Films

Love lies bleeding?

My most enjoyed (those I watched more than once) were Dune 2, Civil War, Kneecap, Horizon: An American Saga and Joker 2.

The new Dylan film is great but doesn’t count as not officially released until next year.

I haven’t seen The Substance yet, plenty of good reviews on here.

2073 is in cinemas 1/1 and looks worth seeing, we’ve bought our tickets.

The Substance by far. I can’t really remember what else I watched, other than Dune 2. I did watch Civil War but I can’t say it resonated with me. Good elements but just didn’t grab me. Wanted to like it more.

The Substance, for me at least, is like being there when The Thing or Bladerunner came out, but actually being there at the time, and appreciating it.

Oh! Poor Things! That’s right up there, but The Substance still the one for me.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/dec/19/the-50-best-films-of-2024-in-the-uk

All of us strangers best film of the year, don’t think I’d agree with it personally

I too go fot The Substance as film of the year, even though I didn't enjoy it much due to my weak stomach. Kneecap was the most joyful (along with Let's go Karaoke, but apparently it's from 2023), Monster, Zone of Interest and Dream Scenario very well scripted. Seen many films this year, shed a quite few tears (especially at Japanese films) and finally got some bang for my buck: 28 cinema visits for €250 spent on my annual subscription. Best cinema experience was Fury Road, hadn't seen that one yet and was very pleasantly surprised.

Should there be a list of film recommendations for 2024? With or without genres in case some don't like horror/rom com.

Most enjoyable - The Substance
Most important - The Zone of Interest
Most warm and fuzzy - Perfect Days
Most enigmatic - Evil does not exist
Most laughs out loud - Poor Things
Most meh - Kinds of Kindness
Best line - Paul Giamatti in The Holdovers: "Hardy, I have known you since you were a boy, so I think I have the requisite experience and insight to aver that you are and always have been penis cancer in human form"

Good idea! Here's a rough stab at mine.

Zone Of Interest - best film I've seen in years, I never want to watch it again.

Poor Things - enjoyable and weird. Probably not one to watch with the family over Christmas.

The Holdovers - fun and melancholic in equal measure. Definitely counts as a Christmas film.
The Substance - good, fun body horror

Civil War - a bit on the nose and not Alex Garland's best but still very worth a watch.

I saw The TV Glow - nominally a horror but more melancholic and creepy than outright scary.

Longlegs - Nic Cage in a film that's trying very hard to be Silence Of The Lambs. I enjoyed it but my partner hated it because she's terrified of dolls.

I saw The TV Glow - melancholic and creepy.

That's definitely on the list!

BFI player on a 30 day free trial if you have a prime subscription.

Has anyone seen Vesper? 2022, sci-fi. Rather good. It hasn't made it on to anyone's Good Film lists, but it deserves to. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesper_(film)

The Peoples Joker will be tonight's treat

https://observer.com/2024/05/the-peoples-joker-review-a-trans-journey-through-gotham-city/

Favourite films caught this year

My Favourite Cake
Conclave
The Settlers
Scrapper
Kneecap
The Outrun
Poor Things
The Bikeriders
The Promised Land
R.M.N.
The Quiet Girl
American Fiction
The Zone of Interest
Society of the Snow
The Holdovers
Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce 1080 Bruxelles

I'd forgotten about American Fiction, loved that too!

Gladiator 2 is shit

Why did you expect anything better? Gladiator 1 was shit (granted, after the first 15 minutes)

Watched Beetle juice beetle juice last night, it was fine but defo wouldn't watch again and tbh dont think tim burton has got it like he once did.

tim burton

He features in an exhibition in the design museum.

https://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/the-world-of-tim-burton

Will be going tomorrow

Gladiator 1 was shit

I feel bad for you that you are unable to enjoy the finer things in life

I watched Love Lives Bleeding tonight. I enjoyed it a lot but I'm glad I was veto-ed on watching it over Christmas with my family.

Does All of Us Strangers not even make anyone's top ten? I don't think I've seen ten films this year but it's definitely one I'll hold close.

Was it 2023?
Just checked, it was right at the start of the year for general release so I've obviously forgotten all about it in that vast amount of time.

It was trailered/advertised seemingly forever before it was actually out. Just that the best of lists kinda started with someone saying they didn't rate it, and noticing it hasn't appeared on anyone's least yet.

Enjoyed Kneecap a lot

I just saw Anora at The Ritzy. The pacing was a bit off but still great. Amazing performance from Mikey Madison. I'd argue it's Sean Baker's least good film but the bar is so high.