The following films were shown in 2020 in order to make them eligible for the Oscars. However, they may still be available in theaters or on Blu-ray/DVD, VOD, Streaming Platforms and other venues. My choices for the 10 must see movies are listed in alphabetical order and are treated equally with the highest star values. I have offered several genres including documentary, drama, music, action, animation/adventure/comedy, and crime. And hopefully most of which should be honored with nominations at the awards in 2021.
“ATHLETE A”
Centering on gymnastics this telling documentary will have you glued to the screen with disbelief as it tells the sordid true story of what can happen in sports when one gives herself without question to achieve the highest of honors. With excellent production values, content, direction and investigating, Athlete A takes you into the inner sanctum of the sport and reveals what could happen to the most vulnerable. It’s my top documentary for the year bar none.
The film is directed by Bonnie Cohen and Jon Shenk.
Rated PG-13 by the MPAA for mature thematic content including detailed descriptions of sexual abuse of minors.
“FIRST COW”
A very different kind of film First Cow takes you back to the early 1800’s where we find our main characters, a skilled cook and a Chinese immigrant. The two bond when the cook shows how they can make money from a special recipe he has that includes cow’s milk. But to get the milk it will take some ingenuity on both their parts.
The film shows the hardships of the Oregon Territory and the squalor mixed with the wealthy who take advantage of their position and rule the western northwest. The acting, directing, storyline, sets, locations, especially the wardrobe should help the film to get a shot at an Oscar.
First Cow is directed by Kelly Richardt and stars John Magaro, Dylan Smith, Ewen Bremner, Toby Jones, and Alia Shawkat.
Rated PG-13 by he MPAA for brief strong language.
“I’M YOUR WOMAN”
It’s the 1970’s and life seems ordinary for that time period, especially for Jean who has been married to Eddie who, unknown by her, is a successful thief. Since Jean cannot have children, Eddie has kidnapped a baby for her to raise. But things are about to change when one of the mob arrives at the house with some bad news. With things in disarray Jean takes her baby on the run to the South with the help of Cal, a black man who gets assigned to keep Jean and her new son safe.
The film plays out fast forward in this crime drama that has excellent acting, a very good storyline, and nicely written characters that fit into the 70’ social plight. The acting by the whole cast is worth the watch.
I’m Your Woman stars Rachel Brosnahan, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Arinzé Kene, with Frankie Faison and Bill Heck. Directed and written by Julia Hart, the film has a lot of suspense, a bit of southern racism and an emphasis on the resiliency of her main female character.
Rated R by the MPAA for violence and language
“HERSELF”
This chilling story of abuse attacks the center of the plight with a spear to the heart as it plays out to its resolute resolve. The cast, that includes two young actors, Molly McCann and Ruby Rose O’Hara, give amazing performances under the direction of Phyllida Lloyd from a script by Oscar hopeful for lead actress Clare Dunne.
The story takes place in Ireland where we find Sandra and her two children Molly and Emma in a rental unit living on a small income. The father Gary, who has been separated from Sandra due to abuse yet still gets access to the children. He’s an abusive man who takes his troubles out on Sandra. Wanting to get as far away as she can from Gary, Sandra falls into a plan that should do the trick.
The film is rated R by the MPAA for language and some domestic violence. The violence is quite upsetting and caution should be taken when watching the film if immature children are present.
“MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM”
Taking a look at the 1920’s era where the “blues” have taken the music scene, singer Ma Rainey has attracted a big audience for her sound. So much so, that the record company wants her to make an album with her newest hit “Black Bottom”. Her back-up band has been hired to play the music and upstart Levee has ideas of his own on how to introduce the song. Ma wants complete control of the album and she lets the recording company know in no uncertain terms that she’s the boss. When Levee lets his discriminated past take hold of him, things start getting out of line.
The acting by both Viola Davis as Ma and Chadwick Boseman as Levee make this drama work. Davis puts her voice to work and it’s awesome to listen to and watch her strut and deliver one of the best songs of 2020 that should be nominated for an Oscar. Boseman puts on his dramatic best acting of his career and surly will be in the top 5 nominated for Best Actor.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom has been rated R by the MPAA for language, some sexual content and brief violence.
“MINARI”
Touching and embraceable, the film Minari takes you into a story of struggle, family and assimilation as a Korean American family relocates from Seattle with their two young children to the Ozarks in Arkansas. The film has all the tributes that make it a must see drama, acting, direction and a genuine story.
Settling in a double long house trailer, Jacob and Monica Yi have visions for their new life on a farm. With the earth waiting to be plowed and the town just an hour away, it’s an escape from the big city for them and their children Anne and David. They easily get a job at a chicken hatchery checking the sex of the chicks, and settle in with the locals. Grandma Soonja moves in with her spices and all is well . That is until the well feeding the crops runs dry and money becomes a problem.
The film also features a delightful performance by Youn Yuh-jung as Grandma Soonja. She’s the glue that keeps the family together.
