Top 20 Films of 2020

2020, while tragic because of the ongoing pandemic, was able to feature breakout directors, actors, actresses, and filmmakers. The big blockbusters were largely absent, which many found their way into people’s homes through streaming services. This opened up numerous avenues for future filmmakers and gave the world a peak into the abilities of streaming new movies at home. In 2021, streaming blockbuster-type films continues. I hope people around the world are able to return to movie theaters in 2021; my wife and I cannot wait to share a movie theater will fellow movie-goers.

I enjoyed reading about various new films coming out, watching video clips of people’s thoughts on these films, and hearing their thoughts on movies waiting to be released. Although a pandemic still rages around us, the love of film and movies is still alive and well. People need entertainment to get through the long days and a common avenue is film. I am constantly energized to share this common love with millions around the world.

For the first time in my movie blogs, I ranked three documentaries in the Top 20 of the year. In 2020, I revived my appreciation and love of documentaries, which offer ways for lost, forgotten, and untold stories to be recognized.

The Films:

20. Tread (USA) Paul Solet. Documentary. Although Marvin Heemeyer was a largely misunderstood person, his notorious rampage is undoubtedly clear. Solet masterfully meshes archive footage with recreations in this gritty thriller.

19. Double World (China) Teddy Chan. Starring Henry Lau, Peter Ho, and Chenhan Lin. This film harkens back to the 1970’s action films with cool visuals, sweet CGI sets, and engaging characters on a mission.

18. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Story (USA) David E. Talbert. Starring Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, and Hugh Bonneville. The holiday spirit is alive and fun in this cheerful entry from Talbert, Whitaker, and Key. The costumes, story, acting, and visuals are wonderfully bright.

17. The Willoughbys (USA) Kris Pearn. Starring Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, and Alessia Cara. Stunning animated visuals combined with a touching story about family makes this a splendid escapist film.

16. Da 5 Bloods (USA) Spike Lee. Starring Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, and Chadwick Boseman. Lee, Lindo, Majors, Boseman, and company flex their talents throughout this intense war piece about regret, racism, broken dreams, and lost innocence.

15. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (UK/USA) Jason Woliner. Starring Sacha Baren Cohen and Maria Bakalova. Up to his usual antics in an enthralling follow-up to the inventive first installment, Cohen offers an unrestrained comedic look at the world. The true star of the film is Bulgarian actress, Bakalova, who effortlessly meshes into her role as Tutar Sagdiyev.

14. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (USA) David Dobkin. Starring Will Farrell, Rachel McAdams, and Dan Stevens. The songs are catchy, the story is corny, and the movie is all around fun. The visuals are eye-popping and the combination of Farrell & McAdams is a winner.

13. Athlete A (USA) Bonnie Cohen. Documentary. Although the world knows the story about Larry Nassar, the stories about the athletes are largely unknown. This documentary allows the victims to take center stage in this film about the consequences of unchecked & disturbing power.

12. Extraction (USA) Sam Hargrave. Starring Chris Hemsworth, Bryon Lerum, and Ryder Lerum. Action films have a good future with the skilled direction from Hargrave in this brutal thriller. Although famous for the eleven minute action sequence, the film surprises with its dazzling set pieces and pointed performances.

11. The Gentlemen (UK) Guy Ritchie. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, and Michelle Dockery. Ritchie is back with his usual creative antics and created a stylish piece about nefarious back-stabbing characters in the criminal underbelly of England.

10. Palm Springs (USA) Max Barbakow. Starring Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti, and J.K. Simmons. A film in the spirit of “Groundhog Day” is not new. However, this film offers unpredictable plotlines, witty charm, quirky fun, and compounded emotions.

9. One Night in Miami (USA) Regina King. Starring Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, and Leslie Odom Jr. The directing future of King is bright. She skillfully delivers a taut drama about important figures in the Civil Rights Movement; the actors feed off of King’s infectious drive and let loose with intense feeling.

8. The Devil All the Time (USA) Antonio Campos. Starring Robert Pattison, Tom Holland, and Sebastian Stan. In harrowing, stomach-wrenching, and brutal style, Campos created a thrilling story about a young man attempting to protect his family; the all-star cast offers memorable and fantastic performances.

7. The Sound of Metal (USA) Darius Marder. Starring Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci, and Lauren Ridloff. The title lives up to its effects and the sound is phenomenally subtle. Riz Ahmed proves, again, he’s a chameleon actor who meshes into his role with ease.

6. The Vast of Night (USA) Andrew Patterson. Starring Sierra McCormick, Jake Horowitz, and Gail Cronauer. The cinematography, story, acting, and focused setting in this fresh sci-fi piece are wildly engaging. McCormick, Horowitz, and Cronauer are the heart of the film and deliver stunningly honest performances.

5. Mangrove (UK) Steve McQueen. Starring Gary Beadle, Darrin Braithwaite, and Richie Campbell. McQueen handles the delicate and harrowing nature of its subject matter with an authentic voice. The heart of this film is Beadle’s character who is powder keg ready to blow because of the immoral acts attempting to push him down.

4. The Invisible Man (USA) Leigh Whannel. Starring Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, and Harriet Dyer. Whannel delivers another alluring technological horror story by allowing the talented Moss to flex her skills. It is obviously violent, but the lure of this film is the mesmerizing direction and thoughtful storytelling.

3. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (France) Celine Sciamma. Starring Noemie Merlant, Adele Haenel, and Luana Bajrami. In this beautiful and contemplative love story, Sciamma takes the viewer to breathtaking eighteenth-century Brittany. Each frame is intricately formed and the performances of Merlant, Haenel, and Bajrami are intoxicatingly gorgeous. This is art at its finest.

2. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (USA) George C. Wolfe. Starring Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, and Colman Domingo. The combination of Davis and Boseman is unfair because the viewer cannot rip attention away from their infectious commitment to their craft. The entire production gives remarkable life to the August Wilson play.

1. Crip Camp (USA) James Lebrecht and Nicole Newnham. Documentary. This film showcases the important landmark movement for people with disabilities. The film focuses on the heart, love, adoration, and drive of people who demanded equal access and opportunity. The adept direction of Lebrecht and Newnham is both stirring and motivating.

I look forward to hearing about your favorite films of 2020.

- Alex