Favorite Films of 2024
Untraditional list of favorite films of 2024 presented in a non-traditional way
I love films. I love going to a movie theater and holing up for an hour or two in the dark. Here are some of my favorite films of 2024 presented in a not-very-structured way.
Top Films of 2024:
Emilia Pérez was entrancing from beginning to end. The colors, the costumes, the music, the acting. It is hands down the best film of the year and honestly, more action-packed than action films. There was an energy and immediacy in the film that was handled with precision and nuance at the same time. The film is about relationships, love, politics, gender dynamics, and so much more. It was intoxicating in the best way possible. BRAVO! If you can, watch it in the theater. Otherwise, you can see it on Netflix. When I watched the film, I thought “This is going to sweep the Oscars.” I hope it does.
In the Summers is about two siblings and their relationship with their sometimes fun, sometimes problematic father. We see their relationship evolve through three different summers as the two kids grow from children to young adults. It was beautiful and sad but there was a sense of empowerment and agency as the two siblings learned to instill boundaries with their father and enjoy small moments with him. I felt a sense of healing in watching this film. If you’re estranged from your family, this might be a good film to watch.
Best Cinematography:
All We Imagine as Light—this film was STUNNING. It was a visual delight—dreamlike and romantic—each shot communicated a certain emotion for each of the characters. I have not seen cinematography this gorgeous since the likes of Christopher Doyle and Wong Kar Wai and the magic they created with films such as Chunking Express and In the Mood for Love. There was magic in this film and it’s worth watching for the images alone. The music, which had a George Gershwin likeness (the music wasn’t Gershwin) but it’s what I can best describe as “light” or theater-like classical music, further lent a flirtatiousness to the film. It is a visual feast for the eyes.
The Last Showgirl was gorgeous. This is what you want a film about a retiring showgirl starring Pamela Anders to look like. Gia Coppola always makes beautiful work and this was stunning. There was a nostalgia and lost romanticism to each shot. I loved it.
Best Acting:
Karla Sofía Gascón in Emilia Pérez was a TRIUMPH! She completely owned the screen in every scene and every shot. Her mannerisms and expressions were astounding and commanding for her role as a male Mexican cartel leader turned female philanthropist/ head of a nonprofit.
Natasha Lyonne gave a truly inspired performance in Three Daughters. As soon as I watched it, I thought . . . “she deserves an Oscar.” She was everything you could want out of this character. She was so real, it felt like I was watching a real family going through the planning and grieving process of a father dying. Gorgeous performance.
Zoe Saldana was striking in Emilia Pérez. Playing the role of Rita Mora Castro, a lawyer in Mexico, she was both soft and strong when she needed to be. I was most impressed by her dancing and singing skills.
Films Whose Topics and Subject Matters I Appreciated:
Films I still have to see:
Girls Will be Girls
Nosferatu
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
Bird