holding Gary? Maybe the best movie poster of this entire year.
#14: Luca Dir. Enrico Casarosa
Rating: 4/5
I’ve seen complaints about Luca, specifically, “It felt more like a Disney movie than Pixar movie.” I get it; I understand what you’re saying…but I don’t care. This movie is absolutely delightful with a beautiful setting (Portorosso being a fun homage to Miyazaki’s Porco Rosso), gorgeous animation, adorable and creative character designs, and a charming story that even made me a little emotional at the end. Unfortunately, Disney, for some reason, robbed this (and the upcoming Turning Red) from Pixar and carelessly threw it unceremoniously onto Disney+ rather than in theaters for a bit. Based on quality alone, I would’ve loved the opportunity to see this in a theater.
#13: The French Dispatch Dir. Wes Anderson
Rating: 4/5
Most Wes Anderson movie we’ve ever received, and if you know me, that’s what I love. Although I think it got a little too caught up in its own world and lost me a little by floating from story to story, it’s still extremely entertaining. It establishes that Anderson’s level of control over his own work is that of cinema’s greatest masters. It’s not even near my favorite of his, but it’s a respectable picture that can only grow on me from here.
Full review here.
#12: Encanto Dir. Byron Howard, Jared Bush
Rating: 4/5
Encanto is absolutely delightful and the highest animated film on my list. For a good reason too! It’s a heartwarming story of family and finding your place within it. They are full of surprisingly complex themes that they don’t go super deep into but just enough to bring out the waterworks. Unfortunately, the music doesn’t always land; it was a little too Lin Manuel Miranda-ish (I know it’s because he wrote it, but you know what I mean). I would’ve liked a few more musical-type ballads and such but don’t get it twisted. It’s all good music. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is a serious stand-out as a new Disney favorite. Check out the full review here!
#11: Spencer Dir. Pablo Larraín
Rating: 4.5/5
This and my next pick are at a difficult place on this list. Sure, they are maybe the two best films of the year, but remember how I said this list is a combination of enjoyment/quality? What this movie lacks in re-watchability, it makes up for in pure craftsmanship. Kristen Stewart is a perfect Diana and is easily my single favorite performance of the entire year. It’s gorgeous to look at, a fun way of telling this kind of story, and a genuinely great movie. My full thoughts are here.
#10: The Power of the Dog Dir. Jane Campion
Rating: 4/5
If we’re going by purely audio/visual storytelling and subtle storytelling, this is the best movie of the year. After a long hiatus, Jane Campion is back with a gripping tale of…well…you have to see it for yourself. You think you know the movie and what it’s doing, but at a certain point, it hits you that you’re not watching the movie you think. I can’t give away more than that but what I will say is that this is a SLOW burn of a film. Marvel fans are warned; there isn’t a lot to keep you here. But suppose you want to see a fascinating story that subverts the western and delivers some of the best performances of this entire year. In that case, this is the flick for you. Initially, I felt like this was something I would never rewatch. But something about this hypnotic Johnny Greenwood score and the way it tells its story, I feel so mysteriously drawn to. I’d even go as far as to say that I’m not smart enough for this movie. I’m upset Jane Campion doesn’t work as much, but if she can make this? She can take all the time she needs.
#9: Spider-Man: No Way Home Dir. Jon Watts
Rating: 4/5
Now back to the enjoyment factor because WOW. Sure, sometimes I debated whether I was having fun because it was pandering to me, a fan. Yes, I wondered if I was watching something made in a lab and not by actual people. But this is one of the best theater experiences I’ve had in a while, and I can’t say that this wasn’t a really fun time at the movies. I wish I could talk more, but I really shouldn’t. All I’ll say is that Willem Dafoe and a certain actor that I love (you know the one) stole every single second of screen time like it’s going to be their last. Plus, that one cameo from that one TV show that I love made me lose my mind. Also, the place that Peter is by the end makes me extremely excited to see what they’ll do with the character.
