It’s time to post my top 20 films of 2020 and top 20 tv shows of 2020!
As usual, I need to have seen it, it was released in 2020 in the UK and it is just my opinion. If you disagree, please tell me about your choices, I’d love to know!
#FilmsOf2020 #TVShowsOf2020
10. Ted Lasso
A real surprise and a gem of a comedy.
9. The Stranger
A bizarre Netflix mystery drama. Captivating watch.
8. The Twilight Zone
A brilliant reprisal of the old series. Such great, mysterious stories and incredibly entertaining.
7. Manhunt: Deadly Games
Little known in the UK, but this series was fantastic. Thrilling.
6. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
This sitcom keeps going from strength to strength, so funny.
5. The Boys
Action? Thriller? Drama? I’m not sure what to call this show. It’s bizarre, dark, controversial and well worth a watch!
4. The Mandalorian
Mando has brought peak Star Wars back. This series is just pure joy, and so much fun to watch. Plus, BABY YODA!
3. Hunters
This Amazon series was a real surprise. I had no real idea what it was about, but I quickly fell in love with it. It’s dark, and funny, and twisted and weird. It also has one of the most sinister bad guys I’ve ever seen.
2. Criminal: UK
A very short Netflix drama series. It’s so well written and well performed. I am a huge fan of many bottle episodes in a series, and this show is basically all bottle episodes.
1. Ghosts
My show of the year. It’s so funny and heartwarming. This silly little sitcom shouldn’t move me to tears, but it does. And to top it off, the Christmas special was the highlight of this year’s festive tv offering.
20. The Midnight Sky
A late entry this year, but it’s got some real heart to it. Clooney is excellent and the story is captivating.
19. The Lovebirds
An unexpected gem of a rom-com. The story kept me guessing and I kept on laughing.
18. The Parapod Movie
A tiny little film, but there is history being made here. The first podcast to be turned into a movie! So very funny and full of the stuff that made the podcast so great.
Ian and Barry have made something special here.
17. Onward
An unusual offering from Pixar saw this lovely tale of brothers searching for the chance to spend time with their father. It’s funny and sweet. Not quite top tier Pixar, but still charming and worth your time.
16. Richard Jewell
The second telling of this true story (see Manhunt in the TV Show list). The film isn’t quite as good as the series, but it’s still captivating stuff and tense as hell at times!
15. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Powerhouse performances throughout. This adaptation of the play really feels like a play on screen, and it really works. The character work here is exceptional. A very sad farewell to Chadwick Boseman, who we tragically lost this year.
14. Saint Maud
A horror of circumstance and an exploration of a mind falling into an ever deeper and darker place. This is an unsettling watch, and one that makes you think long after seeing it.
13. Rebecca
This new adaptation divided opinion, but I really liked it. Solid performances throughout, and a classic story given a modern, fresh feel.
12. Soul
Pixar’s second offering this year is great. It’s very odd and at times hard to keep up with, but it’s a brilliant exploration into what makes life special. A great story told in an interesting way, with a brilliant soundtrack.
11. His House
A chilling ghost story that is just as horrific in its depiction of the refugee experience in Britain. It’s a tough watch, one that doesn’t hold back. And it’s scary. But definitely one to try for yourself!
10. Dark Waters
A style of film that we’ve seen before, this felt quite 90s in tone. But it’s one hell of a story, scarier to know it’s true! Mark Ruffalo is absolutely terrific in this.
9. Hamilton
Is it a film? Is it a stage show on screen? I’m counting it. This is just as good on screen as it is live on stage. A brilliant show, and one I would class as a must see.
8. Tenet
The timey-wimey adventure from Nolan was the big blockbuster of the year. I still don’t really know what was going on, but it was thrilling, well made and a ride I want to go on again soon! The airport sequence is brilliant.
7. Rocks
Wow, what a lovely little film set in London. Considering very few of the cast are seasoned actors, the performances are remarkable. A moving story of young siblings trying to deal with some very tough circumstances.
6. Bombshell
It’s hard to remember a time that Covid and Brexit weren’t the big news items, but this film, set on the outset of the #MeToo movement is a brilliant and important reminder of events.
5. Jojo Rabbit
A story of a young boy who has Hitler (played by Taika Waititi) as his imaginary friend. And it wasn’t a fever dream. And it was excellent.
4. The Trial of the Chicago 7
A very timely film, and an excellent court room drama. Excellent performances throughout, particularly Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen and Mark Rylance. “The whole world is watching,” and so it should.
3. The Invisible Man
Sinister, claustrophobic and heartbreaking at times, this Blumhouse horror is absolutely excellent. It is as much about surviving as a victim of domestic abuse as it is about a man that turns invisible. But also full of genius camera work.
2. Parasite
Oh wow, what an experience this was. So funny, twisted and unique. A magnificent story, full of shocking moments. A slow burn that feels equally action packed. Very hard to sum up, just watch it for yourself!
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