The year 2020 was meant to be the year we get much blockbusters and movies to see. We got through January and February, but around March, COVID-19 took affect on our world. Many movies were pushed for later dates or got pushed to next year, while some made their way to streaming services and even on video-on-demand. Today, we take a look at the best films released this year that we indeed think college students of Algonquin College declared the best of the year so far to them. Here are our picks:

#10: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG

Back in April 2019, Paramount released their teaser for Sonic’s first-ever theatrical movie, but the poor design on Sonic to make him “human-like” disappointed many fans and gamers that Paramount pushed its 2019 holiday release for February to fix his design. Believe it, it was worth it. Fans garnered this one of the best family comedy films of the year all thanks to the talents of Ben Schwartz as the voice of the titular character and James Marsden as a cop whose reliant to help this alien hedgehog find his rings to head back home. But the film’s ultimate scene-stealer is Jim Carrey’s hilarious role as the villain Dr. Robotnik, who the FBI is forced to have work alongside with them to locate this “thing”. We look forward to the sequel as it speeds its way to 2022.

#9: TENET

Although filmmaker Christopher Nolan was given complaints about releasing the film during the pandemic, for those who went to see it in theatres, it was worth the experience (especially in IMAX). The new film tells the story of an unnamed agent (John David Washington) nicknamed—in the film—“the Protagonist” who finds himself in an espionage to prevent World War III. Our hero, along with a recruit (Robert Pattinson), are forced to convert through time to stop a global Russian terrorist (Kenneth Branagh) from unleashing his plans to dominate the world. Nolan fans were not disappointed as the filmmaker still makes his standing ovation for today’s audiences.

#8: BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM

As the world was in need of much laughter during this pandemic, Sacha Baron Cohen decided to return to his iconic role as the world’s favorite Kazakhstan reporter. In Subsequent Moviefilm, Borat finds himself back in the US to help bribe his daughter Tutar to—whom he believes—Mike Pence. While there, he must interrogate incognito (due to his extreme fame) as he once again interviews the real people of America while Tutar goes on her own path on what it means to be a woman. Viewers who have seen this film exclusively on Amazon Prime Video admit this film was “Great Success”.

WARNING: This movie does contain jokes that viewers may find highly offensive, but is all done for the sake of satire.

#7: BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC

After acing their history test with the help of old historical figures in Excellent Adventure and having to outrun the afterlife (alongside the help of the Grim Reaper) to fight off their evil robotic counterparts in Bogus Journey, Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are back as the two titular characters in this long-awaited third instalment. Now middle-aged fathers, they are told by The Great Leader that they have 78 minutes to write the one song that will help save the universe. The two rock stars decide to go back into the time booth and head straight to the future to “take it from themselves”. Meanwhile, their daughters (Samara Weaving and Brigette Lundy-Paine) go on their own mission to help their dads. Viewers were thrilled to see the two actors return to their old roots and it was worth an excellent ride.

#6: ONWARD

After delighting fans last year with the fourth instalment of the Toy Story franchise, Pixar continues to shine with this film built on magic and mystics. When he is given a wizard’s staff, a letter, and a phoenix gem by their late dad for his 16th birthday, Ian and his big brother, Barley, go on a road trip to see if they can find this second gem they need. By retrieving this gem, it could help the two boys see their father for one last time after a spell—at home—goes wrong when they only get the bottom half of their dad. Moviegoers and viewers who watched the film through Disney+ (a month after its theatrical release) were emotional at the film’s premise, which leads to its heartfelt finale. Someone pass the tissues, please!

#5: THE INVISIBLE MAN

After making his breakout work on the 2018 action thriller Upgrade, director Leigh Whannell decided to give the mysterious H.G. Wells classic about a mad scientist who can turn invisible a modern upgrade. In this film, Elizabeth Moss plays the role of a woman who believes her abusive presumed-dead boyfriend is using a way to turn himself invisible to drive her mad, but no one believes her. Moviegoers and on-demand viewers were astonished at this new format of the tale and praised Moss’s role as being a strong symbol for fellow women who have gone through abusive relationships in their life to remain strong and fight their way out of one. We look forward to seeing more strong female characters like her in the near future.

#4: BAD EDUCATION

Despite coming out for TIFF back in 2019, this movie had viewers at home hooked to this tale, based on a true story, about a school district superintendent Dr. Frank Tassone (Hugh Jackman) and assistant superintendent Pam Gluckin (Allison Janney), who steal millions of dollars from the same public school district that they seek to make the best for their country of America. Meanwhile, a young student (Geraldine Viswanathan)—taking the role of being a school reporter—finds herself trapped in the scandal. Viewers and critics were pleased watching this during the pandemic and have praised the performances of both Jackman and Alisson Janney as well as the direction of director Cory Finley (Thoroughbreds).

#3: BLACK IS KING

While a divisive amount of people called last year’s live-action Lion King a terrible remake, the same couldn’t be said about this remake based on the tie-in album The Lion King: The Album by the star/singer of the 2019 version, Beyoncé. The R&B singer combines a cast of black people and historical African culture in a tale of a boy who makes his rise to a man to fight his evil uncle away from the throne after he killed the boy’s father. The film helped blew the minds of many Disney+ viewers [as well as fans of the singer] and were surprised at many faces who turned by: her husband Jay-Z, Lupita Nyong’o, Wizkid, and even her daughter Blue Ivy makes an appearance. Who runs the world? Beyoncé!

#2: HOST

After making its debut on the horror/thriller streaming service Shudder, this film has managed status as the best horror film of 2020. The film tells the story of a young group of friends on Zoom, whom bored during the pandemic, decide to craft the idea of doing a séance through their screens. What could possibly go wrong? Despite being only 57 minutes long, it has become the second-best viral film of the year.

And speaking of viral, our number one pick is……

#1: HAMILTON

Originally planned for an October 2021 release for theatres, Disney decided to pull the plug on that deal and instead send the film, based on the live recording of Broadway’s hit musical, to their streaming service during the summer of 2020 for fans and newcomers to enjoy. Set around the life of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton and presented by a diverse cast of today, lead star and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda did the one thing no one could ever do: he saved 2020. For those that haven’t seen it yet, be sure to watch it in the room where it happens, in your living room or bedroom that is.

Richard Renaud

Richard Renaud is a student currently on his second and last year of Professional Writing at Algonquin College. His activities are walking, watching TV and movies, as well as hanging out with family and friends. If you do see him, don’t be afraid to say “Hi”. Unlike the picture, he has [sadly] never been to space.

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