Best movies of 2020

A movie I ich to see again. Tenet is Nolan at possibly his most Nolan for better or worse. This movie is like no other I have ever seen. It looks great, the twists make sense and are calculated. It also makes you rethink everything you already saw. You thought Inception was confusing? Hold Nolan's beer. Amazing editing, the action is so great. The final 30 minutes are bonkers, and it's Nolan's bond for sure. I love this movie and need to see it again. My biggest problem with it is the characterization. Even though I like the performances, we know nothing about these characters. Like Dunkirk the film is more about the events, not the characters. The villain's reasoning is silly, like a 60s bond villain. But, I enjoy it. I wish we know more about the characters, so we could latch on to them. At the same time that's not the point of the film? It's hard to put this film into words, but as a film buff and someone who likes things complex it's great, and something I will not forget. I would love a sequel, more background about these characters, and I hope that fan theory about Neal is true, cause that's awesome.

Grade: A-

Amazing acting all around: the whole cast is jaw dropping. The first hour there is a lot of great emotional building of the characters, some would say slow, but I would say it was good buildup. However, then at the hour mark something happens- I could feel my heart in my throat. It's Ironic they go get one brother and leave another behind. I wonder why they captured the French people, part of it was paranoia, this film After that is tense. Reminded me of casualties of war, a simple lie, and triple treat rolled into one. Very Spike lee, but also feels like a more modern film. Black klansman had his spike lee Isims, which is good when used right. But, this film feels like a classic lee film in all the best ways, and I can't remember a last time a spike lee movie did that. I mean this in a positive way. Fore example, there is a monologue and zoom pan on a character which was remenist of an tick the director used to do in his earlier films like do the right thing. The actor who played Paul is electric and Chadwick Bosman is not in the film, as much as maybe advertised. However, his presence can be felt throughout the film and his performance is also magnetic. Ends on a tracking shot just like his last film. A powerful, important, relevant, tense, heartfelt, and tragic movie. It was great, but not very rewathcable.

Grade: A-

This film is based on a book and I enjoyed Antonio Campos's previous film- Christine. This film also had an amazing cast and trailer, so I was very excited about it. Robert Pattison is not overacting the whole cast here is great. Bill Skarsgard lights up the screen, Tom Holland, Sebastion Stan, Jason Clark, Riley, I mean an all-star cast, everyone is really good. Boy is this film depressing. The score, the atmosphere, imagery, it's very well made. The narration I thought was an interesting touch, definitely reminded me of the place beyond the pines. This is a hard film to rank though, it's 2 hours and 18 minutes. It feels overstuffed and also not long enough at the same time. It would have worked better as a tv show, there feels like parts are missing. I would have liked more backstory for the serial killers I found them pushed to the side. I think the ending is great and they do a good job connecting all the characters. This is a film full of great moments, that never fully reaches it's potential, but I still really enjoyed it. The more I sit on this film, the more I like it, I've thought about putting it higher, but's not as rewatchable as some of the films above.

Grade: B+

David Cronenberg indeed. Filmed in 2018, but released in 2020 and sadly relevant. This film has flown under the radar. All the performances are great. It's one of the best teen movies of the past few years. It's also original, extremely dark, sad, funny, and I loved it.

Grade:A-

Hugh Jackman gives one of the best performances of the year, Allison Janey is also great. The direction is good from Cory Finley, who also directed the underrated Thorughbreads. A fascinating true life story, Bad Education is funny, dark, and even a little sad. Perfection and greed are themes seen throughout this movie. This movie is entreating throughout.

Grade: B+

Guy Richie's best movie in years, The Gentlemen is a fun gangster film with a great cast. All the characters are well told, it's a typical Guy Richie movie like Snatch. It's meta, it's funny, there's ton of action. It's Mathew's first live action movie that was good since interstellar. It's stylish and it's a hell of a good. This movie is exactly what I expected it to be and what I wanted it to be.

Grade: B+

A very rewatchable movie at a quick 90 minute pace. Very much like groundhog day, the leads are perfect, it's predictable, but a great watch. One of the most enjoyable films of the year with a good message about maturing. Hilarious, and at times poignant.

