20. Bad Education Dir. Cory Finley

Hugh Jackman is public school superintendent who uncovers a colleague is dipping into the public funds to maintain a lavish lifestyle but has many secrets of his own. The experienced Jackman and Janney are great, but it’s Geraldine Viswanathan playing the plucky pupil that is the underrated star here. The film entertainingly delves into corruption and the projecting of a public image with fantastic performances from a strong cast who play their roles to perfection.

Review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-rebecca-bad-education-plus-one-proxima-and-villains 

19. Vivarium Dir. Lorcan Finnegan

Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg star in this mysterious drama as a couple looking for a home to begin their life together but find themselves trapped in a suburban nightmare. Unconventional, horrifying and beautifully bizarre, Vivarium is an on-the-nose analogy of a middle-age crisis in a modern Ikea-saturated world. With fears of parenthood, loss of individuality and restless boredom the film explores the monotony of homely life and the subsequent dreary doldrum. With some of the most peculiar story beats and characters seen this year, I recommend ‘settling down’ to watch Vivarium for an unescapable journey into familial hell.

Full review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-vivarium 

18. His House Dir. Remi Weekes

His House so could have easily been just another haunted house genre flick – but with deep musings on terrible deeds and accepting responsibility for actions, the excellent debut directing from Weekes has created an exceptional movie with real chills, tremendous acting and deep ideas where menacing memories inhabit both your home and your head.

Full review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-his-house 

17. 7500 Dir. Patrick Vollrath

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a pilot dealing with a hijacking in an exciting low-budget thriller set entirely within a plane’s cockpit. At 92 minutes, it’s a swift ride with little room to breathe but that’s a huge plus as we trail this real-time emergency. But for the most part, like similar films Buried and Phone Booth, it’s a ‘one location’ set-up that throttles along to its final approach with nerve-racking excitement and electrifying suspense.

Full review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-7500 

16. Tenet Dir. Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan returns with another Inception-style headscratcher involving his familiar and favourite themes of time and the exploits of well-suited spies. Agent John David Washington joins a secret organisation who discover a future technology that allows objects (and people) to move backwards through time. Manipulating time, the 150 minutes in length felt just about right and Nolan never fails to shy away from complicated ideas and structure. The codes, secret cyphers and encrypted puzzles are all present and his innovative take on standard Bond-esque adventures is a pleasure to watch unfold.

Full review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-tenet

15. Emma Dir. Autumn de Wilde

Anya Taylor-Joy plays the meddlesome protagonist in the Regency era whose involvement in the romantic misunderstandings of several families is cause for much drama. Emma’s mean-streak and petty-mindedness is delivered with depth by Taylor-Joy with jealousy and selfishness hidden just below the surface. And with the whole cast delivering hugely likeable support roles, Taylor-Joy’s entertaining performance and Mr. Knightley exclaiming “I came to wish you joy”, the film’s delightful attributes really do provide a jolly abundance of joy throughout.

Full review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-emma

14. Proxima Dir. Alice Winocour

Eva Green stars as a put-upon astronaut in training who has to fight her dismissive colleagues at a Russian training centre whilst balancing the delicate relationship she has with her young daughter. A teary-eyed ending is a tense moment of love, separation and admiration and Green’s compelling central performance is an astounding joy. Proxima is both a down-to-earth drama and an exploration of the heavy gravity faced while being a role-model mother in tough circumstances.

Full review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-rebecca-bad-education-plus-one-proxima-and-villains 

13. The Devil All the Time Dir. Antonio Campos

A psychological thriller adapted from the novel of the same name, Antonio Campos’ movie is an exploration of the seedy world of the 50s/60s Deep South populated by haunted soldiers, delusional preachers and serial killers. Full of observable darkness and hidden secrets, the film captures time and place brilliantly and the entire cast deliver suitably bleak characters. Amongst the drama, the director explores childhood, generational ties as well as the resulting violence and the twisting narrative over many years maintains interest throughout. A fetishized slice of Southern gothic, the movie gives us a satisfying and entertaining pulp fiction of sweat and sin.

