What’s up, Nerd Stickers family! Chaene Da Gama here once again with a Nerd Retrospective 2021, sending a big shoutout to all of you. How’s it going? I truly hope you’re all doing great.
It’s the last week of 2021, and honestly, it feels like this year lasted a whole decade. Then again, maybe it flew by too fast—I’m not even sure where I am anymore… Help!
Anyway, the year is almost over, and here we are to look back on it all. Let’s revisit and discuss some of the biggest moments in nerd culture, covering movies, music, science, and more. Ready? Let’s go!
Cinema / Series / Anime
This was a fantastic year for movie lovers, especially looking at the present moment.
“Spider-Man: No Way Home” hit one billion dollars at the box office—and it wasn’t even released in some countries! Can you believe that? This isn’t just a win for Marvel/Sony, but for every fan, for the film industry, and for cinema as an art form. Despite the pandemic and endless crises (looking at you, DC), this movie managed to bring a massive audience together.
What an incredible film! So much fan service, so much nostalgia—20 years of Spider-Man stories beautifully tied together in a unique and masterfully written script. The best word to describe it? Epic. Until someone invents a word strong enough to define the flood of emotions that this latest Peter Parker adventure gave us.
“Dune” is another film that captivates from the very first moment—especially if you’re familiar with the books or even the first adaptation from 1984 (a year when someone here was born).
This movie is grand in every sense—from the cinematography to the acting—and it’s easily one of my personal favorites. The House Atreides saga was beautifully brought to life, leaving viewers eagerly awaiting part two, which sadly won’t arrive until 2023. A round of applause for Zendaya, who stars in both this film (Chani) and Spider-Man (MJ).
DC’s Reboot
Justice League got a second chance thanks to the persistence and passion of the fans, who demanded the chance to see the Snyder Cut—forcing Warner Bros. to finally dust off the project. Never underestimate the power of fans, my friend—not even Darkseid stands a chance against them.
The truth is, DC still hasn’t figured out its shared universe on the big screen. And I’m not saying this as a Marvel fan (which I am), but as someone who genuinely loves DC’s characters—whether in comics or animation. Maybe the solution isn’t to compete with Marvel, but to embrace their own strengths and tell independent stories.
That said, DC did deliver something great this year: The Suicide Squad. Finally, a Suicide Squad movie worthy of its name. While not exactly a retcon (but kind of is), this version easily outshines the 2016 film. A total win.
A Year That Left No Nerd Disappointed
Personally, I watched a ton of movies this year, both in theaters and at home—Shang-Chi, Eternals, Don’t Look Up (which I just watched yesterday—what a film! A slap in the face to the denialism that’s so present in today’s world), and many more.
In Brazil, we had Marighella representing national cinema with outstanding quality, directed by none other than Wagner Moura in his directorial debut.
The film, starring Seu Jorge, was originally completed in 2019, but only hit select theaters and streaming platforms in 2021. Now, why is that? Should I say it, or do you want to?
We also saw the end of Kenshin Himura’s saga, the legendary Battousai the Slasher (Rurouni Kenshin / Samurai X). In my opinion, this is the best live-action adaptation of an anime/manga ever made. With five beautifully crafted films, featuring a perfect cast, production, and execution, the story of the wandering samurai concluded on the highest note possible—or should I say, with a golden sword? Pure pride.
I can’t wrap this up without mentioning The Harder They Fall and its phenomenal all-Black cast. A western-style masterpiece that radiates power and representation in every scene.
Tick, Tick… Boom! is another standout, and I’m betting Andrew Garfield will land an Oscar nomination for his performance.
The Power of the Dog and King Richard are also likely contenders for the Academy Awards—mark my words.
Streaming Services in Full Force
This year was packed with productions across all genres, with new series popping up on streaming platforms like ripe fruit falling from a tree.
Marvel continued to deliver strong productions on Disney+, with highlights including Loki, What If…?, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Netflix, always bringing fresh and exciting titles, kept reinventing itself.
Lupin follows the story of Assane Diop, a man seeking revenge against those who wrongfully condemned his father.
Meanwhile, the final chapter of La Casa de Papel brought an epic conclusion to the saga of The Professor and his crew—solidifying its success.
The second part of The Witcher arrived in December, continuing the adventures of Geralt, Yennefer, Ciri, and Plotka across the Continent. And let’s be honest—it was absolutely epic.
Them, available on Amazon Prime Video, is a brutal series that explores racism and its consequences in a way rarely seen before. Many viewers found it too intense to even finish.
And you? What movies and series have you been watching? Drop your recommendations in the comments!
A Highly Contested Oscars
Among this year’s film releases, I can’t skip over two Oscar-winning films from the 2021 Academy Awards.
