Best movies of 2020
that I have seen ranked (updated)
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- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsJohn David WashingtonRobert PattinsonElizabeth DebickiArmed with only the word "Tenet," and fighting for the survival of the entire world, CIA operative, The Protagonist, journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a global mission that unfolds beyond real time.A movie I ich to see again. Tenet is Nolan at possibly his most Nolan for better or worse. This movie is like no other I have ever seen. It looks great, the twists make sense and are calculated. It also makes you rethink everything you already saw. You thought Inception was confusing? Hold Nolan's beer. Amazing editing, the action is so great. The final 30 minutes are bonkers, and it's Nolan's bond for sure. I love this movie and need to see it again. My biggest problem with it is the characterization. Even though I like the performances, we know nothing about these characters. Like Dunkirk the film is more about the events, not the characters. The villain's reasoning is silly, like a 60s bond villain. But, I enjoy it. I wish we know more about the characters, so we could latch on to them. At the same time that's not the point of the film? It's hard to put this film into words, but as a film buff and someone who likes things complex it's great, and something I will not forget. I would love a sequel, more background about these characters, and I hope that fan theory about Neal is true, cause that's awesome.
Grade: A- - DirectorSpike LeeStarsDelroy LindoJonathan MajorsClarke PetersFour African-American vets battle the forces of man and nature when they return to Vietnam seeking the remains of their fallen squad leader and the gold fortune he helped them hide.Amazing acting all around: the whole cast is jaw dropping. The first hour there is a lot of great emotional building of the characters, some would say slow, but I would say it was good buildup. However, then at the hour mark something happens- I could feel my heart in my throat. It's Ironic they go get one brother and leave another behind. I wonder why they captured the French people, part of it was paranoia, this film After that is tense. Reminded me of casualties of war, a simple lie, and triple treat rolled into one. Very Spike lee, but also feels like a more modern film. Black klansman had his spike lee Isims, which is good when used right. But, this film feels like a classic lee film in all the best ways, and I can't remember a last time a spike lee movie did that. I mean this in a positive way. Fore example, there is a monologue and zoom pan on a character which was remenist of an tick the director used to do in his earlier films like do the right thing. The actor who played Paul is electric and Chadwick Bosman is not in the film, as much as maybe advertised. However, his presence can be felt throughout the film and his performance is also magnetic. Ends on a tracking shot just like his last film. A powerful, important, relevant, tense, heartfelt, and tragic movie. It was great, but not very rewathcable.
Grade: A- - DirectorBrian DuffieldStarsKatherine LangfordCharlie PlummerYvonne OrjiGet ready for the outrageous coming-of-age love story about growing up...and blowing up. When students in their school begin exploding (literally), seniors Mara and Dylan struggle to survive in a world where each moment may be their last.David Cronenberg indeed. Filmed in 2018, but released in 2020 and sadly relevant. This film has flown under the radar. All the performances are great. It's one of the best teen movies of the past few years. It's also original, extremely dark, sad, funny, and I loved it.
Grade:A- - DirectorMax BarbakowStarsAndy SambergCristin MiliotiJ.K. SimmonsStuck in a time loop, two wedding guests develop a budding romance while living the same day over and over again.A very rewatchable movie at a quick 90 minute pace. Very much like groundhog day, the leads are perfect, it's predictable, but a great watch. One of the most enjoyable films of the year with a good message about maturing. Hilarious, and at times poignant.
Grade: B+ - DirectorCory FinleyStarsHugh JackmanRay RomanoWelker WhiteThe beloved superintendent of New York's Roslyn school district and his staff, friends and relatives become the prime suspects in the unfolding of the single largest public school embezzlement scandal in American history.Hugh Jackman gives one of the best performances of the year, Allison Janey is also great. The direction is good from Cory Finley, who also directed the underrated Thorughbreads. A fascinating true life story, Bad Education is funny, dark, and even a little sad. Perfection and greed are themes seen throughout this movie. This movie is entreating throughout.
