Movie Final - My Favorite Movies of 2024
Quick Note: For various reasons, I haven't been able to
watch every movie released this year that I wanted to, so there will be
gaps in this list. I'm
sure at least a few of those would have made the list, but they were
not one of the 50 films released in 2024 that I have seen (3 of which are redacted due to NDAs). There will be five honorable
mentions, and 10 of my favorite films of the year. After that, I will
list every film that was released this year that I have seen, that way
you can see what I had to choose from!
Honorable Mention 1 - Deadpool and Wolverine
The way you see a movie affects your reaction to it. Deadpool and Wolverine isn't the tightest script ever written, but seeing it in San Diego, in a theater filled with Comic Con attendees (not the Hall H panel that Marvel put on, but a theater not far from there) elevates a fan-service movie like this. That is why it made the Honorable Mention list. That, and seeing a particular moment on the big screen I've waited 24 years for, made the rest of it worth it too. The movie has some funny jokes and fun action scenes, and is an all around crowd pleaser. Seeing Hugh Jackman reprising a role that he had put to bed years ago could have went wrong, but they kept what was there and gave us what was missing. You can't ask for much more than that.
Where to Watch: Disney+
Honorable Mention 2 - Snack Shack
This is not the last "high school coming of age" movie on this list. I don't think humans ever stop trying to figure out who they are, but high school aged people in particular are full of that. A movie about 2 kids buying a snack shack at a pool to make money (and pull some schemes) during the summer actually has a bit more depth in it than you'd think. There are some emotional moments that aren't undercut by humor, yet the humor that is in it works too. Friendship, love, loss, and change are all highlighted here, and for the most part, they are all balanced pretty well.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Honorable Mention 3 - Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
For a franchise that is over 50 years old, it is quite remarkable that new stories worth telling can still be found within the confines of the premise. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes had quite large footsteps to follow after the stellar Caesar-based trilogy. They were able to find new and exciting things to do, and set up the franchise up for a secure future, while still honoring the past and not contradicting what is to come (as this is a prequel to the original Charlton Heston ones). The film makes you care about many characters very quickly. That isn't an easy task, and it is not one many pull off often. Plus the CGI is quite impressive. If you are up for an adventure movie, give this one a go.
Where to Watch: Hulu
Honorable Mention 4 - Daughters
I was fortunate enough to see an early screening of this, and knew instantly it was something special. This is a documentary about incarcerated men having the opportunity to have a prom-like dance with their daughters. It follows the fathers on the inside, and what they make of this opportunity at the same time as the daughters on the outside who have complicated relationships with these men. It builds to the emotional climax of the dance itself, and it does it expertly. It is a commentary on our incredibly flawed prison system, what fatherhood means, and how opportunities and positive reinforcements can change the trajectory of someone's life. This program is something I didn't know existed until I saw this, and hopefully it will educate you too.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Honorable Mention 5 - The 4:30 Movie
Kevin Smith's latest venture is the second "coming of age" movie on this list. It is a sweet love story to adolescence and a love letter to cinema. Perhaps its bleeding-heart notion of idolizing movies like I do is why I put this over Snack Shack. You get the usual Kevin Smith tropes - some juvenile humor, self-referential moments, and Star Wars references. But it seems like this is the closest thing to an auto-biography that Smith has ever made. The 4:30 Movie is light and airy, and a feel-good movie if you need something like that.
Where to Watch: Any Major Digital Rental Platform (Amazon, Apple, Google, etc)
10. Music By John Williams
I don't think it is hyperbole to say that John Williams is the most important person in the history of cinema. His music changed storytelling. Sure you might know the big ones like Jaws, Star Wars, Superman, and Indiana Jones. But he also did hundreds of television episodes, and other things like the Sunday Night Football theme and the theme to the Olympics! It was well overdue for him to be the focus of a documentary, and Music By John Williams gets the job done. It is a sweet look at the man, the impact he has had on the world as a whole, and an absolutely staggering look at just how much music he has produced for all kinds of projects. There is a reason some of the greatest filmmakers of all time clamor to work for him. There is no shame if you are not familiar with him, but I can guarantee you that you have heard something he has composed unless you've been lost in space (oh, he did the theme to that too!) But now is the time to familiarize yourself with the man behind it. Go watch this one ASAP.
Where to Watch: Disney+
9. Dune: Part 2
Denis Villeneuve makes visually stunning films. Arrival and Blade Runner 2049 are perfect examples of this. Dune: Part 2 is no exception. Every frame is gorgeous. This is dense sci-fi though, and therefore not for everyone. But even for people like me who this is for, I found that most of the movie was devoid of any real emotion. That is why it isn't farther down on the list. But it's a testament to the story and the storyteller that a nearly 3 hour film that doesn't quite reach the emotional heights it is capable of, can still keep your eyeballs absolutely glued to the screen. A sequel to a movie that was a remake of a movie based off of a book usually has a lot going against it, but with a powerhouse like Villeneuve behind the camera, all that falls to the wayside, and you're left with a solid sci-fi action adventure, steeped in lore. If that sounds like something you like, watch the first one, then visit this one.
