I wanted to share my favourite movies of the past year that I watched for the very first time. Some may be a shock that it’s taken me 24 years to see, but they’re all wonderful and near to my heart after the absolute nightmare that was 2020.
The year 2020 was probably the worst of my life, but thank goodness for movies. Overall, I was able to watch 210 films, ten more than my original goal. My most-watched film was Casablanca, which I saw five and a half times and I’ve included on this list.
The funny thing is, I used to hate watching movies. I was never able to concentrate long enough on them to fully immerse myself in each universe. Now, I can’t get enough and wanted to share my favourite movies of the past year that I watched for the very first time. Some may be a shock that it’s taken me 24 years to see, but they’re all wonderful and near to my heart after the absolute nightmare that was 2020.
Raging Bull (1980)
My first film of 2020 was Raging Bull, and boy did this leave a memorable impression. Through and through, this film is a Martin Scorsese masterpiece. The black and white add to the grittiness of Jake LaMotta’s (Robert De Niro) life, filled with violence, rage and jealousy.
Raging Bull is a sports movie, but it’s also a drama. Throughout the film, you’re taken through the ups and downs of LaMotta’s life. It also helps that the acting, cinematography, direction and editing are some of the greatest on film. This is and should be the archetype for a great movie.
Favourite Line: “If you win, you win. If you lose, you still win.”
The Deer Hunter (1978)
How did Robert De Niro film The Deer Hunter, Taxi Driver, and Raging Bull over the span of four years? The Deer Hunter proves what an incredible actor De Niro really is, as he plays Michael Vronsky, a Vietnam War veteran who ends up a different man when he returns. Vronsky and his friends enlist in the Army to fight in Vietnam, only to find out how much of a mistake it was.
To put it into perspective, the Vietnam War officially ended in 1975. Having a film go this in-depth with what men experienced abroad within such close range to the actual event is gusty, but it works. This film feels real, and it’s terrifying. It also doesn’t glamourize war, unlike some war movies do today.
Favourite Line: “A deer has to be taken with one shot. I try to tell people that but they don’t listen.”
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Dog Day Afternoon is a wild ride from start to finish. Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) and Sal Naturile (John Cazale) are a chaotic duo as they attempt a bank heist, which then escalates to a hostage situation. The robbery becomes more complicated as more demands are made. It’s all laughable until you realize this movie is based on a true story.
Favourite Line: “What’s he doing? Go back there man! He wants to kill me so bad he can taste it! Huh? Attica! Attica! Attica! Attica! Attica! Attica! Attica! Attica! Attica! Attica!”
Serpico (1973)
As you can tell by now, I watched a lot of Robert De Niro and Al Pacino films in 2020. Serpico is all about the struggle of an honest cop in New York City during the 1970s. Pacino is fantastic as Officer Frank Serpico, as he navigates through the ranks of an incredibly corrupt system.
This film is also based on a true story. I was able to read the novel written by Frank Serpico. It’s incredible to see the hurdles he went through trying to maintain his neutrality while also trying to save his own life.
Favourite Line: (From the novel) “He found himself clutching at the possibility—knowing all the while how ridiculous it was—that the whole business with the envelope was an isolated incident, peculiar to the 90th Precinct or 13 Division, that he had simply run across a rotten apple or two in the barrel, as he was bound to. He was not ready to concede that the barrel itself might be rotten.”
Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep are pure magic in Kramer vs. Kramer. Ted Kramer only cares about his work, and Joanna finally decides she can’t be with him anymore. This situation leaves Ted to take care of himself, as well as their young son Billy.
I found this story is extremely captivating. Before starting the film, you assume that this divorce is going to be filled with hatred, distrust, and with the father leaving the mother. Wrong. Instead, this is from a perspective not normally taken in almost every other film involving the divorce theme. The father and son duo of Ted and Billy tug at your heartstrings as their relationship grows closer over the 15 months without Joanna. In the end, it’s up to us to assume what happens next.
