I think we can all agree that 2020 was a garbage year. Yet in our time of isolation, many people turned towards their screens for some much-needed distraction. So, although we are all happy to give 2020 the middle finger and move on, first let’s look on the bright side – here are all the things that made 2020 less awful!
And if you haven’t heard of these yet or haven’t had the chance to indulge, make sure you check them out before the end of the year!
Talked About TV
Normal People
Released in April 2020, the BBC One/Hulu drama follows Connell and Marianne’s tumultuous relationship between their formative years into young adult life. The beautifully captured show portrays the importance of one single relationship as it is experiences through various stages of their lives. The show was adapted from Sally Rooney’s novel of the same name and is an achingly beautiful and touching millennial coming of age love story. And there is more on the way! Rooney’s novel “Conversation with Friends” has also been optioned and will be coming to our streaming screens in the near future. Stay tuned.
The Crown, Season Four
Perhaps the most awaited season of the series’ long-run – in Season 4 we meet Princess Diana, the people’s princess and a subject of fascination since her untimely death in 1997. The series season 4 brings the Crown and monarchy into the more modern times and is left for scrutiny as we visit the popular figures through the late 1970s through early 1990s.
The Queen’s Gambit
Based on the popular novel, Netflix’ “The Queen’s Gambit” was not the first attempt to adapt the 1983 book. Written by Walter Tevis, the story takes place in the 1960s when a young orphan, Beth Harmon, discovers chess at her boarding school. Obsessed with the movements and game of skill, she becomes a child prodigy competing in championships across the country and rising to fame to compete in the National Championship against the Soviets in Russia. The book was originally slated to be adapted by Heath Ledger before his death in 2009. Ledger had won the rights to the novel and was working on a screenplay that was supposed to being production later that year. Netflix released that the show, which premiered on the site in October, set the record as the most-watched scripted limited series to date on Netflix — with 62 million member accounts tuning in to the show in the first 28 days.
The Flight Attendant
Based on the novel of the same name (are you sensing the trend here?), “The Flight Attendant” follows the boozy and wild life of Cassie Bowden, a flight-risk flight attendant that spends most of her days drunk of vodka when she isn’t operating a commercial airline ensuring passenger safety. When Cassie is swept up by the mysterious passenger in 3C on her flight to Bangkok, she spends the night in his bed only to wake up to find him murdered next to her. Embarking on an alcohol fueled bender, Cassie is determined to clear her name and find answers as she gets entangled in international espionage conspiracy. The Season 1 finale premiered last week and although it was originally based on a book, a second season has been confirmed from HBO Max. More details to come!
The Undoing
A well-to-do Upper East Side family gets caught up in a murder mystery where the father is the main suspect! HBO’s latest drama “The Undoing” was executive produced by David Kelley, who has previously worked on top-rated and awarded shows like “Big Little Lies.” The series premiered this Fall, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant as husband and wife taken to court to clear their family name when the mother of a kid at their son’s school turns up dead. The ending was a little disappointing, but the series itself was entertaining and definitely binge-worthy. Check it out!
Love Life
If you are wondering what the show is about, think of Netflix’s 2019 Movie “Someone Great”, but in an anthology series. If you are a rom-com lover, like myself, you will binge through the Series ““Love Life” in record time. The 10-Episode Series was part of the HBO Max Original Series Package that launched on May 27th and is in part Executive-Produced by comedic-legend Paul Feig with Anna Kendrick. “Love Life” follows Darby, a twenty-something New Yorker that feels like her relationships are consistent dead ends. The series starts with Darby moving to New York City in 2012 and meeting Augie, one of her first loves shortly after graduating from NYU. Each episode is titled after the different people that she is dating at different points in her life.
Must-Watch Movies
Holidate
What else can I say? It’s a genuine Holiday Rom-Com that actually has plot and is coupled with good actors. Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey star in the Netflix Rom-com that dropped this Fall as two perpetually single millennials, avoiding relationships but coupling up for the Holidays. While the movie starts and ends on Christmas, it covers all of the mainstream holidays throughout the year. It’s cute and quirky and there’s a lot to love.
