A lot of good movies came out this year. With the Golden Globes passed and Oscar nominations announced, I think it’s a good idea to look back on the films from 2024. 

I watched about 20 movies that came out last year and here are my top 10 films and why you should watch them.

I don’t just rate these movies on how good they are but how re-watchable, entertaining, and enjoyable they are. Some of the movies higher up on the list are not as good, technically speaking, as those at the bottom but due to curtain factors (that I will explain) I believe them to be higher or lower on this list.  

This top 10 list will be published in the Phoenix in five segments before the Oscar ceremonies on March 2.

10 – Y2K

What would have happened if on New Year’s in the year 2000 all the technology gained consciousness? This disaster comedy answers that question.

Back in 1999, a lot of computer savvy people were concerned that technology would crash because they were using a two digit date system. This would mean that it would change from 99 to 00 on New Year’s. Many professionals were worried this shift would confuse the computers. This story tells the fictional version of events where that happened. Eli is a high school junior in love with popular girl Laura. He doesn’t know how to talk to her, but when the opportunity to crash a New Year’s Eve party that she will be attending presents itself he crashes the party. What they don’t know is this might be their last night to talk because when the clock strikes twelve all hell breaks loose when the machines in the house begin to fight back. 

This movie was the directorial debut of former SNL cast member Kyle Mooney. Mooney also has acting and co-writer credits for this movie. This movie features the talents of Jaeden Martell, who you might recognize from IT: Chapter One and Rachel Zegler, who you might recognize from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and the supporting talents of Julian Dennison and Eduardo Franco. 

This movie is stupid in an enjoyable way. This film is a spoof on disaster movies so it definitely pokes fun at some of the classic disaster tropes. Like robots, dramatic deaths, and teenagers getting stuck in life threatening situations but all with a comedic twist. 

I liked this movie but you can tell it was written by a former SNL cast member because the whole movie feels like a really long sketch. I don’t think that’s necessarily a negative quality, it just felt a little strange. 

I give this movie 2.5/5 stars.

9 – Dune: Part Two

Dune: Part Two is the continuation of the original Dune movie that came out in 2021. Paul has now met up with the Fremen of Arrakis and in turn, Chani, the girl from his dreams. He and Chani grow closer as Paul seeks to destroy his political enemies who destroyed everything he once knew. 

Dune: Part Two comes in at number nine on this list for a couple of reasons. I think this movie was very enjoyable to watch. I think stylistically this is one of the best to come out this year. Director Denis Villeneuve is a very talented filmmaker who can turn the darkest and gritty stories into a work of beautiful and appealing cinema. Dune: Part Two is no different. 

I am especially impressed by the scene when the Fremen are teaching Paul how to ride the sandworms.

I think this film was long overdue. The first film came out in 2021 and was delayed multiple times. Timothée Chalamet does a great job of reprising his role as Paul Atreides.

The only reason this movie is not higher up on my ranking is because of two main issues. First, the lack of screen time for both Florence Pugh (Princess Irulan) and Zendaya (Chani). This story is adapted from a book by the same name, so it is more a fault of author Frank Herbert that some characters have more screen time and others not so much. I was expecting a little more from Chani in Part Two after having Zendaya  appear for only 7 minutes in Part One. I have a feeling Pugh and Zendaya will have bigger roles moving forward, but for now, I could have used some more of them in the movie. 

My second problem with this movie is the lack of chemistry between Paul and Chani. I remember sitting in the theater and thinking This is how someone would kiss someone in a high school production. Both of them do an amazing job independently of each other but when they tried to show the romantic relationship between the two of them, it fell flat to me. 

Technically speaking, this film would probably be around the third best film of the year but it isn’t very rewatchable in my opinion. All in all, this film was a fun 2 hours and 45 mins and worth a watch if you liked the first movie. I rate this movie a 3/5 stars. 

—————————————

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this Top 10 List next week in the Phoenix