Yet Another Cinephile’s 2024 Film Reviews

Instead of hitting the clubs last year, I went to the movie theaters quite a lot.

I never went to the movies alone until December 2023, when I saw The Iron Claw. But that first time was enough to make me fall in love with seeing movies on my own.

In total last year I saw fifteen new releases. Now that may not be that much to some but to me, it felt like a big accomplishment. There are still movies that came out that I want to see but haven’t had the chance to see. Ideally, if I had all the time in the world, I would sit down and binge all the movies to not leave any out for this Substack. But I do not have that much free time, or extra money after paying rent to now go see them.

This is an expensive hobby I have but cheaper and more fun than a night of drinking.

The top ones on my list that I believe I would have rated highly but haven't seen are: Babygirl, Sing Sing, A Real Pain, His Three Daughters, Ploblemista, A Different Man, Maxxine, and Saturday Night. I might have missed some other amazing films but those are the ones off the top of my head. I will watch these all, eventually.

I will admit I didn’t love the Barbie movie, but you can’t deny that it sparked a way for movies to make a comeback, to be cool again.

Going to the movie theater became a fun activity to do with friends. You can dress up as the characters and go or it can be a hot topic to talk about on TikTok. I remember in college often going to the movies and only one other couple being in the theaters. I never experienced a lonely theater this year and I am overjoyed about that.

Plus, the popularity of the app Letterboxd also created a vibrant community among movie lovers and indie girls. I love Letterboxd, I love films so I love to see this.

Feel free to give me a follow on Letterboxd @thicccoldbrew. It’s very cringe thats my username, I don’t know how to change it, but I wish I did.

It is wild to me how being up to date on what movies you’ve seen is almost a societal norm now. Feels like just yesterday in 2018 I was trying to pick a major and I had no idea majoring in Film was even an option. I didn’t think people loved movies that much.

Technically at my college, the major was called, Media Studies. Still, most of my homework was watching movies/TV and writing about them. I loved it so much and discovered that it’s a whole new world to be a part of. The more I learned in college, the more I found it life-changing. I would watch video essays of other films I have seen, for fun. I would research interviews with directors I liked. I would spend hours talking to a classmate just about one scene of a movie over coffee. Not even for homework we just couldn’t stop talking about movies, inside or outside the classroom.

Majoring in Media Studies, learning the details of what goes into a film, and watching films I never would have seen if not assigned. It opened up a door, and I haven’t been able to shut it ever since. I am addicted to the beautiful rich history of films, and I am aware it’s annoying to be an obnoxious cinephile like I am.

Please indulge me today as I go over my thoughts on some of the films I saw in 2024.

The overall list of films I saw in no particular order:

1. Inside Out 2

2. Love Lies Bleeding

3. I Saw The TV Glow

4. Challengers

5. Kinds of Kindness

6. Good One

7. The Substance

8. The Apprentice

9. Anora

10. Wicked

11. Queer

12. A Complete Unknown

13. Nosferatu

14. A Quiet Place: Day One

15. Thelma

    

Least Favorite Film:

A Quiet Place: Day One | Directed by John Krasinski | 2.5/5 Stars

I went on a first date to see this film so that might be part of the experience and low rating. I didn’t really enjoy my date, and I let him pick the movie.

Just not much to say about this movie. It was so forgettable I even forgot I even watched it until I made the list. A pretty predictable action movie.

Also wasn’t a good theater experience because it was such a quiet movie that the sounds of people chewing seemed louder than the movie. Although I do remember loving the cat, I think that was my favorite part and I am just glad it survived.

I will be honest I had no idea my boy Jim Helper directed this movie until just now. In summary, I wouldn’t recommend, it unless you enjoy watching a mediocre sequel.

Most Random Film:

Good One | Directed by India Donaldson | 3.5/5 Stars

I saw this on one of those days when I just showed up at my small theater slightly stoned and picked a movie. I knew nothing besides a quick Google search about this before going in to see it. But I really felt moved watching it and it lingered after.

It is shot almost entirely in the woods which easily makes for beautiful cinematography. Yet the context of the movie is not so beautiful. It’s about getting older and going from being looked at like a daughter by your dad’s friends to being like a woman. It did an amazing job of portraying the uncomfortably that comes with feeling unsafe around people you used to feel safe around, pre-puberty.

Also pleased to find out this was the director’s debut film. I knew it had to be a woman who directed it after watching. I am excited to see what else she creates and if it will follow the same themes of the pain of being a woman.

I would suggest to watch this, maybe with your dad if you guys are close. I think it could spark a very interesting conversation.

My Favorite Family Film:

Inside Out 2 | Directed by Kelsey Mann | 4/5 Stars

I saw this with my whole family, at a theater I grew up going to. The nostalgia was already high walking but I was worried to watch this.

Can they do as good of a job as the first Inside Out? And yes 100% they can.

As a child who had undiagnosed OCD, Inside Out 2 seemed made for me. It’s so incredible now that we understand more about young anxiety and how it can show for kids going through puberty. It was emotional to watch and to remember feeling just like that little girl. I loved the all-new characters and had just a blast in the theater.

