10 best releases of 2021
There's something about the pop culture moments in 2020 and 2021 that have merged together in my brain. As I started preparing for this annual tradition - a newsletter filled with my favorite movies, music, TV shows and books of the year - I struggled more than usual to parse out selections that were actually released in 2021. What I've landed on, however, is a nice reminder that although it's been a difficult year, there were some excellent pop culture distractions to help us along. If you've had a tough year, know that you're not alone. I assure you that you've had many moments of success along the way that you're not giving yourself enough credit for. Wishing you a safe, healthy and relaxing New Year!
Note: I'm only focusing on 2021 releases. Anything I watched for the first time but wasn't actually new to the year isn't included below, but shout-out to my favorite non-2021 releases, Emma, Lovesick and season one of Ted Lasso.
Tick, Tick...BOOM! (Netflix): We're starting with my favorite movie of the year! This film is based on the autobiographical musical created by Jonathan Larson, and tells the story of Jonathan preparing for the first workshop performance of the musical Superbia. While pressure to deliver at the workshop mounts, Jonathan debates his career choices, as he watches his girlfriend discuss leaving New York City, his best friend succeed in the business world and the AIDS crisis spread throughout the city. If you're not up your musical theater knowledge, Jonathan Larson is the famed mind behind the music, book and lyrics of Rent but tragically died before its first preview performance. Tick, Tick...BOOM! takes place before Rent was even a concept. The movie blew me away. It's a really excellent musical adaptation that strikes the perfect balance between the fantastical world a movie musical should exist in and the realism infused throughout the narrative. Andrew Garfield delivers a truly remarkable performance that deserves all of the awards buzz. If you've never seen video of Jonathan Larson performing Tick, Tick...BOOM!, there are some wonderful side-by-side comparisons on the internet that help emphasize the way Garfield embodies Jonathan's energy and mannerisms, without ever making his performance feel like an imitation. Movie musicals are not easy to make, but Lin-Manuel Miranda triumphs in his directorial debut. Tick, Tick...BOOM! also serves as a beautiful tribute to Stephen Sondheim (played by Bradley Whitford), who passed away weeks after the film's release.
SOUR: Earlier this year, Olivia Rodrigo's debut album made a splash on the music scene thanks to her expertly-crafted bangers. Her catchy lyrics ensure that good for you, deja vu, brutal and drivers license stay stuck in your head long past your first listen. While many compare her to Taylor Swift, I think her music is entirely her own.
The final season of Insecure (HBO Max): It's hard to hit all the right notes on a series finale, but that's exactly what Insecure did with its final episode. Earlier this year, I binged the first few seasons of the show in time to catch up live with the fifth and final season. Created by Issa Rae, the show tells the story of Issa Dee (played by Rae) as she struggles with her relationships, friendships and career choices. She's messy, indecisive and ... insecure. The final season perfectly encapsulates the same conflicts and relationships that drove the show in its earlier seasons while giving the characters room to grow without rehashing the same problems. The final episode is a beautiful tribute to the series and the friendship love story at its core.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry: You know a book is good when you re-read passages from it weeks and months after finishing. That's how I feel about Emily Henry's second contemporary romance novel. People We Meet on Vacation tells the story of Poppy and Alex, two college best friends who go on a vacation together each year. After a falling out, they reunite to take another trip together and have to address their issues and maybe fall in love???
Red (Taylor's Version): Filled with strong vocal performances, catchy new tunes and a 10-minute masterpiece (I kid you not, as I typed this JAKE GYLLENHAAL popped up on my TV screen because I have Spider-Man: Far From Home on in the background), Taylor's re-recorded version of Red exceeded all expectations.
Two new releases from Mindy Kaling (HBO Max and Netflix): It's so nice to have Mindy Kaling content back on our screens! Her HBO Max series The Sex Lives of College Girls debuted in November and after a rocky first two episodes, the show hits its stride as it settles into its 30-minute comedy format and the four leading ladies develop a fun rapport. But that's not all! The second season of Kaling's Never Have I Ever came out on Netflix earlier this year and sizzled even more than its first season, as Devi continues to stir up delightfully messy trouble.
WandaVision (Disney+): Marvel dropped a lot of new content this year, but WandaVision maintains its position on my list as the company's best new release. Starring Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda) and Paul Bettany (Vision), the actors adapt different personas to acclimate with each new television style featured in the episodes. The costumes, dialogue, music, sets and supporting cast (including the wonderful Kathryn Hahn) evolve to match the changing decades too. Its unique premise, attention-to-detail and stellar performances (specifically from Olsen) help it rise above the rest of this year's superhero content.
Starstruck (HBO Max): My favorite new TV of the year! Rose Matafeo's romcom series tells the story of Jessie, who meets Tom on New Year's Eve and wakes up the next morning to realize he's actually a super down to earth movie star. Rose Matafeo and Nikesh Patel have wonderful chemistry and the series is a quick, funny and entertaining watch. Season two is on the way!
CODA (Apple TV+): I'm so happy to see CODA getting well-deserved awards buzz! This Apple TV+ movie tells the story of high school senior Ruby, who wants to leave her small town and go to school in the city. As she takes voice lessons, she grows distant from her parents and brother, all three of whom are deaf. The really, really beautiful ending left me sobbing so be sure to have tissues on hand!
