Favorite Movies of 2020
It was a good year for movies too, but still weird. The absence of theaters definitely hurt. Not only was I unable to attentively watch a movie from my couch like I could in an AMC recliner in the dark, but without the traditional theater rollout it felt like there weren’t as many “heavy hitters” for me like the past (something like The Irishman or Uncut Gems). With the Oscars pushed back to April there’ll more big movies coming out in the next few months (like Nomadland, One Night In Miami, and Promising Young Woman), so that’s something to look forward to. Despite all that, there were lots of strong movies that did come out this year. I don’t have much of a clear ranked list this year, so here are 30 of the ones that I really enjoyed.
City So Real
Not technically a movie but whatever; a five-part documentary series on Chicago with the first four parts focusing on the last mayor’s race and the rest of 2018–2019 and the fifth returning to the subjects over this past summer to cover the pandemic and the protests. Made me love and miss this city even more than I already did.
Shithouse
I never felt more jealous watching a movie this year than when the main characters come across a midnight softball game and join in.
Driveways
RIP Chicago king Brian Dennehy. A beautiful performance to leave behind.
Tenet
This movie is truly so dumb, but as a dumb action movie it’s an absolute blast. Christopher Nolan lets these dudes rock to the max.
Saint Frances
In a year without a true Chicago summer, this was a very enjoyable watch. The best mise-en-scène of 2020 is a framed Tribune cover of the Cubs 2016 win appearing for just a few shots in the beginning.
The Way Back
This movie where Ben Affleck struggles with his alcohol addiction while also coaching a subpar high school basketball team is exactly what you’d expect. Great stuff.
Emma.
Between this, Queen’s Gambit, and the disastrous New Mutants, I’m glad Anya Taylor-Joy had a good year.
Bad Education
As you can see above, Ray Romano has a spectacular vibe here.
Palm Springs
There’s an amazing Kate Bush needle drop in this.
Another Round
Mads Mikkelsen is the king of drinking on the job and dancing jazz ballet.
Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets
Made me desperately wish I was back watching Jeopardy at GMan again.
Bacurau
One of those movies where the less you say the better, but this thing is crazy good.
The Assistant
The story of a movie executive’s assistant slowly discovering the dark side of things going on in her office. One of the year’s best horror movies.
Lovers Rock
The entire Small Axe series is great, but this is certainly the standout. The “Silly Games” scene is just like heaven. Steve McQueen is right. Lovers do rock.
Undine
Christian Petzold made one of my favorite movies of 2019 with Transit too, and this is an excellent follow-up. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a good foreign film to watch.
Black Bear
Like a modern-day John Cassavetes movie, this one just won’t out of my head. Aubrey Plaza gives one of my favorite performances of the year.
Birds Of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation Of One Harley Quinn)
This was the most I’ve enjoyed a new superhero movie in a long time. Margot Robbie was just born to play Harley. This was also the last movie Hal and I saw in theaters together, after our anniversary dinner where we agreed that the faraway virus the news was talking about wouldn’t be a big deal.
Let Them All Talk
Three women and a baby. Such a nice, breezy movie. I can only strive to match Lucas Hedges’ vibe.
She Dies Tomorrow
A perfect movie for a pandemic. Amy Seimetz is the real deal.
Possessor
Good to see Brandon Cronenberg follow in his father’s footsteps with a gnarly horror movie of his own.
Da 5 Bloods
Delroy Lindo and Chadwick Boseman are transcendent. Another gem of a Spike Lee joint.
I’m Thinking Of Ending Things
Two Jessies, too good.
The Invisible Man
The last new movie I saw in theaters on March 3rd (before seeing 2001 at the Music Box on the 8th as my real last one). I had low expectations going in but I ended up loving it. There’s a such a great feeling of tension and suspense all the way through, and Elisabeth Moss is undefeated at playing unhinged.
First Cow
Kelly Reichardt continues her reign as one of today’s great American filmmakers. Eve (the cow) deserves an Oscar.
The History Of The Seattle Mariners
Sure this six-part YouTube documentary isn’t exactly a “movie” either, but it’s too good to ignore so I’m putting it on here. It’s just what the title says, going from the team’s origins through the glory days of Griffey and Ichiro all the way to the present. For anyone even remotely interested in sports, Jon Bois is one of the most talented filmmakers out there.
Sound Of Metal
The sound design is so good it’s criminal I couldn’t see this in a theater. Whole cast is fantastic.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always
This movie had the awful luck of having a theater release the week things shut down, but I’m glad it’s still been getting its deserved praise throughout the year. Sidney Flanigan and Talia Ryder, both in their first acting roles, give incredible performances to remember.
David Byrne’s American Utopia
It can’t live up to Stop Making Sense, but that’s okay. This concert film lives on its own, and it lives such a joyful life.
On The Rocks
This doesn’t have as much of the flash as Lost In Translation or Marie Antoinette, but it’s an excellent movie to live just inside. Bill Murray and Rashida Jones work so well together, and the way Sofia Coppola frames these New York streets and restaurants is full of love.
Portrait Of A Lady On Fire
This is one of those movies that gets universal praise throughout its festival run and release, so you go in with high hopes and have it be even better than you could’ve imagined. What a beautiful picture.
You can read a longer list of my favorite movies here. By the end of 2021, I hope I can have a long list of movies that I’ve enjoyed in a real life movie theater. That’ll be the day.
