American Film Institute Chooses Top 10 for 2021, Gives Special Award to Oscar Buzzed “Belfast”

The American Film Institute delivered their own top 10 today. going heavily to Netflix and big name directors. “Belfast” isn’t on the list because it’s not American. But they’ll give it a special award. (One will also go to archival doc “Summer of Soul”.)

The AFI isn’t an indicator of anything, and it’s surprising they went for a couple of these titles. But mostly, with the exception of the exceptional CODA, they went for big name diectors: Joel Coen, Jane Campion, Paul Thomas Anderson, Guillermo del Toro, Steven Spielberg. They snubbed Aaron Sorkin and his “Being the Ricardos,” a much better film than a couple there. But it’s all very political. And no Ridley Scott, despite making two movies as good as any up there– “House of Gucci” and “The Last Duel.” Kudos to Lin Manuel Miranda on “Tick Tick Boom!”

CODA
Don’t Look Up
Dune
King Richard
Licorice Pizza
Nightmare Alley
The Power of the Dog
Tick, Tick… Boom!
The Tragedy of Macbeth
West Side Story

For TV, the AFI gave a special award to Netflix’s “Squid Game” and avoided all shows on broadcast networks. Not even “This is Us” or “Blackish” made the list. There was no new season of “The Crown” or “Mrs. Maisel.”

HACKS

MAID

MARE OF EASTTOWN

RESERVATION DOGS

SCHMIGADOON!

SUCCESSION

TED LASSO

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

WANDAVISION

THE WHITE LOTUS