Favorites From 2021 (Theresa's List)

I’m not one for New Year’s Resolutions and New Year’s Eve is my second least favorite holiday. But, after what seems like the two longest years in history, I’m ready to send 2021 out the door and am hopeful in welcoming a game changing, better year in 2022.

So, while you are shacked up on the couch, nursing a tiny hangover from good whiskey and sparkling wine (or maybe that’s just me) enjoy reading about my favorites from this interesting year.

And hey, if you disagree with me or want to start a discussion, hit me up on Twitter - @TheresaDillon.

Movies

How great was it that we could get back into theaters this year? The re-opening of our local big screens made the viewing of some beautiful blockbusters that much better.

However, there are so many better stories that don’t make it or don’t last long enough in theaters for the masses to enjoy. I really, really hope that changes in 2022. Streaming has been a God-send during these times but also a pain in the ass when it comes to figuring out how and where to watch certain films.

Enough gripping though. Here’s the films that really stayed with me this year.

My Top 3

PIG

Talk about a lingering aftertaste. Yes, that’s a fancy wine term but this films just embodies the definition of the word. I still get chills thinking about the dinner scene.

WEREWOLVES WITHIN

Anyone who knows me personally knows I would not shut up about this movie. It is so much fun and like I promised in my review, I did indeed dress up as Cecily for Halloween.

Me on Halloween.

THE LAST DUEL

Unlike most, I thoroughly enjoyed Ridley Scott’s stranger than fiction stories this year. Most notably, THE LAST DUEL. And what I appreciated the most – they brought in a female (Nicole Holofcener) to write the screenplay for the telling of Marguerite’s side of the story.

Runners Up

Live Action Disney

I’m not the biggest fan of live action Disney movies but low and behold they made CRUELLA, a film I didn’t need about a terrifying villain from my childhood and it was breathtaking.

Creature Features

NO ONE GETS OUT ALIVE still.

This year also brought two amazing creature features that need more love - SHADOW IN THE CLOUD and NO ONE GETS OUT ALIVE. My mouth hung open for at least 5 minutes with the creature reveal in NO ONE GETS OUT ALIVE and SHADOW IN THE CLOUD was an intense ride with a twist you never see coming.

Beautiful Book Adaptations

Obviously one of the biggest films hyped this year was DUNE. I haven’t read the book personally but my partner has and watching/feeling his reactions to this legendary sci-fi thriller is what film is all about.

Another big book film adaptation was THE GREEN KNIGHT. I remember loving SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT from my British Lit class. While the film takes its own path with the story, it was still mesmerizing.

Fun, Interesting Stories

BEST SELLERS still.

There were lots of unique stories told in film this year and I know I only watched the tip of the iceberg. But three that stuck with me are NOBODY, I CARE A LOT and BEST SELLERS. The acting in all three were phenomenal and the plots were eye-opening/heartbreaking.

Books

Like Henry Bemis, I am a reader. My list of favorites for 2021 would not be complete without including some books.

MIDNIGHT LIBRARY (by Matt Haig) and THE HOUSE ON THE CERULEAN SEA (by TJ Klune)were hands down my favorite fiction reads of the year. Both provide fantastic getaways from life and offer much needed messages for today’s world.

I’m not a big non-fiction reader but Jenny Lawson (BROKEN -  IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY) and Dave Grohl (THE STORYTELLER: TALES OF LIFE AND MUSIC) put out new books this year – and they were both a fun ride.

TV

Holy shit MARE OF EASTTOWN! Really, what else can you say about this limited series that just blew so many minds. Kate Winslet and Jean Smart were at their finest. And thanks to the uploading of episodes one week at a time, the anticipation just made the show that much better.

And of course, Mike Flanagan did it again with his beautiful horror series, MIDNIGHT MASS. This story was just chef’s kiss for a horror loving, non-practicing Catholic.

As for the mainstream shows the public loved, my partner and I also thoroughly enjoyed SQUID GAME and LOKI.

