MOVIES THAT I ENJOYED IN 2024
A Not Top Ten List. Actually eleven. Actually in alphabetical order.
BLITZ - Steve McQueen puts color into the World War II stiff upper lip London under Nazi attack genre by putting a little mixed race boy at the center of his narrative. He also flexes some impressive muscle in strong visual set pieces of destruction and pain that connects the past to our current wars in the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
CONCLAVE - The intricately plotted tale of naming a new Pope is anchored by Ralph Fiennes as the man in charge of a politically charged possess. It’s beautifully choreographed for the camera, but with a ending that really asks for a leap of faith. I made it, but not everyone will.
DAHOMEY - A documentary that’s actually a meditation on history, homelands and memory by Mati Diop. Twenty-six Benin treasures are shipped back to their homeland from Paris and the pieces wonder what that really means.
EMELIA PEREZ - Magnificent dance sequences, an ambitious plot (to say the least) and one of my favorite directors (see ‘A Prophet’ if you haven’t) made this a special cinematic experience. If Zoe Saldana wasn’t a star already this would make her one.
EVIL DOES NOT EXIST - Director Ryusuke Hamaguchi made the masterful ‘Drive My Car’ before this and then, with no fanfare, shot this small, pointed, and mysterious film about progress versus nature shot outside Tokyo.
FURIOSA - Obviously George Miller’s previous film was an epic succession of pulse pounding action sets pieces. This isn’t quite that level of energy, but its damn good on its own. Anya Taylor-Joy barely speaks and gives a emotional performance.
GLADIATOR II - Ridley Scott has insane gladiator matches in this film and I loved them all. But Denzel Washington is the reason this drama works at all. He’s full of menace and joy and mischief.
KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES - Love this franchise. The actors do amazing work under the CGI and the stories are always gripping. Whoever makes these should be running all the big budget blockbusters.
MONKEY MAN - An absolutely over the top action film starring and directed by Dev Patel. Not for the squeamish. Lots of blood and some guts too.
THELMA - This is a lovely little indie film that stars 93 year old June Squibb and the late Richard Roundtree. Small, smart and heartfelt with a theme of elder abuse.
WICKED - Big musical by a director Jon M. Chu, who actually knows knows how to make a musical that works. His ‘In the Heights’ is an underappreciated jewel. I’m ready for part two.