Anora (2024)

A Brooklyn stripper-cum-escort meets the son of a Russian oligarch and engages in a whirlwind romance resulting in elopement. Once news of this reaches his family back home, their future is threatened by a hired group of Armenian henchmen who seek to split the couple up. The first part of this movie plays out like a carefree love story, while the second half unfolds as an unpredictable comedic thriller full of intensity and edge.

Sean Baker's latest anti-mainstream film featuring unconventional characters might just be his best. It's all weirdly subversive and very funny, although the journey there is so stressful, I wouldn't want to take it again in a hurry. Mikey Madison is amazing in the lead role and gives it her all (in full naked glory). I loved reading that she declined an intimacy coordinator, which is why the whole thing feels so very raw and authentic. I wouldn't be surprised if plenty of accolades were in her future.

4 carat diamonds out of 5

It Ends with Us (2024)

Adaptation of the popular romance novel by Colleen Hoover. Beautiful woman falls in love with handsome doctor, while also recalling the lost sweetheart of her youth. She ends up reconnecting with him in present times, to the detriment of her current relationship. Could not possibly be more predictable if it tried. It contains depictions of domestic abuse, which ended up being controversial because people thought this was going to be a traditional love story. In short, it's about escaping the cycle of abuse. Depending on how much you identify with the themes presented, your mileage may vary.

2 trips down the stairs out of 5

We Live in Time (2024)

Untethered by time, a couple's story unfolds in a nonlinear narrative, starting at the end when they receive bad news. We witness milestones in their lives, the typical stages of a relationship, with ups and downs, etc. I don't have a problem with a love story told well, but this felt a bit gimmicky. It goes through all the usual melodramatic tropes, but it mostly plays out in slow, boring and predictable fashion. The actors are at the top of their game, and there are sweet moments sprinkled throughout, but the material itself could have used a refresher. The whole thing ends up feeling cloying and manipulative. Don't we ALL live in time? Some of us just aren't so lucky.

(No, I can't stop looking at that fucking horse on the cover either.)

2½ Weetabix out of 5

Here (2024)

We view a section of land from a fixed vantage point spread across millions of years, from prehistoric to modern times. A house is eventually built on this spot, and we watch those lives play out before us, juxtaposing back and forth in time (sometimes simultaneously). Robert Zemeckis's latest effort unfolds like an experimental, high concept play. At the heart of this story is a couple's evolving relationship through decades (with lots of CGI transmogrification to accomplish this effect). Contains multitudes of sadness and generational trauma, as we see that life is just one tragedy after another over time. Why would anyone want to perpetuate that cycle? Regardless, it's a simple story told well and it aims for the heartstrings. Life moves fast and then it's over. It may be excessively sentimental and gaudy, but it's good schmaltz. Reunites Zemeckis, Tom Hanks and Robin Wright (as well as composer Alan Silvestri) for the first time since Forrest Gump.

3½ Relax-Y-Boys out of 5

Touch (2024)

AKA: Snerting (Icelandic)

Nearing the end of his life, a lonely man facing memory issues decides to go journeying into the past and unlock the mystery of the sudden disappearance of his long-lost love from 50 years prior. The story unfolds by jumping back and forth in time, as he contemplates life choices and what might have been. A gentle narrative proving that, despite a conventional-sounding plot, a story told well can be affecting regardless. It's the type of film that will give you pause and have you reflecting on your own life. Everything is fleeting.

3½ Japanese restaurants out of 5

Kinds of Kindness (2024)

A deeply twisted absurdist tragi-horror-comedy that required two separate viewings for me to finally process my feelings about it. Essentially three separate stories, starring the same group of actors playing different roles each time, you have to search to find a common thread. The theme here being the fucked up ways people show appreciation and gratitude. At times, it might feel like weird for weirdness' sake, but sometimes that's just what you crave. If you enjoy Yorgos's previous work, this may strike the right chord within you.

4 tennis racquets out of 5

I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)

Charlie Kaufman directs this heady adaptation of Iain Reid's novel about a young woman on a road trip to meet her boyfriend's parents who contemplates the future of their relationship. On the surface, it plays out like surreal psychological horror, but it's probably even more nefarious at its core. This is one of those films where all the pieces don't make much sense until you look back at it through a different lens. While this may be frustratingly obtuse to some viewers, it rewards a deeper examination that gives light to deeper meaning. I could devote paragraphs to examining the themes of this film, but I'll just say it gives you a lot to chew on. Could just as easily be called pretentious, so make sure you know what you're getting into. 

