Yank down those calendars, folks - 2025 is coming at us fast! But before the ball drops, heralding in the new year, along with January's fresh batch of Oscar contenders finally going wide, now's the perfect time to take a step back and reflect. 2024 was a strange year, which was appropriately mirrored in a lot of the movies that came out! From the ultra-violent Terrifier 3 being #1 at the box office, becoming the first unrated film to do so, to Dune Part II's suggestive popcorn bucket design - you truly could not predict where things were headed. We also said RIP to legends like Quincy Jones, Terri Garr, Tony Todd, Maggie Smith, Gena Rowlands, Shelley Duvall, Donald Sutherland, and Roger Corman, to name a few.
When you step back, you realize, there's a lifetime in a year! So my pre-Top Ten annual tradition is to honor those films that stood out from the rest of the pack. The ones that seared themselves into my brain and wouldn't let go, whether it was because of an unbelievable performance, a goosebump-inducing music score, or cinematography that you'd want to frame on your wall. I hope you enjoy my personal batch of superlatives for 2024!
BEST ACTRESS - Demi Moore, The Substance
Demi Moore made a comeback in a BIG way this year with the body horror masterpiece The Substance. In a role that perhaps hits close to home as a former box office queen of movies like Ghost, she plays a fading celebrity, Elisabeth Sparkle, who turns to, let's say, extreme measures to preserve her youthful beauty. Unflinching, intense, and transformative (literally), her next-level performance bears it all. I will be pulling for her to get a well-deserved Oscar nomination - and in a perfect world, a WIN!
Runner-Up: Naomi Scott, Smile 2
Speaking of fantastic horror performances this year, another one that took me by surprise was Naomi Scott in the psychological horror sequel, Smile 2, playing a pop star whose tour is threatened by the "smile" curse. The film uses the high concept premise as a metaphor for "toxic positivity" and the invasion of privacy that celebrities undergo. While you might remember her as Jasmine from the live action Aladdin remake, THIS truly is her star-making performance. Her slow descent into madness is riveting!
Honorable Mentions:
1. Cynthia Erivo, Wicked
2. Nicole Kidman, Babygirl
3. Lupita N'Yongo, A Quiet Place: Day One
4. June Squibb, Thelma
5. Jessica Chastain, Memory
BEST ACTOR - Keith Kupferer, Ghostlight
Ghostlight is a tiny little drama that doesn't really have the financial backbone to launch a major Oscar campaign, but my god does it deserve it. The film is about a grieving blue collar construction worker dealing with his unresolved feelings and difficult teenage kid (played by Kupferer's own biological daughter) by joining a community theater group production of Romeo and Juliet, totally against character. Kupferer's performance is astounding, quietly and poignantly conveying the impact of art and theater as a kind of group therapy. To see such a typical dad character transform, building his confidence, finding his "people" so late in life, and finally opening up about his emotions was so moving - it'll bring you to tears!
Runner-Up: Sebastian Stan, The Apprentice
Donald Trump is easily one of the most impersonated figures in our world. His look, movements and speech have been exaggerated and ridiculed for so long, that doing an impression of him has become as trite as Arnold Schwarzenegger. Luckily, Sebastian Stan's performance in The Apprentice, the excellent film dramatizing his relationship with mentor Roy Kohn, avoids this by not doing a straight "impression," but instead more subtly uses his micro expressions and cadence to build a full character that never feels like mugging for the camera, as so many biopics fall trap to. He portrays Trump as a complicated man, and yes, self-centered and cold, but still a man. It's a daring line to walk, humanizing Trump in this way, as its fair portrayal will anger liberals, and its critical lens will anger Trump fans. I give kudos to everyone involved in this tightrope walk, but it was executed perfectly!
Honorable Mentions:
1. Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain
2. Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
3. Glen Powell, Hit Man
4. Kōji Yakusho, Perfect Days
5. Dennis Quaid, The Substance
BEST POSTER - Saturday Night
Harkening back to 1970s comedy posters in the style of Animal House and American Graffiti, the poster for Jason Reitman's Saturday Night perfectly encapsulates the time period, chaotic mood, and mix of personalities bouncing against each other during the backstage insanity of the taping of the first episode of Saturday Night Live.
