top of page
2020 TOP 50
01. TENET
score - 76
Moves fast, covers a lot, and complicated. With a pulsating score and multiple accents; you miss some things. Use headphones and subs!
S: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson D: Christopher Nolan
02. THE GENTLEMEN
score - 74
As with most Ritchie movies- clever, fun, and visually cool. Not as funny as 'Lock, Stock' or 'Snatch', or ambitious as 'Revolver'. Still a huge success.
S: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam D: Guy Ritchie
03. THE INVISIBLE MAN
score - 71
Clever overall, which papers over the cracks in the plot. Successfully builds tension, and paced well for it's long running time. More mystery would've help. S: Elisabeth Moss, Aldis Hodge D: Leigh Whannell
04. THE CALL
score - 71
Good mix of 'The Butterfly Effect' and 'Frequency' (guess-Frequency looked shit, never saw it). All time-altering films are accused of loopholes, so is this. S: Park Shin-Hye, Jong-Seo Jun D: Chung-Hyun Lee
05. EXTRACTION
score - 70
Top-class action as 'The Raid' meets 'Atomic Blonde'. But the strong start fizzles out. The final act lacking the imagination and ideas of earlier.
S: Chris Hemsworth, Rudhraksh Jaiswal D: Sam Hargrave
06. THE INFORMER
score - 70
Pretty good story about a rat in the Polish underworld. Could've actually been longer, with a bigger focus on the prison life. Rushed that section.
S: Joel Kinnaman, Ana De Armas D: Andrea Di Stefano
07. I SEE YOU
score - 70
For some reason this movie just disappeared, but it's actually really good. There's a bit going on here, and not all is as it seems. Watch it without spoilers. S: Helen Hunt, Jon Tenney D: Adam Randall
08. 1917
score - 70
An incredible achievement visually, with the planning required to pull it off surely enormous. But for it to work, the plot is pretty unexceptional.
S: Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay D: Sam Mendes
09. THE HEIST OF THE CENTURY
score - 70
A fun heist caper in the same vein as an 'Oceans' movie, without the arrogant, self-aware, star-power in the cast. And the story here is actually true.
S: Guillermo Francella, Diego Peretti D: Ariel Winograd
10. SOUND OF METAL
score - 70
Well-acted. Great use of sound helps you feel what the lead feels. Clearing up the significant time-jumps, would assist in explaining the lead's progression. S: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke D: Darius Marder
11. THE PLATFORM
score - 69
​​Moments of brilliance set up something special. Doesn't completely deliver, but does enough to make you wonder- why can't Hollywood do this?
S: Ivan Massague, Zorion Eguileor D: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
12. THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME
score - 69
​​Heaps going on. Maybe too much for one film, as it seems some stories were rushed. May work better as a short series, to flesh out characters /stories.
S: Tom Holland, Bill Skarsgard D: Antonio Campos
13. TIME TO HUNT
score - 68
​​Nothing new/inventive here, but a bunch of good ideas from other movies blended into one movie successfully. Not all is a homeryn, but a lot works.
S: Lee Jeehoon, Jae-Hong Ahn D: Yoon Sunghyun
14. THE WAY BACK
score - 68
​​Good blend of sport and drama here. Could've done with a bit more of an on-screen conclusion on the sporting side, but powerful anyway. Vintage Affleck. S: Ben Affleck, Al Madrigal D: Gavin O'Connor
15. ARKANSAS
score - 68
​​If Guy Ritchie set a crime movie around Texas, instead of London; it would be like this. Not as funny as that would be, and no Tarantino movie; but still good. S: Liam Hemsworth, Vince Vaughn D: Clark Duke
16. THE BINGE
score - 68
​​Blend of 'The Purge' and 'Superbad' works a lot better than it sounds. Could've been something if they didn't rush the climactic games. Vaughn steals it.