Where to Watch: Max
8. Fall Guy
Stunt doubles do not the credit they deserve in the film industry. There have been cries for years to have the Academy Awards add a stunt category. So to see a movie like this that is a love-letter to stunt work, with two of the most charismatic actors Hollywood has working today, is a wonderful thing. Fall Guy is an action, comedy, mystery, adventure movie that will keep you entertained until after the credits roll. Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt have a blast on screen, and their chemistry is off the charts. If I was their partners Eva Mendes and John Krasinski respectively, I'd be worried.... But we reap the rewards with a hugely entertaining and pure summer fun popcorn movie. They definitely made sure the stunts were the highlight of the movie, so that you will appreciate them not only in this movie, but in any other movie as well.
Where to Watch: Peacock
7. Civil War
I have only seen this film once. I don't know if I will ever watch it again. Usually, that is a bad sign. But that is the sheer power and emotion that this movie invokes. Not only is it a love letter to the power of the press, but the events of this movie feel like they are scarily close to happening. Kirsten Dunst is amazing, but the real firework of this movie is Cailee Spaeny. Man oh man, she does so much in every scene she's in, and all that work pays off in the climax of the movie that leaves you speechless. This is a tough one to watch, but should be watched at least once. You do need to be in the correct mindset though, so don't watch this if you are having a bad day.
Where to Watch: Max
6. Challengers
I didn't have this movie on my radar. But it then I heard it discussed. And again. And again. And no one ever stopped talking about it. My palate for different types of movies is vast. So a meticulous love triangle, wrapped in a high stakes tennis match, with non-linear storytelling was quite the adventure. Challengers is intimate, voyeuristic, dramatic, and has an ambiguous ending that is open to your interpretation. Certainly not one that everyone will take to, but those that do will keep it with them for a while.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime/MGM+
5. My Old Ass
A lot of people wonder what advice they would tell their younger self if they were able to meet them, but no one thinks what their younger self would say back to them. My Old Ass does this in humorous fashion. A girl battling with self-identity vs family legacy gets advice from her older self after a bad mushroom trip. The magic of the film is in the third act turn. Aubrey Plaza is as charming and weird as ever, but Maisy Stella carries the film to perfection. It's charming, lovely, heartwarming, thought provoking, emotional, and isn't afraid to get heavy and real when it needs to be. This is a gem of a movie, and I can't recommend it enough.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
4. Will & Harper
If there is one film on this list that every single person should watch, it is this one. The Will in "Will & Harper" refers to Will Ferrell. This documentary follows Will on a road trip with his friend Harper who came out to him as a transgender female. Will gets to ask questions, make mistakes, but find the friend he always knew in Harper. With Will's celebrity status accompanying her, Harper gets to do all the things she has always liked to do: Go to basketball games, drink bad beer, and go to dive bars in rural towns. For people who want a better understanding of what being transgender is, this documentary will help. It is funny, heartwarming, entertaining, sad, happy, hopeful, serious, necessary, and completely and utterly human.
Where to Watch: Netflix
3. Alien: Romulus
The original Alien came out in 1979. The stellar sequel Aliens came out in 1986. After that, the movies in this franchise have run the gamut from good all the way to complete garbage, never quite reaching the highs of the pillars it stood on. That changed with Alien: Romulus, a fantastic entry into the series, and more proof after Civil War that Cailee Spaeny is a bonafide star. There is an egregious choice to use deep fake technology that is incredibly off-putting to anyone who knows these movies well, but outside of that, it fires on all cylinders. Fede Álvarez crafts a scary, creepy, thrilling action-packed adventure worthy of the Alien title. The thrills aren't cheap however (even if the CGI'd cameo is), they all feel earned, and through that, it makes you invested in the characters of the story, so that when things build up to the most bonkers and insane 3rd act of 2024, you will not be able to look away!
Where to Watch: Netflix
2. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
It is cold and flu season, so you should have a healthy stock of tissues already available. If you don't, remedy that before watching this incredible documentary about an incredible man. My love for Superman runs deep, and Reeve's portrayal was a big reason why. This documentary delves into the journey of him nabbing the role (much to the chagrin of his stage costars and family), and of course, the accident that left him paralyzed. Where the film really shines though is when it focuses on his friendship with Robin Williams. Knowing the history - and the fate - of both of these powerhouses makes this an emotional watch. The film does a good job laying out the hero Reeve played, against the hero he was for real. Despite the tragedy, it has a really uplifting message. It is well put together, and will hit an emotional level for anyone who appreciates his Superman, but also his love for science and a determination to never give up despite the odds.
Where to Watch: Max
1. Inside Out 2
2024 Films I have seen (3 are redacted):
Comments
Post a Comment