Grade: B+

A great modern western, with great performances. The score and direction is beautiful. It's a haunting emotional film that leaves an impact. Although it's predictable

Grade: B+

DC is on a roll! A creative, fun, violent, and dead pool like movie Birds of Prey was a blast. It used it's R rating well and shows a whole other side of Gotham. Margot Robbie, the other Birds of Prey, and Ewan are all really good. Mary Elizabeth Weinsted stole the show. Some of the supporting characters are not developed as well. And the story at times might be a little over the place. However, this movie has a lot of rewathability. It's looks great, the action scenes are good, it is colorful, and the constumes are cool. Overall it starts off 2020 superhero movies a bang and is one of the best DC extended universe movies.

Grade: B+

There are many different versions of the Ned Kelly Story like the one from 1970 with mcjagger or the Heth ledger one. As shown in the end of the film those are just myths of ned Kelly. This film claims to be the true story and it's on a much smaller scale than expected. The cast is great: Russel Crowe, Charlie Hunman, and Nicholas Hoult all shine as villains at different point in this man's life. George Mckaky is memorizing in the lead role, as well as is his young counterpart. And Essie Davis as his mother is haunting, her presence is felt throughout the whole film. This movie in wonderfully directed especially the ending fight, it looks almost mythical. The pacing is little all over the place, at times the film can feel rushed or covers a lot of ground. One can't also wonder through out the film, how much of it really happened. But, this is a unique film with the best direction I've seen so far this year, crossdressing, wild, this film is uncrompanising. And ends on a powerful message a man whose country has been taken from him, oppressed by a people, his life ruined by them, and in the end even his own story taken from him.

Grade: B

I am a huge fan of Cohen and the first Borat. This movie was a great comedy and exactly what I expected it to be. Though, not as rewatchable or good as the first one, it is very funny. As of now, this is number 9 on my list of best films of the year, but it's by far the funniest. Maria Bakalova, in her first acting role, is great here. There are so many great jokes: the song, the temple joke, the stuff with Rudy. A super funny comedy with also a surprisingly sweet core. You care for the relationship between father and daughter.

Grade: Very nice!

(2020 wide release)

I am a huge fan of Takishi Mike, his most recent film blade of the immortal was one of my favorite movies of 2017. Know he's back with first love I was waiting along time to see this movie and it finally came on Amazon prime. it's funny and violent like most of his films. However, even though the characters like the hooker and boxer had some background depth I felt the characters were not that well developed. This is a funny film with an easy digestible plot. However, with a 97 on rotten tomatoes and one of the best asian directors even with his 100 film I expected to love this movie. And maybe that's unfair aspirations to put on it. Overall though I thought it was really good. The action and music was solid. It had a silly fun plot. Some solid twists and turns. The more I think about the film the more I like it. The main character is solid, the budding romance is enjoyable, and one of ht villains is super funny.

Grade: B

(2020 wide release)

This film actually has two names, it's also called Calm with Horses.

Grade: B+

A formulaic basketball movie with a interesting ending, solid direction, and an amazing performance by Ben Affleck. There is a way this movie could have ended and I am happy they did not end it that way. That being said the players and story are pretty formulaic. However, this film is also a character study, it is an easy, sad, solid watch. Ben Affleck is so so good. He really evaluates this film and I really enjoyed it.

Grade: B

Carrey Muligan gives a great performance. Bo Burham as her love interest and in his first major role is also great. Very well acted, interesting premise, great soundtrack, solid direction, relevant, and haunting. The movie is extremely interesting. The way it copies themes of a romcom like the sad montage and get back together scene is both jarring and smart. This movie was one of my favorites of 2020. But that ending I still do not know how to feel about it. Many are mixed on it- I love parts of it, but also I felt like with the ending and the music choices the director wanted me to feel a certain way and I could not. I have not felt a way about an movie ending is so longed. I am shocked by it. Her death was shocking, but then did she want to die? The whole thing with the messages and the reveal with her boyfriend was so sad. But then his reaction would have liked more emotion. Overall a great debt for this director and mulligan should be nominated.

