Best of 2020 - From my perspective

Another year, another list.

2020, however, was not your typical year. With a pandemic on our hands, the arts world took a big hit and had to change the way the operated, from a creative POV, as well as promotion and distribution.

The movie was probably the most affected and had to cancel and / or delay releases, having several anticipated movies moved to 2021. Studios have even had to compromise and agree to release some pictures on streaming platforms, leaving lots of directors disgruntled.

Unfortunately this has impacted the variety and quality of the movie releases this year - a tremendous contrast to 2019 which presented a rich ensemble.

Having said that, its still a decent list, which was particularly enhanced after I watched in the same week Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Soul and Druk - the latter arguably the best I've seen of the 2020 class.

Worth mentioning I haven't seen some strong candidates such as Young Promising Women, Pieces of a Woman and Minari.

I have also left a couple of films which I really enjoyed, such as Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, The Assistant, On The Rocks, Yes, God, Yes, Mank, The Way Back and Freaky.

Music wise, it has been an interesting year as we've seen various artists work on their projects from home. Wasn't too impressed with the new studio album releases this year, but definitely a good selection to get you going. Have to admit, plenty of awesome tracks... was difficult to narrow it down to just 10. Sharing my full 2020 playlist at the bottom of the post.

Here you have my Top 10 list:

MOVIES

Druk
Sound of Metal
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
The Invisible Man
Let Him Go
The Devil All The Time
Soul
Listen
Palm Springs
Da 5 Bloods

ALBUMS

Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes - What Kinda Music
The Strokes - The New Abnormal
Phoebe Bridgers - Punisher
Adrienne Lenker - words
Lianne La Havas - Lianne La Havas
Fleet Foxes - Shore
Future Islands - As Long As You Are
Alexis French - Dreamland
Tame Impala - The Slow Rush
Novo Amor - Cannot Be, Whatsoever

TRACKS

Future Islands - Hit The Coast
The Strokes - The Adults are Talking
Adrienne Lenker - anything
Tame Impala - Instant Destiny
Phoebe Bridgers - Kyoto
The Strokes - Bad Decisions
Future Islands - Waking
Everything Everything - It was a Monstering
Tom Misch &Yussef Dayes - Tidal Wave
Drake & Lil Durk - Laugh Now Cry Later
Jack Harlow, Tory Lanez, DaBaby, Lil Wayne - Whats Poppin

**Full list for my favorite tracks of 2020**

Wichita Lineman

by: Glen Campbell

How have I only found out about this a week ago?

Written by Jimmy Webb in 1968, it was first sang and made popular by country singer, Glen Campbell.

Came to it by total accident, when one of Bombay Bicycle Club's band members did a Q&A with fans on Instagram and got asked if he could claim writing credits for a song, which one would have been. His answer: Wichita Lineman.

Given the humorous tone fo the Q&A session, for some reason I though he was being sarcastic... but after checking it out I fell in total awe.

Has some of the most elegant and beautiful musical arrangements I’ve listened to in a while and really shines a light on your average Joe blue collar worker by presenting the character’s emotional waves in a soft, gentle and heartfelt way.

Mon Roi (2015)

Most of my French friends that discuss cinema with me have recommended over the years the movie Mon Roi (2015), directed by Maïwenn (Polisse) and starring Emmanuelle Bercot and Vincent Cassel. 

A few of those have pointed out to big parts of it which they felt like they related to:

The experience of toxic, harmful relationships with people who are comparable to a deadly addiction that you can't get rid of.

Cassel's "Georgio" is charismatic, full of life but incredibly erratic, unreliable and manipulative. Bercot's "Tony" is caring, lovable, daring but dramatic, insecure and naive.

It's a dangerous combination that we have often seen fail both on screen and real life. Usually the spark begins through the same reasons that it will eventually lead to the relationship's demise.

As the movie unfolds, there's a huge part of me that is angry at Bercot's character for enduring such a narcissistic person. Despite being attracted Cassel's charm and "larger than life" attitude, I could never support him, even if there's a small part of me that finds him somewhat irresistible.

This is often the problem, when charms and a way with words can con people into falling into the most basic feelings and needs, not being able to see the big picture and protect themselves from harm. As someone who views it from the outside, it is always crystal clear what you need to go, but for those living that scenario, there's no way of passing on a message and making sense. Your mind and heart can become your worst enemy.

I know those characters and have seen those scenes unfold. Some of them I lived myself. That is why i guess the movie resonated with me.

Having earned a solid 76% score on Rotten Tomatoes, not sure anyone has been more critical than The Guardian's film pundit, Peter Bradshaw,  who absolutely destroyed the movie with his review. 

It left me (at the risk of being unfair) thinking if he ever experienced tumultuous love, raw passion or an emotional mismatch.

He says the scenes are over dramatized and embarrassing. Reactions are over over the top. The acting is bad. 

I mean, sure, there's plenty that I haven't seen or lived myself, but they aren't that much of a foreign thought for me to not think of them as believable.

