So that was
an interesting year. It was a lot more difficult to do a top ten films of 2020
as there weren’t that many to choose from. I usually only include films I have
seen in the theatre but this year I extended it to those on streaming services
for obvious reasons. I also often include the links to the blog posts from
earlier in the year; since I did not post on streaming films, I decided to give
a short explanation here instead.
TOP 10 FILMS OF 2020
1. HAMILTON (DISNEY+)
Plot: The life of the first Secretary
of Treasury and founding father.
Why: This film was supposed
to come out in theatres in 2021 but was put out early to boost Disney+ during
the pandemic. Loved it on Broadway but felt even more connected with all the
close ups and King George spitting.
MVP: Aaron Burr (Leslie Odom Jr.)
– the damn fool that shot him
Highlight: Satisfied
– the masterful tragic rewind
2. THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 (NETFLIX)
Plot: An unbelievable
courtroom drama stemming from a ‘violent’ protest.
Why: While not my favourite
Aaron Sorkin work, it was still powerful and eerily relevant in light of
protests this year. Utterly shocking to see the justice system this mishandled.
Great casting for this film.
MVP: Tom Hayden (Eddie Redmayne)
– the earnest political activist
Highlight: The
infuriating lawyer debates with Judge Julius Hoffman
3. THE GENTLEMEN (THEATRE)
Plot: A drug lord tries to
sell his empire but there are complications.
Why: Guy Ritchie is back to
his Lock, Stock self. Fun twists and
clever dialogue abound with a stellar cast. Great character choices for Colin
Farrell, Jeremy Strong & Hugh Grant. You can tell that fun was had by all.
MVP: Fletcher (Hugh Grant)
– the weasely journalist with a fun accent
Highlight: Chasing
down the witnesses
4. BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (THEATRE)
Plot: There is a hit on Mike
while Marcus contemplates retirement.
Why: I surprisingly enjoyed
this nostalgic Michael Bay-ish action trip down memory lane. Will Smith and
Marin Lawrence’s chemistry hasn’t missed a beat. I enjoyed this story more than
the second one. Bring on more.
MVP: Marcus (Martin Lawrence)
– former cop getting to old for this shit
Highlight: Scenes
in Marcus’ wife’s small car
5. THE MIDNIGHT SKY (NETFLIX)
Plot: A scientist tries to
stop astronauts from coming to home to a disaster.
Why: While the pacing was
slow at times, it also had the urgency that comes with survival. The film
reminded me of a cross between The
Martian and Gravity (not bad
company). Some very beautiful visuals as well.
MVP: Augustine (George Clooney)
– the Arctic survivalist
Highlight: The
losses from falling into the ice (sad but well done)
6. PALM SPRINGS (HULU)
Plot: A carefree guy and
reluctant girl are guests in a wedding time loop.
Why: I am a fan of repeated
days when it is used well. This film does a good job using the relationship of
the protagonists instead of focusing on one person. Great chemistry between
Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti.
MVP: Nyles (Andy Samberg)
– the laid-back perpetual wedding guest
Highlight: The
montage of multiple days of fun for Nyles and Sarah
7. THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND (AMAZON)
Plot: A pot head still
affected by his dead father needs to do something.
Why: I like Pete Davidson’s
wide-eyed acting and it hit closer to home knowing this is
semi-autobiographical. Unfortunately, director Judd Apatow makes the film 30
minutes too long yet again.
MVP: Ray (Bill Burr) – the brash new
boyfriend for mom
Highlight: Scott
walking kids to school and connecting with them
8. TENET (THEATRE)
Plot: An operative goes
beyond real time to save the world. I think.
Why: While I admit that I
didn’t know what was going on at all times, it still looked cool and the
performances were intense. It does make me want to watch the film again, which
is a good thing.
MVP: Protagonist (John David Washington)
– the protagonist, duh.
Highlight: The
highway chase frontwards and backwards
9. SOUL (DISNEY+)
Plot: A musician gets his big
break but loses his life and want to get it back.
Why: Like Inside Out, Pixar and Pete Docter use
their incredible imagination to visualize a ‘spiritual’ world between pre-birth
and after-death. I loved the amazing animation and that they didn’t lock into
predestination.
MVP: 22 (Tina Fey) – the rebellious
pre-soul who finds its spark
Highlight: The
short scene on the New York subway
10. THE LOVEBIRDS (NETFLIX)
Plot: A couple on the rocks are suddenly embroiled in a mystery.
Why: The plot was a little
silly at times but I enjoyed the comedic chops of both Kumail Nanjiani and Issa
Rae. It really goes to show how important casting is. Also enjoyed the Amazing Race shout outs.
MVP: Jibran (Kumail Nanjiani) –
the ‘Paul Reiser’ of Mad About You couple
Highlight: The
first to the multiple running down of the cyclist
IF THIS WAS A TOP 15
LIST
11. Wild Mountain Thyme (AMAZON)
John Patrick Shanley directs an adaptation of
his touching play Outside Mullingar.
Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan have great chemistry as Irish neighbours. A
heartwarming film.
