Written by: Kevin Berge
It took until nearly the final week of the year for some to accept that there is a pandemic. (Image Courtesy of: freepik.com)
2020 is a year that will long live in infamy. After decades of projection, we were hit with a global pandemic that affected every waking moment. COVID-19 affected 83.6 million people with 1.82 million dying from the effects of the virus.
In the United States alone, 20 million were affected with 346 thousand cases. This is a highly contagious virus that can cripple people if not outright kill them. In order to avoid it, the world had waves of complete lockdown. Despite this going on almost a year, much of the world is still in isolation.
This has affected so many in different ways. From the many important people lost in this year to the financial burden so many already-struggling people have endured from the closure of businesses, we were caught at the brink of true tragedy.
In the United States alone, 20 million were affected with 346 thousand cases. This is a highly contagious virus that can cripple people if not outright kill them. In order to avoid it, the world had waves of complete lockdown. Despite this going on almost a year, much of the world is still in isolation.
This has affected so many in different ways. From the many important people lost in this year to the financial burden so many already-struggling people have endured from the closure of businesses, we were caught at the brink of true tragedy.
All this is to say 2020 was a terrible year, and the pandemic is far from over. The effects of this year will linger for years to come, but just getting past it feels like an achievement all its own.
Despite all this, I would make the bold and lucky claim that 2020 was personally a good year for me. I feel for all those who have suffered while my job status has only improved. I found the love of my life, and I got a chance to meet up with her as well as many great friends.
Each year has its own challenges, but for me, this was an important year and one that I had a chance to view from a privileged position. I was able to see the good in it all, and there was some that led to a fascinating experience all around.
Despite all this, I would make the bold and lucky claim that 2020 was personally a good year for me. I feel for all those who have suffered while my job status has only improved. I found the love of my life, and I got a chance to meet up with her as well as many great friends.
Each year has its own challenges, but for me, this was an important year and one that I had a chance to view from a privileged position. I was able to see the good in it all, and there was some that led to a fascinating experience all around.
Good thing HBO Max was released this year to just become Warner Brothers' new replacement for movie theaters. (Image Courtesy of: tomsguide.com)
Entertainment almost stalled in many forms. Movie theaters were shut down, so there were very few options on movies to see on the big screen. Even when theaters adjusted, few studios felt comfortable releasing their films to a smaller audience, thus the films available were not great.
Streaming services adjusted to take over the scene. Netflix, Disney +, HBO Max, Hulu, and Amazon Prime all released major films that would have gone to theaters in a better year. Direct digital releases were also a new premium.
I usually do a Top 10 movies of 2020 article, highlighting my favorites, but there were just not enough. Even though streaming services took over, the offerings were slimmer. Many of the movies I awaited were delayed a year. I didn't want my 2020 best films list to include Sonic the Hedgehog and Tenet, even if both had some merits.
This gave me time to catch up on so many movies. I have been watching movies on a near-daily basis as well as revisiting ones I loved. That goes for TV shows as well and even to a lesser extent, video games. There's such a wealth of content out there. No one is ever going to truly be caught up on it all.
While the 2020 content was forgettable, the content I finally had a chance to watch was fantastic. I watched Miracle of 34th Street, White Christmas, and the Home Alone movies during the holidays. I explored the world of horror with Hush, The Autopsy of Jane Doe, many of the Friday the 13th movies, The Invitation, Train to Busan, The Guest, and so many more.
I got a chance to rewatch my favorite show, the campy ridiculous Chuck. I even began rewatching a bad but fun artifact of my past, Yu-Gi-Oh. I finally started playing the Kingdom Hearts games and Horizon: Zero Dawn.
It wasn't all bad on the new content front though. I have begun The Last of Us Part 2 and enjoyed it quite a bit. Palm Springs and The Queen's Gambit were instant classics for me. The Haunting of Bly Manor was fantastic, and it forced me to first watch The Haunting of Hill House, which was phenomenal.
Streaming services adjusted to take over the scene. Netflix, Disney +, HBO Max, Hulu, and Amazon Prime all released major films that would have gone to theaters in a better year. Direct digital releases were also a new premium.
I usually do a Top 10 movies of 2020 article, highlighting my favorites, but there were just not enough. Even though streaming services took over, the offerings were slimmer. Many of the movies I awaited were delayed a year. I didn't want my 2020 best films list to include Sonic the Hedgehog and Tenet, even if both had some merits.
