Chip 'n Dale: The Art of Animation (That Grown-Ups Can Enjoy Too)

June 28, 2022 by AJ Mijares in Lists

In a best-case-scenario turnout, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is earning widespread acclaim as one of the best Disney comedies in recent memory. Bursting at the seams with creativity and wit, it manages to succeed as a family movie night staple that appeals to adults with its sophisticated palette of meta-humor.

For grown-up movie watchers in the modern world, animation is a tricky medium to enjoy wholeheartedly. Unless there’s some nostalgic connection to the property, much of the time we’re jaded to the spark of joy we felt as kids. The older we get, the harder it becomes to find the heart and soul in big studio movies like DC League of Superpets or Minions.

But just below the veil of artifice, there’s a conscious formula at play when it comes to animated movies that people of all ages can connect with. In a modern moviegoing scene with such obvious intentions to make as much money as possible, it’s movies like Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers that help remind us of what’s still possible in the realm of animated storytelling. And it’s because of this formula that makes these movies work—so let’s dive into their core elements.

1. They put specificity on a pedestal

*Mitchells vs. The Machines* (2021) - dir. Michael Rianda

Phil Lord and Chris Miller are a filmmaking pair who instinctively know how to shatter preconceptions with everything they do. With the backing of Netflix, the duo helped produce this highly imaginative comedy about a dysfunctional family that bands together to stop a looming AI apocalypse.

On the long list of things that make this 2021 Oscar nominee a bonafide hit for grown-ups is the unwavering singularity of the characters we follow. The script fleshes out characters with distinguished personalities and doles out jokes that are so specific, it points to the craftsmanship that went into making Mitchells vs. The Machines something special. The better we buy into the veracity of its universe, the more it transcends one-dimensionality.

“In every aspect of the movie, from the art style to the characters, we asked ourselves: How can this be as unique and specific as possible? How do we make them like characters you’ve never seen before, and art styles you’ve never seen before, and the type of story you’ve never seen before?”

Michael Rianda | The AV Club

2. They’re not afraid to be bold

*Fantastic Mr. Fox* (2009) - dir. Wes Anderson

There’s a glaring weakness in a lot of animated features with mass-market appeal: they feel familiar to the point of exhaustion, especially in stories sourced from older texts. The challenge to any great filmmaker is how distinctly they can embellish these stories in a visual medium. And no one captures this essence better than Wes Anderson.

His take on Roald Dahl’s fable about a sly, chicken-thieving fox is all but formulaic. Using stop motion techniques with miniaturized, handcrafted backdrops, Wes Anderson enlivens the classic tale with distinct visual taste: elite cinematography, balanced framing, rich color palettes, and a tremendous voice cast that includes George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, and Willem Dafoe.

3. Their lessons are enduringly relevant

Pixar’s Toy Story franchise is a cultural mainstay whose exploits have elevated the medium to new heights Aside from being obscenely lucrative, the films have held a special place in our hearts because of the characters and what their presence has ultimately stood for over the course of 24 years.

Toy Story operates by one overarching central theme: the passage of time. In the same way that Richard Linklater examines time in Before Sunrise and Boyhood, the Toy Story franchise follows characters that have grown along with its target audience; their perspectives shift, their beliefs toggle, and their bonds are tested.

Pixar has a special way of building emotional attachment with inanimate objects. By the time we arrive at the bittersweet conclusion of Toy Story 4, we’re left with a solemn reflection on these toys and what they’ve ultimately meant to us through different stages of life.

4. They’re clever about ‘fan service’

*Who Framed Roger Rabbit* (1988) - dir. Robert Zemeckis

Chip and Dale’s latest odyssey has been called a spiritual successor to Robert Zemeckis’ renowned noir comedy that broke barriers in crossover animation. It pioneered the concept of ‘fan service’ way ahead of its time using the likeness of iconic licensed properties in a highly effective manner that still holds up to this day.

Rather than carelessly cramming in as many recognizable figures as one screen will fit, it establishes a shared universe with cameos that feel more earned than forced. It’s a creative endeavor that established a convention that is omnipresent in today’s movies, though they can’t always tap into effectively.

