2020 has been an unusual year for movies, to say the least, but that doesn't mean audiences
haven't been treated to some outstanding cinema. These are our picks for the best films of
2020 so far.
Birds of Prey
Suicide Squad wasn't exactly an auspicious first outing for Margot Robbie's portrayal
of Harley Quinn, the Joker's violently psychotic girlfriend, but most critics agreed that she
was the best part of an otherwise not-great film. Fortunately, 2020 gave Robbie and Harley
a second chance, and they ran with it in Birds of Prey. This stylish superhero flick saw
Harley at the center of a wild plot that led to the formation of an all-female team of
vigilantes. Mary Elizabeth Winstead played the revenge-obsessed Huntress, a perfectly
cast Rosie Perez joined in as Gotham CIty detective Renee Montoya, and Jurnee Smollett-Bell
was the super-powered singer Black Canary.
"Hair tie?"
"Yeah."
Together, they worked to bring down a fantastically scenery-chewing Ewan McGregor as mobster Roman
Sionis, better known as Black Mask, who has some very strong reasons for wanting them
all dead. In other words, it's an action comedy heist ensemble superhero movie, and it pulls
off each piece of that very well.
Birds of Prey scored pretty positive reviews from critics, who loved the female-led action
sequences and a tighter focus on Robbie's more fully-developed Harley. With a potential
sequel in the works, this hopefully isn't the last we've seen of Harley Quinn's solo
exploits.
The Invisible Man
If you're looking for a horror movie that combines cinematic scares and real-world dangers
2020's all-new version of The Invisible Man is definitely for you. Based on a short story
by H.G. Wells and starring Handmaid's Tale lead Elisabeth Moss, this thrilling take on
the classic horror story focuses on Cecilia Kass, a woman trapped in a controlling and
abusive relationship. When her boyfriend apparently ends his own life, Cecilia thinks she's finally
free of him…until she starts seeing him again in terrifying visions. It seems that
their story may not be quite over just yet.
Critics praised the film's social message and depiction of abuse as well as Moss' central
performance, noting how well director Leigh Whannell succeeded at blending horror and
real-life trauma to tell a scarily engrossing story. The Invisible Man can be a tough watch,
even for horror fans,, but if you're up for it, it'll be worth it in the end.
Emma.
Jane Austen's work has been adapted for the screen repeatedly, from direct adaptations
like Sense and Sensibility to modern takes like Clueless, and 2020 brought the newest
spin on Austen's classic work: Emma., directed by Autumn de Wilde. With Split star Anya Taylor-Joy
in the lead role, Emma. which is spelled with a period in its title to specify that the
film is a "period piece" uses whimsy and a lighthearted spirit to tell a familiar story.
Emma Woodhouse seeks to find happiness for everyone she loves while neglecting her own
romantic needs, but when she meets the enigmatic and handsome George Knightley, her prospects
suddenly start to turn around. Sort of.
"You talked with her!"
"Oh."
"And showed her kindness, and..."
With familiar British actors making up the supporting cast and de Wilde's steady hand
behind the scenes, Emma. proved quite popular with critics, and won over plenty of fans
in the audience, too. Whether you're a fan of Austen or new to the classics, everyone
will find something to love within Emma.
Bad Boys for Life
Nearly 20 years after Bad Boys II hit theaters in 2003 and over two decades after the first
film was released in 1995 2020 brought moviegoers the third movie in the Bad Boys trilogy. Naturally,
the sequel saw Martin Lawrence and Will Smith reprising their roles as Miami cops Marcus
Burnett and Mike Lowrey. This time around, the film finds Mike sustaining a life-threatening
injury, falling into a coma for months after an attack by cartel kingpin Armando as revenge
for putting Armando's father in prison. When Mike recovers, he and Marcus set out to get
revenge, and blow up a whole bunch of stuff along the way.
Though Bad Boys II received underwhelming reviews, and we're not sure audiences were
really clamoring for another one, Bad Boys for Life was a return to form for over the
top action. The newest film earned solid reviews across the board, and clearly, if Smith and
Lawrence want to turn their trilogy into a full-blown saga, audiences and critics alike
will welcome them back with open arms.
Onward
Pixar has been making excellent, emotionally stirring, and visually stunning films for
decades, so it's no surprise that their latest offering, Onward, is one of the best films
of the year. With a voice cast that includes heavy hitters like Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus,
Tom Holland, and Octavia Spencer, Onward tells the story of two young elf brothers, Ian and
Barley Lightfoot, living in a modernized fantasy world. Despite their very different personalities,
they set out on a mission to find a magical artifact that they think could possibly bring
back their father, who tragically passed away just before Ian was born. Together, they try
to bring ancient magic to their world, hoping to see their dad for one more day.
"I don't believe this. This spell brings him back. For one whole day, Dad will be back!"
"What? Back to life? That's not possible!"
A tearjerker with plenty of heart, Onward shocked absolutely nobody by being yet another
critical hit for the Disney-owned studio. With its quick release on Disney+ after an
abbreviated run in theaters, it's become an immediate family favorite, and for good reason.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
In the wake of Parasite's popularity and Academy Award-winning success, mainstream American
audiences might be more willing to watch subtitled films. Anyone looking to explore more international
cinematic efforts should definitely check out the historical drama Portrait of a Lady
on Fire, which came out in France in 2019 but found fame with its international release
this year. The film follows Marianne, a young painter, and Héloïse, who is about to be
married to a nobleman in Milan and needs a portrait painted. Typically, Héloïse refuses
to sit for any painter, but after forming a bond with Marianne, she agrees to sit for
the portrait, and when Héloïse's mother leaves the remote house, the two begin a passionate
relationship.
Thanks to the precise and careful direction and incredibly moving performances, Portrait
of a Lady on Fire earned nearly universal acclaim as an emotional, gripping journey.
If you want to transport yourself to France and a different time without even leaving
your home, cue up Portrait and settle in for a truly moving and beautifully told love story.
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