My Year in Film (2020)

My Year in Film (2020)

Welcome to my sixth annual movie-of-the-year rankings. Due to the pandemic, I haven’t been in a movie theater since early March. That certainly has been a difficult adjustment, and I have no doubt the combination of a larger screen, surround sound, and a big crowd would have elevated or changed the way I feel about quite a few of the movies I’m about to rank. While the film industry did delay many notable projects that would have released during 2020 (with most being rescheduled for 2021) there were still plenty of great things to watch on streaming services and via home rental. I ended up seeing 119 movies that were released. I will rank them all from worst to best, with a short summary and a respective tier for each. At the end I will include a watchlist of films I plan to see but haven’t gotten around to yet. If you’d like to keep up with my film intake for 2021, you can follow me on Letterboxd, linked below.

https://letterboxd.com/boogs31/

Below Average:

119) Mulan (3.25/10) - The track record for Disney live action remakes is - - not good, and this might very well be the worst of the bunch. The main calling card from the original was its fantastic soundtrack. Choosing to exclude that in this new retelling sapped the movie of its soul and made it a bit of a bore. They botched the father/daughter dynamic at the center of the story, and removed the positive feminist messaging. The Youtube channel “Just Write” has a great video on all the problems with the new Mulan for those that want to get a more detailed breakdown.

118) Pinocchio (3.75/10) - Matteo Garrone’s Italian live action version of the classic story is missing an emotional hook. The movie looks incredible, and the creators certainly have a reverence for the 1883 novel. They chose to stay true to the source material instead of updating it for a modern audience, a choice that prevented this remake from being timely or frankly necessary.

117) The Hunt (3.75/10) - With muddled political messaging and excessive gore, this fails as an action flick and as social commentary. The marketing heavily pushed a shock and awe sort of narrative, but beyond a few characters dying early on, there wasn’t really anything that subverted expectations. The one positive here is Betty Gilpin’s (GLOW) committed performance.

116) Downhill (4/10) - This American remake of the Swedish film, Force Majeure (2014), lacks the bite that made the first such a great, tension-filled marital drama. From the moment the initial trailer dropped, it was apparent the goal was to make this a more comedic version of the original. It’s unfortunate, because Julia Louis-Dreyfus does great work in the rare moments she’s given an opportunity to explore her character’s withering trust in her partner.

115) Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey (4.25/10) - This bombed in the box office despite going through a title change and being released prior to the pandemic. This is a better take on the Harley Quinn character than we got in Suicide Squad or Justice League, but that’s damning with faint praise.

114) Wonder Woman 1984 (4.25/10) - Where do I even begin? It’s overly long, the villain (Maxwell Lord) as well as the MacGuffin are both utterly absurd and bring up countless logical inconsistencies. To top it all off, the protagonist (who’s supposed to be a beacon of light) makes some very questionable moral/ethical decisions.

113) Gretel & Hansel (4.5/10) - Director Oz Perkins certainly has a terrific eye for colors and shot composition. If you appreciate cinematography, this movie is truly a delight to behold. Unfortunately, it lacks in basically every other respect.

112) Scare Me (4.5/10) - This Shudder original (a horror streaming service) features committed performances, but the limited budget and basic premise limits its effectiveness. I would only recommend this to the most ardent of horror fans.

111) An American Pickle (4.75/10) - While Seth Rogan is fun to watch in his dual performance, this HBO Max original doesn’t have a lot to say.

Average:

110) Save Yourselves! (5/10) - A Sci-Fi/comedy hybrid that is short on laughs and only marginally intriguing from a narrative standpoint.

109) Disney Nature’s Dolphin Reef (5.25/10) - I’ve watched the vast majority of Disney Nature releases, and all of them are at minimum an educational experience. They released two of these in 2020, with the other one being Elephant. Natalie Portman narrates this particular story about a dolphin that needs to start learning how to fend for itself.

108) The Mortuary Collection (5.25/10) - A collection of horror vignettes that vary in quality. My personal favorites would be the third (man caring for his catatonic wife) and the fourth (the babysitter).

107) Banana Split (5.5/10) - Standard romcom fare with mediocre humor and formulaic plotting. The premise involves a young woman becoming best buds with her ex's new girlfriend.

106) Sonic the Hedgehog (5.5/10) - This was better than I anticipated. Jim Carrey is fantastic as Dr. Robotnik, utilizing his frantic energy to great effect. The dialogue has some solid one-liners, and despite some narrative tangents that didn’t feel necessary, I am looking forward to the sequel.

105) The Whistlers (5.5/10) - The concept of this is better than the execution. The premise finds a group of people who create a whistling language that allows them to communicate undetected. The relationship at the center is not developed enough and while the process of seeing the main character learn the language is fun, there isn’t any sort of satisfying payoff.

104) The Gentleman (5.75/10) - This Guy Ritchie film has an incredible cast, including Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant, and Henry Goulding. It’s a fun film to watch, but like a lot of Ritchie’s filmography, it’s not as clever as he thinks it is.

