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Best and Worst Films from February 2024

Best Films from February 2024:

3. About Dry Grasses

As is often the case most of the time, this period of the year is the time when I finally watch the films from last year that I could not see before. Thus, the best movies I saw all month were 2023 releases and these three are among the best movies of the year undoubtedly. This Nuri Bilge Ceylan drama is incredible as it features thought-provoking dialogue, a great insight into the human condition and a third act that was undeniably memorable and so emotionally effective. It’s a long movie, but one that’s worth experiencing.

2. Robot Dreams

Robot Dreams is the best animated film of the year and one of the best movies overall. This Pablo Berger-directed charmer has no dialogue, but instead focuses on visuals to tell the story that is simple, yet at the end of the day quite deep and poignant. That final scene broke me how emotionally powerful and unexpected it was. It’s a great ode to friendship, to the city of NYC and a perfect treat for fans of foreign animation.

1. The Zone of Interest

And of course The Zone of Interest was the best film I saw in February. This is the greatest film of 2023, one that deserved even more praise than it received. I am confident to say that this film will age best when it comes to all 2023 films and it will be thought in film schools. Jonathan Glazer here gave us a different kind of WWII story, one that doesn’t show the atrocities, but the callousness of the Nazi family living in the close vicinity of the camp. Beautifully shot, phenomenally scored and impeccably edited, this is a technical masterpiece, but its warning message against our complicity should be heard and that is the reason why it’s not just the best film of this year, but one of the best films of all time.

Worst Films from February 2024:

3. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

I actually liked Aquaman 2 to a degree. Patrick Wilson is terrific and his dynamic with Jason Momoa was so playful and fun. The movie has its entertaining moments for sure, but it also paled in comparison to the original due to a bland plot, weak characterization and a lack of adventurous elements that defined its predecessor.

2. The Forever Purge

The Forever Purge is the worst Purge movie as it’s the most political of the bunch, but done in an unsubtle, annoying manner. The setting was interesting, but otherwise the film is just your standard action crime flick with nothing unique to distinguish it from others of its genre.

1. Rebel Moon

Rebel Moon is the worst film I watched this month and one of the worst movies of the year. It’s not terrible as it looks great and it has its fun action set pieces, but the bland characters, horribly uninspired script and messiness in every other regard made it quite mediocre.