5. They trigger emotions—but don’t manipulate them

*The Iron Giant* (1999) - dir. Brad Bird

The math is simple: great movies require audience engagement. Animated or not, a movie’s resonance hinges on its ability to deliver a satisfying emotional payoff. Since the dawn of animation, some exemplary titles come to mind, but none pack quite as hard a punch as Brad Bird’s love letter to the beatnik 50s, The Iron Giant.

Set during a period of Cold War panic, The Iron Giant outlines the unlikely friendship between a young boy named Hogarth and a steel behemoth that the government intends to destroy. By placing its focus on that shared connection, its emotional core is grounded in relatable feelings, picking up where Spielberg’s E.T. left off nearly two decades prior.

“The medium itself may have an appeal to kids, but I think the medium is way too powerful for that. And I think that more often you should be trying to appeal to the child in everyone and get to that feeling of wonder and excitement that you have when you’re a child.”

Brad Bird | Entertainment Weekly

6. They let imagination run free

*Spirited Away* (2001) - dir. Hayao Miyazaki

Everything is possible in the realm of animation; it’s more of a philosophy than a fact, as proven by Hayao Miyazaki. He’s a Japanese visionary whose influence has shaped the creative course of the medium as we know it today. As a co-founder of Studio Ghibli, his art interprets our world through a lens of boundless curiosity.

Spirited Away is an Academy Award-winning masterwork, told through the eager eyes of Chihiro, a 10-year-old who happens upon a strange amusement park inhabited by supernatural spirits. Capitalizing on the point that has made him such a driving force in the sphere of animation, Miyazaki expands our worldview by provoking thought on worlds not often seen.

7. They find new angles on what already exists

*Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse* (2018) - dir. Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman

Phil Lord and Chris Miller took aim at the Spider-Man mythology and widened the scale of New York’s favorite web-slinger. Parallel to Marvel Studios’ entry to the multiverse, Sony’s smash hit became a zeitgeist that still rivals any Spider-Man movie to date.

Into the Spiderverse was early on the trend of pulling from different universes, featuring seven different iterations of the iconic hero, slinging through concrete jungles in mind-shattering explosions of color. As an animated movie, it beams through as a spectacular sensory overload that renders the possibilities endless for a pre-existing property as famous as Marvel’s superheroes.

The Rom-Com Hall of Fame (According to a Millennial Knuckle Dragger)

February 14, 2022 by AJ Mijares in Lists

When you can’t take five steps into a CVS Pharmacy without seeing endless tunnels of heart-shaped Valentine grams, that can only mean one thing: it’s rom-com season once again. To many of us, Valentine’s Day is traditionally a time to celebrate the ones that we love by splurging for chocolates, flowers, and cozying up to a movie that probably doesn’t involve Vin Diesel.

Historically, romantic comedies are one of the more misunderstood subgenres in mainstream moviegoing. Given how much corny material has been made, it’s easy to fall into the assumption that they’re all just love stories with played-out humor and a happy ending that fades out on a wide shot of a city and a pop song by Natasha Beddingfield.

That can be true in some cases, but many of them are nuanced in ways that we don’t quite articulate on first or even second viewing. The most universally embraced rom-coms have a distinct charm, an effervescence that makes them enjoyable to watch many years later, regardless of gender. This Valentine’s Day, if your significant other would rather avoid being dragged to see Jackass Forever, here’s a curated list of rom-coms that anyone with a working pulse can enjoy.

**10. High Fidelity (2000) - dir. Stephen Frears**

There are tons of romantic comedies told from the perspective of men; far too many are written with an unrealistic charm that isn’t always reminiscent of real people. The movie adaptation of Nick Hornby’s best-seller High Fidelity is a playful, candid exploration of the modern male identity disguised as an offbeat romantic comedy. Love is viewed as something foreign through the eyes of an underachieving music snob (John Cusack) who tries to get his ex back while simultaneously reflecting on the ghosts of relationships past.

The enduring power of High Fidelity isn’t grand romance, but rather its eclectic soundtrack and honest evaluation of accountability in relationships. Our protagonist Rob isn’t the sweep-you-off-your-feet type—he’s actually kind of a jerk. He’s a narcissist, egocentric, and crippled by his inability to take ownership of his actions. Rob must undergo a journey of self-discovery to find the error of his ways and learn how to properly commit.

