By Julian Silva-Forbes
Movies did not escape 2020’s weirdness. Coronavirus pushed franchise films like James Bond: No Time to Die, Black Widow, and Top Gun: Maverick into 2021, and we watched the year’s best movies from our phones and laptops.
Yet, in the middle of this weirdness, fantastic films were released on various platforms and services. With the arrival of the new year and the Oscars in just a few months, I wanted to share some of my (free!) favorite movies from this unusual year.
The Vast of Night (2020)
Free to stream on Amazon Prime Video – Rated PG-13 for a few lines of strong language
7.5/10 Bolts
Created on a budget of fewer than one million dollars, The Vast of Night is a unique take on Twilight Zone era sci-fi. Director Andrew Patterson’s debut, the film follows two teenagers as they search for the source of a mysterious radio frequency in their rural hometown. Patterson blends sweeping camera movements with dragging long takes, merging the visual style of classic cinema with that of modern TV and YouTube videos. One of the upsides of 2020 has been the ability for micro-budget movies like this to shine through, and I would encourage any sci-fi fans to give The Vast of Night a try.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)
Free to stream on Netflix – Rated R for short stints of sexual content and violence
5.5/10 Bolts
The late Chadwick Boseman’s last film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom tells the story of Ma Rainey, a famed yet emotionally wounded blues singer. Electric performances from Boseman and Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis infuse the film with a lively rhythm over its 90-minute runtime. Directed by George Wolfe, a playwright, the film’s extended monologues and limited locations tend to feel better suited for the stage than for the screen. These theatrical qualities may turn off some viewers, but the unique visual style and dynamic performances make Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom an interesting watch.
Soul (2020)
Free to stream on Disney Plus – Rated PG for heavy themes
8.5/10 Bolts
After recent successes like Inside Out, Coco, and Toy Story 4, Pixar’s hot streak continues with Soul. The film follows Joe Gardner, a middle-school jazz teacher whose life in New York City is flipped upside down when his soul leaves his body and catapults into the mystical world of the “Great Beyond.” This transition is highlighted by a shift from Jon Batiste’s lively jazz score to Trent Reznor’s atmospheric melodies. These two fantastic scores act as another character in the film, giving vibrance and color to Gardner’s emotions. Moreover, Pete Decter’s direction seamlessly blends the lightheartedness of a kids movie with a powerful message about finding purpose in life. Soul is 2020’s best animated movie and could make some noise at the 2021 Oscars.
Mank (2020)
Free to stream on Netflix – Rated R for a few lines of strong language and a few seconds of sexual content
7/10 Bolts
David Fincher—the director of classics like Fight Club, The Social Network, and Zodiac—is back with Mank, a period piece about the screenwriter of Citizen Kane. From the opening credits, Fincher meticulously constructs every frame of the film in the style of 1930s Hollywood—I would recommend this film purely for its craftsmanship. Moreover, Mank offers a dense plot packed with witty dialogue and is surprisingly funny. Although the plot may be a little convoluted at times, its wide scope offers a little bit of everything for cinephiles and history buffs alike.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Free to stream on Netflix – Rated R for frequent drug use and language and occasional violence
8/10 Bolts
Acclaimed screenwriter Aaron Sorkin’s second directorial effort follows the “Chicago 7,” a loosely aligned group of political activists prosecuted for inciting a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Subtle performances by Joseph Gordon Levitt and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II shine through the film’s ensemble cast, featuring Eddie Redmayne, Michael Keaton, and Sacha Baron Cohen. However, the most notable part of the film is its editing. Sorkin’s bold non-linear editing style dances between characters and timelines, exploring the tensions that continue to define American politics and spicing up the classic beats of a trial movie.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)
Free to stream on Amazon Prime Video – Rated R for being very, very inappropriate. Nudity, strong language, and more
7.5/10 Bolts
Fifteen years after Borat’s first appearance on the big screen, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is just as outrageous as the original. Sacha Baron Cohen’s crude humor adapts well to the setting of 2020 America, as Borat navigates Trump rallies, the coronavirus pandemic, and conspiracy theorists. While Cohen never loses sight of the film’s shock-based comedy, the work is a surprisingly pointed critique of American politics. Cohen is joined by Bulgarian actress Maria Bakalova, whose hilarious and often cringeworthy performance as Borat’s daughter is a fresh addition to the series.