Read Matt Tilt’s thoughts on the film in his review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-the-devil-all-the-time

12.Beastie Boys Story Dir. Spike Jonze

The NYC hip-hoppers are the subject of this “documentary” from their long-time collaborator Spike Jonze, which delivers a strangely satisfying blend of on-stage monologues between members Michael "Mike D" Diamond & Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz. The passing of member Adam "MCA" Yauch permeates throughout, in what is an emotional tribute as they reminisce about their bonds of brotherhood. With its musing on musical memories and a straightforward and sincere delivery, it is two hours of ‘Beastie’ bliss.

Full review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-beastie-boys-story 

11.Plus One Dir. Jeff Chan & Andrew Rhymer

Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid play old friends who agree to attend a season of weddings as each other’s “plus ones” using an excellent tight and funny script which doesn’t let up. And has scenes of embarrassment and friendship that will resonate with anyone in their twenties. Maya Erskine especially handles the film’s comedy, dramatic and vulnerable moments fittingly and with a few surprising emotional beats, Plus One should be seen by more people and is one of the best romantic comedies of the year.

Full review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-rebecca-bad-education-plus-one-proxima-and-villains 

10. The Platform Dir. Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia

This Spanish sci-fi tells the story of a man awakening in a ‘vertical’ prison with scarce access to food. The brutalist but simple architecture of the set is somewhat reminiscent of a time long gone but its subject matter is so relevant today that its exploration of haves and have-nots feels suitably important. Although difficult to watch at times, this high-concept film provides engrossing dark drama, excellent acting throughout and fantastic production design. And these cinematic qualities are all tremendous as a cohesive whole, thus encouraging audiences to contemplate its ideas about class that unravel through its engaging narrative.

Full review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-the-platform 

9. Bombshell Dir. Jay Roach

Bombshell is a topical drama about the American Fox News Network and its culture of harassment in the workplace with three stupendous acting turns - Nicole Kidman’s frustration for speaking up is well defined, Margot Robbie’s abuse at the hands of Ailes is far from gratuitous, yet almost impossible to watch and Charlize Theron, covered in Oscar-winning makeup, holds the whole thing together. The fact the trio bond over the situation is both fascinating and ultimately horrifying. In the climate of the #metoo movement, Bombshell’s success works because of its nuance – which gives it a far more powerful punch – creating an engaging and imperative true-life story audiences need to hear.

Full review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-bombshell 

8. A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood Dir. Marielle Heller

The movie covers redemption, innocence and forgiveness from Marielle Heller, who delivers a real-life story of a journalist trying to uncover what is “behind” US children’s entertainer Ted Rogers. Hanks is a master of real-life imitation but high praise should also go to Rhys as the haunted journalist dealing with his past issues. Just like how Mr Rogers makes all the characters feel, it would take a hard-hearted viewer not to be truly affected by its honest sentimentality, leaving the audience at peace in this unashamedly feel-good and wholesome film.

Full review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/blog/4558436876/A-Beautiful-Day-in-the-Neighborhood-Review/11419333 

7. Colour Out of Space Dir. Richard Stanley

The film sees the return of director Richard Stanley who comes back with a fantastic slice of horror and madness. Nic Cage stars as the father of family who begin to experience cosmic incidents after a meteor crashes on their land. The lighting, using strong strobes and vibrant purples, excellently captures the strange scenario and there are moments of both dark comedy and unshakable dream-like imagery. Each well thought out disgusting horror sequence builds to an apocalyptic crescendo and Color Out of Space should gain admiration from fans of disturbing horror and creepy Lovecraftian happenings.

Full review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/mid-year-review-round-up 

6. The Trial of the Chicago 7 Dir. Aaron Sorkin

Famed-scriptwriter Aaron Sorkin returns for his second film as director where a group of Vietnam War protesters are charged with inciting riots in Chicago in 1968 before going on trial for their involvement. The solid soundtrack and excellent costume design and make-up/hairstyling is a period pleasure and I hope audiences don’t let the re-ordering of the real timelines contaminate what is a gripping courtroom spectacle. And here the politics are not an after-thought, but entirely central to the film’s success. With terrific performances the unanimous final verdict is The Trial of the Chicago 7 is a well-timed and compelling drama that successfully intertwines protests and politics.

