Its been a weird year for movies.

Ha. Of course it has. Its been a weird year for everything. The COVID-19 pandemic has closed theaters since March, more or less. Production has ground to a halt. Plans for reopening and release dates for big films like Tenet keep getting pushed back.

Its a mess, but so is everything.

And yet! There have been some really good movies so far in 2020. Granted, you have to watch from your couch or on your laptop, which means a movie like Da 5 Bloods, good as it is, cant be seen the way it was intended to be, on a giant screen with thunderous sound.

But at least you get to see it, provided you have Netflix. And you can always turn up the volume.

You should see it.

In fact, there are several you should see. Here are the 10 best movies of the year so far.

Kelly Reichardt makes exceptional movies, and this is no exception. Shes the perfect antidote to the blockbuster mentality, making small, character driven films. "First Cow"is a little different its the story of a cook and his eventual business partner who cookup a nice little business making oily cakes and selling them to settlers in the Oregon Territory in the 1820s. The problem is that they have to steal milk from the only cow in the territory to make them. In Reichardts hands this is far more tense than it sounds, and by the standards of her films, its practically an action thriller. John Magaro and Orion Lee are outstanding as the two men. The cow is pretty dang good, too (really).

How to watch: Available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube and Google Play.

The Beastie Boys started out as obnoxious brats, or at least pretending to be so thoroughly that the ruse overtook reality. Who could have guessed Spike Jonzes documentary about them would be the feel-good film of the year? Of course, they changed over the years, matured. Jonze filmed three appearances as part of a tour to promote Beastie Boys Book, but its very much a performance by surviving members Michael Diamond and Adam Horowitz (Adam Yauch died of cancer in 2012.) Its entertaining, funny, the music is good and its unexpectedly moving. Really good stuff.

How to watch: Streaming on Apple TV+.

Jonathan Majors as David, Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Melvin, Norm Lewis as Eddie, Clark Peters as Otis, Delroy Lindo as Paul of "Da 5 Bloods."(Photo: David Lee/Netflix)

Spike Lees had a late-career resurgence; BlacKkKlansman was a welcome return to form, and so is this. Its the story of four Black Vietnam veterans who return to the battlefield of their youth both to find the remains of their beloved leader and take care of a little business. (The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is just one of the films that inspired Lee.) Its a little all over the place and theres enough plot for several movies. But Lees direction is, as always, powerful, and Delroy Lindo ought to win in Oscar (if they have them).

How to watch: Streaming on Netflix.

This may not be the best movie on this list, but its probably the coolest. Director Andrew Pattersons feature debut is made to look like an episode of a Twilight Zone-like TV show, but the framing device is just window dressing. The real story is about a small town in New Mexico in the 1950s where strange things start happening one night. We see the goings-on through the actions of a DJ (Jake Horowitz) and a high school girl (Sierra McCormick) as they sort out just who, or what, is causing the weird sounds on the radio waves. Its a little on the nose, story-wise, but the direction is terrific, and its a lot of fun.

How to watch: Streaming on Amazon Prime.

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Yes, its great. It just is. (And yes, it's a movie, sort of.) Lin-Manuel Mirandas groundbreaking musical, about Alexander Hamilton and other founding fathers, wound up on Disney+ thanks to COVID-19 (it was originally set to open in theaters in 2021). The timing, as it turns out, was perfect. Its true that the story merely touches on slavery. But thecasting actors of color as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson (Daveed Diggs is flat-out fantastic) made waves when the musical opened for good reason. Also, Miranda has turned some of the criticism into a conversation about race. Plus, its history you can dance to.

How to watch: Streaming on Disney+.

There are many variations on the Groundhog Day theme; this is one of the best. Andy Samberg has found the perfect role as a low-energy sort trapped in an endless time loop, an unhappy guest at a wedding. Hes smarmy yet likable, and eventually Cristin Milioti (as good or better than Samberg) gets sucked in, too. (A funny, angry J.K. Simmons was already there.) Director Max Barbakow doesnt skimp on the nihilism, much to his credit, and Samberg and Milioti have charmingchemistry. Also: one of Sambergs best lines feels especially relevant now: So this is today. Today is yesterday. And tomorrow is also today.

How to watch: Streaming on Hulu.

If you only know Julia Garner from Ozark, well, lucky you shes a blast as the sly, smart hillbilly Ruth Langmore (and won an Emmy). But you should definitely check out her work here, as a quiet assistant to a powerful producer in Kitty Greens film. It never mentions Harvey Weinstein, but he is a clear inspiration for the abusive boss. Garner quietly, brilliantly reveals the cost of working for someone like this. She soldiers on in the face of it, but the toll is clear and haunting.

How to watch: Available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube and Google Play.

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Eliza Hittmans judgement-free film, about a teenager traveling to New York with her cousin to get an abortion, is remarkably original. Sidney Flanigan, in her first role, shines as the young woman, whose life in Pennsylvania is depressing. The bulk of the film is a road trip, as the two sort out the dicey finances and the mountains of paperwork and red tape. The scene that gives the film its title is heartbreaking, and perfectly performed.

How to watch: Available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube and Google Play.

A different kind of role for Hugh Jackman, who plays a meticulous school superintendent who has led the school to glory while systematically ripping it off. Its based on a true story, and director Cory Finley keeps things breezy. Allison Janney is good as Jackmans assistant, whos got her own scams going on. But its really Jackmans film, and he carries it well. (Bonus points for the power-of-journalism story within.)

How to watch: HBO.

"The Lodge" isn't exactly the feel-good story of the year. Know that going in. If you saw directors Severin Fiala and Veronika Franzs Goodnight Mommy, thats no surprise. They dont skimp on the horror. But Riley Keough as a woman about to marry a man with two children makes it all worthwhile. She has an interesting history she grew up in a death cult. She and the children wind up stranded in a winter storm in the lodge of the title. Things go south from there. An exceptionally creepy film.

How to watch: Stream on Hulu; available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube and Google Play.

Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk.

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From 'Beastie Boys Story' to 'Hamilton,' these are the best movies of 2020 so far - AZCentral