So now we’re half way through the list of Top 20 Movies of 2020, so now it’s time to bring you the Top 10 with a selection of the higher ranked movies that I loved through 2020.
10 – Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
The long titled film which was later shortened to Harley Quinn Birds of Prey was another of those movies I had the chance to check out in 4DX. Opening with animated credits with a back story for Harley Quinn you get the feeling that Birds of Prey is certainly going to be a bit of a bonkers film, forget those other DCEU movies, this one takes the gamble to give Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) the film that only this character could have.
9 – Dark Waters
It was another Cineworld Unlimited Screening and we headed over to Llandudno to check out the preview of Dark Waters, the film starring Mark Ruffalo as Bob Bilott, a corporate defence attorney, who takes on an environmental lawsuit against one of the biggest chemical companies, Dupont, to exposes a lengthy history of pollution.
This was surprising movie that had me glued to the screen from start to finish and that’s one of the many reasons it’s in the Top 10 of my Top 20 Movies of 2020.
8 – The Personal History of David Copperfield
This is a delightful film and one that was beautifully shot and crafted.
The Personal Life of David Copperfield may not be for everyone, especially the younger audiences, but it’s my personal view that this is a movie that is not only delightful to watch it looks wonderful as well, it did take me a little while to shift “Doctor Who” out of my mind when Peter Capaldi came on to the screen, but I absolutely loved his portrayal of Mr. Micawber he is perfectly cast for the role. I also found myself laughing with the moments of Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange) as the rather alcohol loving Mr Wickfield.
Dev Patel is a delightful joy to watch as the lead role of David Copperfield and his screen time brings the character to life amongst some of the other wonderful and strange characters of the Dickens’ adaptation.
The film is beautifully directed by Armando Iannucci (In The Loop, The Thick of It), who many will know from The Thick of It and working with Capaldi on that, he has certainly brought the spirit of Dickens into the film.
7 – Onward
Disney Pixar did it again with Onward they brought us a film that was not only fun to watch but it was also a very emotional movie, they also decided to release the film in RealD 3D and 4DX so we were pulled into the film with motion and depth, great seeing the smaller kids laughing so much when the seats were moving and them trying to grab things as the 3D brought the screen to life.
6 – 1917
Every so often a film comes along that even before it’s released almost everyone seems to be shouting about and 1917 is one of those movies, so I headed over to the new 4DX screen at Cineworld in Broughton to check out Sam Mendes’ new World War One movie and boy oh boy was it worth it, the 4DX was used in small but precise moments that added to the films feel.
5 – TENET
Over the past decade, Christopher Nolan has become one of IMAX’s most important and influential filmmaker partners, so when I heard that he had filmed TENET with IMAX cameras I was really excited to see the film, not only that the look of scenes being reversed really intrigued me.
TENET is certainly worthy of being in the Top 5 of my Top 20 Movies of 2020 list and although it may not have done as well as hoped due to the lockdown it’s a film that is certainly worth checking out.
4 – HOST
I’ve described HOST as “The Paranormal meets the Zoom Generation” when I reviewed the film. HOST was shot during the lockdown and it feels different from most horror films, it makes you feel on edge and works very well. Not for the faint of heart to watch!
3 – Military Wives
Another of the Cineworld Unlimited screenings and thankfully before the Lockdown, directed by Oscar®-nominated director of The Full Monty, Peter Cattaneo, the inspirational comedy-drama based on the incredible true story of The Military Wives Choirs, the film follows the wives as their partners are away at war in Afghanistan, the group of women came together to form a singing troupe, overcame their differences, and became a global media sensation.
I was so honoured to be given the chance to screen Life After Navigator by Lisa Downs prior to its release on Blu-ray and Digital. It’s a movie from the 80s that is loved by many and has gained such a huge following since its release back in 1986, now in Life After The Navigator from renowned writer/director Lisa Downs we are taken beyond the Flight of the Navigator and find out more about the rollercoaster life that its star Joey Cramer took after the films immense popularity.
1 – Parasite
Parasite was a film that I thought would elude me to seeing it on the big screen, it never seemed to come our way then shortly after it’s triumphant win at the 92nd Oscars it cam to my local Cineworld.
Parasite is a stunning movie and if you can sit through it reading the subtitles then don’t miss the chance to see the film, this film has everything you could possibly want from a movie of this calibre, the music by Jaeil Jung even brings in an overwhelming feeling of emotions throughout the film.
Farewell 2020 Roll on 2021
So there you have it, folks, that’s my list of my Top 20 Movies of 2020, it’s been a year that really hasn’t boded well fort he cinema box office but what films we have had the chance to see on the big screen they have been fun.
So now it’s just down to us all hoping that 2021 is going to be a better year and that cinemas across the UK will be able to open their doors again to welcome movie fans to the world of action, drama, horror, fantasy and adventure.
Check out my full list of Top movies on my Letterboxd page.
Happy new year everyone.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
