The best films of 2020 (and early 2021)

Feb. 5 is the deadline for Critics Choice Awards nominations, and — as a longtime voting member of the film branch — I often share my ballot. I do this not because I have any special sway in the group (I don’t, as I’m only one of nearly 450 members) but because some readers may be interested in my personal picks.

In my humble opinion, this nomination ballot notes the best films, performances, writing, directing and technical work of the year. Hopefully, you can use it to guide your viewing. Or … if you are one of those folks who always disagrees with my picks (trust me, they exist) … you can print this out and use it to line bird cages and kitty litter boxes. Before you do either of those things, though, be sure to note that March 7 is the date for this year’s Critics Choice Awards ceremony. Although there will not be a traditional audience, due to the pandemic, the show will be broadcast live on The CW at 7 p.m. ET/PT. I’ll miss attending in person … as I have missed so many things this year, but I trust that the televised broadcast will be as polished and fun as ever.

NOMINATING BALLOT FOR THE 26th ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS

BEST PICTURE 
1. The Trial of the Chicago 7
2. Mank
3. The Prom
4. Soul
5. Personal History of David Copperfield

BEST ACTOR – name AND film
1. Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
2. Gary Oldman, Mank
3. Casey Affleck, Our Friend

BEST ACTRESS – name AND film
1. Jo Ellen Pellman, The Prom
2. Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman
3. Zendaya, Malcolm & Marie

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – name AND film
1. Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah
2. Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7
3. Jared Leto, The Little Things

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – name AND film
1. Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy
2. Amanda Seyfried, Mank
3. Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS (Under 21) – name AND film
1. Sophia Lillis, Uncle Frank
2. Caoilinn Springall, The Midnight Sky
3. Helena Zengel, News of the World

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE – film only
1. Trial of the Chicago 7
2. The Prom
3. Da 5 Bloods

BEST DIRECTING – film only
1. The Trial of the Chicago 7
2. Mank
3. The Prom

BEST SCREENWRITING (Original Screenplay) – film only
1. The Trial of the Chicago 7
2. Mank
3. Soul

BEST SCREENWRITING (Adapted Screenplay) – film only
1. The Prom
2. Personal History of David Copperfield
3. News of the World

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – film only
1. Mank
2. Personal History of David Coperfield
3. Mulan

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – film only
1. Personal History of David Copperfield
2.Mank
3. The Trial of the Chicago 7

BEST EDITING – film only
1. The Trial of the Chicago 7
2. Mank
3. Tenet

BEST COSTUME DESIGN – film only
1. Personal History of David Copperfield
2. Mulan
3. Wonder Woman 1984

BEST HAIR & MAKEUP – film only
1. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
2. Hillbilly Elegy
3. The Prom

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS – film only
1. Tenet
2. Wonder Woman 1984
3. Mulan

BEST COMEDY
1. Death to 2020
2. Bill and Ted Face the Music
3. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Abstain

BEST SONG (please list the song and film)
1. Wuhan Flu, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
2. Husavik, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
3. Square Root of Possible, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

BEST SCORE – film only
Abstain

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