Top Ten Films of the Year midway point
Normally we get mostly junk until the Oscar season...this year has been a bit of an odd duck. A series really good horror films have come out with buoyed the quality of films so I can actually do a top ten list.
10. The Fall Guy(2024) https://media2.giphy.com/media/assGI...giphy.gif&ct=g A neo-noir love letter to practical effects, Fall Guy proved to be a breezy east watch for me. David Leitch has been making films for about 10 years now when he co-directed John Wick and this was his most well rounded work so far. Ryan Gosling coming off his Oscar nominated work as Ken now gets to have even more fun doing a series of action set pieces. It's really sad that the film came out in such a crowded time period because I think the more people who saw it really would have liked it and let the film grow in popularity over the summer. 09. Lisa Frankenstein (2024) https://blogger.googleusercontent.co...ankenstein.gif Generally speaking I have a review bar in which I'll just avoid films if they hit a certain level. But every once and a while you come across something special. Lisa Frankenstein is a narative mess but a visual delight. The film takes place in 1989 and tells the story of a misantrophic girl who raises a Poe-esque figure from the grave. She then suplys the monster with body parts to make him become real. The movie has scope and ambition this doesn't feel like a small indie film. You have incredibly costuming, multiple locations, a full cast of distinguishable characters. Zelda Williams really put together something incredible and I think this is going to find an audience once it starts popping up on TV/Streaming. 08. A Quiet Place:Day One (2024) https://media1.giphy.com/media/Wy0AY...-downsized.gif What can you do with a prequel series about killer monsters from outer space that kill you if you make a noise. If you said put a kitty in it and see what happens. Well what ended up is one of the better films of the year. Lupita N'yongo and Joseph Quinn are humans who costar with an emotional support cat named Frodo as they go on a quest in New York City at the end of the world. I loved the fresh take/look on the genre that doesn't try and do to much. This isn't just an outerspace monster movie but it's also a character study of what you do in the 24 hours after the world falls apart. It some issues where you feel the budget in that some of the scenes where clearly better thought out than shot...but the performances are incredible. |
Re: Top Ten Films of the Year midway point
I've yet to see a 2024 movie.
|
07. In a Violent Nature (2024)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.co...RE%20BLURB.gif I love a good slasher film, it is cinematic comfort food for me. And video games have always been kinda meh for me. In a Violent Nature basically blends the videogame experience with a slasher film. The movie is told through the perspective of the killer who walks through this woods area murdering people in a cabin environment. And the film could have just stuck with the gimmick and put it out there and people would have liked it. But really they did so much more with this film, in essence creating a sequel style to the film and building the mythos as the story progresses. And just when you feel like the film has run out of tricks the last ten minutes are so wonderfully tense that I have to rate this film extremely high for the year for me. 06 - Dune Part Two (2024) https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/En...778309576ef34e You know we're in a good year when you have a film like Dune Part Two outside the top five. The scope and beauty of this film was on a completely different level than anything else that has come out this year. A sprawling epic that managed to introduce new characters and flush out the old ones. I wonder how long this epic series can continue with the quality level it's at. The only real issue I have with it and why it's not top five is that it's a sequel and I feel like film really shouldn't be serialized or should I say it shouldn't feel serialized and that's what Dune Part II felt like...an installment less an adaptation of a singular body of work. I'm excited for the next one but I saw five films this year that were better. |
Re: Top Ten Films of the Year midway point
I've seen 49 films released this year. I have not seen The Fall Guy or Quiet Place Day One. I thought Lisa Frankenstein was pretty good, a 7/10, but it wouldn't make my top 10 of the year.
