Films of 2020
So...2020 was quite the year. Not only did we go through a global pandemic and a national failing to control it, which shut down life for an entire year and counting, but my husband and I also got pregnant (we found out the first week of lockdown), so our world went upside down in an instant. During quarantine, we did end up watching a lot of movies and TV (I mean...what else was there to do when we couldn’t leave the house?!). We got into a groove watching Star Trek: The Next Generation (my husband’s first time viewing), we finally finished The Good Place, and we randomly watched a lot of 80s movies. We didn’t, however, watch much of the films that were released in 2020 itself. I think perhaps we retreated to our comfort content while we were living in very uncomfortable times - the virus killing thousands of Americans, the summer of protests over George Floyd’s brutal murder (along with so many other Black Americans), nervously awaitng the Election results to see if we would rise up out of the simmering anxiety that was living in Donald Trump’s America. If that wasn’t a time for streaming comfort material, I don’t know what is.
I do know that there were some amazing films released in 2020. As many studio and blockbuster film release dates were pushed back (some multiple times) with the hope that 2021 will bring the ability for us all to gather back in theaters once again - this gave space to smaller films, indie films, more diverse films to take center stage. Many of these movies feature or were creatively driven by women or persons of color; one wonders what the landscape of cinema in a “normal” 2020 would have looked like, but certainly what emerged was compelling work that was given the chance to shine in a less crowded spotlight.
Once our daughter was born at the end of the year...I realized that watching films will now happen in chunks (if it happens at all). Life has certainly changed from top to bottom and I have discovered that being intentional about utilizing my time (gotta use her naps effectively!) has a whole new meaning. I know that when I return back to work full time, this will become even more difficult to catch up on current films. I am lucky to have family around who are willing to babysit our cute little girl - so maybe when we are fully vaccinated and we feel comfortable going to the movies, we can visit our local theater to catch a flick every now and then.
Usually this post goes up around the Academy Awards, after a last minute blitz to watch as many nominated films as possible. This year, with the deadline pushed back and the Oscars not even broadcast until the end of April, one would think that we would have ample time to fit in all of the films, but as of this writing, I have only screened a total of three movies that were released in the year 2020. Rather than ranking (since I don’t even have 5 tallied) I will jot down a few thoughts on each film. With that, let’s leave 2020 in the dust and hope for a better 2021.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (November 2020)
My husband really wanted to watch this movie the minute it came out, but I made him wait until after Thanksgiving (when Christmas time can officially begin - you gotta draw the line somewhere, folks!) With slick production value, fun original songs, and featuring a Black cast, Jingle Jangle certainly aimed to be a new Christmas classic. I found the story and characters to cut corners and rely on formulaic stereotypes rather than slowing down to have a deeper story. Having said that - it was so fantastic to see Black characters in Victorian outfits and taking center stage in a Christmas tale.
Soul (December 2020)
This was our first movie to watch with our newborn child - and we quickly discovered that films will be watched in portions, with breaks to address her needs (whether feeding, diaper, or sleeping/waking). Soul felt like a typical Pixar movie - in that it was unique, authentic, and dealing with some deep issues - this story focusing not only on human being’s souls and the concept of purpose, but also a slice of the Black experience in America, specifically NYC, and on jazz, utilizing the most exquisite talents of Jon Batiste. The musical form is not only celebrated, but also tied in to the themes of the film. I was blown away by the advancement of digital animation - so many details were captured in this film, including the variety of humans down on Earth. Pete Doctor is my favorite director in the Pixar system because he deals with universal themes that are delivered through unique stories and unforgettable characters.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (September 2020)
Aaron Sorkin writing and directing a film that centers around history and politics seems to be crafted just for my interests. Writing for an ensemble is difficult, but perhaps what Sorkin does best - snappy dialogue that whips between players and forces the audience to fully engage. Add to this some stellar performances, notably from Sasha Baron Cohen and also Eddie Redmayne and a villainous Frank Langella. Sorkin does not tell the tale in a linear fashion, but intercuts between present, past, court testimony, and outside meetings in order to unveil the story of the riot and the trial one layer at a time. As all good historical (based on a true story) fiction does - this film made me want to read up on the real life events, just perfect for my late night feeding sessions with the baby.
