2024 Movies Reviewed

This film failed to justify its own existence. This remake keeps a lot of jokes from the original movie but doesn’t execute them as well. The film also gets rid a lot of the original film’s funniest jokes. It seems like most of the jokes they removed were the ones that could be seen as controversial or offensive but that’s the whole point. The characters are supposed to be dumb and mean so removing those jokes hurts the characterization. There are a couple new jokes that hit but not enough. The cast here is simply not as good as the original, especially when it comes to Regina George. Renee Rapp is fine but she’s no Rachel McAdams. Her version of the iconic character is nowhere near as interesting or memorable. The film feels like it rushes through the story unlike the original movie which had excellent pacing and a tight script. This could be due to the musical numbers which I normally wouldn’t mind but the music here isn’t anything special. The costumes here aren’t very good. They seem cheap and it doesn’t feel like the plastics would wear these outfits. The original Mean Girls is so good and the general story still follows over here so there’s a little fun to be had, but the film falls completely flat in every aspect when compared to the original masterpiece. I don’t know why they don’t just make a true sequel to the original film already because that’s what people actually want to see. 5/10

Argylle is a pretty funny movie. The humor lands most of the time. The action scenes are also solid and Matthew Vaughn did a good job directing. I also like how the film’s main concept is unique. However there are quite a few problems with the movie. The plot makes no sense and has way too many plot twists to keep track of. They were just twists for the sake of having twists and it got exhausting to watch. The film is too long and it felt dragged out. The visual effects are also pretty bad, especially that weird looking cat. I get why they couldn’t use a real cat for some of the scenes but it looked like it stepped right out of the 2004 Garfield movie. Most of this great cast isn’t given anything to do. However Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell are very entertaining together. They definitely have great comedic chemistry. While it’s a movie I had some fun with, it’s far from good. 5/10

Lisa Frankenstein is a blast. It obviously takes inspiration from Edward Scissorhands, but the story is very unique. The movie does a great job establishing the eighties setting. The costumes and makeup are fantastic. I was surprised how much I liked Kathryn Newton’s performance. I wasn’t very impressed with her work in Ant Man but she was really good here. Zelda Williams did a good job directing this messed up love story, and the movie was pretty funny. This movie is not anything groundbreaking but it doesn’t have to be. This movie will definitely be looked back on as a classic in the future. It’s an acquired taste and the story won’t work for everyone but I personally had a great time watching it. 7/10

Dune Part II is a very good sequel. The world building in this movie is great and really establishes the Fremen culture. I love how the movie dives deep into how they view culture and religion and the split that they have over their belief in Paul. Timothee Chalamet is excellent as Paul Atreides. His character arc is amazing. He starts off as someone who just wants to help and then through his time with the Fremen he starts to use them and their faith to get his own revenge. Zendaya was also great and her character’s dynamic with Paul was very fleshed out. I loved how she went from loving him to despising what he represents. Florence Pugh was a good addition here although she didn’t have much to do. Austin Butler stole the show in my opinion. He was a perfect villain and his pure psychotic nature was frightening. The costumes, visual effects, and set design all looked great. I especially love the design of the black and white planet. There were a lot of cool things they did with it, like the fireworks for example. The action scenes are pretty good. The cinematography is very good and Denis Villeneuve crushed it directing. Hans Zimmer delivers a killer score here as he always does. I only have a few minor issues with the movie. Just like the first movie I think the pacing was a little off and despite Rebecca Ferguson giving a great performance I didn’t really think her storyline was that interesting or well explained. Overall Dune Part II is a really good movie and if you liked the first one you’ll have a great time here. 8/10

Damsel is just not good. Some of the sets and costumes are cool but that’s all it really has going for it. Millie Bobby Brown is fine here but she didn’t have the charisma that she has in Stranger Things. I guess there is only so much she could do with what she was given. The story, script, and directing are all not very good. The talking dragon was stupid and the movie was predictable. The characters all fall flat and the movie didn’t make me feel anything but boredom. I was hoping this would be a cool little action movie but it was a snooze fest with nothing distinct or memorable. 5/10

This film is okay. It’s not nearly as good as Ghostbusters Afterlife but it’s about what you would expect from a follow up. The new ghosts and elements added to the lore are very cool and some of the visuals are very nice. Some of the jokes are very funny and some aren’t. The cast is pretty good here but nothing exceptional performance wise. The action scenes are ok but the final battle is pretty short and a little anti climactic. The original crew is just there to be there with the exception of Dan Aykroyd, who actually has quite a bit of screen time. If you’re a Ghostbusters fan you’ll probably have a good time with it but don’t expect to be blown away. 6/10