103) The Wolf of Snow Hollow (5.75/10) - Jim Cummings’ most recent film is not nearly as good as his previous work. While the Wolf of Snow Hollow does venture into horror territory, the main character and his struggles are identical to that of the protagonist in Thunder Road (2018). If you’ve seen Thunder Road, you can skip this. If you haven’t seen Thunder Road, just go watch Thunder Road.

Above Average:

102) The Photograph (6/10) - Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield star in this romance that was one of my last experiences in a movie theater. The two lead’s chemistry is unmistakable and the film looks terrific. Unfortunately, the secondary characters are underwritten, and the narrative doesn’t ever feel in sync with the budding central relationship.

101) The Lovebirds (6/10) - Another Issa Rae romcom, this time she stars alongside Kumail Nanjiani. There’s plenty of great humor, and that makes the time spent worthwhile, even if the other elements are underwhelming.

100) Over the Moon (6.1/10) - A colorful, musical animation that’s a meditation on overcoming grief and finding a way to move on and build new relationships. The songs are catchy but not particularly insightful. While most animated films are meant for children, the best ones also manage to be entertaining for adults as well. This comes up a tad short in that regard.

99) The Broken Hearts Gallery (6.2/10) - Geraldine Viswanathan (Blockers/Miracle Workers) is a rising star and is a delight to see on screen. She plays a young woman who creates a gallery for people to give up items that they’re still holding on to from past relationships.

98) Happiest Season (6.2/10) - A romcom about a lesbian couple that are at odds over making their relationship public. Mackenzie Davis plays Harper, who hasn’t come out to her parents and brings her girlfriend Abby (Kristen Stewart) home for Christmas under the guise of being roommates. My biggest issue is that most of the characters in the film are unlikable, which makes it hard cheering for a happy ending.

97) Sometimes Always Never (6.3/10) - A family member goes missing and the only clue as to the person's whereabouts is a game of Scrabble that was played right before the disappearance. Things take on greater meaning because it’s a representation of tragedy. The film pokes fun at the absurdity but also focuses on people’s inability to move on when there isn’t a sense of closure.

96) The Rental (6.3/10) - Dave Franco directorial debut is a horror film about a group of friends that take a weekend vacation together to an Airbnb. This is a promising start behind the camera for Franco, who nails both the atmosphere and tone, aspects that some filmmakers never fully master. Hopefully his next project will have a more assured script.

95) Bad Boys for Life (6.4/10) - The third installment of the Bad Boys series might very well be the best yet. There are some solid jokes in here with two veteran actors (Will Smith, Martin Lawrence) that have great chemistry.

94) Unpregnant (6.4/10) - A feel good road trip movie with an unexpected pregnancy as the motivation. Haley Lu Richardson absolutely shines on screen, and her positive energy is constantly present.

93) The Old Guard (6.4/10) - This Netflix original stars Charlize Theron. She plays the leader of a crew of indestructible soldiers seeking a new recruit. Decades have passed since a suitable inductee has been identified. There’s plenty of action and the script manages to prevent the outcome from seeming inevitable given their advantages.

92) The Devil All the Time (6.5/10) - To call this film dark would be the understatement of the century. It’s tough to watch, especially after multiple characters suffer cruel injustices. At around 2 hours and 20 minutes, the length is also a bit of an issue. If you’re willing to invest in its runtime, the multiple storylines do at least coalesce by the end.

91) Standing Up, Falling Down (6.5/10) - It’s a delight to see Billy Crystal in front of the camera again. He plays a lonely dermatologist that also happens to be the town drunk. He befriends a young man (Ben Schwartz) that has recently moved back into his parents house after a failed attempt at becoming a stand-up comedian. The two are great in their scenes together, and I would love to see more dramatic roles from Crystal.

90) Tenet (6.5/10) - Christopher Nolan has gone further and further away from emotional storytelling to the point of caricature. He’s so focused on his films being rewatchable that he’s lost sight of ensuring they’re rewarding and engaging enough to merit additional views. He’s as obsessed with non-linear timelines as M. Night Shyamalan is with having twists. John David Washington does as much as he can with the role, but the screenplay lacks a single character trait or motivation.

89) Blood Quantum (6.6/10) - A tribal community battles zombies in this post-apocalyptic setting. The electronic soundtrack creates a cool, futuristic vibe.

88) The Dark and the Wicked (6.6/10) - An unsettling horror film from the director of Strangers (2008). A daughter comes back to her childhood farm where her parents are still residing. Things take a dark turn as something evil seems to be lurking on the property. There are sufficient jump scares and lingering tension.

87) The Lodge (6.6/10) - This has a chilling atmosphere and consists of quality performances from the adult and child actors alike. The basic premise involves a father and his two children, who recently lost their ex wife/mother, going on a weekend trip to a cabin with the father’s new girlfriend. The actions taken by several of the characters are hard to fathom.