Favourite Line: “I woke up this morning, kept thinking about Billy and I was thinking about him waking up in his room with his little clouds all around that I painted and I thought I should have painted clouds downtown because then he would think that he was waking up at home. I came here to take my son home. And I realized he already is home.”
Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
Anatomy of a Murder is one of the best, if not the best pure courtroom dramas ever. This film takes you on a journey, starting with lawyer Paul Biegler (James Stewart) taking on the first-degree murder case. You see his character try to uncover the mystery surrounding the death of Bernard “Barney” Quill and having to prove that his client, Lt. Frederick Manion (Ben Gazzara), is not guilty.
The film leaves you on the edge of your seat as the courtroom scenes begin. You’re finding out a lot of the facts at the same time as the jury. But we don’t find out the real truth until the very end.
Favourite Line: “Now listen! This is a cross examination in a murder case, it’s not a high school debate!”
In the Heat of the Night (1967)
In the Heat of the Night is funky, thrilling and way ahead of its time. Sidney Poitier plays Detective Virgil Tibbs, who teams up with Bill Gillespie (Rod Steiger) to investigate a murder in a small, racist southern town. I loved the unlikely friendship the two characters build throughout the entirety of the film. And the original song is insane.
Favourite Line: “They got a murder on their hands…they don’t know what to do with it.”
The Farewell (2019)
Let me get it out there; Zhao Shuzhen was robbed of a Best Supporting Actress nomination. The same goes for LuLu Wang for Best Original Screenplay. The Farewell was one of the most heartfelt and authentic films of 2019.
The entire cast is absolutely brilliant, as it’s based around a Chinese-American woman, Billi (Awkwafina), who returns to China to be with her terminally-ill grandmother. My heart still hurts thinking about this movie.
Favourite Line: “Isn’t it wrong to lie?”
Casablanca (1942)
If there was a film to classify as the greatest of the golden age of cinema, Casablanca would be it. As previously mentioned, this was my most-watched film of the year, but I didn’t fall for it until the third viewing.
The relationship between Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) and Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) makes you long for Paris with them, in a time that was simple and when Paris wasn’t occupied with Nazis. The friendship between Rick and Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains) adds some more light-hearted moments. And that ending. It’s some of the finest work in all of cinema.
Favourite Lines: “We’ll always have Paris.” “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.” “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” “I remember every detail. The Germans wore grey, you wore blue.” “Here’s looking at you, kid.”
Before Sunrise (1995)
I’ve never been in love before, but I imagine it to feel like the love in Before Sunrise. There’s something about watching two strangers fall in love that is pure beauty. We want Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy) to end up together, but sometimes, life gets in the way.
If you’re looking for a short, sweet and fun series of films, I suggest also watching Before Sunset and Before Midnight to see where Jesse and Céline’s relationship ends up.
Favourite Line: “You can never replace anyone because everyone is made of such beautiful specific details.”
Life is Beautiful (1997)
I haven’t watched many foreign-language films before, but boy am I glad I watched Life is Beautiful. You’re rooting for Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni), an Italian book seller of Jewish ancestry, as he and his family are deported to a concentration camp during World War II. Roberto is hilariously charming as Guido and breaks your heart at the end of the film.
Favourite Line: “Nothing is more necessary than the unnecessary.”
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Yes, another shocking turn of events; how have I never seen arguably the greatest Christmas movie of all time? It’s a Wonderful Life was the film I needed to watch during a year of declining mental health because of the ongoing pandemic.
The film itself is another stunner by Frank Capra and, of course, a knockout performance from James Stewart, who plays the ever-determined George Bailey. I’m in love with this film and will definitely be watching it every Christmas from now until the end of time.
Favourite Line: “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
Other Notable First Time Favourites: Mean Streets, Cape Fear, Apocalypse Now, Network, Zodiac, Roman Holiday, Portrait of a Lady on Fire
