Reel Dialogue's top picks for 2021

All of our writers weigh in this year

Mon 3 Jan 2022

Caleb Boersma

Cliff Philipiah

Matt Townsend

Richard Soo

Russ Matthews

Between lockdowns, protests, and everything else Covid-influenced in 2021, a few films were released throughout the year. While some were holdovers from 2020, this year proved to be a strong year for blockbusters, fascinating independents and even some good documentaries.

Throughout the year, the Reel Dialogue team has been able to rely on many new solid writers who have kept this work rolling. This means everyone gets to weigh in on the question of their favourite films of the year.

See what our team listed as their top movies of 2021, click on the links to the reviews and send us your thoughts.

Do you agree with our choices? Which films did you like the most?

These films are not listed in order of preference and we will list the reviewers alphabetically by name.

Caleb Boersma

Caleb’s honourable mention

Midnight Mass

Cliff Philipiah

A Quiet Place II
The Father (Released in Australia in 2021)
Cruella
Nobody
Zack Snyder’s Justice League

Cliff’s honourable mentions

Matt Townsend

Matt’s honourable mentions

Nick Long

Dune
Station Eleven
King Richard
Mare of Easttown
Nobody

Nick’s honourable mention

The Last Duel

Richard Soo

Richard’s honourable mentions:

Caroline Matthews

(Junior reviewer - Did not write reviews, but contributed throughout the year)

Russ Matthews

Top documentaries

Russ' Honourable Mentions

We hope you have blessed 2022. Enjoy the list and we hope to see you at the movies.

Thank you for your support and interaction with Reel Dialogue throughout the year.

Topics

Christian Faith

Work and Vocation

Lifestyle and Wellbeing

Relationships and Community

Science and Technology

Art, beauty and creativity

Society and culture

Worldview and Religion

Contributors

With

Russ Matthews

Russ Matthews works for City Bible Forum as the Product Manager for Reel Dialogue, God in 60 Seconds and Third Space. All of these works exist to start conversations and communities that discuss faith and God throughout the cities of Australia. Russ writes film reviews and articles for various publications. He has a passion for film and getting the conversations started on themes from these visual creations. Spaces that engage workers with the bigger life questions include movies, Jesus, the Bible and God.

Russ is the author of The Word Becomes Film: A Modern Day Parable That Introduces a Radically Easy Way of Talking About God's Story & The Maker's Quest: A Cyrus Rover Adventure

Matt Townsend

Matt Townsend is the lead pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in King of Prussia, outside of Philadelphia. He is passionate about stories well told and the medium of film. When he’s not tending to his family, serving his church or counselling, he is watching movies with his kids and in his spare time dissecting the redemptive themes found therein. Matt is the husband to Miranda, and father to Addy, Emmy, Cari and Izzy.

Cliff Philipiah

Cliff is the Senior photographic correspondent, press photographer and blogger.

Richard Soo

Richard Soo is a keen movie-watcher who also has interests in aviation & singing among other things. He has worked in the Australian Public Service for over 30 years and enjoys his current role as a Support/Training Officer. He also loves attending his local Anglican Church in Sydney’s Inner West and serving his church family in various ministries. Richard brings a wealth of experience in film and the connection to theological elements.

Caleb Boersma

Caleb has had a passion for film throughout his life and enjoys seeing how they connect with culture. He has written reviews for years and continues to engage with the topics introduced in each of these modern-day tales.