|
The Fall Guy was kind of blah
|
05. Hit Man (2024)
https://64.media.tumblr.com/fdac8f20...b21ca97fbb.gif "Netflix" films have been a huge disappointment for me. Yeah you'll get some Oscar bait at the end of the year that's okay but typically they feel like the same old boring B-Action movies sometimes with Science Fiction but often times just forgettable disposable garbage. Hitman wasn't this. Richard Linklater managed to make his big commercial film still feel like a Linklater film. Glen Powell is a guy who I've always written off as just another B-list star but when given the opportunity to shine he really did here. The was just an accessible fun film that I'll likely think about at the end of the year. But I had a smile on my face the entire time. 04. Love Lies Bleeding (2024) https://media2.giphy.com/media/g8uys...giphy.gif&ct=g For some reason we needed two Lesbian neo-noir period pieces to come out in February this year. And while Drive Away Dolls was good...this one was exceptional. The irony is that while a Cohen made the other one this one felt more like a classic Cohen Brothers film. Telling the story of a bodybuilder who gets mixed up in a murder scheme with Kristen Stewart and Ed Harris this movie was so good. The vibes of this film are sweat, dirt, infections and you never quite know where the story is going. Some people will hate the end because it takes a left turn into something very different but everything building up to that point was so good that even if you don't buy into the twist it's still an amazing piece of work. |
03. Late Night With the Devil (2023)
https://64.media.tumblr.com/7b9a500b...e6a000c97.gifv I've enjoyed a number of horror films this year...but I respect this one. Late Night with the Devil is the story of a failing late night talk show host who after some personal tragedy ends up inviting a possed girl onto his show. The film is told over the course of an hour in real time like a found footage story. This film packs so much into a short runtime, from the prologue exposition dump throughout each segment of the talk show to the ending I was floored by how well this came out. One of the common themes in the films that I really enjoyed this year was casting non-stars. David Dastmalchian is a character actor who is in everything but this is when he gets to go from giving a snack of a performance to a meal. My only quibble is the lack of practical effects as I think if they used that it would be perfect, but this is a film I plan on revisiting often. This has been a banner year for horror but this is my number one. 02. The Promised Land (2023) https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2...KTw/giphy.webp I didn't think they made them like this anymore. Nobody was talking about this film that came out last year (and was Oscar shortlisted) but got a proper State's release earlier. This is a danish biopic of a farmer sent to unfarmable lands and the struggles he faces in this territory. Their are things in this film that basically come out of nowhere and you are just blown away by the scope, scale, and quality of the work. Mads Mikkelsen gives another great performance playing "the bastard" a guy who you don't really know what to make out of him for most of the film. In essence it's a western that predates the American west so you have all of these weird conflicts of different periods that are thrown together in this glorious hodgepodge of a story. But what I really love about it, is that it's an epic story but it doesn't hit 3 hours. It manages to tell a long compelling story with economical pacing and it hits you at so many different points with different emotional beats. It's like this 200 million dollar movie is just a hidden gem tucked away somewhere for people to discover. 01. Ghostlight (2024) https://resources.arcamax.com/newspi...48/2934855.gif So at the end of the year when this film gets multiple Oscar nominations you'll probably wonder what the heck it is and why are people glowing about this. If you ever want to talk about a corny premise then construction worker finds love in community theater. You immediately think this is going to be maudlin junk. And then you start to get the humor...and then the story starts unfolding and the backstory kicks in...and then you see all these little things start paying off later. This film actually stars a real life family of actors. Rarely does a gimmick pay off as well as it does in Ghostlight. The father daugher dynamic hits so hard when the actors look the same and are age appropriate. Dolly De Leon is the female led a woman who just wants to play Juliet and she's so good in this. Keith Kupter's performance blew me away as the father in this story...it was like a classic performance from a Cassavettes film. Seek this movie out |
Originally Posted by Siddon (Post 2469663)
04. Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