Available for rent on Amazon Prime

**9. About Time (2013) - dir. Richard Curtis**

Written and directed by Richard Curtis, About Time feels special in that it functions on two fundamental levels: a love story of guy meets girl and a love story between father and son. Both elements converge in this sci-fi/rom-com with a sophistication and depth that will reduce even the most callous of viewers to a fleshy puddle of wailing vulnerability.

It tells the story of Tim and Mary (Domnhall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams), a picturesque couple save for one small wrinkle: Tim can travel backward in time—a trait passed down from his aging father (Bill Nighy). Through Tim’s prolonged hijinks of trying to perfect his journey in love, he learns an important lesson on letting go of the past to make room for his future. Despite the minor imperfections of its time travel mechanism, About Time upends the stale tropes of an exhausted genre to create something wholesome and fresh. Just get your Kleenex ready and don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Available for instant streaming on Netflix

**8. The Wedding Singer (1998) - dir. Frank Coraci**

Just a few years after his stint as a mainstay cast member on Saturday Night Live, Adam Sandler threw it back to 1985 with The Wedding Singer, a sweet and silly musical comedy about a mild-mannered romantic who falls for an engaged young woman (Drew Barrymore) after his fiance leaves him heartbroken at the altar. From Spandau Ballet to the tri-color shirts and a surprise cameo from Billy Idol, this rom-com classic radiates with a glorious mid-80s gleam.

In typical fashion, Sandler enlists the help of Happy Madison regulars Allen Covert, Kevin Nealon, Steve Buscemi, and Peter Dante to round out his zany lineup of side characters. Most notable of which is the film’s archnemesis in Matthew Glave as the cartoonishly despicable Glenn Gulia. Sporting a flamingo-pink shirt and a blinding white blazer, Glenn is the undisputed king of punchable faces and the foremost profile on the Mount Rushmore of dirtbag movie boyfriends.

Available for instant streaming on HBO Max

**7. Hitch (2005) - dir. Andy Tennant**

Though the tide has begun to turn in recent years, there’s been an obvious lack of colored representation in mainstream romantic comedies since the dawn of the artform. From Just Wright to Think Like a Man, most rom-coms with colored leads generally tend to target a specified demographic. In 2005, this cultural barrier proved no challenge for Will Smith, the Philly-born superstar whose accolades continue to speak for themselves, which includes a Best Actor nomination for his most recent work on King Richard.

After Bel Air but long before he showed Venus and Serena how to perfect their backhand, Will was pining for the affections of Eva Mendes in Hitch, a self-produced film featuring colored leads that achieved mainstream recognition and global box office success. There’s a universal magnetism to Will Smith and Eva Mendes’ personalities that seemed to eclipse any perceived notions of skin color. Their onscreen pairing was a celebration of multi-culturalism in the mainstream sense that helped pave the way for a new generation of color diversity in rom-coms that is much more ubiquitous today.

Available for instant streaming on Hulu and Peacock

**6. Singin’ In The Rain (1952) - dir. Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen**

Even for audiences who aren’t into classic cinema, Stanley Donen’s Golden Age opus has cultural reverence as an ageless rom-com with an enduring legacy that transcends age or gender. This delightful and timeless musical examines the labored transition from the silent film era to talkie cinema, which chronicles a blooming dynamic between the incumbent superstar (Gene Kelly) and a rising talent (Debbie Reynolds).

Co-directed by its leading man, who also served as principal choreographer, Singin’ In The Rain is a kaleidoscopic explosion of song, dance, color, and verve. A charming dalliance unfolds between the silent film star and a young starlet named Kathy Selden, the spunky but talented love interest. The iconic duo and their palpable chemistry helped establish blueprints for a genre whose sole aim is to make audiences smile about love.

Available for instant streaming on HBO Max

**5. When Harry Met Sally (1989) - dir. Rob Reiner**

The chemistry between a movie’s creative components are just as important than that of its performers. In the 32 years since its release, When Harry Met Sally only grows in the estimation as a delightful rom-com with wit, charm, and brains to boot. All credit due to the creative synergy between its director Rob Reiner and luminous screenwriter Nora Ephron; the resulting balance is a teeter-totter that explores the primitive divide between men and women with sharp and lucid perception.