I also wonder why are so many reacting with emotion towards the film? Why is it such a successful movie?

I look at all my friends who have recommended the film and they all share the same trades. Joyful, emotional state of mind, with an ever present lust for life. Yes, some may be dramatic, overly romantic, creators of high (and maybe unattainable) expectations... for some that can be just youth, for others an intrinsic group of character trades that evolve and become easy to manage, but surely that is normal and human.

That's at least how I felt when witnessing the constant flux of emotions: the spontaneity, the overflow of love and affection that transformed into psychological hardships and despair.

It's the tale of a degrading relationship that I'm sure we've seen or heard - even if just in parts - during our trials in life and in love. 

Human (2015) - Documentary

Many years ago, a good friend of mine recommended a documentary by the name of Human (2015).

This friend, had rarely recommended anything to me but said that if he was going to insist that I watched something, it was that particular documentary. Being over three hours long, it ended up being broken into three parts and made available in its entirety on YouTube. 

Years went by and I didn't even come close to watching it. I don't know why... 

Nothing to do with the person that was recommending it, because if anything, it was due to coming from him that I always kept it in my back pocket. I think it may have to do with committing that much time... Like staying away from some of Sergio Leone's classic films, purely because I get put off when a movie is over three hours long and I'm watching it at home (too many distractions). 

Years went by and my friend would constantly tease me about the documentary.

"Have you seen it?"

 "The one thing I tell you to watch and you still haven't."

It even got to the point where he partnered up with another friend for a feature that involved interviewing the team behind the doco and off the back of that I got a DVD copy with a message urging me to watch it. Still, I didn't see it and a few more years went by.

With this quarantine upon us, I made a promise to my friend and myself to take the time to watch it...

... and today was the day!

The project consists of a series of interviews with people from all walks of life. They are asked the same questions and what we see is a narrative thread that take us on a journey through what makes us human, examining the best and worst in mankind and how our decisions have shaped the world we live in.

Love, gender, war, poverty are just some of the topics discussed and the things you hear are guaranteed to strike a chord - one way or another.

I wasn't prepared for it. The opening scene alone probably broke the record for making me tear up quicker. That record belonged to Pixar's Up (2009).

If you are not too sure about it, I would say give it a shot. Commit yourself to the first 15m and if you are not hooked / intrigued / moved by then... drop it. Otherwise, allow yourself to continue on this journey that puts people out of their comfort zone taking about their feelings and their views on the world, making us - as the audience - reassess our own lives.

As my final thought, i want to leave you a small section of documentary which I think to be very timely for these troubled times.

Really hope you like it.

HUMAN VOL 1
HUMAN VOL 2

HUMAN VOL 3

Ethan Hawke - Looking back at career and iconic characters

Had this video saved for ages on my "watch list" and faith would have it that one day after I watched Predestination (totally recommend), I would once again stumble upon this GQ interview with Ethan Hawke talking about his most iconic roles, offering amazing personal insight into each of them.

Hawke talks with such passion about his craft and the several masters he's worked with over the years that it's hard not to believe about his deep commitment to his profession.

I believe him to be so underrated, to the point where people often forget the amount of memorable films the four-time Oscar nominated actor has been part of and the milestones achieved in the process. 

From working with Peter Weir and Robin Williams in Dead Poet Society...

To meeting his future wife (now ex) Uma Thurman on set for the sci-fi classic Gattaca...

His frequent collaborations with Richard Linklater in the acclaimed The Before Trilogy and Boyhood...

Partnering up with Denzel Washington - who was at the top of his game for Training Day...

Or working with Sidney Lumet in Before The Devil Knows You're Dead - his last movie before the 12 Angry Men / Serpico / Dog Day Afternoon famed director passed away.

The list goes on... and in this video - going over 20 minutes talking about several roles - Hawke even left out one of my personal favorite performances of his, from the film Born To Be Blue where he plays legendary jazzman Chet Baker.

Definitely worth investigating a lot of his body of work. Plenty of quality there to be seen.

"Won't You be My Neighbor" - AVAILABLE ON NETFLIX

It just came to my attention that the documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor (2018) is available on Netflix.

You might recall me talking and writing a lot about last year. It is one of the documentaries / movies of my life about a personality that i came to learn about very late in my life.

Fred Rogers, known to many as Mr. Rogers, was a Children's TV show host who forever changed the scope of American television. Through his program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, he would go inside people's home to talk in a language that would resonate both with children and adults, speaking about love, compassion as well as how to deal with hard topics and "negative emotions" that people go through everyday. The man was well ahead of his time and his approach was radical.

People like this are hard to come by...

Of open heart and open mind... who aren't afraid of sharing, of emotional intimacy... who seek to spread love and joy at all times and who work (because it requires work) to bring out the best from others, as well as ourselves.

