OK, so that was a… let’s just say a strange year, to say the least, and though not important at all in the grand scheme of things (I hope you are all doing well and weren’t fucked by the year too much), films were also affected. A lot of the films I was hoping to watch didn’t come out, so I was watching a lot more “smaller” and interesting films this year. I managed to watch 111 films (over many different platforms) from the year 2020. This surprised some of my friends (yes I have friends and they consider themselves truly blessed be thought of as so), who didn’t think that many films were released in 2020 and yet still somehow considering how much more time I was spending at home, I watched fewer films than I did last year. A full list of all the films I saw is published at the bottom, with a basic rating, in case you are interested. Again some of the films listed as watched here might have been released in 2019 elsewhere. Also unsurprisingly this year’s list is not comic book/superhero heavy for once.
The Top Twenty One
21) The Vast of Night
This debut film from director Andrew Patterson, a simple science fiction story set in a small town during the 1950’s, the film sees a teenage disc jockey Everett (Jake Horowitz) and his friend a switchboard operator named Fay (Sierra McCormick) attempting to piece together mysterious happenings one night, such as a mysterious audio signal and a mysterious phenomenon in the sky, it’s all very mysterious. Great performances from the young leads, this film also has one of the greatest walk and talk sequences since the West Wing. Terrific storytelling, that conveys a real sense of claustrophobia & paranoia.
A quirky time loop comedy (not the only one I watched this year), starring Andy Samberg as Nyles a man stuck reliving the same day over and over again, at the wedding of his girlfriend’s friend. Having lost all hope of escape he has made his peace with being stuck forever, however during one of the loops he attempts to seduce the sister of the bride Sarah (played by Cristin Milioti), and pulls her into the loop with him. This film somewhat follows the rom-com tropes, though the inherent nihilism of the leads does give this a non-traditional leaning. The fact that you are routing for the two of them at the end of the film, is a testament to their performances.
This is the only comic book film in this list this year, although I did watch quite a few of them, this is a really fun film with great performances from all the cast. The standouts being Margot Robbie, who seems to have nailed the Harley Quinn character, and Ewan McGregor with his fantastically over the top performance as Roman Sionis (aka the Black Mask). The film see’s Quinn breaking up with the Joker and then having to make a deal with Sionis for protection, as now everyone whom she has wronged in the past, want’s to kill her. She is tasked with retrieving a diamond that has been stolen by a young pickpocket, Cassandra Cain. Things take a turn though when Harley bonds with Cassandra, and ends up teaming up with a vigilante called Huntress (an excellent Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Sionis’ new driver Dinah Lance, and cantankerous police detective Renee Montoya (trust me if you are a comic fan, these names will mean something to you), to protect Cassandra and takedown Sionis.
This film may get compared to Lost in Translation, as it is directed by Sofia Coppola and stars Bill Murray, however, this comedy-drama is a slightly different beast, with Murray’s Felix helping investigate whether the husband of his daughter Laura (played by Rashida Jones), is having an affair with his colleague. At the same time Felix’s own infidelities haunt the background of his relationship with Laura. Murray and Jones are great together, with a lot of the film being Felix meditations on his philosophies about life and love, thinking he is providing deep insights into women, and Laura sitting there looking bewildered about how anyone can talk such rubbish.
This bat-shit crazy Russian film may not sound very appealing but trust me everyone I have recommended it to has loved it so far. The film’s premise is very simple, Andrey (Vitaliy Khaev) a policeman in Moscow, receives a visit from Matvey (Aleksandr Kuznetsov) claiming to be the boyfriend of Andrey’s daughter Olya. Unknown to Andrey, Matvey has been sent to kill him by Olya. What follows is a violent game of cat and mouse, mostly between the two men, but with others joining in at different points. Definitely worth a watch if you are in the mood for something a bit different.
This atmospheric reimaging of the classic fairy tale is visually stark, yet still utterly stunning, with understated performances from its cast. Sophia Lillis is mesmerising as Gretel and Alice Krige is terrifying in the role of the witch. You should all know the story; young brother and sister are thrown out by their stepmother and lured into a witches hut. This film however also gives a look back at the witches story, which might not always be a good thing, but here is done with a deft touch.
