Nice choices, but special thanks for putting FURIOSA on there. Like you point out elsewhere, there's no shortage of "that deserved better" stories in the industry. This was a rare movie I paid to see twice in the theater. For it to underperform while a guy like Zaslav is running things stings more and it'll cost us THE WASTELAND. There are a number of movies that hit me harder this year, but this one has a special place. After reading Kyle Buchanan's book about the making of FURY ROAD, it's a miracle anything makes it out of the system intact, so we can't get greedy. But this deserved better.
Great list! I'm wondering if either you or Scott saw MY FIRST FILM, which got released on MUBI this year without fanfare - but would be on my top ten for sure. Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for something quite distinctive.
Yes, Zia Anger first developed it as a live performance video essay, where she shared clips from the old films, typed comments to the audience onscreen, texted people onscreen, etc. Adapting it into a narrative(ish) film was hugely ambitious, but quite successful - and still managing to retain the essayistic quality!
Happy to see all the love for BETWEEN THE TEMPLES. That’s one of my favorites of the year and the interplay between Schwartzman and Kane is a big reason why. The rest of the supporting cast is great, too. Love Robert Smigel’s pragmatic rabbi.
Glad to see some Schoenbrun love - I absolutely loved WORLD'S FAIR and found myself similarly moved by I SAW THE TV GLOW, though I don't feel like I understood it at all. (Maybe on a second viewing.)
FURIOSA? The movie that turned Immortan Joe into a competent administrator and reliable guy? The movie whose last half hour dragged on, I’m pretty sure, from May to June?
Though at least you acknowledged the last. “Lyrical” is as close to critics come to using the word “boring.” It’s used in every Malick review :D
I loved FURY ROAD...I think I had it on my top of the decade list. So Furiosa will end up on the big Cinematic Disappointments list, along with Indiana Jones 4. Oh well, at least it rightfully bombed. Ahhhh no I can't even say that because I want George Miller to continue to get funding. Just for, you know, better projects.
Anyhoo, haven't made my list but I'll have ANORA and REBEL RIDGE at 1 and 2 barring something amazing hitting my retinas between now and late January when I make my list. A REAL PAIN will find its way on. JUROR #2 might crack the back end. Oh and I will go to the mat for JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX. That'll be on my list
It’ll pair well with FUNNY GAMES in movies that directly criticize the viewer. But Phillips did it with a full studio budget. And as a musical. The fucking balls on that guy.
I still have so much 2024 film to catch up with! At least I can say that I managed to catch JUROR #2 on the big screen, and I didn’t have to leave NYC to do it. Also, just now saw FLOW on the big screen, and it would probably make my top 10.
This year has felt a little thin to me, as far as great films I've seen, so I love lists like these, where most of my current list made it to your "Honorable Mentions" section and most of your list itself I haven't yet seen! Gives me some things to specifically track down, things I wanted to see but forgot about or just missed. I look forward to watching them all.
In the UK, we have four of these films to be released this month (Nosferatu, hard truths, nickel boys, and the brutalist). Sadly, no news about a release for Good One.
I’m happy to see Fall Guy get some attention. It seemed like the Next Picture Pod episode on it was pretty down on it generally, although I don’t remember what Keith had to say.
Solid list. I watched My Old Ass because I kept seeing it on so many of these end of year lists and i find it’s inclusion on so many absolutely baffling. It veers wildly between tones, never settling on one, and eventually devolves into a… straight coming out story? Absolutely f’ing not. I’ve also found Anora over-rated—I thought every character was unlikable at best, and I just couldn’t wait for the movie to end because I hated spending time with them.
I finally caught Anora last weekend (and listened to the TNPS podcast about it), and for the life of me I can't understand it's inclusion on so many Best Of lists. It's a very good, very fun movie! but (I believe) I agree with Tasha: it feels a bit hollow to be called one of the best of the year.
I understand you all try to avoid detailed in-depth discussion of endings for new movies on the Pod, but boy, do I hope someone can try and explain their reactions to this movie that I did not have.
Excellent list. I'm curious, though, is Hundreds of Beavers not on your list because you didn't think it worthy, or because you don't consider it a 2024 release?
I'm seeing it ranked at #1 on more than a few sites. It's certainly original and technically impressive, but wow, it just didn't do much for me.
Nice choices, but special thanks for putting FURIOSA on there. Like you point out elsewhere, there's no shortage of "that deserved better" stories in the industry. This was a rare movie I paid to see twice in the theater. For it to underperform while a guy like Zaslav is running things stings more and it'll cost us THE WASTELAND. There are a number of movies that hit me harder this year, but this one has a special place. After reading Kyle Buchanan's book about the making of FURY ROAD, it's a miracle anything makes it out of the system intact, so we can't get greedy. But this deserved better.
