Hello, and...WEEEEEEEE'RE BACK!!!
After a year's hiatus, this stupendous listing of the year's best lives again. Sorry it's been so long but, I'm a working man you know. Hard enough just to see as many movies as I do. Speaking of which, let me once again make the disclaimer. I haven't seen everything so I please ask you don't stick pins in my voodoo doll if something isn't here. But, if you follow my other blog, sithlordreviews.blogspot.com, you'll have a good sense of what I have seen which is quite a bit for a guy who works 40+ hours every week. How do I do it? A lot of sleepless nights. But enough about me. Let's get to a few that didn't quite make the cut into my top 10 of 2024.
Knox Goes Away
A movie starring and directed by Michael Keaton, this obscure little gem should have gotten more attention than it did. The story of a contract killer suffering from dementia trying to do one good thing in his life before his mind is lost is one of the most unique ideas I've come across in a good while. And Keaton has a chance to show off his dramatic chops which he's always been somewhat underrated for in my opinion.
The Fall Guy
Loosely based on the 80s TV series, this action comedy is most notable for the incredible chemistry between its two leads. They're fabulous together as a romantic couple and a comedy duo. Add in a conspiracy and a few stellar action sequences and you have a film that pleasantly surprised me.
Strange Darling
At times a darkly comic thriller, Strange Darling is, well, very strange indeed. Again, it's a movie mostly carried by its two leads. The story is presented in a nonlinear fashion which was actually easy to follow. I appreciated that it didn't become too clever for its own good. But it's a wild story that's very well acted.
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice
The return of the "Ghost with the Most." Michael Keaton's second entry on this list sees him return to form as the vulgar poltergeist attempting to get a permanent foothold in the land of the living. Keaton steals the scenein s he's in. There's also a notable chew-the-scenery performance from Willem Dafoe as well. Is it as memorable as the original? Maybe not. It's still solid entertainment.
Terrifier 3
Oh, Art the Clown, I do believe you became a horror movie icon in 2024. At least for one week you hacked your competition to become the #1 movie in the country. Not bad for essentially being relegated to the B-list since your debut. And it was well deserved as part three recovered from the disjointed and overlong second part of the series. Let me warn everyone again who might have interest in this series. Terrifier is a true splatterfest. Part 3 is no different. It will go out of its way with the greatest of glee to gross you out. That's part of the fun. Terrifier is not for everyone. If blood by the buckets bothers you, it would be best to stay away. If you need to get your groove on with bloodletting mayhem, Terrifier 3 is your utopia.
Heretic
Arguably the most unique film I saw this year. About half of this movie is spent in a deep philosophical religious conversation between three people. While it's mostly civil in the beginning, the tension is palpable. You know something is happening here, you're just not sure what exactly. That's the beauty of Heretic, and, particularly the performance of Hugh Grant. It goes to a weird place and the ending is very ambiguous. However, the buildup is a thing of beauty.
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