I am not big into animated stuff, thats why it’s not a 5/5 but I genuinely have no complaints.

Highly suggest seeing it with your family or if you have a younger sibling with anxiety I think this is so important to talk about how our feelings are not ourselves.

My Most Anticipated Film:

Kinds Of Kindness | Directed by Yargos Lanthimos | 4/5 Stars

Yargos is my current favorite director and the one who I have researched the most. I found him in college and did my final paper on The Lobster. I love the weirdness of his films, I love not being spoon-fed plot points, and I just love everything he’s done.

This film came as a surprise after how long it took him between The Favourite and Poor Things. As a stan I expected I would have to wait a few years until the next one. But no, I found out he was releasing this one and I had it marked in my calendar.

I am going to try to keep this short, but I loved it, there is a lot I could say.

One review on Letterboxd that I feel summarizes this movie best is “they all matched each other freaks.” This was three films in one which is why I didn’t give it five stars. I felt that not every movie inside this one movie was top-tier. But each one was weird, hypnotizing, disturbing, and confusing.

I enjoyed seeing Emma Stone conquer three different characters, she’s one of my favorite actresses. One of my favorite moments of the film was watching her dance in that suit. I have seen in reviews that it is debatable if Emma Stone was the same character in all three because it ends and starts similarly.

But I don’t expect after I watch a Yargos film to understand everything, and I am okay with that. I think more of us should want art that isn’t clear what it means.

My favorite mini-movie inside the film was the one with the twins. I loved how the ending was not that surprising but still made me jump in my seat.

I would recommend if you like his other films, such as The Lobster or Killing of a Sacred Deer, that you should watch this one. If you do not like those, then no I don’t think you’ll enjoy this one. It’s a shame some minds don’t like to be challenged.

Standout Film & Soundtrack:

I saw the TV Glow | Directed by Jane Schoenbrun | 5/5 Stars

This films soundtrack is enough of a reason to go see it. But it was to me on the same pedestal as a Yargos Lanthimos film. It was just weird, and god so beautiful.

This film got under my skin and stayed there for a few weeks after I saw it.

I haven’t seen a movie about the Trans experience like this one. As someone in the queer community,y I felt so moved by the message, it’s never too late. Even though I am not trans, I resonated so much with this message. I came out later in life, after college, publically. And felt even at 21 that maybe it was too late to come out, but it’s never too late.

I love a coming-of-age movie, in fact, it might be my favorite type of movie. Yet, never has it been done like this. The accuracy of being an outsider as a teenager, the real depression one goes through when battling who they are. The way they can use TV shows and other ways to escape their lives.

I will never forget how the air felt in the theaters once this film was over. It was an amazing theatrical experience. I highly recommend if you’re queer or were weird in high school to watch.

I don’t know if I see myself rewatching this ever because of how amazing it was the first time. But that soundtrack I still listen to, and remember the scene that played as the music plays on. That speaks very highly of a great ass film.

My Most Unexpected Film:

Love Lies Bleeding | Directed by Rose Glass | 5/5 Stars

I knew nothing about this movie going into it besides Kristen Stewart was going to play a hot lesbian.

I did also take too much of edible for how frightening this movie becomes. I loved it though, it was so good and goury. As you can tell that’s kind of what makes me give a film a gold star. I want it to be a little disgusting.

The lighting in this film was gorgeous, and the romance was incredible. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time because I thought this was just going to be a lesbian love story. It was not at all, it was a whole adventure and the pacing of this film is perfect.

It’s a little art housey which I also enjoyed. A great theatrical experience, I think it was made to be on a big screen. I laughed, I cringed, and I was frankly turned on.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good thriller but I would suggest not to take edible like I did. They play with the audio so much that at one point it might feel like you’re actually going insane. I almost had to leave the theater.

My Favorite Love Story in a Film:

Anora | Directed by Sean Baker | 4/5

First of all, Sean Baker is one of the best directors these days who seems to understand and capture the complexity of being a human. He most famously is the same director of The Florida Project. I believe everyone should see it’s such a good film.

Sean did it again with this one, I enjoyed the humor, especially in this one. I didn’t watch a lot of movies in 2024 that made me laugh like this film did.

After researching more about Anora I found out a lot of the film was shot in one long shot, and that the dialogue was often improvised. Which tracks with how real it felt. I was truly sad when the movie was over that I didn’t get to spend more time with these characters. They were so human, so real to me, like I’ve met them all before.

I say it’s my favorite Love Story because I love to see a crazy girl find someone who lets her be crazy. I use the word crazy with love, I wouldn’t deny that I am crazy too.

It’s hard not to be a woman, especially as one so oversexualized her whole life.

Anora is about so much for than a love story but I kind of prefer it when a film has a B-storyline of someone falling in love. It’s not the point of the film but they just so happen to end up together at the end. Almost like if you weren’t paying attention watching it you might miss slowly seeing someone falling in love.