Interestingly, this is the only Marvel movie on this entire list despite us getting four this year (Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings could’ve easily made it if the third act wasn’t as bad as it was). But, at the end of the day and fanboy-ing aside, they took the character of Peter Parker/Spider-Man under the magnifying glass and came out the other side with a genuinely well-done movie. Very impressed, Kevin.
#8: West Side Story Dir. Steven Spielberg
Rating: 4/5
Okay, so these next two are interesting because they could very easily switch on a rewatch. I give this a 4/5, but it could bump up pretty quickly once I get the chance to rewatch it. Spielberg and Kushner are absolutely insane for taking on this project, and I can’t believe it worked. The music is excellent, their changes are near perfect. Still the second-highest musical on this list… check out all my thoughts on the first watch here.
#7: No Time to Die Dir. Cary Joji Fukanaga
Rating: 4/5
James Bond is up there with Star Wars as the two franchises most formative to my taste in art, I think. A lot has changed since my introduction to the two, and I have a much broader taste, but these impacted what I enjoyed for a very long time, and they still do, in a way. My favorite movies are so simple at face value and are such popcorn movies, but they’re so stylish and crafted with tangible passion throughout. No Time To Die is no exception to that. Sure, It’s a little bloated, and yeah, Rami Malek’s villain doesn’t matter at all. But it’s not about him. It’s about giving Daniel Craig’s take on the character a send-off he deserves and completing the arc since we first saw him in Casino Royale(2006). Stunning visuals, fun script, great action, and yes, I was moved to tears at the end. In theaters, this was a 4.5/5, but a rewatch at home brought it to a 4/5, which may change in the future. I simply cannot wait to see what they do next (and with who, for that matter).
#6: Tick, Tick…BOOM! Dir. Lin Manuel Miranda
Rating: 4.5/5
Encanto, In the Heights, West Side Story, Annette, the one that shall not be named. ‘Twas a good year for musicals, and we got a lot of them. Who doesn’t love a good musical? Is it storytelling AND music? Count me in. None of them were as good as Tick, Tick…BOOM! though. Lin Manuel Miranda catapults himself into the director’s chair of his first feature in stunning fashion. The way we cut between the performance and Jonathan Larson’s real life is incredible. And the way Jonathan finds music in the world around him is insanely well done and the mark of a truly gifted artist. Not to mention, my lord and savior Andrew Garfield, what a guy, banger performance. Also, musical hot take…Jonathan Larson is a really great musical composer? Crazy, I know. Who’d have guessed that?
#5: CODA Dir. Siân Heder
Rating: 4.5/5
ASL actually means a lot to me. I took it back in high school, and I do my best to keep up with it. When I do the number three with my hands, I can’t help but use my thumb, pointer, and middle finger to this day. CODA is about a hearing girl of an entirely deaf family (CODA means child of a deaf adult) who wants to pursue a career in music. Now, we’ve seen plenty of movies where “the protagonist doesn’t want to be in the family business and wants to pursue his/her dreams,” but this is a fantastic exception to that archetype. This is the most heartwarming movie of the year. It’s on Apple TV+, and I really hope people get the chance to see it.
#4: Shiva Baby Dir. Emma Seligman
Rating: 4.5/5
Shiva Baby is a Jewish bisexual nightmare that I absolutely loved. This was a sleeper hit this year partially due to a very extended festival run and releasing way too late to capitalize on the hype it was getting from the festival crowd. I don’t want to give you any plot information about it; just go see it. That poster is one for the ages, the script is so charismatic, and the camera is claustrophobic. Rachel Sennott, Molly Gordon, and Emma Seligman, I hope to see those names a lot more. It’s such a well-rounded movie; everything is nearly perfect for what it’s trying to do. Also, Emma Seligman was TWENTY FOUR when she was filming this, her first feature film. I can only hope to be half as precise at our shared craft at that age.
