Stephanie Rosas’ Top 10 Films of 2020

5. The Boys in the Band

This film was a Broadway play turned into a film which included the original cast to bring the play to the big screen properly. It takes place in New York City in 1968 and it’s an evening gathering of gay men at a birthday dinner party. We’re brought into their past, present and future all in one night. There was never a dull moment, even when there was no dialogue. There was always something happening, even if it was as little as a look or gesture from one of the characters. The cast is phenomenal and the conversations within the script between these group of men help keep the tension going and bring up important issues and topics within the LGBTQ community.

4. The Happiest Season

The Happiest Season couldn’t have come at a greater time for me. I related to it a lot and I thought it was a very important story to tell. It’s a romantic comedy about a lesbian couple, Abby and Harper, who have been dating for a while, but Harper has yet to come out to her parents. Harper takes Abby home for the holidays but introduces her as her friend but being hidden and lying starts to weigh in on their relationship and builds tension throughout the holiday. A lot of people don’t understand what the struggle to come out is like, especially to your family, but I feel this film showed different perspectives on the topic and it did it really well. It also came at a time in my life where I barely had come out to my own parents so I related to it extremely. The hidden gem in this film though was Aubrey Plaza, who though wasn’t a main character, was a scene-stealer. The ending wasn’t entirely satisfying, but the concept and build up was good enough for me.

3. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Tensions continue to rise throughout Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom during a recording session in Chicago 1927. Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman both give compelling performances, both actors being very well known for giving their all into their roles and in this film, they don’t disappoint! The dialogue in this film was powerful and heartbreaking with the conversations, stories, and interactions the characters have throughout the course of the film. Chadwick Boseman’s final performance in this role was definitely my favorite role of his and I wouldn’t be surprised if he got nominated for an Oscar for it.

2. Da 5 Bloods

Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods was a powerful story about four vets returning to Vietnam to retrieve the remains of their fallen squad leader and the gold they hid so many years ago. As their journey moves along, we get flashbacks from their time in Vietnam before their squad leader died and watch Delroy Lindo’s character, Paul, struggle with his PTSD. Lindo gives a great performance and kept me captivated in every scene he was in. It’s a long film, but each moment is necessary in telling the story of these vets and though the ending wasn’t what I expected, that’s what I loved most about it.

1. The Devil All the Time

The Devil All the Time was hands down my favorite of the year. This dark psychological thriller keeps you engaged from beginning to end with a variety of characters and multiple generations. It doesn’t play out like your usual timeline, it actually tells several at the same time. It gives and takes with each switch. Giving you a little insight on the character’s history or present, but just when you think you’re about to know everything, it switches to the next and leaves you wanting more. As the story continues, you get those pieces and I promise, it pays off by the end of the film. The directing, cinematography, cast, and script was fantastic! The narrator of the film, Donald Ray Pollock, who was actually the writer of the novel the film is based off, gives you that calming feeling with his tone of voice as your being told the story even though what you’re seeing on screen is dark and ominous. I couldn’t even tell you who did the best acting in it, because everyone did such a great job. Tom Holland’s character definitely makes you forget about Peter Parker. It was very depressing and dark but I couldn’t look away and was very entertained.

Honorable Mentions

Chemical Hearts, Love and Monsters, I Still Believe, and The Wrong Missy.

2020 Films I Have Not Seen

The Photograph, Spy Intervention, Mank, The Call of the Wild, The Lovebirds, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Ava, The Croods: A New Age, and Let Them All Talk

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