It’s the halfway point of 2024, which means time to check in with the year that’s been thus far in film.
There are some notable changes in my top 12 with Ryûsuke Hamaguchis Evil Does Not Exist working its way into my top 5 with its studied moral dilemma and commitment to the form. The emotionally resonant Turtles All The Way Down (Hannah Marks) and Weston Razooli’s whimsical and endearing Riddle of Fire found their way in to the bottom half of my top 12.
And then there were the films About Dry Grasses, The Bikeriders, Civil War, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and Challengers, all titles I wrestled with, each vying for a spot in their own way (I’ll save the ultimate outcome for my list below)
A couple of films that got bumped out of my top 12 that were especially difficult choices: the wonderful and affecting existential crisis that is Sometimes I Think About Dying, the memorable and deeply affecting One Life with an aged turn by the iconic Anthony Hopkins, and the surprisingly emotional journeys in Problemista and The Book of Clarence.
Most notable perhaps is Dune 2 getting bumped off. This is partly because my deep respect for the film and its achievement sits alongside the fact that if is not my favorite genre. But the films at the top of my list that did capture my imagination most fully have been staying strong for the most part.
Before I get to my top 12, a shout out in the animated and horror categories, along with some Honorable Mentions/Hidden Gems.
Favorite Animated Films
The Peasants
My most anticipated animated release of 2024, this follow up to the phenomenal Loving Vincent features an often breathtaking visual style that blurs the line between realism and animation, pushing the inventive techniques to a whole other level. A shared production between Poland and Ukraine, it is steeped in a sense of struggle, rich in a cultural expression that includes matters of religion, faith, family, politics. An impressive work and my favorite animated film of the year thus far,
No Dogs or Italians Allowed
The only thing better than Italian culture in film would be accenting this culture with personal and intimate stories of Italian life (this is based on the real life story of the Director’s grand parents). Throw in some gorgeous stop motion animation and there was very little that could prevent me from falling for this film. Enjoyed the mix of real world documentary footage intermixed with the animation as well. Gives this a unique flavor.
Inside Out 2
I was ultimately mixed on this undeniable box office success, but that shouldn’t detract from its very real strengths. It ultimately finds that familiar Pixar magic and proves why it needed to exist as a natural progression of the larger story.
Favorite Documtary Films
Four Daughters
Four Daughters is a unique docu-drama that blends the documentary elements in an unconventional way. It’s a bit isolating at first as I tried to gain my bearings, but once I found the rhythm I was able to understand what the filmmakers were trying to do. It’s a layered approach designed to really bring you in on the journey itself, creating an atmosphere of complete transparency and vulnerability. The film also hits hard with some unexpected twists and turns, making for a disconcerting but resonant viewing experience. Its designed so that portions will have you laughing before you realize that a given scene is actually not that humorous, or shocked/saddened before you realize the characters are making a joke. I know that my emotions were all over the map in any given moment, which is by design and the mark of what is a really strong film with real world stakes.
Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces
Not sure how this would play for people who aren’t a fan of Martin’s standup, but it offers a rare opportunity to see behind the curtain of this iconic figures personal journey. Most of what is here is stuff I had little to no idea about, stuff that plays straight into his film career as well.
Does a great job of helping the viewer to get to know who he was, to understand his internal struggles, and to gain insight into his passion for comedy.
I Am Celihe Dion
Did not expect this. Really well made. Touching, vulnerable, revealing. And that’s coming from someone who’s only real knowledge of Dion is her most popular songs. It is from the Director of Leave No Trace, so I guess the quality shouldn’t be that surprising.
Blue Angels
It is standard stuff, but the material does the heavy lifting. Even if you don’t have much interest in the subject matter, it’s a strong, high flying, polished, tension filled and often thrilling visual exercise
Jim Henson: Idea Man
It’s safe and by the numbers as far as docs go, but it’s also a nice tribute to one of great icons of our time.
Top 12 Horror
It has been a solid year for horror, with Caines inventive Late Night With Devil leading the pack.
Its homage to a bygone era of late night television has earned a ton of praise for good reason. Not far behind is the experimental indie I Saw The TV Glow, which caught a number of people off guard with its emotionally grounded metaphor. One of the most unique film experiences you’ll likely have this year.
A pair of creature features involving an infestation of Spiders (Sting and Infested)
A daring and captivating performance by Sydney Sweeney (Immaculate), a daring and energizing reimagining of a classic monster tale (Lisa Frankenstein) and a bonkers situational indie horror drama (The Coffee Table) fill in some of the gaps. Also worth mentioning is the adaptation of The Watchers from M. Nights daughter. It’s a mixed bag, but it is also intriguing to consider as a debut. And Last Stop at Yuma County is a fun, stylish and violent single location original hostage film, while The First Omen remains one of the best shot horror films of 2024 and surprisingly effective as a prequel.