Grade: B+ - DirectorAntonio CamposStarsBill SkarsgårdTom HollandBanks RepetaSinister characters converge around a young man devoted to protecting those he loves in a postwar backwoods town teeming with corruption and brutality.This film is based on a book and I enjoyed Antonio Campos's previous film- Christine. This film also had an amazing cast and trailer, so I was very excited about it. Robert Pattison is not overacting the whole cast here is great. Bill Skarsgard lights up the screen, Tom Holland, Sebastion Stan, Jason Clark, Riley, I mean an all-star cast, everyone is really good. Boy is this film depressing. The score, the atmosphere, imagery, it's very well made. The narration I thought was an interesting touch, definitely reminded me of the place beyond the pines. This is a hard film to rank though, it's 2 hours and 18 minutes. It feels overstuffed and also not long enough at the same time. It would have worked better as a tv show, there feels like parts are missing. I would have liked more backstory for the serial killers I found them pushed to the side. I think the ending is great and they do a good job connecting all the characters. This is a film full of great moments, that never fully reaches it's potential, but I still really enjoyed it. The more I sit on this film, the more I like it, I've thought about putting it higher, but's not as rewatchable as some of the films above.
Grade: B+ - DirectorGuy RitchieStarsMatthew McConaugheyCharlie HunnamMichelle DockeryAn American expat tries to sell off his highly profitable marijuana empire in London, triggering plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him.Guy Richie's best movie in years, The Gentlemen is a fun gangster film with a great cast. All the characters are well told, it's a typical Guy Richie movie like Snatch. It's meta, it's funny, there's ton of action. It's Mathew's first live action movie that was good since interstellar. It's stylish and it's a hell of a good. This movie is exactly what I expected it to be and what I wanted it to be.
Grade: B+ - DirectorThomas BezuchaStarsDiane LaneKevin CostnerKayli CarterA retired sheriff and his wife, grieving over the death of their son, set out to find their only grandson.A great modern western, with great performances. The score and direction is beautiful. It's a haunting emotional film that leaves an impact. Although it's predictable
Grade: B+ - DirectorCathy YanStarsMargot RobbieRosie PerezMary Elizabeth WinsteadAfter splitting with the Joker, Harley Quinn joins superheroines Black Canary, Huntress, and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from an evil crime lord.DC is on a roll! A creative, fun, violent, and dead pool like movie Birds of Prey was a blast. It used it's R rating well and shows a whole other side of Gotham. Margot Robbie, the other Birds of Prey, and Ewan are all really good. Mary Elizabeth Weinsted stole the show. Some of the supporting characters are not developed as well. And the story at times might be a little over the place. However, this movie has a lot of rewathability. It's looks great, the action scenes are good, it is colorful, and the constumes are cool. Overall it starts off 2020 superhero movies a bang and is one of the best DC extended universe movies.
Grade: B+ - DirectorNick RowlandStarsCosmo JarvisBarry KeoghanLiam CarneyDouglas 'Arm' Armstrong has become the feared enforcer for the drug-dealing Devers family, whilst also trying to be a good father. Torn between these two families, Arm's loyalties are tested when he is asked to kill for the first time.(2020 wide release)
This film actually has two names, it's also called Calm with Horses.
Grade: B+ - DirectorEmerald FennellStarsCarey MulliganBo BurnhamAlison BrieNothing in Cassie's life is what it appears to be - she's wickedly smart, tantalizingly cunning, and she's living a secret double life. Now, an unexpected encounter is about to give Cassie a chance to right the wrongs from the past.Carrey Muligan gives a great performance. Bo Burham as her love interest and in his first major role is also great. Very well acted, interesting premise, great soundtrack, solid direction, relevant, and haunting. The movie is extremely interesting. The way it copies themes of a romcom like the sad montage and get back together scene is both jarring and smart. This movie was one of my favorites of 2020. But that ending I still do not know how to feel about it. Many are mixed on it- I love parts of it, but also I felt like with the ending and the music choices the director wanted me to feel a certain way and I could not. I have not felt a way about an movie ending is so longed. I am shocked by it. Her death was shocking, but then did she want to die? The whole thing with the messages and the reveal with her boyfriend was so sad. But then his reaction would have liked more emotion. Overall a great debt for this director and mulligan should be nominated.
