The award season has already started, and critics and associations are slowly rolling out their favorite movies of 2020. Of course, this award season is unusual because the impacts of COVID-19 caused movies to be delayed to a later date or eventually pushed to streaming releases. Furthermore, awards ceremonies like the Golden Globes and the Oscars have been delayed to accommodate these changes and modify the eligibility of the films, given the circumstances.
The American Film Institute (AFI) recently announced their top 10 movies of 2020. Of course, the films that they listed are rated as some of the best movies of the year, receiving many positive reviews and critical acclaim. Several movies that the AFI listed are some of the strongest contenders for the upcoming award season.
Judas And The Black Messiah (Yet To Be Rated)
Despite no Rotten Tomatoes score yet, Judas and the Black Messiah has already become one of the most-talked-about movies for the upcoming award season. The film takes place in the 1960s, where an FBI informant agrees to spy on the Black Panther Party and the chairman of the Illinois chapter, Fred Hampton.
Judas and the Black Messiah is already critically acclaimed. Both Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield are already in contention for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. The film will release on HBO Max and in theaters on February 12.
Mank – 83%
This biographical drama focuses on Hollywood’s screenwriter, Herman J. Mankiewicz, and his inspiration to writing one of Hollywood’s best movies of all-time, Citizen Kane. Directed by David Fincher, Netflix’s Mank consists of an ensemble cast, including Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, and Lily Collins.
Mank was praised for its old Hollywood production design, direction by Fincher, and its cinematography. Oldman and Seyfried are strong contenders for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress for the upcoming award season.
The Trial Of The Chicago 7 – 89%
Following the riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, eight defendants are put on trial with conspiracy for inciting the riot. However, they also face unfair treatment and the biases of the unjust system.
Given the film’s relevance in today’s political climate, Netflix’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 has been raved about by critics and audiences. Critics praised the film for its brilliant screenplay by Aaron Sorkin and the performances of the ensemble cast, with Sacha Baron Cohen as the standout performance. He is definitely a contender for Best Supporting Actor in the upcoming award season.
Da 5 Bloods – 92%
After immense success with BlacKkKlansman, Spike Lee returns to the big screen with his recent film, Da 5 Bloods. Almost 50 years since the Vietnam War, four Black American veterans return to Vietnam to reclaim their buried treasure and pay tribute to their fallen leader.
Critics lauded the war drama for Lee’s direction and emotional performance by Delroy Lindo. The movie is already performing well in the award season, having won Best Film at the National Board of Review. Both Lindo and Chadwick Boseman are expected nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actors, with Lee in strong contention for a Best Director nomination.
Nomadland – 95%
Nomadland centers on a widow becoming a nomad after facing financial problems caused by the recession. The film features a few real-life nomads to depict the life in the American West.
The drama film was also listed as one of the best films of 2020 by the National Board of Review. Nomadland is currently dominating the award season, having won several awards in categories like Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography. Many feel that both Frances McDormand and Chloé Zhao are shoo-ins to sweep the awards for Best Actress and Best Director.
Sound Of Metal – 96%
A musician’s life turns upside down when he loses his ability to hear. With his career on the line, he joins the deaf community to adjust to life with hearing loss.
Released on Prime Video, Sound of Metal is one movie that is receiving the attention that it deserves. Both Riz Ahmed and Paul Raci were praised for their performances and have already won several acting awards, including Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor at the National Board of Review.
Soul – 96%
Pixar’s Soul focuses on a life of a musician who finally gets a big break. However, an untimely accident sets the musician on a mission to return to the Earth world before it is too late.
Like any Pixar movie, Soul replicates the emotion and meaning behind the film’s message with great voice acting and a beautiful score. The animated film is also an ode to jazz music. Released on Disney+, Soul is a frontrunner for Best Animated Film in the upcoming award season.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – 98%
In Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Ma Rainey and her band are in a middle of a recording session to perform some of Ma Rainey’s best hits. However, tension arises between Ma Rainey, her bandmates, and her white manager, who all seek control.
Adapted from a play by August Wilson, the drama film has been praised by critics for its costumes and production design. Critics also consider Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman the highlights of the film, making them both strong contenders for Best Actress and Best Actor.
One Night In Miami – 98%
Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown meet in a hotel, following Ali’s unexpected win. In this fictionalized meeting, they discuss their roles in the civil rights movement. Kemp Powers adapted his play, One Night in Miami, for the big screen, with Oscar-winning actress Regina King making her directional debut.
Released on Prime Video, this drama film was lauded for its powerful yet subtle screenplay regarding the fictionalized meeting. Critics also complimented King for her direction and the fantastic performances of the cast. Many people consider Leslie Odom Jr. as the standout performance, giving him a nod for Best Supporting Actor.
Minari – 99%
A movie about the American Dream, a South Korean-American family moves to Arkansas in hopes of building a farm. However, the family faces some obstacles that come with pursuing this dream. After winning the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, Minari became one of the best movies of the year from several critics and film associations.
The movie is a semi-biography of director and writer Lee Isaac Chung’s life story. His screenplay was brilliant for its heartfelt, relatable, and personal message. The cast was also praised for their stellar performances, especially Steven Yeun and Youn Yuh-Jung. The drama film has already won several awards, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Youn Yuh-Jung at the National Board of Review.
