John’s top 10 movies of 2020
2020 movies: This unusual year nonetheless offered some movies worth celebrating. Here are my top 10 films of 2020.
Movies
Pratfalls, lovable kid drive ‘Home Alone 3’ (1997)
Hughes Day Tuesday (Movie review): Alex D. Linz gives an endearing turn as 8-year-old Alex Pruitt in a three-quel that’s actually not horrible.
‘Wonder Woman 1984’ an overwrought ‘Monkey’s Paw’ riff
Movie review: While this sequel is overlong and meandering, the action scenes are top-shelf and it builds Diana’s character.
‘The Faculty’ (1998) a slick product with a point
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Williamson’s riff on “Body Snatchers” explores serious issues in public schooling, but it’s all in good fun.
‘Last Christmas’ (2019) has its heart in right place
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): It will stay in your head because of the title it shares with the song. It may or may not stay in your heart.
In the holiday spirit: All 10 Shane Black films, ranked
Movie rankings: Just in time for Christmas, here are my rankings of the 10 films written and/or directed by Shane Black.
Nolan’s ‘Tenet’ a confusing time-travel experiment
Movie review: Nolan’s films are always imaginative. But this time, a viewer spends more time wondering what’s happening than being entertained.
‘Miracle on 34th Street’ (1994) has spirit and schmaltz
Hughes Day Tuesday (Movie review): Lovable Attenborough and Wilson drive Hughes’ simple update of the classic Christmas film.
DuVall’s ‘Happiest Season’ makes the Yuletide gay
Movie review: Clea DuVall establishes herself as a solid director in this film that mainstreams gay romances in the Christmas comedy genre.
‘Spawn’ (1997) is amateurish, appears unfinished
Superhero Saturday (Movie review): What’s remarkable about “Spawn” isn’t so much that it’s bad. It’s that the special-effects scenes appear unfinished.