Grade: B+

Although not as good as their previous work, this was still an enjoyable film. Bill Murry is great here as is Rashida jones. The characters feel lived in, funny, dramatic, and possibly showing a real relationship that the director feels with her own magnetic father. On the Rocks is exactly what I expected it to be and very enjoyable.

Grade: B

Pete Davidson has had a solid year with this and
Big Time Adolescence, I like this film a tad more. Here he plays basically the same man- child role like he plays in most movies or on Snl, including in Big time. However, in this performance, which was based on his real life there is emotional depth. Directed by Judd Apatow, this is one of the director's more mature films like Funny people. This is easily Davidson best performance. In fact, the whole cast is solid with Marisa Tomei, Maude Apatow, Bill Burr, Bel Powley, and Steve Buscemi round out a great supporting cast. This film also showcased a love for Staten Island. Funny, sad, and enjoyable this was a solid comedy.

Grade: B

(2020 wide release):

The performances are all solid. Pete Davidson plays a character he often plays, but is really good. Griffin Gluck is also endearing as the lead. Big Time Adolescence was shot in Syracuse and I had been waiting for it for awhile. This film did not disappoint. It is funny, realistic, and at times even sad. The ending in particular shocked me and felt kind of abrut, but also nesscary. I get the message of the film, but at thee same time it feels muddled. The film is also cliche at times. However, good performances, direction, a solid story, and music make this a fun different coming of age film.

Grade: B

(2020 wide release)

Great documentary, Trejo has had such an interesting life, this doc covers his life, his career, his friends and family, other actors are great here. This doc does nothing special, but the story is great.

Grade: B

(2020 wide release):

Natalia Dyer gives a great central performance. In this funny little film, kind of reminded me of lady bird. A short runtime at an hour and 1 17. This film is hilarious, insightful, all the performances are really good. It's awkward and it captures that early 2000s feel, in which the film takes place. It might be predictable, but it's such a fun film to watch. I think also an important message about judging people, and an honest teen film.

Grade: B

I am fan of this franchise. A change of directors, a 17 year wait, and a January release date. My expectations for this movie were not super high. This might have been the best film of the franchise. Just as good as the first, better than the second. Amazing chemistry, fun action, funny scenes. Without Michael bay the film is more coherent action scenes. Some fun twists and cameos.

Grade: B

Amazing performances, feels like a play, fictional conversation, I would never watch it again, but it's an very entertaining watch- the set design was also great. All the actors were just unreal. And many of them should be nominated.


Grade: B

I am huge fan of the comic it is one of the best Superman comics I think. Like most Dc Animated movies there are some major changes to the source material. The animation, music, direction, and voice work are solid. I think the run time is too short, most Dc Animated movies are an hour 30, but there is so much to cover at times it feels rushed. For example, by the time they reach the 40 minute mark, there is a huge time jump, and brainiac has just appeared. Some changes though they made from the comics were like his relationship with Stalin. There were parts of this movie I loved and it was actually one of the better DC animated movies I have seen recently. Especially one with Superman, but I can't help, but feel this would work better as a miniseries or a longer movie. The stuff with Batman origin is interesting and different than the comics. But there also stuff they took out from the comics like his rise of power I would have liked to seen. Overall this movie had some great moments, but I think it tried to pact too much into his run time. A great comic from 2003 and a solid adaption.

Grade: B

Based off 12 clock boys documentary Charm City Kings is a powerful coming of age film, that is predictable, bust bolstered by incredible performances and solid direction. Meek Mill is great here, as Jahi Di'Allo Winston, a young star in the making, and the whole supporting cast till the mom, his friends, the cop are all great. The robbery is predictable. reminded me of juice, and king of Staten Island, but does not make it any less heartbreaking. Predictable, but powerful film.

Grade: B

(2020 wide release)

Same production company- as Big Time Adolescence. This film was also shot in Syracuse. It's a fun, but predictable teen film. I like that it's about changes in lives- there going off to college. The four main characters feel lived in and their performances make the movie. The friend dynamic between them, as well as a solid soundtrack, make this a solid coming of age film, about friendship and young love.

Grade: B