Honourable mentions:
- Flow (2024). A silent film with a cast of animals that gives way to a beautiful soundscape and an underlying narrative that will make you think truly about life, the world, and how we live in community.
- Will and Harper (2024). Will Ferrell and his dear friend Harper Steele go on a road trip, post Harper’s transition. Lovely and funny, and an honest look at the world trans people move through.
- Your Monster (2024). A monster movie unlike anything you’ve experienced before!
- Your Fat Friend (2023). This incredibly moving documentary follows Aubrey Gordon through several years, from an anonymous blogger to so much more.
- The Apartment (1960). Recommended on a list of “offbeat Christmas movies”, this isn’t an obvious Christmas movie but it is set at Christmas time. Touching and hilarious, and surprisingly dark, this 1960 film was wholly unexpected with a lead duo that are so well matched.
- Paper Moon (1973). A last minute add on to this list – we watched it on New Year’s Eve! This charming story is incredibly hilarious and unexpected, I laughed out loud several times!
20. Smoke Signals (1998)
After catching Hey, Viktor! (an unauthorized but very funny sort-of sequel to Smoke Signals) at Victoria film fest, I knew I needed to see the original.
Smoke Signals was so critically important for indigenous people, with so many indigenous people represented in front of and behind the camera. Touching and funny and with a spectacular cast, I highly recommend this for anyone.
19. Inside Out 2 (2024)
Initially I didn’t harbour much enthusiasm for Inside Out 2, my initial impression was that it was opportunistic and unnecessary. The truth is, this second stab at the franchise is more nuanced, more sweet, and more puberty-is-ucky-y than than the first.
There is so much value to giving kids an opportunity to identify and work through their feelings, and this second franchise adds new emotions to the mix to get to know. Anxiety is a spectacular addition to the franchise, and it’s portrayal is honest and truthful.
18. Moonstruck (1987)
There is no earthly reason why, of all the spectacular movies I saw this year, Moonstruck should be so high on this list. But I absolutely loved it.
It was odd and at times, Nicolas Cage seemed to be acting in a different movie than everyone else. But there is something so charming and loping about this movie that doesn’t work, but somehow does.
This is truly a bizarre love story, but is charming in it’s own way. I appreciate the weirdness and I appreciate Cher giving a heck of a performance.
17. Dracula (1931)
I’m not always a fan of older movies because they have not aged well. This 1931 version of Dracula is showing it’s age at some points but is also an incredible technical achievement.
It’s amazing how watchable this movie is, not just as a relic of it’s time, but as a complete film.
16. Wicked Little Letters (2024)
This movie is SO funny. Earthy in all the right ways, leans up against expectations with a wink of it’s eye.
Sure, it’s a little rude, but we’re all grownups here. Reaching that final c-word? Priceless (you’ll know what I mean when you hear it).
15. American Fiction (2023)
A common criticism is that American Fiction was made into a movie just a little too late, as it refers to a specific moment in cultural and literary history. You can determine for yourself if you think that’s the case.
For me, this was an incredibly clever, spectacularly acted, relevant-as-heck film with moment after moment of in your face “why aren’t you getting this?” It may not be reflective of the literary industry right now, and I think it’ll age incredibly well.
14. Sugarcane (2024)
I previously did a short review of this film, and I stand by the impact it had. Now available more widely on streaming services, it is easier than previously to find this incredibly important movie.
This movie is beautifully shot, and holds no punches when telling the stories of residential school survivors.
13. Dirty Dancing (1987)
I know, I know. How had I made it to 2024 without seeing Dirty Dancing?
Regardless, this is a modern classic for a reason – sure the music and dancing is excellent, but the story and the fierce burning passion with which it is told, is riveting. It’s probably even better than you remember it, and now I really get the Patrick Swayze fans.
12. Thelma (2024)
As the saying goes: Growing old isn’t for the faint of heart, but it sure as hell beats the alternative. Thelma is an action-ish flick where Thelma decides to take back the money that was scammed from her.
Full of heart and full of laughs, and heartbreaking in it’s own way, Thelma’s power is rooted in the realness of who she is, and to center seniors as real, whole people unto themselves. Charming doesn’t begin to cover why I love this movie so much. We love you, Thelma!
11. Paris is Burning (1990)
I understand a great deal of the contemporary criticisms of this movie, mostly that it should have been made by a member of the LGBTQ+ community. That being said, this is a precious little relic of the time that I would like to be seen made differently in today’s age. This film is an intimate, joyful, honest look at the queer scene in New York in the late 80s.
There was such power in giving space for these human beings to tell their own stories and share their community. It is touching, funny, and honest. As a viewer, I feel honoured to get to know at least a little about these people.
10. Taste of Things (2023)
What a spectacularly beautiful movie! The viewing I attended was a packed-to-the-gills full house of movie lovers and in one scene where a delicious morsel is revealed, a woman fully audibly gasped with delight! It wasn’t weird, it was just a room full of movie people, having the time of our lives.
If the beauty of the movie was the only thing on display, I don’t know if this would make top 20. However, the acting was so beautifully subtle, and achingly real, it was mesmerizing. All together, this is a beautifully told tale by masters of their craft.
9. The Wild Robot (2024)
I don’t know how any parents could get through this movie without weeping. An open-hearted reflection on independence, growing up, and seeing your parents as who they are. Touching without being saccharine, I loved this movie.
8. Problemista (2023)
I would describe this as an immigrant story/fairy tale/social criticism, but it’s somehow even more than that.
Incredibly acted and spectacularly imaginative, this beautifully made film gives an impactful look at one young man’s journey to following his dreams.
7. Memoir of a Snail (2024)
This spectacularly crafted tale is a technical achievement from the perspective of being stop motion, but is also balances the hilarity of a life story told through anecdotes (some of which were not fully understood by the child at the time).
Filled with sometimes a bit rude Australian humour, but also so much heart, this is a heartbreaking and hopeful tale of a unique and wonderful human being.
6. To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Love, Julie Newmar (1995)
This road trip movie about a group of fabulous drag queens is an absolute joy from moment one. A full-hearted embrace of living the life you want to live, this story never makes the queens the butt of the joke, but allows them to be the people they want to be.
5. Rope (1948)
I’ve been watching my way through Hitchcock’s films and… I might like Rope even more than Rear Window.
Perfectly timed, I couldn’t look away from the screen for even a moment. Wherever this falls in Hitchcock’s canon for you, I think it’s a great use of time to watch this spectacular film.
4. Robot Dreams (2023)
Do you want to feel feelings every time you hear the song “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire?
Feelings aside, this no-dialogue film is sure to delight and charm almost any person around. It’s got a big heart and an even bigger story to tell.
3. Thelma and Louise (1991)
Another on “how did you not see this until now?” Thelma and Louise is even better than you remember it, and was an amazing journey for me to discover for the first time.
This is definitely not just a fun girl’s romp (which I was actually expecting), this is dark, meaningful, and honest. It’s a love letter to your best friend, and a reflection on bad decisions and the bad things that can happen, this movie more than holds up.
2. Perfect Days (2023)
As we left the theatre, the lady in front of us said “is that all?”
Yes. And it’s spectacular.
1. Anatomy of a Fall (2023)
Never in a million years did I ever think a courtroom drama would top my list of movies I had seen this year.
A completely different approach to your standard courtroom drama, this leaves you unsettled and needing to know more.
A film that from both a visual and narrative perspective, perfectly crafted, and Sandra Hüller’s acting is beyond the pale. Every accolade she received (and more) was deserved.
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