BY: JOEY CASALI
What a crazy year 2020 has been. From the ongoing pandemic of Covid-19 to the controversial election, it really seemed like we were never going to get a break. But this is not one of those kinds of articles. Film is my past, present, and future. Believe it or not, we did have a growing box office for 2020 and a whole lot of memorable selections for viewers around. Especially with the constant accessibility of streaming services, I truly tried to keep myself busy and feed my movie-loving heart.
Before I get into my lists, I want to touch upon the box office. As from the website the-numbers.com, the defining Domestic 2020 Box Office is as follows:
| 1 | Movie Bad Boys For Life | Distributor DBO Sony Pict… | DBO $204,417,855 | Opening Weekend BO $62,504,105 | Max 3,775 |
| 2 | Sonic The Hedgehog | Paramount… | $146,066,470 | $58,018,348 | 4,198 |
| 3 | Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation… | Warner Bros. | $84,158,461 | $33,010,017 | 4,236 |
| 4 | After We Collided | $82,386,475 | 546 | ||
| 5 | Dolittle | Universal | $77,047,065 | $21,844,045 | 4,155 |
| 6 | The Invisible Man | Universal | $64,914,050 | $28,205,665 | 3,636 |
| 7 | The Call of the Wild | 20th Cent… | $62,342,368 | $24,791,624 | 3,914 |
| 8 | Onward | Walt Disney | $61,555,145 | $39,119,861 | 4,310 |
| 9 | Tenet | Warner Bros. | $57,909,000 | $20,200,000 | 2,930 |
| 10 | The Gentlemen | STX Enter… | $36,471,796 | $10,651,884 | 2,675 |
Even with the struggle of theater occupancy or accessibility, there was still a glimmer of hope for the box office during the pandemic. This is also heavily featuring many films released before the world shut down, so I am it is not a complete depiction of the accessibility nature for film in 2020. For me personally, I tried my hardest to see what I could and make this year the best it could be. The last film I saw in the movie theaters was The Invisible Man, and the first one back was The New Mutants, so I tried my hardest to see as much as I could. But thanks for the ability to stream and have direct content from the safety of your own home, I did just that.
As most of you will learn when coming onto Trainwreck, one of my most favorite things to do is to come up with my own Top 10 lists, varying vast topics throughout this history of cinema. 2020 was no exception, so I did my best to come up with my Top 10 of the year 2020. I tried my hardest to see as much as I could, so here goes nothing.
Top 10 of 2020:
- Synchronic
This Film is a time travel, drug induced dream. Directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, this film follows two paramedics who encounter a strange new drug on the streets simply named Synchronic. With a script written By Justin Benson, I thought this was a mind-bending new take on the science fiction drama, with career defining performances by Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dorian. Although this might be a hard film to find, I highly recommend this feature. Stunning visuals that bring you within the middle ground of medicine and religion.
5/ 5 Stars
- Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
After the success of Borat, 15 years later Borat is back to make a run-on U S and A once again. Sacha Baron Cohen is back portraying the iconic character, although this time managing a way to offend everyone, and everything is the process. From Covid-19 to the Presidential Election, nothing is off limits from this Kazakhstan news reports. I though this film was hilarious, filled with off the wall humor and over the top stunts and antics that could easily offend the average day viewer. Although not as groundbreaking as the original, this film please me to my very core and is exactly what I needed within the shutdowns from the pandemic. Debuting on Amazon Prime on October 23rd, this film was a definitive sleeper hit of 2020 and the film we truly needed to keep our minds off the frighting times ahead.
4/5 Stars
- Bad Boys For Life
Coming in from this beginning of the year, Bad Boys For Life was this surprise hit of the decade. Coming off two successful entries, Bad Boys For Life brings Will Smith and Martin Lawrence back behind the badge nearly 17 years since its predecessor. Directed by Adil & Bilall and a scripted produced by previous director Michal Bay, this film follows the two infamous cops as they begin to discover a missing piece from their past. Filled with beautiful imagery, the symmetry between these two iconic action heroes comes to light like never before. from this career defining action set pieces and humor that will bring everyone cheer, Bad Boys 3 became the highest grossing film in the month of January and continues to change the game when it comes to film in 2020.
4/5 Stars
- Wonder Woman 1984
What is their left to say about WW84. If you are a returning guest to Trainwreck, I already posted a review for the flick with my initial thoughts for the film (thanks for all the loving support). Although I said what I needed to say, I am still a huge supported of this film and love the messages and themes it brought to life at the end of 2020. There has been a lot of controversy surround this film since its release on Christmas Day 2020. Many of which are big time spoilers and although I still do not wish to list them in this article, I still encourage many to give it a watch and make up your own mind. I had so much fun with this film and hope it holds strong until the director’s cut of Justice League finally sees the light of day. Welcome to 2021, The Snyder Cut is upon us.
