2020 is a very unusual year, also for the film industry. Although affected by the epidemic, there are not many new films released this year, but there are also excellent films. According to Douban scores, we have selected ten of the best movies of the year. Come and catch them all!
Poster of Soul. (Credit: Pixar)
Soul "Spirit of Soul"
Douban score: 9.1
In the first Pixar cartoon to have an African-American lead character, Jamie Foxx provides the voice of a music teacher who dreams of making it as a jazz pianist in New York. But just after a successful audition, he falls down a manhole, and finds himself in an astral realm where human spirits are assigned their personalities. And things get even more surreal from there.
《心奇旅》是The first Pixar animated film with an African American protagonist, Jamie Fox dubbed a music teacher who dreams of becoming a jazz pianist in New York. But just after a successful interview, he fell into a sewer, and when he woke up he found himself in a soul world, where human souls have their own personality. Things have become more bizarre since then.
Recommended month: December
Still from Nomadland. (Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Nomadland "Nowhere"
Douban score: 8.7
When Fern (Frances McDormand) is widowed, she can't afford to live in a house of her own, so she packs her few belongings into a camper van, and drives off into the Nevada desert. She soon discovers that she isn't alone: there is a large community of senior citizens who have been forced to live on the road, supporting themselves with short-term jobs along the way. What makes Nomadlandunique is that while Fern is played by an Oscar-winning actress, nearly all of the people she meets are real nomads who recount their own experiences. Written and directed by Chloe Zhao (The Rider), the film is a “hybrid of documentary and fiction”.
Fein (played by Francis McDomond) lost her husband, she couldn’t live in her own house, so she closed itHe picked up the few personal belongings and put it on the campervan and drove to the Nevada desert. She soon discovered that she was not alone: a large group of elderly people lived here, they were forced to live on the highway, relying on short-term work along the way to make ends meet. The uniqueness of this movie is that although Fein’s actor is an Oscar-winning actress, almost everyone that Fein meets on the road is a real wanderer. They are just telling their own personal experiences. . This film is written and directed by Zhao Ting (who has directed "The Knight"). It is a "film of documentary and fiction."
Recommended month: December
Still from Wolfwalkers. (Credit: Apple TV+)
Wolfwalkers "Wolfwalkers"
Douban score: 8.1
Celtic folklore and stylised hand-drawn 2D art. Their latest rousing fairy tale is set in the mid 17th-Century, when English soldiers are trying to tame the wild woods near Kilkenny. One hunter's daughter learns that there aren't just wolves in the forest, but “wolfwalkers” who can change into wolves at night. Richard Whittaker in the Austin Chroniclepraises “a heartwarming story of family and friendship, a family-friendly examination of the horror of repression, a bracing adventure about two girls finding themselves, and a stealth art history lesson... Wolfwalkers stands proud as a new classic. "Z1z
This year's most outstanding animation film is not from DreamWorks or Pixar, but from Cartoon Salon Animation Studio. This Irish film studio focuses on Celtic folklore and stylized hand-painted graphic art. Their new film tells an exciting myth that happened in the middle of the 17th century, in which English soldiers are trying to capture a virgin forest near Kilkenny. The daughter of a hunter knew that there were not only wolves in the forest, but also "Wolfwalkers" who turned into wolves at night. Richard Whitaker of "Austin Chronicles" praised the film as "a heart-warming story about family and friendship, an examination of horror and oppression from a family perspective, and the exciting adventure of two little girls in search of themselves , And a silent art history class... "Wolfwalker" is a well-deserved new classic."
Recommended month: December
Still from The Croods: A New Age. (Credit: Universal Picture)
The Croods: A New Age "Crazy Primitive 2: New Era"
Douban score: 8.1
The prehistoric family from 2013'shugely enjoyable cartoon, The Croods, makes a welcome return, so we can expect more frenetic adventures, bizarre hybrid animals, and endearing vocal work by such well-cast actors as Nicolas Cage, Catherine Keener, Emma Stone and Ryan Reynolds. In the much -delayed sequel, they meet another family, the Bettermans (voiced by Peter Dinklage, Leslie Mann and Kelly Marie Tran), whose advanced lifestyle and technology makes the Croods look even more primitive than they did already. “The Croods lead with their heart, and the Bettermans lead with their brain," says Joel Crawford, the film's director. "Of course, there's conflict, they face challenges, but they learn to appreciate each other's differences. There's a lot of wonderful, powerful themes. But it's a ridiculous comedy too."
