30 Must-Watch Movies of 2020 – A List of the Best Films of the Year

Director: Taichi Ishidate
Cast:Yui Ishikawa, Daisuke Namikawa, Takehito Koyasu
Genre: Drama, Romance

My Take:

In Violet Evergarden: The Movie, Kyoto Animation showcases its exceptional animation capabilities, creating a stunning piece of art that leaves a lasting impression on viewers' hearts. The film's captivating story follows the journey of Violet Evergarden as she learns about the true meaning of love, friendship, and humanity. Her character's heart-wrenching backstory tugs at the emotions, making the storytelling an unforgettable experience.

From the very first frame, the animation in the film is nothing short of breathtaking. Kyoto Animation's artistry shines through, immersing the audience in a world of vibrant colors and fluid movements. Each frame is meticulously crafted with attention to detail, creating a visual feast that transports viewers to a realm of beauty and wonder.

The film's emotional depth is not limited to its finale; it takes the audience on a rollercoaster of emotions, from moments of laughter to moments of tears. The storytelling is a testament to emotions' power and impact on our lives, making Violet Evergarden: The Movie a truly moving experience.

Through Violet's journey of self-discovery, the movie touches on the complexities of human emotions and the healing power of empathy and understanding. The film's superior animation, touching story, and powerful emotional journey make it one of the year's most memorable films. So, have tissues at hand, immerse yourself in the beauty of this cinematic gem, and let the heartfelt storytelling take you on an unforgettable journey.

Director: Alastair Fothergill, Jonathan Hughes, Keith Scholey

Cast: David Attenborough, Max Hughes

Genre: Documentary, Biography

My Take:

With his fifty years of natural history program-making series, David Attenborough has made him the most traveled person in human history. He introduced us to the stunning nature and warned us about the climate crisis in many Tv series. Some of his most acclaimed and popular series are Life on Earth, Planet Earth 1 & 2, The Blue Planet 1 & 2, Our Planet, and many more. Today David Attenborough is 93. Even now, he is presenting the wonders of the world and fighting climate change to save the natural world. When he says this is his witness statement, I can't think of anything but to watch.

In his new film, David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020), with only 80 minutes, it gorgeously and impactfully talks about nature and the climate crisis. It also shows some of the key scenes from BBC earth of David Attenborough to tell the personal and career life.

If you only see one documentary film in your life, this would be it. The movie that everyone should watch.

Full Review

Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Cast: Steven Yeun, Yeri Han, Youn Yuh-jung

Genre: Drama

My Take:

Minari (2020) is a heart-warming story of Korean-American family, a semi-autobiographical written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung. The film sets in the 1980s, following a South Korean immigrant family, relocate from California to Arkansas farm. Jacob Yi (Steven Yeun) wants of Farm Korean vegetables in America's best soil. He buys a fifty-acre plot to achieve his American dream and wants to make his family proud. While Monica Yi (Han Ye-ri), a caring mother, is unsure of the idea and not happy to live in a trailer home wants to move back to California to have a happy life with stable income. David (Alan S. Kim) seven years old son, Anne (Noel Kate Cho) twelve years old daughter tries to fit in their new life. Soonja (Youn Yuh-jung), a loving grandmother sometimes foul-mouthed, meets her grandchildren for the first time when she arrives in Arkansas to help Monica.

Minari is a poetic film about family, the truthful tale with the different nuanced theme that rarely executed well in modern cinemas. The subtle characters, pleasant interactions are very well written. The smooth flowing of the screenplay and authentic direction by Lee Isaac Chunga gives the audience heart-warming and emotional experience. Heartfelt imagery gorgeously photographed by Lachlan Milne. Heart-warming Music of Minari soothes the heart and breaks depending on the scene without overcooking or under just the right amount given life to the movie.

Steven Yeun, who gave an extraordinary performance in Burning (2018), delivered another career-defining role with Minari in the Jacob character. The chemistry between Steven Yeun and Han Ye-ri never felt like they were acting. The arguments, emotional and intense scenes between them felt so natural; both did a phenomenal job. The charming dynamic between Youn Yuh-Jung and Alan is so endearing. The growing bond from childish fights to a loving relationship with grandmother, gorgeously portrayed by Alan. Youn, not only is she astonishing in her role, but she is also genuinely amazing in real life. I laughed and learned a lot by seeing many interviews; her sense of humour is outstanding. I am rooting for her to win many awards.