Grade: B+ - DirectorJustin KurzelStarsGeorge MacKayEssie DavisNicholas HoultAustralian bushranger Ned Kelly and his gang flee from authorities during the 1870s.There are many different versions of the Ned Kelly Story like the one from 1970 with mcjagger or the Heth ledger one. As shown in the end of the film those are just myths of ned Kelly. This film claims to be the true story and it's on a much smaller scale than expected. The cast is great: Russel Crowe, Charlie Hunman, and Nicholas Hoult all shine as villains at different point in this man's life. George Mckaky is memorizing in the lead role, as well as is his young counterpart. And Essie Davis as his mother is haunting, her presence is felt throughout the whole film. This movie in wonderfully directed especially the ending fight, it looks almost mythical. The pacing is little all over the place, at times the film can feel rushed or covers a lot of ground. One can't also wonder through out the film, how much of it really happened. But, this is a unique film with the best direction I've seen so far this year, crossdressing, wild, this film is uncrompanising. And ends on a powerful message a man whose country has been taken from him, oppressed by a people, his life ruined by them, and in the end even his own story taken from him.
Grade: B - DirectorJason WolinerStarsSacha Baron CohenMaria BakalovaTom HanksBorat returns to America from Kazakhstan to America, this time to reveal more about the American culture, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the political elections.I am a huge fan of Cohen and the first Borat. This movie was a great comedy and exactly what I expected it to be. Though, not as rewatchable or good as the first one, it is very funny. As of now, this is number 9 on my list of best films of the year, but it's by far the funniest. Maria Bakalova, in her first acting role, is great here. There are so many great jokes: the song, the temple joke, the stuff with Rudy. A super funny comedy with also a surprisingly sweet core. You care for the relationship between father and daughter.
Grade: Very nice! - DirectorGavin O'ConnorStarsBen AffleckAl MadrigalJanina GavankarJack Cunningham was a high school basketball phenom who walked away from the game, forfeiting his future. Years later, when he reluctantly accepts a coaching job at his alma mater, he may get one last shot at redemption.A formulaic basketball movie with a interesting ending, solid direction, and an amazing performance by Ben Affleck. There is a way this movie could have ended and I am happy they did not end it that way. That being said the players and story are pretty formulaic. However, this film is also a character study, it is an easy, sad, solid watch. Ben Affleck is so so good. He really evaluates this film and I really enjoyed it.
Grade: B - DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsBeckyBengalMasayuki DeaiA young boxer and a call girl get caught up in a drug-smuggling scheme over the course of one night in Tokyo.(2020 wide release)
I am a huge fan of Takishi Mike, his most recent film blade of the immortal was one of my favorite movies of 2017. Know he's back with first love I was waiting along time to see this movie and it finally came on Amazon prime. it's funny and violent like most of his films. However, even though the characters like the hooker and boxer had some background depth I felt the characters were not that well developed. This is a funny film with an easy digestible plot. However, with a 97 on rotten tomatoes and one of the best asian directors even with his 100 film I expected to love this movie. And maybe that's unfair aspirations to put on it. Overall though I thought it was really good. The action and music was solid. It had a silly fun plot. Some solid twists and turns. The more I think about the film the more I like it. The main character is solid, the budding romance is enjoyable, and one of ht villains is super funny.
Grade: B - DirectorSofia CoppolaStarsBill MurrayRashida JonesMarlon WayansA young mother reconnects with her larger-than-life playboy father on an adventure through New York.Although not as good as their previous work, this was still an enjoyable film. Bill Murry is great here as is Rashida jones. The characters feel lived in, funny, dramatic, and possibly showing a real relationship that the director feels with her own magnetic father. On the Rocks is exactly what I expected it to be and very enjoyable.
Grade: B - DirectorBrett HarveyStarsCheech MarinCraig BalkamDanielle TrejoHaving spent much of his early life in prison, actor Danny Trejo discusses his career and how he has overcome a life of crime and addiction.(2020 wide release)
Great documentary, Trejo has had such an interesting life, this doc covers his life, his career, his friends and family, other actors are great here. This doc does nothing special, but the story is great.
