A dozen 2021 movies with Texas ties that you really should see
In all the online fisticuffs about the movies of 2021 — “West Side Story” 1.0 or 2.0?; What’s up with those endings on “Don’t Look Up” and “The Power of the Dog”?; What is a “Licorize Pizza” anyway? — one element has been overlooked: This was a really good year for movies with Texas ties or made by Texans. Here’s a look at a few of them, some of which you’re probably already familiar with and others that may offer the joy of discovery.
The ones you know
“The French Dispatch”: Francophile and native Houstonian Wes Anderson makes films that are more like music boxes, exquisitely detailed and reminiscent of a bygone era. That is especially true with his sweet, star-studded tribute to The New Yorker magazine and its eccentric cast of writers. Rated R. Amazon Prime Video, VUDU, Apple TV+.
“The Green Knight”: Dallasbased David Lowery toggles between mainstream studio films (“Pete’s Dragon,” the upcoming “Peter Pan & Wendy”) and lowerbudget personal projects (the stark “A Ghost Story”), but this wildly creative, eye-popping and unpredictable retelling of the medieval tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight blends both of his impulses in magnificent style. Rated R. Amazon Prime Video, VUDU, Apple TV+.
“Mogul Mowgli”: Houstonian Bassam Tariq’s debut narrative feature is highlighted by an explosive performance from Riz Ahmed (“Sound of Metal”) as an aging British-Pakistani rapper wrestling with a multitude of internal demons and health issues. It’s a powerful cinematic calling card for the young director. Unrated. Amazon Prime Video, VUDU, Google Play.
“Red Rocket”: As with Ahmed in “Mogul Mowgli,” Simon Rex owns the screen in Sean Baker’s indie drama-comedy about a broken-down porn star who returns empty-handed from LA to his hometown of Texas City. Rated R. Playing in theaters throughout Houston; also plays 7 p.m. Jan. 7-8 at 14 Pews.
The discoveries
“12 Mighty Orphans”: Director Ty Roberts based his heartfelt story — starring Luke Wilson, Robert Duvall and Martin Sheen — of the underdog football team at a Depression-era orphanage on the very real struggles of the students at the Masonic Home and School of Texas in Fort Worth. Rated PG-13. Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, VUDU, Roku Channel, Starz.
“Amaraica”: There were two films this year dealing with fatherhood and not being documented: Justin Chon’s heartbreaking, Louisiana-shot “Blue Bayou” and Tim Sparks’ El Pasoshot “Amaraica.” In the latter, Alberto Verástegui plays an undocumented man who wants to become legal but finds his life complicated by two things: becoming a new dad and the child separation policy. Unrated. HBO Max.
“Luz”: Houston director Jon Garcia’s Oregon-set drama about two Latino prisoners — one a young father with his first offense, the other a prison veteran — who end up falling for each other. It’s a well-made story about love in difficult circumstances. Unrated. Amazon Prime Video.
“The Never List”: This engaging LA-set teenage comedy from Houston’s Michelle Mower technically came out at the tail end of 2020 but probably didn’t get on anyone’s radar until 2021. What starts out as if it might just be a parade of misbehavior — a straight-arrow student decides to act on the list of forbidden things she said she’d never do — is instead a sweetly serious take on friendship and loss. Rated R. Amazon Prime Video, VUDU, Google Play.
“No Future”: This Fort Worthshot drama, starring Catherine Keener (“Being John Malkovich”) and Charlie Heaton (“Stranger Things”), didn’t receive much promotion, despite its stars. But this drama about loss, addiction and love as a salve between two unlikely souls is a low-key knockout. Despite the movie’s title, Austin directors/writers Andrew Irvine and Mark Smoot definitely have a future. Unrated. Amazon Prime Video.
“Playing God”: Filmed in various Houston locations, Scott Brignac’s appealingly dark comedy-drama, about sibling hustlers who may find themselves outhustled, features a solid cast, including Michael McKean (“Better Call Saul”), Marc Menchaca (“Ozark”) and the always reliable (and El Paso-born, Plano-raised) Alan Tudyk (“Arrested Development”). Unrated. Hulu, Amazon Prime Vide, VUDU, Apple TV+.
“Test Pattern”: Shatara Michelle Ford’s stark Austin-shot drama, in which a Black woman and white boyfriend go from hospital to hospital on the hunt for a rape kit, deals with issues of consent, race and respect. There are whispers of other projects that deal with some of these issues, such as “I May Destroy You” and “Promising Young Woman.” Unrated. Hulu, Amazon Prime Video.
“Truly Texas Mexican”: Adán Medrano’s documentary not only makes viewers hungry, as all good food docs do, but it’s also a valuable history lesson about the Indigenous roots of Texas cuisine. Unrated. Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+.