Minari (2020) is a rare everlasting, delightful tale of family, that beats every film of 2020 in all categories. Warm direction, poetic screenplay, natural acting, colourful music, stunning photography make Minari a heartwarming movie of the year.

Director: Aaron Sorkin

Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mark Rylance, Frank Langella, Sacha Baron Cohen

Genre: Drama, History, Thriller

Premise:

The Trial of the Chicago 7 movie is about the courtroom's historical event in the year 1968. A peaceful protest to stop the pointless Vietnam war turns into the chaos with police and Nixon administration encounters. Seven protesters are charged with conspiracy of inciting the riot. Among them are Tom Hayden (Eddie Redmayne), leader of the students' democratic party, Abbie Hoffman (Sacha baron Cohen), co-founder of the Youth International Party. The eight is Bobby Seale (Yahya Abdul-Mateen ii), founder of black panther, who is not involved in the incident yet charged.

My Take:

In the story of the Political Trial, Aaron Sorkin keeps his audience within grips with his sharp writing and undeniably riveting performances by an ensemble cast.

Full Review

Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi

My Take:

Nolan is always fascinated with time; He has exceptionally known for his brilliant non-linear screenplays; in Memento (2000) movie, the script presents two different sequences; one is chronologically the other is reversed. In Inception (2010), the story takes place within a dream; in the recent war film Dunkirk (2017) three-story arc is told over different time frames. In Tenet, he took it to a different level that no other writer could reach.

Tenet starts like a stylish spy thriller with many spectacular practical effects, stunts, action-packed combat. It moves to the mystery, sci-fi genre. Tenet’s title, a palindromic word (which reads the same backward as forward), indicates the crucial ten minutes battle, Ten forward, Ten backward. The story follows a CIA agent named the protagonist (David Washington) recruited in the Tenet organization to prevent world war 3. The protagonist learns an invention from the future that can reverse the objects’ entropy; when it happens, the items travel back in time. Like in a trailer where bullets fly back to the gun, birds fly backward. The protagonist partners with Neil (Robert Pattinson) to find the source of the inverted objects. This leads to Andrei Sator Russian arms dealer. With this journey, our lead actors learns it’s more than just reversing objects’ entropy, and the threat is far beyond mass destruction.

In short, this is a Nolan movie; this is the reason we go to theatres. Tenet will remind the audience of the movie-watching experience in theatres with its futuristic technical crafting, explosive visuals. The original, mind-bending plot was only achieved with Nolan’s direction.

Full Review

Director: Florian Zeller

Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss

Genre: Drama

My Take:

I was stunned after watching "Still Alice (2014)" about Alzheimer's disease; now I am lost in the mind of Anthony. The Father is the most realistic depiction of the disease. And the Oscar goes to...

"The Father (2020)" is adapted from Florian Zeller's stage play by the same name. This is the playwright Florian Zeller's first feature directorial film. The film center's Anthony (Anthony Hopkins), an aging man, suffering from dementia. Anne (Olivia Colman), his daughter, does her best to look after him. As Anthony's reality is distorted, he tries to make sense of the changing circumstances. Every now and again, he begins to forget his own daughter and doubt the ones caring for him.

Some movies are really hard to describe, whether it's about masterpiece screenplay or perfect execution, like Satoshi Kon's "Perfect Blue (1997)", and "And in the Mood for Love (2000)". It's been over a week since I watched "The Father (2020)," and I still can't stop thinking about the screenplay and performance. The daring script following the unreliable narrator plays games with the audience's minds. Scenes are flipped, repeated by different characters, and cast in various locations, placing the audience in the sense of Anthony. Just as confused as Anthony, once you sorted the puzzle putting all pieces together, you will be back to square one with many questions like whether Anne is married or not? How does she look? The caretaker Anne hired real or fictitious? Which apartment is Anthony staying in? As Zeller intends, placing the audience in the shoes of a person who is losing grip on reality is triumphant.