86) I Used to Go Here (6.7/10) - Gillian Jacobs stars in this drama about a writer that is struggling in her personal and professional life. She just came out with a new book, but it’s not selling. She thinks a visit back to her alma mater will provide an ego boost through reconnecting with a past partner. She ends up becoming friends with a group of current students that help raise her self esteem and let loose.

85) Vivarium (6.7/10) - Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots star as a couple looking for a new apartment. On the hunt, they go into what appears to be a realtor office and are enticed at an offer made by a peculiar salesman. They’re lured into what can only be described as a version of hell or purgatory. They can’t leave the neighborhood, they have no neighbors or anyone to talk to, and they are forced to raise a child that is not their own. The two react to the endless torment in wildly different ways.

84) Emma (6.7/10) - Based on the Jane Austen novel (1815), this comedy has plenty of witty dialogue and elegant costume designs. If you like Clueless (1995), this is the same source material and features rising star Anya Taylor-Joy.

83) The Outpost (6.8/10) - Based on the true story of the Battle of Kamdesh in Afghanistan in 2009. The particular U.S. camp was located below three separate mountains, giving the opposition the high ground. It’s hard to feel patriotic at the moment, and this is unmistakable American military propaganda. If you can look past that, the story is intriguing, and the camerawork to make the audience endure a sense of claustrophobia is top notch.

82) The Trial of the Chicago 7 (6.8/10) - It’s hard not to be disappointed at this Aaron Sorkin (Molly's Game) directed court drama. Everything feels a bit exaggerated and over the top, especially Frank Langella as the judge. It’s also hard to appreciate this fully when there’s a vastly superior courtroom drama that will be appearing later on in this list.

81) 1BR (6.8/10) - While we didn’t get as many movies as expected in 2020, the horror genre was loaded with interesting and wide ranging releases. This one involves a young woman getting what she thinks is a deal of a lifetime to rent a Los Angeles flat. She slowly begins to discover that things may not be as they seem.

80) Come to Daddy (6.9/10) - Elijah Wood plays a young man that grew up without his father, who left for reasons unbeknownst to him. He receives a letter in the mail from said father that indicates a desire to meet. It’s an incredibly bizarre film with plenty of twists and turns. Wood excels at embodying the awkward, unassured character who simply wants to impress his dad.

79) Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (6.9/10) - If there was an award for best title, this would win hands down. I thoroughly enjoyed the original Borat. This followup features some, but not all of what made the first a cultural sensation. The biggest issue plaguing this sequel is that political satires just don’t work as well in 2020. Because we are bombarded on a daily basis with the absurdity of the right wing, it requires going above and beyond like Sorry to Bother You (2018) to even qualify as satire nowadays.

78) The Way Back (7/10) - Ben Affleck plays an alcoholic who is hired to coach his former high school basketball team. The veteran actor used some of his own personal struggles to craft a complex, multidimensional character. It works incredibly well as a drama about alcoholism and its various demons. As a basketball movie - - it’s quite ordinary.

77) The Painted Bird (7/10) - At just under three hours long, this dark epic is tough to watch but has some spectacular moments. Based on the 1965 novel of the same name, the story takes place in World War II and examines the horrors through the perspective of a young Jewish boy. The film is split into chapters, which makes it easier to digest and allow for viewing over multiple sessions.

76) Black Bear (7.1/10) - Split into two distinct parts, the three actors swap the particular roles they’re playing from part one to part two. It’s a meta commentary on the movie making process. Aubrey Plaza experiences the most significant shift going from the director, who has respect and influence in part one, to an actor being emotionally manipulated by the director and co-star in part two.

75) Blood on Her Name (7.1/10) - The story begins with a woman standing over a dead body. The director leaves the why and how for later on in the film, leading to a very compelling mystery and an ambiguous central character.

74) Dick Johnson is Dead (7.2/10) - This documentary about a filmmaker that is afraid of losing her elderly father is an examination of death and how we deal with the inevitable. The crew creates all of these elaborate scenarios where Dick succumbs to a fake death, and caps it off with him getting to watch his own fake funeral service. Avoiding the discussion doesn’t make it go away. Perhaps this film will give more people the courage to face the reality head on and say and do the things they need to before it's too late.

73) The Trip to Greece (7.2/10) - The Trip series has been comfort food for me over the years. I rewatched all three previous films leading up to the fourth installment. If you’ve never seen any of them, Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, two glorious impressionists, travel to a different country to wine, dine and take in the sights. My rankings of the four films (best to worst): The Trip to Spain, The Trip, The Trip to Italy, The Trip to Greece.

72) The Platform (7.2/10) - A disturbing horror film that contextualizes capitalism and social classes in the most over the top way imaginable. If you enjoy the genre and are okay with gore, this has plenty to say and is an entertaining ride to boot.

71) Disclosure (7.3/10) - This Netflix documentary features notable transgender people in Hollywood. They discuss the long and cruel history of the film industry's discrimination, as well as a lot of issues still prevalent today. It’s an enlightening watch, and I would encourage anyone who wants to learn or understand what transgender means and what transgender people are fighting for to give it a look.

