The Top 10 Movies of 2020
The best films from the WORST year
By Jude Jordi-Donnelly, reporter
2020 was a monumental year for the film industry. It will be right up there with 1927, when the first talking movie was released. This is due to the industry having to adapt to straight to video on demand releases following the outbreak of the coronavirus. With massive studios already announcing that they will release all of their films straight to VOD, as well as in theaters. This will spell an uncertain time for movie theaters and production companies, and there's no clear future ahead. However, 2020 did deliver some great new films, and here are my top ten, starting with some honorable mentions.
Mank - Directed by David Fincher, starring Gary Oldman
Bad Education - Directed by Corey Finley, starring Hugh Jackman
The Invisible Man - Directed by Leigh Whannell, starring Elisabeth Moss
Uncle Frank - Directed by Jennifer Connelly, starring Paul Bettany
The Vast of Night - Directed by Andrew Patterson, starring Sierra McCormick
The best films from the WORST year
By Jude Jordi-Donnelly, reporter
2020 was a monumental year for the film industry. It will be right up there with 1927, when the first talking movie was released. This is due to the industry having to adapt to straight to video on demand releases following the outbreak of the coronavirus. With massive studios already announcing that they will release all of their films straight to VOD, as well as in theaters. This will spell an uncertain time for movie theaters and production companies, and there's no clear future ahead. However, 2020 did deliver some great new films, and here are my top ten, starting with some honorable mentions.
Mank - Directed by David Fincher, starring Gary Oldman
Bad Education - Directed by Corey Finley, starring Hugh Jackman
The Invisible Man - Directed by Leigh Whannell, starring Elisabeth Moss
Uncle Frank - Directed by Jennifer Connelly, starring Paul Bettany
The Vast of Night - Directed by Andrew Patterson, starring Sierra McCormick
10. I'm Thinking of Ending Things
When I first saw this movie I really didn’t like it. I thought it was confusing, pretentious, and a host of many other things but for some reason, it just wouldn’t leave my head. I’m Thinking of Ending Things was criminally mismarketed, and is really a deeply harrowing narrative that is nearly impossible to explain. It's underlying themes and messages will have English teachers drooling all over it. Rooted by stellar performances, director Charlie Kaufman makes a movie unlike any other that I’ve seen before.
9. Soul
Soul was the Christmas present everyone needed this year. Pixar outdid themselves once again in what was a mesmerizingly creative movie. Soul is incredibly funny, with great voice acting, and flawless animation. This movie holds so much beneath its surface and has some truly heartwarming themes. Pixar proves that no one can make movies for all ages like they can.
Soul was the Christmas present everyone needed this year. Pixar outdid themselves once again in what was a mesmerizingly creative movie. Soul is incredibly funny, with great voice acting, and flawless animation. This movie holds so much beneath its surface and has some truly heartwarming themes. Pixar proves that no one can make movies for all ages like they can.
8. Run
My favorite thriller of the year. Run is terrifying. The less you know about this movie going into it the better. Kiera Allen is fantastic in this movie and Sarah Paulson plays one of the best villains of the year, in fact, she just might be the best. The ending will surely be polarizing, but it made my jaw drop to the floor. Run is a fantastic low budget horror and I have no doubt writer/director Aneesh Chaganty will go on to make great things in the future.
My favorite thriller of the year. Run is terrifying. The less you know about this movie going into it the better. Kiera Allen is fantastic in this movie and Sarah Paulson plays one of the best villains of the year, in fact, she just might be the best. The ending will surely be polarizing, but it made my jaw drop to the floor. Run is a fantastic low budget horror and I have no doubt writer/director Aneesh Chaganty will go on to make great things in the future.
7. Da Five Bloods
Spike Lee simply doesn’t miss. Da Five Bloods is as poignant and timely as ever, with scenes and shots that will leave the viewer deeply unsettled. The film follows a group of Vietnam veterans returning to the country where their squad leader was killed, and as the runtime goes on, they realize what they thought they had lost barely cracks the surface. Delroy Lindo gives a powerful performance and commands every scene he’s in. Spike Lee’s direction is jaw dropping once again. But if you need one reason to watch Da Five Bloods, it's to see Chadwick Boseman’s incredibly moving performance in what is one of his last ever films.
Spike Lee simply doesn’t miss. Da Five Bloods is as poignant and timely as ever, with scenes and shots that will leave the viewer deeply unsettled. The film follows a group of Vietnam veterans returning to the country where their squad leader was killed, and as the runtime goes on, they realize what they thought they had lost barely cracks the surface. Delroy Lindo gives a powerful performance and commands every scene he’s in. Spike Lee’s direction is jaw dropping once again. But if you need one reason to watch Da Five Bloods, it's to see Chadwick Boseman’s incredibly moving performance in what is one of his last ever films.