With many award-winning performances, from a cannibalistic serial killer in "The Silence of the Lambs (1991)" to a staid butler in "The Remains of the Day (1993)" to playing Nixon in "Nixon (1995)", Anthony Hopkins always astonishes the audience with his masterclass acting. The Father is another milestone in Anthony's remarkable career. His masterclass performance with skewed reality in his own hallucinogenic world is devastating and heartbreaking to watch. Undoubtedly this is the best performance from 2020; Anthony Hopkins, a six-time Oscar nominee, already Makes History as the Oldest Best Actor Oscar Nominee at 83 years. Hoping to see Anthony holding the Oscar in the ceremony for the second time.

Olivia Coleman amazingly showed the sadness, the pain of the character dealing with the situation of her loved Father slowly losing grip of reality and forgetting her. Most of the film is set in Anthony's flat. Still, it never feels monotonous to watch because of the marvelous smooth editing and cinematography.

The movie you can't get out of your head after watching it. "The Father (2020)" places the audience in the mind of someone struggling to find reality. Anthony Hopkins is again astonished audiences with his masterclass acting.

Director: Eliza Hittman

Cast: Sidney Flanigan, Talia Ryder, Theodore Pellerin

Genre: Drama

Premise:

When Autumn (Sidney Flanigan) suspects she is pregnant, she visits a nearby pregnancy center in her hometown Pennsylvania. She wants to terminate the unplanned pregnancy, but she realizes that her options in rural Pennsylvania are harshly limited. After Skylar (Talia Ryder), Autumn's friend, discovers the situation, both plans to traverse to New York, learning that the health center in New York will aid Autumn with an abortion without knowing their parents. The journey is harsh, stressful...

My Take:

Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020) is not an easy movie to watch but absolutely an important one. The powerful story of the road trip for abortion and the beautiful friendship at the core, authentically directed by Eliza Hittman. Strong performance by newcomers, Sidney Flanigan and Talia Ryder.

Full Review

Director: Thomas Vinterberg

Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Premise:

After the academy nominated film, The Hunt (2012), once again director Thomas Vinterberg and actor Mad Mikkelson collaborated and brewed the year's best film. Another round (2020) is a Danish film - joyride to life/alcohol. Martin (Mads Mikkelsen) a middle-aged high school teacher. He feels worn-out and distracted from life; not much exciting, joyful happens in his life. His students complain about their grades. His professional life and private life also turn blue; Martin barely sees his wife, who is a nurse, works the night shift. Martin's three friends, also teachers, feel the same way about their life. All struggle with unmotivated students, and their lives have become dull.

All four want to test the theory by psychiatrist Finn Skarderud that having a daily blood alcohol content of 0.050 makes a person more creative, confident, and relaxed. They maintain constant alcohol content in blood during the working days. As a result, all four find their professional work more pleasurable and begin to feel alive. Also, Martin manages to reconnect with his wife. Will staying drunk will fix his problems, or will their lives turn upside down?

My Take:

I don't drink but watching Another round (2020) makes me so high. It's like drinking wine; the film somehow vividly displays a broad view of life and alcoholism in a subtle and lively. With another round, the audience got to see soft side Mads Mikkelsen and his top-notch dancing skills in ending the song; what a life! Which brings the unforgettable ending of 2020. Another round is a celebration of life, friendship, and love - a beautiful ride with a reawakening message.

Director: Thomas Kail

Cast: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Phillipa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr.

Genre: Musical, Biography, History

Premise:

Hamilton is recording of original Broadway stage show in 2016 that instantly became a cultural phenomenon and took the awards by storm. The story follows Alexander Hamilton, the founding fathers of America. His journey from the orphan, poorman, to a scholar, leader. Backed by George Washington, first U.S. President, and Elsa, Hamilton's wife. It's a story of failures, flaws, romance, betrayal; more importantly, it's the story of America

My Take:

I'm helpless looking into the movie; the writing and singing are at the sky's limit. Turn on subtitles, raise up the volume, and enjoy the best stage musical show at home. The catchy hip-hop, rap-style lyrics are strikingly written; every musical number is memorable.  The cast did not throw away the shot; they have given an energetic performance.