70) Greyhound (7.3/10) - Tom Hanks stars and writes this naval action flick that’s set during World War II. It’s a brisk 90 minutes, and Hanks cut out all of the sentimentality from this and focuses primarily on accurately representing the ship mechanisms and period details. It’s basically a date where the other person hates small talk and skips to asking all the most pressing questions.

69) Extraction (7.4/10) - There’s nothing from a narrative or screenwriting standpoint that is worthy of praise here. What does separate this film from your standard action fare is the pulsating direction and set pieces. Honestly this features some of the most exhilarating chase and fight sequences I have seen all year.

68) Onward (7.4/10) - One of the first releases to become available on home rental while still in theaters. The consumer has typically had to wait six months after the theatrical release to get a chance to watch the film at home. That changed this year, and despite the many problems that the pandemic has caused within the industry (most notably the potential extinction of movie theaters), this one is a positive development. Onward is a mid to lower tier Pixar movie, but that’s still solid, and the ending is genuinely worth the journey.

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INTERMISSION

Broadway Musicals on the Big Screen:

67) David Byrne’s American Utopia - I am placing the two broadway shows that I watched in a separate, unrated category because they are a different form of media than strictly a film. Needless to say I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend them both. This musical directed by Spike Lee features David Byrnes and his large ensemble performing various hits from the Talking Heads, his solo career, and other politically focused songs. It’s a fun ride, even if the playlist isn’t as cohesive as you would hope for in a play.

66) Hamilton - I got to see the show live in Greenville, South Carolina in 2018. It was an amazing experience that I will not soon forget. Since I saw it several years after it had premiered, the original cast had already been replaced. So getting to see it again on the big screen with Lin Manuel-Miranda and Daveed Diggs starring was a genuine thrill. The camerawork is really busy (in a good way), and it recreates the sensation of being in the audience and furiously looking around the entire stage in hopes that you don’t miss any of the choreography.

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Good:

65) Color Out of Space (7.5/10) - This movie is a delight to watch. Nicholas Cage is hamming it up to unquantifiable levels, and the dialogue is consistently hilarious. Cage plays an alpaca farmer (that’s not a typo), and the writers get the most out of that juicy bit. While this might come as a surprise given the second half consists of full on B-movie shenanigans, the cinematography is absolutely stunning throughout.

64) Alone (7.5/10) - This is an extremely tense thriller with a very basic but realistic premise. A woman moves across the country and decides to do the drive solo. As she begins the early stages of her trip, she encounters someone she thinks might be following her. As the “random” run-ins continue to pile up, she gets more and more nervous about whether she can get to her destination.

63) Yes, God, Yes (7.6/10) - A coming of age story about a Catholic girl that starts to experience a sexual awakening while on a weekend camp getaway. The film highlights the hypocrisy of many religious leaders. They restrict behavior of their followers but do not limit said behavior themselves.

62) Host (7.6/10) - At under an hour long, this is one of the shortest movies I have ever come across. This was made during quarantine and the basic premise involves a group of friends doing a seance over Zoom. Given the restrictions on film production we likely will be getting more of these types of movies that allow the shooting to take place while maintaining isolation for most involved. If they’re as good as this, I’m all for it.

61) Selah and The Spades (7.7/10) - The title character manages a drug operation at a boarding school. As a senior, she has to find an heir apparent to continue the tradition and history of the group, known as The Spades. With an overbearing mother and a history of jealousy, Selah finds it increasingly difficult to allow someone else to take over the reins.

60) On the Rocks (7.7/10) - Rashida Jones plays a woman that is skeptical about her husband’s fidelity. She asks for her father’s (Bill Murray) advice, a charming womanizer who knows a thing or two about sneaking around. The two get an opportunity to reconnect while going on various stakeouts and wacky adventures. The whole movie feels a bit safe considering the main subject matter is about cheating and marital trust, but the father-daughter moments are a delight. Director Sophia Coppola, who worked with Murray on Lost in Translation and A Very Murray Christmas, always gets the most out of the legendary performer.

59) Wolfwalkers (7.8/10) - This Cartoon Saloon studio production follows a young girl that becomes friends with a "Wolfwalker" (a human by day and a wolf at night). The townspeople are terrified by the wolves that reside in the nearby forest, and the wolves are fighting back against their home being cut down tree by tree. The film features gorgeous 2D animation.

58) Disney Nature’s Elephant (7.8/10) - Elephants in the wild partake in yearly journeys to find enough water and lush vegetation to sufficiently nourish the herd. The voyage is demanding, and they do it all with baby elephants to protect and many predators out for their next meal. Meghan Markle narrates the journey that is shot across the beautiful Kalahari Desert.

57) La Llorona (7.8/10) - A Spanish made horror film based on the historic Guatemalan genocide. A general and his family are haunted by spirits that are out for revenge. The director utilizes subtle zooms and long takes to add to the tension and keep you anticipating what might be lurking around the corner.

56) Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (7.9/10) - In the late Chadwick Boseman’s final performance, he plays Levee, an aspiring trumpet player that is hired to play as a part of the famous singer Ma Rainey’s recording session. Boseman was a master at his craft, and his loss to the industry will be felt indefinitely. RIP.

55) Alive (7.9/10) - Zombie movies have been out of vogue for a while now, but in recent years there have been attempts to revitalize the genre by coming at it from alternative angles. Anna and the Apocalypse was a zombie musical and Overlord established a zombie universe in a World War II setting. Alive adds a touch of romance into its narrative. Two survivors live on the same floor but in separate apartment buildings with a green space in between. They communicate over walkie-talkies and send each other food and beverages via zipline.

54) I’m Thinking of Ending Things (7.9/10) - Charlie Kauffman movies are not for everyone. His newest work requires an immense knowledge of very specific pop culture references and the dialogue is intentionally obtuse. Despite experiencing the film in a continual state of confusion, it managed to remain engaging throughout.

53) News of the World (8/10) - Tom Hanks stars in this western about a man who travels from town to town reading the news. On his travels, he comes across a young orphan girl that recently lived with an Indian tribe. Despite a language and cultural barrier, the two embark on a long journey and forge a bond along the way.

52) Bacurau (8/10) - A sociopolitical thriller based out of Brazil. In this Western/Sci-Fi hybrid, a poor community is targeted by a group of foreigners in a fight to the death. This will constantly leave you guessing as to what will happen next.

51) Sorry We Missed You (8/10) - Director Ken Loach (I, Daniel Blake) is a humanist filmmaker that approaches his work with an eye on injustices in our communities. This focuses on the unrealistic expectations companies have for their employees' workload. The Turner family is struggling to make ends meet after the 2008 financial crisis, and no matter their intentions or their work ethic, things just continue in a downward spiral.

50) A Good Woman is Hard to Find (8/10) - A recently widowed woman has her apartment broken into and the thief uses the opportunity to hide his drugs inside. While initially distraught at the situation, she later discovers more about her husband's death, and uses the trespasser's connections to seek revenge.

49) Anything for Jackson (8.1/10) - One of the best scary movies of the year. This satanic cult based horror has truly terrifying ghost designs and imagery. My personal favorite: a man in an inverted all fours stance that is excessively wheezing due to having been suffocated to death.

48) House of Hummingbird (8.1/10) - If you’ve read any of my previous lists, you would probably know I am a big fan of Korean cinema. This is a coming of age story with a historical bent. Based in Seoul in 1994, the main characters are all connected to the eventual Seongsu bridge collapse that led to 32 deaths and 17 injuries.

47) Sylvie’s Love (8.1/10) - A young jazz musician gets a job at a record shop to pursue the store owner's daughter. The two develop a romance but have various things get in the way of their courtship over the years. Based in the 50’s and 60’s, there’s a ton of attention given to the period details, and the story has a bittersweet disposition.

46) Possessor Uncut (8.1/10) - While the gore can be a bit excessive at times, the Sci-Fi elements are really thought provoking. Brandon Cronenberg’s second feature film is an examination of identity and could be interpreted as a criticism of method acting and losing sense of oneself. Brandon is the son of David Cronenberg, who directed The Fly and many other horror classics. The theatrical version, which is just titled Possessor, has less gore.

45) Words on Bathroom Walls (8.2/10) - This is a coming of age story with a twist. Charlie Plummer plays a young man with schizophrenia, who is constantly going through battles with his illness and/or his medication. Any work of art that attempts to de-stigmatize a disease is admirable, and unfortunately schizophrenia is rarely covered (check out the series Undone on Amazon if you’d like to see more on this brain disorder).

44) Kajillionaire (8.2/10) - This is a truly bizarre character study with a knockout performance from Evan Rachel Wood. She plays a young woman that has no real world skills or experience and has been dragged into a life of crime by her thieving parents. She meets another young woman (played by Gina Rodriguez), who learns of her past and tries to help her acclimate to regular society.

43) The Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb (8.2/10) - This Netflix documentary is a great exploration of a 4,000 year old site that was recently excavated. If you’re interested in an adventure into the unknown, or are curious about the process behind such a monumental task, it’s worth a look. The film gives you a background into the different employees of the project, and through their discoveries, we get a glimpse into the past.

42) Freaky (8.3/10) - A really enjoyable body swap horror story with exceptional performances from Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton. Vaughn has to embody the mannerisms of a teenage girl, while Newton has to move with the physicality of a serial killer.

41) I’m Your Woman (8.3/10) - A really neat crime story from the perspective of the criminal’s unassuming wife. Rachel Brosnahan (Marvelous Ms. Maisel), after recently being given a child to take care of, has to leave her home and life after one of her husband’s work colleagues is assigned to her care. She quickly has to adapt to motherhood and her new surroundings.

