TOP 10 FILMS of 2024

These are my TOP 10 FILMS of 2024, with a few Honorable Mentions at the end too…

#1 WICKED – The anticipation for this film was palatable, and it did not disappoint, once it finally arrived at Thanksgiving time! The casting throughout is absolutely perfect, the costumes are spectacular, and the music is superb…it was all FIRST IN CLASS in my book…and besides…how long has it been since a musical of this calibur has hit the big screen…let’s just say, it’s been a little while for sure!

#2 CONCLAVE

In this gripping tale of selecting a new Pope ~ CONCLAVE ~ brings together the best ensemble of mature actors on the planet (Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati and Isabella Rossalini). You will find yourself blown away by the way this intricate storyline plays out in front of the camera, and behind the scenes too…

#3 THE BRUTALIST

Get ready to settle in for 3 hours and 35 minutes of mind-blowing cinematography, combined with poetic storytelling. And even though its the longest movie this year…it doesn’t feel that way at all, as you become engrossed in the life & times of Adrien Brody’s character, László Tóth, and the painful immigrant experience he endures. I know you will find this beautifully crafted film – shot is VISTAVISION – to be one of those magnificent films, that stays with you, weeks after you’ve viewed it!

#4 DUNE: PART 2

As sequals go…this one is far and above the rest…and as memorable & epic movie making goes, with perfect performances by Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin and Austin Butler, Writer and Director Denis Villeneuve leaves you longing for the next film to arrive, way before it will! DUNE: PART 2 has to be at the top of everyone’s “Fantastic films” of 2024 list, because it is one of the most fabulous films this year!

#5 SEPTEMBER 5

The year is 1972, and the Olympics in Munich, Germany has just begun. When ABC’s Sports broadcasting team finds themselves in the wake of the opportunity to provide LIVE coverage of the Israeli hostages that are being held captive by a terrorist organization, the team on site, lead by Geoffrey Mason (John Magaro) and Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard), realize in a flash, that there lives are about to be turned upside down…

#6 SING SING

In this fabulous true story of perseverance and redemption, we meet Divine G (Coleman Domingo), trying to keep his head above water at Sing Sing prison, serving time for crime he did not commit, but finding refuge in putting together a theatre group to not only keep his own mind occupied, but to help fellow inmates accomplish the same task. The most incredible part of this film is that many of actors within this ensemble, were formerly incarcerated themselves…

#7 THE WILD ROBOT

The power of life, motherhood, and the importance of friendship in times of adversity all play out in this incredible Animated film – that is perfect for the whole family – and that I hope is winning the Oscar this year for best Animated feature…

#8 A COMPLETE UNKNOWN

This true story of the life of Bob Dylan – circa 1961 – didn’t play out to encompass as much of his life as I was hoping it would reveal, but the incredible performances and singing by Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan, Monica Barbaro as Joan Biaz and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger. And when you add in the exceptional performances by supporting actors Elle Fanning and Scoot McNairy, you just can’t help but be mesmerized by this little walk down memory lane…

#9 A REAL PAIN

This film is the most incredible work of Jesse Eisenberg to date (He wrote, directed and stars in this fabulous film) and if you haven’t had the opportunity to experience the incredible performance of Kieran Culkin, then you better get a move on, as this one is literally Oscar worthy! A REAL PAIN brings the trials and tribulations of life, and family dynamics to a whole new level, and one of the many films this year that you don’t want to miss!

#10 NOSFERATU

Okay, the world might be ending soon, as who would have ever thought that a HORROR FILM would make it into any of my TOP 10’s, yet, alas,here we are! The cinematography of this one is absolutely breathtaking, and the performances by Lilly-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Willem Dafoe and Bill Skarsgaard are just outstanding. This deviant storyline of Dracula – written and directed by Robert Eggers is also very intriguing throughout, which kept me literally glued to the screen. And even though I saw this film over a month ago, the last image that is plastered across the screen, is still etched deep within in my memory…

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

It’s always hard to whittle the movies I love down to 10, so here’s a few other honorable mentions, that you just have to see…

#11 YOUNG WOMAN AND THE SEA

Daisy Ridley is incredible in this true story of Gertrude Ederle and her quest to not only win an Olympic Gold medal but to swim across the English Channel – Circa 1920’s

#12 GHOSTLIGHT

When a father’s choice to join a local theatre groups performance of Romeo & Juliet, it seems that this story is tragically mirroring his own life…And the performances by real family members in the three leading roles throughout this film, are totally awesome too!

#13 THE FALL GUY

I thought this one was one of the most entertaining films of the year, as who doesn’t love Ryan Gosling, and him playing a stunt guy, was literally sheer perfection! All I can say is that Eva Mendes is one lucky girl!

#14 THE FIRE INSIDE

You know I love documentaries, and this film about Olympic Boxer Claressa Shields is one that EVERYONE needs to see, and on a big screen near you!

#15 HITMAN

This is another totally entertaining film from start to finish, and Glen Powell is just fabulous from start to finish too! And besides, I had to include the man, the legend here on this list, as he was also on the big screen with ANYONE BUT YOU (2023) and this year with HITMAN, TWISTERS and produced the incredible documentary THE BLUE ANGELS in 2024 too…so we’ll just agree with everyone that “it’s the year of Glen” 🙂