The best movies of 2024 — and where to find them
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As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the cinematic world, I must say that 2024 was undeniably a remarkable year for movies! The diversity and creativity on display were truly astounding.
In contrast to Los Angeles, it’s definitely sweater weather elsewhere. Leaves are gone and the air has turned crisp. Even if the forecast isn’t spot-on, wrapping up in a sweater wouldn’t make you stand out as odd.
Looking at the movie scene in 2024, there’s plenty of activity everywhere I look. Interestingly, seven out of my top ten picks are from debut or early-career filmmakers, which suggests a promising future for the next few years. It appears that fresh talent is being recognized and nurtured.
The list of the top 10 films carries the significance of showcasing not only the finest movies of the year but also embodying the essence of that particular year. These are the narratives that echo our current sentiments, the groundbreaking ideas that feel contemporary, and the precursors pointing towards the future evolution of cinema. Despite the turbulent phase for cinemas over the past few years, I believe we’re sailing towards an extraordinary journey, albeit The Wizard of Oz didn’t manage to make it onto my list this time. Buckle up — we’re embarking on a magical ride!
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1. ‘Dune: Part Two’
In simplifying the process of capturing a sandworm, Stilgar (played by Javier Bardem) advises keeping it straightforward – no frills or complexities. This advice mirrors director Denis Villeneuve’s approach in adapting Frank Herbert’s supposedly unfilmable novel, Dune.
(“Dune: Part Two” is available on multiple platforms.)
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2. ‘Anora’
Imagine if Cinderella’s glass slipper was high-heeled and had a 7-inch heel. Sean Baker’s unconventional comedy, “The Tale of a Stripper who Marries a Russian Oligarch’s Son”, is as energetic as drinking twelve vodka Red Bulls with some illicit substances added in. The one who speaks the loudest seems to be in charge, at least temporarily, and Mikey Madison’s character dares her audience to admire her independence, resilience, and bold strategies to minimize personal risk. Her body might be for sale, but her emotional depth is off-limits. Although this is one of Baker’s more traditional stories, he continues to excel as a 21st century explorer of society, with a filmography that serves as an underground exploration of contemporary economics. (“When you give me a retirement fund, then you can tell me when I work,” Anora snaps). Interestingly enough, the character of “Anora” invaded my dreams on the very night I watched the movie. She just won’t be confined.
(“Anora” is now playing in theaters.)
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3. ‘Love Lies Bleeding’
In this rephrased version, the movie titled “Director Rose Glass’s Production” features Kristen Stewart as Lou, a gym manager, and Katy O’Brian as Jackie, a muscular drifter traveling to Las Vegas for a bodybuilding competition in New Mexico. Both Lou and Jackie have their flaws, although their disciplined appearances may lead one to think otherwise. The film takes place in 1989 when bulging biceps were the subject of intense fascination, even by Glass’s camera, which lingers on the intimate moments between the two women in slow motion. Their relationship is filled with passion (and many egg-white scrambles), but there’s no resolution. Director Rose Glass doesn’t shy away from portraying her characters’ misdeeds; instead, she skillfully adds more complex layers to their stories.
(“Love Lies Bleeding” is available on multiple platforms.)
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4. ‘A Real Pain’
Jesse Eisenberg has built his acting career portraying characters who are tightly wound and socially awkward. As a director, he combines this persona with an outspoken individual who shatters all social norms. In the film, David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin), who share a familial bond, journey through Poland as part of a Holocaust tour group. They aim to rediscover their Jewish heritage and strengthen their relationship with each other. The audience is intrigued by observing which one of them the other travelers find more appealing. This film may strike a chord for those who have experienced difficulty turning acquaintances into friends (why does being polite never seem effective?). Despite David’s increasing confusion, and his feelings of being misunderstood, the script acknowledges that freedom does not equate to happiness, and these troubled relatives will continue to be bound together for eternity.
(“A Real Pain” is now playing in theaters.)
Television
In a year overflowing with top-notch TV series, these personal selections suggest that exceptional television continues to be produced, despite the industry experiencing a slight downturn, according to our TV critic.
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5. ‘Hundreds of Beavers’
In this homemade masterpiece, featuring actors in budget-friendly animal suits who culminate in a colossal mecha-beaver, it’s possible that the number of participants could be more than 100, yet an underestimation is still plausible. The indomitable determination of director Mike Cheslik and his collaborator Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, who tirelessly worked on Adobe After Effects for years, is difficult to overstate. This production, with its low-cost slapstick adventure blending silent comedy, cartoonish physics, and video game logic, is a remarkable demonstration of their resourcefulness. The narrative unfolds as follows: In the 19th century, a settler (Tews) struggles to hunt for survival during winter, but his ineptitude persists for some time. However, his drive, creativity, and fortitude echo the filmmakers’ own tenacity in executing this feat, which is precisely what Hollywood requires today to thrive.
(“Hundreds of Beavers” is available on multiple platforms.)
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6. ‘Nickel Boys’
A ticket to the movies can be an act of empathy, a buy-in to experiencing life through a character’s eyes. Director RaMell Ross gets us closer than that. Working from Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about two Black friends living in the Jim Crow-era South, Ross shoots this reform-school drama in first person — literally through the points of view of Elwood (Ethan Herisse) and Turner (Brandon Wilson). In their moments of agony, they disassociate from their own bodies and, arguably, never fully return. Still, the cinematographer Jomo Fray keeps the brutality mostly off-screen in favor of poetic images that capture the boys’ hopes, pleasures and fears. Here, beauty and sensitivity are political acts.