I started playing Dungeons & Dragons a couple of years ago (and you thought I couldn’t get any cooler), but that is not the reason, this film made my list (well not the only reason). It is a fun adventure film taking place in a fantasy world where technology has overtaken magic and adventure, making this world full of fantastical creatures, more mundane. We follow two elf brothers Ian (Tom Holland) and Barley (Chris Pratt) attempting to bring back their dead father for a visit, using a magic spell so Ian can finally meet him. Pixar has produced another classic family adventure, with a wonderful emotional core.
Be warned this documentary will not be for everyone. In the year 2000 during publicity for his comedy film Ready to Rumble, the actor, and huge wrestling fan David Arquette, was against his better judgement talked into becoming the WCW Champion. Arquette’s brief reign was seen at best as a joke, at worse as an abomination by other wrestling fans. It is also considered to be a factor in film makers not taking this once rising star, seriously as an actor anymore and harmed his career. This documentary follows Arquette returning to Wrestling after 18 years, to try and gain some measure of respect in the wrestling community. It is an amazing journey of redemption, which sees Arquette literally putting his life on the line, for something he truly loves still.
For a long time throughout the year, this had a very good chance of being my favourite film. I think it came along just at the right time when the world needed some cheering up, and cheer me up it definitely did. Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves return to these iconic characters after 29 years, and they are still as goofy and lovable as ever. That is not to say that there has been no character growth, this film follows a slightly more world-weary duo, who still have not produced the song that is to usher in that most excellent future that they have been told is their destiny, and time seems to be running out. Bill and Ted travel to various points in their own future, hoping just to take the song from future versions of themselves. While there music obsessed daughters (played very well by Samara Weaving & Brigette Lundy-Paine) travel throughout history picking up musical geniuses, to be the backing group for their father when needed. Lots of fun for fans of this series, and of course we get William Sadler returning as Death, which is totally Non-Bogus
This film has the last live action performance of Chadwick Boseman, who sadly passed away in August, and what a performance it is. Based on a play by August Wilson, the film see Boseman’s ambitious young trumpeter, waiting for the titular Ma Rainey, a real-life singer of the time, known as the "Mother of the Blues," (played by remarkable Viola Davis), with the rest of her band. They spend the time talking about a wide range of subjects, race, religion, artistic exploitation, and of course music. A film full of outstanding performances, definitely worth a watch just for those.
This is a brilliant adaption of the classic Louisa May Alcott novel, though it has been adapted many times before for film, this latest version directed by Greta Gerwig plays around with non-linear storytelling, and the film is so much the better for it. Saoirse Ronan is the stand out as Jo March, however, the film is filled with tremendous actors putting in superb performances. Telling the story of four sisters, growing up in Massachusetts during the Civil war, while their father is off at war. The film does an excellent job of portraying the sisters, struggles with life, love and loss.
This is the second Chadwick Boseman film on this list, which just goes to show what a great talent he was (as if there was any doubt). This Spike Lee joint tells the story of four black Vietnam vets, returning to the country to retrieve some gold they stole from a CIA drop-off during the war and to retrieve the body of one of their fallen comrades. Another film full of amazing performances, special mentions should go to Delroy Lindo as Paul, and Clarke Peters as Otis, two of the four ‘Bloods’. They portray the characters in both time periods (without any de-aging), with Boseman playing Norman the 5th blood, who died whilst taking the gold originally. Like a lot of Spike Lee’s films this film has a lot to say on a variety of subjects, with it dealing with themes of war, brotherhood, race, politics and PTSD.
This is an old fashioned war film; however it is elevated by phenomenal filmmakers (the director Sam Mendes & cinematographer Roger Deakins) and by the top-notch performance by the cast. Telling the story of two British soldiers (played by Dean-Charles Chapman & George MacKay) during the Great War, tasked with delivering a message to call off an attack on the Germans, as new information shows that it is a trap and that the Germans will overwhelm the attacking force. One of the soldiers delivering the message has the extra incentive that his brother is one of the soldiers who will go over the top in the attack. Beautifully shot in long takes, this tense film is able to portray the bleakness of the First World War, as well as having some incredible action set pieces.
Based on the true story of the trial of a group of anti-war protestors charged with conspiracy and inciting a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, again sorry to harp on about this but this is a film full of wonderful performance, in fact too many for me to point any specific ones out. Throughout the trial the defendants must contend with a government out to make an example of them, an extremely prejudice judge and attacks on their civil liberties. This is a fantastic courtroom drama that was written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, which unfortunately with the cases of police brutality we see and the reaction to the protests that follow, have as much relevance to the present.