Here are my rankings for my top horror thus far in 2024:
1. Late Night With The Devil
2. I Saw The TV Glow
3. The First Omen
4. Exhuma
5. Sting
6. Last Stop at Yuma County
7. Immaculate
8. Infested
9. Abigail
10. The Watchers
11. The Coffee Table
12. Lisa Frankenstein
Hidden Gems/Honorable Mentions
I could certainly shout out multiple larger profile titles that didn’t make my Top 12, including the likes of Furiosa and IF and Monkey Man, but this is a spotlight of some lower profile titles that stood out for me and are highly worth checking out:
The Teachers Lounge
One of the most intense and stressful watches of 2024 thus far. The build up is next level
Marmalade
A low key, entertaining, indie action film that proves to be fun and inventive.
First Time Caller
Single location thriller that hits above its paygrade in terms of overall execution
In The Land of Saints and Sinners
On its own a solid, slow burn Irish thriller that really captures the Irish countryside and its people, its also one of Neesons best films in recent memory
The Moon and Back
Lots of wonderful and endearing dynamics at work here. It’s funny, sad quirky, charming, real, adventurous, relatable. It definitely has that low key, no frills indie vibe, but as a debut it’s the creative vision that really shines.
Dreamin Wild
Big on emotion and soaked in character and music, this story about a middle aged man reckoning with the notion of failed dreams and bItter legacy is as heartfelt as they come
Thelma
Probably the most fun premise you’ll find this year, leaning into the 90 plus year woman leading an espionage thriller motif with full commitment and gusto.
Wild Goat Surf
An impressive debut, made all the more worthwhile given its distinct flavor of Canadiana, set along the coastal area of British Columbia. It’s a coming of age film that explores the challenges of growing up in the face of adversity- single parent family, grief, being an outsider.
Lost in Tomorrow
A quaint and lovely hidden gem. It feels a bit uncertain in the early going, but once the premise kicks in, following a young girl struggling to fit in at school and at home, it is quite affecting. Freuds Last Session
My kind of film. Two diametrically opposed enigmatic true to life icons sparring over philosophy, theology, unlikely friendships and life.
Wicked Little Letters
Little this year has been more fun than watching Jessie Buckleys profanity laden, feisty, determined mother persona in Wicked Little Letters. Paired with Olivia Coleman is the icing on the cake. Based on an equally compelling true story.
Pratfall
If the Before series new defines its own genre, this one is up there with the better homages. Just replace it with a French tourust talking philosophy and life as they wander the New York streets with an insomniac.
IO Capitano
Harrowing, intense, engaging. It’s about an asylum seekers journey from point A to B, across countries borders and of course sea. It’s really more about the resilience if the human spirit against great adversity
Chithha
An examination of abuse and trauma, or more specifically the trauma of sexual abuse, that does a lot without leaning into visual representation. As is typical of Indian cinema, the film is concerned for the way such events affect the whole, exploring social dynamics, the impact on families and communities, the nature of responsibility, obligation, forgiveness, and the power of emotions. It creates a complex drama that reaches beyond the act and into the psyche of the aftermath.
Top 12 of 2024 thus far at the halfway point of the year.
And finally, my Top 12 of 2024 thus far at the halfway point of the year.
I noted some of the changes above to my first quarter listings, and I have written about most of these films there and elsewhere in this space. Just to note some of the newcomers.
Riddle of Fire is described as a neo-fairy tale, but it really does defy categorization, albeit while feeling, at the same time, like an impassioned ode to a bygone era of filmmaking. An era where the simple art of imagination and a feeling of adventure are your tools rather than CGI, and where grassroots and no frills storytelling bolstered by natural chemistry between your characters is enough to make a meaningful and memorable film on a very small budget
Turtles All The Way Down was a deeply personal story for me, detailing an intimate struggle with anxiety. It made me feel seen and reflected one of the more emotional viewing experiences of the year.
Evil Does Not Exist is a nuanced examination of a particular moral crisis. It’s big on form, using its visual approach and its score to draw out different emotions and considerations. Technically speaking its one of the most impressive efforts to release this year.
About Dry Grasses. You could say a nearly 3 and half hour run time documenting a gradual spiral into an existential crisis using a script made up primarily of dialigue/conversation doesn’t sound like riveting cinema. Rest assured it is. The fact that it never really resolves its inate grappling with things like hopelessness, despair, isolation and meaninglessness makes it even more engrossing. It is from the Director of Winter Sleep and shares its concern for deep philosophical questions and existential crisis.
Civil War is representing a slot that just as easily could have been taken by Kjngdom of the Planet of the Apes as my other favorite of the bigger blockbusters this year, a film that took me by surprise. Kingdom might sneak back on after a rewatch, as I was really taken with it on a number of levels, but Civil War takes this spot for its visual presence and daring narrative. It makes use of every inch of its made for Imax format, and accomplishes something truly visceral and thought provoking.
The Bikeriders is subtle in its approach, deceptively so, but digging underneath the surface and what I found was a captivating character study that doubles as an exploration of a cultural and societal function. It asks bug questions, and gives us the necessary arcs through which to embody them. The more I think about this film the more I love it.
My Top 12 (in descending order)
- Riddle of Fire
- Turtles All The Way Down
- The Taste of Things
- Fremont
- The Bikeriders
- Civil War
- Monster
- About Dry Grasses
- Evil Does Not Exist
- The Promised Land
- Inside The Yellow Cocoon
- Perfect Days
The Stories of my Life 