Top Movies of 2024

Movies! I love movies. They're kinda my thing. According to Letterboxd, I watched 200 movies this year, an average of four per week. My top themes were Moving Relationship Stories, Crude Humor and Satire, and Gags, Jokes, and Slapstick Humor. I like to pretend I'm more highbrow, but the numbers do not lie.

There were not many new releases I skipped this year. (Once again, god bless Alamo Drafthouse's Season Pass). Since I've already reviewed these once in the newsletter, I thought it'd be fun to share what other people have said about them. Also! I'm working on a book about movies, to possibly make hay of all these newsletters I've been writing for 2 years. I'm telling you that so it becomes fact.

On to the list, in order of viewing:

Civil War
My original review: "Phenomenal. I will probably never watch it again but it’s a masterwork. A friend I saw it with put it perfectly: this was not a war movie; it put you directly in the middle of a war." [Kathryn said that. Hi Kathryn!]

Other people said:
"The good news is that Civil War is not the heavy-handed right vs. left eye roller that the trailers might have made it seem like." 

"Spent the whole movie excited to see Jesse Plemons and then wanted that scene to be over as soon as possible." [Same.]

The Fall Guy
My original review: "Well this is fantastic. I knew it would be fun but it was 50 times more fun than I expected. An original, well-crafted plot too."

Other people said:
"It’s honestly just a lot of fun! Gosling and Blunt both have incredible chemistry and I kind of want to see another one."

"Ryan Gosling’s rizz could power an entire country."

Jim Henson Idea Man
My original review: "Hoo boy, put some Kleenex beside you for this one. What a phenomenal human he was and how lucky we were to exist in the same realm."

Other people said:
"A very enjoyable, if all too brief, glimpse into the magical mind & life of Jim Henson. His ambition, dedication & spirit lovingly described by family & collaborators alongside some incredible footage." 

"Everybody gangsta until Big Bird sings at a funeral."

Alien Romulus
My original review: "Loved it. The multiple references to the original totally worked for me and I loved Andy’s character arc. Fuck yeah movies."

Other people said:
"The biggest compliment I can pay Alien: Romulus: it looks and sounds like an Alien sequel from a better time."

"Do not recommend to anyone whose only movie fears are being crushed by the void and childbirth."

I Saw the TV Glow
My original review: "Well this ripped my heart right out. Pun intended."

Other people said:
"Donnie Darko for they/thems."

"My name is Julie. i am a trans woman. and tonight is the first time i’ve said those words to anyone other than myself." [Liked by over 29,000 people on Letterboxd.)

The Substance
My original review: "Well. I mean. Yep. Dear god. Make it fucking stop. Basically my inner narrative during this movie."

Other people said:
"The cinematography is striking, with cool colors and interesting shadows, while the long close-ups create an unsettling feeling. The camera moves in a very detailed way, capturing small elements and creating a visually engaging atmosphere without losing its style."

"Yet the most unbelievable thing is that she built that secret room all by herself."

Will & Harper
My original review: "Perfect. Also fuck Texas even though I live here."

Other people said:
"This was far more vulnerable than i expected it to be."

"I think it woulda been better if they stopped at every Rainforest Cafe or Margaritaville in the country."

Saturday Night
My original review: "Fantastic. Every actor nails it, a hell of a task when your role is so iconic. Cousin Greg manages to do it twice. And Matthew Rhys absolutely absorbs Carlin. I hope the bricks are really true because that’s a great freaking story."

Other people said:
"Hard not to love this with how much I laughed honestly. Cast killed it, and the energy throughout was fantastic."

"Insanely stacked with white boys of the month."

Anora
My original review: "A freaking blast. Had some unexpected turns I didn’t see coming. Was just an ooch too long but that’s a nit. Fucking loved it." [I like how I used two forms of the f-word in one review.]

Other people said:
"What an utterly surprising and funny and touching movie."

"That's why you shouldn't trust twinks." 

Wicked
My original review: "I loved it! I knew none of the songs or plot or anything going in, really, except that its two stars are on the world's weirdest press tour. But it was delightful! I want to see it again! Oh wait, the lighting was really really awful. But otherwise this was dreamy."

Other people said:
"Amazing casting, Grande and Erivo were perfect in their roles. Unsure how I feel about Bowen Yang becoming Hollywood's go-to GBF, but he is very good at what he does. Not as emotionally affecting as I've heard people make it out to be, but visually very fun."

"Historians will say they were ‘good friends’."

And a deep thought for your new year. At my birthday lunch last week, someone asked me a great question: What do you want to leave behind this year and what do you want to take with you? I'm leaving behind fear in my writing (you've been warned) and bringing righteous anger with me, to ensure the women in this country don't go down without a fight. Roar! How would you answer that question? Tell me in the comments!

xoxo,
Carla