01of 10West Side StoryNiko TaverniseSteven Spielberg, directing a musical for the first time, chooses the 1957 Broadway masterwork that went on to win an intimidating 10 Oscars as a 1961 film. This version moves with swift, vigorous confidence — Spielberg understands the machinery of the movie musical — but it never rushes the love story of Tony and Maria (Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler). Their first encounter is pure enchantment, and their romance grows with deep, simple tenderness. Unlike the original, the newWest SideStoryappropriately casts the Latino roles with Latino performers — the Afro-Latina actress Ariana DeBose, as Anita, is electric — although Spielberg can’t fix everything in a musical this old: It’s gotten even harder to believe that a street gang would sing “Gee, Officer Krupke!” But he’s found just the right balance between the guileless young lovers and the racial strife that engulfs their world. Years ago Spielberg toyed with making a movie ofCats— we’d trust him with a reboot.(In theaters.)
01of 10
West Side Story
Niko Tavernise
Steven Spielberg, directing a musical for the first time, chooses the 1957 Broadway masterwork that went on to win an intimidating 10 Oscars as a 1961 film. This version moves with swift, vigorous confidence — Spielberg understands the machinery of the movie musical — but it never rushes the love story of Tony and Maria (Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler). Their first encounter is pure enchantment, and their romance grows with deep, simple tenderness. Unlike the original, the newWest SideStoryappropriately casts the Latino roles with Latino performers — the Afro-Latina actress Ariana DeBose, as Anita, is electric — although Spielberg can’t fix everything in a musical this old: It’s gotten even harder to believe that a street gang would sing “Gee, Officer Krupke!” But he’s found just the right balance between the guileless young lovers and the racial strife that engulfs their world. Years ago Spielberg toyed with making a movie ofCats— we’d trust him with a reboot.(In theaters.)
02of 10King RichardWarner Bros. PicturesWill Smith, giving one of the year’s most engaging performances, plays Richard Williams, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena.(HBO Max)
02of 10
King Richard
Warner Bros. Pictures
Will Smith, giving one of the year’s most engaging performances, plays Richard Williams, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena.(HBO Max)
03of 10Licorice PizzaPaul Thomas Anderson/Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures IncPaul Thomas Anderson directs a coming-of-age story, set in California in the 1970s, that’s rhapsodic with a sharp tang of uneasiness.(In theaters)
03of 10
Licorice Pizza
Paul Thomas Anderson/Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Inc
Paul Thomas Anderson directs a coming-of-age story, set in California in the 1970s, that’s rhapsodic with a sharp tang of uneasiness.(In theaters)
04of 10The Power of the DogCourtesy Of NetflixBenedict Cumberbatch is a rancher struggling to corral his homosexual longings in Jane Campion’s psychologically charged western.(Netflix)
04of 10
The Power of the Dog
Courtesy Of Netflix
Benedict Cumberbatch is a rancher struggling to corral his homosexual longings in Jane Campion’s psychologically charged western.(Netflix)
05of 10PassingEdu GrauIn a delicate yet troubling film, Ruth Negga (left) plays a Black woman “passing” as white in the 1920s.(Netflix)
05of 10
Passing
Edu Grau
In a delicate yet troubling film, Ruth Negga (left) plays a Black woman “passing” as white in the 1920s.(Netflix)
06of 10Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsSimu Liu inShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings(2021).Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett CollectionA beguiling epic for Marvel’s first Asian superhero (Simu Liu).(Disney+)
06of 10
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Simu Liu inShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings(2021).Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection
A beguiling epic for Marvel’s first Asian superhero (Simu Liu).(Disney+)
07of 10
Coda
08of 10Nightmare AlleyKerry Hayes/20th Century StudiosHigh-flying hucksterBradley Cooperheads for a fall in a deliriously lurid film noir.(In theaters Dec. 17)
08of 10
Nightmare Alley
Kerry Hayes/20th Century Studios
High-flying hucksterBradley Cooperheads for a fall in a deliriously lurid film noir.(In theaters Dec. 17)
09of 10
Belfast
Rob Youngson / Focus Features
10of 10Summer of SoulCourtesy of Searchlight PicturesThis superb film about a 1969 concert festival in Harlem, New York, features Nina Simone (pictured) and many more.(Hulu)
10of 10
Summer of Soul
Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
This superb film about a 1969 concert festival in Harlem, New York, features Nina Simone (pictured) and many more.(Hulu)
source: people.com
