What's been your favourite film of 2021? The Tameside Radio presenter has seen plenty of movies since Ashton's Cineworld reopened and has picked out some of his favourites for you...

After 32 weeks without any trips to Cineworld Ashton, I still remember my giddy feeling on 19 May at being allowed back into the plush reclining seats to watch movies on the big screen. I truly hope things don’t ever go dark for as long again.

Having totted up almost 60 films since then, I’ve come up with an entirely unscientific top ten chart of my favourites. 

I’d love to know which ones you agree and disagree with, or any hidden gems I might have missed. I really wanted to see The Last Duel, but it seemed to vanish before I had chance to book my tickets. I swerved Eternals, as there’s only so much Marvel I can watch in one year. 

New Matrix and Spiderman are my last of the year this week, so too late for inclusion if they happen to be worthy.  FYI, the enjoyable sequel Venom 2 just misses out at number 11.

10 Respect

I think Jennifer Hudson is off the scale as a singer, and Aretha herself wanted her to play this role. It’s more than just an impersonation of the Queen of Soul. You can feel her raw emotion and J-Hud’s own difficult life experience. She is note perfect, although the film could have flowed better at times.

9 The Night House

I’d describe this as a gripping horror for grown-ups. There’s some real nerve-shredding tension, and I really liked the central concept of Rebecca Hall living in a spooky place by a lake, built for her by her recently departed husband. It turns out there’s more to both him and the house. Hall is terrific.

8 Dream Horse

It’s a crowd-pleaser, and feels like a comfy jumper in that it reminded me of many other British films. Toni Collette is one of my favourites, as I think she’s been cracking in everything I’ve watched her in. Based on a true story of an impoverished community whose lives are transformed when they enter into a syndicate to buy a race horse. A film to lift the soul after a difficult couple of years.

7 The Father

Harrowing, emotional, a taut running time of 97 minutes, and a moving portrayal of dementia. Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Coleman have rarely been better. 

6 Candyman

Not as scary as the original, but a clever adaptation from Jordan Peele (Get Out). Clever, thought-provoking, and absolutely not what I expected, but all the better for that. Don’t say his name five times though!

5 Spencer

I went expecting not to really enjoy this, set on the Sandringham Estate during a long Christmas weekend. Kristen Stewart absolutely nails it, and the tense jazz soundtrack by Jonny Greenwood really adds to every key scene. Diana’s feeling of being like a trapped animal is captured perfectly, and the endless corridors remind you of The Shining at times! Perhaps not one for Royalists, but I adored it.

4 Nobody

Narrowly missing the Top 3, this could be the next John Wick franchise. Perfect blend of action and comedy, and one scene on a bus which will definitely stay in the memory. Bob Odenkirk is terrific!

3 Nomadland

One of the first films I saw back on the big screen this year, and the cinematography is stunning. A road trip movie like no other, as Frances McDormand loses everything in the recession and embarks on a new life. It will move you and make you appreciate your own life more. She wins the Oscar for me within the first 15 minutes!

2 No Time To Die

Long, but justifiably so. In my dad Barrie’s words ‘Best Bond Ever’. And he’s watched them all! As for that ending...wow.

1 Last Night In Soho

Edging to the top, Edgar Wright’s 60s’ set tale is original, clever, enigmatic, and with a cracking soundtrack. Best use of Cilla Black’s music I’ve ever seen in a film! Surprise surprise, it beats Bond to be my number one of the year.

You can listen to Alex every weekday from 7am to 11am and on the 'Super Scoreboard' show on Saturdays from 3pm to 7pm, on Tameside Radio 103.6FM. 

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