S: Skyler Gisondo, Vince Vaughn D: Jeremy Garelick
17. BIRDS OF PREY
score - 68
​​More unfair DC hate, with this being decent. Even with every male character witten as incompetent, as it pushes the girl power agenda. Nothing too serious. S: Margot Robbie, Ewan McGregor D: Cathy Yan
18. HAMMER
score - 67
​​Surprisingly effective crime story focusing on the aftermath of a job, rather than the job itself; dealing with one challenge after another. Ends a little weak. S: Will Patton, Mark O'Brien D: Christian Sparkes
19. FATMAN
score - 67
​​It's a low bar, but this enters the list of 'Best Xmas Movies'. They had some great ideas that I would've liked expansion on, but there was enough here.
S: Mel Gibson, Walton Goggins D: Eshom & Ian Nelms
20. THE EMPTY MAN
score - 67
​​Rumour it was released before editing was completed. It shows. Overlong, but a lot left unexplained. Not true horror either. Still, it is actually really good.
S: James Badge Dale, Marin Ireland D: David Prior
21. FREAKY
score - 67
Remake 'Friday The 13th' or 'Freaky Friday'? No, do both at once. Sounds ridiculous, but actually works. Vaugh's performance is actually really good.
S: Vince Vaughn, Kathryn Newton D: Christopher Landon
22. THE DRY
score - 67
Good Aussie drama/mystery. Some elements are predictable, but overall there's enough mystery in it to keep you interested to find out everything.
S: Eric Bana, Genevieve O'Reilly D: Robert Connolly​​
23. THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7
score - 67
​​Interesting and well-made. Good mix of humour and drama. Was the trial really this clearly corrupt or is there some creative licence taken?
S: Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen D: Aaron Sorkin
24. BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM
score - 67
​​The original's success limits what could be done here, as the same format wouldn't work. Put a heavy reliance on Bakalova. Good, based on that.
S: Sacha Baron Cohen, Maria Bakalova D: Jason Woliner
25. THE HUNT
score - 66
​​Interesting. Looks good and has a fair bit going for it, if you accept it's satire. Takes the action serious enough too. It works, but isn't a complete home run. S: Betty Gilpin, Hilary Swank D: Craig Zobel
26. THE WAVE
score - 66
Classic sci-fi elements that wisely stay within the constraints of the budget, rather than trying to do too much. Not fully explained, but not too confusing either. S: Justin Long, Sheila Vand D: Gille Klabin
27. THE KID DETECTIVE
score - 66
Pretty dark stuff going on in this. They could've played it straight, but it would've been unexceptional. The comedy added another layer to it, Coen Bros-style. S: Adam Brody, Sophie Nelisse D: Evan Morgan
28. MONEY MACHINE
score - 66
Amazing doco footage, some awful actions by the big casinos, and some damning imagery for police. Incredible how quickly things have moved on really. S: Rob Maher, Eric Paddock D: Ramsey Denison
29. FOOSBALLERS
score - 65
Needs the drama, humour, controversy, and clear hero and villain of 'The King Of Kong'. Would take it from "fun doco" to "great movie".
S: Tony Spredeman, Todd Loffredo D: Joe Heslinga
30. UNHINGED
score - 65
Seems the perfect role for Crowe now - a short-termpered, menacing brute of a man; who takes things too seriously. Good, even if it didn't finish too well.
S: Russell Crowe, Caren Pistorius D: Derrick Borte
31. RICHARD JEWELL
score - 65
​​Would be a great 1 hour true crime. Not a 2+ hour feature film though. Falls from 'excellent' to 'good', as it fizzles out from the bar set in the first half.
S: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell D: Clint Eastwood
32. BLOODY HELL
score - 65
​​Pretty decent, low budget Aussie horror. 'Hostel' meets 'Texas Chainsaw' with humour. Good overall, but final act feels rushed, which may be due to budget. S: Ben O'Toole, Meg Fraser D: Alister Grierson
33. YOU CANNOT KILL DAVID ARQUETTE
score - 65
Wrestling-based doco seems part-work, part-shoot. Works, in that you like, dislike, sympathise, and respect Arquette all at once.
S: David Arquette, Patricia Arquette D: David Darg, Price James
34. LET HIM GO
score - 65
​​Slow first 45 mins gives way to a tense final hour. A step-up in the antagonist's actions and subsequent retribution would've lifted it another level.