#3: Judas and the Black Messiah Dir. Shaka King
Rating: 5/5
This is the first 5/5 on this list, meaning it’s a perfect movie(or at least REALLY close to it). Judas and the Black Messiah was an insane debut by Shaka King. I honestly have trouble formulating sentences to get across how good this is. The camera, score, performances…all of it. Maybe I should let this movie speak for itself, and you can go see it. Maybe I’ll give you only two sentences, and you can go figure out what you want to do with them.
On December 4th, 1969, the FBI orchestrated the assassination of a 21-year-old civil rights activist while he slept with his pregnant wife. This is his story.
#2: Dune Dir. Denis Villeneuve
Rating: 5/5
DUNE BABY YEAH WOOOOO ahem…Denis Villeneuve is way too good at his job. He somehow took possibly one of the most unadaptable pieces of media and translated it so well to film that it matches the original text while still being his take. It’s kind of unreal. He wrangles in a massive budget, huge stars, and complicated material. Yet, he makes it so lived-in in that cinematic way that gave me echoes of Star Wars and Laurence of Arabia. I felt like a little kid looking at the sheer scale and the quality of it all. It’s one of those movies where you walk out into the parking lot, do a mini freak out, and just remember that movies are just cool. I mean, this movie is the reason I write for Q30. It was my very first review! So, here it is, Dune Review.
#1: Inside Dir. Bo Burnham
Rating: 5/5
Listen, I’m aware that this wasn’t what everyone expected. But let’s break it down. I believe that when movies hit the ceiling of high art, it’s called cinema. At its peak, cinema can use sight and sound in perfect harmony with the power to truly move people in a way most mediums of art can’t. Suppose you can put the thousand moving parts together that make up a movie, and you do it well. In that case, you can reach into people’s souls and really touch them to help people understand others, themselves, and everything around us. Now, those thousand moving parts are usually managed by teams of hundreds upon hundreds of artists, as it’s practically impossible to make a film by yourself that can be honored with the title of cinema. Enter comedian, actor, director, musician, screenwriter, and poet Bo Burnham.
Bo Burnham released Inside as his latest Netflix comedy special, but it was so much more. It not only took us inside of Burnham’s home for 90 min of introspective cinema in a signature idiosyncratic style Burnham has perfected over the years but inside the mind of Bo himself. Whether or not we’re inside the mind of Burnham’s onstage persona or Burnham himself is up to interpretation and is in question multiple times throughout the film, but that’s just one of the layers he develops. I’m very much not in the mood for “pandemic art,” partially because I live in a pandemic, and I’m exhausted. But, Bo kinda said all that needed to be said. He made something about what everyone was feeling. Still, it never got close to being preachy or even mention “COVID” or “pandemic” or anything of that nature. It’s blunt and subtle, happy and sad, funny and frightening. It manages to say more than any other movie this year and does it in much less time. The mastery of the entire filmmaking process, musical composition skills, and a god-given comedic ability all in one man makes me insanely jealous and something to work towards someday. I have so many thoughts, but now I just want to rewatch it, and I hope you will do the same. Thank you, Bo. Also, if you still don’t think it’s a movie, it was released in theaters, the place where movies live, so yeah.
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Phew…time to take a break from movies for a while…I feel burnt out, but like an accomplished burnt out. It’s a good feeling.
This is my big ol’ wrap-up of 2021 and easily the most work I’ve had to put into for a Q30 article, so I have to thank some folks. First, thank you to all the beat reporters, producers, and members of Q30 for giving me a place to put all of my many, many thoughts. Thank you to Mason Glod for being a dear friend, frequent editor of my reviews, and a talented writer in his own right. Thank you to Q30’s Entertainment Director Corinna Caimi and Q30 Vice President Abby Blackmore for being a pleasure to work with on #THAT related activities, Quinnipiac Tonight shows, and an onslaught of my endless quibbles about movies and how much they mean to me. But mostly for being kind, patient, and genuinely good people.
Most of all, you! For reading this and everything, I did this year.
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