Monkey Man has cool action but it’s not really anything that special or unique. Dev Patel is good in the lead role but it’s definitely not his best performance. This is Patel’s directing debut and honestly the directing is probably one of the strongest parts of the movie so he has that going for him. The elements of Indian culture definitely added something to the movie to make it stand out but it also felt forced into the story and messed up the pacing. The movie kind of drags. The last like thirty minutes of the movie could’ve been over in like five minutes if every single character just didn’t lose their gun before the final battle for some reason. I think the heart of the movie and the lead character’s quest to avenge his mom is solid, and I love the flashback scene with the mom. However the backstory for the main plot of the movie doesn’t even happen until like halfway through so I was already a little checked out. There’s also a bit of a romantic storyline that has absolutely no development and doesn’t really make any sense. The music choices here also felt really random and usually distracted from the scenes. I’m complaining a lot because I thought the trailer was excellent and I was really excited for the movie, but it’s not terrible. It’s totally watchable and there’s some enjoyment to be had with it. The action scenes are genuinely really impressive and cool to watch on the big screen. It’s a mix of John Wick and Kill Bill but not as exciting as either. I was just expecting more from it. 6/10

The Greatest Hits has a very creative story and I think time traveling through music is very cool. I like how the movie uses it as a way for the main girl to move on from her dead boyfriend. The performances are all really solid, the soundtrack is pretty good, and there are some cool editing techniques. I think some of the dialogue could have been better but overall I liked The Greatest Hits. 7/10

A24 took over the horror genre and at this rate they may take over the blockbuster genre. This movie is brilliant on so many levels. Telling this story through the eyes of journalists was so smart. This movie showed the horrors of war through the eyes of a hardened and desensitized journalist (Kirsten Dunst) and we watch as she goes on this terrifying road trip with newcomer (Cailee Spaeny). That dynamic is one of the things that makes this movie really interesting, as they both grow to be more like the other person. Dunst gives a great performance as to be expected and Cailee Spaeny blew me away. The fact that her character here was so different from Priscilla but her performance was just as good is absolutely wild. I think she’s definitely going to keep getting more and more work after the last couple months she’s had. Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Nick Offerman were also all good, but the other huge stand out was Jesse Plemons. What he was able to do with his one scene was actually nuts. I was on the edge of my seat during his performance and genuinely moved back in my seat multiple times. He brought so much evil and made me hate his character so fast that it was impressive. The script here is a little political and I definitely had a side I was on by the end but for the most part the film just focused on the the human response to something like this and although that might be controversial I really liked that. The film shows that a conflict like this would bring so much destruction and really acted as a warning against a Civil War in these times of high tension politics. The action scenes were fantastic and the production design really immersed me in the story and the war that was going on. The soundtrack was solid and I loved some of the unique editing choices. The cinematography was beautiful and Alex Garland knocked it out of the park directing (please stop threatening to quit). Overall Civil War was phenomenal and it’s my personal favorite movie of the year so far. 9/10

This film very much feels like Guy Ritchie’s light hearted version of Inglorious Basterds. It’s a fun action movie with solid performances. It’s enjoyable watching Henry Cavill and his crew kill Nazis and the true story is pretty interesting. It’s not a masterpiece but it’s a very good time and I liked the movie quite a bit. 7/10

Abigail is pretty much what you would expect it to be based on the trailers. However I think the plot line is pretty interesting and unique. It was a fun vampire flick. The first two acts were really good at both building the intrigue and the characters. I think the third act kind of let the movie down a little bit. They fall into the common horror trope of trying to shove in too many plot twists and the ending doesn’t really make much sense. The directing, cinematography, and music are all good and the action scenes are entertaining. Melissa Barrera stars here and I think this is her best performance yet so I’ll be interested to see what her career looks like post her firing from Scream. Radio Silence has made a solid horror film here and while I don’t think it’s as good as Scream 6 I think they they still have a pretty bright future in the horror genre. 7/10

The Fall Guy is a great time at the movies. It’s a really funny movie with great action and a solid love story. The movie has some genuine heart to it that makes it very endearing and it also serves as a nice love letter to the stunt performers that make our favorite movies possible. Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt are obviously effortlessly charming and this is probably my favorite film from director David Leitch. I also liked the soundtrack a lot. I highly recommend this one. 8/10

This movie takes place hundreds of years after the events of the Caesar trilogy. Those movies especially the first two are so incredible and I was really interested in how they would be able to continue the story after what seemed like a pretty definitive ending. This movie managed to be really good. I love how so many generations later Caesar has become a Jesus like figure for the apes. There are some groups who follow Caesar’s words but twist them to gain political power and help their own agenda. Then there are some who use his words and genuinely try to follow what he would have done. These movies always have really interesting commentary and I thought this religious parallel was a very unexpected but cool way to expand the story. The visuals in this movie are also flawless. The action scenes are great and I like Mae, the human character. She had a good amount of depth to her. There were many cool references to not just the trilogy but also to the original 1968 movie which I really appreciated. It’s not as amazing as Rise or Dawn but Kingdom is a very solid entry in the franchise and I’m excited to see where it goes next. 8/10