https://media2.giphy.com/media/g8uys...giphy.gif&ct=g For some reason we needed two Lesbian neo-noir period pieces to come out in February this year. And while Drive Away Dolls was good...this one was exceptional. The irony is that while a Cohen made the other one this one felt more like a classic Cohen Brothers film. Telling the story of a bodybuilder who gets mixed up in a murder scheme with Kristen Stewart and Ed Harris this movie was so good. The vibes of this film are sweat, dirt, infections and you never quite know where the story is going. Some people will hate the end because it takes a left turn into something very different but everything building up to that point was so good that even if you don't buy into the twist it's still an amazing piece of work. So far. |
My top 10 films of the year (so far):
1. Inside Out 2 2. Dune: Part Two 3. Abigail 4. Challengers 5. Turtles All The Way Down 6. Unfrosted 7. This Is Me…Now 8. The Greatest Night in Pop 9. Orion and the Dark 10. The Lawnmower Man |
Originally Posted by Siddon (Post 2469663)
05. Hit Man (2024)
https://64.media.tumblr.com/fdac8f20...b21ca97fbb.gif "Netflix" films have been a huge disappointment for me. Yeah you'll get some Oscar bait at the end of the year that's okay but typically they feel like the same old boring B-Action movies sometimes with Science Fiction but often times just forgettable disposable garbage. Hitman wasn't this. Richard Linklater managed to make his big commercial film still feel like a Linklater film. Glen Powell is a guy who I've always written off as just another B-list star but when given the opportunity to shine he really did here. The was just an accessible fun film that I'll likely think about at the end of the year. But I had a smile on my face the entire time. 04. Love Lies Bleeding (2024) https://media2.giphy.com/media/g8uys...giphy.gif&ct=g For some reason we needed two Lesbian neo-noir period pieces to come out in February this year. And while Drive Away Dolls was good...this one was exceptional. The irony is that while a Cohen made the other one this one felt more like a classic Cohen Brothers film. Telling the story of a bodybuilder who gets mixed up in a murder scheme with Kristen Stewart and Ed Harris this movie was so good. The vibes of this film are sweat, dirt, infections and you never quite know where the story is going. Some people will hate the end because it takes a left turn into something very different but everything building up to that point was so good that even if you don't buy into the twist it's still an amazing piece of work. |
Re: Top Ten Films of the Year midway point
In no particular order...
Abigail Greyhound of a Girl Hitman Late Night with the Devil The Bikeriders Dune: Part Two Civil War Inside Out 2 Love Lies Bleeding Drive Away Dolls A mention for Argylle, Beekeeper and Fall Guy are all completely daft, but I had fun with all of them, but wouldnt say any are partucularly good movies. Monkey Man is very John Wick-esque actioner that again, has it;s moments. Also a shout out to The Woman in the Sea as well as Wicked Little Letters, and speaking of which, the last 10 min or so of Challengers makes what went before worthwhile, but it's not one that I will be in a rush to revisit again. Some films have more than enough champions but there are a couple that are hills I am prepared to fight their case for... The only 2 genuine standouts that I would openly champion have been Abigail and Greyhound of a Girl. Love the switcheroo of Abigail and sat through this 3 times while it was still at the cinema. Apart from the plethora of classic films that have been getting re-releases/anniversary screenings, this is the most fun I've had in the cinema this year, by far. Greyhound of a Girl is a real hidden gem. It is currently at cinemas in the UK, but all this week has been restricted to morning screenings, and because it has not been marketed at all, has been completely overshadowed by Inside Out 2. Indeed, was speaking to one of the girls that work at the cinema I most often frequent, and she said that 3 of the 5 screenings of this past week have been cancelled when literally noone has fronted/shown upm which is such a shame, because this is such a simple story so well done and told. I took the time earlier to check with another cinema, and it seems this is a similiar tale where this is being screened. I sat through this on Monday, having no idea what it would be, and am making the effort to do so again on Thursday because this deserves some support, and it is such a shame because it really is that beautiful and touching film. I really hope it finds it's audience on streaming, because this is one of the best of the year so far. |
Originally Posted by Siddon (Post 2469644)
Normally we get mostly junk until the Oscar season...this year has been a bit of an odd duck. A series really good horror films have come out with buoyed the quality of films so I can actually do a top ten list.
