Top 5 Favorite Movies of 2024

 

1) Anora : From Director Sean Baker came a modern day masterpiece in the form of Anora. A captivating watch from beginning to end with an Oscar worthy performance from Mikey Madison. About a hooker / showgirls engagement and quick marraige to the son of a wealthy family. No movie moved me and had it's claws dug deep into me more than Anora did this year. A modern day masterpiece like I said and just goes to show that a lot of orginiality still exists in the form of media and film, Anora is more than worthy of being my personal favorite movie of 2024 and I can't wait to watch it again.

2) Furiosa : A Mad Max Saga - In a similar way what Anora did for storytelling this year Furiosa : A Mad Max Saga did for action movies. This move was relentless from beginning to end, it had me on the edge of my seat throughout it's almost 150 minute running time. Anya Taylor-Joy as a young Furiosa was an inspired casting choice and she played the role to perfection as we not only saw how she came to be a true hero / myth of the wasteland but how she had to grow up quickly. George Miller knows how to deliver big epic action and Furiosa : A Mad Max Saga was his magnum opus this year.

3) Deadpool and Wolverine - A team up movie unlike any other this movie was Marvel Studios at it's absolute best in terms of cameos done right, perfectly exectuted comedy moments and one of the most iconic openings of any movie all year. The return of Hugh Jackman to the character of Wolverine felt natural and with Ryan Reynolds Deadpool along for the ride this was easily one of the best if not the best MCU movie since Endgame. 

4) Joker Folie a Deux - In what was one of the most polorising movies of the entire calender year the sequel to the 2019 smash hit Joker this sequel which was a total mindtrip was both loved and hated by many. For me it far surpasses the original in everything it does. From the tragic tale of Arthu Fleck and him just wanting to be seen, loved and accepted to his ultimate fate it's a heartbreaking rom-com musical filled with great songs, incredible performances and a Director in Todd Philips who really made something bold and controversial. This movie came out in early October and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. That speaks volumes. 

5) Poor Things - One of the first movies I saw this year Poor Things was absolutely mesmarizing to watch unfold before me. Not only was it visually just on another level entirely it also featured Emma Stone's Oscar winning performance as Ella Baxter to it's bizarre and otherworldy score Poor Things is a triumph of cinema that should be stuided for years to come.

Honorable mentions :

Smile 2 - A more than worthy follow up to the original Smile movie this sequel went above and beyond in creating a truly great leading character in Skye Riley played by a career definitng performance from Naomi Scott. Smile 2 is everything the first movie was and more. It's more wild, it's more trippy and it's full of jumpscares a plenty. You'll come for the scares but find yourself staying for Skye Riley's instantly iconic persona and music which was very Lady Gaga esque. 

Conclave - The process of electing a new Pope is never an easy thing to do. Ralph Fiennes is on Oscar winning form as the man chose to lead a Conclave to select a new holy father after the current one's passing. It's impeccable filmmaking with remarkable performances and an outstanding score. Not to mention it's message of an ever changing world and the mark we all can leave on it.

The Boy and the Heron - From legendary creator Hayao Miyazaki The Boy and the Heron was a true animated masterpiece of cinema. One of the first movies I saw this year I was amazed and astounded at each and every corner of this movie from the animation style to the voice acting and story it was all truly incredible to watch unfold before my eyes. If you're a fan of Studio Ghibli than this is essential viewing and one of the years most underrated and underrappreciated movies for sure.

Wicked - A movie musical unlike any other this year. Not only was Wicked amazing when it came to it's vocals and range of leading co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande but it felt so incredibly special. Having not seen the Broadway show this movie is based upon Wicked was a game changing experience for me as movie musical theater really is something special. A career best performance from Grande and Erivo and overall Wicked was a true visual delight from beginning to end. Gravity indeed defied. 

 Late Night with the Devil - Analog horror is a fascinating concept for sure. And with this ingenious movie we get immediately hooked into a story of betrayal, deceit and power all leading to a bombastic finale that is literally mindbending. With an outstanding performance from David Dastmalchain as a late night talk show host who attempts to commune with the Devil on Halloween night an ungodly amount of spooky things begin to happen with each passing moment. Late Night with the Devil was fresh, original and hands down the best horror movie going experience I had all year long

And there we have it. Another year has come and gone and with it we got amazing movies from horror to comedy and everything else in between. It was also another amazing year for this blog as I continued to really enjoy writing my thoughts on as many movies as I could possibly see this year and thanks to the amazing Omniplex and it's special MyOmni Pass I was able to see so much and I'm grateul for that. So with all of that being said I just wanna thank those who've read my ramblings throughout 2024. It really does mean the world to me as doing this brings me so much joy. I now bid you farewell and wish you a happy new year. Cheers to 2024 and I will hopefully see you here in 2025. 

- D.C.