2020 was always going to be a strange year for the Hyde Park Picture House, we were somewhat prepared for the doors to be closed whilst the renovation work got underway but none of us could have predicted how things have turned out.

As we enter the second half of the year we normally take a look back over the last 6 months and pick out our highlights of the year so far. Fortunately there were quite a few good releases before lockdown begin and there have been a number of great films released straight to streaming since. It’s also been great that online discussions, watch parties and interviews have been able to continue.

Here are my 10 highlights of films I did see (mostly on the big screen)

• Uncut Gems (Netflix)
• JoJo Rabbit (Rent/Buy)
• Amanda (Rent/Buy)
• Waves
• A Hidden Life (Rent/Buy)
• The Lighthouse (Rent/Buy)
• Parasite (Rent/Buy)
• Portrait Of A Lady On Fire (Mubi)
• Bacurau (Mubi)
• Never Rarely Sometimes (Rent/Buy)

I’d also like to recommend Lynn Shelton’s final film Sword Of Trust. I don’t think it got a proper release in the UK but it turned up on Sky Movies/NowTV earlier this year.  I’ve always loved Shelton’s films and this is no different, hear death was a tragic loss because it feels like she had so much more to offer. There is a celebration of her on YouTube which I haven’t had chance to watch yet and Birds Eye View interviewed her a few weeks before her death.

There are other films that I’ve heard good things about but still haven’t had chance to watch:

• Little Joe (Rent/Buy & Bfi subs)
• The Assistant (Rent/Buy)
• Color Out Of Space (Rent/Buy)
• Queen & Slim (Rent/Buy)
• Woman Make Film (Bfi subs)
• Da 5 Bloods (Netflix)

Don’t forget about the Hyde Park Picks on Facebook and Twitter for more recommendations of great things to watch at home.