Yes, there are good 2020 releases to stream
No Content for Old Men
with Matt Craig
In this week's newsletter: A complete breakdown of the movies that have (and haven't!) been released in 2020, including reviews for the 20 I've seen and four that I'm most excited for in the coming months. The movies...they're still happening!
Word Count: 2,094 words
Approximate Reading Time: 8 minutes
The State of Movies in 2020
How to appease the IP gods and still make a good movie
By now, we should've seen The Quiet Place sequel, a new James Bond movie, and the Jordan Peele-produced Antebellum. This weekend would've marked the start of blockbuster summer with Marvel's Black Widow standalone. Alas, coronavirus. Which is why the top grossing movie of 2020 is Bad Boys for Life, and three of the top six movies in box office receipts were released in 2019. Two others were Birds of Prey and Sonic the Hedgehog, bad movies for tweens, which it will not shock you to learn I have not seen and will not be appearing on this list. Same goes for top 10 moneymakers Dolittle and The Call of the Wild, and to a lesser extent Onward (which I wanted to see but missed).
Now the price point for direct-to-VOD releases has been set at $20, a bargain for families but enough to scare me away from movies that I'm not convinced I'd like. That accounts for my blind spots in The Photograph, The Way Back and the critically acclaimed Never Rarely Sometimes Always. One might hope that pushing blockbusters back could pave the way for some worthy smaller indies to come in via VOD and capture the zeitgeist, especially with the MPAA's announcement that this year streaming movies will be eligible for the Academy Awards.
I spent the week picking through various libraries searching for hidden gems. And I started to realize why every year hundreds of movies are released and we never hear about them. No one wastes marketing dollars because they're just not that good.
The reason? Sure, anything poised to break through will be held until the fall, but one can no longer ignore the fact that all of our most creative filmmakers are working on serialized shows. Why wouldn't they? It's more money, more creative freedom, and a license to make intelligent stories for adults, instead of the four-quadrant IP crap that soaks up all the oxygen in the film world.
Which, good for them, but it doesn't change the fact that movies will always be a more powerful art form than "television" (or whatever TV is these days). I challenge any of my readers to tell me with a straight face that their favorite TV shows are more impactful, more valuable, or "better" than their favorite movies. You can't. Because there's power in scarcity. Each minute means more. It may not seem like it now, in May, but when we come to what will be a ridiculously crowded awards season slate this fall, you'll see.
All that said, there have been some good movies this year! Even though you can't go out to your local theater to see them, you can stay current on all the new movies with this list. I'm bringing out my signature tier system, which longtime readers will know works like a bell curve and is meant to help translate the rankings. Here's the 20 I've seen:
Tier 1: The All-Timers
none
Tier 2: Legitimately Great
1. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Hulu): Technically it's a 2019 release, but was almost impossible to find until Hulu picked it up in February. While the above photo with the face-coverings felt appropriate for our times, this movie is set in 18th century France, where a painter is dispatched to produce a portrait of a woman as an engagement present to her future husband. Of course, artist and subject fall in love. And as much as I'd like to believe Parasite's success last year has broken the stigma around subtitles, I know that a French-language lesbian love story isn't everyone's cup of tea. But that way of discussing the movie betrays just how thrilling it is from start to triumphant finish. It may be artistically inclined, but it's not gauzy or overly sentimental. I wouldn't cash in all my recommendation chips to sell you on it, as I think it'll eventually settle near the back end of my year-end top 10, but it's certainly the only movie to this point that has earned any consideration for that hallowed ground.
Tier 3: Make a Point to See It
2. Blow the Man Down (Amazon Prime): Ok, I did find one hidden gem for you. From first time writer-directors Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy (two women! hey Hollywood, they can make good stuff too!) comes this neo-noir black comedy set on the coast of Maine, in a fishing village ruled by secrets and small town politics. Two innocent sisters get swept up in a crime cycle that brings it all to the surface. It's a really astute look at a particular culture, and interpersonal dynamics, which one might expect from a good indie. Yet its plot is propulsive enough to elevate the movie beyond that. I know you're using Amazon Prime for everything else in your life right now, so it's time to use it to watch a good flick.
