I could spend paragraphs talking about the year that was (which I essentially did in my prior post, 'Reflections on 2020,') lamenting how cinemas closed in March, how so many movies I was anticipating were delayed (In The Heights still hurts), how watching movies at home just isn't the same. Yet the reality is, when all is said and done, 2020 was a damn fine year for cinema. Perhaps there weren't as many large blockbusters - this was the first year in over a decade without an MCU movie, for example - but that just allowed films to come from new and unexpected places, and for unique voices to shine their light.
I haven't seen every film released in 2020, far from it. This list will merely serve as an encapsulation of what I was able to see in 2020 and what most resonated with me. Because of the unique situation with the Oscars and the extended window, certain films that I have not seen (nor had any opportunity to see), such as One Night in Miami and Minari, may appear on some other people's top 10 lists for 2020, however they will be in consideration for my 2021 list.
The films I have selected range from the scary to the hilarious to the life-affirming and profound and everything in between. This list is purely my opinion and is all subjective, and I love all of these films very much. If I didn't include some of your favorites... so it goes!
First of all, I'd like to pay special note to Spike Lee's brilliant documenting of David Byrne's American Utopia and Thomas Kail's beautiful pro-shot of Hamilton. Both of these filmed versions of the stage shows were superbly made and some of the most enjoyment I had all year, but I was also fortunate enough to see these productions live and thus decided I will not be considering them for my list. Regardless, I highly recommend them.
Secondly, I'd like to celebrate Steve McQueen's anthology Small Axe. There has been some debate if they should be categorized as film or television - for what it's worth they are not being submitted for Oscar consideration. I say at the end of the day it doesn't matter what you call them, but they are well-worth watching and are now available on Amazon Prime. I have decided not to consider them for my list but wanted to bring attention to the fine work.
Finally, before getting into the top 10, here are a few honorable mentions. These are all films I throughly enjoyed and just missed the top 10. And, of course, there are plenty of other films this year I enjoyed. Not being included on this list is not a slight on them.
Honorable Mentions:
Da 5 Bloods (Spike Lee)
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (George C. Wolfe)
Birds of Prey (Cathy Yan)
Tenet (Christopher Nolan)
The Wolf of Snow Hollow (Jim Cummings)
Host (Rob Savage)
10. The Invisible Man (Leigh Whannell)
Released in February of this year (in cinemas, what a thing!), Leigh Whannell's shrewd modernization of the classic story pulled no punches and resonated with its tale of gaslighting, terror, and abuse. Elisabeth Moss continues to show why she is one of the finest performers working, and Whannell's handle on suspense and horror continues to evolve in this genuinely terrifying and affecting film. The set pieces are beautifully executed, startling in their construction and lingering on in the mind.
9. Never Rarely Sometimes Always (Eliza Hittman)
Built on understatement and quiet moments, with great detail and specificity, Eliza Hittman's film chronicles an incredibly painful and arduous journey for our young lead (a terrific Sidney Flanigan) with such compassion and clear vision so as to be almost overwhelmingly affecting. The film is not only one of the most powerful and empathetic portrayals of abortion and its many issues (the film does not hide its political leanings, nor should it) but it also serves as a sobering treatise on how challenging it can be to exist as a teenage girl in this lewd world and the quest for respect and autonomy.
8. Soul (Pete Docter; Co-Directed by Kemp Powers)
Pixar's newest film is as mature and heady as anything they've yet released, a glorious, bizarre, and hugely affirming tale of life's purpose and the little things that make it all worth living. (In many ways, this is a common theme in more than a few films that are on this list.) Highlighted by stunning animation, one of the year's best scores by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (with jazz compositions by Jon Batiste), and lovely voice performances by Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, and Graham Norton, Soul left me feeling awed, with a new sense of purpose and appreciation for the little things.
7. Palm Springs (Max Barbakow)
There have been countless time loop movies made throughout the years, and it would be easy to think that there's no new material to mine from the concept. Leave it to writer Andy Siara, director Max Barbakow, and those wild kids at The Lonely Island to not only find a new approach but to create one of the finest examples of the genre. Leaning heavily on both the science fiction and the comedy, with intelligence and wit, this film sings because of its wonderful soulfulness and the rich, lived-in performances of Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti. This is a film of myriad emotions - beauty, silliness, joy, pain - that once again illustrates the importance of appreciating those little moments and connections that are so easily overlooked in day to day life. It is all smartly balanced in a gloriously efficient 90 minutes.
