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Despite all of my guilt and apologies about being late with my 2020 Blindspots, I realized that I actually did manage to see them all in a year’s time. I didn’t review my first until last April, so I guess I did fulfill the challenge in a way.
Anyway, I do always enjoy these Blindspot series, which expose me to a bunch of films I’ve kept on the back burner for too long. As for 2020’s collection, I must admit I was a bit disappointed with at least half of them, in contrast to past years, and only my #1 actually managed to snag a List-Worthy rating. Nevertheless, I am glad to have finally seen them all, and I hope to do the same with other Blindspots as we get further into 2021.
Here then is my ranking of the Blindspots from the past year:
12. Short Cuts (1993)
Expansive but meandering drama with loads of movie stars and little reason to care about any of them
11. Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Bizarre pastiche of anachronistic pop songs and doomed love; some great musical moments surrounded by cringe
10. Primer (2004)
Extremely twisty sci-fi narrative with fascinating time travel concepts but obtuse execution
9. Pom Poko (1994)
Overlong Studio Ghibli dramedy with fun animal antics, environmental themes, and plentiful testicles
8. Annie Hall (1977)
Neurotic Woody Allen rom com that won Best Picture; innovative parts that don’t quite make an appealing whole
7. Double Indemnity (1944)
Classic film noir with a quintessential femme fatale, though aged by overly flowery dialogue
6. What a Way to Go! (1964)
Silly dark comedy about an unintentionally deadly widow with great stars having fun in their roles
5. Fargo (1996)
Celebrated but violent midwestern crime drama with mostly endearing idiosyncrasies
4. Heathers (1988)
Pitch black comedy in a high school setting with Winona Ryder and Christian Slater nailing their angsty roles
3. Make Way for Tomorrow (1937)
Deeply emotional and underrated classic about the relatable burdens of aging; depressing story heightened by great acting
2. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2013)
Free-wheeling Wes Anderson comedy of manners merged with a murder mystery; quirky in every sense of the word
1. One Cut of the Dead (2017)
Brilliantly entertaining low-budget zombie comedy that defies expectations in the best way
Rhyme and Reason 