3. The Invisible Man (VOD): I reviewed this movie at length . It's a gimmick movie, but it commits to the bit and pulls it off to such a high level that it's hard to complain. Unfortunately it may lose some effectiveness outside the theater, so turn off the lights and lock in to this thrill ride.
4. The Gentlemen (VOD): This movie is trashy, messy, and flawed. Exactly what you'd hope to see from Guy Ritchie, who escaped the franchise apparatus to return to this cockney gangster roots. He's best when he's creating pure pulp, all style and no substance. Which is doubly true when he can assemble a cast like this: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Hugh Grant, Jeremy Strong, and Colin Farrell giving the funniest performance of his career. It's hilarious, (very) profane, and super entertaining.
5. Bad Education (HBO): I reviewed this movie last week , and was happy to hear from a whole handful of you all who watched and enjoyed this one. It's the best possible version of a low stakes, real life adaptation.
Tier 4: Worth a Watch
6. Tigertail (Netflix): An emotional immigrant story that has never really been told before on the big screen, but based on the friends I've met whose parents are immigrants it rings incredible true to their experience. Director Alan Yang, whom I like a lot, tells the very personal tale of his father basically sacrificing all his own hopes, dreams and desires to provide a better life for his kids. Unfortunately, this movie feels more "important" than "good," and I was more moved by the emotional truth than the way it was adapted on screen.
7. Arkansas (VOD): This was a surprisingly nice find. Tonally, it's a bit of a mess, never able to figure out if it wants to be funny or thrilling. But it does a really nice job of creating the world of disorganized drug smugglers in the south, inhabited by colorful characters: John Malkovich is a park ranger, Vince Vaughn is a godfather, Liam Hemsworth is an idiot foot soldier, Michael K Williams is a fireworks salesman, and Vivica A. Fox is a spoiled middleman. Their collective sheer force of will and charisma carry this movie, which I think could've been truly great if it had reworked its third act conclusion.
8. Just Mercy (VOD): I reviewed the movie in full . The documentary-like attention to detail of procedure and minutia hurts the narrative potential of this movie, but ultimately amplifies the emotional impact of this true story.
9. Emma (VOD): Copying what I wrote . "It's an entirely competent but unspectacular Austen adaptation. The front half of the movie attempts to modernize the subgenre, with an Instagram-worthy aesthetic and humor that was borderline parodying Victorian movies altogether. But it's difficult to make fun of something then ask the audience to take it seriously, so the back half of the narrative evolves into a more traditional and sappy drama. It makes the climax work, but in the process losses some of what made this version of an oft-told story unique."
10. The Assistant (VOD): This movie requires the viewer to bring a large amount of preexisting knowledge about its subject matter, which is the Harvey Weinstein scandal in everything but name (the "boss" here is never seen or named). All the value you're going to get from this movie is subtext, because the actual plot basically follows protagonist Julia Garner (from "Ozark") going through one day's menial tasks as an executive assistant. The only action comes from what you can observe in overheard conversations, items left behind in offices, and the various looks people give her. It's a really unique concept for a movie, to approach a hot button topic so obliquely. But seeing her get treated terribly over and over wears thin quickly.
Tier 5: There Are Better Options
11. Big Time Adolescence (Hulu): I don't like what it says about 2020 that the biggest pop star in the world is Billie Eilish and we're trying to make Pete Davidson into a movie star. This movie basically Swingers for Generation Z, where everyone is racked with anxiety, addicted to drugs, and doesn't really care about "making it."
12. Bad Boys for Life (VOD): I mean...it did its job. The movie is fun, the stunts are nice. It's like a perfectly mediocre studio movie. I reviewed it in full .