40) Clemency (8.3/10) - A prison warden that deals with executions on a regular basis starts to experience post traumatic stress attacks. The film is a powerful statement on the immorality of capital punishment. Even if someone were to disagree about whether or not someone deserves to be put to death, the fact that some innocent people are executed is an absolute travesty, and the people that are tasked with doling out the sentence are irrevocably harmed as well.

39) Sea Fever (8.4/10) - A marine biologist joins a fishing boat crew and quickly has her expertise put to the test when an unknown life form is found aboard. An infection spreads and she quickly has to choose between the safety of those on the boat, and the potential risks associated with returning to land and putting others at risk.

38) The Assistant (8.4/10) - The concept of a day in the life might strike some viewers as tedious, but this firsthand account of a daily routine of an assistant at an entertainment company is worth the watch. Its central theme is a crucially important one: the casual sexism and gross power dynamics that men often wield over women.

37) Mank (8.4/10) - There weren’t too many things I was more excited to watch in 2020 than this Netflix original. Director David Fincher’s (Zodiac) dream project that was written by his late father and took many years to get done. The end product is something that is easier to admire than it is to love. The script is solid in terms of dialogue but lacking in the form of emotional resonance. Based on a true story of the behind the scenes making of Citizen Kane, Mank echoes the shifting timeline and aesthetic of the 1941 classic.

Really Good:

36) Palm Springs (8.5/10) - It’s basically Groundhog’s Day but if Andie MacDowell and Bill Murray both experienced the time loop. Andy Samburg and Cristin Milioti star as two lonely souls that are attending a wedding. The two actors have palpable chemistry and frankly should get more starring roles.

35) Soul (8.5/10) - There was a lot of talk about this being a return to form for Pixar, and while I certainly enjoyed this movie, I disagree with the sentiment (Coco and Incredibles 2 have been released within the last 4 years). Soul is beautifully animated, the soundtrack by Trent Rizner and Atticus Ross (Social Network) is phenomenal, and the message to live in the moment and enjoy life’s journey is a welcome step by Pixar towards more adult oriented themes.

34) The Forty-Year-Old Version (8.5/10) - This Netflix original follows forty-year-old Radha Blank, a struggling playwright. Not having full creative freedom with her work, she ventures into the world of rap music, and befriends a local DJ that hooks her up with his latest beats. Radha Blank wrote and directed the film, and it’s largely based on some of her own life experiences. It’s nothing short of a magnificent debut.

33) Relic (8.5/10) - A slow burn of a horror film that speaks about dementia and its crippling effects on one's identity. While it lacks in the jump scare department, it’s an unsettling experience that will leave you contemplating it for a long time after the credits have rolled.

32) Spontaneous (8.5/10) - This is a film about a high school class that has students randomly die of spontaneous combustion (an allegory for school shootings). Two students develop a romance and it proceeds rapidly given their situation requires them to live every day like it’s their last.

31) Totally Under Control (8.6/10) - A very informative documentary about the handling of Covid-19 in the United States. It goes into great detail about the incompetence of the Trump Administration and of various other organizations that made vital errors in the early stages of the pandemic. By contrasting the actions taken by America (27,400,000+ cases, 470,000+ deaths) with that of South Korea (80,000+ cases, 1,450+ deaths), the staggering differential is all the more tragic.

30) His House (8.6/10) - A brilliant examination on refugees and the racism they encounter when they seek asylum. The main couple have a difference of opinion over trying to fit in or staying true to themselves and their culture. The horror elements are genuinely terrifying, from flashback sequences of their tumultuous journey across the English Channel, to ghosts haunting them in their new residence.

29) Sputnik (8.6/10) - This Russian Sci-Fi picture is a cross between Alien and Arrival. It fulfills the itch for hardcore horror fans with its extra terrestrial xenophobia, while also being a thesis on parisitism for those looking for a more cerebral experience.

28) Da 5 Bloods (8.7/10) - Spike Lee’s film about four Vietnam veterans that revisit the land where they lost their squad leader in an attempt to recover his remains. While all the narrative arcs aren’t as cohesive as one would like, the highs of this movie are some of the most memorable scenes of the year. Delroy Lindo is a worthy front runner for the Best Actor Oscar.

27) The Invisible Man (8.7/10) - Director Leigh Whannell (Upgrade) concocts a very tense thriller out of a relatively goofy concept. The film wouldn’t work without Elisabeth Moss, who embodies an abuse victim and carries many scenes as the only person in the frame. While some logical inconsistencies are evident, it’s easy to overlook them given the craft involved. Whannell is extremely talented and makes genre films that are in short supply.

26) Love and Monsters (8.7/10) - Based on the title, anyone could presume there’s a romantic angle to this story, but the monster side of things is what makes the movie special. The designs and visuals of the creatures are first rate. It’s a fun journey and they barely scratched the surface of this fictional world. I’m sincerely hoping for a sequel.

