2020 was a pretty cool year, yeah?! Everyone talks like they can’t wait for 2020 to end like 2021 isn’t starting the same. Also, let’s look at 2020 as a learning moment, shall we? Quit focusing on the negatives. What are you, the media?! What did you do that was positive in 2020? There are some things out there. I’m here today to focus on some positives…MOVIES. That’s right. We’re talking about all the movies I watched in 2020.
As of this writing, I have rated 109 movies in 2020. Might get another one or two in, pending schedules but this is the focus. 2020 started, for me, with Robin Hood on January 1st. Then I took a trip to Vegas and watched Instant Family, which is one of the better movies I watched this year (8/10). All the way until the end, which I won’t get to quite yet. But, for the 2020 Year in Movies, I have some award categories. Here we go!
Best Movie Category
Searching – After his 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a desperate father breaks into her laptop to look for clues to find her. Shot my only using social media/phone/tablet – this movie is GREAT. I can’t stress it enough. You have to watch this one if you haven’t.
A Star Is Born – if you haven’t listened to Happy Half Hour Volume 3 – check that out for my tough morning. GREAT film.
Joker – no brainer that this is on there. Wonderfuly done.
Good Boys
Uncut Gems – my movie review here.
Hamilton. Hamilton. Hamilton.
The Way Back
Grudge (2020)
Happiest Season – shout out to Andy on this one. Maybe my new favorite Christmas movie.
Most Underrated Movie (Hidden Gems)
Night Hunter – A weathered Lieutenant, his police force, and a local vigilante are all caught up in a dangerous scheme involving a recently arrested, troubled man who’s linked to years of female abductions and murders. This was one pretty good for a hidden gem.14k ratings on IMDb.
I See You – Strange occurrences plague a small town detective and his family as he investigates the disappearance of a young boy. 27k ratings.
ADDicted – putting this on here because it has 79 ratings and I’m one of them. It’s good? For what it’s worth. Classes. Football. Finals. A bad break up. An over-bearing mom. Like many college kids, what helps Drew Dawson stay balanced is Adderall, a prescription he’s been on since age 10 for ADD. His ex-girlfriend Ashley Ross is trying to win him back by helping him with school, but Drew finds himself suspended from the football team when his professor, Jeff Mueller accuses him of plagiarism. The pressure mounts as he must get back on the team and appease his mother, Kate, who is in the public eye as she is running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. As his life spirals out of control, Professor Mueller offers to help. What will it take for Drew to wake up and trust in himself without Adderall?
The Guilty – A police officer assigned alarm dispatch duty enters a race against time when he answers an emergency call from a kidnapped woman. Foreign language film but highly recommend watching.
Hammer – Only 441 ratings on this one, which is kind of cool, too. A father faces a personal crisis when he discovers his estranged son fleeing a botched drug deal. The two men embark on a violent odyssey that grapples with themes of fatherhood, family and fate. Will Patton stars in this one and could be in the best acting category. (S/O to his role in Armageddon as Chick)
Worst Movie Category
Long Shot – Journalist Fred Flarsky reunites with his childhood crush, Charlotte Field, now one of the most influential women in the world. As she prepares to make a run for the Presidency, Charlotte hires Fred as her speechwriter and sparks fly. Just couldn’t get into this one.
Horse Girl – blame Andy.
Us – disappointing.
Patient Zero
Them That Follow
Best Cinematography
1917 – I had kind of forgotten that this was billed as a single shot movie – but this wins, hands down. It wasn’t the best movie of the year, but the cinematography deserves a mention. Not a true single shot movie but a damn good job. (S/O to Silent House from 2011 with Elizabeth Olsen which was a single shot horror movie that was well done).
Oldie but Goodie – new views
This category is for old movies which I had never seen that I really enjoyed.
Lord of War – This Nic Cage film really surprised me and I loved it. An arms dealer confronts the morality of his work as he is being chased by an INTERPOL Agent.
The Virgin Suicides – A group of male friends become obsessed with five mysterious sisters who are sheltered by their strict, religious parents in suburban Detroit in the mid 1970s.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
It’s A Wonderful Life – I finally watched the 1946 film and it did not disappoint! Great movie in general and, of course, Christmas movie at that.
So, that’s it. That’s my 2020 year in review for movies. What did you watch? Agree or disagree with my list? Let me know! Also, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your families! Have a safe and wonderful time!