This year has been one of the most difficult for cinema in living memory. There have been just a handful of times we’ve been able to get out of the house and go to the pictures and even then, what’s on offer is mostly a bunch of classic films being given a rerun on the big screen to entertain us through these lonely 12 months.
With that being said, it’s important to take note of those brand new movies that were still released in 2020, despite the coronavirus pandemic running rampant across the globe.
Here, we take a look at five of our favourite films from 2020, celebrating them as our nominees - and one in particular as our winner - for Movie of the Year.
The Invisible Man
Written and directed by the incredible Leigh Whannell, The Invisible Man was a psychological horror that pushed not only its lead character to her limits, but the audience to theirs. Starring Elisabeth Moss as that woman, alongside a stellar cast that also included Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Harriet Dyer and Michael Dorman, a recipe for success was created.
Adapting H. G. Wells' 1897 novel of the same name for a modern audience, Whannell did well to tell the story of a woman who believes she's being stalked, harassed and gaslit by her abusive, wealthy boyfriend; even after his supposed suicide.
There was a very fine line to tread here. The project could have sensationalised spousal abuse but instead, all those involved told an important story about the very real horrors those who are on the receiving end of psychological and physical violence face. A truly stunning watch.
Da 5 Bloods
Spike Lee sat in the director's chair for Netflix original film Da 5 Bloods; an American war drama for which he also served as producer and co-writer. With the late Chadwick Boseman starring alongside the likes of Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors and Mélanie Thierry, audiences were excited to see just what magic could be created on screen when all of their immeasurable talents were combined.
The film centres around a group of four ageing Vietnam War veterans who make a return to the country, in a bid to find the remains of their fallen squad leader, and the treasure they buried whilst serving there.
Anybody with a heart who watches this movie from start to finish will be left stunned by the impact the film has. The beautiful cinematography coupled with the story direction makes for a feature that will stick with you long after the credits roll.
Onward
This animated fantasy flick is perfect for family night, produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures.
Dan Scanlon serves as director, working on a story he co-wrote alongside Jason Headley and Keith Bunin, whilst Kori Rae produces and Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Octavia Spencer and Julia Louis-Dreyfus lend their voices to the lead cast of colourful characters.
Onward tells the tale of a pair of elf brothers (Holland and Pratt) who set out on their own quest, in a bid to find an ancient artifact which will bring back their late father for a limited time. As funny as it is heartwarming, this is certainly one to put on for the kids (and indeed yourself) over the festive season.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always
Written and directed by Eliza Hittman, Never Rarely Sometimes Always is a drama that follows the journey of 17-year-old Autumn Callahan (Sidney Flanigan) who suspects she may be pregnant, and so goes to a crisis pregnancy centre. Upon learning that her suspicions are correct, she’s given literature on adoption and shown an anti-abortion propaganda video.
Delivering an insight into the different laws that exist across the various United States of America, audiences on this side of the pond will be horrified to learn just how women are treated when they make a decision about their own bodies. Whilst the story we see played out on screen is a fictional one, this is the dark reality for countless females in America.
Flanigan serves up a breakout performance in her leading role, whilst Talia Ryder who plays her supportive cousin Skylar is also fantastic in front of the camera. Hittman has done a wonderful job of tackling a delicate subject with poise and passion here and for that, she must be celebrated.
Rocks
This British coming-of-age drama may just be the best of the genre we've ever see. Directed by Sarah Gavron, the film follows the story of Olushola, nicknamed Rocks and played by Bukky Bakray, as she fends for herself following abandonment from her troubled single mother.
Fighting not just for herself, but for her younger brother Emmanuel (D’angelou Osei Kissiedu), they go up against a system that doesn’t favour either of them, or their plans for their future. Despite the meaningful and important themes, the movie does find moments to deliver a dose of much-needed humour, balancing the emotional with the hilarious perfectly.
And the winner is…
Da 5 Bloods!
A huge congratulations here to director Spike Lee, who took a script originally written in 2013 by Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo, and reworked it with Kevin Willmott to create a work that will undoubtedly go down in history.
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