What We Learned From Film In 2020 (Pandemic Ed.)

Well…a long year has passed us by, and what can we say? Really. Too much has happened in the world since the pandemic broke out, and those of us who were lucky to make it out in one piece were able to withstand the test of time. With the moviegoing experience undergoing drastic changes, the writers at The Cinema Spot and I wanted to share some lessons we learned from movies released in 2020.

Minor spoilers ahead for those who have not seen these films!

Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (Warner Brothers)

Most (if not all) men are bound to hurt you. It’s better to collaborate with women on helping get through the day.

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (Amazon Studios)

Sacha Baron Cohen continues to teach us that even with his age, we can still take risks for a better world but for all the right reasons. The lesson learned from the film itself is that there are some people on the opposing side of the political spectrum who are not full of hate but just seem to believe in the wrong aspects of life. The real monsters — as Foucault would say — are those who cannot be corrected by the family or the institution.

Da 5 Bloods (Netflix)

Your truest friends will stick with you until the end, but even they have personal demons to fight. Money changes perception and is the very thing that runs the world, but it does not always have to be a bad thing.

The Devil All the Time (Netflix)

“[W]hen it comes to grief, one has to learn to let go and how to deal with it. One shouldn’t use things such as religion (a huge theme of the film) to mask bigger issues at hand.” -Zeke Blakeslee

Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution – Kizuna (Toei Animation)

“Viewers got to see these characters grow throughout the years and we grew along with them. This movie in particular is about these characters’ road to adulthood and about letting their childhood go. It’s heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time, because even though an era might be over, their memories, as well as viewers, are everlasting. Last Evolution is a love letter to those kids who grew up watching the adventures of the DigiDestined and it’s a beautiful nostalgia ride, filled with memories and lessons about courage and friendship.” -Cecilia López Closs

Emma (Universal Pictures)

The original Emma film with Gwyneth Paltrow is one of my favorite book-to-film adaptations. I originally planned to see this remake in the theater, but COVID had other plans. Now that I have HBO Max, I was able to watch it on there. The characters felt so true to the original film and book, plus the aesthetic was to die for. Emma’s house was full of pastels and the costuming color scheme felt like it was summer all the time. It definitely made my list of best costumes. -Francesca Aloe

Freaky (Universal Pictures, Blumhouse)

We cannot merely assume the identity of a person without first really getting to know who they are. Looking deeper, we learn that masks are not just physical but psychological as well. This is where human strength comes from.

The Half of It (Netflix)

In order to truly love an individual, you must learn about the other person (and they about you) and know that this type of love comes in many different forms, proving that this process is never an easy one. Love someone despite what they lack and the backgrounds they come from.

The Invisible Man (Universal Pictures, Blumhouse)

Never let men ruin your life, not even on a mental, psychological scale. Also, just because there are empty spaces all around you does not mean something is not there. Those are atomic particles waiting to be put together and seen by the human eye. You just need to believe that it can be real.

Onward (Pixar)

“Onward was the last film I saw before lockdown in March. I think that’s kind of poetic. It became my favorite Pixar movie and easily made its way to my comfort film list. I know a lot of people think differently, but it’s a hill I’m willing to die on. I made my parents watch it as soon as it dropped on Disney+, and I’m always recommending it to my friends who haven’t seen it.” -Francesca

Palm Springs (Neon, Hulu)

Just because finding a solution will be difficult does not mean it is impossible; there is always a way out of a predicament, no matter how complex it can seem.

Project Power (Netflix)

Power comes from within and should not be intended to serve others but rather oneself, and at the same time, this power can also be detrimental for yourself as well as your way of being.

Soul (Pixar)

The purpose of life is not to have a specific purpose in life but rather to have the experience of living.

Tenet (Warner Brothers)

The very way one perceives the world at large can be life-changing. There is a plan ahead of you that you are not aware of yet.

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Netflix)

Words matter more than acts of violence. Words can persuade, lead, and speak (no pun intended) louder in volumes by holding a greater truth that actions can never possess.

Wonder Woman 1984 (Warner Brothers)

What you wish for probably is not what you desire most in life, or perhaps it was never meant to be. In the end, these are the sacrifices that need to be made to produce a long-lasting effect on yourself and others.

What was your favorite movie released this year? Let us know! For more film-related news and reviews follow The Cinema Spot on Twitter (@TheCinemaSpot) and Instagram (@thecinemaspot_).