Invisible Man
Ah, the last movie I saw in theaters. Remember when going to the movies was a thing? The re-imagined horror movie is a twist on the genre. The movie features Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss) on the run from her abusive husband Adrian (Olive Jackson-Cohen). On the night of her escape, she finds out that her husband has killed himself and left her $5 Million if she agrees to keep quiet. After his disappearance, she begins being stalked by an invisible presence, sending her into a violent tailspin. The movie was a huge success, crossing the $100M at the box-office which has barely happened this year. Worth the Watch
Sound of Metal
A touchingly sentimental performance from Riz Ahmed who plays Ruben, a drummer in a Metal Rock Band that is suffering from rapidly deteriorating hearing loas. Determine to seek a permanent fix to his loss of hearing instead of spending his time adapting to his new world, Ruben’s journey provides a necessary in-depth look at the deaf community that is not often explored in our culture.
Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always
The movie is a hard, raw look at the life of a young woman seeking an abortion. It is not easy to watch, but it is almost necessary to review and to look at the system that is almost set up to deliberately undermine young women.
Trial of the Chicago 7
There are few things Sorkin loves more than a courtroom drama. Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7” Is Masterfully Written and Crafted and is A Timely Representation of Social Activism Nearly 5-Decades Later. You will see this in some form in the Award Circuit this year.
Palm Springs
The Sundance Rom-Com that could! Acquired by Hulu for $17,500,000.69. That’s right – the $0.69 is a personal touch from Andy Samberg and those cents is what pushed the film over the top to be the most expensive film ever bought by a studio at Sundance. The time-warp rom-com was a loveable adventure.
Bingeworthy Books
The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue
The book was circulating everywhere after is release this Fall and while the plot line is more than enough to engage audiences, I wish there was a little bit more done with the characters. Told mostly from Addie's perspective, she strikes up a Faustian Bargain with the Darkness in exchange for her freedom and eternal life. Although she is granted the deal, it comes at a cost. Addie is able to live eternal life at the expense of relationships - everyone she meets forgets her. I loved the concept and it makes for an interesting adaption - the book will be adapted into a film in the next few years - I will keep you posted!
The Silent Patient
This psychological thriller will have you gasping in shock at the final reveal. Alicia Berenson's life is seemingly perfect until one fateful day when she shoots and kills her husband in their home. Committed to an asylum, Alicia never again speaks a word. A therapist, obsessed with discovering her motives, takes matters into his own hands to discover what drove Alicia to such madness and the answer will shock you.
They Wish They Were Us
The novel takes place in present day Gold Coast, just outside of New York City where the students of the elite high school are carrying dark secrets. As the seniors of Gold Coast Prep start their last year together, they are once again reminded of their classmate who died three years ago. Elite high school, privileged students, unlimited credit cards and absentee parents. It’s a tale as old as time, but for some reason these stories never seem to get old and its exactly what we see in Jessica Goodman’s Debut Novel “They Wish They Were Us”.
The Book will be adapted into a limited series starring Sydney Sweeney and Halsey – more to come!
From Blood and Ash
I normally stick to fiction and it is fiction, but more on the fantasy side. I found this book via TikTok (sigh), but I could not put it down. If you are into high-fantasy with new worlds, its worth the investment. I finished this book in two days, which is very rare and immediately ordered the sequel. Venture in, if you dare!
Must-Listen To Music
After Hours, The Weeknd
One of the most musically diverse albums, “After Hours” deserves recognition despite not receiving a single Grammy Nomination. Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) dropped his fourth-studio album this Spring featuring top trending tracks like “Heartless” and “Blinding Lights.” He may be hard to love, but this album is easy to like.
Future Nostalgia, Dua Lipa
The pop album of our dreams. Dua Lipa proves that she is here to stay with her second-studio album that dropped in the Spring. I personally cannot wait for the nights where we are back in bars and we can blast “Levitating” while surrounded on random strangers. This is what the vaccine was built for.
Folkelore/Evermore
As much as I hate to admit it, Taylor Swift did release one of the coziest quarantine albums this year. Coming just four months after “Folklore” was released into the world, “Evermore” followed. I do firmly believe that in any other year outside of a pandemic, it would be received differently. Nevertheless, its …. good. No judging!
Manic, Halsey
Halsey’s third-studio album dropped just before the start of the pandemic and was met with mixed reviews. But I adored it. Halsey turned more of her pop songs into soft hymns of self-reflection.
So, there you have it, these were my favorites of the year. Stay tuned for more updates about my most anticipated 2021 projects coming later this week!
And that’s the sitch.
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