10. The Fall Guy(2024) https://media2.giphy.com/media/assGI...giphy.gif&ct=g A neo-noir love letter to practical effects, Fall Guy proved to be a breezy east watch for me. David Leitch has been making films for about 10 years now when he co-directed John Wick and this was his most well rounded work so far. Ryan Gosling coming off his Oscar nominated work as Ken now gets to have even more fun doing a series of action set pieces. It's really sad that the film came out in such a crowded time period because I think the more people who saw it really would have liked it and let the film grow in popularity over the summer. 09. Lisa Frankenstein (2024) https://blogger.googleusercontent.co...ankenstein.gif Generally speaking I have a review bar in which I'll just avoid films if they hit a certain level. But every once and a while you come across something special. Lisa Frankenstein is a narative mess but a visual delight. The film takes place in 1989 and tells the story of a misantrophic girl who raises a Poe-esque figure from the grave. She then suplys the monster with body parts to make him become real. The movie has scope and ambition this doesn't feel like a small indie film. You have incredibly costuming, multiple locations, a full cast of distinguishable characters. Zelda Williams really put together something incredible and I think this is going to find an audience once it starts popping up on TV/Streaming. 08. A Quiet Place:Day One (2024) https://media1.giphy.com/media/Wy0AY...-downsized.gif What can you do with a prequel series about killer monsters from outer space that kill you if you make a noise. If you said put a kitty in it and see what happens. Well what ended up is one of the better films of the year. Lupita N'yongo and Joseph Quinn are humans who costar with an emotional support cat named Frodo as they go on a quest in New York City at the end of the world. I loved the fresh take/look on the genre that doesn't try and do to much. This isn't just an outerspace monster movie but it's also a character study of what you do in the 24 hours after the world falls apart. It some issues where you feel the budget in that some of the scenes where clearly better thought out than shot...but the performances are incredible. I liked the Fall Guy a lot. Not high cinema, but a great time with enough action, romance, and heart to keep me fully invested. 👍 |
Originally Posted by Taz (Post 2469798)
In no particular order...
Abigail Greyhound of a Girl Hitman Late Night with the Devil The Bikeriders Dune: Part Two Civil War Inside Out 2 Love Lies Bleeding Drive Away Dolls A mention for Argylle, Beekeeper and Fall Guy are all completely daft, but I had fun with all of them, but wouldnt say any are partucularly good movies. Monkey Man is very John Wick-esque actioner that again, has it;s moments. Also a shout out to The Woman in the Sea as well as Wicked Little Letters, and speaking of which, the last 10 min or so of Challengers makes what went before worthwhile, but it's not one that I will be in a rush to revisit again. Some films have more than enough champions but there are a couple that are hills I am prepared to fight their case for... The only 2 genuine standouts that I would openly champion have been Abigail and Greyhound of a Girl. Love the switcheroo of Abigail and sat through this 3 times while it was still at the cinema. Apart from the plethora of classic films that have been getting re-releases/anniversary screenings, this is the most fun I've had in the cinema this year, by far. Greyhound of a Girl is a real hidden gem. It is currently at cinemas in the UK, but all this week has been restricted to morning screenings, and because it has not been marketed at all, has been completely overshadowed by Inside Out 2. Indeed, was speaking to one of the girls that work at the cinema I most often frequent, and she said that 3 of the 5 screenings of this past week have been cancelled when literally noone has fronted/shown upm which is such a shame, because this is such a simple story so well done and told. I took the time earlier to check with another cinema, and it seems this is a similiar tale where this is being screened. I sat through this on Monday, having no idea what it would be, and am making the effort to do so again on Thursday because this deserves some support, and it is such a shame because it really is that beautiful and touching film. I really hope it finds it's audience on streaming, because this is one of the best of the year so far. |