S: Diane Lane, Kevin Costner D: Thomas Bezucha
35. RELIC
score - 64
​​'Pretty good effort. Changed in tone a couple times, when you think you had it pegged. Not an overly satisfying conclusion, but good overall.
S: Robyn Nevin, Emily Mortimer D: Natalie Erika James
36. THE WRONG MISSY
score - 64
Produced by Sandler, starring Spade, cameo by Schneider. Ingredients for a shit sandwich, or at least a bad-tasting one. Surprisingly decent, with a good cast. S: David Spade, Lauren Lapkus D: Tyler Spindel
37. HIS HOUSE
score - 64
Not bad. Combining the refugee element with supernatural horror worked well. But nothing special, until a revelation/twist that I didn't see coming.
S: Sope Dirisu, Wunmi Mosaku D: Remi Weekes
38. LENNOX LEWIS: THE UNTOLD STORY
score - 64
Decent access to key players (more opponents would be nice), and some good boxing footage. But Lewis is too much of a cleanskin for it to be top class.
S: Dr Dre, Lennox Lewis D: GS Koch, Rick Lazes
39. THE OLD GUARD
score - 63
Perfect source material for an action movie. Can't just rely on a cool idea though. Need good action, likeable characters, and clever plot moves.
S: Charlize Theron, Kiki Layne D: Gina Prince-Bythewood
40. WONDER WOMAN 1984
score - 63
Nowhere near as bad as the vitriolic reviews have said. Still, too long, questionably paced, and a clear step down from the original. Captain Marvel-standard. S: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine D: Patty Jenkins
41. YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT
score - 63
Sometimes leaving things unexplained works, letting the viewer draw their own conclusions. This one needs to explain more to realise it's full potential. S: Kevin Bacon, Amanda Seyfried D: David Koepp
42. THE TAX COLLECTOR
score - 63
Harshly treated. Not bad. Nothing new, but still decent. Costly poor acting. LaBeouf plays a tough guy Latino, and surprisingly pulls it off; but has no back up. S: Bobby Soto, Shia LaBeouf D: David Ayer
43. IRRESISTABLE
score - 63
Political comedies. Agenda transparent making it a campaign video, or tries to be too clever sacrificing laughs. But this is a bit better than expected in all areas. S: Steve Carrell, Rose Byrne D: Jon Stewart
44. BECKY
score - 63
B-grade thriller has some decent scenes and memorable imagery. The movie overall ends up being forgettable, but it was a decent effort.
S: Kevin James, Lulu Wilson D: Jonathan Milott, Cary Murnion
45. ESCAPE FROM PRETORIA
score - 63
Pretty well made, with some tense moments in it. But this true story probably doesn't have enough going on. Prison life didn't even look that bad here.
S: Daniel Radcliffe, Ian Hart D: Francis Annan
46. EUROVISION SONG CONTEST
score - 63
Tries for the 'Blades Of Glory'/'Zoolander' pisstake-style, but unlike those two, it probably gives too much respect to the world it's in. And is worse for it.
S: Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams D: David Dobkin
47. AN AMERICAN PICKLE
score - 63
Stupid story that should provide laughs, if you can go with it. I happily bought in and was entertained. But not enough genuine funny moments for me.
S: Seth Rogen, Sarah Snook D: Brandon Trost
48. COFFEE & KAREEM
score - 63
Low-brow, profanity-laced comedy/action is ok with me. Production values good, and well-paced. The sole problem is really the kid just being too annoying. S: Ed Helms, Taraji P Henson D: Michael Dowse
49. THE WRETCHED
score - 63
I like what they tried to do, and the story had some interesting moments. But it also highlighted some bad acting and poor characters. Respectable.
S: John-Paul Howard, Piper Curda D: Brett & Drew Pierce
50. GUNS AKIMBO
score - 62
Wants the action/comedy of 'Crank' or 'Hardcore Henry'. It doesn't all land, or fulfill it's potential; but there's enough fun to be had here.
S: Daniel Radcliffe, Samara Weaving D: Jason Lei Howden
bottom of page