Nothing in this world is certain except death, taxes, and Year-End film lists. Every December, these roundups make their divisive return, as every major entertainment publication and Letterboxd devotee declare which pieces of media were most worth their time.
The way I think about what makes a movie the “best” has changed a lot in the past 12 months. I’ve recognized that my favorite viewing experiences fall into two camps: movies that get stuck in my head—stories that challenge my worldview, like On Becoming a Guinea Fowl and The Testament of Ann Lee—and movies that get stuck in my heart. The latter, films that may not get awards buzz but urge viewers to open their hearts, are the movies I think we need—and should embrace—right now.
