Nick Perry is part of the Film Flam team at Boston Hassle. Find him on Twitter to talk movies.
I miss movie theaters so much.
BEST OF 2020 (UNRANKED)
Never Rarely Sometimes Always
Abortion is healthcare, and healthcare is a right. Sidney Flanagan gives one of the best performances of the year.
Small Axe
A feat of filmmaking from Steve McQueen. Protect community, and it will protect you. Find joy when and where you can.
Dashing in December
It’s not good. I love it. And I have no explanation, other than I love love.
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
It’s nice! The song-along scene is one of the best of the year! Stay true to yourself and genuine with the world.
Shiva Baby
A delicious nightmare about the torture and occasional catharsis that family provides. Rachel Sennott is amazing!
Read Kyle Amato’s interview with Emma Seligman here.
Tahara
I’ve never felt more seen, this was so painfully true to life for me. Olivia Peace’s filmmaking is so creatively exciting. Rachel Sennott is amazing!!
Emma.
A fun ride that truly captures the musicality of Jane Austen’s work and expertly demonstrates how incompatible social norms and genuine human emotion can be.
Read my review here and Oscar Goff’s interview with director Autumn de Wilde and lead Anya Taylor-Joy here.
Time
You don’t get time back, and it was stolen from this woman and her family. It’s America. Abolish prisons now.
Read Anna Hoang’s review here.
The Assistant
A grueling portrait of the cruelties that a young woman endures and also learns to overlook. Human resources is not your friend.
First Cow
Find your family and never let them go. I love love.
Read Kyle Amato’s review here and his interview with Kelly Reichardt here.
The Half of It
A really beautiful movie about the friendship between a lesbian and a himbo. I love love.
Making Sweet Tea
A wonderful group of men, and the documentary is smart enough to let them and their stories shine. I cried when Harold and Harold, two gay men together for 50 years, tried to open a pickle jar. I love love.
Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado
A wonderful man, and the documentary is smart enough to center him and simply work with his unique greatness.
Nomadland
It’s life.
Read Oscar Goff’s review here.
DIARY OF 2020 (CHRONOLOGICAL)
January, 2020
Eve’s Bayou (1997) at Harvard Film Archive, rewatch: I got to watch this with two of my favorite friends, who had never seen it before. A great theater-going experience, however much it didn’t set the stage for 2020 movie theater-going.
February, 2020
Streets of Fire (1984), new to me: A psychotic musical movie, that launched my love of oddball ’80s musicals. Willem Defoe is hot!
One From the Heart (1981), new to me: THE ARTIFICE IS INTENTIONAL!! A masterpiece of love and emotion.
Pennies from Heaven (1981), new to me: A gorgeous ode to the power of song, and the ways pop music can reveal and hide the true nature of things. Lot to think about in today’s context, huh???
March, 2020
The Invisible Man (2020) at Lincoln Center, new to me: The last movie of 2020 I saw in theaters. A man fell asleep and his snoring reverberated. I miss movie theaters so damn much.
All That Heaven Allows (1955), rewatch: One of the most beautiful works of art I’ve ever scene, and probably the best new-to-me watch of 2020. Fuck them kids.
Jane Campion: Yes, The Piano is a masterpiece, but Holy Smoke! and In the Cut are underrated feats of filmmaking!
April, 2020
Thief (1981), new to me: A devastating masterpiece. Men have feelings.
Polly Platt: Listen to the You Must Remember This season of Polly Platt and celebrate this woman by watching her works. She was literally at the forefront of so many Hollywood epochs.
Julie (1956), new to me: This movie isn’t good, but I’ve thought about it’s particular derangement probably more often than any other movie this year since I watched it. Doris Day, I love you.
May, 2020
Dog Day Afternoon (1975), new to me: One of the best movies ever made. It rips! And a blockbuster to boot.
The Night of the Iguana (1964), new to me: Ava Gardner’s performance in this might be my favorite one I saw in 2020.
June, 2020
Moonstruck (1987) at Bel Aire Diner Drive-In, rewatch: My first drive-in! Front row for a perfect movie and getting to watch it with my best friend, who had never seen it before. Truly a perfect summer night.
July, 2020
She’s the Man (2006) and Jennifer’s Body (2009), rewatches: These were the movies I watched on the day I turned 30. Not sure why, so no comment.
August, 2020
Starstruck (1982), new to me: One of the best musical movies I’ve ever seen in my life. I want to be best friends with Gillian Armstrong because of this movie. It’s electric and should be celebrated!
Goldie Hawn: My actor of the year, the lovely and hilarious Goldie who makes it seem so effortless. I filled in a lot of her filmography I’d not seen.
September, 2020
Strangers in Good Company (1990), new to me: As docufiction becomes an increasingly popular modern genre, this is now my gold standard.
October, 2020
Psychos: I watched all of the Psycho movies, and the (incredibly queer) remake might be favorite.
November, 2020
Last Christmas (2019), new to me: I was watching this movie with my father when my nephew was born.
December, 2020
When Harry Met Sally (1989), rewatch: A perfect movie, one of the best movies ever made. The fact that it didn’t get more Oscars is insane, particularly for Nora Ephron, Meg Ryan, and Carrie Fisher.
Meg Ryan: One of the greatest actress to ever do it, with a skill to capture a spectrum of emotions in single moments, and she proves exceptional and fearless in her unexpected roles. Watch In the Cut! Watch Joe Versus the Volcano! Everyone owes Meg Ryan an apology, and she deserves a comeback like no one’s seen before.