Judas and the Black Messiah is based on the true story of Fred Hampton, one of the leaders of the Black Panther Party. His rise and tragic fall during one of the most turbulent periods of the U.S. civil rights movement earned Daniel Kaluuya the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
The Father is another incredible film. Starring Anthony Hopkins, it tells the heartbreaking story of an elderly man suffering from Alzheimer’s, struggling to hold onto his memories as his daughter moves him to a new home.
The film’s unique approach to depicting memory loss sets it apart, making it deeply emotional.
Hopkins won Best Actor, beating out Chadwick Boseman, who was nominated posthumously following his passing in 2020. If you haven’t seen it yet—watch it today.
And What About Animation?
When it comes to anime, Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen continue to slay demons and win new fans every day.
Komi Can’t Communicate was a pleasant surprise. The anime tells the story of Komi, a high school girl who suffers from extreme social anxiety, making it nearly impossible for her to interact with others. Despite being the most beautiful and popular girl in school, all she truly wants is to make friends.
The show is lighthearted and fun, handling its themes with care while delivering wholesome entertainment.
Tokyo Revengers is undisputedly a hit, right? I think we haven’t seen Japanese school gangs take center stage like this since Yu Yu Hakusho, Slam Dunk, or Akira. It may seem like a simple premise, but Takemichi would tell you otherwise—highly recommended.
As for animated films, Raya and the Last Dragon, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Luca, and Encanto completely stole the heart of this 30-something-year-old guy.
Science / A.I. / Space Race
This year proved and reinforced everything we already know, yet many seem to have forgotten or underestimated.
We see every day that science, knowledge, and research transform everything around us. You don’t disprove scientific studies with conspiracy theories.
If it weren’t for scientists, we wouldn’t have vaccines. Without vaccines, COVID-19 mortality rates would still be high, and countless more lives would have been lost worldwide.
As time goes on, science and technology continue to advance. A clear example of this is that 2021 marked the true beginning of a new space race.
This race represents a new era, and now, those Sci-Fi movies and scripts we love so much are closer than ever to becoming reality.
The cosmos and outer space are the final frontier—an infinite journey, literally, belonging to no one.
Billionaire entrepreneurs have invested their fortunes into this pursuit: Elon Musk (Tesla/SpaceX), Richard Branson (Virgin Galactic), and Jeff Bezos (Amazon/Blue Origin).
All of them have successfully launched rockets and spacecraft into Earth’s orbit.
“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
This famous phrase, spoken by astronaut Neil Armstrong, turned 52 years old in 2021.
Fifty years later, humanity is now beginning to explore the idea of traveling to and settling on other planets.
Of course, it will still take time before this becomes a normal reality, but there’s no denying that this is a huge achievement.
In other words, maybe 50 years from now, we could have a human colony on another planet—something that is entirely plausible and absolutely mind-blowing.
The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence
Another major scientific breakthrough that has advanced at an unprecedented pace is the development of Artificial Intelligence.
I know what you’re thinking—Skynet, Terminator, The Matrix, I, Robot—and all those sci-fi movies where AIs turn against humanity. But don’t worry, it’s not like that.
The world is becoming more automated, and these intelligent systems are designed to assist and optimize human work, not replace us.
It’s also worth mentioning that all AI systems have built-in safety measures—just in case they evolve, overwork themselves, and start considering a Machine Uprising. And let’s be honest, that wouldn’t be fun for anyone, right? 😅
Possible Scenarios for 2022?
Thanks to COVID-19 immunization, the world has been returning to “normal”. However, this process could have been much faster if not for the widespread denialism still present (ugh).
The truth is, times have changed. In the past two years alone, the number of startups founded in Brazil has increased nearly 20 times. Many people found ways to adapt and thrive despite the crisis.
In the entertainment industry, the potential return of live concerts and events has sparked excitement in the market, which was undeniably one of the hardest-hit sectors during the pandemic.
If vaccination rates remain high in Brazil, it’s unlikely we’ll experience another major outbreak. However, new variants continue to emerge—discovered, of course, by scientists.
If needed, I, Chaene, would take three or four doses of the vaccine without hesitation—especially before attending large gatherings like festivals and events.
Beyond vaccination, it’s also crucial to take care of ourselves and each other. That means following safety guidelines and presenting your vaccination card whenever required.
Let’s protect ourselves and those around us.
2022 is right around the corner, and I truly hope that you—yes, YOU—are able to chase and achieve your dreams and goals. May you find happiness alongside the people you love, doing what you enjoy most.
Gratitude to God for another year! So take care, and stay with us in 2022! 🚀✨
