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The Best Movies of 2020, So Far Review

By Matthew Passantino

The Movies, At Least, Have Been Good

The kneejerk reaction to the crazy times we are currently living in is to disregard the 2020 movie year as a complete bust. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, theaters across the country have closed their doors - hopefully only temporarily for most - and the reopening goalposts keep moving further back. The moviegoing world is waiting for Christopher Nolan's "Tenet" to "save the day" and draw crowds back to the big screen, but therein lies the problem: crowds.

Summertime is usually when most of the big blockbusters are released, so it has been strange not showing up to theaters with a big crowd and palpable anticipation. We must adjust. Despite the current state of movie theaters, 2020 has offered plenty of great films, which are available to catch up with right in your home.

The five best movies of the year, so far (listed alphabetically):

"Da 5 Bloods": Spike Lee's latest joint is a sprawling work of art and a great sampling of what Lee does best as a director. The movie follows four Black vets, who served in Vietnam together and return there to find the remains of their commander and a large sum of gold. Lee ties the treatment of the men in the Vietnam era to the present. Part old fashion war epic, part treasure hunt, "Da 5 Bloods" is nothing short of a stunner. Delroy Lindo leads the great ensemble and deserves an Oscar nomination for his performance. Now streaming on Netflix.

"Driveways": It all could have been so cliché: A mother (Hong Chau) and her young son (Lucas Jaye) must clean out a deceased family member's house, and the son forms a bond with the retiree next door (the late Brian Dennehy, in an Oscar-worthy performance). Under the direction of Andrew Ahn, and with a screenplay by Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, "Driveways" is anything but trite. This is a beautiful story of finding friendship in the most unexpected places, and its gentle touch is what we need right now. Now available in virtual cinemas.

"First Cow": Kelly Reichardt movies are something of an event in independent cinema. She has such a keen eye for detail and characters and allows her movies to take the time they need to unfold. "First Cow," a story of a cook (John Magaro) who teams up with a Chinese immigrant (Orion Lee) to make a buck is an entertaining heist film, of sorts, which puts you on the muddy Oregon trails with the characters. Releasing on VOD in July.

"The Invisible Man": Leigh Whannell's take on the classic tale was one of the few great movie-going experiences this year. Star Elisabeth Moss gives a committed and captivating performance as a woman trying to escape the memories of an abusive relationship, which linger long after her husband dies. Stylish and thrilling, "The Invisible Man" provides great entertainment with an important message. Now available to rent and own.

"Never Rarely Sometimes Always": Newcomer Sidney Flanigan gives one of the year's best performances in Eliza Hittman's "Never Rarely Sometimes Always." She stars as a teenager who gets pregnant and must go to great lengths to receive an abortion. The movie is about a controversial topic but never tries to whip up any heated debate. This is a non-judgmental look at the strenuous path to exercise the right to choose. Now available to rent on VOD.

It's hard to predict what will happen for the rest of the year, but here's hoping we continue - in one form or another - to get great movies.

What did you think?

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Summary BPBS's Matt Passantino give us his take on the best movies that 2020 has had to offer so far.
View all articles by Matthew Passantino
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