The Best of 2024 (1-3)

 And away we go.  What you've been waiting for.  The three best movies of 2024.  Let me say this wasn't easy.  Not much separated these three in my mind.  Without further ado, let's get at it.

3.  Deadpool & Wolverine

The MCU needed a win desperately.  And that's exactly what this film gave the franchise.  These two newcomers to the MCU were breaths of fresh air needed.  Disney made the wise decisions of bringing in the actors that made both characters famous and doing something uncharacteristic for the House of Mouse.  They greenlit an R rating.  The movie was a ton of fan service.  But in was in a good "ooh" and "aah" way.  Most of all, this madcap tale was just fun.  Who cares if it didn't always make sense?

2.  Transformers One

The cinematic Transformers franchise has been a bust for me for several films now.  It's been very disappointing for me considering what a staple the cartoon was for me growing up.  So when I first saw trailers for this and realized the powers that be were now turning my beloved "Robots in disguise" into a buddy comedy, I wasn't overly thrilled at the concept.  But trailers did have a couple of amusing sequences.  So, I was going to reluctantly give it a go.  This movie was fire.  It did everything right.  It struck every chord.  It's an origin story that expands the mythology in the best way I've seen regardless of the medium.  As far as the buddy comedy angle, it is that.  Until it isn't.  When it jumps dark, it takes a mighty leap and doesn't look back.  I was in awe of this movie.  So, "Bad-ass-i-tron."  Sorry.  Just had to say that once.

So we've finally come to it.  The top gun.  The big cheese.  The best of 2024.  What could it possibly be?  

What indeed?

1.  Smile 2

It's rare to find a sequel that outshines an original.  Even more so in the horror genre.  There's plenty a sequel that falls flat on its face.  Not this time.  Smile was my #1 movie of 2022.  Smile 2 takes the honor in 2024.  To say the dread of the first is amped in part 2 is an understatement.  The dread doesn't let go of you from the opening sequence to the end.  And, oh the ending.  If there is a Smile 3, I have no idea where it's going but it's going to be wild as all get out.  Take your bow again Smile franchise.  You're doing everything right.

That's all folks!  Until next time.