Adam Vaughn’s Top 10 Films of 2021

The below list is comprised of a combination of some films I’ve reviewed for Film Festival Today and some that I have not. For those I have reviewed, I have hyperlinked the titles to my reviews. For those I have not, I provide a brief capsule of my thoughts and link to the movie’s website. The list is in order of preference.

1. Godzilla vs. Kong (Adam Wingard): Long have I waited as a child, as well as an adult, to see Legendary Pictures adapt one of the most iconic, breathtaking, and wildly entertaining battles of our time. I loved seeing two childhood icons of mine come toe-to-toe in a vastly enjoyable (if not perfect) climactic battle. After growing up with every Godzilla film, as well as King Kong (from 1933 to Peter Jackson’s 2005 remake, and everything in between), Godzilla vs. Kong covers everything I enjoyed this year as well as looked forward to for the past decade-plus!
2. The Suicide Squad (James Gunn)
3. Spider-Man: No Way Home (Jon Watts): What a surprise to find that the MCU’s final installment of the Spider-Man trilogy brings extraordinary depth and personal discovery for Tom Holland’s portrayal of the web-slinging superhero. No Way Home brings all the adventure and thrills that its prequels deliver, along with an astounding amount of old characters reinvented, and an emotional story that propels Peter Parker into the ultimate journey.
4. Tick, Tick, Boom! (Lin-Manuel Miranda)
5. The Last Duel (Ridley Scott)
6. When Today Ends (Michael Leoni)
7. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (Destin Daniel Cretton): Hailed as the first Asian superhero story, Shang-Chi brought a tremendous cinematic experience and scope that will change the MCU timeline forever going forward. Once again, Disney and Marvel have taken a lesser-known comic-book hero and run with it. Just like films such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Black Panther this one provides crisp storytelling, loveable characters, and a unique director’s vision to provide a solid staple in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
8. A Quiet Place Part II (John Krasinski): Many films, much more so independent ideas like A Quiet Place, run the risk of losing quality when releasing a direct sequel, endangering the cinematic appeal of the original. With A Quiet Place Part II, Krasinski is able to successfully live up to his tremendous first story, as well as expand on the post-apocalyptic world he created, without taking the concept to its extremes or past them.
9. Old (M. Night Shyamalan)
10. Last Night in Soho (Edgar Wright)

Adam Vaughn

Adam Vaughn is a graduate of the Film & Moving Image program at Stevenson University, with a focus in Cinematography and Production. He also has a minor in Theater and Media Performance. Adam works as a freelance photographer and videographer, focusing his craft on creating compelling photographic and cinematic imagery. Adam is excited to join the Film Festival Today team and explore the world of cinema and visual arts.