This year was tough. Basically, a year without movie theatres. It seems like yesterday, I was volunteering at Sundance and well … that was pretty much it. That is where we are at right now. Some struggled with loneliness as social distancing measures increased. Others lost friends and family members due to the pandemic. It seems like everybody can tell you a different personal reason why. Yet, even in the midst of the ISHT-show that was 2020, I have been inspired by those who keep pushing on. In a weird way, it’s exciting to see what will change and there are reason for optimism in this New Year. Here to a better future and as I look back on 2020, I hope to see you all at some point in the next 365.
I thought the following was the best that 2020 had to offer.
Novels/Comics:
The City We became by N.K. Jemisin
This novel has the kind of weird that intrigues me and challenges me. The author blends Sci Fi and Fantasy together so beautifully and that is so fun to read. This was a very original take on the hero answering the call to take down a super villain, but also a love letter to New York and middle finger to Lovecraft, racism and gentrification.
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab
This is a book of hope and chances, since the beginning it gives away that feeling of endless hope that children and young dreamers always have, which is sometimes lost in the passing years. But I felt it, I was like a child all over again, seeing all the bright sides in everything, trying to stay optimistic, because, sooner or later, everything is going to be alright. A timeless story told in lyrical prose.
Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
The entire concept of the story is absolutely flawless. Think, D.W. Griffith is a sorcerer, and The Birth of a Nation is a spell that drew upon the darkest thoughts and wishes from the heart of America. I’m honestly blown away by the craftsmanship of this book. It is a textbook perfectly executed novella, and I am beyond wow-ed and impressed by how much plot, world building, character work, and thematic content Clark develops over the course of Ring Shout, A must read.
Honorable mentions: Gideon Falls written by Jeff Lemire Art by Andrea Sorrentino & Crossover written by Donny Cates Art by Geoff Shaw
Video Games:
Hades (Switch)
Hades consumed my life in a way that made it difficult not to play it and it also represents the pinnacle of Supergiant Gams. So many superlatives have been thrown at the game—how each of its weapons and boons feel distinct but fun in their own way; how it integrates narrative and gameplay; how encouraging it is—that I feel little need to add to the pile. The music of the game is magical as well. One of the best rogue-like games I’ve ever played. Ever.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales (PS4)
Insomniac games has never let me down. After finishing this I think I actually liked it better than the original PS4 Spiderman. There was just so much emotion in this game with the story, and the ending. I’m sure the Christmas setting pushed my nostalgia buttons. As well as not being able to travel back to the east coast this year. While not a full sequel, Spider- Man Miles Morales has narrative highs, likable characters, and gameplay improvements that make for a superb superhero game. I’m going to try and platinum it out when I get my five in 2021.
Streets of Rage 4 (Switch)
A classic beat-em up that that doesn’t change up the formula. The fourth entry in the franchise has smooth polished gameplay and visuals, a killer soundtrack and truly impressive combos and combat. This throwback brawler gave me everything I could have hoped for when it comes to arcade action. This is the final boss of the genre.
Honorable mentions: Ghosts of Tsushima (PS4) & Animal Crossing (Switch)
Movies/Films:
Soul
Pixar steadily creates genuine, regularly emotional art and I know they have tackled this kind of subject matter a few times before, but man, how lucky are we to have a studio where subjects like THE MEANING OF EXISTANCE is well-worn territory. I also love that this movie, Inside Out & Coco had very different ideas about the afterlife and/or the meaning of life in general. Look, I don’t expect movies to be simple and easy. In fact, if I understand everything, every step of the way, I find it boring. Give me some pockets of enigma to ponder over after it’s done, and I’m happy. I can’t wait to watch this again and again. I loved this film.
David Byrne’s American Utopia
It’s an unfair ask, a recording never has the energy of live performance, after all…but it is especially unfair here in 2020. Part concert, part vision quest, the show is also a chance to contemplate. Director Spike Lee and Musician David Byrne have created a crowd-pleaser of Byrne’s 2018 tour turned Broadway performance. It’s a perfect marriage with the show’s larger themes of joyous humanism and urgent pitch for empathy, as filtered through Byrne’s trademark “alien on earth” perspective. It’s remarkably life-affirming and uplifting, and that’s coming from a hardened Gen-X cynic. This exceeded my expectations (as I have yet to see it LIVE). There’s more humanity and an important, overarching message to this. Same as it ever was.
I’m Thinking Of Ending Things
I’m Thinking Of Ending Things is a difficult, disorientating kaleidoscope of memory and loss, there was just so much to take in. It’s a dark and disturbing work of genius, at once maddening and magical. Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons are exceptional. I have not read the source material. So, I cannot comment on the ways in which Kaufman radically transforms and expands upon it. I can only assume that he brings a strangeness to the material that is not in the (also strange?) novel. My general opinion of Charlie Kaufman is that he needs to be filtered. Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine worked because they had directors who would tamper down some of the real esoteric ISHT (which I appreciate) and make those scripts into real movies, with plots and characters, while retaining the Kaufman essence. However, this is a rare film I’d gladly see again just to catch all the references.
