My top 2021 movie picks...

Happy Blogmas Day 5! And Happy Sunday! For this blog, I am going to list my top new movie releases of 2021 and why you should absolutely go and watch them if you haven't had chance yet.

1. Love and Monsters.

Forced to live underground after an apocalypse, a boy decides to venture out of his colony in order to reunite with his girlfriend. This movie, whilst follows the basic premise of an apocalypse movie, branches out just enough that it is entirely original and new. Not only does it have incredibly CGI'd giant insects and bugs that have taken over the earth, but funny moments, great action scenes and a wonderful main and supporting cast. Shoutout to Dylan O'Brien who gave a fantastic performance.

Love and Monsters ends up feeling pretty realistic due to the human themes resonating within and at time moving viewers from time to time with incredibly heartfelt moments.

2. Mortal Kombat.

Hunted by the fearsome warrior Sub-Zero, MMA fighter Cole Young finds sanctuary at the temple of Lord Raiden. Training with experienced fighters Liu Kang, Kung Lao and the rogue mercenary Kano, Cole prepares to stand with Earth's greatest champions to take on the enemies from Outworld in a high-stakes battle for the universe. As a fan of the video game, this film does not disappoint. Using incredible visual effects that makes the movie just perfect in its way of blending the two worlds of video games and films together. The action is what makes this movie so amazing, the cast did such an incredible job.

Also, hearing the video game phrases said by the characters in the movie was such a cool experience.

"Finish Him!".

Not convinced, here is the first 7 minutes of the movie!

3. In The Heights.

In Washington Heights, N.Y., the scent of warm coffee hangs in the air just outside of the 181st St. subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies a vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is a likeable and magnetic bodega owner who hopes, imagines and sings about a better life.

In The Heights was the summer film of 2021, however, will be one for generations to come. If you want to ever show anyone a perfect example of a movie musical, that ticks all the boxes, this is the one to show them.

4. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Martial-arts master Shang-Chi confronts the past he thought he left behind when he's drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organisation.

Marvel had given us its first Asian lead movie, starring Simu Liu as martial-arts master Shang-Chi, and what a standout this movie is. With an incredibly talented supporting cast, phenomenal hand-to-hand combat and a story bursting with compassion and love, Marvel had done it again.

Simu and Awkwafina are incredible screen partners, and I hope this isn't the last time we see the pair working together.

5. Free Guy

In "Free Guy," a bank teller who discovers he is actually a background player in an open-world video game, decides to become the hero of his own story... one he rewrites himself. Now in a world where there are no limits, he is determined to be the guy who saves his world his way... before it is too late.

The comedy and action will blow you away, the films love stories will have you gripped to the screen and the use of easter egg and cameo will make you want to rewatch it the second the credits roll. If you are a fan of games, movies, action, comedy, love stories or Ryan Reynolds, this is the film for you.

The cameo's are also something to blow you away. This may be a huge statement to make, but I am absolutely going to make it... these cameos are some of my all time favourites.

6. Eternals

The Eternals are a team of ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. When an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows, they are forced to reunite against mankind’s most ancient enemy, the Deviants.

The highlight of this movie had to be its incredible diversity. Firstly, it is directed by a woman, which is not often something we see in the movie industry, let alone a superhero franchise movie. Lauren Ridloff, who plays Makkari (super speed) is the MCU’s first deaf superhero and communicates throughout the film in sign language. Brian Tyree Henry (Phastos) plays the MCU’s first openly gay superhero, which is incredibly surprising for audiences as it seems impossible for Phastos to be the first openly gay superhero within the MCU, but it is, sadly, true. No longer can we stop creating or portraying characters that don't represent the audience that are watching, we must showcase real life on screen, and this film did that.

7. Last Night in Soho

An aspiring fashion designer is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s, where she encounters a dazzling wannabe singer. However, the glamour is not all it appears to be, and the dreams of the past start to crack and splinter into something far darker.

This might be the first and only film that had me shocked to my core this year. Not only is it so beautifully shot and directed, but the casting is impeccable. The story has so many twists and turns, yet feels completely cohesive and thought out.

It has a stunning soundtrack, primarily sang by Anya Taylor-Joy who steals the show. Listen to her rendition of Downtown below.

8. Tick Tick Boom

Based on the autobiographical musical by playwright Jonathan Larson. It's the story of an aspiring composer in New York City who is worried he made the wrong career choice, whilst navigating the pressures of love and friendship.

See this movie for Andrew Garfield's phenomenal performance and the incredible story of Jonathan Larson, with songs both catchy and heart-wrenching. This movie deserves award season buzz, and whilst, at times it was cliche, I like to think that was made the movie so special. To tell the story of a dreamer through dream like fantasies made the movie just that little bit more exceptional.

This movie is for any dreamer. Any aspiring creators. Anyone who has ever seen the world just slightly different, and hasn't been afraid to pursue those crazy dreams!

Thanks for reading today's blog post! Let me know what some of your 2021 top movie picks are in the comments below, or over on instagram: @a.film.a.day_