I'm not going to lie, I had a great time with this movie. The film was quick paced and entertaining. The jokes were funny and there was some legitimate heart and emotion in the story. The animation looks beautiful and I think that it's about time Garfield got a movie like this. Garfield and this world just fit animation so well, especially this style. This is much better than the live action movies. Chris Pratt honestly did a great job of capturing Garfield's personality and mannerisms. I know his casting was a little controversial but it definitely seems like he went all out and gave it everything he had to give us a really good performance. I feel like Pixar and the Spider Verse movies have gotten people to judge some animated films way too harshly, because no way can every single animated movie be that incredible. It's not a masterpiece but as a lifelong Garfield fan I was satisfied with this. 6/10

Hit Man is an electrifying film. The movie is a blast from start to finish and has many of Richard Linklater’s distinct directorial elements. All the performances are wonderful but the movie is really highlighted by the phenomenal chemistry between Glen Powell and Adria Arjona. The movie is edited with style and has some great music to go along with it. It’s an upbeat and fun romance. It’s also a really intriguing storyline that builds to some genuinely high tension scenes. This is everything that a Summer blockbuster should be and Netflix should’ve given Hit Man a full theatrical release. 8/10

“Maybe this is what happens when you get older. You feel less joy.”

The way this film depicts anxiety is brilliant. Anxiety literally kicking out and overtaking every other emotion is a great way of showing how anxiety feels, especially as a teenager who is just starting high school. The panic attack scene is the real standout here and the way that it is built up to with a literal flood of suppressed emotion is awesome. The film depicts puberty very well and I love how the real message isn’t really about believing in yourself but instead about accepting your faults and imperfections. The first movie highlighted how important non happy emotions truly are and how feeling sad can be just as meaningful as feeling happy. This movie highlights how important it is to hang onto joy as you get older and get put in more anxiety inducing situations. It also tackles the harm of suppressing hard emotions and feelings that are actually important, but easier to try and forget. Sometimes the movie falls into typical sequel traps, where the adventure feels repetitive and moments that are just there to remind you how much you love the first movie. I also don’t think it’s as clever or creative as the original. The original is also sadder so this one didn’t get me as emotional. No scene hit as hard as Bing Bong’s death or the family crying together in the empty house. The animation is obviously stunning and there are some really cool scenes utilizing other styles of animation. Just like the first movie the music is incredible. The original is still superior but this movie is a worthy sequel that does a good job expanding the original premise. 9/10

The Bikeriders feels like a throwback movie to when the crime genre was at its most popular. The film tells the story of a motorcycle gang in the late sixties and early seventies and the violence that ended up taking over the club. Jodie Comer is the true lead of the film and her performance is phenomenal. Austin Butler and Tom Hardy are obviously both great as well. Austin Butler really continues to show more and more range with each project and he’s proving why he is one of the most in demand stars at the moment. I think he really has that movie star quality to him. The film’s direction from Jeff Nichols is solid and the sound design is a stand out. The film is pretty fast paced but it also lets the audience live in the moments and feel the characters emotions. The atmosphere building is also awesome. Overall it’s a really good time and I think they did a good job telling this story. 8/10

This movie is pretty forgettable. The story is a tad uninteresting but it isn’t necessarily bad. The character dynamics and interactions are solid for the most part. The directing gets the job done but there’s nothing memorable or unique about it. The elements of Native American culture are cool at certain points but I think the movie needed to dive into it more. The ending is nice in theory but it feels unearned. I think the biggest problem with this movie is that there’s a solid emotional story somewhere in there but the film is too bland to get any sort of reaction. The main character makes a lot of questionable choices to put it lightly and instead of exploring the nuance that’s there in the character, the film just brushes past it. This is pretty frustrating when Lily Gladstone would’ve done a great job with some more complex scenes. 5/10

There’s some really nice character moments for sure, especially the ending. And as to be expected with this cast the lead performances are also pretty solid. However the franchise is kinda dying out for me. This movie doesn’t do much to expand upon the lore of this world in any meaningful way and the action isn’t interesting. There’s no real tension and the main story is kind of boring. It’s completely watchable but just like most horror franchises it’s getting stale. The first film is pure magic but after a middle of the road sequel and a forgettable prequel it’s losing the hype. 6/10

Thelma is a delight. It’s got a lot of heart and a lot of humor to it. June Squibb is great in the lead role and she has a wonderful ensemble around her including the late Richard Roundtree (who knocked it out of the park here). The movie brings awareness to the serious topic of senior scams and also explores what it is like to outlive your friends. The jokes pretty much all landed for me and I think this movie is a great one to see with your grandparents if you can. Josh Margolin clearly brought a lot of passion to directing this project and it turned out awesome. I highly recommend this one. 8/10

