Hello and welcome on this, the last day of 2020. This year has seen the movie industry upended with a number of titles either going to streaming early or being pushed to 2021 completely. With it, viewers have more choices than ever, but along with that is a lot of noise. There are too many streaming services, not enough visibility on new releases, and the inevitable online discourse turns everyone off.
This is the first of my recommendations based on superlatives. This week’s will be a little chalky, with three choices per. Next week’s will be weirder. For my full 2020 rankings, check my Letterboxd list here.
Also: My favorite seven films in 2020.
Best Performance by an Actor
Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal: Already recommended a couple weeks ago. The film is good, but Riz Ahmed’s portrayal of a man coping with sudden hearing loss, finding his way forward is soul crushing and uplifting at the same time. Watch on Amazon Prime.
Delroy Lindo, Da Five Bloods: The final monologue scene is mesmerizing in its honesty and rawness. If nothing else, watch the film for this. (And Chadwick Boseman). Watch on Netflix now.
Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom: Chadwick shines in his final performance in this small-scale drama set in a 1920’s Chicago recording studio. He embodies so much about the struggle, charming yet pained, feeling like an everyman of the time: lived in, desperate, and dreaming for more. Stream on Netflix.
Best Performance by an Actress
Elisabeth Moss, The Invisible Man: The queen of scream logs a frantic, manic, and gaslit performance in Leigh Whannel’s reimagining of the classic bogeyman. One of the few films to have a normal theatrical release in 2020, Moss’s performance worked wonders on the big screen. Stream on HBO Max.
Isabel Sandoval, Lingua Franca: Director and star Isabel Sandoval puts in a deeply human performance in the story of a Philippino-trans immigrant struggling toward the American dream. Quiet and reserved, Sandoval shines in the Brooklyn-centric story of love, betrayal, and freedom. Watch on Netflix.
Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: It’s hard to match Sacha Baron Cohen in a Borat film, but newcomer Maria Bakalova does that. She echoes Borat’s absurdist behavior, pranking a suburban GOP women’s group, a plastic surgeon, and Rudy G. Just a titanic performance. Find it on Amazon Prime.
Best Animated Feature
Soul: The recently released Pixar finds the studio hitting in its wheelhouse. Lofty concepts grounded with a focused story and indellible art direction (and Pixar’s first black protagonist) add up to a delightful, if sometimes somber, affair. And much better than March’s, Onward. Stream on Disney+.
Weathering With You: The latest Makoto Shinkai film feels like it was released forever ago (in fact, almost a year). It doesn’t hit the emotional heights on 2016’s Your Name, but the art styling and animation of a young couple’s love in Tokyo are as gorgeous as they are intoxicating. Rent on PVoD at Amazon.
Wolfwalkers: The third week in a row this film shows up. Not much more to say other than to please watch this film. Stream on Apple TV+.
Movies I disliked, but others liked (so you might!)
There’s something for everyone.
Hubie Halloween: Filled with his buddies (and the lone bright spot, June Squibb), Hubie Halloween isn’t spooky, funny, or entertaining. Maybe for the kids in the background if you can’t let them watch real Halloween movies. On Netflix.
Sonic the Hedgehog: Believe it or not, the #2 movie at the box office for 2020 (1917 was release in 2019 technically). The idea shouldn’t work, James Marsden kinda gets hosed and guessing it doesn’t age well. Also, the fact that the producers worked their digital techs to the bone to cave to internet pressure isn’t a great look. YouTube ($9.99).
Wonder Woman 1984: It’s visually stunning, and the 1984 schtick kinda works. But for a big tent movie with a superstar lead and lauded director, the action fell flat, the villains aren’t great, and worse, the themes are ignorant at best. Even Pedro Pascal can’t rescue this one. Watch on HBO Max for a month if you must.
Obligatory TV recommendation…
Because you already binged Bridgerton over the long weekend.
High Score
A documentary series rather than TV show, this six-part story tells the history of video games. With wide ranging interviews with the pivotal players large and small, High Score is an in-depth look at the origins of what is now a mega industry. How consoles came to be, the beginnings of online gaming, and Kirby’s origin, and so much more. Not exactly action packed (it is a documentary after all) but for anyone interested in the subject, don’t miss it. Trailer. Watch it on Netflix now.
Shoutout Letterboxd for helping the film community keep track of their obsession.
For last week’s recommendations, check it out here.