Happy New Year Everyone! 2024 was another excellent year for films and entertainment across the world. Even personally, I continued working on this website, Lights Camera Film Reviews, conducted multiple interviews—some with Academy Award winners—covered multiple film festivals, and started a podcast contributor role with The Rolling Tape. Today, I thought I would share my personal top ten films of 2024 (along with some honorable mentions). Hope you enjoy!
Honorable Mentions (In No Particular Order): A Real Pain, Challengers, Conclave, Flow, and Ghostlight
#10. All We Imagine As Light
All We Imagine as Light, Payal Kapadia’s second feature film, is beautifully poetic in every sense. This film dives deep into the lives of Indian women living in Mumbai and shines a light on their lives and emotions. The authentic performances by Kani Kusruti and Divya Prabha are excellent and, while subtle, bring deep and complex emotions to their characters. The film is very well-shot, and the cinematography and color palette really add to the film, shaping the vast city of Mumbai. I loved the way the story was grounded and the way Kapadia is able to create an exquisite atmospheric drama! The film is slower in its pace, but the quality of the storytelling and visual storytelling will keep you invested throughout the duration of the film. It is truly a tender and beautiful film by Payal Kapadia!
#9. Nickel Boys
I was very impressed by Ramell Ross’s film Nickel Boys. The film itself is somewhat experimental, with first-person POV shots and the use of archival footage, but all are used to add to the overall film. It is truly a stunning achievement. The story of these two boys in this film is so important to tell, and Ross details this friendship in such a poetic and powerful way. The use of visual storytelling to enhance the themes the film is trying to tackle adds to the gut punch the film has, especially at the end. This film is unlike any film I’ve ever seen in the best way possible. The cinematography, editing, and direction are some of the best of the year. I have been itching to rewatch it, and I’m almost certain the rating will go up upon a rewatch of it!
#8. Memoir of a Snail
Memoir of a Snail is a very vulnerable film at its core and a story about life and its hardships. It is one of the saddest films of the year but also one of the most thematically beautiful. Adam Elliot crafts an absolutely gorgeous stop-motion animated film with heartfelt characters and a lived-in world. The production design, character design, and musical score are beyond impressive. The voice performances by Sarah Snook and Kodi Smit-McPhee are excellent. The film is so sincere and delivers a powerful message at the end. Everything about this film is original to its core and is truly a sad but beautiful animated film. Memoir of a Snail brought me to tears, so make sure to have some tissues on standby when you watch the film!
Interview with Memoir of a Snail Director Adam Elliot:
#7. No Other Land
No Other Land is a very powerful documentary and one I would encourage everyone to check out. It follows a Palestinian and Israeli journalist as they document the destruction by the Israeli authorities of the West Bank’s Masafer Yatta region. It is an intimate look at the events in the region and the absolute devastation to the families of this area. The documentary also shows the friendship that develops between Yuval Abraham and Basel Adra. It is impossible not to feel rage and sadness when viewing this documentary. It is undoubtedly one of the best documentaries of the year and one that will stick with me for a very long time.
#6. Nosferatu
Nosferatu showcases Robert Eggers at the top of his game in his adaptation of Nosferatu (1922) and Dracula (1992). The film features some of the best craftsmanship on screen this year. From the gorgeous cinematography to the period-accurate costumes and production design to the haunting score, everything creates an atmosphere sure to send chills down your spine. The cast is especially impressive as well. Lily-Rose Depp’s performance, especially the physicality in her role, is excellent, and Bill Skarsgård is unrecognizable as Count Orlok. While not perfect, this psychosexual period film will certainly envelop you and not let you go until the credits roll!
#5. The Substance
The Substance blew me away! This insane body horror film is wildly ambitious, takes bold swings, and somehow, practically everything pays off in the end. Coralie Fargeat’s satirical screenplay, which won Best Screenplay at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, is humorous and full of excellent points about aging and beauty, particularly for women. The performances by Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley are great, with both of them operating at the top of their game. The technical side of the film is beyond impressive. From the makeup work to the cinematography, editing, and pulsating score, it is all top-tier. I haven’t seen many body horror films, but this is easily one of my favorites! I highly encourage everyone to try The Substance!
Full Review for The Substance: https://owenmwilczek.wixsite.com/lightscamerafilms/post/the-substance-review
#4. Sing Sing
Sing Sing is amazing! The film follows the men of Sing Sing, incarcerated individuals who find purpose by acting in a theater group. The film conveys to the audience that art and theater are transformative and meaningful for many, specifically the incarcerated individuals in Sing Sing’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program. The entire ensemble cast is phenomenal, many of whom went through the RTA program. Colman Domingo, in the leading role, gives one of his best performances to date, and Clarence Maclin gives the standout supporting performance, in my opinion. Every member of the cast is absolutely excellent! This is a very special film all around and one that I would encourage you all to see at some point.
Learn more about the Rehabilitation Through the Arts Program Here: https://rta-arts.org/
#3. Anora
Anora, the 2024 Palme d’Or winner at the Cannes Film Festival, is easily Sean Baker’s best work to date, in my opinion. This screwball comedy is insanely funny but also wears its heart on its sleeve and has an emotional impact at the end. Mikey Madison is an absolute star in the film and radiates so much energy and emotion. She delivers one of the best, most committed performances of the year. The entire ensemble cast is really great as well, including Yura Borisov, Mark Eidelstein, and more. Sean Baker is quickly turning into one of my favorite directors with his work. Highly recommend seeking out Anora when you get the chance!
#2. The Brutalist
The Brutalist is an American epic like no other! Brady Corbet crafts a very compelling film about an immigrant pursuing the American Dream in this three-and-a-half-hour film. It’s riveting to watch, and the runtime flies by! The fact that this film was made for under $10 million is beyond incredible. Adrien Brody is performing at the top of his game as he plays Hungarian architect László Tóth, and Guy Pearce also delivers a great performance. The technical work in the film, such as the cinematography and score, is outstanding and some of the very best of the year! While it isn’t without its flaws, The Brutalist is easily the directorial achievement of the year and thus one of the year’s best films as well!
#1. Dune: Part Two
Dune: Part Two is absolutely incredible, and thus my favorite film of 2024! The Brutalist and Dune: Part Two are practically interchangable in my opinion but the way Denis Villeneuve crafts a sci-fi epic that surpasses his previous Dune film in every possible way, filled with emotional storytelling, exhilarating action, and gorgeous visuals is exceptional! The cinematography by Greig Fraser and production design by Patrice Vermette are on another level, easily at the top of their craft. Both Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya deliver excellent performances, and Javier Bardem and Austin Butler are very good in their supporting roles. This film exceeded even the highest expectations I had going into it! Easily the best of Villeneuve’s career! There is something so exciting seeing a director's full vision brought to life on the biggest screen possible. Bring on Dune: Messiah!
Full Review for Dune: Part Two: https://owenmwilczek.wixsite.com/lightscamerafilms/post/dune-part-two-review
Interview with Dune: Part Two Production Designer Patrice Vermette:
Recap of the 2024 Film Festivals I Covered:
2024 Philadelphia Film Society SpringFest: SPRINGFEST
2024 Cannes Film Festival: CANNES
2024 Tribeca Festival: TRIBECA
2024 Locarno Film Festival: LOCARNO
2024 New York Film Festival and Philadelphia Film Festival: NYFF & PHILADELPHIA
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