When I first saw the trailer for the documentary, I knew nothing about the man or his show, but instantly was drawn to it. Certain trades of the main character, aligned with the editing and the music, made me feel goosebumps from the get go and suddenly I had this urge to find out more.

I spoke with a couple of American friends who grew up watching Mr Rogers and raved about him.

He was becoming more and more fascinating in my eyes.

Soon after it got released, the documentary received high praise from critics (98% on Rotten Tomatoes).

 

I was starting to build a massive hype, which let me tell you, it didn't disappoint. 

 

Despite being snubbed at the Oscars (to me it should have been a certifiable winner, let alone nominated), it did well with audiences as well (94% audience score on RT and 8.4 on iMDB) and went on to spread the legacy of what is deemed by many to be an important contemporary historical / pop-culture figure.

It's an important body of work about a man who we should all be acquainted with. I can say it has really provided me with more energy and strength to promote a good outlook in life, to have something more to strive for and to be more in connection with myself and my surroundings. It has also delivered a proxy role-model, that somehow, despite feeling intangible, added to my purpose in life to achieve my best self.

Not long after the doc came out, a biopic A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood (2019) was released with Tom Hanks playing Mr. Rogers, a role which got him an Oscar nomination for "Best Supporting Actor".

I've placed it under my "Top 10 of 2019", but will admit to some bias as in it we have my favorite actor playing one of my favorite personalities.

I remember watching it at a cinema in Atlanta and I treated the whole thing like an event.

Right there and then, watching that film was the most important thing in the world... and although it didn't live up to the same level the documentary, it still shook me at points and delivered two amazing performances from Matthew Rhys and Mr. Hanks.

So, please please please... try and watch this documentary and only then, if you enjoyed what you saw, get your hands on the biopic.

Being Alive (from the musical "Company")

Someone to hold me too close.
Someone to hurt me too deep.
Someone to sit in my chair,
And ruin my sleep,
And make me aware,
Of being alive.
Being alive.

Somebody need me too much.
Somebody know me too well.
Somebody pull me up short,
And put me through hell,
And give me support,
For being alive.
Make me alive.
Make me alive.
Make me confused.
Mock me with praise.
Let me be used.
Vary my days.
But alone,
Is alone,
Not alive.
Somebody crowd me with love.
Somebody force me to care.
Somebody let me come through,
I'll always be there,
As frightened as you,
To help us survive,
Being alive.
Being alive.
Being alive!

//

And now... for Adam Driver's version from the movie Marriage Story (2019) - also outstanding

Just ahead of the Oscars...

...check out my most recent collaboration with Pedro Correia for his movie podcast Vinyl N Celluloid.

We predict who will win the coveted trophy...
Who should win...
Our favorites of the years...
and the biggest disappointments.

Adam Sandler speech at Independent Spirit Awards

Look at him go... 

PREACH ADAM, PREACH!

Best of 2019 - From my perspective

As tradition will have it, here are my top 10 films, albums and tracks of the year.

2019 has been particularly strong in the cinema category! I can't remember the last time I've struggled to make this list, as I feel like I'm leaving out some pretty epic movies.

It honestly felt hard leaving behind motion pictures like Joker, John Wick 3, The Farewell, Toy Story 4,Us, Honey Boy, Knives Out, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Dolomite is My Name, Atlantics or Booksmart...

And these are just the ones I've seen... so factor in other critically acclaimed films like Uncut Gems,  Little Women, 1917, JoJo Rabbit, Waves...

Crazy, right?!

Wish the same could be said about albums, but really there wasn't a lot surprising me this year and I actually struggled to get a list done... that doesn't apply to tracks though, as there are so many tunes I would love to fit in. With this in mind, I've created a Spotify list with my favorite songs of 2019.

So, without further ado... I present to you my Top 10 list:

MOVIES
Gisaengchung (Parasite)
Portrait de la jeune fille en feu (Portrait of a Lady on Fire)
Dolor y Gloria (Pain and Glory)
Marriage Story
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
The Irishman
The Lighthouse
Avengers: End Game
The Two Popes
Mike Wallace is Here


ALBUMS
Sam Fender - Hypersonic Missiles
Angelo de Augustine - Tomb
Bat for Lashes - Lost Girls
The National - I Am Easy To Find
Foals - Everything Will Not Be Saved Pt.1
Little Simz - GREY Area
Weyes Blood - Titanic Rising
Tyler, The Creator - Igor
Taz Modi - Reclaimed Goods
FKA Twigs - Magdalene

TRACKS
Sam Fender - Dead Boys
Angelo de Augustine - Tomb
Sam Fender - You Are Not The Only One
Tyler, The Creator - Puppet
Bombay Bicycle Club - Eat, Sleep, Wake
Angelo de Augustine - You needed love, I needed you
Teskey Brothers - Paint My Heart
White Lies - Time to Give
Vampire Weekend (feat. Steve Lacy) - Sunflower
Bat for Lashes - Kids In The Dark

**Full list for my favorite tracks of 2019**