Runner-Up: Civil War
Honorable Mentions:
3. Longlegs
4. Smile 2
5. The End
BEST MUSIC SCORE - Challengers, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
Besides the fact that my friend's dad stars as an extra in the background during the party scene, I'd argue the best aspect of the throuple tennis drama Challengers is its propulsive, electro-beat score by Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The score fits perfectly with the tension between the characters, fighting first for each other's romantic affection, and then against each other on the court.
Runner-Up: Dune: Part II, Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer is one of the best movie composers ever. Continuing his excellent work from the first film, his score for Dune Part II in particular builds up the "love" theme between Paul Atreides and Chani, and adds such grandiosity during the epic action scenes. Exotic, bombastic, romantic - listening to the score feels almost like a religious experience!
Honorable Mentions:
1. The Wild Robot, Kris Bowers
2. The Substance, Raffertie
3. Twisters, Benjamin Wallfisch
4. AGGRO DR1FT, araabMUSIK
5. The First Omen, Mark Korven
BEST SONG (TIE) - "The Wizard and I" by Cynthia Erivo and "Defying Gravity" by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande from Wicked
Theater kids and regular folk alike are loving Wicked, a massive box office success despite so many people claiming to "not like musicals." But there's no denying the sheer power of Broadway-style talent, and Cynthia Erivo is the real deal. Her powerhouse, emotive vocal performances during songs like "The Wizard and I" and the showstopping number "Defying Gravity" are chill-inducing.
Runner-Up: The Entire Lady Raven concert by Saleka from Trap
In a case of nepotism done right, M. Night Shyamalan cast his own daughter as pop star Lady Raven in his latest thriller. Some may argue the entire film was an excuse to showcase her talents, which may be true, but if nothing else, at least her music provided a fantastic backdrop for this poorly-conceived movie!
Honorable Mentions:
1. "River" by KiKi Layne from Dandelion
2. "Blood on White Satin" by Naomi Scott from Smile 2
3. "Beyond" by Auli'i Cravalho from Moana 2
4. (TIE) "Guilty Conscience" & "Amach Anocht" by Kneecap from Kneecap
5. "Someone Gets Hurt" by Renee Rapp from Mean Girls
*Find below a Spotify and YouTube playlist of the tracks listed above for your listening pleasure!
BEST ACTION SCENE - Dune: Part Two, Riding the Worm
In 1978, Richard Donner got audiences to believe a man could fly. And in 2024, Denis Villeneuve got us to believe Timothée Chalamet could ride a sandworm. IMAX was made for moments like this.
Runner-Up: Deadpool & Wolverine, "Bye Bye Bye"
"Bye Bye Bye" landed on my top 5 most-played songs on my Spotify Wrapped this year - thanks in part to the hilarious, nostalgic adrenaline rush of the Deadpool & Wolverine opening credits.
Honorable Mentions:
1. Civil War, White House Raid
2. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Fight for the Rig
3. Deadpool & Wolverine, "Oldboy" Fight
4. Gladiator II, Opening Siege
5. Thelma, High-speed scooter chase
BEST COSTUME - Lisa's Entire Wardrobe, Lisa Frankenstein
Runner-Up: Dune: Part II, Lady Jessica and the Bene Gesserits
The costume designs created for the world of Dune are impeccable, but the Bene Gesserits in particular always look so beautiful, mysterious, and dangerous.
Honorable Mentions:
1. Rothbart's Wings and Robes, Swan Lake - Filmed for IMAX
2. Geta and Caracalla's Uniforms, Gladiator II
3. Cardinals' Robes, Conclave
4. Elphaba's Black Dress, Wicked
5. Ms. Sparkle's Yellow Jacket, The Substance
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - Ripley, Robert Elswit
Yes, I'm cheating and putting a mini-series here for 'Best Cinematography,' sue me. But damn - literally every single FRAME of this show belongs in a museum. Shot in black and white, this latest adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's con man novel The Talented Mr. Ripley stunningly depicts the main character's cold and calculating mindset with monochromatic precision. The stark depictions of 1960s Italy look as beautiful as a Caravaggio painting - of whose work the title character is obsessed. Over 8 episodes, the cinematography transcends the medium of a TV show, looking better than even any movie I saw this year!