This gave me time to catch up on so many movies. I have been watching movies on a near-daily basis as well as revisiting ones I loved. That goes for TV shows as well and even to a lesser extent, video games. There's such a wealth of content out there. No one is ever going to truly be caught up on it all.
While the 2020 content was forgettable, the content I finally had a chance to watch was fantastic. I watched Miracle of 34th Street, White Christmas, and the Home Alone movies during the holidays. I explored the world of horror with Hush, The Autopsy of Jane Doe, many of the Friday the 13th movies, The Invitation, Train to Busan, The Guest, and so many more.
I got a chance to rewatch my favorite show, the campy ridiculous Chuck. I even began rewatching a bad but fun artifact of my past, Yu-Gi-Oh. I finally started playing the Kingdom Hearts games and Horizon: Zero Dawn.
It wasn't all bad on the new content front though. I have begun The Last of Us Part 2 and enjoyed it quite a bit. Palm Springs and The Queen's Gambit were instant classics for me. The Haunting of Bly Manor was fantastic, and it forced me to first watch The Haunting of Hill House, which was phenomenal.
When Bayley got comfortable with new short hair, no one was ready. (Image Courtesy of: WWE.com)
Wrestling was also an interesting experience. While there is some criticism to be levied at WWE especially for its handling of the pandemic to start, WWE and AEW adjusted well after a few missteps in a way that wrestling felt like the only current outlet.
Losing an audience for the shows could have crippled wrestling, but the companies adapted. AEW especially seemed to find its stride, forced to get creative and take storytelling risks. The company thrived behind the work of underrated talent finally thriving and big stars taking the next step forward.
I have sung the praises of Hangman Adam Page already. Jon Moxley was a stalwart at the top. Mr. Brodie Lee really opened many eyes before his heartbreaking passing and will live on in the hearts of so many. Even The Elite stepped it up without wholly outstepping.
WWE meanwhile relied on the top stars completely. Bayley and Sasha Banks deserve particular praise for their phenomenal work carrying multiple brands. While their overuse grew tiring in moments, it was never for their work as they were put on matches leaps and bounds above everyone else.
Once WWE figured out to implement the ThunderDome, Roman Reigns returned, and Drew McIntyre stepped up his game all the more to carry the company forward. At this point, the new normal may be better than the old normal, and the match quality was stellar.
Since I already wrote it for Bleacher Report, I will just leave a link to my favorite matches from WWE and AEW in 2020. There really were some special matches and moments throughout the year.
Overall, what I got out of every aspect of this year was our ability at every stage to adapt. While I am only talking about the entertainment side, the United States also rose up in the face of civil injustice, protesting police brutality. The world also did what they could to handle this global pandemic.
We all played a part in bettering ourselves in the midst of a terrible year, and I just want to extend my sympathies to those who have lost. It has been a painful and emotion year, and we all handled it our own way. Now that it is past, we can all begin to see a hopeful light at the end of the tunnel with proper care in the months ahead.
Losing an audience for the shows could have crippled wrestling, but the companies adapted. AEW especially seemed to find its stride, forced to get creative and take storytelling risks. The company thrived behind the work of underrated talent finally thriving and big stars taking the next step forward.
I have sung the praises of Hangman Adam Page already. Jon Moxley was a stalwart at the top. Mr. Brodie Lee really opened many eyes before his heartbreaking passing and will live on in the hearts of so many. Even The Elite stepped it up without wholly outstepping.
WWE meanwhile relied on the top stars completely. Bayley and Sasha Banks deserve particular praise for their phenomenal work carrying multiple brands. While their overuse grew tiring in moments, it was never for their work as they were put on matches leaps and bounds above everyone else.
Once WWE figured out to implement the ThunderDome, Roman Reigns returned, and Drew McIntyre stepped up his game all the more to carry the company forward. At this point, the new normal may be better than the old normal, and the match quality was stellar.
Since I already wrote it for Bleacher Report, I will just leave a link to my favorite matches from WWE and AEW in 2020. There really were some special matches and moments throughout the year.
Overall, what I got out of every aspect of this year was our ability at every stage to adapt. While I am only talking about the entertainment side, the United States also rose up in the face of civil injustice, protesting police brutality. The world also did what they could to handle this global pandemic.
We all played a part in bettering ourselves in the midst of a terrible year, and I just want to extend my sympathies to those who have lost. It has been a painful and emotion year, and we all handled it our own way. Now that it is past, we can all begin to see a hopeful light at the end of the tunnel with proper care in the months ahead.
