2020 has not been the greatest year for movies. With the pandemic delaying some of the most anticipated projects set to come out (if only Dune, if only) and a large number of movies ending up disappointing (looking at you Tenet) there hasn’t been a large catalogue this year. For me this year has been mostly about catching up on stuff that I missed and re-experiencing some of my favorites (ready for my thousandth viewing of Blade Runner). That doesn’t mean that there hasn’t been some great stuff this year and this is a short list of some of my favorites.
Please keep in mind at the time of writing movies like Wonder Woman 1984 and Soul have yet to be released. There are also a lot of movies that have come out that I just can’t see yet (like Nomadland and Minari). This is largely due to theaters being closed (I’m also still not quite comfortable with theaters. anyway) and a lot of these movies would be in limited release anyway. So don’t give me any shit for not including movies that I couldn’t have seen.
When it comes down to my picks I was honestly more concerned about finding films to comfort me during these troubling times than I was with finding some of the most challenging. I was going to try and binge some of the movies that I missed but I found that as time passed I felt differently about all of them. So I decided against including movies that I had not seen less than a week before writing. Special apologies to Da 5 Bloods, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and His House. The best way to think of this list is that it is the films that gave me the most enjoyment rather than the technical best films.
Let’s get started
10-Onward
Pixar’s next movie, Soul, will likely be better and Onward is very flawed. The fantasy elements are more meant for jokes (even after a spell being the driving force of the plot) and the real emotions don’t kick in until the end. But the characters and their relationships are incredibly enduring. Also the movie is just funny. I’ve watched Onward more than once this year and I’ll probably watch it again.
9- Mank
As a film student it’s a rule that I like Citizen Kane. But regardless, Citizen Kane is an incredible and timeless film about a flawed man. Mank sets out to tell the story of Orson Welles’ co-write, Herman J. Mankiewicz, who had actually written the first script and had to fight for credit. This film has issues, primarily in the script. While Welles had some ego problems Jack Fincher’s script does downplay his many of his contributions to the overall film. But the directing by David Fincher is incredible and shows that he is still one of the best directors around while also showing Gary Oldman to be one of the best actors.
8-The Trail of the Chicago Seven
The Trail of the Chicago Seven does not have the most lively direction or even the best Sorkin script. What the movie does have is a timely message and some incredible acting, particularly from Sacha Baron Cohen and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (which is shocking since Yahya leaves midway through the movie). This is one of the best offerings from Netflix this year. Sorry, haven’t seen Da 5 Bloods yet (it’s the first movie on my list, guys).
7- The Invisible Man
I’m going to use a joke that I used in my review earlier this year: The invisible monster, the most cost effective monster. Leigh Whannel’s previous film, Upgrade, is far superior but this is a fantastically directed and acted movie. Without a doubt the best film from Blumhouse this year. Also the only horror movie on this list, which is surprising for me. Sorry they all either got delayed or sucked.
6-Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
It’s not as effective as the first film but it has one effective call to action when it comes to this year’s pandemic and election. Also Sacha Baron Cohen and newcomer Maria Bakalova are hilarious in this film. If you just want a raunchy comedy that will make you laugh Borat will deliver. This movie is very nice!
5-Love and Monsters
A great leading actor and a great dog. Love and Monsters doesn’t make that big of an impact but it does what it sets out to do to near perfection. I can’t wait to see what else actor Dylan O’Brien does because his performance is golden in this movie. Without a doubt the most enduring movie this year.
4-The Personal History of David Copperfield
I’m a big fan of Armando Iannaccui’s work. In the Loop, Veep, and The Death of Stalin are some of the greatest political sarities ever made. His adaptation of David Copperfield sees him making something that I have never seen him make before, something family friendly. The Personal History of David Copperfield is perfect with some of the most beautiful colors in a film this year. It’s a shame that this movie hasn’t caught on in the states because it’s incredible.
3-Hamilton
Arguably this isn’t really a movie but shut up I want to include it! This recording of a live broadway show is the thing that I’ve re-watched the most this year. Yes, it’s mostly because of the music but Daveed Diggs also rules in this show. I’m listening to the show’s music as I write this. I would be shocked if you haven’t watched it. If you have Disney Plus then the “ticket are too expensive” excuse is no longer going to work.
2-Bad Education
Without a doubt the best acted movie of the year. Hugh Jackman and Allison Janney give some of their best performances in this darkly comedic movie. Credit also to Cory Finley’s directing and Mike Makowsky’s writing for being able to craft a story that can make you care about some pretty bad people. With Cory Finley’s work on both this and Thoroughbreds I’m very excited to see what he does next.
1-Shithouse
On the surface Shithouse is your standard coming of age college movie. But what lies underneath is a well written, well directed, and well acted movie that is able to juggle it’s humor and drama like it’s been in the circus since that ran away from their parents ten years ago. Cooper Raiff wrote, directed, and starred in his debut film that has stuck with me since I watched it. Shithouse tells the story of a man that needs to become independent from his family despite his love for them and ends with me laughing and crying. Raiff’s work can even rival the coming of age films of Richard Linklater. This is a smaller movie and if you haven’t seen it you are missing out.
