Best Movies of 2020

Hey, Everybody! I know that this is long overdue, but I've manage to craft a list of movies from the past year that I thought were great. If you don't see a movie that you thought was great in this list, be sure to comment below. 

10. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

After 14 years, Sacha Baron Cohen came back for his iconic role as the news reporter from Kazakhstan, only this time he's back in America in disguise and his daughter accompanies him. The sequel pretty much captured the political turmoil and current real world issues in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic and had great dramatic layers with Borat and Tutar's father-daughter relationship being the focal point. It was both offensively funny and sweet. Oh, and that Rudy Giuliani scene was arguably one of the most talked-about movie moments of 2020.

9. Birds of Prey

I had doubts that 2016's Suicide Squad would have a spin-off movie because well... it sucked. But from the looks of the promotional material and trailers, this DC movie was going to be a wild ride. Margot Robbie reprises her now-iconic role as Harley Quinn and this time received a producing credit. So, Harley and Joker broke up and made it official by blowing up ACE Chemicals, now... that's a break-up, right?! Anyway, the way that all 4 women have their stories connected is a highlight in this film and props to Cathy Yan because the fight choreography was just amazing. Better than Suicide Squad in every way.

8. The Old Guard

All movie theaters had to close during the pandemic and major releases had to be pushed back, and the summer blockbuster was in jeopardy. The solution? The Netflix original film, The Old Guard came out on July 10th and was met with adoration from household viewers and critics alike. Charlize Theron was a total bad-ass and Marwan Kenzari and Luca Marinelli's chemistry was a highlight. And oh my god, that cliffhanger ending just makes me want a sequel so bad! I'm sorry, I just can't overlook Dudley being the bad guy.😂

7. Happiest Season

A Holiday rom-com surrounding a lesbian couple was definitely needed in 2020. It starred Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis as Abby Holland and Harper Caldwell, a couple who drive up to Harper's old home for the holidays. The problem? Well, Harper hasn't come out to her family yet. Happiest Season had a great blend of comedy and drama and was balanced by great performances from Davis, Aubrey Plaza and Dan Levy. One thing that you can take away from this is that it's always a good time to come out to your family and that you shouldn't be afraid to do it. This movie might even be an annual tradition.

6. Never Rarely Sometimes Always

This movie follows 17-year-old Autumn as she finds out that she's pregnant leaves Pennsylvania with her cousin to NYC to get an abortion. It shows the real-life situations of aborting pregnancies and newcomer Sidney Flanigan gave one of the best performances of that year. There's no music or Hollywood-esque movie tropes, it's just the story of two girls in a world of uncertainty surrounded by real people, which is why I highly highly recommend to watch this.

5. Da 5 Bloods

After Spike Lee received his long-awaited Oscar for writing BlackKklansman, he then directed a war film that took place in both the past and the present and is also a heist film with timely themes of race in history. Released on Netflix on June 5th, Da 5 Bloods followed 4 African-Americans war vets who search for gold in Vietnam that they found years ago during combat and find the remains of their war buddy. A throwback to classics like The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, and politics that are both historical and contemporary, it's a journey that feels personal for an ambitious film. The performances of Delroy Lindo and the late Chadwick Boseman were the real stars of this acclaimed film. Lindo especially conveyed anger and grief in a single monologue while also reeling from his PTSD. This film was incredible and I have nothing but praise for it.

4. Promising Young Woman

Released on Christmas Day 2020, this dark comedy thriller was tour-de-force! Carey Mulligan plays Cassie, a woman who's out for revenge for her best friend's sexual assault. It's a biting social commentary on cancel culture and the consequences of rape and how it can affect everyone. Carey especially gives her best performance of her career and the script from director Emerald Fennell was perfect earning it an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. I laughed when Schmidt ran like a bitch!😂 And Bo Burnham cause... damn. 

3. Sound of Metal

One word I can describe Sound of Metal? Incredible. Riz Ahmed plays a heavy metal drummer who immediately loses his hearing. Ruben attends a shelter for deaf people run by Joe. As Ruben spends his time there, he learns to adapt to the deaf community and will make you question if he needed that operation or not and if having something you once had is worth it. It's anchored by Darius Marder's direction and screenplay, Riz Ahmed and Paul Raci's performances and masterful editing and sound. I highly recommend! 

2. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

OH. MY. GOD. This movie had me on the edge of my seat. WOW! This had the final performance of Chadwick Boseman as Levee, a trumpet player who played with Ma Rainey, played by the equally phenomenal Viola Davis. Both of these actors(and Viola's sweat)delivered incredible performances and the costume design and makeup effects were impressive. Not only was the movie exceptionally great but it brings to light about the horrors of African-American mistreat.

Honorable Mentions:

- The Trial of the Chicago 7

- The Half of It

- Sonic the Hedgehog

- The Invisible Man

- Onward

- Wolfwalkers

- Justice League Dark: Apokolips War

- The Way Back

- Bad Boys for Life

- Blue Story

- I Am Thinking of Ending Things

- Extraction

- Run

- Another Round

1. Soul

What better way to end the year of 2020 with a Pixar movie. Released on Disney+ on Christmas Day, Soul told the story of Joe, a middle school music teacher whose purpose in life is to become a professional piano player. The film got rave reviews and won many accolades including the Best Animated Feature Oscar. Inside Out was a deep exploration of the human mind while Pete Docter and Kemp Powers took the idea of what the meaning of life is and turned the Soul into something beautiful. 22 has my heart, no doubt!