25) Enola Holmes (8.8/10) - Mille Bobby Brown (Stranger Things) gets a chance to show her acting range in this mystery adventure. She plays the younger sister of Sherlock Holmes, and gets to play detective in search of her missing mother. The film is delightful, with humor, wit, and plenty of satisfying moments of her getting the better of men trying to dictate what type of woman she should be.

24) The Half of It (8.8/10) - A heartwarming high school romcom with a rare platonic relationship at its center. The main character is a shy, introverted personality, which are traits that are often relegated to the nerd archetype or the goofy best friend. I’ve already rewatched this multiple times, and it continues to be a joyous watch.

23) Blow the Man Down (8.8/10) - A dark comedy about a murder and the subsequent cover-up. The setting is a small, coastal town, and the inhabitants have all sorts of secrets to uncover. While the entire cast is superb, I would be remiss if I didn’t single out legendary character actor’s Margot Martindale and June Quibb, who are both delightful in their respective roles.

22) Weathering With You (8.9/10) - The director of Your Name (one of my favorite films of recent years) released his second feature film in America in the early portion of 2020. The animation is out of this world (I was fortunate enough to see it in theaters prior to the shutdowns). Based in Tokyo, a young man meets a “Sunshine Girl,” a person who can manipulate the weather. Given the constant showers in the region, the two develop a business opportunity where they promise customers a sunny experience for their outdoor parties or meetings.

21) Sound of Metal (8/9/10) - Riz Ahmed plays a young drummer in a metal band that suddenly and unexpectedly loses his hearing. The movie is all about him coming to grips with his new reality, and whether or not he’ll fully acclimate into his new deaf community, or hold on to the hope of regaining his previous life. The sound design is absolutely fantastic, from accentuating all of the sounds we take for granted, to imitating what the world sounds like to the hearing impaired.

Great:

20) Another Round (9/10) - Four middle aged high school teachers imbibe alcohol in an attempt to improve their personal and professional lives. While it obviously works as a mid life crisis dramedy, it also dives deeper into how much we may be taking what we have (our relationships, our jobs) for granted. Mads Mikkelson, one of the best actors of his generation, portrays the boring, going-through-the-motions version of his character so well at the beginning, that his mid narrative switch into an energetic, life-of-the-party alcoholic may as well be a different person.

19) The Nest (9/10) - Jude Law and Carrie Coon star in this drama about a crumbling marriage and a descent into financial and personal ruin. While that certainly reads as bleak, it’s actually a compelling and satisfying watch, largely due to the cinematography and the exquisite performances.

18) Bad Education (9/10) - Based on a true story, this HBO film stars Hugh Jackman as a corrupt school superintendent. While he’s embezzling funds, he simultaneously propels the school to universal acclaim, and is an incredible motivator and public speaker. A student that writes for the school paper notices something off on the school budget, prompting an elaborate cover-up. The entire cast is great, and Jackman embodies the complex character with aplomb.

17) Lover’s Rock (9.1/10) - Two young women go to a dance party in the late 60’s in London. The film, which is just over 70 minutes long, uses extremely intimate camera shots to make the audience feel right in the middle of the disco dance delirium. This is the second film in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series on Amazon (the first will be showing up on this list shortly). He makes sure to capture every conceivable personality that one might encounter at a party, good and bad.

16) Saint Frances (9.1/10) - A funny, sweet, and perceptive look at young adulthood. Kelly O’Sullivan, the star and screenwriter, is wonderful in showcasing the charming, yet immature main character Maya. She gets hired as a babysitter to a six-year-old girl and through caring for the child, finds joy and a renewed purpose.

15) Miss Juneteenth (9.2/10) - Nicole Beharie is superb as a former beauty queen that is grooming her daughter to follow in her footsteps. Despite her dreams not panning out as she would have hoped, she believes the pageant can give her daughter a better life. The film examines parenting and balancing doing what you think is best for the child versus allowing them to foster their own identity.

14) Let Them All Talk (9.2/10) - Steven Soderbergh is one of the best directors in the world. He is prolific, releasing a movie or two just about every year. He’s great at convincing the best actors in the world to join his projects, and he gets the most out of them. This ensemble drama (led by Meryl Streep) is an inquisitive character study with wonderful dialogue.

13) Time (9.2/10) - A sobering documentary about the issues with the criminal justice system. The film is from the perspective of an inmate’s wife, who’s stuck in limbo as decades pass with her husband remaining behind bars. The current day events are interspersed with black and white home videos that really drive home the impact of all that time lost that they can never get back.

12) Ordinary Love (9.3/10) - Leslie Manville and Liam Neeson star in this drama about a couple that has to accept and work through a breast cancer diagnosis and the treatment/surgeries that follow. The chemistry between the leads is outstanding, the dialogue is astutely naturalistic, and the ups and downs of the relationship are on full display during very trying times.