This is a remarkably simple yet still wonderful film, which on the surface would sound depressing. A black British teenage girl called Olushola "Rocks" Omotoso (played by Bukky Bakray in her debut performance), comes home to find that her mother has abandoned her and her younger brother. Rocks tries to take care of her little brother, and stay away from the authorities who would split them up. She does so with some help from her school friends and their families, and that is what elevates this film from a sad drama, the true heart of the film comes from the relationships between the girls and community that tries to look out for each other in times of need.
As we have come to expect from Terrence Malick, this film is visually stunning. Based on the true story of Franz Jägerstätter an Austrian farmer living an almost idyllic life in his a small village, with his wife and three daughters, the family’s life is turned upside down when during the Second World War, Franz becomes a conscientious objector and refuses to swear an oath of allegiance to Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich. Ostracised by his neighbour, Jägerstätter is arrested and put on trial, however does not break and turn his back on his principles, even at the cost of his own life. Beautifully shot, August Diehl’s portrayal of Jägerstätter is a masterful depiction of quiet courage.
After the debacle that was the Dark Universe (which they attempted twice), Universal seems to have finally got something right in regards to their monsters franchise, they are letting people who actually know horror, work on them. Though roughly based on the H. G. Wells novel and the previous Universal monster film from 1933, this one also adds the extra dimension of domestic abuse to the story, with the titular Invisible man (Adrian Griffin) being shown to be a monster long before he goes invisible. Elizabeth Moss who is excellent as always portrays Griffin’s abused partner Cecilia, who at the start of the film escapes from his clutches. Griffin then using technology turns himself invisible and proceeds to stalk and gaslight Cecilia. Director Leigh Whannell has made a truly scary and suspense-filled film, which fills empty spaces with almost unbearable tension.
Evan Rachel Wood plays Old Dolio Dyne, the emotionally stunted daughter of two small-time con artists, played by Richard Jenkins and Debra Winger, who treat her more as an accomplice, rather than a daughter. During one of their cons, they meet a young woman named Melanie (Gina Rodriguez), and the parents take her under their wing, leading to feelings of jealousy in Old Dolio. To be honest, I’m not sure how to categorise this film, it’s listed as a comedy drama, however I don’t feel it fits, I mean it’s quirky but not overly so. In fact I don’t even really know why I like this film so much; I just know that I really do.
In lesser hands this film, a biographical depiction of Herman Mankiewicz, the man who wrote Citizen Kane, shot in the style of Citizen Kane itself, could have come off as cheesy and gimmicky, however, David Fincher has produced a fantastic film. Going through key point’s in Mankiewicz’s life leading up to the writing of the script, including Mankiewicz’s work in the studio system, his friendship with Marion Davies, and through her, his relationship with William Randolph Hearst (the main inspiration for the character of Charles Foster Kane), as well as dealing with the actual process of writing the script and the reaction of the people around him to it. Gary Oldman is a tour de force as Mankiewicz, however the supporting cast is also superb, with a special mention deserved by Amanda Seyfried playing Marion Davies.
There have been many film adaptations of the novels written by Charles Dickens (approximately 56 if you are interested), but I cannot think of any others that have been this energetic or fun. Considered somewhat autobiographical, this is the story of the fall, rise, fall, and rise again of the titular David Copperfield (played by the superb Dev Patel), from his childhood when he is sent to the workhouse by his stepfather, to escaping to live with his eccentric great-aunt, to his friendships and loves, this is a wonderful film, peppered full of great performances from the cast made up of some of director Armando Iannucci’s regular collaborators. Special mention should go to Tilda Swindon playing the aforementioned great-aunt Trotwood, and Hugh Laurie as her equally quirky lodger, Mr. Dick.
Be warned this is not a cheerful film. At points it is devastating; however, it is a wonderful film even if it will leave you looking for the nearest box of tissues at some points. The story of 17-year-old Autumn (an excellent Sidney Flanigan in their film debut) who finds out that she is pregnant, finding it hard to get an abortion in her Pennsylvanian town, as when she visits a crisis pregnancy centre they are more interested in burdening her with guilt by showing her an anti-abortion video and giving her literature on adoption. After trying to resolve the issue herself in one of the many heartbreaking scenes in this film, she tells her cousin Skylar (Talia Ryder), and they decide to travel to New York to get the help she needs, without having to get parental consent. A poignant look at the issue of women’s reproductive rights and of abuse that a lot of women suffer in silence, this is a must watch especially in light of what has happened in Poland this year.