6. Wolfwalkers (Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart)
Following in the footsteps of The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea, the newest film from Cartoon Saloon (the third in director Moore's "Irish Folklore Trilogy") is, quite simply, one of the most visually stunning films I have ever seen. Utilizing delightfully rustic hand-drawn animation, with influences from Chinese woodblock art and a heavy emphasis on intricate lines, gorgeous colors, and shifting aspect ratios, my mind boggled at the sheer visual wonderment that is on display. But visuals only go so far, and luckily Wolfwalkers is also a gracefully rendered adventure story of youthful friendship, appreciation and love for animals and our forests, magic, and the deep need to get to know someone (or something) before judging them. Complimented by strong voice performances from Honor Kneafsey, Eva Whittaker, and Sean Bean, and tuneful, Irish folk music by Bruno Coulais and Kila, this is a heartwarming and rousing film that stands with the best of modern animation.
5. Nomadland (Chloe Zhao)
Chloe Zhao continues to show that she may perhaps be the most adept and thoughtful cinematic artisan of modern America and its unique cultures and perspectives, the likes of which we so rarely see chronicled on film. Much like her previous film The Rider (also excellent), Nomadland uses many non-actors and real locations to help create its profoundly authentic world. This film is brimming with humanity, a soulful yet sorrowful portrait of a woman and the nomad lifestyle she leads. Frances McDormand shows once again why she is one of the great actors of our time. Her naturalistic and contemplative work is extraordinary. Every aspect of this film is gorgeous - the cinematography, the scenery, the selections of music, the tone and empathy. This is cinema as poetry.
4. Sound of Metal (Darius Marder)
The depth of authenticity on display in Darius Marder's Sound of Metal allows entry into a world rarely depicted with such integrity and it makes for truly remarkable cinema. The film is powerful, honest, and tender, with immense interior texture. The sound design is a marvel, taking us in and out of Ruben's experiences as he suffers hearing loss and begins to integrate into Deaf society. Riz Ahmed disappears into Ruben's soul, creating a character that is deeply human, rendered with vast pain and introspection. Paul Raci is his equal as the man who becomes his guide and mentor. These are two of the finest performances of the year. The ending is a study in the power of silence; I haven't stopped thinking about it since I saw it.
3. First Cow (Kelly Reichardt)
One of the final films I saw in cinemas this year (back in March,) First Cow is an overwhelmingly lovely, exquisitely detailed and composed film that shows off the very best of Kelly Reichardt's considerable talents. She is one of our great current film artists with her patient, humanistic approach. A modern western fable about tender friendship, the power of the American Dream, and a gorgeous cow, the film takes its time building up each detail of its world and leads to a lasting impact. John Magaro and Orion Lee are superb, creating a screen friendship that feels as true as it does unexpected. Plus, the film is shot in stunning academy ratio (!) and features a great folk score by William Tyler.
2. Promising Young Woman (Emerald Fennell)
Whatever you may think this film is I can assure you that it isn't that. It is not just the straightforward revenge thriller I expected. This film is a powder-keg. A firework. An incendiary polemic against toxic masculinity, male bravado, the "boys will be boys" or "but they were just kids!" attitude that allows sexual predators to walk free time and time again. This is a movie about respect and fear. This is a mess of tones and genres, of uncomfortable moments, of deep, dark humor. It is exhilarating and colorful and exists entirely within its own world. It all works, and then some. That this is a directorial debut is astounding. The audaciousness on display left me gasping for breath. There is a Paris Hilton sing-a-long and the most calculated and effective Britney Spears cover needle drop you'll ever see. The ensemble of men is so perfectly cast of actors we know and like, allowing us to put our guard down until we simply can't anymore. And then there's Carey Mulligan. She's a fucking powerhouse. This is a movie born of our time. It is angry and brilliant, and the more I think and write about it the more I am convinced of how essential it is. It will be dissected and discussed. Some may hate it. It is not easy. But it's worth it.
1. Another Round (Thomas Vinterberg) - In Danish with English Subtitles
Based on a simple yet fascinating premise - that we are born with our blood alcohol level too low and that in order to excel in life a little day drinking is the way to go - Thomas Vinterberg's newest film is a darkly comic, melancholy, existential examination of midlife crises and the ways we can fight against the mundanity of everyday life. Mads Mikkelsen is absolutely brilliant, his facial expressions and physicality portraying more than most actors can with 8 page speeches, and the journey he takes is one of pain and ecstasy and self-discovery. Complimented by a superb ensemble and Vinterberg's assured craft, Another Round left me feeling elated with perhaps the best, most cathartic ending of the year. The song will be stuck in your head for days.
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