11) Promising Young Woman (9.3/10) - The tonal shifts in this are substantial, but they never felt jarring. At times it’s a comedy, at others a romance, and for the most part it’s a revenge thriller. It nails every element. Carrey Mulligan is outstanding in the lead role, and it’s refreshing to see a woman’s take on the revenge genre.

10) Run (9.4/10) - Aneesh Chaganty (Searching) has made another adrenaline rush of a film with his second feature. It’s difficult to explain anything about Run without getting into spoiler territory, but needless to say it’s a fun, tense journey that is amplified by Sarah Paulson’s stellar acting. Chaganty has quickly become one of my favorite directors and I cannot wait to see what he does next.

9) The Vast of Night (9.4/10) - This low budget Sci-Fi film is based in the 50’s and all takes place over the course of a single night. The filmmaking is incredibly creative, with one tracking shot (filmed on a golf cart) that takes the viewer throughout the entirety of the small town. The two main characters, one a DJ at a local radio station, the other a switchboard operator, receive a mysterious call and spend the rest of the evening on the hunt to decipher the origins of the message.

Masterpieces:

8) Shithouse (9.5/10) - The college years are often portrayed as a universally positive experience. Cooper Raiff, making his directorial debut, effectively showcases the difficulty of moving away from home and going to school. Raiff plays Alex Malmquist, a freshman who hasn't made many friends yet, and due to the closeness of his relationships with his mother and younger sister, is also deeply homesick. Alex slowly but surely starts to acclimate to his new surroundings, and as he puts himself out there more and more, he finally starts to appreciate the magic of college life.

7) Driveways (9.5/10) - My favorite film of the year. This happens to be the last film in the late Brian Dennehy’s career, and what a brilliant sendoff. He plays a retired vet who befriends a young boy and his mother who temporarily move in next door after a relative's passing. It has three fully fleshed-out characters that are all at different stages of their respective lives. It’s a coming of age story for the boy, a meditation on grief for the mother, and a reflection of one’s life for the elderly neighbor. Lucas Jaye (who plays the young boy) more than holds his own in his scenes with Dennehy.

6) Never Rarely Sometimes Always (9.5/10) - This is a gem of an indie film about a 17 year old girl who decides to get an abortion after an unwanted pregnancy. Unwilling to tell her parents the information (for good reason), she takes the long distance trip with her friend and encounters many stumbling blocks along the way. While the narrative is eerily similar to Unpregnant, the tone of this is very somber. It’s a tough but essential watch.

5) First Cow (9.6/10) - Director Kelly Reichardt has had a wonderful career making period pieces that are simultaneously a lens into the past while also being a relevant criticism of contemporary society. Her newest feature, which is based in the late 1800’s during the Oregon gold rush, tackles the numerous issues of capitalism.

4) One Night in Miami (9.6/10) - Regina King’s directorial debut is a stunning, thought provoking piece on a critical time in civil rights history. On the night of the heavyweight championship fight between Cassius Clay (later Muhummad Ali) and Sonny Liston, four icons (Clay, Jim Brown, Malcolm X, and Sam Cooke) met up at a hotel in Miami and debated what roles they could play in the battle for equality. Leslie Odom Jr. is mesmerizing as Cooke, exchanging jabs with Malcolm X about their contrasting approaches to aiding the cause, and in the film’s climactic sequence performing A Change is Gonna Come on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

3) Boys State (9.7/10) - This was far and away the best documentary of the year. Boys State is a week-long political camp for high school boys that simulates the electoral process. The filmmakers went to the event in the state of Texas and followed four of the key players. The different subjects cover the entire spectrum of political leanings, personality, and desired ambition.

2) Portrait of a Lady on Fire (9.7/10) - Can you capture the essence of someone through a work of art? How beneficial is it for an artist to intimately know their muse? This French film, based in the late 1800’s, attempts to answer those complex questions. It’s also a beautiful, melancholic love story with gorgeous cinematography and sharp dialogue. The climactic scene is truly breathtaking.

1) Small Axe Series: Mangrove (9.8/10) - Steve McQueen’s first installment in his Amazon collection is extraordinary. It features a terrific lead performance from Shaun Parkes, who’s character is continuously harassed by the London police in the late 60’s for simply being a black restaurant owner. Unlike Detroit (2017), another film that attempted to criticize racism in law enforcement, Mangrove fosters a deep emotional connection to its ensemble cast. The film certainly shows you the horrors of what black people have and continue to go through, but it also paints them as more than just victims.

Watchlist:

After Midnight

Babyteeth

Bad Hair

Benjamin

Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets

Blue Story

Buffaloed

Bull

Dating Amber

Fourteen

Herself

I See You

Invisible Life

Minari (will be on my 2021 list)

Mogul Mowgli

Rewind

She Dies Tomorrow

Shirley

Swallow

The Boys in the Band

The Burnt Orange Heresy

The King of Staten Island

The Last Tree The Wild Goose Lake

The Willoughby’s

Tommaso

To The Stars

True History of the Kelly Gang

What the Constitution Means to Me

You Cannot Kill David Arquette

Zombi Child