Let's face it, 2020 was a rough year for the film industry. Blockbusters were delayed (RIP to No Time To Die), productions halted, and a lot of high-profile releases fell flat 😅. But despite the chaos, a few films managed to rise above the pandemic’s obstacles, proving themselves worthy on both big and small screens.
Here are the five films that gave 2020 a much-needed cinematic lifeline.
Tenet
Christopher Nolan is back, and as usual, he’s messing with our heads. Known for his mind-benders like Inception, The Dark Knight, Interstellar, and Dunkirk, Nolan returns with Tenet, and it’s no easy ride. One friend described it perfectly: “If Inception is like a first-grade reader, The Prestige a second-grade book, and Memento a sixth-grade essay, Tenet is like a 20,000-word thesis written by Sigmund Freud.” In other words, prepare for a challenge.
The movie is as complex as it is visually stunning, with standouts in both cinematography and costumes. Robert Pattinson plays a supporting role, giving us a glimpse of what he’ll bring to the table as the future Batman. Twilight vampire? Who's that again?
The Gentlemen
Guy Ritchie’s signature style is unmistakable, and The Gentlemen might just be one of the bright spots in an otherwise dreary year for cinema. A colorful cast of characters - ranging from a dapper drug lord to a fastidious hitman - keep the audience hooked through witty dialogues and unpredictable plot twists.
The ensemble cast is stacked with names like Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Hugh Grant, Henry Golding, and Colin Farrell. Each actor delivers a memorable performance, all wrapped up in Ritchie's signature dark humor and slick style. Even the suits in this movie are something to drool over.
Greyhound
Put Tom Hanks in a WWII setting, throw on a military uniform, and it's a winning formula. In Greyhound, Hanks plays Captain Ernest Krause, leading a convoy of 37 ships through the treacherous waters of the North Atlantic in 1942, during the early stages of U.S. involvement in WWII.
This is one of those tense war movies where every decision is a make-or-break situation. You’ll learn a thing or two about naval tactics, ship formations, and what it takes to lead men under extreme pressure. If war and submarine films are your thing, this one's a must-watch.
The Invisible Man
If you remember Hollow Man (2000) with Kevin Bacon, The Invisible Man will bring back some familiar vibes - but with way more twists. This updated take on the "invisible bad guy" amps up the fear factor and dives into the horrors of an abusive, controlling man who’s now invisible... and somehow even scarier 😂.
Elisabeth Moss absolutely nails it as the tormented wife in this tense thriller.
roduced by Blumhouse, a studio that's built a reputation for churning out hit horror flicks, this one won’t disappoint. The film touches on themes of toxic masculinity, much like The Irishman, Joker, and other recent dark male-centered narratives - only this time, you can't even see the guy.
Extraction
Netflix hit gold with Extraction, racking up 90 million household views in its first month. Starring Chris Hemsworth as a black-market mercenary tasked with rescuing a crime lord’s kidnapped son, the movie is full of intense, brutal action scenes that are worth the watch. But the plot? Well, let’s just say it’s a bit thin 😢.
The whole "tough guy softens up while protecting a kid" trope has been done to death. In fact, NBC’s review summed it up well: Extraction wasted Hemsworth’s comedic talents. Still, its financial success can’t be ignored, and there’s already talk of a sequel. A so-so storyline that still managed to pull in huge numbers - hey, in 2020, that’s a win.
One undeniable takeaway from the film? Chris Hemsworth’s haircut is top-tier. Even bloodied and battered, the man pulls off a High & Tight Fade with a natural fringe that would make any barber proud.
So there you have it, the five films that rescued 2020 from being a total cinematic wasteland. Which one did you enjoy the most?
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