Runner-Up: Nosferatu, Jarin Blaschke
New Hampshire native director Robert Eggers has carved out a niche for himself in the horror world by crafting highly-authentic period pieces, whether it's old Salem in The Witch, the brutality of Viking times in The Northman, or now with his version of Nosferatu, 1800s "gothic" Germany. The cinematography here is incredible, with dark, ominous shadows, a nearly black and white palette, and lots of natural light to create one of the best horror movie "atmospheres" you'll see this year.
Honorable Mentions:
1. The Substance, Benjamin Kračun
2. The Zone of Interest, Łukasz Żal
3. Dune: Part Two, Greg Fraser
4. In a Violent Nature, Pierce Derks
5. I Saw the TV Glow, Eric Yue
BEST MAKE-UP EFFECTS - The Substance
I don't want to give ANYTHING away here, but let's just say the titular "substance" has some bad side effects, especially if used incorrectly! The film boasts stunningly, beautifully grotesque special make-up effects that would make David Cronenberg proud.
Runner-Up: A Different Man
Sebastian Stan appears unrecognizable in A Different Man, playing an aspiring actor with a facial deformity who decides to undergo an experimental medical procedure to attain his dream face. I knew going into the film that both Sebastian Stan and an actual deformed actor, Adam Pearson, were to appear in it, but at first I wasn't sure which one I was looking at - a testament to the makeup crew!
Honorable Mentions:
1. In a Violent Nature
2. Stopmotion
3. MaXXXine
4. Terrifier 3
5. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
BEST TV SERIES - The Penguin (HBO)
Not only is The Penguin my top show this year, it's quite possibly one of my favorite Batman-related pieces of media ever created. Colin Farrell, unrecognizable as wannabe mobster Oz Cobb, is phenomenal in the lead role. A truly epic crime saga, The Penguin is an absolute must-watch for fans of shows like Breaking Bad or The Sopranos!
Runner-Up: Shogun (Hulu / FX)
A sprawling samurai drama, Shogun won 18 Emmy Awards, breaking the record for most amount of wins for a single season of television. And honestly, deservedly so! With stunning visuals, complex characters and an engaging, historical backdrop full of deceit, codes of honor, unrequited love, violence and long-standing feuds, the world it creates feels so fleshed out and lived in.
Honorable Mentions:
1. Ripley (Netflix)
2. Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
3. House of the Dragon, Season 2 (HBO)
4. Ted, Season 1 (Peacock)
5. Conan O'Brien Must Go (HBO)
Full Disclosure: I slacked off on TV series this year! Some of the "big" ones I need to catch up with include Dark, Pachinko, Fallout, Somebody Somewhere, Slow Horses, Dark Matter, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and many more!
BEST COMEDY SPECIAL - Anthony Jeselnik: Bones and All
I first saw Anthony Jeselnik as the host of Last Comic Standing, where he honestly was not funny at all. So eventually when I checked out his stand-up, I was like - wow, no wonder! His dark brand of comedy is not conducive to a network hosting gig. His punchlines casually subvert your expectations and lead you to laugh at the most upsetting ideas - somehow pulling out the rug from under you every time. So many bad, self-appointed "edgy" comedians try to do this kind of thing and come across as cringe-worthy, but Jeselnik's precise timing and wordplay has elevated it to a true artform in my opinion!
Runner-Up: Hasan Minhaj: Off With His Head
Hasan Minhaj got in hot water lately after it came out that he embellished supposedly "true" stories in his act - but whatever, the guy is still so sharp, quick and consistently makes intelligent commentary on current events with a certain millennial zing.
Honorable Mentions:
1. Ali Siddiq: The Domino Effect Part 3 and Part 4
2. Taylor Tomlinson: Have It All
3. Adam Sandler: Love You
4. James Acaster: Hecklers Welcome
5. Fortune Feimster: Crushing It
WORST MOVIE - Vindicating Trump
Dinesh D'Souza, sadly, is one of the most successful documentary filmmakers working today. Peddling in right-wing conspiracy theories, his fearmongering has contributed to the misinformation machine that has influenced American elections. His latest film is basically just a Trump puff piece, with some cringe-worthy dramatizations of "evil" liberals trying to spin things behind the scenes. It's propagandistic movies like this that continue to drive a wedge between political lines in our country.
