My last post in this week’s year-end movie recap of the year that won’t end focuses on the films I need to see before I can settle on my top ten list.
Following are some movies technically considered 2020 releases even if I might not get a stab at them until March. Others are available to stream now but I just haven’t gotten around to them.
Topping the list is Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman, which has generated tremendous acclaim, controversy and must-see buzz. I hope I’ll love this movie, but regardless, I need to have an opinion about it.
[Note: Since writing this post, I caught up with Promising Young Woman and loved it. It’s a remarkable debut.]
I’ve resisted Kelly Reichardt’s First Cow despite the excellent reviews, and I just need to suck it up and watch the damn thing. Paul Greengrass’ News of the World, another period Western, is also on the list.
Of movies not yet released, I’m most excited for Chloe Zhao’s Nomadland and Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari, two movies in the minor key humanist vein I often love.
Foreign films Another Round, Bacarau and Beanpole have piqued my interest, as have the documentaries City Hall and Crip Camp.
Finally, a trio of films that promise to be great acting showcases round out the top tier of my list: The Father, The Nest, and Judas and the Black Messiah.
Will I get to all of these movies in the next couple of months? I doubt it, but I’m going to give it the old college try. Stay tuned closer to April for my official 2020 top ten.
I don’t mind spending some time just hanging here with you
‘Cause I don’t find too many guys that treat me like you do
Those other guys all wanna take me for a ride
But when I walk, they talk of suicide
Some people never get beyond their stupid pride
But you can see the real me inside, and I’m satisfied
Oh, no, oh
[Chorus]
Even though the gods are crazy
Even though the stars are blind
If you show me real love, baby, I’ll show you mine
I can make it nice and naughty
Be the devil and angel too
Got a heart and soul and body
Let’s see what this love can do
Maybe I’m perfect for you
[Verse 2]
I could be your confidante
Just one of your girlfriends
But I know that’s not what you want if tomorrow the world ends
Why shouldn’t we be with the one we really love?
Now tell me, who have you been dreaming of?
I, and I alone
Oh, no, oh
[Chorus]
Even though the gods are crazy
Even though the stars are blind
If you show me real love, baby, I’ll show you mine
I can make it nice and naughty
Be the devil and angel too
Got a heart and soul and body
Let’s see what this love can do
Maybe I’m perfect for you
[Bridge]
Excuse me for feeling
This moment is critical
It might be me feeling
We could get physical
Oh, no, no, no
[Chorus]
Even though the gods are crazy
Even though the stars are blind
If you show me real love, baby, I’ll show you mine
I can make it nice and naughty
Be the devil and angel too
Got a heart and soul and body
Let’s see what this love can do
[Outro]
Let’s see what love can do, oh
(Maybe I’m perfect for you, maybe I’m perfect for you)
You, maybe I’m perfect for you
Even though the gods are crazy
Even though the stars are blind
Even though the gods are crazy
Even though the stars are blind
Meet Me In Montauk 
Did you think the pretentious police would let “minor key humanist” pass without comment? Not on my watch!
Anyway, I too want to see Promising Young Woman, and I think we will see it this weekend.
And I have no doubt you will see every movie on your list given your torrid Covid caused pace.
By the way, I haven’t thought about Paris Hilton for years, but, by coincidence, we just saw her in the documentary NY Times Presents Free Brittany last night.
Judas is highest on my list, followed by Nomadland and The Father, which I’m especially excited to see now that I’m officially obsessed with Olivia Coleman. 😜
I had mixed feelings about Promising Young Women before reading a NY Times piece that suggested the film was actually quite damaging to women. With the brief (but spoiler-y) synopsis provided, I found myself agreeing with their conclusion. It’s one thing to have an opinion about a movie to see where you fall in some generic debate, it feels much different, at least for this woman, to contribute to the profits of a film that may contribute, unintentionally as it may be, to the further debasement of women.
That said, Dana has been intrigued to watch it for a few weeks, and, as we do our movie-watching together, I may just see it yet. I certainly hope that if I choose to do so I won’t feel as if I have somehow betrayed my sex.
I read that article and while I understand the criticism, I don’t share it. I’ve also read criticism that the film is too hard on men. I certainly don’t think any of us is betraying our gender by watching (or paying for) it.
I’d look at it as supporting a female writer/director and thereby making it easier for other women to have movies greenlit.