4½ ice cream stands out of 5

Sometimes I Think About Dying (2023)

A lonely office worker struggles with social ineptitude and depressing thoughts of her own mortality. A probing co-worker tries to bring her out of her shell and get her out of her own head. This is easily Daisy Ridley's best performance to date. Reminds me of something like Punch-Drunk Love (particularly the music choices) and Fallen Leaves, and it's crazy that I can't think of any other movies in-between. There is an ethereal quality that permeates all the way through, with some sweet moments of genuine human connection, and it's all very touching in an understated way. Anyone who doesn't resonate with its themes obviously has no idea what it's like to live this way. It's basically how I feel all of the time.

4 "Mysteries of Love" by Julee Cruise out of 5

A Different Man (2024)

"All unhappiness in life comes from not accepting what is."

A man with facial disfigurement undergoes an experimental treatment and ends up with an attractive face. The difference it makes in his life is stark. The way this plot plays out is so strange, I thought I was losing my mind. Essentially a nightmarish black comedy, this movie is depressing for a myriad of reasons, not least of which is its meta mixed messaging. To be honest, I'm still not sure how I feel about it. I was expecting The Elephant Man and got something closer to Synecdoche, New York (not exactly a bad compromise).

Features a performance from Adam Pearson (Under the Skin), whose real-life condition appears to have inspired the material in some capacity.

3 spots of black mold out of 5

Heretic (2024)

Two Mormon missionaries go knocking on the wrong door. The man who answers challenges their ideologies and puts them through a trial of faith. Hugh Grant digs into this role and relishes in it with utter glee. A lot of the film is steeped in mystery and creates an atmosphere dripping with tension and unease which I dare not spoil. I urge the viewer not to watch the trailers because it takes away so much of the ambiguity. As a bit of dark escapism from the world, I enjoyed getting lost in the philosophical discussions and found myself enraptured from beginning to end.

3½ blueberry pies out of 5

Venom: The Last Dance (2024)

The third and final film in the Venom trilogy (The Nutshell is a bit behind) continues the saga of Eddie Brock and the alien symbiote which has attached itself to him. The latest threat is a Xenophage who hunts Venom and attempts to separate him from his host forever. As always with these films, the charm lies in the complex relationship and back and forth arguments that arise between Eddie and his apparent split personality (also voiced by Tom Hardy). However, all the CGI extravaganza stuff just bores me at this point. I enjoy these movies so much more as buddy comedies than superhero action flicks.

2½ Venom horses out of 5

Monkey Man (2024)

As a kid, Kid watches his entire village get massacred and his mother killed in front of him, while his life is spared. Years later, he is an underground fighter with the moniker Monkey Man who fights for the underprivileged lower class and swears revenge on his enemies. (Sound familiar? Déjà vu.) 

Dev Patel writes, produces, and directs himself in this intense action-thriller that plays out like an Indian version of John Wick or Kill Bill, though not quite as stylish as either of those films. While the extended fight sequences are entertaining and high energy, the editing decisions in this film leave something to be desired, and the plot unfolds in a confusing fashion for such a straightforward premise.

2½ monkey masks out of 5

Boy Kills World (2023)

In a dystopian world, Boy witnesses his entire family slaughtered before him by an evil crime syndicate, while he is rendered deaf and mute. He is rescued by Shaman, who trains him in martial arts his entire life, as Boy prepares to exact vengeance on his attackers. A pretty straightforward premise for an ultraviolent action flick, but where this film really shines is in its dark humor and the decision for Boy's inner voice to be portrayed as a booming video game announcer (from his childhood arcade memories). The whole thing is full of style and verve, and reminded me a bit of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World by way of The Raid.

3 Cullings out of 5

Civil War (2024)

Director Alex Garland presents us with a dystopian vision of the not-too-distant future. The United States has broken into factions resulting from an increasingly authoritarian government and the secessionist groups that have emerged in its wake. We follow a team of war journalists making the dangerous journey from battle-ravaged New York to Washington, D.C. in order to interview the despotic commander-in-chief. It's all rather predictable in a way, but incredibly compelling, as it offers an even more realistic version of The Purge (and Zombieland) than we've seen depicted on screen before.

Will likely be divisive to folks, but that's probably the point.

3½ photographs to die for out of 5

Conclave (2024)

The Pope has died and it's time to choose a successor. Ralph Fiennes heads this papal mystery-thriller which I would call "beautiful but boring." The votes are split between more traditionalist and liberal minded values, while each of the top candidates appears to harbor a secret that calls their legitimacy into question. The cardinals are unable to come to the majority vote required for successful election, so they are forced to reconvene and argue their case before each new balloting. Were it not for an intriguing final act, I would suggest passing this up entirely.

3 turtles on the papal floor out of 5