2020...what a terrible year. A year which brought cinemas to their knees, closing so many beloved venues (hopefully only temporarily) and stunting production worldwide. Given the widespread disruption and my lack of cinema visits, I'd decided not to write a list this year. Instead, I focused on catching up on classic movies, filling blind spots. However, as more and more end of year lists were published, it dawned on me just how many great movies had come out this year and to my surprise, how many I'd seen.
So, at very last minute (and very late), I've rushed to watch all the films I've neglected last year and compiled this list.
As usual this is a personal look back at this year's releases, so this
is not necessarily a list of the greatest movies of the past twelve
months, but a collection of my recommendations. As usual any feedback
and discussion is welcome.
Disclaimer!
- Many other films of the year lists will contain films yet to be
released in the UK. I don't include these in mine, even if I've seen
them at preview screenings. We usually get these films in January and
February, so there's lots to look forward to early in the year. This
year those films include The Sound of Metal (29th January) and Nomadland (19th February). This is way less than usual due to the pandemic!
10. Mank
Available to stream on Netflix.
9. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
A brilliant return to form from Sasha Baron Cohen after some mediocre starring roles (although he's also excellent in Aaron Sorkin's "The Trial of the Chicago 7"). In a world that knows his Borat character, he imaginatively finds new ways to dig into the nature of American culture and politics. This new direction puts huge pressure on Maria Bakalova, brought on board to play Borat's daughter Tutar, but she excells. She brings a different perspective and brilliant comedic moments of her own, putting herself in potentially dangerous or compromising situations to provide funny, poignant and memorable scenes.
Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
8. Never Rarely Sometimes Always
Thoughtful and compassionate, Eliza Hittman's "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" is an understated movie that packs a lot of emotional punch. Examining a young woman's lack of options in her hometown once she discovers her unplanned pregnancy, the story shines a light on American state abortion laws, but purely from a relatable human perspective. The performances of Sidney Flanigan as the emotionally distant pregnant woman and Talia Ryder as her empathetic and supportive cousin are superb and completely believable. The bond of friendship and support between the characters also stops the film becoming too dark or depressing, finding hope within difficult times.
Currently available on NowTV and for streaming rental.
7. Rocks
"Rocks" is a brilliant look at modern London, with its mix of cultures and how they intertwine. Using school students as non-professional actors, director Sarah Gavron has collaborated with these young women to create a highly authentic and touching movie. It's incredibly watchable cast are funny, entertaining and heart-breaking. The story focuses on a teenage girl left to care for her brother on her own, struggling to keep bills paid and food on the table. However this isn't some grim misery porn, but an uplifting tale of friendship and support.
Available to stream on Netflix.
6. Lovers Rock
Like "Rocks", Steve McQueen's "Lovers Rock" is also an intimate look at London life, but from a very different era. Part of his "Small Axe" series for the BBC and at only an hour and eight minutes long, there may be some debate over whether this counts as a movie or episode of TV, but McQueen's beautiful style makes each episode feel like a cinematic gem of their own. The film follows a house party in west London, from setting up the sound systems to the drunken journey home. The film envelops you in the music and passions of the night, giving you a glimpse into the lives and times of multiple characters with a subtle elegance.
Available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
5. Soul
My favourite Pixar movie for quite a while, "Soul" has a look and feel all its own, despite feeling at home within the esteemed studio's stable of heart tugging delights. I loved the imaginative view of the afterlife, specifically the stark monotone scenes that represent the spaces between between life and death. The story also has a lovely view on what makes life worth living, taking on multiple perspectives to find what is important.
Available to stream on Disney+.
4. The Lighthouse
A dark and quirky oddball of a movie, full of strange and disturbing of imagery, but offset with dark humour and great performances. Filmed in an old school 4:3 format to increase the feel of claustrophobia, the black and white cinematography adds to this unease as two men feel the pressures of isolation within the lighthouse they man. Robert Pattison brings bug eyed intensity to his role, but the craggy and irascible Willem Defoe steals every scene.
Available for streaming rental.
3. Portrait of a Lady on Fire
A stunning movie, brimming with beautiful moments. Written and directed by Céline Sciamma, she crafts an elegant slow-burn romance, a movie that exudes a feeling of longing. The tensions between love and duty are present throughout, as Noémie Merlant's ambitious painter realises that completing her work will end her time with the woman she loves, played with bruised emotion by Adèle Haenel.
Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
2. Uncut Gems
A film of intoxicating intensity, it's a movie that screams at you. Its fast pace and high tension, might be too much for many, but I loved it. Somewhere between a thriller and existential horror, this film assaults you with fast based dialogue and terrible life choices that will make you want to scream at the characters to stop. This feels like a progression from the Safdie brothers "Good Time", more focused and engaging. Part of this may be due to Adam Sandler's brilliant lead performance, which lets you feel all the stresses and exultation of Howard Ratner, a man living on a knife edge as he fails to balance debts, debts and personal indiscretions. It's a shame Sandler spends so much time making terrible comedies and only takes on these kind of roles once a decade.