Grade: B - DirectorJudd ApatowStarsPete DavidsonBel PowleyRicky VelezScott has been a case of arrested development since his firefighter dad died. He spends his days smoking weed and dreaming of being a tattoo artist until events force him to grapple with his grief and take his first steps forward in life.Pete Davidson has had a solid year with this and
Big Time Adolescence, I like this film a tad more. Here he plays basically the same man- child role like he plays in most movies or on Snl, including in Big time. However, in this performance, which was based on his real life there is emotional depth. Directed by Judd Apatow, this is one of the director's more mature films like Funny people. This is easily Davidson best performance. In fact, the whole cast is solid with Marisa Tomei, Maude Apatow, Bill Burr, Bel Powley, and Steve Buscemi round out a great supporting cast. This film also showcased a love for Staten Island. Funny, sad, and enjoyable this was a solid comedy.
Grade: B - DirectorJason OrleyStarsGriffin GluckLarry John MeyersMichael DevineA suburban teenager comes of age under the destructive guidance of his best friend, an aimless college dropout.(2020 wide release):
The performances are all solid. Pete Davidson plays a character he often plays, but is really good. Griffin Gluck is also endearing as the lead. Big Time Adolescence was shot in Syracuse and I had been waiting for it for awhile. This film did not disappoint. It is funny, realistic, and at times even sad. The ending in particular shocked me and felt kind of abrut, but also nesscary. I get the message of the film, but at thee same time it feels muddled. The film is also cliche at times. However, good performances, direction, a solid story, and music make this a fun different coming of age film.
Grade: B - DirectorKaren MaineStarsNatalia DyerTimothy SimonsWolfgang NovogratzAfter an innocent AOL chat turns racy, a Catholic teenager in the early 2000s discovers masturbation and struggles to suppress her new urges in the face of eternal damnation.(2020 wide release):
Natalia Dyer gives a great central performance. In this funny little film, kind of reminded me of lady bird. A short runtime at an hour and 1 17. This film is hilarious, insightful, all the performances are really good. It's awkward and it captures that early 2000s feel, in which the film takes place. It might be predictable, but it's such a fun film to watch. I think also an important message about judging people, and an honest teen film.
Grade: B - DirectorAdil El ArbiBilall FallahStarsWill SmithMartin LawrenceVanessa HudgensMiami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett must face off against a mother-and-son pair of drug lords who wreak vengeful havoc on their city.I am fan of this franchise. A change of directors, a 17 year wait, and a January release date. My expectations for this movie were not super high. This might have been the best film of the franchise. Just as good as the first, better than the second. Amazing chemistry, fun action, funny scenes. Without Michael bay the film is more coherent action scenes. Some fun twists and cameos.
Grade: B - DirectorRegina KingStarsKingsley Ben-AdirEli GoreeAldis HodgeA fictional account of one incredible night where icons Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown gathered discussing their roles in the Civil Rights Movement and cultural upheaval of the 60s.Amazing performances, feels like a play, fictional conversation, I would never watch it again, but it's an very entertaining watch- the set design was also great. All the actors were just unreal. And many of them should be nominated.
Grade: B - DirectorSam LiuStarsJason IsaacsAmy AckerDiedrich BaderWhat if baby Kal-El's rocket landed not in Kansas, but in the Soviet Union? That is the premise of this Elseworld's tale from DC Comics.I am huge fan of the comic it is one of the best Superman comics I think. Like most Dc Animated movies there are some major changes to the source material. The animation, music, direction, and voice work are solid. I think the run time is too short, most Dc Animated movies are an hour 30, but there is so much to cover at times it feels rushed. For example, by the time they reach the 40 minute mark, there is a huge time jump, and brainiac has just appeared. Some changes though they made from the comics were like his relationship with Stalin. There were parts of this movie I loved and it was actually one of the better DC animated movies I have seen recently. Especially one with Superman, but I can't help, but feel this would work better as a miniseries or a longer movie. The stuff with Batman origin is interesting and different than the comics. But there also stuff they took out from the comics like his rise of power I would have liked to seen. Overall this movie had some great moments, but I think it tried to pact too much into his run time. A great comic from 2003 and a solid adaption.
