A smaller list this year, for obvious reasons.

Because of the timing of lock down, there’s also a lot of movies from the “Oscar bait” start of the year, and a lot of movies from the “just show something” post lock down period, when most of the tent-pole films were being held over. The lack of cinemas being open for half the year also means there was less chance to give movies a chance, so fewer bad films on the list this year.

Whilst the rule remains that only films seen in the cinema get ranked, following 2019’s precedent I’m also placing on the list films released on streaming services, but without a ranking (and no doubt have forgotten a couple!).

1. Little Women
   
   Director Greta Gerwig once again delivers a wonderful movie that’s warm in its cinematography, clever in its style, and amazingly cast with Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Timothy Chalamet, and many others. A very worthy #1 for 2020. 
   

2. 1917

Probably the most impressive piece of cinematography I’ve seen, and correctly won the Oscar for it. Appropriately grim without every being unpleasant to watch, and with characters you believe and invest in.

3. The Personal History of David Copperfield

A really fun adaption which captures the spirit of Dickens’ book. It proves that Armando Iannucci is not just a one hit wonder after all, and there is life after The Thick of It! Dev Patel leads an incredible cast, including Hugh Laurie, Ben Whishaw, and Peter Capaldi, who almost steals the movie.

4. Bombshell

A movie which lands the blows it wants to, whilst never forgetting to be an engaging story.

The Trial of The Chicago 7

Aaron Sorkin delivers his best script work since The Social Network, and has actors with the ability of Sacha Baron Cohen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Keaton, and Eddie Redmayne along to deliver the dialogue. Another movie which has an important point to make, and makes it well. For long time Sorkin watchers though you can certainly see the cogs turning, and some wells are revisited. 

5. The Gentlemen

Another in the growing genre of British gangster movies, The Gentlemen is a very entertaining watch, with enough twists to keep things moving.

6. Just Mercy

Continuing the trend of 2020 movies being “about” something, Just Mercy is very well made and very well acted, but a little too earnest to be a top 5 movie.

7. Emma

A thoroughly enjoyable movie, which lands a couple of solid emotional punches and lovely movements. Loses points for occasionally not knowing if its earnest or absurd.

Your Name Engraved Herein (刻在你心底的名字)

A Taiwanese movie set following the end of martial law in 1987, this is a powerful movie which kicks you in the guts, in a story about how society doesn’t change overnight just because laws change. Some of the tropes from the coming out movie do feel like a throwback to UK/US queer cinema of 10-15 years ago, or German queer cinema of 20 years ago, but the Taiwanese setting makes it feel different & relevant.

8. A Spy To Call

A spy thriller based on real stories from World War II, and with an all female set of protagonists, this movie lets the story make the point without ever feeling preachy. Chooses not to pull its punches, and all the better for it. Gripping.

The Boys in the Band

Ryan Murphy’s work can be amazing & witty or dreadful & unwatchable, and The Boys in the Band is mostly the former. The stage play origins of the film occasionally show through, especially in the limited setting. But the cast which includes Jim Parsons, Andrew Rannells, Zachary Quinto and Charlie Carver land the moments well.

9. Jay & Silent Bob Reboot

Not Kevin Smith’s best movie (or close to it, frankly), but a long way from his worst as well. A lot of fun for a Smith fan to watch, though! Plus some impressive cameos!

10. Honey Boy

Lucas Hedges is one of my favourite younger actors, and Shia LaBeouf is a lot more talented than his reputation suggests. Both give commanding performances here which makes the movie well worth the watch, although the plot does slow to a stop on more than one occasion.

11. Made in Italy

Nothing in this movie is original, and the plot is completely predictable. But it has some lovely filming in northern Italy, and Liam Neeson and his real world son Micheál Richardson put on nice performances.

12. Wonder Women 1984

Like Aquaman before it, WW84 is a LOT of movie, perhaps at times too much. Action, adventure, and some wild moments, and another great performance from Gal Gadot. I enjoyed it, and its one of the better DC movies of the last decade… although that doesn’t say a lot. Not worthy of a top 10 place, even in this truncated year.

13. Words on Bathroom Walls

A little slow, but as an attempt to really tell the story of mental illness on screen in a cinematic way, and properly explore the life of the main character, there is some excellent stuff in here.

14. Midway

A perfectly good WW2 movie, which gets points for detail, and for the time spent with the Japanese protagonists as well as the Americans, bringing a little more than just great visuals.

15. Richard Jewell

Perfectly fine movie, but lacking the story to really fill the whole thing out. Lifted by Sam Rockwell, and Kathy Bates.

16. Happiest Season

I laughed a lot in this movie, and (along with most of the audience) gasped at the key moment, so job done. Wimped it on the ending, though.

Borat 2

Boring. What was the point?

17. The Current War

A very good cast, plus Benedict Cumberbatch. Nice to see Tom Holland in a straight drama role. But rather forgets to tell a proper story.

I am Woman

Sadly, utterly dull. Not worthy of the material.

18. A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood

This may have had more impact for people who grew up with Mr Rogers, but I didn’t feel this movie offered any insight at all, or answered any of the questions it asked. And I’m really not sure what Tom Hanks was doing.

The Prom

I turned this off after 21 minutes. Just ghastly. Lurches between patronising and stupid, this is Ryan Murphy at his worst. James Corden especially awful, and the couple of songs I saw woefully bad.