Available to stream on Netflix.
1. Parasite
A film that seems like it came out a lifetime ago, coming out pre-pandemic in early 2020. For once the Oscars nailed it by making this the best Picture winner, with its fantastic balance of tone and pacing creating a movie that reflects all aspects of 21st century life (excluding global pandemics). It's a film that's best to watch without spoilers, so I won't go into plot, but the film is hugely entertaining piece of social commentary that's not too heavy handed, but doesn't let anyone off the hook. By straddling genres to be a thriller, comedy, horror (and more), Bong Joon-Ho has created a movie that feels like a culmination of everything he's strived for in his previous movies.
Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
Worthy Mentions
Not quite on the main list...
The Last Black Man in San Francisco - This is a late 2019 movie, so I
couln't put it in my top 10, but it's a beautiful film that I caught up
with early in the year. A stunning movie I adored.
Waves - Very close to making my list, but I've not seen it since Cinecity in 2019, so it's faded from my memory a little. A hard hitting social drama about modern American society.
Tenet - As bold and striking as any Christopher Nolan production,
at times it was breath taking. However it felt like it bit off more
than he could chew in just one movie. I think it could have made a more fulfilling trilogy.
Dick Johnson is Dead - A fascinating documentary about how we deal with death. Treating the subject with respect but also large amounts of whimsy and levity.
Jo Jo Rabbit - Fun and vibrant, but with plenty of pathos and respect for the time period.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 - I'm a sucker for an Aaron Sorkin law drama.
His House - Creepy British horror that makes us look at the terrifying journeys refugees make to reach the UK and the heavy burden the places upon them.
The Assistant - A drama that shines a light on the sexist practices of the movie industry, with very thinly veiled references to Harvey Weinstein's crimes.
The Vast of Night - Low budget retro sci-fi drama with oodles of style. It just doesn't stick the landing.
Da 5 Bloods - Great moments and performances, but if felt too uneven to me.
Bad Education - Brilliant performances from Hugh Jackman and Alison Janney enrich this retelling to a real life story of everday greed.
Extra Ordinary - Hilarious low-budget Irish horror-comedy starring a villainous Will Forte.
The Personal History of David Copperfield - Armando Iannucci breathes life and vitality into this familiar tale.
Sonic the Hedgehog - Loads of fun, a great family movie (and Sonic was re-rendered so he's cute, not creeepy).
Films worth a watch - Birds of Prey, Hamilton, Holidate, Happiest Season, Color Out of Space, The Platform, I'm Thinking of Ending Things, The Old Guard, The Invisible Man, Onward, Blow the Man Down, Babyteeth
Disappointments
I'm Thinking of Ending Things - Charlie Kaufman is one of my favourite filmmakers, but I just didn't connect with this one.
Tenet - There's so much to admire, but overall it didn't quite meet me expectations, somehow managing to feel both too long and too rushed.
The ones that got away...
The big misses of this year, I regret I didn't get to see... (mainly because I wouldn't go to the cinema during the pandemic, or pay twenty quid to watch it at home)
First Cow, Wolfwalkers, Saint Maud, Relic, Clemency, St Frances, Martin Eden, The Climb, The Nest, Shirley, Bacurau, Kajillionaire, Possessor, She Dies Tomorrow, Another Round, Collective, David Byrne's American Utopia, The Painter and the Thief, Feels Good Man, Time, Wonder Woman 1984, Ma Raineys Blackbottom
In an ideal world, I would have seen these too...
Mulan, Zappa, Emma, Host
Hope you enjoyed reading my breakdown, Happy New Year!
2019 Update
The ones I caught up with that I missed last year...
I liked...
Us, Burning, In Fabric, Zombieland: Double Tap, Hustlers Doctor Sleep, Terminator: Dark fate, The Dead Don't Die, Pokemon: Detective
Pikachu, Jumanji: The Next Level. The Black Man in San Francisco
I wasn't so keen on...
Glass, Hellboy
The ones I didn't catch up on...
Bait, Under the Silver Lake, The Mule, Pain and Glory,
I Lost my Body, Ash is
Purest White, Transit, The
Nightingale, Climax, Boy Erased, On the Basis of Sex, Everybody Knows, Benjamin, At
Eternity’s Gate, Missing Link, Late Night.
Last Years Top Ten
10. Border
09. Eighth Grade
08. The Farewell
07. Avengers Endgame
06. Ad Astra
05. Marriage Story
04. Booksmart
03. Little Women
02. The Favourite
01. Knives Out