The prehistoric family in the 2013 super happy animation "Crazy Primitives" is about to return in the expectation. We are expected to see crazier adventures, weird hybrid animals, and hear Nicholas Cage and Catherine Key Lovely voice acting by outstanding actors such as Na, Emma Stone and Ryan Reynolds. In this long-overdue sequel, the family meets another family-the Batemans family (voiced by Peter Dinklaki, Leslie Mann, and Kelly Mary Chen). The family’s advanced lifestyle and technology make the original Cruz family more primitive. The director of the film, Joel Crawford, said: “The Cruz family lives with their hearts, and the Batemans lives with their brains. Of course, conflicts exist, and they face challenges, but they learn to appreciate each other’s Different. There are many wonderful and powerful themes in the movie. But this is also an absurd comedy.” Recommended month: November
Still from Tenet. (Credit: Warner Bros.)
Tenet "Creed"
Douban score: 7.7
If any film is going to tempt crowds back to cinemas, it's Christopher Nolan's Tenet, a brain-frying science-fiction blockbuster with a high concept and a higher budget. John David Washington stars as a secret agent who learns about mysterious weapons that move backwards through time, and then dashes off on a mission to find the man responsible, a sadistic Ukrainian arms dealer played by Kenneth Branagh.Tenetis a Bond movie that squeezesBack to the Future 2andEdge of Tomorrowinto its last act. After six months with almost no new films in cinemas, it's good to see a film so crammed with exotic locations, snazzy costumes, shoot-outs and explosions that you get six months' worth of entertainment in two and a half hours.
If there is any film that can attract the public to return to the theater, it is Chris Dove Nolan's "Creed", this is a high-cost high-concept, brain-burning science fiction blockbuster. John David Washington plays a special agent in the film. After he learned of the secret weapon that can turn time back, he quickly embarked on the task of finding the culprit. The latter is played by Kenneth Branagar. A cruel Ukrainian arms dealer. "Creed" is essentially a 007 movie, and the ending is a combination of "Back to the Future 2" and "Edge of Tomorrow". After six months when almost no new film was released, it was great to be able to see a movie full of exotic, trendy costumes, gun battles and explosion scenes. It took six full months in two and a half hours. addiction.
Recommended month: September
Still from Onward. (Credit: Disney/Pixar)
Onward "1/2 of the Magic"
Douban score: 7.7
Dragons, unicorns and other fairytale creatures are usually consigned to a mythical past ancient Greece or Medieval Britain , but the big idea behind Pixar's latest animation, Onward, is that they are all still alive and kicking in the US today. Tom Holland and Chris Pratt (better known as Spider-Man and Star-Lord) provide the voices of two elf brothers who go on a road trip – or a magical quest, depending on how you look at it – in an attempt to bring their father back from the dead. Ben Travis writes in Empire thatOnwardis “pure, perfect Pixar – a film with such warmth, whip-smart humor and creative energy that it's a sheer joy to spend a few hours in its presence".
z0Dragons, unicorns, and other mythological creatures are usually arranged in mysterious pasts such as ancient Greece or medieval England, but the story setting of Pixar’s latest animation "The Magic of 1/2" is that these mythological creatures all live alive In contemporary America. Tom Holland (Spiderman) and Chris Pratt (Star Lord) embark on a road trip for the two — or a journey to explore magic (depending on how you look at it, the purpose is to bring father back to life) — Voiced by the Elf Brothers. Ben Travis wrote on the Empire website that "The Magic of 1/2" is "a pure and perfect Pixar movie-with a heartwarming, witty sense of humor and creative vitality. Hours are spent in happiness.”Recommended month: March
Still from Saint Frances. (Credit: Oscilloscope Laboratories)
Saint Frances "Saint Frances"
Douban score: 7.4
Kelly O'Sullivan is both the screen of this sensitive indie comedy about Bridget, a directionless Chicago thirtysomething who gets a job as a six-year-old's nanny. Of course, Bridget is soon learning as much from Frances (Ramona Edith-Williams) as Frances is learning from her. Saint Franceswas the audience-award winner at last year's SXSW festival, where Brian Tallerico at RogerEbert wrote that “the movie really snuck up on me and walloped me emotionally in the final scenes in ways I wasn't expecting”. The reason: “we believe in its characters... Bridget makes mistakes, but they feel organic and genuine, not designed as'movie lessons'." This comedy tells the story of an undirected Chicago woman in her thirties, Brigitte, who works as a nanny for a 6-year-old child. Of course, Brigitte quickly learned a lot from Francis (played by Ramona Edith-Williams), and Francis also learned a lot from her. "St. Francis" won the Audience’s Choice Award at the South by Southwest Film Festival last year. Brian Taller of the film critic network RogerEbert wrote: "This film conquered me unexpectedly. The unexpected way deeply touched my emotions." The reason is "the role is convincing... Brigitte will make mistakes, but these mistakes are natural and real, without preaching."
