JC Film Notebook: My Favorite Movies of 2020 (First Half)
The JC Film Notebook is a weekly feature on this blog. Expect notable news on upcoming movies and classics as well as an assortment of previews and reviews every Friday.
News flash: I watch a lot of movies. Not any more than the amount of TV I consume, but still, it’s quite a bit. Since 2017, I’ve kept track of the flicks I see over the course of the year. It makes it much easier to assess my favorites and make lists. (You already know I like compiling those.) Obviously, 2020 has been a much different year than most because of the coronavirus pandemic, and it’s changing the way we get and watch films. I’m managing to keep up. Especially that I have more free time on my hands. I do miss going to theaters, though.
This year, I’ve probably seen more Netflix and Hulu originals than I usually do. I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Except for Downhill, which was nowhere near as good as the amazing original that came before it. I had hopes! July has been a very strong month, but I’m not including any of those offerings. And I’m still really looking forward to Oscar season, however it takes place. Here are the movies I loved from January-June (in alphabetical order).
The Assistant (In theater, drama, Roger Ebert review). Favorite part: Julia Garner’s appeal and authenticity.
Bad Education (HBO, original drama, Roger Ebert review). Favorite parts: heavyweight efforts from Hugh Jackman, Allison Janney and Ray Romano.
Bully. Coward. Victim: The Story of Roy Cohn (HBO, original documentary, Roger Ebert review). Favorite part: the ugly but necessary history deep-dive.
Crip Camp (Netflix, original documentary, Roger Ebert review). Favorite parts: the old footage and rich interviews with former teen campers.
Da 5 Bloods (Netflix, origanal drama, Roger Ebert review). Favorite part: Delroy Lindo’s buzzworthy turn in the spotlight.
Disclosure: Trans Lives On Screen (Netflix, original documentary, Roger Ebert review). Favorite parts: the trans actors’ perspectives and the evisceration of ignorant TV producers over the past 40 years.
The Half of It (Netflix, original comedy/drama, Roger Ebert review). Favorite part: Leah Lewis’ winning performance.
The King of Staten Island (Prime Video rental, comedy, Roger Ebert review). Favorite part: Pete Davidson’s vulnerability.
The Thing About Harry (Freeform, original drama, TVLine review). Favorite part: Jake Borelli and Niko Terho’s back-and-forth chemistry.
The Way Back (Prime Video rental, drama, Roger Ebert review). Favorite parts: Ben Affleck’s guts and Brad Ingelsby’s emotionally resonant script.
Honorable mention: All the Bright Places (Netflix, original drama), Athlete A (Netflix, original documentary), Big Time Adolescence (Hulu, original comedy), The Lovebirds (Netflix, original comedy), Trolls World Tour (Prime Video rental, animated comedy)
INDUSTRY HEADLINES
Russo Brothers To Direct Chris Evans, Ryan Gosling In Netflix’s The Gray Man (Hollywood Reporter). Sign me up!
Noah Centineo Joins Dwayne Johnson In New Line DC Movie Black Adam (Hollywood Reporter)
Tom Holland-starring Southern Gothic Saga The Devil All The Time to Premiere In September (EW)
Atlanta Production Ramp-Up Underway Despite Surge In COVID-19 Cases In Region (Deadline)
Netflix Reveals 10 Most Popular Movies (Variety). I have some work to do. I’ve only seen four: Bird Box, Murder Mystery, The Irishman (the best, by far) and The Perfect Date.
5 FILMS I’VE SEEN RECENTLY
Hamilton (2020, Disney+, filmed stage play)
The Old Guard (2020, Netflix, original drama)
The Outpost (2020, Prime Video rental, drama)
Palm Springs (2020, Hulu, original comedy)
Showbiz Kids (2020, HBO, original documentary)
5 FILMS THAT ARE ON MY RADAR
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020, Netflix, original comedy)
Greyhound (2020, Apple TV+, original drama)
John Lewis: Good Trouble (2020, Apple TV rental, documentary)
Last Christmas (2019, HBO/Max, comedy)
Troop Zero (2019, Prime Video, original comedy/drama)
5 NEW FILMS I ABSOLUTELY LOVED
Athlete A (2020, Netflix, original documentary)
Da 5 Bloods (2020, Netflix, original drama)
Disclosure: Trans Lives On Screen (2020, Netflix, original documentary)
The Half of It (2020, Netflix, original comedy/drama)
The Way Back (2020, on demand, drama)