An explosion of cinematic style, cinematic spectacle and narrative substance, In the Heights might have underperformed at the box-office, but it is the best film of the year so far! Led by a winning performance by Anthony Ramos and some heart-wreching moments starred by Olga Merediz (her "Paciencia y Fé" scene is simply moving), In the Height delights the eyes, the ears and the heart. Great sound work, dynamic editing and eye-popping choreographies, it is everything and more we could ask for a movie musical.
RATING: 5 / 5
Full of heart! As some might remember from my review of Sound of Metal, living as a deaf person is something very personal (both my uncles, my mom's brothers, were deaf) and CODA is able to translate the complexity of the daily deaf life beautifully. Emilia Jones is one to watch and she carries the screen beautifully, with a very sensitive presence. The rest of the cast is terrific as well, but it is Jones' show and Sian Heder's masterclass in both sensitive directing and writing. Predictable, but with some fresh ideas and a beautiful message. A 2021's must-see!
3. Luca
A beautiful sweet ode to childhood. Luca is sweet as summer fruit and it is impossible not to remember our own childhood stories at some points of the movie. The plot offers the Disney magic to the younger audiences, while the nostalgia of a child's dreams offer older audiences the sweetness of past times, past Summers and past dreams we declared long forgotten. A beautiful score from Dan Romer elevates the movie's beauty and narrative pace and I consider it to be an Oscar-worthy kind of work. Yes - Luca does play safe, but it's sweet and moving (and sometimes, that's all you need).
4. Black Widow
One of the most antecipated movies of the year, Black Widow might not be the cinematic spectacle of previous MCU solo-film installements like Winter Soldier or Doctor Strange (and neither as action-packed) but it proves to leave a mark of its own as a family drama. With (only?) 4 key action scenes (bridge, Budapest, prison break and... the last act), Natasha Romanoff fights less and pursues her own personal story more and the final result is a MCU movie with a very singular voice. Scarlett Johansson's swan song as Black Widow offer the actress plenty of dramatic material to work with and it is amazing to see her so delved in her 10-years character, with no need to overplay Natasha in any circunstance, yet being 100% effective in her performance. A note about Florence Pugh - a very charismatic actress - who's a real scene-stealer here and it seems she will carry Black Widow's legay in future MCU installments. AMAZING visual effects work and great sound work in this one.
RATING: 4 / 5
5. The Green Knight
Visually striking and led by a great Dev Patel (what an unexpected, fresh choice!), The Green Knight is a great fantasy adventure movie! It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but no one can deny the movie's visual beauty and intriguing production design details. Great score and visual effects too. Sometimes obscure, sometimes full of contraditions, The Green Knight is not perfect, but it is unusual cinema. It's a simple story told by a poet - David Lowery, the same man who brought us Ain't Them Bodies Saints, A Ghost Story or The Old Man & the Gun.
RATING: 4 / 5
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