Over the last year, literally hundreds of movies were released in some form for your viewing pleasure. With the Academy Awards airing on Sunday, the simple math is that many worthwhile and entertaining movies will never get recognition from the top brass. With the importance we (foolishly?) imbue the Academy, whichever dozen or so films collect the top nominations are usually the canonically “best” any given year has to offer. Sometimes that ages well, and other times some of the year’s greatest gems are forgotten outside of cinephile circles. So I wanted to share my top movies that are not Best Picture contenders, but that you should absolutely still watch.
The rules for my list are simple: I have to have seen the movie and I have to have really enjoyed it. Even I, with my all-consuming and neverending curse to devour as many films as possible, miss out on several fantastic movies every year.
Bad Trip (dir. Kitao Sakurai): From the inspired, deranged mind of Eric André comes a wonderful blend of scripted set-ups and hidden camera reactions. Sometimes these comedies fall flat or wildly vary in quality, but Bad Trip‘s trick is avoiding mean-spiritedness toward its targets while crafting sequences that had me pausing to finish my laughing fit. Bad Trip is unrated and available to stream on Netflix.
The Card Counter (dir. Paul Schrader): Film legend Paul Schrader (co-writer of Taxi Driver and Raging Bull) writes and directs this muted, simmering character study, with a captivating lead performance by America’s boyfriend, Oscar Isaac. The Card Counter is rated R and available to rent on Amazon Prime and Apple.
The Green Knight (dir. David Lowery): I wrote about The Green Knight’s mesmerizing visuals and melodic pace. An interesting reimagining of Sir Gawain’s quest to face the Green Knight (who has promised him death via decapitation), the film earns a spot on this list for its dazzling production and Dev Patel’s commanding ability to pass every thought and emotion onto the viewer. The Green Knight is rated R and available to stream on Showtime.
Shiva Baby (dir. Emma Seligman): Tensions boil over at a Jewish shiva service in this claustrophobic character drama. Shiva Baby was one of the most juicily uncomfortable, confrontational films I experienced in 2021. I squirmed in my seat as characters self-sabotaged and burned bridges and was captivated for its entire 78 minute run time. Stream Shiva Baby is unrated and available to stream on HBO Max.
Nine Days (dir. Edson Oda): A quiet, curious, metaphysical drama about the bureaucracies of a premortal existence, Nine Days follows a case worker who interviews souls to determine which will be given life on Earth. The film is led by fantastic performances from Winston Duke, Zazie Beetz, and Benedict Wong, and had me stewing over its ideas for days. Nine Days is rated R and available to stream on Starz.
Passing (dir. Rebecca Hall): Adapted from Nella Larsen’s novella, Passing is a story about light-skinned African-Americans in 1920s Harlem. Beautifully shot by Rebecca Hall, the fantastic two-hander from Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga elevates the melodrama into a compelling meditation on race in America. Passing is rated PG-13 and available to stream on Netflix.
Pig (dir. Michael Sarnoski): An unforgivable snub from this year’s Oscars was overlooking Nicolas Cage’s standout role in Pig. As the highlight and propulsive force of this strange, beautiful odyssey, Cage gives a stirring, nuanced performance as a gruff recluse who is reluctantly drawn back into society after his truffle pig is violently stolen. Pig is rated R and available to stream on Hulu (read my full review).
Test Pattern (dir. Shatara Michelle Ford): Warning for the heavy themes featured in this movie. Another story designed to make your blood boil, Test Pattern follows a couple on a 24-hour quest for a rape kit after Brittany S. Hall’s Renesha believes she has been drugged at a party. As they race from hospital to hospital, navigating a cruelly-indifferent bureaucratic nightmare, with mounting pressure of the ticking clock, Test Pattern descends into a visceral experience of desperation, frustration, and anger. Test Pattern is unrated and available to stream on Starz.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (dir. Michael Rianda): Produced by animation gods Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (the brains behind Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), Mitchells is the perfect blend of zany storytelling, captivating visuals, and an emotional message about family amidst its gloriously off-kilter high-concept. A dazzling animated treat for everyone. The Mitchells vs. the Machines is rated PG and available to stream on Netflix.
Riders of Justice (dir. Anders Thomas Jensen): This Danish film reads as a throwaway revenge thriller—but turns out writer-director Anders Thomas Jensen delivers a thoughtful, moving meditation on forgiveness, healing, fate, and time itself? It’s also beautifully shot and features a rich, weighty performance from Mads Mikkelsen at the center. Riders of Justice is unrated and available to stream on Hulu.
C’mon C’mon (dir. Mike Mills): I talked about this in my end of year review, and am disappointed it didn’t receive more love from the Academy. C’mon C’mon is a celebration of life: a wonderful package of the beautiful highs and the frustrating, ugly lows. It never sacrifices honesty and displays the wondrous, sloppy realities of our relationships. There is an infectious freedom in how director Mike Mills tells this story of journalist Johnny (Joaquin Phoenix), who agrees to temporarily watch his nephew (newcomer Woody Norman) during a family crisis. The writing and performances feel genuine and unrehearsed; Phoenix is brilliant and understated and Norman is the heart of the entire experience. Mills perfectly captures life’s constant mixture of sorrow, confusion, and laughter. C’mon C’mon moved me, inspired me, and left me chewing on its message for weeks. C’mon C’mon is rated R and available to rent on Amazon and Apple.