6. The Wolf of Snow Hollow
A movie about a cop struggling with addiction and anger issues all while trying to control his town's growing paranoia over a series of murders. This movie had such a unique take on the monster genre. With a tiny budget, writer/director/ and lead actor Jim Cummings does a great job in just about everything he’s involved in with this movie. While not flawless, there is still so much to enjoy in The Wolf of Snow Hollow, and I’m very excited to see what Jim Cummings can come up with next.
A movie about a cop struggling with addiction and anger issues all while trying to control his town's growing paranoia over a series of murders. This movie had such a unique take on the monster genre. With a tiny budget, writer/director/ and lead actor Jim Cummings does a great job in just about everything he’s involved in with this movie. While not flawless, there is still so much to enjoy in The Wolf of Snow Hollow, and I’m very excited to see what Jim Cummings can come up with next.
5. Mangrove
Part of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series on Amazon Prime, Mangrove (based on a true story) is a fantastic drama about a black business owner in London who, unbeknown to him, is running a restaurant that holds his community together. After constant harassment by the police on his restaurant and his community, a trial is held from a resulting protest. The film depicts the trial and the events leading up to it in what is often a rage inducing watch. Steve McQueen is fantastic at the helm and there are some truly breathtaking performances, this is one that you can’t miss.
Part of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series on Amazon Prime, Mangrove (based on a true story) is a fantastic drama about a black business owner in London who, unbeknown to him, is running a restaurant that holds his community together. After constant harassment by the police on his restaurant and his community, a trial is held from a resulting protest. The film depicts the trial and the events leading up to it in what is often a rage inducing watch. Steve McQueen is fantastic at the helm and there are some truly breathtaking performances, this is one that you can’t miss.
4. Happiest Season
I definitely didn’t think this would be ranked so high on this list, but despite its flaws, I still love this movie to death. It's relentlessly funny and charming, and it's just a film I can see myself watching every Christmas for years to come. I thought this one flew under a lot of people's radars this year and I hope next Christmas more of you give this film a chance because it really is wonderful.
I definitely didn’t think this would be ranked so high on this list, but despite its flaws, I still love this movie to death. It's relentlessly funny and charming, and it's just a film I can see myself watching every Christmas for years to come. I thought this one flew under a lot of people's radars this year and I hope next Christmas more of you give this film a chance because it really is wonderful.
3. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the first film, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is still a hilarious exposé of America’s deep rooted prejudices. It meticulously picks apart so many of the faults and double standards of America’s current political climate. Sacha Baron Cohen is painstakingly funny and his resurgence is something I hope can continue into whichever projects he chooses to pursue next. On top of this, the movie has a breakout performance that is nothing short of awesome from Maria Bakalova.
While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the first film, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is still a hilarious exposé of America’s deep rooted prejudices. It meticulously picks apart so many of the faults and double standards of America’s current political climate. Sacha Baron Cohen is painstakingly funny and his resurgence is something I hope can continue into whichever projects he chooses to pursue next. On top of this, the movie has a breakout performance that is nothing short of awesome from Maria Bakalova.
2. The Trial of the Chicago 7
There’s not much more I can say about this film that I haven’t already said. Fast paced, and wonderfully acted. Sacha Baron Cohen made 2020 his year with two great films and two great performances. Aaron Sorkin will no doubt continue to make great movies and I cannot wait to see what he comes up with next.
There’s not much more I can say about this film that I haven’t already said. Fast paced, and wonderfully acted. Sacha Baron Cohen made 2020 his year with two great films and two great performances. Aaron Sorkin will no doubt continue to make great movies and I cannot wait to see what he comes up with next.
1. Sound of Metal
The most emotionally impactful film of the year, with the best performance and one of the best supporting performances of 2020 courtesy of Riz Ahmed and Paul Raci. Sound of Metal shows how a drummer's life is sent spiralling out of control when he suddenly begins to lose his hearing. This was an educational, and thought provoking exploration of the deaf community. As well as a depiction of an addict’s journey of self discovery, and acceptance. It also contained one of the most heartbreaking conversations between two characters that I’ve seen in a long time in a movie, and a harrowingly meditative final shot that I haven’t stopped thinking about since I saw it. This was far and away my favorite movie of the year.
The most emotionally impactful film of the year, with the best performance and one of the best supporting performances of 2020 courtesy of Riz Ahmed and Paul Raci. Sound of Metal shows how a drummer's life is sent spiralling out of control when he suddenly begins to lose his hearing. This was an educational, and thought provoking exploration of the deaf community. As well as a depiction of an addict’s journey of self discovery, and acceptance. It also contained one of the most heartbreaking conversations between two characters that I’ve seen in a long time in a movie, and a harrowingly meditative final shot that I haven’t stopped thinking about since I saw it. This was far and away my favorite movie of the year.