Recommended month: February
Still from Hillbilly Elegy. (Credit: Netflix)
Hillbilly Elegy "The Elegy of the Countryman"
Douban score: 7.4
JD Vance’s fraught account of his poverty-stricken Appalachianupbringing in Ohio was a New York Times bestseller in 2016, when it was viewed by some commentators as a window into the soul of US white working-class. The film of Hillbilly Elegyis directed by Ron Howard (Apollo 13,A Beautiful Mind) and written by Vanessa Taylor (The Shape of Water). Both writer and director have worked on Oscar-winning hits, but awards-watchers have their eyes on its two female stars: Amy Adams plays Vance's unstable, drug-addicted mother, and Glenn Close is the tough grandmother who raised him. “Between them,” notes Yohana Desta in Vanity Fair, “the pair have 13 total Oscar nominations but zero wins – makingHillbillyone of the more intriguing titles on this year's awards circuit. Will one of them finally break their Oscar spell next year and land an acting statuette? Will both of them win? It's possible!”
J.D. Vance, who reached the top of the New York Times rankings in 2016, described himself The experience of growing up in poverty and suffering in the Appalachian Mountains of Ohio has made this book a window into the soul of the white working class in the United States by some critics. The film of the same name adapted from the book is directed by Ron Howard (director of "Apollo 13" and "Beautiful Mind"), and Vanessa Taylor (writer of "The Shape of Water") is the screenwriter. The works of the director and screenwriter have won Oscars, but the two actresses in the film are regarded as strong contenders for the Oscars. Amy Adams plays Vance's moody "junky" mother, and Glenn Close plays the tenacious grandmother who raised him. Yuhanna Desta of "Vanity Fair" pointed out: "The two have been nominated for 13 Oscars, but they have never won an Oscar trophy. This makes "The Elegy of the Countryman" a candidate for Oscars this year. One of the movies. Next year, will one of them break the Oscar curse and win a best performance award? Or both of them won? It is also possible!"
Recommended month: November
Still from Emma. (Credit: Focus Features)
Emma "Emma"
Douban score: 7.2
Did the world need one more Jane Austen adaptation? Not really, but this enchanting, colourful version is a very welcome addition. As Emma, Anya Taylor-Joy captures the heart and warmth beneath Austen's bossy, match-making heroine. Johnny Flynn is irresistible as her improbable love, Mr Knightley. And Bill Nighy gloriously steals every scene as Emma's comically overprotective father.
This world needs one more Is it an adaptation of Jane Austen's book? Not really needed, but this fascinating, lively and interesting movie is the icing on the cake. Emma played by Anya Taylor-Joy captures the warm heart of Austin's heroine who likes to give orders and matchmaking. The charming Johnny Flynn plays Mr. Knightley, who eventually fell in love with Emma (which Emma did not expect). Bill Nye's comedy, overly doting father is also extremely smashing.
Recommended month: February
Still from Ammonite. (Credit: Ascot Elite Entertainment Group)
Ammonite "Ammonite"
Douban score: 7.1
Kate Winslet plays Mary Anning, the Victorian fossil hunter whose discoveries on the Dorset made her a heroine to pala made her a heroine to coast , but who was never quite accepted by male scientists in her lifetime. Saoirse Ronan plays Charlotte Murchison, an aspiring geologist who visits Anning's home in Lyme Regis. BBC Culture's Caryn James says that Francis Lee's “exquisite” period romance is “visually stunning, emotionally enduring [and] brutally honest".
Kate Winslet plays the Victorian fossil hunter Mary Anning. Her discovery on the Dorset coast made her a heroine in the eyes of paleontologists, but she still cannot be The male scientists of the same time fully accepted it. Saoirse Ronan plays the ambitious geologist Charlotte Murchison. She visits Anning's home in Laimu Town. Karin James of the BBC Culture Channel said that Francis Lee's "beautiful" period romance film "has visual impact, emotional staying power, and extremely candid".
Recommended Month: November
English Source: BBC
Translation & Editing: Danni
Source: China Daily Net
