AW Kautzer's Film Review Film

The 20 Must-See Films of 2020

The Films of 2020

Last Night in SoHo

A single still can evoke so much…
Especially when that still is a pull form an Edgar Wright film.

Release Date: September 25, 2020

Director: Edgar Wright 

Why we’re dying to see it? Writer/Director Edgar Wright had a surprise Box Office smash with Baby Driver.  His latest film seems to find him in Brian DePalma territory, and we couldn’t be more delighted.  Wright’s a cinematic savant of the highest order and having him play in the sort of fertile ground that Hitchcock, DePalma, and Henke traversed before him, has got us chopping at the bit.  The fact he’s shot the film Chung-hoon Chung has is elated (he photographed Oldboy, IT: Chapter One, The Handmaiden). 

Death on the Nile

Murder on the Orient Express was unexpectedly entertaining.
Let us hope that Branagh can deliver the goods again.

Release Date: October 9, 2020

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Why we’re dying to see it?  Truth be told, we were tickled silly by Branagh’s overwrought interpretation of Hercule Poirot and Murder on the Orient Express.  The surprise success of that film has Fox double downing on this franchise. We couldn’t be happier as we’re huge Stans for the Murder-Mystery genre. Gone too long for our tastes and to now have two burgeoning series is great (Knives Out, and its Southern Sleuth Benoit Blanc is getting a sequel).  Nile adds the star power of Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Letitia Wright, Annette Benning to the cast. Bonus points for Branagh pulling from the very best of the British ranks and getting Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French in the cast (Ab Fab reunion!!!!)

Army of the Dead

Welcome back Zack Snyder

Release Date: October 2020 

Director: Zack Snyder 

Why we’re dying to see it? A Netflix produced $100 million Zombie Movie directed by Zack Snyder… yeah, we’re fucking in.  The same way we were in for Michael Bay’s recent Netflix entry Six Underground. Our hope is that Army of the Dead is the most Zack Snyder of Zack Snyder movies the way that Six is the most Michael Bay or Michael Bay movies.

The Old Guard

With stark imagery like this, Gina Prince-Bythewood is set to deliver
some major ass-kicking our way come the fall.

Release Date: TBA Fall 2020

Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood 

Why we’re dying to see it? The teaming up of director Gina Prince-Bythewood with stars Charlize Theron, Kiki Layne is enough for us.  The Greg Rucka graphic novel’s premise of immortal god-like mercenaries going up against a new evil immortal has us positively giddy at the project.  Bonus points for Prince-Bythewood getting Barry Ackroyd to shoot the film.  Cinematography-Geeks already know the guy shoots action like no one’s business. Seeing Prince-Bythewood finally getting her shot at big canvas epic moviemaking has us cheering from the front row.

Rebecca

The Hitchock-directed original adaptation was a huge hit
and awards winner in its day.

Release Date: TBA Fall 2020

Director: Ben Wheatley 

Why we’re dying to see it?  This may be the biggest gamble on the list. But all the pieces are in place for something special.  Beginning with Jane Goldman as the screenwriter adapting the celebrated novel.  Add Lily James, Armie Hammer, and Kristen Scott Thomas as the leads.  Put Ben Wheatley behind this all.  You couldn’t ask for a more intriguing combination of cast and crew to make something that could both respect and demolish (in the best way) the Hitchcock original. 


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