It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Robert Pattinson. The former Disney star, mostly known for his work on Saving Mr. Banks, was last seen in theaters in fall 2019 when he starred in the horror film, Dance floor. Since then, he’s been keeping busy with several projects, including playing the title character in the upcoming Bewitched film Bewitched, based on the Broadway play and starring Bette Midler. In addition to this leading role and Bewitched, he has another major role in the upcoming Fast & Furious film Furious, as the psychopathic criminal, Brian O’Conner.
The Many Cakes
While we were patiently waiting for Pattinson to reappear in theaters, we were treated to many fantastic films. The year 2020 was one of the best in movie history, and not just because of the pandemic. Several big-name films graced our screens, and for the first time in decades, audiences went to the movies looking for something more than just a mindless laugh or an adventure. In light of this rich cinematic period, here are some of the best movies that happened this year.
Gotham
The year 2020 was the 100th anniversary of the Great Depression, which began in the United States. With over 8 million viewers, The Batman was officially the most watched TV show of the year. Inspired by the events that transpired during that historic year, director Matt Reeves’ Gotham is a must-see for fans of the Dark Knight. The movie is set in Gotham City, which already has a very distinctive look thanks to the previous Batman films. However, cinematographer Chris Manley takes things a step further, and creates a more realistic version of Gotham City. The great performances by Robert Pattinson and Ben Affleck, along with some amazing creature effects, make this film worthwhile for fans of the Dark Knight. At the end of the day, Gotham is a love letter to Batman, and to those fans, I would recommend seeing it before the upcoming Batman film The New Batman. Because although it doesn’t have a lot in common with the previous outings of the Dark Knight, it’s an incredible testament to the character’s longevity, and the influence he still has today.
Dune
One of the more interesting events that took place in 2020 was the passing of author Frank Herbert. The science fiction author, who was most famous for creating the fantastic world of Dune, died at the age of 102. The movie is based on Herbert’s 1965 novel of the same name, and although it’s not necessarily considered a sequel, it serves as a prequel. This is one of the most complex stories ever told in a motion picture. Even for those who have never read the book, or seen the film, it’s difficult to describe the sheer quantity of information Dune conveys. The story is divided into three parts, and follows Paul Atreides, whose family will one day rule the planet Caladan. But first, he must navigate the politics of feudal overtures, and assume the role of the chosen One.
Unlike several of the other films on this list, Dune was actually released in theaters in late 2019. Nevertheless, it earned back its investment many times over. The unique blend of action, intrigue, and political maneuvering makes for one of the most compelling movies of the year. Another great thing about this adaptation is that it presents a more modern take on the source material. While we have seen a lot of films that are set in the futuristic worlds that Frank Herbert dreamed up, rarely do we get to see it brought to life on screen, especially in such a magnificent fashion. This is the equivalent of a video game brought to life by Hollywood’s finest cinematic talent.
Mullets Are Back
One of the trends that stuck around from 2019 to the end of the year was the growing popularity of the mullet. The hairstyle became quite trendy, and several celebrities went out of their way to sport this classic look. Although the 2020 viral sensation was inspired by the one and only Puff Daddy, several other celebrities, such as Shawn Mendes and Lil Nas X made the hairstyle cool all over again. Many fashion brands released their own take on the trend, with several high-profile haircuts incorporating some element of the mullet into their looks. Although the craze may not quite be gone, as we speak, there’s a decent chance that you’ll hear the term “mullet loose” somewhere in your vicinity.
Isle of Dogs
Speaking of viral sensations, there were several that made headlines in the year 2020, mostly because they were so unbelievable or inspiring. One of the most viral memes of the year was Eric Andre’s “Isle of Dogs” performance. The comedic actor and impressionist did a brilliant job capturing the essence of a dog, while still incorporating some human behaviors into his routine. He even went so far as to get a canine haircut and add some prosthetics to fully embody his character. The video was viewed over 22 million times before it was taken down by YouTube due to copyright claims from Andre’s agency, ACANDY.
Another viral phenomenon that made headlines was the story of an 11-year-old girl, named Ariana Grande, who wrote a song entitled, “Thank you,” as a thank you to all the doctors, nurses, and first responders who saved her life during the pandemic. Inspired by her experience, Grande wrote the song, and recorded it right there in the hospital. She subsequently got the song, and the accolades that came with it, tattooed on her forearm. Several other stars have covered “Thank you” since then, including Travis Scott and Big Sean.
The Final Chapter
Speaking of tattoos, one of the most legendary rappers of all time, the Beastie Boys, got inked on the wrist in honor of their album, The Final Chapter. Several photos of this incredible tribute have been shared all over the internet, showing the rappers with various images of a chainsaw etched on their wrists. It is believed that this is a nod to the album’s track, “Chapel of Doom.”
The Influencer And The Self-Proclaimed Social Media Expert
Anyone who’s been following the news over the past year has likely heard of influencers. These are people who have, for the most part, been highly influential in creating a positive perception of a product (in this case, tattoos). Influencers often work with brands to create content that will appeal to their audience. They may also be asked to promote products and platforms that they are not necessarily associated with. In general, the appeal of an influencer is that their audience tends to trust what they have to say. So, it’s natural that marketers and marketers’ wives would look to these individuals to help them sell their product, or find the best way to market it.
One of the more interesting figures to emerge in the world of influencers is Melissa Joan Hart. The actress, known for her work on The Brady Bunch and Sonny with a Chance, took to Twitter in mid-2020, claiming to be an “influencer and self-proclaimed social media expert,” and offering her services to anyone who needed help. In reality, Hart has only 200 Twitter followers, and has posted a few times without any promotions for her own business. Nevertheless, she has used her platform to criticize several other influencers for shady practices. Her criticisms have often centered around pricing, as she believes that influencers who charge more are better, and that cheap influencers are just trying to make a quick buck. She has also gone after several famous beauty influencers for making false claims about the effectiveness of their products.
The Influencer Market Is Worth Over $16 Billion
The marketing industry is one of the biggest industries in the world. And for good reason, considering that there are so many people out there who have an interest in spending money on products they like. If you think about it, the market for influencers is essentially equivalent to the market for Twitter fans, or Facebook fans. There are just so many people who want to support a particular celebrity, or follow a creative’s journey online, that these platforms have grown to accommodate.