Ann's "2020 in films" and Stan's "2020 in films"
Ann and Stan: 2020 was not a good year for film. Theaters closed due to the pandemic and those that are open have trouble filling seats. Product was in short supply. WONDER WOMAN 1984, for example, was postponed repeatedly. Then it came out. And? As Ava and C.I. noted "TV: WONDER WOMAN 1984 is an awful film." So much was awful in 2020 films, so much that we really look forward to seeing the Academy Award nominations because they're either going to pull rabbits out of a hat or their nominees are going to be outright laughable.
We weren't sure we'd even be able to come up with ten films to recommend. Then we got together and came up with 17 which we whittled down to 10. Here they are . . .
1) ALEX WHEATLE
AMAZON PRIME members can stream ALEX WHEATLE for free. It's one of five films Steve McQueen directed for AMAZON in 2020 and it's the only one of the five that we liked. And we didn't just like it, we loved it. We thought it was the best film of the year.
2) INVISIBLE MAN
Released right at the pandemic was starting, this film managed to be a box office hit. It was also the first film to come out for streaming while it was at the movies. A tight script and strong direction really make the film work. Strong praise for Elisabeth Moss and Aldis Hodge, of course, but also for Oliver Jackson-Cohen who is threatening and charming. Available to purchase for rental or to own.
3) THE STAND-IN
Drew Barrymore plays an actress with a few problems in this comedy. She also plays the actress' stand-in. Normally, that just means that the stand-in stands in on the set when they're getting the lighting and the angles right. But, as the actress' life goes off the rails, the stand-in stands in on everything. A very funny film. Available to purchase for rental or to own.
4) REBECCA
Another film where Armie Hammer holds your interest. He needs better films but, at least in REBECCA, he gets a co-star who matches him in skill, Lily James, and with whom he has real chemistry. The chemistry alone makes up for the weaker spots in the movie. Streaming on NETFLIX.
5) THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES II.
It's not often we get a Christmas classic. This Kurt Russell film is a classic. The previous one was good but this one ups the wattage in every way -- including beefing up Goldie Hawn's role. Streaming on NETFLIX.
6) AVA
AVA is a thriller and it's got a strong script and some outstanding action scenes. Mainly though, it's got one strong performance after another which starts with Jessica Chastain as the title character and includes John Malkovich as the dark heart of the film. Colin Farrell is ferocious and Common, Joan Chen and Geena Davis really deliver. Streaming on NETFLIX.
7) THE LIFE AHEAD
People are saying Sophia Loren will win her second Academy Award for this film. We can't think of any actress who gave a stronger performance in 2020. Sophia is the film. And she is magic. So much so that, even if you hate reading subtitles, you'll be glad you streamed this film. Streaming on NETFLIX.
8) THE VANISHED
One of the few films we paid for in 2020. We each paid to stream it on AMAZON while it was in theaters. The trailer made it look interesting and it was even better than the trailer with twists and turns and realizing that we thought we knew the characters but . . . Peter Facinelli is good in the film in a supporting role. But he's even better as a director and he ensures this film has tension and is tight. Thomas Jane, Anne Heche and Jason Patric give applause worthy performances. Available for rental or to own.
9) LAZY SUSAN
This offbeat comedy stars Sean Hayes. It's weird and we like that. It's not the cookie cutter screenplay that Syd Field readers would have churned out. It's weird and it's charming and Sean's great, and Allison Janey is great and so is Margo Martindale and, in a very small role, Matthew Broderick. Streaming for free (for PRIME members) on AMAZON PRIME.
10) SUPERINTELLIGENCE.
Ben Falcone and Melissa McCarthy teamed up again for SUPERINTELLIGENCE -- they're producing, she's starring and he's directing. This is a film with heart and with humor and much better than a lot of people wanted to give it credit for. Word on it was so bad, we avoided it. Then we read Ava and C.I.'s "TV: The end of the road?" and gave it a chance. Sometimes reviewers aren't reviewing what's onscreen and we think SUPERINTELLIGENCE is much better than it was given credit for. It's a solid comedy and Ben and Melissa seem back on track (there were parts of LIFE OF THE PARTY that made us wonder if they should keep working together). Streaming on HBO MAX.
This is C.I.'s "Iraq snapshot:"
