The Best of 2021

It is almost time to say goodbye to 2021. For me, that means spending an unhealthy amount of time reflecting on how fast the years have gone by or reminiscing on good ‘ole’ memories and cringing at awkward ones. It is also the time of the year to delve into the best of entertainment.

Let’s start with my favorite movie.

Favorite Movie

The Harder They Fall is not the only black western movie I’ve seen but sure is my favorite. With an A-star cast composed of Regina King, Lakeith Stanfield, Idris Elba, and Jonathan Majors, how can this not be memorable? It honestly hurts my soul that I can’t watch this in a theater with a bucket of overpriced popcorn in my hand and ICEE in the other. The scene opens up with an ominous knock on the door and Micheal Beach is scared for his life. As the audience member, we don’t know who that mysterious guy is until later. The only thing the ominous man leaves at the end of this scene is two dead corpses and a cross marked on a scared little boy’s head. This begins the trajectory of Nat Love’s revenge story. But, besides an amazing plot, can we acknowledge the amazing soundtrack?! With crooning voices from Barrington Levy, Fela Kuti, Dennis Brown, and Nina Simone; easing into trailblazing gunfights, blade draws, and horse stunts. This film..10/10

Runner Up: Spider-Man: no way home.

This movie would have been number one if Twitter didn’t ruin all the little surprises. The film did add a good bit of nostalgia that I always appreciate. When I saw Toby Maguire step out..Boy, I was geeked!

Favorite Album

Runner UP: Beam Me Up, Scotty

Technically Spotify will tell me this isn’t true. But honestly, if Adele dropped earlier in the year 30 would have been on top for sure. This being her “divorce” album I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but I knew it was going to take me on an emotional rollercoaster ride. The album details heartbreak, navigating single motherhood, love, and loneliness. “My little Love” is my favorite song on the album. It switches from her angelic serenade to a soft-spoken dialogue she has with her son about the new family dynamic. The song is supposed to showcase the range of emotions not only Adele was going through but also her son on the news of the divorce.

“Oh my God” is a song that shifts from maternal love to a carnal one. The love that makes you angry at yourself because you let your walls down, but in a way, you don’t regret it because a lot of lessons were learned. I liked this song because it was still emotional, but a different more upbeat kind. These were some of my favorites, but the album its self is addicting.

Favorite Podcasts

The Receipts

I actually don’t listen to podcasts a lot, or ever thought it would be an activity I would genuinely enjoy, to be honest. Listening to this podcast is one of my favorite pastime activities. It’s funny, naughty, and honestly gives great advice on dating, friendships, and family issues. I don’t take it that seriously but I love that it is a successful podcast run by minority women, talking their unfiltered shit haha. Rare as hell to see in the podcasting world. My goal 2022 is to definitely get more into listening to different podcasts genres so let’s see.

My favorite episode

Favorite TV Show

Runner Up: Harlem

This one is probably a no-brainer. The show took over the world in a matter of weeks; charting the top as one of the most-watched shows ever. I mean it’s no surprise it’s on the top of my list. It’s a dystopian society in which a bunch of sick wealthy men takes advantage of the poor for their own overall amusement. The contestants who are in serious debt partake in blood-bath childhood games and the winner gets a crazy amount of wealth. I liked how the show showed that even though the contestants were going through hell, the soldiers were not that better off. It just goes to show that in society there is always somebody or something pulling our strings building us into mindless puppets.

Favorite Book

Runner Up: A little Life By Hanya Yanagihara

If you keep up with my blog, most of you probably knew this was going to be my favorite. Pachinko was honestly the breath of fresh air I needed and a perfect change of pace to what I’m used to. I won’t say much on this read because I already have a whole post dedicated to it which you can check out here.

Please leave comments of your favorites this year, and Happy New Year.