Challengers is a good drama movie with some very interesting character dynamics. The movie focuses on Zendaya’s character Tashi along with her husband, Art, and her ex boyfriend/ Art’s old best friend Patrick. In the beginning of the movie Tashi says that tennis isn’t a game, but instead it’s a relationship. The three of them metaphorically represent a tennis game. Tashi marries Art because she believes he is respectable but deep down she knows she connects more with Patrick, because of how similar they are. She has gotten what she believed she wanted in life but still longs for the more difficult aspects of life that she left behind, such as her relationship with Patrick, because it is a much more interesting “game” for her. She knows she isn’t a great person, she knows she would undo her injury and be the best tennis player even if it meant giving up her husband and young daughter. It’s fascinating to watch her deal with that struggle and Zendaya’s facial acting really highlights that mix of guilt and ambition. As much as all three characters try to deny it, they only truly feel alive when they are all together. The script here is very smart and the number of callbacks throughout the film make it so that the audience has to pay close attention to really get everything. The dialogue here is also very good and comes across very naturally. The music and unique editing help give this movie so much personality especially with the tennis scenes and director, Luca Guadagnino did a good job bringing it to life. 8/10

Maxxxine serves as a pretty good conclusion to Ti West’s X trilogy. Mia Goth is obviously great although this movie didn’t give her the chance to really show her acting chops as much as Pearl did. She has a wonderful supporting cast around her with Kevin Bacon and Giancarlo Esposito being the standouts. The film is very eighties in the best possible way. I like how much the culture and conflicts of the eighties influence the movie. The night stalker murders and the protests about the devil in movies and music makes for an ominous backdrop to the film. I also love how much research about Hollywood was clearly done for this movie and using the Psycho set in the movie was a very cool touch. Ti West clearly made this movie as a love letter to the glamorous side of Hollywood. The cinematography is great and the score gives the movie a lot of energy. The film’s third act has been receiving some criticism. While I didn’t dislike the third act I definitely felt it was kind rushed and the big reveal fell flat for me. Maxxxine is a very enjoyable movie and a solid conclusion overall. I enjoyed it about the same that I enjoyed X but I still think Pearl is the best of the trilogy. 7/10

I love seeing John Krasinski continue as a director with a project that is so different from A Quiet Place. This film has a cool and unique premise and he really captures the awe and wonder that a child feels. I love how creative and original his movies are. The movie has tons of heart to it and it’s just a fun time. The script is pretty predictable and some of the emotional moments don’t quite as hard as they probably should have. However I think this film is still enjoyable because it really highlights what a great visual storyteller Krasinski is. The opening montage, the scene on the boardwalk, and all the stuff with the imaginary friends connecting with their old kids works really well with very little dialogue in those scenes. The visual effects are pretty awesome and the imaginary friends look incredible. The music is great and there’s some striking cinematography. Overall Krasinski did a good job brining this cool world and concept to life and the only part that needed some work was the script. 7/10

Longlegs is straight up the most disturbing movie I have ever watched. The marketing and early reactions compared it to Silence of the Lambs and Se7en. To be honest this movie is like those films on steroids when it comes to just how messed up the storyline is. It works very well as an intriguing crime mystery with a supernatural twist. I don't think it's as well written as Silence of the Lambs or Se7en, because the ending is a little predictable. However it very much feels like a film of that genre from that era while also being a completely original story, which I appreciate. Maika Monroe is incredible as our main character and the entire supporting cast around her is very good as well. Nicolas Cage as Longlegs is the stuff of nightmares. I don't think I have ever been so scared of a character on screen. Cage elevates every scene he is in to terrifying effect. The makeup team also deserves so much credit for transforming Cage into the killer. Oz Perkins did a good job directing and the sound design was great. This movie has some jumpscare elements but its true horror comes from the psychological aspects of the story and the characters. If you want a genuinely scary movie Longlegs is exactly what you're looking for but I can not stress enough that this movie is not going to be for everyone going in and wanting a more classic horror movie. 8/10

I think this movie is fine. It reminds me of the film Nyad from last year but not as good. This film is a pretty by the book bio pic. Daisy Ridley is good in the lead role but doesn’t bring anything to the table that makes the performance stand out. Ridley is endlessly likable as a person but doesn’t have that leading lady charisma that her characters need. The film is very predictable and hits you over the head with its messaging. The movie also constantly repeats a song that Ridley’s character sang as a child to the point that it gets annoying. It’s competently made, well directed and has a decent, somewhat inspiring script. Even though it’s not a perfect movie I do appreciate Disney making an original project like this in their regular live action division again. (6/10)