I related to Ani although I am not a stripper. It’s easy to just allow men to use your body. It’s natural after some time of this to make you an angry bitch. I loved watching her yell at the men, I loved the fairy hair she had and I even loved Vanya.

It is unclear at the end how Ani/Anora will continue but I like to think she has that bald muscular man by her side. I can only hope for them that he is helping her feel safe in someone’s arms for the first time. She deserves that type of love.

Best Remaking of a Film:

Nosferatu | Directed by Robert Edgers | 4/5 Stars

As someone who had to take an Introduction to Film Class, I was made to watch the original 1922 version. So I was beyond excited to see a talented director take on this iconic story and characters. And oh boy did he do a phenomenal job!

I only didn’t give this 5/5 stars because I am such a baby with horror that I had to cover my eyes for 20% of this movie. The effects were so good (those eyes) that I was genuinely too frightened to even look at Nosferatus’s face.

And that voice? Chills, no autotune used, by the way.

The cinematography was S tier, it was just so gorgeous and unique. The way they used shadows throughout the film I know wasn’t easy to do but it paid off and then some. That hand going over the city, iconic, will be studied in film classes to come.

The acting by Lily Rose was disturbingly amazing. I felt every character was believable and the pain they were suffering through was real.

It was another disgustingly beautiful movie.

I really enjoyed it as a theater experience and I could see myself showing my kids one day after they watch Twilight and think vampires aren’t evil. I am so into bringing back the origin of how creepy vampires are recorded in legends to be.

My Favorite Film of 2024

The Substance | Directed by Coralie Fargeat | 5/5 Stars

Now this is a fucking film! God I kind of hate that it became so popular because I feel like it’s not surprising it’s my favorite of the year.

But if you’re into films, you can’t deny this was the best to come out this year.

It had everything you hoped for in a film, bright colors, beautiful shots, amazing pacing, a unique storyline, beautiful women being angry, gore, and a great soundtrack.

I loved everything about this film, and on top of everything else, I loved the message. It’s about time we start to shout from the rooftops that cosmetic surgeries are dangerous and detrimental to women’s mental health.

I just love that this film has no interest in subtlety.

Once again, I appreciated how disgusting it was. I know I keep saying that but I love to see some disgusting stuff! It had to be that disturbing and that extreme of a film. The last 30 minutes of that movie were a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I hope everyone can have. Even if you don’t like horror I think you should have to watch this movie.

The way this film goes on it feels like you as a viewer are also losing your fucking mind. And that my readers, is the whole point of film, in my opinion.

Films should take you out of this world, and they should leave you feeling like you won’t be the same. I don’t want to watch a film that feels like regular life, I want to go somewhere, I want to escape into someone.

And the Substance did all of that and more.

Okay, I might have been overly ambitious thinking I would be able to write only a little bit about each of the fifteen films I saw. I am going to stop doing that now and instead just really quick give a few honorable mentions.

Jeremy Strong fans out there, I see you and I am one of you. Succession is truly one of the greatest shows of all time. Anyway, because of that I loved The Apprentice. I saw it after Donald Trump was re-elected but I think even though that happened everyone should watch this movie. I never knew about Trump’s coming who he is today and once I found out I was not surprised to learn he is a phony.

Challengers, this film was kind of destroyed for me by how everyone hyped it up on Social Media. Is it a good movie? Sure. But it’s really nothing that new or special to me. It’s very much a metaphor film, and there’s a lot of those. Let’s make characters who are in a love triangle, have them actually play a literal game against each other, and see who wins. Cool, I guess. The soundtrack was impressive and the three-way makeout scene was very well done, I will give them that.

Wicked um… I am genuinely too scared to say anything bad about this film. I loved watching all the press for it. But you musical lovers frighten me. I am simply going to say that yeah it’s a magical musical. And I imagine those sets were not easy to make. The songs being sung live was an impressive feat. It just isn’t my type of film, I am so sorry but I will watch the sequel as someone who has never seen the musical prior. I am interested in how it will go.

Queer I also feel like I am still processing. I liked it a lot, I think. You should see it if it’s still in theaters near you. I do relate to feeling disembodied, being into people so intensely, and wanting to get inside their heads (or skin in this case.) I don’t know if I would travel into the jungle and do Ayahuasca with a strange woman to find the answer but it was an enjoyable film to watch. They had some really interesting shots that I enjoyed as well and would frame in my room. I also am in love with having North Carolina be represented in Hollywood by the very handsome, Drew Starkey.

A Complete Unknown and Thelma I think are great movies to watch with your whole family around the holidays. They are perfect for anyone with grey hair and they are not a waste of money. I love Timothee Chalamate so I will see that man in anything.

Okay, I am going to shut up now. I am so sorry this is so long.

Thank you so much for joining my substack in 2024.

Although I only have 30 subscribers, having this outlet has felt like 30 pounds off my shoulders. I love writing just as much as I love films.

Go to the movies alone in 2025, you won’t regret it.