Grade: B - DirectorAngel Manuel SotoStarsJahi Di'Allo WinstonMeek MillWilliam CatlettFourteen-year-old Mouse desperately wants to join the Midnight Clique, an infamous group of Baltimore dirt-bike riders who rule the summertime streets.Based off 12 clock boys documentary Charm City Kings is a powerful coming of age film, that is predictable, bust bolstered by incredible performances and solid direction. Meek Mill is great here, as Jahi Di'Allo Winston, a young star in the making, and the whole supporting cast till the mom, his friends, the cop are all great. The robbery is predictable. reminded me of juice, and king of Staten Island, but does not make it any less heartbreaking. Predictable, but powerful film.
Grade: B - DirectorLeigh WhannellStarsElisabeth MossOliver Jackson-CohenHarriet DyerWhen Cecilia's abusive ex takes his own life and leaves her his fortune, she suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of coincidences turn lethal, Cecilia works to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see.After the failure of the dark universe, universal decided to go in a different direction with their monster movies and I’m happy they did. The invisible man from the director of upgrade was a blast. the performances are all solid especially from Elizabeth moss. The film starts off a little slow or Predictable in the first half. However, the second half picks up and the ending was great. Great direction and music evaluate this film. Some things were frustrated and I would have like more development for the relationship or villian. But overall this was a cool update on the story.
Grade: B - DirectorBenjamin KasulkeStarsHannah MarksLiana LiberatoDylan SprouseOver the course of a summer, two teenage girls develop the perfect kindred spirit friendship, with one big problem: one of them is dating the other's ex.(2020 wide release)
Same production company- as Big Time Adolescence. This film was also shot in Syracuse. It's a fun, but predictable teen film. I like that it's about changes in lives- there going off to college. The four main characters feel lived in and their performances make the movie. The friend dynamic between them, as well as a solid soundtrack, make this a solid coming of age film, about friendship and young love.
Grade: B - DirectorBrian WelshStarsCristian OrtegaLorn MacdonaldLaura FraserTwo teenage boys in Scotland in 1994, best friends with no control over their lives, risk everything to attend an illegal rave, hoping for the best night of their boring lives.(2020 wide release)
Though a predictable film, the performances are great, the music is good, a heartfelt film. The two leads have great chemistry. The whole cast in fact is great. The time period and feelings of the people are really well captured. These people all feel lived in and the ending credits that tell you what happened to them is really sad, but honest. But, this party was kind of the last meeting for all these people and it was a magical time. A good film, but I would never watch it again.
Grade: B - DirectorAneesh ChagantyStarsSarah PaulsonKiera AllenSara SohnChloe, a teenager who is confined to a wheelchair, is homeschooled by her mother, Diane. Chloe soon becomes suspicious of her mother and begins to suspect that she may be harboring a dark secret.From the director of searching this movie was not as good, but still enjoyable. The two main performances are great, it's well-directed, and I like the score. Those elements all heighten the film, which was really predictable. But it was also tense and really well done. I also loved the dark twisted ending, which set it apart from other movies like this.
Grade: B - DirectorDean ParisotStarsKeanu ReevesAlex WinterKristen SchaalOnce told they'd save the universe during a time-traveling adventure, two would-be rockers from San Dimas, California find themselves as middle-aged dads still trying to crank out a hit song and fulfill their destiny.Huge fan of the first two, I think this is the worse of the three, but it's still really good. I honestly do not know how a bill and ted sequel could be any better. It's fun, stupid, the characters keep the tone, there are great callbacks, there is more character development then the first two, the daughters are great. As for problems I honestly which it was longer, and the ending was abrupt.
