Top 10 Films of 2020- Fraser’s Picks

So the worst year of our lives is now drawing to a close. And as we prepare for better days in 2021, it’s time to reflect on the films 2020 has produced. This has been no ordinary year for cinemas and as a result, we’ve seen many more films going direct to streaming, jumping a cinema release entirely. It’s certainly been a different kind of year, but this will be the same old Top 10 format that Watch Mojo constantly milks dry. So without further or do, here’s my Top 10 Films of 2020

10. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (Dir Jason Woliner)

Borat (2007) was a film I had no idea actually needed a sequel. But this was a real surprise (quite literally) as Amazon announced this by surprise. Releasing direct to streaming just weeks before the US Elections, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm perfectly embodies the craziness that this year was. Both funny and intriguing, and one you can even watch with your mother, Borat squeezes in at number 10

 

9. Tenet (Dir Christopher Nolan)

Coming in at number 9 is Christopher Nolan’s new film, Tenet. Releasing back in August, Tenet was the kind of film we all needed after spending 3 months in front of Netflix and Amazon Prime. A great piece of escapism, Nolan brings out the best of the big screen experience with big action and loud sound. For more about Tenet, read the review right here

8. A Nossa Terra, O Nossa Altar/ Our Land, Our Altar (Dir André Guiomar)

I’ve been very fortunate this year to get to work with Sheffield Doc/Fest as part of the programming team with my fellow students on my course at University. And part of this involved watching some documentaries from this year’s Doc/Fest. Our Land, Our Altar is a brilliant documentary about Alexio, a neighbourhood in Porto and focuses around the lives of its inhabitants. This a really fascinating and eye-opening documentary and one that shouldn’t be overlooked this year. Find out more here.

 

7. Eternal Beauty (Dir Craig Roberts)

At number 7 is the second feature length film from Craig Roberts. I went to see this at my local independent cinema after seeing the trailer at the re-release of the fantastic Memories of Murder. Eternal Beauty is a wonderfully dark comedy about a woman (Sally Hawkins) who after having been jilted on her wedding day, spirals into schizophrenia. Both wonderfully beautiful and able to bring a tear to the eyes, Eternal Beauty was one of the most unexpected hits of 2020 for me. And it even reunited Billie Piper and Penelope Wilton! Top stuff

6/5.  Red, White and Blue/ Mangrove (Dir Steve McQueen)

As part of the Small Axe films, this duo of Steve McQueen films come in at 6 and 5. I’ve been struggling as to which order these should go in. Both of these films felt much needed after the BLM protests in the summer caused by the result of the unnecessary force used by the Police, resulting in the death of George Floyd. Whilst those issues are much more prominent in the US, Steve McQueen’s films bring the focus onto racism and Police violence in the UK. Both of these stood out to me as being absolutely fantastic, and more than deserving of places here. You can stream the full Small Axe series right now on BBC iPlayer here in the UK

 

4. 1917 (Dir Sam Mendes)

It’s quite easy to forget how long ago the Oscars were, and the hype around 1917 and whether this would take the best picture award. I was blown away when I originally saw this at the cinema in IMAX. Sam Mendes teams up with Roger Deakins to create one of the most visual and gritty films of 2020. It’s a real cinematic experience with a fantastic story to tell. Based on Mendes Grandad’s experience of the war, this is by far one of the best films to have released this year.

 

3. Jojo Rabbit (Dir Taika Waititi)

Just scraping into eligibility for this list, having released New Years Day 2020 is Jojo Rabbit. Based on the book Caging Skies, Waititi delivers one of the most entertaining films of the year. I fell in love with this film at the start of the year and it has been very difficult to dislodge that love ever since. Its charming and heartbreaking, and a film that the whole family could enjoy together as they laugh at Waititis comical impression of Adolf Hitler.

 

2. Parasite (Dir Bong Joon Ho)

Whilst technically a 2019 film, we here in the UK didn’t get Parasite until January 2020, so I think that counts! I got my first Bong hit all the way back in December of 2019 when I watched Snowpiercer (2013) as part of a Uni module. Ever since then I’ve experienced almost every Bong hit (I’m only missing Mother and Oakja) and Parasite has only further elevated my love for this man. A true genius of a filmmaker, Parasite more than exceeded everything I had heard and quickly became my most rewatched film this year (6 times I believe). I couldn’t get enough of it, I even checked out the black and white edition, which is currently available on Amazon Prime right now.

 

1. Soul (Dir Pete Docter)

The moment I left the preview screening as part of London Film Festival, I knew Soul would be one of my favourites. I had no idea how much I really needed this film at the time, and the heartwarming nature brought to life the good of the world. To me, this felt like everything 2020 couldn’t take away from us, the simple natures of what makes living so wonderful and beautiful. This for me secured the top spot of my Top 10 list. You can read the review for Soul right here.

 

So that’s it for 2020. The year that promised big but was ultimately pushed back to 2021. Here’s to next year being better, safer and to hopefully seeing more great films on the big screen!!