Overview: May 2020

Overview is a new monthly article that provides my readers with a brief overview of the articles or reviews that I have written, as well as additional bite-sized thoughts on films or shows about which I do not intend to write thorough reviews.

In May of 2020, I finally continued my ‘Best of the 2010s’ genre-specific lists, I watched a handful of new releases, and I wrote about the upcoming release of the so-called Snyder-Cut, which was finally announced. But that’s not all I did this month. Let’s take a look back at what I watched and what I wrote in May 2020.

But first, we need to talk about George Floyd.

Thoughts on Current Events

I don’t intend or plan to write about current events each and every month. But I think it would be wrong of me to not at least state my opinion on the obvious and understandable unrest in the United States of America. I hope that my readers protect themselves from harm during the pandemic, but that they still fight the good fight in some way.

“A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

George Floyd deserves justice. Since he was killed by a police officer, there have been numerous demonstrations and protests against police brutality all over America and all over the world. Like I have stated on social media, I support justice and humanity. I hope my readers feel the same way. If you have money to spare, then I would suggest that you fight injustice and disinformation by donating to Black Lives Matter. You can also support the movement by signing petitions, protesting peacefully, and, in general, supporting people of color. Stay safe, support justice and humanity, and educate yourself on how to do what is right.

Published Reviews and Articles

• REVIEW: Ser du månen, Daniel?, 2019, dirs. Niels Arden Oplev & Anders W. Berthelsen
• LIST: Best of the 2010s: Top Ten Sci-Fi Films
• REVIEW: The Half of It, 2020, dir. Alice Wu
• ARTICLE: Snyder Cut: Zack Snyder’s Justice League is on its way to HBO MAX – Special Features #70
• REVIEW: The Wrong Missy, 2020, dir. Tyler Spindel
• REVIEW: The Lovebirds, 2020, dir. Michael Showalter
• REVIEW: The Gentlemen, 2020, dir. Guy Ritchie

It would make me very happy if you would support my blog by reading these reviews, lists, or articles in the near future.

What I Didn’t Write About

I watch a lot of films and shows each and every month, but I don’t write extensive, complete reviews about everything that I watch or rewatch. So, in this section of this monthly article, I will write a few brief additional thoughts on content about which I don’t intend to write full reviews now or in the future. However, I may have watched something this month that I do want to review in the future, in which case I will not make note of it here.

Stuber, 2019, dir. Michael Dowse, starring Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista:

– Since I reviewed Coffee & Kareem (also directed by Michael Dowse) in April and I was writing a review about The Lovebirds (also starring Kumail Nanjiani) in May, I decided to watch Stuber, which I hoped would prove that Dowse had more in him as a filmmaker than his 2020 release indicated. Having now seen Stuber, I will say that Dowse’s 2019 film is much better. But it isn’t really a success. I don’t think it is nearly as funny as it should be, or that its action is as well-shot as it could be. So, this film doesn’t really live up to its potential. But, with that said, I really did enjoy watching Bautista and Nanjiani together, and, oddly, the film paired well with the excellent Michael Mann film Collateral, which I also saw in May. I guess, I really enjoy to watch films about innocent chauffeurs that drive dangerous individuals around.

But that’s not all I watched this month. For a complete list of my Letterboxd diary for May 2020, click here.

– Jeffrey Rex Bertelsen.