Director: Kelly Reichardt

Cast: John Magaro, Orion Lee, Toby Jones

Genre: Drama

Premise:

First Cow (2019) is a slow-paced drama movie sets in the 1820s. Story of a skilled cook named Figowitz (John Magaro); everyone calls him Cookie. He voyages with a group of fur trappers. Cookie doesn't gets along with crew members because of his quiet nature. One night Cookie saves King-Lu (Orion Lee), a Chinese male from the Russians, by sheltering king lu in his tent. after some days, In a bar, Cookie listens about the first cow in territory owned by the chief factor. And meet King Lu again, they both spend days together with pleasant conversation, both genuinely become friends. Cookie and Lu both were sick and tired of surviving their life, both dreams of being rich. One night Lu and Cookie steal cow milk to bake oily cakes. Lu says it tastes better than any food he had. They started to sell them, it gets instantly popular in the territory. Both make many oily cakes by stealing cows milk at night and selling in the day. The plan was to go to San Francisco to start a bakery after getting enough money.

My Take:

First Cow (2019) is a more than a simple story, a well made, well performed, well written, aesthetic movie I've seen this year so far.

Full Review

Director: Cory Finley

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Alison Janney, Geraldine Viswanathan.

Genre: Drama, Biography, Thriller

Premise:

Bad Education (2019), based on a true story of America's most massive school theft, a scandal of 11 million dollars from the Roslyn school district. Prime suspects are Frank Tassone (Hugh Jackman), Pam Gluckin (Allison Janney). Frank Tassone, superintendent of Roslyn district schools who sincerely cares about students, does what's best for their students, remembers everyone's name, and is overly concerned about his physical appearance. Pam Glukin is a hard-working, trusted assistant superintendent. Everything goes smoothly until a student investigates for funds for her school article.

My Take:

A character study of how these two individuals, reasonably good people, did a bad unacceptable. Bad Education is brilliantly written and directed. Terrific performance By Hugh Jackman.

Full Review

Director: Darius Marder
Cast: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci
Genre: Drama, Music

My Take:
What would you do If you lose something you love, which your life rests on, and it can't be fixed? Sound Of Metal (2020) shows this reality rather than a melodramatic way. With a thought-provoking message, we usually don't think but need to.

The film center's Ruben Stone (Riz Ahmed), a heavy metal drummer, is sober for four years from his drug addiction. With his girlfriend Lou (Olivia Cooke), a singer and guitarist, he performs at concerts. Ruben's world of music turns upside down when he begins to lose his hearing. He struggles to cope with the loss and tries to fix the damage that can't be done. Susan convinces Ruben to join the deaf community to learn to adapt to his new situation.

Ruben has to face the biggest challenge in his life; he has to learn to live in silence and peacefully. And move on from what he can't control. We all relate to Ruben's journey to some degree. Its deeper themes like adapting to new life, desire, and finding hope when we lost something, in the end, finding harmony in silence, make this screenplay an astonishing one.

Sound of metal wouldn't be observing and emotional without an incredible performance by Riz Ahmed. He learned to play drums and became semi-fluent in sign language. Ruben's rage, suffering, tranquility, amazingly embodied by Riz Ahmed, definitely deserves an award nomination. The large cast from real deaf communities will immerse in the environment. The sound design will put the audience in Ruben's shoes, like at the beginning of the movie; the sound will perish as Ruben loses his hearing. Sometimes it mutes as Ruben struggles or is delighted in the silence. It gives perspective to the audience of being deaf.

Ruben's journey into stillness is profoundly involving and packed with a gentle yet thought-provoking message that we usually don't think about but need to. The immersive sound design and powerful performance by Riz Ahmed makes Sound of Metal (2020) a loud triumph

Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy

Director: Haruo Sotozaki

Release: 2020

My Take:

"Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train" already overtook the hugely popular Your Name (2016), making it the highest-grossing film of 2020 worldwide and the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time. This movie is a direct sequel to the extremely popular TV series Demon Slayer (2019) of 26-episode. The film follows one of the most potent swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps, Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku, who is on his mission to hunt for a demon that has killed many passengers and demon slayers. To assist him, Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke board the Mugen Train, soon they realize the enemy has the power to manipulate and control someone's dreams. Can our heroes save 200 passengers aboard the train?

The high-speed "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train" fuelled with enchanting visuals and breath-taking action sequences surely slows down by weak plot and character development. Still, the ride is enjoyable and a must-watch for Demon Slayer fans.

