Wolfwalkers: This may be is the best Irish film made in the last 10 years. An absolutely beautifully told story about two young girls in Ireland during the 15th century, it is a cert to be nominated for best animated film at the Oscars and could finally be the winner Kilkenny based studio Cartoon Saloon deserves after being nominated for its last three films. Available on AppleTv+
Rocks: A really fun, positive film, about a difficult topic. Made with a group of non professional school girls in a workshop like environment so the dialogue and story is natural and funny. Tough watch at times but worth it. Available on Netflix.The Invisible Man: An interesting twist on the HG Wells classic. The film tackles modern issues but is an old school horror at heart. Slow builds and lingering shots build incredible tension. Definitely the surprise of the year.
Possessor: Powerfully gruesome sci-fi thriller that is more than it first seems. Directed by Brandon Cronenberg, son of David, the apple has not fallen far from the tree. Go for the unrated version if you are brave enough. Despite being made before Covid, ir has a lot to say about isolation and remote working.Tenet: Christopher Nolan's best film since The Prestige. Marred by some slightly inaudible dialogue but its massively ambitious plot makes up for it. You know how some movies treat their audience like children and hold their hands? This is the opposite and while I barely followed it on a first viewing, it was a transcendent experience a second time around. This is still in cinemas and worth seeing on a big screen.
I’m Thinking Of Ending Things: In a bleak year we got one of the bleakest films I’ve ever seen. Charlie Kaufman's Netflix film is a meditation on loneliness, regret and suicide. Surreal and inventive with a sledgehammer performance from our own Jessie Buckley. Available on Netflix.Parasite: In simpler times, back in January, one of my biggest worries was that the academy would not adequately reward Parasite. Thankfully it did and my 2020 continued without a hitch. Well not quite but, man, how good was it that Parasite won best picture?
Portrait Of A Lady On Fire: The best looking film on the list. Also the only 18h century subtitled lesbian art drama on the list. Do not let that put you off, this is incredible.
Uncut Gems: This is the most stressful film I have ever seen. When it came out in January and I was like “Ha Ha, it's cool to feel really anxious” this was in January. Then the rest of 2020 happened. I do not feel that way now. Still a good movie though! Available on Netflix.Never Rarely Sometimes Always: A quiet and haunting film about two young girls who travel across state lines in the US to get an abortion. An understated and painful watch with two brilliant young performers. Available to rent on Amazon Video now.