12. Mank (NETFLIX)
David Fincher goes old school with
spectacular black & white. Love the connections to Citizen Kane. Unfortunately, the old school extends to sound which
makes the voices sound like they are in a high school gym.
13. Onwards (THEATRE/DISNEY+)
The brotherly love between Chris Pratt &
Tom Holland works well in this Pixar film. Was not a fan of the fantasy
element and biker fairies. The quest & ending did bring about a few tears
though. They stuck the landing.
14. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
(AMAZON)
It’s fun to watch people react to the
craziness of Borat and his daughter, Tutar (who ends up stealing the show). The
‘eating the baby’ conversation with the doctor was both outrageous and funny.
Rudy part is disturbing.
15. The Prom (NETFLIX)
I enjoyed the energy of this Broadway musical
adaptation. Fun casting with James Corden and Keegan-Michael Key as highlights.
The storyline drags for me but I did enjoy the choreography to a bunch of the
songs.
Like the
movies, television also got delayed this year. I was hoping for some more Succession and Barry but I’ll have to wait until 2021. I also felt some of my
favourite shows did not return as strong as before like This Is Us and The Good
Doctor. Here’s my top ten:
TOP 10 TELEVISION SHOWS OF 2020
1. BETTER CALL SAUL (AMC)
Why: I’m so invested in Jimmy
and Kim that this may just eclipse Breaking
Bad. Yeah, I said it. If you are not watching this, you are missing out.
MVP: Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn) – most
supportive person ever
Best Episode of 2020: Bagman (S05E08)
Jimmy
drops off money but things go severely downhill from there.
2. TED LASSO (APPLE TV+)
Why: It's funny & clever
with a heaping helping of heart. Thought Jason Sudeikis’ optimism would annoy
me but not at all. Great theme song too.
MVP: Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt) – quietly
awesome and a fantastic friend
Best Episode of 2020: Tan Lines (S01E05)
Ted’s
wife and son visit. Ted has to make a bold move in a big game.
3. THE MANDALORIAN (DISNEY+)
Why: Every episode is filled
with great stories for newbies & long time fans. I feel I need to watch the
animated Clone Wars & Rebels to catch more.
MVP: Baby Yoda – (I won’t reveal his real
name) still steals the show
Best Episode of 2020: The Rescue (S02E08)
A
rescue attempt gets a major player’s help. An amazing season finale.
4. THE CROWN (NETFLIX)
Why: The continuing story of
the British royal family gets more intriguing as it gets closer to stories I
remember as a kid. Welcome Thatcher and Diana.
MVP: Diana Spencer (Emma Corrin) –
she lights
up the screen and season
Best Episode of 2020: The Balmoral Test (S04E02)
Thatcher
and Diana have contrasting visits with the mean royal family
5. AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC)
Why: The series ends on a
high note with the agents going back to different decades. A
very fun way to end an action-packed spy show.
MVP: Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) – He’s
been the strong back bone
Best Episode of 2020: As I Have Always Been (S07E09)
A
wonderful Groundhog Day episode with
Daisy and Coulson
6. BROOKLYN NINE-NINE (FOX)
Why: Still going strong in
season seven as Jake and squad continue to catch criminals in the most
humourous ways possible.
MVP: Scully (Joel McKinnon Miller) –
the
incompetent one besides Hitchcock
Best Episode of 2020: Pimemento (S07E03)
Pimento
returns and Jake needs to decipher the tattoos
7. THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT (NETFLIX)
Why: Even though I don’t
know anything about chess, I was still enraptured by Beth Harmon’s journey to
become a grandmaster.
MVP: Mr. Shaibel (Bill Camp) –
the initial
chess teacher gets the ball rolling
Best Episode of 2020: End Game (S01E07)
Beth
heads to Moscow for the biggest match of her life.
8. CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (HBO)
Why: Each season has a fun
arch for Larry to navigate, this season had him making a spite store to rival
Mocha Joe’s. Fun ideas and antics.
MVP: Leon Black (JB Smoove) –
always
willing to lend Larry a hand
Best Episode of 2020: Happy New Year (S10E01)
Misunderstandings
from Larry’s touching to Jeff as Harvey Weinstein
9. THE AMAZING RACE (CBS)
Why: In a year where travel
was restricted/banned, it was great to see other parts of the world and
reconnect with my favourite competition show.
MVP: The Beard Team –
these guys
had fun playing the game
Best Episode of 2020: Run on Your Tippy Toes (S32E11)
The
final four compete where the true nature of D’Angelo is revealed.
10. JEOPARDY! (SYNDICATION)
Why: I have been watching
this more ‘religiously’ these past few years. I love the challenge and feeling
good about my intelligence.
MVP: Alex Trebek –
the show
won’t be the same without him. RIP.
Best Episodes of 2020: Greatest of All Time Tournament
Ken
Jennings vs James Holzhauer vs Brad Rutter. Impressive stuff.
UPCOMING
REVIEWS: 2021
TV Preview
So
what’s in your Top 10 for 2020?