13. Endings, Beginnings (VOD): This movie falls into the common indie trap of valuing authenticity above drama. It explores a powerful idea, that we hold on to our biggest tragedies so we can use them to excuse future screw-ups, but it does so without the help of an interesting plot. But I will say this. The fact that Shailene Woodly's protagonist is falling in and out of love with actors Matthew Gray Gubler, Jamie Dornan and Sebastian Stan, who could all be each other's doppelgängers, is pretty spot on for the Silver Lake setting.
14. Downhill (VOD): I reviewed the movie , which unfortunately casted Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus and then didn't let them be funny. Bummer.
15. Love Wedding Repeat (Netflix): Netflix puts out several of these cookie-cutter romantic comedies every year. They're all cheap and fun and super forgettable. I have a soft spot in my heart for Olivia Munn, a fellow Oklahoman (uh yeah, that's the only reason), so I endorse throwing this movie on in the background sometime when you just want to unwind.
Tier 6: Don't Waste Your Time
16. True History of the Kelly Gang (VOD): Probably the biggest disappointment on this list. It's a really interesting subject -- an infamous Australian criminal -- and it's got a killer cast (including a bearded Russell Crowe!), but it really gets stuck in the mud of its source material. As an anthropological character study of a hero who slowly loses his mind, played brilliantly by George MacKay (of 1917 fame...the kid can REALLY act), it's interesting to think about. But as far as narrative cohesion and sustained drama, it totally fails. I had really high hopes.
Tier 7: Your Eyes Will Bleed
17. A Kid From Coney Island (VOD): Much like ESPN's "The Last Dance," this documentary is pure propaganda for its subject, Stephon Marbury. It's a hagiography, which leaves little room to investigate what made Marbury a potentially fascinating documentary subject.
18. The Last Thing He Wanted (Netflix): I guess because it's based on a Joan Didion novel, and starring Ben Affleck and Anne Hathaway, this movie was getting serious buzz at Sundance. Then people saw it. And it's AWFUL. It doesn't make any sense, and worse than that, it doesn't do anything to make a viewer want to continue watching (unless you're hate-watching, like I did). I reviewed it .
19. Miss Americana (Netflix): The thing I've always hated about Taylor Swift is how every move she made felt calculated, like there wasn't an authentic bone in her body. This documentary was supposed to be the coming out party for "the real Taylor," shedding her facade. Instead, it comes off like every frame of the film was reviewed by a panel of PR managers. Which only reinforced everything I didn't like about her. But I can't lie, she is really talented.
20. Spenser Confidential (Netflix): I reviewed the movie , and maintain my conspiracy theory that this movie is intentionally terrible. It was created by an algorithm, not a director. Pete Berg, Mark Wahlberg, blink twice if you're being held against your will.
Movies Soon to Come!
Capone (May 12, VOD): I was tracking some genuine interest when I linked to the trailer for this Tom Hardy-led Al Capone biopic. Thankfully, the wait is not much longer. Apparently Rian Johnson saw a cut of the movie and called it "batshit crazy." Take from that what you will.
The Lovebirds (May 22, Netflix): This movie had a great trailer, and I was very much looking forward to seeing this in theaters a few weeks ago. But the Issa Rae-Kumail Nanjiani adventure comedy has all the makings of something that's about to get incredibly popular on Netflix. And then get meme-d to death.
The King of Staten Island (June 12, VOD): This was a big announcement, because Judd Apatow movies are big events among a certain segment of the movie world. Instead of holding it back for theateres, he's plunging ahead on VOD. Pete Davidson is starring, so without looking I'm going to guess this movie is about smoking weed and failing upwards?
Da 5 Bloods (June 12, Netflix): Perhaps an even bigger announcement came Thursday afternoon, when we found out Spike Lee's latest project is not only skipping theaters, it's coming to Netflix. Not a whole lot is known about this movie but it's starring Chadwick Boseman and my guy Paul Walter Houser. That's enough for me. I'd tentatively call this the first entry into awards season.