Though Cyrano serves up a straightforward retelling of the classic story, it’s undeniably enhanced by its sweeping soundtrack and three leads who make the fable feel fresh again with fun performances of these oft-portrayed characters - and it’s their exciting enthusiasm that gives this adaptation its appealing and effervescent energy.

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2021 Ranked
Joe Wright Ranked

Given The Tragedy of Macbeth’s stark and somber subject matter, Joel Coen’s cool and consummate command behind the camera always seemed like a perfect fit for this source material – but few could’ve ever imagined such an intricately constructed and insidiously compelling take on the timeless tale as this, elevated even further by the talents of the two Oscar winners anchoring the affair.

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2021 Ranked
Coen Brothers Ranked
A24 Ranked

Aided by Olivia Colman at her career-best, Maggie Gyllenhaal has crafted a new classic with The Lost Daughter – and simultaneously shown the industry that she’s a creative who can cut to the core of a cultural conversation and tell the truth in this masterful meditation on the messiness of motherhood.

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2021 Ranked

Went long on my love for the delightfully dark and demented Nightmare Alley, Guillermo del Toro’s ravishing remake that masterfully marries his gorgeously gothic and grotesque aesthetic with this macabre source material, suffusing it with more suffocating suspense than ever before.

Accompanied by captivating crafts and a brilliant Bradley Cooper and Cate Blanchett, this terrifying and timeless tale is transformed into top-tier work from del Toro, finding itself firmly at the top of his filmography.

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2021 Ranked
Guillermo del Toro Ranked

Wolf may not be able to answer all of the riveting questions it raises, but thanks to writer-director Nathalie Biancheri’s sensitive storytelling - and a pair of persuasive performances from George MacKay and Lily-Rose Depp - it approaches its potentially preposterous premise with affecting authenticity, drawing painful parallels to terrorized communities today.

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2021 Ranked

Lady Gaga slays her second major film role in the gloriously garish House of Gucci, a thrilling true crime tragedy that, while a tad overstuffed, almost always holds our attention thanks to the allure of its award-winning and tremendously talented ensemble cast.

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2021 Ranked
Ridley Scott Ranked

Drive My Car may be a bit too “patiently” paced for some, but others will undeniably appreciate its skillfully sophisticated storytelling and astute analysis of grief, powered by subtly effective performances from Hidetoshi Nishijima, Masaki Okada, and Toko Miura - with the latter outright stealing the show.

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2021 Ranked

The cast and crew of Sing 2 have delivered once more with a follow-up that matches - and sometimes even sures - the musical magic of the original, thanks to an abundance of heart and tons of toe-tapping tunes. A heartwarming crowdpleaser of the highest order.

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2021 Ranked
Illumination Ranked

Halle Berry brings her all to Bruised, but the film is too familiar thematically to a slew of other sports dramas (Creed, Southpaw, Million Dollar Baby, etc.) to earn the explosive emotional impact it desires.

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2021 Ranked

C’mon C’mon is a resonant reminder of the capability of comion and communication to cure our emotional ills, led lovingly by the immensely awards-worthy Joaquin Phoenix, Woody Norman, and Gaby Hoffmann.

It’s also writer-director Mike Mills’ masterpiece.

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2021 Ranked
A24 Ranked

Benjamin Cleary’s Swan Song is sci-fi at its most stripped-down & stirring - a rousing look at life, love, & loss that resonates deeply. Mahershala Ali reminds us that he’s one of the greatest actors of his generation in his powerhouse lead performance, delivering in dual roles.

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2021 Ranked