Top 5 Movies of the Year, 2024

(In no particular order…) (Also…beware of spoilers…sorry…)

1. Wicked

As a long time fan of the Broadway production and soundtrack, this could not have been done any better. It is the perfect mix of, an ode to the original Broadway cast, the Wizard of Oz film, The Wiz musical, and Jon M. Chu’s imagination - in effect, creating a new branch of the Wizard of Oz universe. Despite the music, acting, and dancing being insanely top-notch, I think my favorite was the sets were all real and not created using CGI. When real sets are built and used, it creates an energy unlike any other that cannot be replicated. It allows the actors to exist in the land of Oz while filming and channel that into their performance.

Petition for more real movie sets 2025…

2. The Substance

“Death Becomes Her” is one of my all-time favorite movies and going into watching “The Substance” movie, I had no preconceived ideas and had not watched any press tour interviews. Within 5 minutes of the movie, I had already clocked the similarities to “Death Becomes Her” and was a little confused if this was supposed to be a modern-retelling or something entirely new borrowing inspiration from “Death Becomes Her". Upon completion of the film, I am inclined to say it is the latter. The gore was a little much for me but cinematically I don’t think the movie would’ve been complete without it. It definitely took a rather interesting turn towards the end but I understand why it was necessary. But overall, such a deeply visual representation and an incredible commentary on female careers and how appearance plays such a role in every aspect of life for women - Hollywood being the prime example of this. Cinematically, unlike anything else I’ve ever seen.

3. A Quiet Place: Day One

Cinematically beyond incredible and the perfect prequel to the series. This was the perfect addition of humanity-in-times-of-crisis to a series that initially comes off as just another apocalyptic monster horror movie. I still have so many questions and hope these continue to be made so I selfishly can learn the answers.

4. Dune: Part Two

Far superior to the first of the pair, much much more of a storyline and character development. Despite the length of the movie, was engrossed the whole time. The book series is on my To-Be-Read list in 2025.

5. Saltburn

Did not stop thinking about this movie for DAYS after watching. This felt like an entire world and universe that has more stories to tell. Very interesting storyline but I perceive it to all be visuals of metaphors. There is something so camp yet so unserious about it at the same time which adds to the levels of complexities of the storylines. The chemistry of the cast could not be better either. Adding to the petition regarding more real movie sets in 2025…