The film is the preeminent example of “will they or won’t they” between Sally (Meg Ryan) and Harry (Billy Crystal), platonic friends who pass like ships in the night over the course of many years. Set to a robust, big band swoon from Harry Connick Jr., When Harry Met Sally is a hall-of-fame entry that explores the collision of gender dynamics in a way that still feels funny but truthful over three decades later.

Available for instant streaming on HBO Max

**4. There’s Something About Mary (1998) - dir. The Farrelly Brothers**

As the filmmakers responsible for Dumb & Dumber and Kingpin, The Farrelly Brothers had a comedic sensibility that loomed large over the nineties. In a decade ruled by entertainment on a massive visual scale, the Farrellys proved that humor can still thrive without a sinking ship or Tyrannosaurus Rex. There’s Something About Mary was one of the highest-grossing films of the year and a benchmark for the R-rated comedy boom of the forthcoming decade.

Starring Ben Stiller as the docile protagonist Ted, a man who gets another chance with the girl who got away (Cameron Diaz), the movie laid the foundation for romantic comedies with raunchy humor but a heart of gold. Much like Judd Apatow’s work in the mid-2000s, There’s Something About Mary was a humanitarian drama with absurdist hilarity. It functions as a story about being true to oneself, but is generally remembered for Cameron Diaz putting ejaculate in her hair. It was the ushering of a brave new era in comedy, one whose boundless audacity is almost completely extinct in movies today.

Available for rent on Amazon Prime and Vudu

**3. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) - dir. Gil Junger**

Teen culture in the late nineties hasn’t aged particularly well in many respects. From the music we consumed to the clothes we wore, so many facets are now considered relics from a bygone era—but not 10 Things I Hate About You. This beloved classic is widely recognized as a milestone of high school rom-coms with a fantastic cast, smartly written script, and a looming influence still felt over 20 years later.

It makes the most of an iconic pairing between the independent-minded Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles) and bad boy Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger). The dichotomy they share still reverberates to this day in any teen comedy where its characters seem precocious with the agency to think for themselves. Rounded out by a tremendous supporting cast in Joseph Gordon Levitt, David Krumholtz, Gabrielle Union and Allison Janney, 10 Things I Hate About You was an emblematic milestone for teenage representation in movies.

Available for instant streaming on Disney Plus

**2. Shaun of the Dead (2004) - dir. Edgar Wright**

A case can be made that of all the great duos we’ve covered, the superlative isn’t two people but rather two genres. British filmmaker and devout cinephile Edgar Wright burst onto the scene with an instant classic that drew considerable influence from cult movies past. Finding inspiration from the work of George A. Romero, Wright blazed a name for himself in contemporary cinema by crafting one of the most celebrated films of the 21st Century in Shaun of the Dead, a zombie rom-com for people who love zombies and rom-coms.

Shaun of the Dead follows a slacker’s (Simon Pegg) fight to survive when an army of the undead wreaks havoc on London. To this day, the movie remains immensely popular with genre fans who recognize its clever and nuanced execution. Being a huge fan of movies himself, Edgar Wright constructed this film as a loving homage to the carnivorous subgenre. But at the heart of this apocalyptic zombie saga, it still manages to connect with audiences through its manchild protagonist and his wayward struggle to get his act together—or risk losing Liz (Kate Ashfield), the woman of his dreams.

Available for rent on Amazon Prime or Vudu

**1. The Princess Bride (1987) - dir. Rob Reiner**

There are many reasons why The Princess Bride still resonates as a cherished cult classic. For one, it’s incredibly quotable, much to the credit of its screenplay by the legendary William Goldman. Secondly, audiences love the simplicity of its plot—a swashbuckling adventure that outlines a storybook romance between Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) and the brave farmhand Westley (Cary Elwes) and the lengths he’ll go to rescue her from the clutches of evil.

What differentiates The Princess Bride from the rest of the rabble is the sheer creativity of its execution. Rob Reiner’s fantasy world is fueled by imaginative, childlike wonder with adoring characters who speak in distinguished voices. With a colorful supporting cast that includes Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, Fred Savage, and Christopher Guest, this classic bursts at the seams with uncontrollable originality. Even outside the boundaries of romantic comedy, The Princess Bride stands on its own as a must-see for all ages and genders.