Great list! I'm wondering if either you or Scott saw MY FIRST FILM, which got released on MUBI this year without fanfare - but would be on my top ten for sure. Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for something quite distinctive.
I saw it on MUBI, and wow was it an effective and unique piece of work. Is it a documentary? A drama? I can only think of it as a filmed essay.
Yes, Zia Anger first developed it as a live performance video essay, where she shared clips from the old films, typed comments to the audience onscreen, texted people onscreen, etc. Adapting it into a narrative(ish) film was hugely ambitious, but quite successful - and still managing to retain the essayistic quality!
Happy to see all the love for BETWEEN THE TEMPLES. That’s one of my favorites of the year and the interplay between Schwartzman and Kane is a big reason why. The rest of the supporting cast is great, too. Love Robert Smigel’s pragmatic rabbi.
Glad to see some Schoenbrun love - I absolutely loved WORLD'S FAIR and found myself similarly moved by I SAW THE TV GLOW, though I don't feel like I understood it at all. (Maybe on a second viewing.)
FURIOSA? The movie that turned Immortan Joe into a competent administrator and reliable guy? The movie whose last half hour dragged on, I’m pretty sure, from May to June?
Though at least you acknowledged the last. “Lyrical” is as close to critics come to using the word “boring.” It’s used in every Malick review :D
One of my favorites of the year too. What were some of yours?
I loved FURY ROAD...I think I had it on my top of the decade list. So Furiosa will end up on the big Cinematic Disappointments list, along with Indiana Jones 4. Oh well, at least it rightfully bombed. Ahhhh no I can't even say that because I want George Miller to continue to get funding. Just for, you know, better projects.
Anyhoo, haven't made my list but I'll have ANORA and REBEL RIDGE at 1 and 2 barring something amazing hitting my retinas between now and late January when I make my list. A REAL PAIN will find its way on. JUROR #2 might crack the back end. Oh and I will go to the mat for JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX. That'll be on my list
You'll be ahead of the curve for the inevitable JOKER 2 reassessment. (Well, behind John Waters, but still ahead of the curve.)
https://www.vulture.com/article/john-waters-best-movies-of-2024.html
I think Tarantino is on board as well!
It’ll pair well with FUNNY GAMES in movies that directly criticize the viewer. But Phillips did it with a full studio budget. And as a musical. The fucking balls on that guy.
I still have so much 2024 film to catch up with! At least I can say that I managed to catch JUROR #2 on the big screen, and I didn’t have to leave NYC to do it. Also, just now saw FLOW on the big screen, and it would probably make my top 10.
This year has felt a little thin to me, as far as great films I've seen, so I love lists like these, where most of my current list made it to your "Honorable Mentions" section and most of your list itself I haven't yet seen! Gives me some things to specifically track down, things I wanted to see but forgot about or just missed. I look forward to watching them all.
In the UK, we have four of these films to be released this month (Nosferatu, hard truths, nickel boys, and the brutalist). Sadly, no news about a release for Good One.
I’m happy to see Fall Guy get some attention. It seemed like the Next Picture Pod episode on it was pretty down on it generally, although I don’t remember what Keith had to say.
I'd have to relisten but I think we all liked that film, to one degree or another. I did at least!
The most likely explanation is that my memory categorized generally favourable but not raves across the board as down on it.
Added THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF IBELIN to the HMs. Not a perfect movie, but one I think about a lot.
Solid list. I watched My Old Ass because I kept seeing it on so many of these end of year lists and i find it’s inclusion on so many absolutely baffling. It veers wildly between tones, never settling on one, and eventually devolves into a… straight coming out story? Absolutely f’ing not. I’ve also found Anora over-rated—I thought every character was unlikable at best, and I just couldn’t wait for the movie to end because I hated spending time with them.
Weird
"Scene of the Year: Anora’s final moments"
I finally caught Anora last weekend (and listened to the TNPS podcast about it), and for the life of me I can't understand it's inclusion on so many Best Of lists. It's a very good, very fun movie! but (I believe) I agree with Tasha: it feels a bit hollow to be called one of the best of the year.
I understand you all try to avoid detailed in-depth discussion of endings for new movies on the Pod, but boy, do I hope someone can try and explain their reactions to this movie that I did not have.
You guys need to do a spoiler space for Evil Does Not Exist, because I did not get that ending. Something something deer.
Excellent list. I'm curious, though, is Hundreds of Beavers not on your list because you didn't think it worthy, or because you don't consider it a 2024 release?
I'm seeing it ranked at #1 on more than a few sites. It's certainly original and technically impressive, but wow, it just didn't do much for me.
Is this the sign-up queue for the Hundreds of Beavers Appreciation Society? Consider this my application.