Mark Kermode’s best films of 2021

Yes, we should be entirely way done with 2021, but permit us to close the books on this difficult year with one last belated feature whose title is not meant to be a backhanded compliment to the films, nor scolding and yes, generally relative as many people did see them, but not most (and yes, there will be some overlap with our Best of 2021 coverage, though it’s minor) READ MORE: The 25 Best Films Of 2021 While most of us remain inside with far too many streaming options dangled in front of our eyes, it doesn’t appear general audiences will be returning to theaters for movies that contain anything less than three Peter Parkers uniting on screen anytime soon.

Not so long ago, it looked as if the movies had firmly embraced topicality. Digital technology had radically shortened the production cycle. Ferociously reportorial writers and/or directors like Mark Boal, Aaron Sorkin and Oliver Stone were speeding toward the screen with timely, ‘ripped-from-the-headlines’ films like Zero Dark Thirty, The Social Network and Snowden even while their real-life characters and plot lines were still unfolding. It was pretty heady stuff, all caught up in Congressional scrutiny, court transcripts and debate about ongoing government surveillance of just about everyone.

The new year has come, which means awards season speculation and Best-Of lists run rampant before the cycle begins all over again, albeit a little belatedly this year (we needed a break!) Sundance starts next week, the Festival moving online/virtual again this year with the surge in post-holiday Omicron cases. In some ways, the Oscar game often kicks off in Park City, unofficially, critically acclaimed titles like “Coda,” often first making their mark on a potential awards run.

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With more films finally hitting theaters (despite COVID concerns) and streaming services releasing record numbers of films and TV series this year, we’re seeing so many projects fall between the cracks. It used to be that film/TV fans could cherry-pick what to watch and somewhat keep up with all the new releases.

Emmerdale's Mark Charnock and Coronation Street's Jack P Shepherd go head-to-head on Monday's The Big Soap Quiz special as the ITV soap stars are quizzed about the biggest storylines of the year. Joining Mark, 53, who plays Marlon Dingle, is Faith Dingle star Sally Dexter and Ethan Anderson star Emile John as they make up team Emmerdale.

It’s been a tradition for years now and it continues in 2021—former President of the United States, Barack Obama, has released his top films of the year. And as with previous years, it’s a healthy mix of high-profile gems and things that may have fallen under the radar that he clearly wants to put some extra shine on.

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Art LaFleur (1943–2021), actor known for “The Sandlot,” “Field of Dreams”Bergen Williams (1959–2021), played Big Alice on “General Hospital”Lee Elder (1934–2021), first Black golfer to play in the MastersDavid Gulpilil (c.