Available for instant streaming on Disney Plus

Next | ‘Malignant’ and the Guide to Surviving a James Wan Horror Movie

Top 10 Movies of 2021 (and Where to Find Them)

December 31, 2021 by AJ Mijares in Lists

It’s been an unprecedented year in entertainment, to say the very least. In the shapeless wake of 2020, movie fans have acclimated themselves to an obscure type of normal characterized by release delays, pushed movies from last year, and a stupendously back-loaded final quarter. The past 12 months have given us a grab-bag of total bombs, hidden gems, influential documentaries, enormous franchise entries, and rhapsodic prestige feature films—many of which through streaming platforms over theatrical.

As last year’s would-be blockbuster Tenet came to forecast, 2021 was a shaky year for the industry’s profitability. As the pandemic stands at the precipice of its second year in the US, movie fans can distinctly feel the culture undergoing a seismic transition. Continued volatility in box office returns reflects an ongoing disinterest in the in-theater experience for anything outside the Marvel canon. More studios are opting for a limited theatrical release, if not a straight-to-VOD model, especially for those non-franchise titles. Many others are opting to produce miniseries’ rather than feature films, causing concern about the long-term viability of antiquated customs.

With so few titles that actually embedded themselves into the mainstream awareness, there were a number of movies that still managed to stray ahead of the pack. Some of which were reputed as event films, though others received little to no marketing at all. Though all of them vary in genre and scale, they’re united under the banner of 2021, a year that reset our baseline for equilibrium. The art reflects a search for resolve in times of change—a prevalent theme that resonates far too well in real life.

10. Godzilla vs. Kong - dir. Adam Wingard

This may come as a surprise but the truth is that there’s been no massive spectacle that was able to top the sugar rush of sheer destruction like Godzilla vs. Kong. Adam Wingard’s colorful creature feature was a thoroughly entertaining adventure and the first movie this year to breach the $100m mark at the box office, despite going straight to HBO Max on the same day. Although each of the films in both of Legendary’s respective franchises yielded far greater returns than this, Godzilla vs. Kong was a beacon of hope, a fuzzy-fisted haymaker of normality.

It may lack the subtlety or pathos of many other movies you’ll see on this list, but it’s hard to think of a movie that can match the unbridled joy of seeing a 50,000-ton ape throwing a right hook to the face of a giant neon lizard. In an interview with RogerEbert.com, filmmaker Adam Wingard reflected “there were plenty of times where I didn’t even think this goal would be possible. But here we are, and it was such a great experience to be able to work off of pure imagination”. Wingard’s push from indie movies into blockbuster filmmaking was a monstrous event that highlighted the importance of letting your brain take a backseat.

Available for instant streaming on HBO Max

9. No Sudden Move - dir. Steven Soderbergh

It’s no world-stopping blockbuster, but Steven Soderbergh’s crafty crime caper No Sudden Move is a sharp shot of clever storytelling. Set against the pre-segregated cityscape of 1950s Detroit, this movie might depict a relic of cultural antiquity but its story explores the unchanging aspects of greed and human nature. That’s not to say the movie isn’t fun; its jags and clever plot twists will keep you guessing throughout. With some great lead performances by Don Cheadle and Benicio Del Toro, it stands as one of the more understated moviegoing experiences of the year.

The movie moves with a cool, jazzy strut and a snappy musical score by Soderbergh’s longtime collaborator David Holmes. With a distinguished body of work that includes Ocean’s Eleven and Logan Lucky, stylish crime capers have clearly been a recurring motif for Steven Soderbergh, a filmmaker who consummately understands the importance of setting a strong vibe, from the characters to the music. And if still you aren’t sold, have I mentioned that Brendan Fraser is in this movie?

Available for instant streaming on HBO Max

8. Inside - dir. Bo Burnham

I know what you might be thinking: Bo Burnham’s Inside is more of a comedy special than a movie. One could feasibly make that argument—but given its deeply meditative nature, feature film runtime, and the fact that it got a limited theatrical release, the 30-year old comedian shows a sensational talent for building a bouncy oddball narrative in the isolated struggle to stay inside, both physically and emotionally.

