The past 12 months have been marked by the global pandemic that has affected us all. In a year full of tragedy, illness, and bad news, the film industry has not stopped, and it gave us great works of art to keep us entretained at home. From comical series, to dramatic movies, to psychological thrillers, the past 12 months have not disappointed us. If you are a cinema fanatic, these are 3 movies released in the past 12 months that you need to watch:
1. Parasite (November, 2019)
When released in October 27, 2019, the Korean movie took the world by storm. Parasite tells a story of greed and class discrimination, that threaten the newly formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan. It is a miracle of a film. It is Bong Joon-ho's masterpiece: a riotous social satire that’s as gloriously entertaining as it is deeply sardonic.The movie keeps the audience bitting their nails on the edge of their seat. Winning 6 Academy Awards in February 2020, (including the Oscar for best film, best international film, and best direction) the movie is now ranked amongst the best foreign films of all time, and it is considered the best cinematographic work in the past 12 months. It received a 98% rating from Rotten Tomatoes and a 96% score from Meta-Critic. The movie is now available on Netflix, and it has received a second wave of views, slowly making its way into becoming a future cinema classic.
2. Joker (October, 2019)
Todd Phillips had the pressure on. A director that was best known for his comedies such as The Hangover (2009) or War Dogs (2016), had the task of creating his version of arguably the most iconic villain of all time, The Joker. After Heath Ledger's performance in 2008, the character had been untouchable, but Oscar-winning actor, Joaquin Phoenix, lived up to the hype. The joker was released on October 4, 2019, and the world went mad. Todd Phillips created a darker and deeper version of the character, his background, and Gotham City, that left viewers astonished. Led by Phoenix's ferocious performance, this especially dark, gritty comic book movie is a character drama that's drawn more toward real-world troubles than to capes and crusading.
Some even describe it as a new version of Martin Scorsese's classic, Taxi Driver (1976). The movie was nominated to 11 Academy Awards and won two of them, which as unprecedented for a "comic book" movie. The movie's plot is psychologically complex and intriguing, and it left audiences shocked fro days. From the cinematography to Phoenix's acting, to the script, to the music, the movie is simply brutal.
The movie is now available on Youtube, and if you haven't watched it, go check it out!
3. Greyhound (July, 2020)
Amid the global pandemic, world-known actor Tom Hanks wrote and protagonized an amazing film that gives life to the story of the Greyhound boat in WW2, captained by U.S. Navy commander Ernest Krause. He is assigned to lead an Allied convoy across the Atlantic, however, the convoy is pursued by German U-boats. Although it is not a common Oscar-winning film by Hanks, the film is a a serious, well-intentioned slice of WWII naval history, full of compelling detail and good action. The action sequences and battle scenes are extremely technical and accurate, making it compelling to watch. The film was nominated for best drama movie of 2020 in the E! People Choice Awards, and it is expected to be present in the Academy Awards and Golden Globes next February. It was exclusively released on Apple TV+, and it is great option for movie nights at home during quarantine.
What do you think of these movies? Have you seen them? If the answer is no, what are you waiting for? What are other 2020 movies that you recommend? Tell us your opinion in the comments below. Once again thanks for reading Cinematologists. See you next week!