What’s most notable about 2020’s slate of great performances is the element of surprise. Sure, most anybody betting on Frances McDormand being heaped with praise at year-end will likely win their bets. But 2020’s best films range so far in terms of their “stuff”—themes, style, genre, atmosphere—that it stands to reason the best performances should range, too, in terms of gravity and veterancy. The Playlist’s picks for 2020’s best performances oscillate from bubbly to brooding, effervescent to angry, calm to utterly petrified; the actors responsible for these performances range from newcomers to old stalwarts, talents developing their careers and legends at the peak of theirs. 

Continue reading The 20 Best Performances Of 2020 at The Playlist.

Yes, a cow is a pivotal part of Kelly Reichardt’s acclaimed seventh film, “First Cow,” but the period drama is much more than that. Based on a portion of “The Half Life” by Jonathan Raymond, who co-wrote the screenplay, the A24 release centers on two men whose unexpected friendship allows them to flourish in the harsh economic and societal realities of the Oregon Territory in the mid-19th Century.

Continue reading Kelly Reichardt On The 16-Year Journey Of ‘First Cow’ & Those Delicious Oily Cakes [Interview] at The Playlist.

Kelly Reichardt has been in our lives since 1994. Over 25 years later, Reichardt continues to make character studies, films that humanize specific people, and particular relationships. She gives us characters to relate to, honest films that focus on real people and real stories. After indie success in “Certain Women” and slowly growing a cult following, Reichardt’s new film “First Cow” already has a level of critical acclaim before even hitting theaters.

Continue reading ‘First Cow’ Trailer: Kelly Reichardt Continues Her Soulful Storytelling Mission With A24 In The Oregon Territory at The Playlist.