Although theaters were unfortunately forced to close earlier this year, there has still been some remarkable films to premiere in theaters and at home. The first few months of the year managed to bring fans some memorable releases, and as such, here is a list of some of the must-see films released so far this year, in alphabetical order.
The Gentlemen
Guy Ritchie’s welcome return to his roots with stories of British gangsters and pitch-black comedy could not have been more spectacular. Having assembled a cast of monumental proportions, which includes rising talents as well as established veterans, Ritchie tells this story with the kind of deft touch that one would hope naturally comes with nearly three decades of refinement.
This is without a doubt the best film Ritchie has directed since his criminally-underrated adaptation of The Man From U.N.C.L.E., and there’s even an argument to be made that it’s his best work since Snatch. As well, these are probably the best performances seen thus far from Charlie Hunnam and Henry Golding’s relatively-young careers, and the sharp-witted script manages to give these two men plenty to do with their respective time on-screen. Matthew McConaughey also gets more to do in this film than he’s gotten to do in years, and he absolutely chews the scenery as the film’s charismatic and memorable protagonist.
This is a film that is constantly running at a full sprint, and when it comes to its inevitable, violent conclusion, it’s one of the most satisfying endings Guy Ritchie has ever given fans of his work. When the dust settles on this year, The Gentlemen will ultimately stand as one of the first good movies to release of 2020.
Hamilton
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s stunningly-masterful hip-hop love letter to America’s oft-forgotten founding father is still as effective now as it was when it began smashing Broadway records nearly half a decade ago. Now, the production has been brought to millions of homes through the magic of streaming.
Users who pay the meager $6.99 monthly subscription fee for Disney+ can experience one of the most significant cultural events of the last decade. Not only is the filmed version of Hamilton brilliantly put together by director/producer Thomas Kail, using footage from three separate performances, but the added dimension of the close-up angles also gives the musical’s more emotional moments an even bigger opportunity to tug at the heartstrings.
The songs are also, without question, some of the most original tunes that the Broadway scene has been gifted with in decades. If one doesn't cry at least once while watching Hamilton, then that is truly impressive. Simply put, this is the streaming event of a generation.
The Invisible Man
Partnering with Blumhouse, Saw co-writer and co-star Leigh Whannell brought viewers what is without a doubt one of the most original takes on a classic horror movie character ever conceived. With a shoestring budget of only $7 million, Whannell and his team crafted a compelling tale of one woman’s fight for sanity and survival against the world’s most vindictive ex-boyfriend.
They also managed to fill this story with an appropriate amount of effective and original scares. The violence in this film is some of the most memorable that has been put to film in a long time, especially from a project attached to Blumhouse.
The cinematography by Stefan Duscio is also brilliantly-effective at subtly drawing the audience’s attention towards objects and other things being manipulated by Elisabeth Moss’ invisible ex. At times it seems like audience members are looking through the perspective of the antagonist, but they are never explicitly told that. That aspect alone makes the 2020 version of this H.G. Wells classic worth revisiting.
My Darling Vivian
Johnny Cash’s public romance with singer-songwriter June Carter is widely known amongst even casual fans of Cash and Carter’s discography; however, others may not be as familiar with his first wife. Brought to viewers by director Matt Riddlehoover, the documentary My Darling Vivian tells the heartbreaking story of Cash’s first marriage to Vivian Liberto.
After watching it, viewers will understand how tragic it is that she is so frequently left out of Cash’s legend. For fans of Walk The Line, the Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon biopic about Cash, this film will make them see that self-righteous project in a whole new light, and one that isn't particularly kind to the film's producers.
If for nothing else, this film made the entire Amazon Prime Digital SXSW Festival worth participating in. Considering how lackluster some of those other films were, that’s a considerable achievement.
The Way Back
From Gavin O’ Connor, director of films such as Miracle, Warrior and The Accountant, The Way Back is perhaps the most emotionally-draining film that has so far been released in theaters this year. The central performance from Ben Affleck is truly spectacular, and not only for the similarities that can be drawn to Affleck’s personal history with addiction.
This is a character that fans truly see come to life on-screen as the story of this washed-up high school basketball superstar-turned-coach unfolds in dramatic fashion. The supporting cast, which includes relative newcomer Janina Gavankar and young talent Brandon Wilson, are also fantastically realized in the way that they help Jack (Affleck) realize just how much he still has to lose.
Without spoiling anything, this film also has one of the more original and dramatically-satisfying endings of any work in the tired genre of high school sports dramas. So much so, that it is even better than Hoosiers.