This year has been a mixed bag for films, bringing about some of the biggest triumphs and most incredible disappointments. As always, I endeavour to see as many cinema releases as possible, and of the 92 I had earmarked for viewing, I managed to notch up my 60^th film on December 31^st.  Here are some of the highlights and lowlights.

TOP 10: 10 to 4

10: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is a stylish foray into misfit band of spies in World War II, blending historical intrigue with Ritchie’s trademark wit and dynamic storytelling. Based (loosely) on real events, the film is a masterclass in balancing grit and charisma, with its ensemble cast (including Henry Cavill and Henry Golding) delivering standout performances that keep the audience hooked from start to finish.

9: Drive Away Dolls

Starring ‘it girl’ Margaret Qualley, Drive Away Dolls is a quirky, darkly comedic road trip adventure that effortlessly combines wit, charm, and a touch of chaos. Directed with a sharp eye for visual flair and comedic timing by Ethan Coen, the film captures the essence of the unpredictable whilst weaving in heartfelt moments that engage the audience throughout.

8: The Holdovers

The Holdovers is a heartfelt, beautifully crafted dramedy that showcases the remarkable talents of director Alexander Payne and a stellar cast led by Paul Giamatti. Set in the snow-draped holiday season of the 1970s, the film masterfully balances dry humour with poignant emotion, creating a richly textured story about unlikely connections.  Giamatti delivers a tour-de-force performance as the curmudgeonly teacher tasked with overseeing a group of students who remain at school during winter break, while newcomer Dominic Sessa impresses with a nuanced portrayal of a rebellious teenager. Their evolving dynamic is both deeply moving and subtly humorous, capturing the essence of redemption and growth.

7: The Great Escaper

The Great Escaper is a touching and heartfelt tribute to love, resilience, and heroism. Starring the incomparable Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson in their final performances, the film beautifully intertwines humour and poignancy. Also based on a true story, Caine delivers a masterclass in understated emotion as Bernie, an aging war veteran determined to honour his past by breaking out of his aged care facility to attend the 70^th anniversary D-Day celebrations in France.

6 : Dune: Part Two

An extraordinary continuation of Denis Villeneuve’s epic adaptation, Dune: Part Two delivers on the immense promise of its predecessor. The film masterfully expands the narrative, immersing audiences in the political intrigue, spiritual depth, and breathtaking spectacle of Frank Herbert’s universe.

Timothée Chalamet shines as Paul Atreides, bringing a compelling mix of vulnerability and determination to his rise as a messianic figure, while Zendaya’s Chani steps into the spotlight with a commanding performance that deepens their dynamic. The ensemble cast, including stellar turns from Florence Pugh and Austin Butler, adds gravitas and complexity to the unfolding drama.

5: Deadpool & Wolverine

Probably the most side-splitting comedy of the year, after much anticipation Deadpool & Wolverine certainly delivered in spades. The chemistry between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman is unsurpassable, both feeding off each other’s innate comedic timing resulting in end-to-end hilarity. One of the biggest serotonin hits of the year.

4: Wicked Little Letters

One of my favourite unheralded gems of 2024, Wicked Little Letters takes us to 1920 in a quaint English village in Littlehampton. The film charms with its eccentric characters and clever humour, while also addressing deeper themes of prejudice and belonging. Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley deliver outstanding performances, their chemistry bringing a perfect balance of hilarity and heartfelt moments. The screenplay is both sharp and endearing, with a mystery that keeps you engaged until the satisfying conclusion.

TOP 3

Here’s where it gets interesting; this year I had three films that scored a perfect 5/5, all for varying reasons. Therefore, I’m not assigning any of them a clear #1 (they’re all perfection), instead, here are my best three films of the year in order of release:

The Zone of Interest

Perhaps the most interesting film of the year due to its ability to completely captivate despite its overwhelming triteness, Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest is a masterful exploration of the banality of evil, offering a chilling and audacious perspective on the Holocaust. Through its detached lens, the film juxtaposes the mundane lives of a Nazi commandant’s family with the unspeakable horrors unfolding just beyond their garden walls. Glazer’s minimalist approach and stark visuals create an unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll. The sound design, often replacing dialogue with ambient noise, immerses the audience in a world that feels disturbingly ordinary, forcing viewers to confront the ease with which atrocity can coexist with domestic tranquillity.

Lee

For a little while this year, my wife was convinced that I only give 5 stars to films that somehow involve the Holocaust, given the profound impact this next film had on me. Lee is a masterful biopic that brings the extraordinary life of war photographer Lee Miller to vivid, emotional life. Anchored by Kate Winslet’s captivating performance, the film delves into Miller’s journey from model to frontline photojournalist during World War II, highlighting her courage, resilience, and unflinching determination to document the human cost of conflict. This is perhaps the best performance of Kate Winslet’s career, having already picked up a Golden Globe nomination for the film, I dare say an Oscar nom is sure to follow. Both awards would be completely deserving.

Wicked

It feels like the film adaptation of the stage megahit has been in the works for my entire life. That may not be the case, but there have been talks for the best part of 20 years. Finally, 2024 was the year that all us musical loving, theatre geeks could see if it was all worth the wait. Thankfully and with great relief, it really was. The film’s direction by Jon M. Chu is masterful, capturing the magic of Oz while grounding its characters in relatable struggles of identity, love, and friendship. The vibrant production design and enchanting musical numbers transport viewers, making every scene feel like a celebration.  The screenplay skilfully adapts the stage production, balancing iconic moments with fresh storytelling that keeps fans and newcomers engaged. Wicked is a must-watch, reminding us of the beauty of defying expectations and forging our own paths.

The Biggest Dumpster Fire of 2024

Without a doubt, the biggest disappointment not only of this year, but probably the last decade, is the absolute crotch infestation that is Joker: Folie à Deux. The most unnecessary, self-indulgent piece of horse sh!t I’ve seen in a very long time, I’m still angry at how bad this film was. I think the biggest issue for me was how high expectations were given its predecessor (Joker) was my top film of 2019. It’s like Todd Phillips woke up one morning and thought ‘you know what, I’ve made a masterpiece, now I’m going to piss all over it and see if people still love it as much’.  The answer is NO Todd. In this case, the piss came in the form of Lady Gaga and a musical spin-off. That’s no disrespect to Lady Gaga, she’s a fine actress and performer, but those terrible, slowly mumbled melodies had no place being in this film (or any film for that matter). Whoever green lit this monstrosity deserves to be flogged and banished from Hollywood forever. Sometimes accomplished directors just need to be told ‘yeah, nah, your idea is poo’, and leave it at that.

Biggest Surprise of 2024

On the buzzer, the biggest surprise of the year came with my very last trip to the cinema. Admittedly I mostly saw this as I had some time to kill and I’d seen everything else that I fancied, so I took a punt solely on the back of the fact that it was starring Cate Blanchett, and I can’t recall ever seeing a bad Cate Blanchett film.  Aaaaand her track record stacks up!  Rumours is a Canadian produced, political satire/horror-comedy that is so absurdly brilliant it defies logic. Set at a G7 conference between world leaders from Germany, Britain, Japan, France, Italy, Canada and the USA, everything takes a bizarre turn when bog-bodies come to life and eviscerate the worlds population….all except for a select few and the ‘trusty’ world leaders of the G7. Cate Blanchett is brilliant as the German Chancellor, and Charles Dance as the US President with an unexplained (but deliberately directed) British accent is superb. A truly fantastic political commentary, I really hope this film finds its audience once it hits streaming platforming in the coming months.