2020 didn't do the movies any favors, but TV felt better than ever. Here's some 2020 favorites:
1. Unorthodox - NETFLIX - Shira Haas was fascinating as a young Orthodox bride fleeing an arranged marriage to find her estranged mother in Berlin. A gripping family mystery thriller. Only four episodes left me wanting more.
2. Mrs. America - HULU - Cate Blanchett unnerving as Phyllis Schlafly, the woman who pushed against the Equal Rights Amendment and kickstarted the Reagan Revolution, paying a shocking price. Fascinating.
3. The Queen's Gambit - NETFLIX - Anya Taylor-Joy, one of my favorite actresses, aces the role of an orphan turned chess prodigy.
4. The Crown Season Four - True (mostly) stories so rich I binged into the night. Olivia Colman remains wonderful as the Queen in a season that includes award worthy roles for Gillian Anderson as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and Emma Corrin as young Princess Diana. Bad PR for Prince Charles.
5. Challenger: the final Flight - NETFLIX - The story behind the terrible explosion of the Challenger, killing all on board, told in only four episodes that leave you wanting more.
Great Series of 2020:
Better Call Saul - NETFLIX - Can't wait to see how this turns out
Dead to Me - NETFLIX - The comedy/thriller's second season matched the delightful first.
Succession - HBO - Nice to see the ultra rich knife each other in the front and back.
BoJack Horseman - NETFLIX - So good I watched all six seasons in a few months. Hollywood meanness in cartoon form, with layers and layers of smartness.
Ozark Season 3 - NETFLIX - Hooked me in the first season. This year's third season hit the heights with a heartbreaking sibling dynamic and a Holy S**t finale.
Just for Fun:
I discovered the WW2 history/drama A French Village - AMAZON PRIME - It drove me to the history books to study France during the war.
Ratched - NETFLIX - OK, a cheesy rip off of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, with a lot of Hitchcock Elements, especially Spellbound. Whatever, Sarah Paulson made this delicious.