Originally Posted by Siddon (Post 2469663)
04. Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
Some people will hate the end because it takes a left turn into something very different but everything building up to that point was so good that even if you don't buy into the twist it's still an amazing piece of work. |
Re: Top Ten Films of the Year midway point
1. Land of Bad
2. Dune: Part 2 3. Abigail 4. Hit Man (2023-2024) 5. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga 6. Cold Meat (2023-2024) 7. The Last Stop in Yuma County (2023-2024) 8. Road House 9. Miller's Girl 10. Late Night With The Devil (2023-2024) |
Originally Posted by Siddon (Post 2469663)
05. Hit Man (2024)
https://64.media.tumblr.com/fdac8f20...b21ca97fbb.gif "Netflix" films have been a huge disappointment for me. Yeah you'll get some Oscar bait at the end of the year that's okay but typically they feel like the same old boring B-Action movies sometimes with Science Fiction but often times just forgettable disposable garbage. Hitman wasn't this. Richard Linklater managed to make his big commercial film still feel like a Linklater film. Glen Powell is a guy who I've always written off as just another B-list star but when given the opportunity to shine he really did here. The was just an accessible fun film that I'll likely think about at the end of the year. But I had a smile on my face the entire time. 04. Love Lies Bleeding (2024) https://media2.giphy.com/media/g8uys...giphy.gif&ct=g For some reason we needed two Lesbian neo-noir period pieces to come out in February this year. And while Drive Away Dolls was good...this one was exceptional. The irony is that while a Cohen made the other one this one felt more like a classic Cohen Brothers film. Telling the story of a bodybuilder who gets mixed up in a murder scheme with Kristen Stewart and Ed Harris this movie was so good. The vibes of this film are sweat, dirt, infections and you never quite know where the story is going. Some people will hate the end because it takes a left turn into something very different but everything building up to that point was so good that even if you don't buy into the twist it's still an amazing piece of work. I absolutely loved Love Lies Bleeding, and I agree that it feels more Cohen bros than most actual Cohen bros. I took the 'twist' to be another one of Jackie's hallucinations (especially considering her bikini). Kristen Stewart is a much better actress than she usually gets credit for. It's nice to see her in a bit of a make-under, and really show her acting chops. |
I don't mean to insinuate everything past that point was a hallucination as well. Just that the 'twist' was a hallucination from Jackie, and
WARNING: spoilers below
she just overpowered the bad guy in a far more normal way, normally sized, and Lou is reacting to how strong she's become.
|
As for my list:
9. Dune 2 8. Boy Kills World 7. Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die 6. Abigail 5. Fall Guy 4. A Quiet Place Day One 3. Ghostlight 2. Late Night with the Devil 1. Love Lies Bleeding I honestly don't have a 10th. Nothing feels like it's earned the spot. |
I've seen 145 films from this year (so far). My updated top 10:
1. Inside Out 2 2. The Substance 3. Blink Twice 4. Conclave 5. Wicked 6. Anora 7. A Real Pain 8. Daughters 9. Child Star 10. Dune: Part Two |
Re: Top Ten Films of the Year midway point
https://64.media.tumblr.com/929a8669...62b50172ff.gif
Challengers / Luca Guadagnino The Substance / Coralie Fargeat Sterben / Matthias Glasner The Bikeriders / Jeff Nichols Sing Sing / Greg Kwedar Anora / Sean Baker My Favourite Cake / Behtash Sanaeeha, Maryam Moghaddam A Different Man / Aaron Schimberg Strange Darling / JT Mollner Love Lies Bleeding / Rose Glass I suspect I Saw the TV Glow to sneak in after a re-watch. It went under my skin in a unique kinda way... |
| All times are GMT -3. The time now is 02:46 PM. |
Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright, ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
User Alert System provided by
Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Lite) -
vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2025 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © Movie Forums