Well Schmoes, as 2020 fnally draws to a close we reflect on a year unlike any other in our lifetimes. Thanks to COVID-19, a limited number of movies made it to the big screen. With films debuting everywhere from drive-ins to streaming services, cinema still found a way to entertain us from the comfort of our homes. It remains to be seen what 2021 will bring but, if there is one thing for certain, there are always movies that are highly overrated and underrated by critics and fans alike. As the UnPopular Opinion Guy, I felt it was only fitting to issue my list of the movies I felt that the masses got wrong. Some of these may shock you and some may just piss you off, but these are my honest to goodness perspective of the movies of 2019. If you disagree with any of the choices, please voice your own opinion in the talkback below. After all, the only opinion that really matters is yours, I am just here to share mine.
5: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
The return of Sacha Baron Cohen's most famous character was a surprise no one really saw coming. In an era where the United States is more divided than ever, Cohen's brand of comedy brought the country to task on topics ranging from politics to race and beyond. When the pandemic hit, Cohen took full advantage of exploiting it for comedy gain. But, since Borat is such a recognizable face, the sequel took on a more narrative approach with the inclusion of Maria Bakalova as Borat's daughter Tutar. Using a lot of costumes similar to his series Who is America?. the Borat sequel just is not as fresh as the original. With a twist ending perfect for 2020, this is a movie that would not have worked as well any other year and likely will not age well as we move into 2021.
4: Bill and Ted Face The Music
I wanted the return of Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted Theodore Logan to be worth the wait. While both Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves were a welcome burst of positivity during 2020, they were not given a strong enough film. Reeves sleepwalks through this movie while Winter gives it his all, but this movie really is less about Bill and Ted as it is about setting up potential sequels led by Samara Weaving and Brigette Lundy-Paine. Yes, there are funny moments and I loved Anthony Carrigan as Dennis Caleb McCoy, but more often than not this movie feels too late. The trend of bringing franchises back decades later with the original stars in tow is supposed to evoke nostalgia, but Bill and Ted Face The Music ends up reminding us why it is better to leave well enough alone.
3: Possessor Uncut
Every year, there are films that release trailers featuring a laundry list of acclaim and quotes touting it as the sleeper hit of the year. Brandon Cronenberg's film carries with it those laurels plus the expectations that his last name bears. While the younger Cronenberg certainly has some of the skills that his father has made a career on, Possessor ends up being the horror cousin to Tenet. Like Nolan's film, this movie thinks that it is smarter than it actually is. While Andrea Riseborough, Christopher Abbott, and Jennifer Jason Leigh elevate the script, they are simply not able to do enough to make sense of Cronenberg's writing. At times beautiful and at times incredibly boring, Possessor Uncut is a slog through what could have been so much more.
2: Bad Boys For Life
I love Michael Bay's two Bad Boys films. The second is a masterclass in explosion porn movie-making. After a very long wait, the third film comes from fresh filmmakers Adil & Bilal and yet feels as rote and formulaic as I feared. The spectacle feels neutered primarily due to the age of the two stars. Both Martin Lawrence and Will Smith look far younger than they are, but with the script by Chris Bremner, Peter Craig, and Joe Carnahan relying far too much on that element, Bad Boys For Life becomes redundant. While a fourth film is in development, this movie ended my anticipation to see what these two great characters will do next.
1: Tenet
Christopher Nolan is one of the most innovative directors working today. His visual style and flair for unconventional dynamics on screen has turned his filmography into a masterclass of filmmaking. As a writer…Nolan is a great director. Tenet hit theaters in a year that people should not have been going to the movies but it still brought a grandeur that exemplifies what makes movies so damn special. It is a shame that the story here is lacking everything that it desperately needed. There is no logic, cohesion, or sense in the narrative which makes the task of unpacking this tale pointless. That is a shame because John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, and Elizabeth Debicki deliver solid performances while Kenneth Branagh proves that he should stick behind the camera.
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