Full Review

Director:  Kantemir Balagov
Cast: Viktoria Miroshnichenko, Vasilisa Perelygina, Andrey Bykov
Genre: Drama, War

My take:

Beanpole (2020) is a story of two broken women finding purpose in life after World War II. Lya (Viktoria Miroshnichenko) a tall blonde 27-year-old woman. She works as a nurse in Leningrad, Russia, with injured and dying people from war. Lya has PTSD in which she randomly freezes without warning. Her condition leads to a horrific accident shortly after the movie. Masha (Vasilisa Perelygina) who served in front of war returns to Lya and is disturbed by the accident that happened while she was away. Both are desperately trying to rebuild their meaningless life.

Beanpole is a slow-paced movie that flows steadily throughout the film. Director Kantemir Balagov uses beautiful images and brilliantly captures characters' emptiness, daily struggle into the frame, with minimal words. In this melancholy drama, the new actress Viktoria Miroshnichenko and Vasilisa Perelygina shined with their subtle performance.

Director: Juliano Dornelles, Kleber Mendona Filho

Cast: Barbara Colen, Thomas Aquino, Silvero Pereira

Genre: Western, Horror, Mystery

My Take:

Bacurau (2020) is narratively daring. It mixes western, sci-fi, and thriller genres. The storytelling structure is not a fluid one to follow. Yet, it knits the links and keeps the audience oddly interested throughout the film. Set in the near future, Bacurau is a fictional small remote village in Brazil, where everyone knows each other. It doesn't have minimum facilities like schools, proper medication and also facing severe water shortage problems because of the rotten politicians. In the meantime, villagers experience a series of strange events in the village. The village disappears from digital maps, a flying drone shaped like UFO chases a biker, telephone signals are jammed. They begin watching and are hunted by an unknown enemy. The citizens of Bacurau defend their town by themselves to survive.

I've seen a great movies this year about corrupt politics. The Trial of the Chicago 7, Never Rarely Sometimes Always, calling Bacurau (2020), is also a political film that feels strange. The message is buried in the bloody violence and surreal story, but it's visible if you dig a little. The character Tony, a corrupted mayor, visits Bacurau for his re-election campaign, bribing the villagers with expired food, adulterated medicine, and misuse power by forcing women. He relates to rotten politicians in rural places in Brazil and also all the world. If you don't know about Brazil's president, TLDR Jair Bolsonaro is like a brother to Donald Trump.

The screenplay feels like two movies from different genres stitched together; somehow, it worked. While the first half is brilliantly introducing the people of Bacurau and their lifestyle with realism, the second half shows stereotypical generic antagonists. While the first half shows the authenticity of village sets and amazing grounded scenes with natural bright cinematography, the second shows the violent, intense, attention-grabbing surrealism. While the director maintains the level of suspense throughout the movie, the screenplay occasionally backs with lousy pacing and feels overly long.

Note: movie contains brutal violent scenes, unnecessary nude scenes.

Surreal but also a formulaic, attention-grabbing but unevenly paced, bloody entertaining but also spoke about corrupt politics. Bacurau (2020) is the strangest movie of the year.

Director:  Chloe Zhao
Cast: Frances McDormand, Gay DeForest, Patricia Grier
Genre: Drama

My Take:

Nomadland (2020) is a journey of self-discovering. We (concrete Habitat) may not fully understand nomads’ state of mind (People without fixed residence move one place to another all the time). Still, the film pulls into their lifestyle with the naturalistic performance by Frances McDormand and minimalistic direction from Chloe Zhao. Nomadland (2020) is the story of Fern, a 60 -year-old woman, who has lost her husband and lost her job after the US gypsum mine shut down. Now she is houseless (not homeless). She embarks on the journey from city to city in her RV, doing seasonal jobs and meeting diverse people along the way. With her journey, Fern is able to learn what she is at her core of the heart.

Director Chloe Zhao compellingly introduces the audience to nomads’ lifestyle using Fern’s character, without any preaching or persuasion or any philosophical message. It’s a movie about nothing to everything, depending on how hard it will hit you. Indeed, it will not be a regular road movie you will see. Zhao shows more images than words, which blends perfectly with character and plot. She also co-wrote and edited her third, Nomadland film. Casting non-actors, who are nomads, wanderers in real life, delivered a genuine tone to a self-discovery journey for most side roles. Occasionally, it misfires. Gorgeous landscapes, observing cinematography, added with soothing piano music will immerse more into the movie. The collaboration between Zhao and Frances delivered a transporting experience.

