At the start of this year, it looked as if we were going to have a beautiful year for the movies. We would get to travel to space for The Eternals in November or finally get to see the myth of a movie, The New Mutants. We were coming back to A Quiet Place and finally were getting some depth to Black Widow. Disney was bringing us to China for Mulan and we were coming back to say his name with the spiritual sequel in Candyman. Needless to say, none of that happened. This past March, cinemas across the world closed their doors and chose the health of their patrons and employees over finances. COVID-19 uprooted our hopes, dreams, and anticipations for these movies. However, this year hasn’t been without its charm in independent films, streaming exclusives, and drive-in delights. Here are my picks for the top ten films of 2020, so far.

I honestly didn’t know how to start off this list. I debated over several days which movie would kick off this list: Inheritance or Becky. Inheritance has a riveting plot and was home to an incredible, career-defying performance from Simon Pegg. However, I grew up with Kevin James, and seeing him channel his first dramatic role is monumental for me as a fan. On top of that, he plays a villain and he’s terrifying within the role. Becky is an incredibly fun, bloody, edge-of-your-seat thriller that pulls no punches. You can read my full review right here:

In the height of racial injustice, Just Mercy was ahead of the conversation. The film experienced a soft open late last year but went wide at the beginning of this year, though it seemed to leave theaters as quickly as it entered. The story of Bryan Stevenson and his legal nonprofit, Equal Justice Initiative, is as inspiring as it is hard to watch. The racially tense driven story is eye opening and makes this film one of the most important films of the year. Add in astonishing performances from Jamie Foxx and Michael B. Jordan – this is a meaningful piece of cinema.

I’ll be honest, I am in the minority when it comes to the modern day reboot of Tom Cruise’s The Mummy. I liked it. I thought it was a fun film. The Invisible Man is nothing of the sort. While I wouldn’t call The Mummy a bad movie, I wouldn’t call it a good one either. The same can’t be said for this modern take on the famous Universal monster. Elisabeth Moss leads the charge as an abuse victim haunted by an ex, aka her abuser. The themes of mental health entangled in a great score, writing, and direction make this one stand out strongly. It might not be the easiest film to watch this year but it’s incredible filmmaking nonetheless. Check out my review here: 

COVID-19 might have shut down the major studios and tentpole films like Mulan, A Quiet Place II, and The New Mutants. However, it didn’t stop independent films from flourishing, one of which is We Summon the Darkness. In some ways, this horror comedy feels like a throwback to the slashers of the 1980s. Solid performances from Alexandra Daddrio and Maddie Hasson, a fun plot and pure joy make this indie darling essential for any horror fans. Read my full review here: 

The current state of Saturday Night Live isn’t the most well-received. Sure, there are a few funny people in our current line-up, but it’s nothing close to the glory days of the 80s or 90s. One of the more current outliers within the lineup comes in Pete Davidson. Davidson is legitimately funny on his own but it’s his openness about his mental health that has my respect. His comedic delivery is raw and refreshing, though in his first starring role, Davidson commands the screener as an ex-boyfriend who fades into a mentorship role. Davidson is fantastic in this role. The film is beautifully shot, funny, and one of the best dramas I’ve experienced this year.

Continuing on with dramas comes Stargirl. This Disney+ original movie is a coming of age film that follows a new girl in high school as she rises to popularity and intersects with our protagonist along the way. This movie has the real feel without a doubt. Performances are incredible and if I’m honest, I haven’t seen a more wholesome film this year. It’s funny, it’s charming, and above all it’s relatable. I can’t recommend this movie enough. In fact, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve recommended this movie. Just watch it if you haven’t seen it yet. It’s worth your time.

The series of mass violence last year prompted this film to be shelved until further notice. That further notice came this year in our first of two Friday the 13th films. The Hunt prompts conversations on classism and really how our society treats the wealthy better than the lower and middle classes. Privilege might have its perks, but not its justice. Even with what it has to say about class, this is just a fun film period. The movie is smart, funny, and, like many others on this list, is just pure fun. Betty Gilpin shines in the leading role. The Hunt will go down as one of this year’s many cult films in the making and will no doubt be extremely divisive among viewers. I urge you to check it out. Read my full review here: 

That might be the most fun film title to say this year. I always get a kick out of that. Originally, this film didn’t hit that high for me on my first viewing. I’m a comic nerd and Harley Quinn is one of my favorite characters within the medium. She is one of the only current comic titles I religiously follow. While I was satisfied with the portrayal of the female protagonists, I was disappointed by the film’s antagonist. To have someone like Ewan McGregor play an incredible villain like Black Mask seemed like a match made in heaven. Then I saw the movie and was let down by how real the comic inaccuracy was – but that’s another post for another day. Though when I bought the film on Blu-Ray, I felt differently about it the second time. Everything with the film intensified for me. The performances, the soundtrack, and yes, even the villains. Read my full review here, and you can hear our Patreon-exclusive episode for only a dollar, by clicking here. All the money we make from Patreon goes to put mental health resources into schools.

I love the medium of film. While most kids were outside playing, I spent a large portion of my childhood researching movies. I was fascinated by how movies were made, how they were scored, how practical effects were done... and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. As an adult, that passion has only grown. Perhaps one of the most notorious movies of the 90s, Showgirls crafted controversy before it even entered the multiplex. Yet, 25 years later, the movie has experienced a cult following and resurgence. This documentary encompasses not only the controversy and growth, but the fallout of the dismal box office flop. Documentaries are notoriously biased on the subject of which they are covering. For You Don’t Nomi, the filmmakers fixate on all sides of the perspective. Is it trash? Is it a masterpiece? Don’t know, watch the documentary to find out. Read my review here. Come back this September for our Showgirls crossover with Boobies and Noobies podcast.

I’m a DC enthusiast. The folding page logo is proudly tattooed on my right forearm. As passionate as I am about the imprint, I’m smart enough to admit that not everything they do is gold. I’ve been a huge fan of their animated universe for a long time, though in recent years, to say that the quality has dipped would be an understatement. My excitement for these movies has slightly waned over the years with their weaker quality. I heard all the hype around this particular entry into the DCAU, so I borrowed it from a friend to watch it and then went out and bought it the next day. This is DC’s Endgame and it’s every bit as incredible. The animation is crisp and gorgeous. Even with the stakes being as high as they are, the movie still manages to cast a wide range of emotions, find use for several characters, and invoke humor. This is a return to form for the animated heroes and well worth the wait.

Victims and Villains is written Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey (and produced by), Caless Davis, Dan Rockwood, Micah Kimber & Brandon Miller . Music by Yuriy Bespalov & Various Artists. This post was edited by Cam Smith. These movies are property of their respective studios. We do not own nor claim any rights. You can pick up your copy now, by clicking here.

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