Minari has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some thematic elements and a rude gesture.
“NOMADLAND”
Filmed documentary style, the drama Nomadland takes you on a trip around the country recently out of work woman visiting old stomping grounds and taking jobs wherever available. Much like the definition of the word Nomad, she wanders, but without a definite plan. The people she meets tells the story of their own feelings and things they have done since packing up from cities like the failed Empire, Nevada.
“On January 31, 2011, due to reduced demand for sheetrock, US Gypsum shut down its plant in Empire, Nevada after 88 years. By July, the Empire zip code, 89405, was discontinued.” Picking up what she could take with her in a van, elderly Fern strikes out to look for work with her first stop being Amazon. From there we follow Fern as she tries to find her new way in life. Friendly, but sometimes stubborn her story is one that you will be remember well after the credits roll.
The performance by Frances McDormand is outstanding and certainly Oscar worthy. While the film may not be for everyone, it’s an eye opener for the number of people “in the same boat” that she depicts. The stories from each of the people she meets are real, some touching others more than just a revelation of the troubles they have. From people not working and in their 60’s/70’s to the homeless they all have a lot in common.
Nomadland has been rated R by the MPAA for some full nudity.
“THE OUTPOST”
“In 2006, the US Army established a series of outposts in Northern Afghanistan to promote counterinsurgency. The intent was to connect with the local Afghan authorities and to stop the flow of weapons and Taliban fighters from Pakistan. One of these was PRT Kamdesh. It was built in a remote valley completely surrounded by The Hindu Kush Mountains. One analyst said it may as well be called “Camp Custer”. His reasoning was simple and official.” – Filmmaker
Just making a statement that a film is based on a true story is one thing, but when it’s verified, you see the movie a bit differently. The screenplay’s shocking battle and the helplessness of the US Army fighters depicted in the movie The Outpost, is absolutely cringing. But, shocking isn’t even a strong enough word for it. This film shows the ability and tactfulness of our military under fire, but more so, their heroism.
This fierce battle that took place at Kamdesh, Afghanistan on October 3, 2009 against the 400 Taliban is needed to be shown and recognized for the heroism on that day. It’s more than that however, it’s an eye opener and a sort of wake-up call to what our armed forces are dealing with in that country.
Director Rod Lurie takes you through the daily lives of each of the main characters as they deal with their duties. He inserts scenes dealing with the local Afghan officials and even a couple of odd incidents that look like warning signs. Just as you think things are normal as usual he gives the viewer a taste of what can happen badly. Then he turns up the heat with the US Army Forces being trapped at the basin of the surrounding mountains and 400 Taliban fighters appearing on the ridge. Relentless beyond belief, the filmmakers hold back nothing for the viewer so be prepared when the invasion begins.
The Outpost has been rated R by the MPAA for war violence and grisly images, pervasive language, and sexual references.
“SOUL”
PIXAR has released their yearly film for families and it takes an inside look at a stop-over before entering the afterlife. The production and story of SOUL is very good, even though it does sideline the immature members of the family audience. Beyond that however, is an experience that entertains with excellent cinema graphics and a mesmerizing “what if” trip to the eternal beyond.
Joe Gardner is band teacher in a middle school and his own instrument the piano. He has always wanted to play piano on the stage with a famous jazz player, but settles for his daily work helping band members get better with their instruments. One day he gets word that a local jazz club needs a back-up player and they hire him. However, after he has taken the first step of getting his wish for a gig, he falls into an open manhole and dies. So begins his trip to the afterlife, but only to a way station where he still has a chance to avoid the inevitable.
Like most PIXAR films they are very family friendly, choose subjects that expand the mind and offer a story that has good values. In Soul, the goodness is helping others to come to grips with their life and a selfless act that gets rewarded.
Soul has been rated PG by the MPAA for thematic elements and some language.
“SOUND OF METAL”
For those who are into heavy metal music you may think twice after watching Sound of Metal, it’s a gut wrenching view of a drummer’s plight. The film puts you on the stage of a top drummer who plays his heart out and then loses what means the most to the musician, his hearing. The direction and the amazing performance by Riz Ahmed provides the film with that extra punch by giving his all and then some to the role and a chance for an Oscar.
Ruben (Riz Ahmed), a top drummer in the world of heavy metal music, has just finished a set on stage when he realizes the ringing in his ears won’t stop. But when it does, his hearing won’t come back. Seeking out medical help that may work, he finds out that part of the process is becoming part of something more than a chance at saving his career.
Director Darius Marder puts Riz Ahmed through his paces as the actor develops his character’s powerful drum performance, the angst from Rubin’s hearing loss, the pathos that develops between him and a group of people with the same medical issue and a realization he did not expect. Ahmed’s amazing performance should be considered for the upcoming Oscars.
Sound of Metal has been Rated R by the MPAA for language throughout and brief nude images.
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