Director: Sudha Kongara
Cast: Suriya, Paresh Rawal, Aparna Balamurali
Genre: Drama

Premise:
A spectacular performance by Surya and inspirational script smoothly took off to the sky without any hurdles. Aakaasam Nee Haddhu Ra (2020) (Also known as Soorarai Pottru) didn't fall for traps like cringe dialogues, cliche scenes, unnecessary action scenes, like other Indian movies in this genre. It stays authentic to the story, uses brakes whenever needed, and flies like a jet at the proper time.

Inspired by the book 'Simply Fly A Deccan Odyssey.' An autobiographical book by Captain G. R. Gopinath, the founder of Air Deccan, also played a significant role in India's low-cost aviation. The film follows Chandra Mahesh (played by Surya), a former air force captain who sets out to make the common man fly. By starting an airline company that is affordable to all at a low price. Chandra Mahesh is from a small village, son of a teacher; much of his motivation and persona comes from his father. Bommi (Aparna Balamurali) is the Love interest of Chandra Mahesh, who is straightforward and Independent. She starts a bakery business, supporting each other's interests and goals. There are numerous obstacles set by Jazz airlines founder Paresh Goswami (Paresh Rawal). With countless difficulties ahead, did Chandra Mahesh and his friends achieve their dreams?

My Take:
Aakaasam Nee Haddhu Ra (2020) is an uplifting, inspiring film; it opens its wings with brilliant screenplay and direction. With the magnetic performance by Suriya, it glides to the sky like an eagle. A must watch movie of 2020.

Full Review

Director:  Emerald Fennell
Cast: Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Alison Brie
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Premise:
The story follows Cassie Thomas (Carey Mulligan), who is wickedly smart and strong. Due to her tragic past, she shuts down the world, drops from medicine, and works at a coffee shop during the day. At night she goes to nightclubs, pretends to be drunk, and frightens men who try to take advantage of women in their vulnerable drunken state. Now she got the chance of vengeance to justify the actions of men and women who did and supported the past's tragic episode.

My Take:
Emerald Fennell (writer and director) amazingly controlled the heavy subject with themes of romance, forgiveness, and revenge into a fun thriller and meaningful with her writing. Promising Young Women (2020) will amaze with its unpredictable screenplay. The last 30 min might be hard to digest for some audience. Still, it definitely stays with you days after viewing and puts a valid conversation. Debut director Emerald Fennell (actress of the crown), Within just a few minutes into the movie, she promises to the audience the movie going to be a hell of a ride with her direction, and it did

Carey Mulligan, from her breakout role in An Education 2009 (she was nominated for Oscar) to recent Wildlife (2018) known for her surprising roles and incredible performance, this movie is no different. In Promising Young Women (2020), Carey Mulligan is unbelievable in her role with her different shades; as a moody daughter, alluring girlfriend, and Harley Quinn to criminals while carrying Cassie's dark past throughout the movie, she absolutely deserves an Oscar nomination.

Bo Burnham, Director, and writer of Eighth Grade (2018), one of the best movies of the year, plays a love interest to Cassie, who did charming work. The cinematography is vividly colorful. Sometimes the cinema becomes uneven while changing the tone from romance genre to thriller vice versa. The soundtrack helps the film get into the vibe. The usage of pop-cultural songs like "Toxic" by Britney Spears, "It's Raining Men" by DeathbyRomy, "Stars Are Blind" by Paris Hilton in the background certainly sets and raises the mood of the film.

This dark comedy, revenge thriller is wildly entertaining with a powerful message and full of surprising turns—a stellar award-worthy performance from Carey Mulligan.

Director: Spike Lee
Cast: Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Chadwick Aaron Boseman
Genre: Adventure, Drama, War

Premise:
Da 5 Bloods (2020) is a Story of Four African-American Military veterans who fought together in the Vietnam war. After 50 Years, they return to Vietnam to recover their Squads leader’s body and gold, which they buried during the war.

My Take:
It’s certainly not the best spike lee movie, but it’s still worth watching. The movie could be so much fantastic with some editing, anyway. DA 5 Blood daring, relevant, and commercially entertaining with amazing direction. Full Review

Director: George C. Wolfe
Cast: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman
Genre: Drama, Music

My Take:

There isn’t much to say, except the explosive performance of Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020) based on a real story, play written by August Wilson. The movie takes place over the single hot summer day of 1927. Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) “”Mother of Blues”” and her band settle to record an album, contracted by white producers. Tensions rise over the recording session between Levee (Chadwick Boseman) ambitions but hot-headed cornet player, Ma Rainey and white management.