Honorable Mentions: Palm Springs, Sound of Metal, Zappa & The Vast of Night
Extra Bonus:
Let me make the case for Bill & Ted Face the Music being, if nothing else, the absolute right movie at exactly the right time. It is an ideal year to see older, comfortable characters slot into ridiculously happy endings. I’m not looking for high art in a Bill and Ted movie- I watched it. It was fun and good hearted. It moves right along, and I had several moments where I laughed out loud.
TV/Streaming:
DEVS
It’s certainly polarizing enough to fit on a ‘Best Of’ or ‘Wort Of’ list. I really loved its exploration of determinism, free will, and the dangers of what advanced quantum computing could mean for humanity. I found that it had the right mix and type of drama to complement the storyline. The creator had the right artistic eye to merge the idea of singularity and predestination with theological imagery. Plus I liked how it ended up tying in nicely with Alex Garland’s other ode to the dangers of AI run amok, Ex Machina.
What We Do In The Shadows
You did watch the one where Laszlo runs away to become a bartender and high school volleyball coach in New Jersey or was it PA? On the Run was my favorite sitcom episode of the COVID era. If this wins an Emmy award I’ll toast victory with a human alcohol beer!
The Good Place
The entirety of the show up to the last episode had very high stakes, as the characters were always just on the edge of eternal torture themselves, and then became responsible for the fate of the eternal souls of all of humanity. Every character on the show earned their ending, and that’s hard to do. Mike Schur wrote one of the most beautiful episodes of TV I’ve ever watched. The finale (and the show itself) was one of the best ever.
Honorable Mentions: The Mandalorian, The Midnight Gospel & The Queens Gambit
Music:
Lol, what’s an “album”?
Putting aside the Jay Electronica debut, there were major releases from other “legacy” acts: Eminem, Nas, Busta; as well as Act II from Electronica himself and Cudi’s Man on the Moon III, capping off a successful album trilogy. As far as stuff that could actually…Flo Milli dropped one of the best debuts of the years, Gunna’s basically carved out the first psych trap album on Wunna, Baby’s come into his own, City Girls made another party banger, Lil Uzi Vert put out a project that managed to tow the line between pop and experimentalism (and had time for a Future collaboration tape too), 22Gz or EITHER of Pop Smoke’s 2020 releases, while Open Mike Eagle sharpened his thing to a fine point. And like…all that ISHT is relatively popular or legitimately charted so not sure where the blind spot comes from?
Lists on lists, I know. With little to no coverage given to any nichier music mostly just surface level cuts. Still, all lists are, by their very nature, limited in what they can include, so perhaps it might come off as a bit tokenistic on what their purpose is. These three end to end projects stood out to me in 2020.
Budos Band – Long In The Tooth
Much of the record plays as though the soundtrack to a long-lost exploitation film, and something of a crate-diggers dream. Long In The Tooth may well be the best, most enjoyable and – crucially – most repeatedly listenable record the band has made to date. Instead of relying on the tried and true, The Budos Band here take a risk and create melodies of great immediacy. The 11 tracks in at a mere 32-odd minutes and not a moment is wasted.
Quelle Chris & Chris Keys – Innocent Country 2
A project like this is never what you expect. Quelle Chris has always been a hip-hop weirdo; he’s one of those people that you’re thankful exists because of his refusal to color in the lines. Innocent Country 2 is brimming with heartfelt, ultra-fine production, with almost every instrument on the album being played and produced by Chris Keys. This is a project with a clear and immaculately realized artistic purpose. Earl Sweatshirt delivers a quotable on Mirage. IC2 is a must listen for conscious hip-hop, neo-soul and music fans alike.
The Du-Rites – A Funky Bad Time
Put the needle on the record for this one. J-Zone & Pablo Martin on a roll with The Du-Rites. Their fifth LP in five years, hits harder than ever. Standout tracks include the opening banger Uptown, filled with wah-wah and oozing raw heat, to the frank message to people who are gear sluts but can’t play on Can’t Buy Groove and the off-kilter funk trip of Arnold. A modern instrumental (some isht-talking and ad-libs) head-snapper that if it ain’t on your stereo, then your stereo ain’t really on.
Honorable mentions:
Nick Cave – Idiot Prayer This live album follow-up to last years superb Ghosteen finds Nick Cave seething, searching, mourning and yearning for some kind of cathartic break from the pain of losing his son to a tragic accident a few years prior. Cave shoves aside his backing band (The Bad Seeds) as well as his typically distant stage presence to methodically work through his recent catalog, a couple of covers and new songs. Quite a musical journey and great in headphones. Zone out.
Pete Rock & The Soul Brothers – Petestrumentals 3 Pete Rock may be best known for his work with C.L. Smooth, but even before their partnership ended, he had developed a reputation as one of hip hops master producers. Petestrumentals 3 possesses the smooth, blissed-out complexity that has always characterized his best work and that he doesn’t even need an MC to make memorable, timeless music. The 3rd entry in this series is perfect chill-out fare.
–Dagobot
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