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Best and Worst Films from November 2021

Best Films from November 2021:

3. Sholay

This month I ended my Asian Cinema Marathon and this Indian hit definitely had to be on this list. Sholay is one of the most iconic movies in the history of Bollywood and it is easy to see why. Its characters are truly unforgettable while the mixing of many different genres was very well handled. The musical numbers here are so much fun while the exuberant energy made it wholly entertaining.

2. The Last Duel

I love Ridley Scott and The Last Duel is one of his best movies. I am thankful that I was one of the rare people who supported it on the big screen as the movie needs more love. Beautifully acted and stupendously executed in its technical aspects, this historical drama also deconstructs the epic genre in such a nuanced, realistic manner. The ending is particularly powerful and the whole movie is quite moving and disturbing.

1. The Burmese Harp

The Burmese Harp easily takes the first spot. This Japanese classic is one of the best anti-war statements of all time. Its Buddhist themes are beautiful while the film’s aesthetic and mood made it feel like a spiritual experience in vein to the protagonist’s journey itself. Cinematic and artistic, the movie teaches us about compassion and perseverance in such a powerful manner. It is a film that cannot leave you cold no matter what and it’s one of the rare five-star movies that I’ve seen in quite a while.

Worst Films from November 2021:

3. King Richard

As for the weakest movies, King Richard takes the third spot due to its uninspired narrative and a very biased approach at storytelling. Overly glorifying its central figure, the movie is troublesome throughout. It is well acted and at times sweet, but so boring and predictable and populist that it really bored me personally.

2. Nine Days

Nine Days is even more tedious. This indie drama features such an incredible premise that the weak execution destroyed any potential that it might have had before. The first half is okay, but the second one is so dull and the movie features overwhelming dialogue through and through.

1. Titane

This French pornographic, grotesque trash ended up winning at Cannes, which is beyond problematic. The film isn’t just disturbing and overly graphic in its sexuality and violence, but also utterly pointless in its narrative. It doesn’t have message nor does it have anything to say about gender identity. Its bizarre premise is too ridiculous to be taken seriously and the movie is a shameless exercise in lack of taste.