Oh, 2021. What a mixed bag you were. But while life was trapping us in a one-step-forward, three-steps-back situation, pop culture was gifting us with new friends, old loves and helpful visits to Dr. Olivia Rodrigo, Pop Shrink to the People. Whether we needed comfort, escape, or confirmation that yes, it’s crazy out there, help was as close as our nearest screen or handy ear bud. The year is almost over, but our need for pop-culture assistance isn’t going anywhere. So what are you waiting for?
Best rant: Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U”
It doesn’t matter if your last breakup happened last week or before the turn of the millennium. If you ever had someone stomp on your heart on their way out the door, Rodrigo’s fire-breathing kiss-off was 2 minutes and 59 seconds of highly effective pop-punk therapy. Don’t U feel better now? I know I do.
Most moving picture: “ing” (Netflix)
Beautiful, painful and quietly riveting, director/writer Rebecca Hall’s adaptation of the 1929 novel by Nella Larsen looked at the fraught relationship between Irene (Tessa Thompson) and Clare (Ruth Negga), two old friends living very different Black lives in New York City. Irene is married to a Black doctor and is an active member of the Harlem community. Clare is ing as White, even to her husband, a bigoted White businessman. Thorny questions about race, identity and attraction were handled with a steely delicacy, and Thompson and Negga’s performances haunted my living room long after the credits rolled.
Coolest crew: “Reservation Dogs” (Hulu)
Created by Seminole/Muscogee Creek filmmaker Sterlin Harjo and the Oscar-winning Taika Waititi (“Jo Jo Rabbit”), this sharp comedy followed the ambling adventures of four Native American teenagers desperate to ditch rural Oklahoma for the golden promise of California. As they planned their getaway, the four friends hijacked a snack-food delivery truck, battled with a rival gang, dabbled in magic and wrestled with betrayal. Newcomers D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Devery Jacobs, Lane Factor and Paulina Alexis were so charismatic, I would follow them anywhere and watch them do anything.
Warmest group hug: “CODA” (Streaming)
Ruby is the hearing daughter of deaf parents, and she wants to be … a singer. Despite its sob-fest premise, writer-director Sian Heder’s feature film debut was not the pandering weepie it could have been. Thanks to its sweetly tart tone and vibrant performances from the Marlee Matlin-led cast, this coming-of-age drama reduced me to a happy puddle of mush anyway. Kudos, “CODA”!
Best flashback: “It’s Been a Minute: The Legacy of ‘Soul Train'” (NPR podcast)
In this treasure of an episode, “It’s Been a Minute” host Sam Sanders and his guest, author Hanif Abdurraqib, paid pitch-perfect tribute to the history and impact of the groundbreaking “Soul Train” music and dance show. From its analysis of host Don Cornelius’ suave vibe to their celebration of the show’s fabulous dancers, this podcast had smarts, heart and a soundtrack you could play all day.
Most shareable diary: Lucy Dacus, “Home Video”
On her third studio album, singer/songwriter Lucy Dacus rewound to her awkward years as a curious, music-loving teen growing up in a strict Christian home. The details about furtive basement encounters, cluelessly cruel relationships and life lessons from Bible camp were richly specific, but the liberating sound of a savvy young woman figuring things out for herself was a battle cry anyone could hear.
Primal scream of the year: Bo Burnham’s “Inside” (Netflix)
Instagram overload. Extreme cabin fever. Naps. Sweatpants. These and other pandemic mementos were the stars of “Inside,” the one-man comedy special that Bo Burnham wrote, directed and filmed in his guest house during the COVID shutdown. Whether he was singing the siren call of the internet (“Could I interest you in everything all of the time">
Best obsession: “Origins Chapter 6: ‘Almost Famous’ Turns 20” (Podcast)
After exploring the entertainment gold mines that were “Sex and the City” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” journalist James Andrew Miller dove into Cameron Crowe’s cinematic love letter to rock ‘n’ roll, emerging with a five-episode podcast packed with goodies for the super-fans. Crowe and the whole indelible cast — including Billy Crudup, Kate Hudson, s McDormand, Patrick Fugit, Jason Lee and Jimmy Fallon— shared memories about casting dramas, guitar-lesson freak-outs and acting epiphanies, all of them sounding like they love this movie as much as we do.
As we plunge into 2022, here’s to golden gods and goddesses, “Tiny Dancer” moments, and the art that will set us free.
