Midlands Movies Worst 10 Films of 2020
midlandsmovies • December 20, 2020
Midlands Movies Worst Films of 2020
Well I said I wouldn’t be publishing my least favourite films of the year but I just couldn’t resist! So here are some thoughts of the true worst of the worst in a year that was already filled with worsts.
In no particular order, I have to bring your attention to The Boy 2: Brahms
which was an atrocious film & best avoided even for fans of the original which it takes a shit on anyways. Our review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/mid-year-review-round-up
It had its fans but another stinker for me was VFW. A host of familiar grizzled faces star in a boring low-budget "action" film with terrible dialogue and some blatant technical mistakes. It ends by being a bit embarrassing for everyone. Our review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/reviews-of-the-wretched-ophelia-and-vfw
Artemis Fowl
started promising then descended into impenetrable fantasy gubbins that couldn't have been less engaging with gaudy cheap visuals. Actors looking unimpressed against green screen certainly didn't help. Here's Jake Evans’ thoughts: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-artemis-fowl
I didn't actually review this one for the site but Capone
was a misjudged tonal mess from start to finish that, much like the protagonist, gave me the utter death shits. After the huge misstep that was the Fantastic 4 film, I was hoping director Josh Trank would come back with a film similar in quality to his debut Chronicle. However, he came back with a Crapicle. Not even acting maestro Tom Hardy could save this bomb.
And who the bloody hell decided to put a coin in the X-Men franchise machine? The New Mutants
was devoid of any real thrills & fumbles its unique horror concept by ending the mostly-fun comic-book film series on a complete dud. Our review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-the-new-mutants
You Should Have Left
starring Kevin Bacon was the film equivalent of the Aldi middle aisle - a mish-mash of elements that don't work together in any way. A dreary experience that only the most desperate-for-something-to-watch horror fan should even attempt to watch. Our review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/2020-chiller-catch-up
A perhaps controversial choice but I found the documentary Spaceship Earth
the biggest missed opportunity of the year making it as frustrating as hell to enjoy. "In the end they were trapped with no immediate means of escape which is how I felt whilst watching the film”. Our review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-spaceship-earth
Another film I didn't get around to writing a review for was Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
on Netflix. It contained Will Ferrell at his loud worst with Dan Steven's supporting character the real star of the show. Some good pastiche songs couldn’t make a up for a film that was surprisingly joyless.
I thought I had sharted but in fact I had sadly spent time watching 2020's The Grudge
which was like sitting in your own mess for 90 minutes. Probably my least favourite of all films I watched this year, it contains not a drop of horror or anything of interest whatsoever in any single frame of the film. AVOID.
Finally then, let’s make it an even 10 - so we finish the list with Ava
- more disappointing than laughably bad. The excellent talent involved - Jessica Chastain, Colin Farrell, John Malkovich etc - makes this all the more unfathomable that (at best) it’s a terribly bland and lifeless thriller. Our review: https://www.midlandsmovies.com/review-of-ava
Michael Sales
On Sunday 26th April Midlands Movies Editor Michael Sales & awards ceremony co-host Ed Stagg (BBC Radio) announced the nominations for the 2026 Midlands Movies Awards live from the Queen of Bradgate Vintage Cinema in Leicester. A big thanks was given to the entire Jury Panel of industry experts who gave up their precious time to watch a huge selection of creative projects and as always, had a difficult time choosing from the excellent number of films from the region. You can read the full list of nominations across all 16 categories below and watch our announcement videos here: Part 1 & Part 2 And please also check out our great awards partner Chrome Video Best Actress in a Leading Role Karendip Phull for Family Kate Bracken for The Lace Rachel Baker for Throwing Fruit Chloe Wade for How Long Sophie Bullock for Ma Prison Best Animated Film Of All the Things by Steff Lee Big Red by James Pyle Statue in the Garden by Qianhui Yu Butterfly by Jacob Christie Best Director Luke Worrall for The Waterline Lily Portman for Quiet Jack Richardson for Daniel’s Room Jonathan Hawes for Sorry We’re Closed Sophia Dall'Aglio for Man from Mars Best Documentary Nothing's Impossible by Jacob Thomas McClean A Birmingham Symphony by Jemma Saunders We Bring Light: Leicester's Diwali Legacy by Kieran Vyas The Sunshine Café by Jill Lampert Through the Viewfinder by William North Best Sound (Editing or Mixing) Neil Evans & his team for Artificial Insanity Alasdair Gretton for Dead on Distribution Deepanjali Patel for Earworm David Hamilton-Smith for The Pause Heidi Wilson for Of All The Things Best Actor in a Supporting Role Devon Junior for Lazar Tim Sparrow for Safety Net Shaiek Ahmed Rana for Family Luke Rollason for Quiet Peter Willoughby for A Story of Spring Best Visual & Special Effects Jake Wesley-Worrall for Soul Trader Steve Askey & team for The Correction Unit Nick Willett, Matt Burkey & Jayne Hyman for Black Goat JaqD SFX MUA, Mind Magic Studios and Ben Harker for Beyond the Witching Hour Jacob Christie for Countenance Best Cinematography Gary Rogers for The Pause Laurence Mason-Guetta for Sorry We’re Closed Ian Snape for Soul Trader Ash Connaughton for Daniel’s Room Duane Adamoli for Surfing (nominations continue below...)
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