(“Nickel Boys” opens Dec. 20 in theaters.)
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7. ‘How to Have Sex’
1) Molly Manning Walker’s captivating debut portrays Greece in a wild and hungover state that shifts from rowdy to intoxicated and back again at breakneck speed, much like a bouncing beer pong ball. However, it is not Greece that should be blamed for this disorderly scene; instead, the blame lies with the reckless British teenagers who have flocked to Crete exclusively to drink themselves silly and engage in casual encounters. (They don’t even bother trying Greek cuisine; they merely consume fries.) The petite protagonist, Tara (played by Mia McKenna-Bruce), grapples with intense emotions of desire, alcohol, and peril that are too overwhelming for her to articulate, particularly her fear of being the party pooper. Despite the deafening techno music, Walker masterfully guides us through the turmoil with unwavering determination. This is because she had previously experienced these trips herself before launching her career as a cinematographer.
(“How to Have Sex” is available on multiple platforms.)
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8. ‘Universal Language’
In Matthew Rankin’s absurd comedy, there’s a scene featuring a Tim Hortons sign written in Farsi, blending Winnipeg and Tehran cultures. This fusion is appreciated by Rankin, but may be seen as offensive by some viewers. The narrative can be interpreted as exploring themes of community or displacement. What binds these aspects together is Rankin’s wit and creative visuals, reminiscent of the movie’s storyboards doubling as vintage wallpaper. Most importantly, the audience eagerly awaits to see what quirky elements Rankin will present next – a bingo game, a wild turkey rampage, a walk through Quebec’s Beige District, an abandoned mall, a funeral by a freeway, or two determined schoolgirls trying to chip frozen cash from ice. Fans of Iranian New Wave cinema will notice numerous hidden references.
(“Universal Language” opens Feb. 12, 2025 in theaters.)
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9. ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’
In contemporary Iran, filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof prioritized his art over personal liberty. Facing numerous imprisonment threats for portraying criticism towards the nation’s theocratic government, he covertly produced his recent film before being exiled. This tense drama primarily unfolds within a single family’s apartment, but its broader context is immense. External events include ongoing real-life protests led by youths, provoked by the arrest and death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who was detained for not wearing a headscarf. The unrest seeps into the household via television and cellphones.
(“The Seed of the Sacred Fig” is now playing in theaters.)
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10. ‘Smile 2’
This horror sequel isn’t something I shy away from praising as an expertly crafted thrill. If you haven’t caught up with the initial “Smile,” released in 2022, don’t hesitate! Director Parker Finn delivers a standalone piece that launches swiftly, showcasing a breathtaking long shot of a gruesome scene. Right from the start, it’s clear we’re dealing with a fresh talent in horror genre. The technical aspects are top-notch, but what truly sets this film apart is its protagonist, Skye Riley, portrayed by Naomi Scott. She’s a self-destructive pop star under immense pressure to succeed in her comeback tour, making her captivating even without the added element of being possessed by a contagious spirit. From the dance sequences to the wardrobe and unexpected jump scares, every scene pulses with energy that leaves you grinning.
(“Smile 2” is available on multiple platforms.)
Entertainment & Arts
2024 was a remarkable year for classical music, featuring standout performances such as Gustavo Dudamel’s rendition of ‘Das Rheingold’ with the L.A. Philharmonic, The Industry’s innovative production of ‘Comet/Poppea,’ and Pacific Opera Project’s staging of ‘Don Bucefalo.’
Absolutely, it’s impossible to fit all the fantastic things into just ten. Here are nine outstanding choices that you might find interesting. Enjoy!
This American production offers a gritty, personal account from an up-and-coming artist’s point of view. It seems many directors may find resonance in the struggle portrayed here – a clash between raw artistic talent and the unyielding forces of financial practicality.
A deeply personal take on the Joker character, featuring user-generated visual effects. Director Vera Drew lays claim to Gotham City, inviting debate among viewers and legal teams at Warner Bros. as to whether she portrays a villain or a covert champion.
In watching Annie Baker’s captivating debut, it seemed as though she had delved deep into my mind to paint my personal recollections onto the silver screen. Remarkably, countless viewers shared this sensation, making the movie all the more enchanting.
In this gripping action movie set on a train in India, the film’s title “Retribution Express” certainly rings true as it delivers an intense tale of vengeance.
Instead of focusing solely on Ralph Fiennes’ intense portrayal, it’s fascinating to note that Director Edward Berger creatively incorporated scenes showing Fiennes tearing open the prepaid hygiene items in the papal dormitory.
“The Crimson Sanctums
The journey of a cat, a dog, and a capybara begins on a shared vessel. Silently, they navigate through the trials of existence, facing uncertainties and adversities together, portraying a tale without words.
Howard Hawks once stated that a fantastic movie consists of three strong scenes with no weak ones. In this regard, Rudy Mancuso’s groundbreaking debut boasts three of the most remarkable scenes of the year, not to mention the delightful inclusion of puppets!
As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it as follows: “I’ve always been curious about ‘Caligula: The Ultimate Cut,’ initially released in 1979 with questionable content that tarnished the reputations of actors like Malcolm McDowell and Helen Mirren. However, this new edit has shed the explicit scenes, revealing what might be a hidden masterpiece beneath.
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2024-12-06 14:32