And my worst film of the year for 2020 is.........
Cats
Come on, was there ever any doubt? There were a few really awful films this year, but nothing came close to this monstrosity. I have no idea who thought this was a good idea, or what they were on when they thought it, but there is no reason for this film to exist other than to fuel the nightmares of anyone that has watched it. So just don’t even bother.
Come on, was there ever any doubt? There were a few really awful films this year, but nothing came close to this monstrosity. I have no idea who thought this was a good idea, or what they were on when they thought it, but there is no reason for this film to exist other than to fuel the nightmares of anyone that has watched it. So just don’t even bother.
Complete list of Films I watched in 2020
Ratings
Excellent = Must watch
Good = Should watch
Meh = Fine
Bad = Can be avoided
Awful = Avoid
A Hidden Life - Excellent
Alive - Meh
An American Pickle - Meh
Another Round - Good
Artemis Fowl - Awful
Bacurau - Good
Bad Boys for Life - Meh
Bill & Ted Face the Music - Excellent
Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) - Excellent
Black Bear - Meh
Bloodshot - Meh
Bombshell - Good
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm - Good
Boss Level - Good
Brittany Runs a Marathon - Good
Cats - Awful
Chick Fight - Good
Color Out of Space - Bad
Come Away - Good
Come To Daddy - Meh
Countdown - Good
Da 5 Bloods - Excellent
Dolittle - Awful
Downhill - Meh
Ema - Good
Emma - Excellent
Eurovision Song Contest the Story of Fire Saga - Meh
Extraction - Good
Fantasy Island - Meh
Fatman - Good
Freaky - Good
GodMothered - Meh
Greed - Meh
Greenland - Meh
Gretel & Hansel - Excellent
Greyhound - Good
Guns Akimbo - Good
Hamilton - Excellent
Harriet - Meh
Honest Thief - Meh
How to Build a Girl - Meh
Irresistible - Meh
Jay and Silent Bob Reboot - Good
Jiu-Jitsu - Awful
Justice League Dark: Apokolips War - Good
Kajillionaire - Excellent
Last Christmas - Meh
Legacy of Lies - Bad
Let Him Go - Meh
Little Woman - Excellent
Love and Monsters - Good
Ma Raineys Black Bottom - Excellent
Mank - Excellent
Military Wives - Meh
Misbehaviour - Good
Mortal - Excellent
Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge - Meh
Motherless Brooklyn - Meh
Mulan - Meh
Never Rarely Sometimes Always - Excellent
On the Rocks - Excellent
Onward - Excellent
Palm Spring - Excellent
Playing with Fire - Meh
Possessor - Good
Project Power - Meh
Rebecca – Good
Sonic the Hedgehog - Bad
Soul - Good
Spenser Confidential - Bad
Stardust - Bad
Superintelligence - Bad
Superman Man of Tomorrow - Meh
Superman Red Son - Good
Sylvie’s Love - Meh
Tenet - Good
Tesla - Meh
The Banker - Good
The Broken Hearts Gallery - Meh
The Call of the Wild - Meh
The Devil Has a Name - Good
The Gentlemen - Good
The Grudge - Meh
The High Note - Good
The Hunt - Meh
The Intergalactic Adventures of Max Cloud - Bad
The Invisible Man - Excellent
The King of Staten Island - Good
The Midnight Sky - Good
The New Mutants - Meh
The Old Guard - Good
The Outpost - Bad
The Personal History of David Copperfield - Excellent
The Secret Garden - Meh
The Trial of the Chicago 7 - Excellent
The Vast of Night - Excellent
The Way Back - Good
The Witches - Meh
The Wolf of Snow Hollow - Meh
Train to Busan 2 Peninsula - Meh
Uncut Gems - Good
Underwater - Meh
Vampires vs. the Bronx - Good
Vivarium - Bad
Why Don’t You Just Die - Excellent
Wolfwalkers - Excellent
Wonder Woman 1984 - Good
You Cannot Kill David Arquette - Excellent
You Should Have Left - Meh
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