What I’m Looking Forward to in 2022

While I enjoyed looking back at the year, I can’t help but look forward to what is coming – and I’m already excited for these:

Movies

• EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
• THE NORTHMAN
• STUDIO 666
• THE BATMAN
• BLACKPHONE

TV

• RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES - Season 2
• RAISED BY WOLVES - Season 2

Books

• Sequel to HOLLOW KINGDOM, FERAL CREATURES
• A final PRACTICAL MAGIC book from Alice Hoffman, THE BOOK OF MAGIC
• The start of a new Oz series from Gregory Maguire, THE BRIDES OF MARACOOR

Have a happy 2022 everyone and thank you for supporting The Coda!

Dune Review

Dune

Dir: Denis Villeneuve

Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Jason Mamoa, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Javier Bardem, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling, Stellan Skarsgård, and Zendeya

2 h 35 m

 

Author Frank Herbert wrote the seminal science fiction classic "Dune" in 1965, and it has influenced fantastic tales throughout cinema ever since. The introduction of Robert Zemeckis' 1997 film "Contact" is directly reconstructed from Herbert's novel. The concept work for the infamous Alejandro Jodoworsky cinematic version of "Dune" influenced "Alien" and "Blade Runner." And, perhaps, the most recognizable imitator of the Herbert novel is George Lucas' "Star Wars" saga. It's undeniable that the meticulous and intricate world Herbert weaved with themes of colonialism, ecology, religion, rebellions, all tied together in a fight over the fate of humanity between warriors, witches, and nobles, is an enormous undertaking. 

 

Filmmaker Denis Villeneuve and Frank Herbert's "Dune" is a beautiful, perfect arrangement of artist and artwork. Villeneuve does not disappoint in this epic and elegant demonstration of pure cinematic vision. The depth of detail in the richly composed scenes of "Dune" is beautiful to watch. Though, amidst the stunning scenery of Villeneuve's science fiction drama is a story that struggles to find the emotion between the characters and the circumstances they face, most glaringly with the composition of the teenage hero messiah Paul Atreides. Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" is epic, elegant, and at times emotionless. 

 

The year is 10191. Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a brilliant and gifted young man, has visions of a destiny he doesn't completely understand. Born into the noble House Atreides, Paul's parents, Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac) and Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) are reassigned to Planet Arrakis to take over operations. Arrakis is a harsh desert environment mined for a valuable resource called "spice" and patrolled by giant sandworms. It is inhabited by a group of native people known as the Fremen. They have fought colonizers their entire life. They believe that Paul is the prophesized "Muad' Dib," the messiah that will lead the Fremen to freedom. 

 

The adaptation from the literary descriptions to the cinematic vision of the world of "Dune" is a revelation. Denis Villeneuve, along with cinematographer Greig Fraser and production designer Patrice Vermette, has meticulously crafted an introduction to a science fiction epic that is beautifully composed and elegantly detailed. The costumes are visually dynamic, the environments are richly textured, and the special effects are equally subtle and bold in their crafting of floating grains of sand and massive sand creatures that cannot be contained even by an IMAX screen. It's a confident and clear vision of filmmaking from a true cinema auteur. 

 

The story is dense and convoluted with familial, political, and spiritual themes. It's not your average hero's journey, even if it might look like it from afar. Herbert's mistrust of authoritarian rule from the novels is present in Villeneuve's story but more contemplative for the central character Paul Atreides. Paul struggles with the ideas and insights about his destiny. Will he take over as ruling Duke of Atreides? Will he do the bidding of his mother's lineage of spiritual influencers known as the Bene Gesserit? Or, will he embrace the speculation that he is the "Chosen One?" These questions run deep within the narrative introduction of "Dune." 

 

However, the slight problem with Villeneuve's version of "Dune" exists in the composition of the character core to the questions needing answers. Timothée Chalamet, who has been consistently good at playing all types of characters, struggles to convey the traits of a teenage boy tasked with carrying more than a few heavy burdens. In moments, Chalamet displays the confidence necessary to show a young man transitioning quickly into adulthood. In other, more emotionally sensitive moments, the performance feels restrained to surface-level stares and glares. There is room for this character to grow; this is only part one of Villeneuve's "Dune" after all. 

 

"Dune" captures the visual grandeur and wonderment that Frank Herbert described in his science fiction myth. While the film struggles to balance its stunning visual charms and complex narrative deliberations, it is still an awe-inducing cinematic experience. Here's hoping that Denis Villeneuve has the opportunity to complete this fascinating, fantastical space saga. 

 

Monte's Rating

3.50 out of 5.00