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Best and Worst Films from December 2024

Best Films from December 2024:

3. Wicked

I’d expected a lot going into this movie and it exceeded my expectations. In spite of all odds stacked against it, Wicked turned out to be one of the best stage adaptations ever. It succeeds as an enchanting fantasy and a fun musical due to a couple of stellar numbers and a strong sense of place and wonder. The performances and technical aspects are outstanding while that ending was simply perfect. It’s a very long movie, but it never felt as such, which is a great testament to how entertaining and magical it is.

2. Anora

Anora is another incredible film from Sean Baker, who is by far one of the greatest directors working today. Baker’s firm grasp of superb characterization, grounded dialogue and a terrific treatment of its diverse themes that range from society’s treatment of sex work to the recklessness and impulsiveness of youth made this dramedy a treat to watch. Mikey Madison was exceptional in such a layered role while Yura Borisov was also fantastic as the heart and soul of the film. Anora is one of the best movies of 2024 without a doubt.

1. Flow

This Latvian masterpiece is entirely animal-centric and it has no spoken dialogue, but is deeper and more engaging than any mainstream animated fare out there. This is the type of story that is simple on the surface, but so richly imagined and ambiguous that it is ripe for meaningful discussion and analysis. It tackles climate change and the importance of co-operation while also containing obvious spiritual overtones that at times made for a truly transcendent viewing experience. It’s a genuine work of art and unlike no other film I’ve seen this year. This month I saw numerous great 2024 releases, but Flow takes the cake as the best of the bunch.

Worst Films from December 2024:

3. Megalopolis

Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis is a very admirable, but messy production. I admired the originality and cinematic qualities on display here, but the movie is so cluttered with ideas, references and characters that it lacked discipline and coherence. It would have been much more successful with a more streamlined narrative.

2. Final Destination 2

Final Destination 2 has a killer car crash sequence that was peak popcorn entertainment. It is at its best when it’s focusing on ridiculously contrived and complicated death scenes. But it is at its worst when it focused on its poorly constructed plot and characters. It’s a fun movie, but one that needed better performers and directing, thus feeling quite inferior to the original.

1. Saturday Night

Rarely have I seen a film with more limited appeal than Saturday Night. A story about the very first SNL broadcast and how it came together, this movie can only appeal to older people who remember the show from its earliest era. It has nothing of substance to say about the television of the period and this particular show. It is an annoyingly shot, terribly edited and frustrating movie that was ultimately too inside baseball for most people.