Runner-Up: Unfrosted
Jerry. Stick to stand-up. Movies just aren't for you! Unfrosted is essentially a pandemic fever dream conjured up by Jerry Seinfeld and some of his old Seinfeld writers; it's a factually-inaccurate comedic take on the origin of the Pop Tart, pretty much made because one of Seinfeld's best stand-up bits is about Pop Tarts. While the 1960s aesthetic was great, everything else about this was pure unfunny cringe. The quality-to-talented-celebrity ratio is so off the rails, it deserves any Razzie headed its way.
(Dis-)Honorable Mentions:
1. The Strangers: Chapter 1
2. Red One
3. Argylle
4. Madame Web
5. AfrAId
BEST "RETRO" DISCOVERY* - Le Trou (1960)
*Needs to be at least 20 years old (2004), and a first-time watch this year.
I saw this prison escape movie at a repertory theater on my birthday. I was a little nervous bringing my parents considering they're not exactly "artsy fartsy" - but this French film was a no-frills, procedural look at the sheer work it takes to literally dig your way to freedom, and they ended up at least not hating it, which is a win! It was a riveting watch, and a great way to celebrate my 32nd year on this godforsaken planet.
Runner-Up: Harakiri (1962)
Earlier this year I played through the game Ghost of Tsushima, and while I was in "samurai mode," I checked this movie out. It winded up being what I may consider the greatest samurai movie ever! It's almost like Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven in that is dispels a lot of "myths" about the ancient warriors, and does so in perfectly dramatic fashion.
Honorable Mentions:
1. Sorcerer (1977)
2. In a Lonely Place (1950)
3. "The Perils of Priscilla" (1969)
4. The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)
5. The Accused (1988)
COOLEST THEATER EXPERIENCE - Tales of Terror in "Percepto"
So back in October, the Coolidge Corner Theater hosted a series of director William Castle's infamous 1950s "gimmick" movies. For 13 Ghosts they gave us these special "ghost viewer" glasses (look through the red lens for ghosts, blue for "non-believers"), for House on Haunted Hill they suspended a skeleton over the audience when it appears in the film, and the *PLAN* was to experience The Tingler in Percepto - which would randomly vibrate seats in the audience when the bug-like monster gets let loose in the film. However... when it came time to play the movie, they were late letting us in - something was up. With sadness, once the sold-out screening was seated, they relayed that The Tingler was cancelled because their digital projector had malfunctioned.
Crestfallen, I thought that was it, but then they said if you stuck around, they had a 35mm print of the Vincent Price-starring Edgar Allan Poe horror flick Tales of Terror, and they would improvise the use of the vibrating seats throughout the film. This ended up being WAY better than had things gone according to plan. For example, Price would say something like, "Shocking, isn't it?" *BUZZ* (Audience member screams, everyone laughs). Or whenever a character was giving flirty eyes at another character, *BUZZ*. The emotional roller coaster of excitement, impatience, disappointment, then unexpected amazingness created my favorite movie memory this year!
Runner-Up: Meeting Oscar-Winner Chris Cooper at a Film Festival
Every year I volunteer for IFF Boston with my buddies Matt and Bobby. While we were waiting in line, we happened to see Chris Cooper walk by! He produced the documentary we were about to see, My Own Normal, about a paraplegic father, and showed up unadvertised to show his support. So I mustered up the courage to go up to him while he was in the lobby, hobnobbing with the press taking photos, and I asked for a selfie! He agreed and we all chatted for a little about our favorite movies at the festival so far.
Honorable Mentions:
1. Seeing Godzilla 2000 projected outdoors in the heart of Boston
2. Seeing Wildcat followed by a Q&A with Ethan Hawke
3. Seeing Challengers with my friends' dad who starred as an extra
4. Watching Friday the 13th Part IV and Jason X in the middle of the woods on Friday the 13th, preceded by an actual NASA scientist talking about lasers.
5. Annual Coolidge Corner Halloween Horror Marathon!!
So that just about wraps up my year of film-watching! I hope you enjoyed my recap and perhaps inspired you to check out a movie or two. And stay tuned for my Top Ten of the year!
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