Burnham’s latest work is an exhaustive solo effort, fusing highly creative song performance with darkly humorous sketch, all within the walls of a single setting. Despite seeing his onscreen emotional reckoning unfold in real time, his absurdist comedy shines through with impeccable timing. Its poignant resonance rivals that of a narrative drama and as an objective body of work, Bo paints a funny but moving portrait of human vulnerability during times of uncertainty. This high-wire act is an incredible artifact of our time and to date, stands as one of the best artistic reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Available for instant streaming on Netflix

7. Don’t Look Up - dir. Adam McKay

Given the world’s current state of tumult on a massive global scale, it only makes sense why Adam McKay felt it necessary to tell this darkly comedic satire about the end of the civilized world. Since diverting from broader comedies like Step Brothers, McKay has occupied himself with numerous entries that strike a fine line between levity and true-life catastrophe. In an interview with Vox, McKay mentions “I think when you hit dynamics this warped, you kind of have to laugh. Laughter and anger are the two states you shift between.”

Taking a satirical poke to American society’s touchier subjects is a formula he’s found himself returning to since 2015’s The Big Short. His latest straight-to-Netflix release Don’t Look Up is pretty ham-fisted about its metaphors on climate change, but its ensemble cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, and Rob Morgan (just to name a few) help inflate this calamitous doomsday prophecy with enough laugh-out-loud humor to float as a standalone comedy, though it leaves you with an outer layer of realism that is as ominous as it is an honest reflection of our time.

Available for instant streaming on Netflix

6. Titane - dir. Julia Ducournau

When observing 2021 as a whole, it’s clear to see that it’s been a male-dominated year in mainstream moviegoing. From Free Guy to F9 and No Time to Die, a majority of the year’s biggest and most successful titles are disproportionately slanted toward male audiences. With Chloe Zhao becoming the second woman to win Best Director for Nomadland at the Academy Awards, you can start to feel fractures forming in the barrier for talented female storytellers; at the frontlines of this groundbreaking cinematic movement stands provocative French filmmaker Julia Ducournau.

Her incendiary sophomore feature film Titane won the Palm d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and will be remembered as one of the most disruptive moviegoing experiences of the year. It tells the story of Alexia, a troubled young woman who spirals into a violent identity crisis after a childhood car crash leaves her with a titanium plate in her skull. In a time where most movies are so often characterized by their corporate sanitization, Titane’s beauty lies in its balance of tenderness and unflinching brutality.

Much like her acclaimed debut with 2018’s Raw, Ducournau’s radical arthouse horror tells a touching story at its core, despite being graphic, bizarre, and just plain filthy on its surface. Her penchant for unconventional cinematic storytelling imbues the film with a deep irreverence for boundaries in a way that feels so much fresher than anything else available. It’s not an easy sit-through, but for bold viewers who crave uncompromising artistry, look no further.

Available for rent on Vudu

5. The Harder They Fall - dir. Jeymes Samuel

In recent years, the Old West subgenre has failed to generate the mainstream momentum it once had when young giants Clint Eastwood and Paul Newman grazed big screens. Sure, there’s been a few scattered titles littered throughout each decade; the ‘90s had Unforgiven, the 2000s had The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, and the 2010s had Django Unchained. If past dictates present, it seems our contemporary cultural shift has given each respective decade only one or two shots to produce a proverbial Western classic.

Jeymes Samuel’s The Harder They Fall isn’t poised with the dusty eloquence of a Sergio Leone film, but rather chooses to pave its own way as an homage to the gunslingers of yore with a blaxploitation twist that reopens the genre for modern-day audiences. This blood-soaked revenge thriller follows a scorned outlaw seeking retribution for the man who murdered his family after he is released from prison.

Lead by an outstanding lead cast in Jonathan Majors, Lakeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Idris Elba, and Delroy Lindo, the film stomps with incredible confidence and reinvigorates all that we find cool about the Wild West. The gunplay is calamitous and comic book-like, so the action unfolds like a modernized cross between Tombstone and Kingsman. Set to a thunderous contemporary soundtrack that celebrates Black culture, The Harder They Fall reimagines Western cinema in the rowdiest shoot-em-up of the decade so far.

Available for instant streaming on Netflix

4. West Side Story - dir. Steven Spielberg

Over the course of an illustrious 40 year span, Steven Spielberg has firmly cemented his legacy as a godhead of modern cinema—though in recent years, he hasn’t been able to rekindle the joyous wonders of E.T. or the unbridled terrors of Saving Private Ryan. When it was announced he was going to take on West Side Story, the skepticism ran roughshod and questioned the need for another remake that no one seemed to ask for.