Grade: B - DirectorCoodieChike OzahStarsStephon MarburyRonald StewartFeature documentary about the rise and fall, and rebirth of ex-NBA star, Stephon Marbury.(2020 Amazon release)
Stephen Marbuary is a cult like player and I am huge fan of his. So, I was excited for this documentary and it takes an uncovnetial approach. At first, I was annoyed that marbuary himself does not show ip till the end, but it ended up working in the documentary. The film covers his whole career and redemption. I thought the career stuff was well done, I liked the interviews with his family members, they did a good job of conveying the pressure he felt. However, at times the trades felt rushed. I would have liked more context like his trade from the timberwolves and suns and nets. Also, I would have like if they interviewed Kevin Garnett or more of his teammates. The ending was powerful and emotional. There were some great moments and as fan of this player I liked the doc a lot.
Grade: B - DirectorBob MetelusFrom childhood to retirement you can see the life of an all star basketball player. Through ups and downs it let you get to know that life is more than basketball and it's lights.I am a Miami heat fan and huge fan of D Wade. Great documentary, showed a lot of real moments, went in depth, more about his persona life than career. Just a solid basketball doc, any heat fan, NBA fan, will love.
Grade: B - DirectorKenji NagasakiStarsDaiki YamashitaNobuhiko OkamotoYuka TerasakiA group of youths aspiring to become professional superheroes, fight in a world full of people with abilities, also known as quirks. Deku and his fellow classmates from Hero Academy face Nine, the strongest villain yet.Huge fan of the show, and I enjoyed the first movie. This one was just as good if not better than the movie. First the cons, the villains though they have cool powers are not well developed at all. I thought the wolf character was the best villain and he was not even the main one. The powers look cool, but I wanted better motavation. The film is also very cliche the kid characters were exactly what you would aspect. However, as far as OVA's g this is very good. The voice work and animation and music are all great. I also love that this movie focused on Bakugo more and had some more totriquo also. Two characters who have been ignored in season 4. What really though took this movie over the top for me was the amazing final battle. The minute the music starts playing and that twist my jaw dropped. I love the twist in this movie, but they kind of walk it back which is frustrating and I think there was a missed oppturntinty on how it could have been resolved. However, in future seasons if this is referenced in would improve the movie for me. But overall fun fan service.
Grade: B - DirectorDan ScanlonStarsTom HollandChris PrattJulia Louis-DreyfusIn a magical world full of technological advances, elven brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot set out on an adventure to resurrect their late father for a day.Original concept but cliche. Great animation and voice work. Onward was good, but not great. A middle of the pack Pixar movie but still a solid animated movie. And the ending was really solid with some really good emotional moments throughout.
Grade: B - DirectorSung Jin AhnStarsChris Jai AlexSasha AlexanderMichael ChiklisAssassin Slade Wilson leads two lives: a relentless killer known as Deathstroke and a family man. Can he atone for the sins of the past-or will his family pay the ultimate price?Bloody, violent, fun, a good DC animated movie with solid action scenes and great voicework.
Grade: B - DirectorChristopher LandonStarsVince VaughnKathryn NewtonCeleste O'ConnorAfter swapping bodies with a deranged serial killer, a high-school senior discovers that she has fewer than 24 hours before the change becomes permanent.Exactly what I would suspect from Blumhouse, Vince Vaughn gives a great performance. He is both hilarious and terrifying. Kathryn Newton and the actors who player her friends/ love interest are also solid. From the director of happy death day- the movie is directed well, is fun and easy to watch. It's also cliche and very predictable. With a dead parent plot just like happy death day. However, I had fun with this movie and uses it's amazing premise well.
Grade: B- - DirectorPatty JenkinsStarsGal GadotChris PineKristen WiigDiana must contend with a work colleague, and with a businessman whose desire for extreme wealth sends the world down a path of destruction, after an ancient artifact that grants wishes goes missing.There is a good Superher movie somewhere in here. Pedro Pascal steals the show as Maxwell Lord, he was great. It's nice to see pine back, Gadot is even better than before, and Wig is also fine. However, this movie is totally jumbled. It's both epic and small-scaled. A romance and adventure. I know many complained about the pacing and lack of action in the first half. However, I actually really enjoyed those romantic moments and plane scene. When she has to say goodbye to Steve, although it feels rushed it was a powerful moment. The third act is bookers and has some crazy moments, how was this not talked about Justice league. At the moment where she convinces lord to stop, pascal's performance is really good. This movie is messy, has pacing problems, tonal problems, but also great moments, and is a blast to watch. Also that after credit scene was great.