Full review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-the-trial-of-the-chicago-7 

5. Parasite (2020) Dir. Bong Joon-ho

With near universal acclaim, Oscar winner Parasite from South Korean director Bong Joon-ho tackles the complex amalgam of poverty and wealth in a multifaceted drama. Aspects of horror and bloody violence ratchet up the dramatic interactions and the film’s precise editing emphasis the great visuals where stark lines and fantastic lighting embed all of the director’s motifs. Undeniably beautiful and intricately constructed like a cinematic watchmaker, Parasite questions who is exploiting who in a remarkable parable on humanity and society. And in the end Joon-ho’s themes of the blood-sucking rich hosts and their poor victims – or is it the other way around – infests your mind in a profound moral tale with an outstanding cinematic touch.

Full review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/blog/4558436876/Parasite-review/11431599

4. 1917 Dir. Sam Mendes

Two young soldiers, Schofield (George MacKay) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) are tasked with delivering a message to the frontline so a platoon of fellow soldiers can avoid an ambush in Sam Mendes’ war flick. The director stages his film around a “single take” which puts the audience in the action, takes you on a journey and forces the viewer to see war through the unblinking eye of a soldier. 1917 appears to have the most natural shooting style in the world. But then you stop and think about it and marvel at its complexity, audacity and the one-shot camerawork is as unescapable as the horror of war itself.

Full review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/blog/4558436876/1917-Review/11433285 

3. Uncut Gems Dir. Josh Safdie & Benny Safdie

Adam Sandler stars as a Jewish diamond dealer who is addicted to gambling in between his time working at his shop in the Safdie’s film made in their incredibly haphazard style which perfectly captures the chaotic nature of Ratner’s life. And as he cheats on his wife and owes money all over New York, Sandler brilliantly plays Ratner as a man working with, and against, his own demise. A well-crafted thriller with a perfect vision, Uncut Gems shows the brothers are now a cinematic force to be reckoned with and Sandler should choose his roles more carefully. If he does, I think there could be awards interest on the horizon for the actor who shows a flair for dramatic control and places it expertly onto an unruly character to much screen success.

Full review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/blog/4558436876/Review---Uncut-Gems/11418474 

2. Da 5 Bloods Dir. Spike Lee

Returning after the acclaimed BlacKkKlansman was always going to be a tough task for director Spike Lee but with Da 5 Bloods he follows up that film’s potent mix of themes concerning race, American society and global engagements with a fantastic look at 5 black military soldiers and their emotional experiences in the Vietnam war. The leads deliver terrific performances and the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman adds to his poignant scenes, whilst the thrilling narrative of the veterans returning to the country that shaped them – reflecting on time, life, loss and politics – is thoroughly engaging and exciting. Lee teases out great acting turns, throws in some tense and meaningful action beats and allows the story to unfold with a reflective mindset that delivers messages to both the heart and to the mind in a powerfully impressive movie.

Read Matt Tilt’s thoughts on the film in his review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-da-5-bloods

1. The Invisible Man Dir. Leigh Whannel

After Universal’s terrible attempts at kicking off its horror movie universe (the “Dark Universe”), along comes a low budget and serious interpretation of The Invisible Man as an allegory of harmful relationships. Elisabeth Moss is brilliant as the lead who escapes from her abusive partner only to find herself being “stalked” after he is found dead. Is she re-living her past torment or is something more sinister taking place? Well, with great direction from Whannel – who uses long shots as we, like Moss, stare into ‘empty’ rooms and spaces – a tight script (also Whannel) and topical themes of gaslighting, mental abuse and toxic relationships, The Invisible Man is far better than it has any right to be. A glorious support cast, some genuinely terrifying and tense sequences and Moss’ brilliant solo portrayal of distress and suffering, The Invisible Man is a well-made horror – but also surprisingly reveals itself as an unmissable film that goes way above and beyond its genre roots.

Read Matt Tilt’s thoughts on the film in his review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-the-invisible-man