Consumption: 2020
Zooma Zooma! The Yelling About Movies crew. That’s me in the lower left. Looks like I’m trying to make a point, if everyone would SHUT UP for a second
Although it’s been said, many times, many ways, I’ll say it again: 2020 sucked. Oh, here’s another way to say it: I only saw five movies in the theater this year, and one of them was CATS.
Sheila and I miss going to the movies, or as she puts it, “the show.” (That’s what her mother called it, and her mother’s father owned the Arcadian Theater in Belfast, so the terminology is not up for debate.) Whatever you call it, I hope when the pandemic is over, there will still be someplace left to do it.
Leigh Whannell’s THE INVISIBLE MAN was the last gasp of theatrical for us (and gasp I did, during that restaurant scene). That was way back in early March. But here’s the thing: all told, I saw more feature films this year, by far, than in any previous year since I began making this annual list in 2014. Seventy-five movies viewed: a new record. Lock-down and social distancing eliminated all competition for our time, and the TV was right there. Then, the Zoom meetings began.
“What have you seen?” was always the conversation starter, back when getting together in person with my cinephilic friends was an option. We called it “yelling about movies.” So why not do it on Zoom? Someone suggested Sunday afternoons at 4. Someone suggested implementing a rotation: each week, one of us picked a movie or two, book-club style. Then, we started recording the conversations and putting them on YouTube.* Capitalization was implemented, and Yelling About Movies, hashtag #YabtM, was born. This is my social life now. Honestly, it’s been terrific fun, and I’ve seen lot of movies, many of which I never would have never picked if left to my own devices.
First some highlights, followed by the complete list. Linked titles usually take you to the Yelling About Movies YouTube, or if not, some more info on the film.
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada
From 2005, Tommy Lee Jones directs and stars in this modern western set in a Texas border town. Starts off as bleak realism, but gets progressively weirder and funnier.
Hamilton
Yes, HAMILTON is a movie. It’s 2 hrs 40 minutes long, and pre-COVID, Disney was planning a theatrical release, dammit. Don’t poo-poo if you haven’t seen it. There’s often a good reason when something becomes a cultural phenomenon.
Coherence
A real micro-budget indie from 2014. The director took a bunch of actors, one house, some felt pens and some glow sticks, and came up with this sci-fi mind-bender.
Force Majeure
Also from 2014. I loved this Swedish film about a married couple jolted by their close encounter with an avalanche. Comedy dry as Alpine powder.
Short Term 12
From 2013, this well-made indie drama set at a facility for at-risk teens is full of strong performances from soon-to-be familiar talents like Brie Larson, Rami Malek, Lakeith Stanfield, and Kaitlyn Deaver.
Soul
Upper-tier Pixar. Beautiful to look at and, if a little over-stuffed, still full of affecting moments.
MOVIES SEEN ON THE BIG SCREEN 2020
Ford v. Ferrari
Uncut Gems
Cats
Little Women (2019)
The Invisible Man (2020)
MOVIES ON THE SMALL SCREEN 2020
Fast Color
High School Musical 2 (We have Disney+ now. Things happen.)
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (see above)
The Irishman
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
Hustlers
My Favorite Wife (1940)
Force Majeure
Shampoo
Scream
The Princess And The Frog
The Rescue List
My Brilliant Career
Gaga: Five Foot Two
Love In The Afternoon
Hidden Fortress
Onward
Don’t Look Now
Into The Okovango
Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary
Withnail & I
Black Narcissus
Mildred Pierce
Oblivion
Kramer Vs. Kramer
Paths Of Glory
Grumpy Old Men
The Great Gabbo
A Hard Day’s Night
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
The Three Burials Of Melquiades Estrada
Rio Bravo
Caché
Coherence
The Trip To Spain
The Passenger (Professione: reporter) (1975)
I Think We’re Alone Now (2010)
Happy Together
Short Term 12
Bacarau
The T.A.M.I. Show
The Old Guard
Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Ashes and Diamonds
Baraka
Force Of Evil
The Way Of The Gun
Wisconsin Death Trip
Cast A Deadly Spell
She Dies Tomorrow
The Nightingale
The Killing Of A Sacred Deer
Hamilton
Purple Noon (Plein Soleil)
The American Friend (Der Amerikanische Freund)
Absolute Beginners
The 9th Configuration
Unforgiven (2013)
Split Second (1992)
Tim’s Vermeer
Possessor
Kajillionaire
Sorcerer
Prospect
Wristcutters: A Love Story
Citizen P
In The Good Old Summertime
The Muppets Christmas Carol
Black Christmas
Tenet
REWATCHES
The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1956)
The Parallax View
The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai
24-Hour Party People
Hell Or High Water
Carnival Of Souls (1962)
Holiday (1938)
Knightriders
TELEVISION – EPISODIC
The Crown
Rick and Morty
The Good Place
Better Things
Mom
The Orville
Killing Eve
Bless This Mess
The Kominsky Method
Spin and Marty
Tiger King
Tales From The Loop
Upload
Somebody Feed Phil
Mrs. Fletcher
Watchmen
I May Destroy You
Star Trek: Lower Decks
The Mandalorian
BOOKS
Six Months, Three Days, Five Others – short stories by Charlie Jane Anders
Spill Zone: The Broken Vow – graphic novel by Scott Westerfeld
Sunrise 312 – novel by Scott Christopherson
PODCASTS
You Must Remember This – Polly Platt, The Invisible Woman**
*By all means check out the linked videos if you like. But be warned: spoilers and expletives fly. Alcohol consumption trigger warning. Also lots of yelling.
**A deep dive into the life and career of Polly Platt, who collaborated with directors ranging from Peter Bogdanovich (her first husband) to Cameron Crowe. Fascinating stuff for cinema dorks.
Random Blood Polka 