Grade: C+ - DirectorBrandon ViettiStarsBruce GreenwoodVincent MartellaJohn DiMaggioAn anthology series of 5 DC showcase: Death in the Family, Sgt. Rock, Adam Strange, The Phantom Stranger and Death.I am a huge Batman Under the redhood fan and this movie had the same team coming back clearly inspired from this story. So I was curious how they would use the choose own adventure gimmick. Part of it is just recap in the start, but the stuff with superman is great. Also provides, very interesting context and improves red hood, by knowing fall out parts. However, my problem with this is cheap looking animation at time I would have preferred a red hood sequel or one of these alternative realities as a much longer film with the original voice cast. Instead, doesn't even fully animate some scenes. The dinner scene is amazing, but ultimately doesn't even feel like a full film. And it has great moments, but it should have been amazing and could have been an amazing film if they did an extended version of one of these paths and used better animation. Still had great moments though- the diner scene and bruce death. Also shows clips from killing joke, but uses different joke which feels lazy.
Grade: C+ - DirectorClea DuVallStarsKristen StewartMackenzie DavisMary SteenburgenA holiday romantic comedy that captures the range of emotions tied to wanting your family's acceptance, being true to yourself, and trying not to ruin Christmas.Extremely cliche and forumalic. Also, very similar to Meet the parents. All the performances are great. The leads are really strong and Dan levy almost steals the show. Well directed, fun, and good some emotional moments. A solid Christmas movie.
Grade: C+ - DirectorGina Prince-BythewoodStarsCharlize TheronKiKi LayneMatthias SchoenaertsA covert team of immortal mercenaries is suddenly exposed and must now fight to keep their identity a secret just as an unexpected new member is discovered.A solid action movie based off a comic book series. This franchise has a-lot of potential and set's up sequels and covers the lore. This was a fun film. The performances are really good, there are solid emotional moments, I enjoy the characters. The flashbacks are cool to see. The plot is little exposition heavy and I do not think the film is that rewatchable. Also, the film is predictable. The action is well helmed, the fights look good, I enjoy the team aspect. Overall, this was a solid action film and I am excited for what they have in store.
Grade: C+ - DirectorSam HargraveStarsChris HemsworthBryon LerumRyder LerumTyler Rake, a fearless black market mercenary, embarks on the most deadly extraction of his career when he's enlisted to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord.Great action scenes, though predictable, and the plot lacks at time.
Grade: C+ - DirectorBrandon TrostStarsSeth RogenSarah SnookMolly EvensenAn immigrant worker at a pickle factory is accidentally preserved for 100 years and wakes up in modern-day Brooklyn.Seth Rogen gives a charming dual performance. The best parts of this movie are the quiet somber moments. At time's it get's a little predictable or silly. Some of the jokes hit, some miss. The plot kicks into gear during the third act as our character keeps stumbling into situations. A heartfelt solid film, and as a jew it was very easily to relate too.
Grade: C+ - DirectorMichael FimognariStarsLana CondorNoah CentineoJordan FisherLara Jean and Peter have just taken their relationship from pretend to officially official when another recipient of one of her old love letters enters the picture.I enjoyed the first one, this one is not as good, but was exactly what I expected it to be. The performances are all serviceable. The film builds off the relationships of the previous film. It is very very cliche, some of the decisions are dumb. The film though is glossy sweet and I think the third one could be better. Overall a fun simple watch and what I expected.
Grade: C+ - DirectorJeff FowlerStarsBen SchwartzJames MarsdenJim CarreyAfter discovering a small, blue, fast hedgehog, a small-town police officer must help him defeat an evil genius who wants to do experiments on him.One of the better video game movies. This film is very cliche, predictable, silly, but that's okay! Because this film is better than it had any right to be. This and detective Pickachu show that video game movies can be. The Sonic redesign looks great, the voice work is good, James Marsden is fine with the material given, and Jim Carrey is classic 90s. A sweet fun family film can't wait for the sequel!