Adopting a play to film is tricky. There is no denying that August Wilson playwriting is crisp and gripping. The captivating heavy monologues show the deep roots of characters and their emotions; however, it has much opportunity to refine and enlarge to fit the movie. Tony award-winner American playwright and director of theatre George C. Wolfe didn’t pull the strings that were needed. The camera work, colour palette, approach of direction doesn’t sync the movie. The film feels like a collection of theatrical set pieces. To his credit, he brought the best of the best from his actors.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020) is the movie I would recommend to experience the cast’s fantastic performance, especially from Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman. From 42(2013) to underrated film Get on Up (2014) to blockbuster Blank Panther (2018), late Chadwick Boseman illustrates his amazing career. Here he surpassed everything he did in the Levee role as an arrogant, humorous, sympathetic role. As always Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis steals every scene she is in; she gives a commanding performance in her unapologetic, fearless character.

Never seen Chadwick Boseman like this, Viola Davis disappears in August Wilson words.

Director:  Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart
Cast: Honor Kneafsey, Eva Whittaker, Sean Bean
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family

My Take:

Wolfwalkers (2020) is the latest movie by Tomm Moore, who worked on beautiful animated movies like The Secret of Kells (2009), Song of the Sea (2014). Film Set in 1650, Wolfwalkers are magical beings, can shapeshift in human form while awake, taking on wolf form while sleeping. Wolfhunter Goodfellowe (voiced by Sean Bean) and his daughter Robyn (voiced by Honor Kneafsey) move to Ireland from England. Robyn, a free-spirited girl, feels caged in the new place. Lord Protector orders Goodfellowe to exterminate all wolves in the forest. The story takes turns when Robyn meets one of the Wolfwalker.

The simple story comes off refreshing, fantastic In this visually stunning hand-drawn animation and heartwarming soundtrack. Every frame is ravishing with rich colors, textures, and lines.

Director: Guy Ritchie
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime

Premise:
Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) has a criminal record in marijuana, violence, and many. Now he wants to retire from being a kingpin and wants to start a new life by trading all his weed farms. As soon as the word got out situation gets chaotic

My Take:
The Gentlemen is a delightful comeback to Guy Ritchie. A joy to watch from start to finish.
Full Review

Director: David Fincher
Cast: Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins
Genre: Biography, Drama

My take:
Mank (2020) is another technical masterpiece from director David Fincher, a master of details who brought great movies like Fight Club, Seven, The Social Network, Gone Girl, etc. However, this artistic masterpiece suffers from a lack of personality. David Fincher’s late father, Jack Fincher, wrote the script of Mank (2020). Follows the real story of Herman Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman) shortly called as Mank, working on Citizen Kane (1941) screenplay. Citizen Kane is considered the greatest film of all time because of its filmmaking and screenplay that Hollywood has never seen before.

Mank is an influential exceptional writer; he is washed up and addicted to gambling and alcohol at present. After Orson Welles calls Mank to write a screenplay for him without credit, He sets sail to write a story that has never been shown on the film screen. Mank writes his lead roles based on William Randolf, Marion Davies, and many studio political figures. William Randolf, an American businessman, newspaper publisher, and politician. And Marion Davies, an American actress, screenwriter, and philanthropist.

Disappointingly the plot, which should be more interesting, feels dull and flat without any emotion. Even for the cinephile, the overburdened character’s heavy dialogues linked to the studio and politics make it easily lost in every corner. For non-American like me, the political track is so distracting. It didn’t seem engaging enough to do the homework about the characters. Still, once again, Gary Oldman gave an award-worthy performance as an alcoholic, self-destructive writer along with Amanda Seyfried. She is genuinely shined as Marion Davies.

Capturing the true essence of the 1940s movies is not an easy task. In Mank, from using Monostrochrome cameras to lighting, greyness, and clothing textures, many did pitch perfectly in mastery direction from David Fincher. It’s a beautiful homage to Citizen Kane and 1940s movies.

To be clear, Mank (2020) isn’t for everyone; it may fall behind with its not engaging story. However, it definitely takes the audience to the 1940s era with its immaculate crafting and performance—a worth watch for cinephiles.