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For my fifth year of the Blindspot series, I was relieved to wrap it up (barely) before the end of the year. You would think one movie a month wouldn’t be so hard to fit in, but college inevitably put me behind, only starting on these in April and having to play catch-up in the last few months. Now that that I’ve seen all these films for the first time, I can close out 2021’s Blindspots with my annual ranking before announcing the 2022 list tomorrow.
Like 2020, only one film ended up becoming an instant favorite and winning entry onto my Top 365 movie list. Even so, I still consider this an excellent selection of cinema, with even my bottom-ranked picks having their good points. I’m glad to have finally crossed these films off my to-watch list, especially so I can move on to the next batch.
12. Don’t Look Now (1973)
Psychological horror about psychic dangers in Venice; very atmospheric but also strange and unsatisfying
11. Apocalypse Now (1979)
Coppola’s Vietnam war classic is masterfully executed but also off-putting and anticlimactic.
10. Shin Godzilla (2016)
Modern “realistic” Godzilla thriller where bureaucracy is just as much a problem as the monster; special effects are both good and not quite good enough.
9. The Village (2004)
Atmospheric Shyamalan thriller with a twist that isn’t that hard to predict
8. Anthem of the Heart (2015)
Anime school drama posing as fantasy with some poignant themes
7. Office Space (1999)
Cult comedy that I can relate to now that I’ve worked in an office
6. The Apartment (1960)
Oscar-winning classic with an unappealing premise that yields to a highly satisfying end
5. Total Recall (1990)
Violent and bizarre, but thought-provoking action sci-fi is my jam nonetheless.
4. Sunshine on Leith (2013)
Scottish musical highlighting The Proclaimers’ discography; sweet but mostly predictable romance drama
3. A Matter of Life and Death (1946)
Unsung romantic classic with intriguing fantasy elements of the afterlife; like Soul but older and British
2. Coming to America (1988)
Second-tier Eddie Murphy rom com that still reminds me why ’80s comedies are the best
1. My Left Foot (1989)
First-rate acting for a first-rate biopic of Irish painter and author Christy Brown
Rhyme and Reason 