The maestro makes no labor to rewrite a Shakespearean tragedy but greatly succeeds at breathing fresh new life into the world of West Side Story. The story beats are wound tighter than a drum, the choreography feels more lively, the camera movements are more dynamic, the skirmishes feel grittier and war-like. Set to the racially divided backdrop of 1950s New York, this outstanding adaptation of one of cinema’s most celebrated classics is a masterclass of cinematic re-telling and an amazing return to form for Steven Spielberg.

Now in theaters nationwide

3. The Green Knight - dir. David Lowery

More akin to a stained glass hero’s fable than a hack-and-slash medieval conquest, David Lowery’s The Green Knight got a lot of buzz from indie crowds by carving out its own realm of Arthurian fantasy. The film takes place in ancient England on a wintry Yuletide night when a mysterious woodland warrior pays a visit to the round table. After throwing down a challenge to King Arthur’s headstrong nephew Gawain, he must depart the comforts of home to embark on a perilous quest to find his own legacy.

Crafted with an intense devotion to historical accuracy in the grandest scale, The Green Knight is one of the most beautifully shot films of the decade so far. The prose is somber and poetic so its story plays out like timeless folklore, propped up on a tremendous lead performance by Dev Patel. Lowery’s meditative opus is a resounding work that interrogates and reframes our definition of ‘greatness’, though those in search of an old English action movie may want to consider looking elsewhere.

Available for rent on Vudu, Prime Video, or Apple TV

2. Dune - dir. Denis Villeneuve

Frank Herbert’s famously unadaptable sci-fi epic is translated with groundbreaking panache in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, the first of a two-part film series. With a track record that includes Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, the French-Canadian filmmaker is no stranger to event films that capitalize on spectacle. His latest is widely being recognized as his magnum opus, a blockbuster exhibition, and the crown jewel of effects-driven cinema since Avatar in 2009.

Contrary to David Lynch’s notoriously troubled 1984 film adaptation, Villeneuve’s far-reaching premise is streamlined by sticking closely to its hero’s journey; the movie follows Paul Atreides, a gifted young man caught in the crossfire of a massive interplanetary war. With an ensemble cast comprised of Timothee Chalamet, Josh Brolin, Jason Momoa, Oscar Isaac, and Rebecca Ferguson, the movie never feels overbearing but functions rather beautifully at every given level.

Villeneuve transports viewers to the warm sands of Arrakis, a nutrient-rich desert shot with a colossal sense of futurism and scale. In spite of its day-and-date release on HBO Max, the film is a breathtaking achievement of visual storytelling whose sensory immersion is amplified by the in-theater experience. The unfortunate reality is Dune made less than $400 million worldwide at the box office this year—a number that doesn’t hold a candle to the highest-earning titles of the last decade. Regardless, it stands to reason that Villeneuve’s sweeping epic will be remembered as one of the boldest undertakings in the history of science fiction.

Available for rent on Vudu, Prime Video, or Apple TV

1. Pig - dir. Michael Sarnoski

For several years running, the lord of eccentricity Nicolas Cage has been marching proudly to the beat of his own drum. From starring in the psychedelic brain-melter Mandy to voice-acting as the protagonist Grug in The Croods: A New Age, the sheer depth of roles that Cage has taken on shows a full-formed realization of his true gift as a performer. They don’t always work but evidently, fans couldn’t be happier.

Cage delivers a tour-de-force performance in Michael Sarnoski’s Pig, one of the year’s most surprising and powerful dramas. This low-budget gem follows Rob, a reclusive truffle hunter who lives in the remote Oregon wilderness with his beloved foraging pig. When his home is broken into and she’s stolen in the dead of night, Rob goes on a tireless search through Portland’s culinary underground to find his treasured friend.

What sets this performance apart isn’t Cage’s unpredictability that audiences have come to expect, but rather his restraint as the derelict protagonist Rob. In order to best serve the emotional demands of the story, his role requires a tremendous amount of subtlety and quiet pain. By stripping that inherent sarcasm, the film becomes a somber portrait of alienation and belonging that helps remind us why Nicolas Cage has endured in the cultural continuum.