Grade: C+ - DirectorNiki CaroStarsLiu YifeiDonnie YenGong LiTo keep her ailing father from serving in the Imperial Army, a fearless young woman disguises herself as a man and battles northern invaders in China.It's very well done, and the performances are solid. However, the movie feels hollow.
Grade: C+ - DirectorHenry JoostAriel SchulmanStarsJamie FoxxJoseph Gordon-LevittDominique FishbackWhen a pill that gives its users unpredictable superpowers for five minutes hits the streets of New Orleans, a teenage dealer and a local cop must team with an ex-soldier to take down the group responsible for its creation.This film has a great concept and cast. And it's a fun watchable film, but should have been wayy better. The plot and characters are very generic. Dominique Fishback is great here. Jammie Foxx gives a good performance and-so does Gordon levvit and it's nice to see him back in a movie. However, he is pushed to the side and the characters all feel like stock. This is a fun film to watch and it's well made. My biggest problem with it is the script and characters. The film feels like it wasted it's great concept. Also, I enjoy the character of Robin, but to have her while looking for the Major's daughter. It's just very weird like why couldnt he have had a son. Cause this it feels like a replacement daughter the whole film. Overall this film is watchable and their were some fun moments. I would want a sequel or more in this world, but it should have been better.
Grade: C+ - DirectorMichael AlmereydaStarsEthan HawkeEve HewsonEli A. SmithA freewheeling take on visionary inventor Nikola Tesla, his interactions with Thomas Edison and J.P. Morgan's daughter Anne, and his breakthroughs in transmitting electrical power and light.Ethan Hawke gives a great performance and the supporting cast is strong. I will praise this movie for taking a different direction. It's stylistic choices in terms of how all the backgrounds are drawn, the use of a narrator, iPhones, computers, modern direction. All of this were inspired choices and some hit and some done. However, the pace for this movie was slow, it was too darkly lit at time, felt scattershot, and rushed. But, also was captaining, interesting, and Hawke was great. I feel like this movie could have been amazing, had some really good ideas, a great story, strong production design, but it was just fine and I would never watch it together.
Grade: C+ - DirectorMichael ShowalterStarsIssa RaeKumail NanjianiPaul SparksA couple (Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani) experiences a defining moment in their relationship when they are unintentionally embroiled in a murder mystery.Breezy fun enjoyable comedy with good leads and chemistry. However, as a follow up from the Big Sick with this director it's somewhat disappointing. This film is just fine with some funny moments sprinkled in. But the writing seems lazy, the film is largely forgettable, but it does have something to say about relationships.
Grade: C - DirectorCraig ZobelStarsBetty GilpinHilary SwankIke BarinholtzTwelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don't know where they are, or how they got there. They don't know they've been chosen - for a very specific purpose - The Hunt.Good lead performance, subvert expectations, solid direction, funny political commentary, this movie is not controversial. The plot and set up is silly. The character development is nonexistent. But this movie gets its message across, scattershot, funny, bloody, some solid moments.
Grade: C - DirectorVince MarcelloStarsJoey KingJoel CourtneyJacob ElordiIn the sequel to 2018's The Kissing Booth', high school senior Elle juggles a long-distance relationship with her dreamy boyfriend Noah, college applications, and a new friendship with a handsome classmate that could change everything.The first kissing booth, was not as bad I thought it would be. This one does not look as cheap but is way worse. They did exactly what these shitty or mediocre Netflix teen rom coms have been doing. They introduce a love triangle, the female protagonist will kiss the new guy over some dumb reason, but still, end up with her boyfriend. Just like they did in To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You. The background characters in this movie who I thought were supposed to bee seniors in the last one are still here and annoying. All the actors are trying their best, the newcomers like the actor who plays marco and Maisie Richardson-Sellers their too good for this movie. It's so predictable and cliche. The first one was at least watchable in parts. And this film is way way too long. It was over 2 hours and had no right being that long. Look at Banna split a great teen movie that came out in 2020, which should get way more recognition than this film. And that movie is only an hour and 19 minutes. I guess there are some cute moments in this film and I do not hate the characters. But this is a bad film that drags. And is worse than the first, which was also not good.
Grade: 35