4/5 Stars
- Sound Of Metal
As a fellow metalhead and lover of all things heavy, Sound Of Metal was a film that was highly anticipated for me. This genre of music has helps me throughout the hard times of life and I always love with the majestic nature of Film tries to bring light on these touchy subjects. Sound Of Metal is no exception. Riz Amend plays a drummer on the brink of his career. Living on the road, Ruben and his fiancée manage to make a living in the world of rock and roll when suddenly Ruben begins to lose his hearing. Struggle with the one key that connects with his music, Ruben starts on his path to recovery and realizes the true definition of loss of sound. I think it was a beautiful story brought to life through the eyes of director Darius Marder. a beautiful story of love and loss, faith and recover all through the eyes of someone trying to find his own path.
5/5 Stars
- The Midnight Sky
From director/actor George Clooney, This Midnight Sky follows a story of a post-apocalyptic world on the brink of destruction. As the world turns to its fellow scientist discovering a moon that can withstand the survival of humanity as the end for earth is coming closer, a crew of astronauts begin their voyage to the great beyond. However, scientist Augustine who discovered the habitable world, is left on earth to overcome his struggle on what it means to be human and warn the rest of the world before time runs out. This film is filled with many career defining moments, with visions of space and time that will please the average Netflix viewer. I had a fantastic time with this film. Although many of its messages seem to be inspired by what has come before, the films spark of hope is the very reason to give it a watch.
4/5 Stars
- The Devil All The Time
Another Netflix doing coming out the gate in 2020, The Devil All The Time is a film about the struggles of family history and this dark nature of generational communities. Co written and directed by Antonio Campous, this film takes a dark turn of the occasional family drama and is filled with important themes and structural points that brings the viewers into a world like no other. This film also has an outstanding cast, filled with many familiar faces that makes way for outstanding career defining moments and pivotal ideas to shine a new light on their inspiring filmography. Although a very dark take, this film is one of a kind and very promising for the future of storytelling.
4/5 Stars
- Freaky
Just like director Christopher Landen’s predecessor, Freaky is a genre defining film filled with homage and nuance to the ever-growing slasher genre. Like the revolutionary films the came before like Scream and Happy Death Day, Freaky tells the story of a high school student who tries to balance her everyday life of school and friends, while becoming a target of a murderous serial killer. The difference between this film and the average doing is that this film flips the script as the teenager and the killer switches bodies throughout most of the film. Inspired by the likes of Freaky Friday and The Hot Chick, Freaky is another refreshing take on the slasher genre and a career defining renaissance by Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton.
5/5 Stars
- Bill And Ted Face The Music
Well known stoners, Bill And Ted have been changing history since the early 80s. now older and somewhat wiser, this dynamic duo has begun to raise a family and try and settle down still trying to find their purpose In the world. Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter both really bring this trilogy home with this fun entry in the popular franchise. Filled with fun easter eggs and storylines from the previous two, Face The Music is a beautiful story on what it takes to fight for your future and become what your meant to be. The biggest highlight of the film is newcomers Samara Weaving and Brigette Lundy-Paine, playing the daughters of the Wyld Stallyns. Death himself also makes a return, bringing a game changing performance yet again from the great William Sadler. If you are a fan of this franchise, this is an absolute must.
5/5 Stars
- Palm Springs
A surprise hit from the likes of HULU Palms Springs is a delightful romantic comedy with heartfelt performances from Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti come together in a film that revolutionizes the time loop style genre. Trapped in Palm Springs during wedding season, two strangers meet to try and figure out how escape the never-ending wedding, while learning a couple things about each other. Having great success out of Sundance in January, this Summer released film surprised everyone with the likes of its joyous comedic moment and huge romantic moments that even brought this big guy to its knees. Its content like this that shows that streaming services really do understand how to showcase some of the most promising material of the year. Highly recommend.
5/5 Stars
Although it did not seem like a lot, it was all that I needed to fill this movie lovers’ heart. Such a huge step in the magic of movie making, it still brings a smile to my face that there is still a magic to filmmaking and it still finds a way to move my film loving heart. Film has been a part of my life since I was young and there seems to be no signs of stopping great films reaching audiences around the world.
Before I sign off, I want to share my Top 10 Most Anticipated 2021. Happy New Year’s Folks let us make 2021 a great year for film once again. Please follow Trainwreck Sports on all things Social and follow me on twitter @joe_casali. KEEP WATCHING MOVIES FOLKS!
- Zack Snyder’s Justice League
- Untitled Spiderman 3
- Fast and Furious 9
- Black Widow
- No Time To Die
- Eternals
- Dune
- Shung-Chi
- The Matrix 4
- Mortal Kombat
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