Now that 2024 is over, let’s pick out a few films that made a bit of a splash.
BABYGIRL
The return of the erotic thriller sees Nicole Kidman having it off with her intern Harris Dickinson. A film full of power dynamics and the complexities of human desire.
BETTER MAN
Biopics are not usually the most interesting films, but when you morph the main character into a monkey, you may be on to something. Megastar Robbie Williams underwent exactly such a treatment and the critics seem to love it! Be prepared to experience how awful fame can be in all its inglorious brutal reality.
BIRD
We’ll be enjoying a magnificent performance by Barry Keoghan later this season, in The Banshees of Inisherin, but in his most recent film Bird he shines along co-star Franz Rogowski, who also gets a lot of praise for his on-screen talents. A whirlwind of volatile energy.
CONCLAVE
Conclave may be Ralph Fiennes’ film, but a lot of interest was shown in Isabella Rossellini’s short but powerful part of ‘the nun’. And seeing that it’s always great to see her on the big screen, it’s worth checking out, even though the end seems to leave many scratching their heads, and not in a good way.
FLOW
We featured Flow on this blog before, and it is still seen as by far the best animated film of 2024. ‘Nuff said.
HARD TRUTHS
For those who loved Mike Leigh’s Secrets and Lies, it was great news to hear that he and Marianne Jean-Baptise worked together again after so many years. Be prepared for some serious crankiness though, but it’ll be a great ride.
QUEER
007 going gay set many tongues wagging, which for some was the main reason for the attention this film got, but those less cynically inclined praise Daniel Craig for laying down a career-best performance. So, it’s definitely one which people will either hate or love, with not much in between.
THE ROOM NEXT DOOR
Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton are both fantastic actresses in their own right, but it took an original mind to see the potential of those two working together. That original mind belongs to Pedro Almodovar, who ventured on an adventure by making his first English-language film. Intensely emotional, but could Almodovar translate his highly successful typical Spanishness into an English film? You be the judge.
A TRAVELER’S NEEDS
Another big shot is Isabella Huppert, and any film with her in is worth checking out. This particular one is a film by Hong Sang-soo who, apparently, excels in art-house dramatic works, filled with dialogue and alienation. Huppert is bound to shine in such a film!
VERMIGLIO
Described as a beautiful work of art, Vermiglio takes you on a journey to 1940s Italy, with excellent acting and stunning photography. And all the while you’re asked to search for the understanding of the human condition.
So there you have it. Seen any of them? Did you like them? Are there any other 2024 films that we need to discuss? Would you like to see any of those in our next season? Let us know in the comments and we’ll see what we can do!
Adrian
