Dalton Cooper’s Top 10 Movies of 2024

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2024 was a remarkable year for movies, and I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed with the variety and quality of films released this past year. As someone who grew up watching blockbusters, indie films, and everything in between, I found myself captivated by the diverse offerings of 2024’s cinematic landscape.

One film that stood out to me was “Anora,” a poignant coming-of-age story that resonated deeply with my own experiences as a young adult navigating life’s complexities. Mikey Madison delivers an extraordinary performance, and the story is so engaging that I felt every moment of its runtime. In my humble opinion, “Anora” will go down in history as one of the greatest films of our time.

But it wasn’t just indie films that stole my heart this year. The reboot of the Planet of the Apes franchise, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” was a thrilling ride that reminded me why I fell in love with action films. With impressive action sequences and memorable characters, it was a fitting continuation of a legendary series.

Horror fans were also well-served in 2024, with gems like “Heretic” and “Terrifier 3.” The former, featuring a chilling performance by Hugh Grant, had me on the edge of my seat for the entire film, while the latter solidified Art the Clown as one of horror’s greatest icons. In fact, I might even go so far as to say that “Terrifier 3” is now my favorite Christmas movie.

For those who appreciate a good laugh, I highly recommend “My Old Ass,” a hilarious time-traveling coming-of-age comedy starring Aubrey Plaza and Maisy Stella. While the plot may be predictable at times, the characters are beautifully written, and it adds an interesting twist to the genre.

All in all, 2024 was a fantastic year for movies, with something for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of action, horror, comedy, or coming-of-age stories, there was no shortage of great films to choose from. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for cinema!

And as a little joke to lighten things up, let me just say that if you didn’t watch “Terrifier 3” this holiday season, did you even celebrate Christmas?

2024 saw an impressive array of fresh movies hitting the screens, just like every other year. Notably, it followed the trend of delivering quality entertainment. Although the box office experienced its usual fluctuations, each weekend offered a variety of intriguing options – whether it was large-scale blockbusters or low-budget independent films that caught everyone’s attention.

This year, I managed to catch 61 movies, a significant number of which were fresh releases from 2024. Among these new titles, a top 10 list emerged as my personal favorites. To compile this list, I focused solely on movies that made their debut in 2024; therefore, films that had wide releases in 2024 but technically premiered in 2023 are not included.

My Top 10 Favorite Movies of 2024

10. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

9. My Old Ass

8. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

7. Deadpool & Wolverine

6. Heretic

5. Terrifier 3

4. Dune: Part Two

3. The Wild Robot

2. Wicked

1. Anora

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the rebooted “Planet of the Apes” films, and although “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” doesn’t quite match the heights of its predecessors, it’s still a thrilling watch, with stunning action scenes, strong performances from both human and ape characters, and a story that pulls at your heartstrings. Among the major releases that captured my attention in 2024 were: “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” which delivered on the insanely impressive stunts of “Fury Road” and boasted one of the year’s standout villains in Chris Hemsworth’s Dementus; “Deadpool & Wolverine,” a rollercoaster ride from beginning to end, serving as a fitting farewell to the Fox Marvel films; and “Dune: Part Two,” an awe-inspiring sci-fi production with some of the year’s top visual effects.

For fans of horror movies, there was an abundance to pick from this year, ranging from fresh productions such as the latest version of “Nosferatu” to the visceral film “The Substance”. However, two that particularly stood out for me were “Heretic” and “Terrifier 3”. The performances in “Heretic”, given by Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East, were nothing short of mesmerizing, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire movie. On the other hand, “Terrifier 3” was an exhilarating journey filled with excessive gore and blood, leaving a lasting impression. Remarkably, “Terrifier 3” has become one of my favorite Christmas movies, and it has solidified Art the Clown as a true horror genre legend.

I found myself really appreciating the time-traveling, coming-of-age film titled “My Old Ass,” starring Aubrey Plaza and Maisy Stella. Although the storyline is somewhat predictable, the characters are skillfully crafted and offer a fresh perspective on the genre. If you’re a fan of similar movies, I’d recommend adding another 2024 release, “Didi,” to your watchlist, especially if you have fond memories of growing up in the mid-2000s.

Among the three outstanding movies that captivated me in 2024, each offers a unique cinematic experience. The heartwarming animated film, “The Wild Robot,” featuring a robot’s friendship with animals in the wilderness, left me shedding tears of emotion. Conversely, the big-screen adaptation of the cherished Broadway musical “Wicked” has kept its soundtrack on repeat for over a month post-release. Lastly, “Anora,” directed by Sean Baker, stands out as my favorite new release of 2024. Mikey Madison’s performance as the title character is nothing short of remarkable, and the storytelling in this film is so captivating that you won’t notice a second of its runtime. The humor and heartbreak present in “Anora” make it one of the most memorable movie experiences in 2024; I predict that it will be remembered as a timeless classic. I am an ardent fan of “Anora,” and I plan on catching every future film by Mikey Madison on opening day from now on.

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2024-12-30 23:26