Saturday, March 1, 2025

OSCARS 2025 - Pre-Show Thoughts & Predictions

 

 

OSCARS 2025 Thoughts and Predictions: 

It's weird ... I've long been a big fan of the run-up to the Oscars, but less so a fan of the show itself.* I love that annual window in November and December when great movie after great movie releases in theaters, when the discourse turns from dissecting the ups and downs of the big summer blockbusters to celebrating incredible filmmakers and their works. To me, all of the subsequent Oscar prediction back-and-forth is an extension of that celebration. Sure, there's a fun element of game-ification to it all. But it's also just another excuse to talk about the year's best movies.

*This year, I make and exception in that I AM indeed very excited for the show itself. Conan O'Brien is hosting, and I can't wait!

And sometimes ... there is, of course, a pretty wide gap between my picks for the year's best movies and what actually gets nominated (and then, in turn, what ends up as a front-runner) come awards season. And ironically, a big source of that discrepancy in recent years have been the films of Sean Baker. 

Sean Baker is one of the most talented and remarkable filmmakers working today, and he's made some of my favorite films of the last few decades, with projects like The Florida Project and Red Rocket. That said, he's been largely ignored by the Oscars. Perhaps his movies are too "small," too artsy, too indie, not grand enough for an awards show that likes to celebrate the big, the spectacular, the epic. But while Baker's movies can be small in scale, but are always grand in thematic ambition. Case in point: Anora. 

Anora was my favorite film of 2024, and it's arguably Baker's best movie to date. Surprisingly, given this recent history, it also finds itself in the odd position of being an Oscar front-runner. Could the Oscars have finally caught up to Baker? Or is it a larger cultural thing, where we are now in a world where innovative indie studios like A24 and Neon (that distributed Anora) are now the darlings both of core movie fans and, by extension, a body of younger and more with-it awards voters? Maybe Baker's time has finally come.

See also: The Substance. The Substance, from uber-indie distributor Mubie, is the exact kind of movie that creates buzz in today's marketplace: a gonzo horror movie with a powerful message, a movie that has to be seen (preferably with a packed audience) to be believed, a film designed to be a conversation-starter. In past years, there was no way in hell that a movie like The Substance would have been an awards contender. But its organic buzz, combined with its comeback-story narrative for star Demi Moore, has made it a surprise multi-Oscar award nominee. And its director, Coralie Fargeat (who first got on my radar for the awesomely grindhouse-y film Revenge), is this year's only female nominee for Best Director. So yeah, if The Substance wins, I will cheer.

The times, they are a-changin' (to quote the subject of Best Picture nominee A Complete Unknown). Smaller indies like Moonlight and crazier, more eclectic big-swings like Parasite and Everything Everywhere All At Once paved the way. Who knows what's possible now. 

But here's what I do know ... as much as we film nerds collectively love to rag on the Oscars, this year's awards - serving as a celebration of bold art as diverse as Anora and The Substance and Nickel Boys - will serve as a direct and welcome affront to this Dumb New World we're living in post the November 2024 election. And that is 100% worth cheering.

And with that said, as is tradition ... here are my Top 10 OSCAR SNUBS for this year:


1.) Challengers for Best Original Score

- Mind-boggling! Challengers had an instantly-iconic techno score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Somehow, the Golden Globes got this very right while the Oscars got this very wrong. What happened?! 

 

2.) Sing Sing for Best Picture

 - The great Colman Domingo deservedly got a nom for this one, but Sing Sing is a Top 10 movie of 2024 and should have made the cut for Best Picture, easily.
 

3.) Danielle Deadwyler for Best Lead Actress for The Piano Lesson

- I was disappointed overall that the stellar The Piano Lesson was completely snubbed by this year's Oscars. But for Danielle Deadwyler, this is becoming a pattern. She's one of the best actors around, and she keeps getting snubbed.

4.) A Real Pain for Best Picture

- A Best Supporting Actor and Best Screenplay nomination - but no Best Picture? A Real Pain was one of 2024's best, and was one that should have been in the Best Picture mix. 


5.)
Thelma for ... anything

- Movie fans agree: Thelma ruled. So where's the awards love? I mean, we're now getting crazy body horror movies like The Substance as nominees, but comedies still get no love? Funny movies are valid! 
  

6.) Glen Powell for Best Actor for Hit Man

- Glen Powell has delivered numerous big, movie star performances over the last few years. But his best acting ever can be seen in 2024's Hit Man, in which he gives us a legit awards-worthy performance. And yet - no Oscar nom. Come on now. 

 

7.) Lupita Nyong’o for Best Lead Actress for A Quiet Place: Day One

 - Okay, great performances in big horror franchise movies have next to no chance for awards nominations. But they should if they're as good as Lupita Nyong'O in A Quiet Place: Day One. Lupita has proven herself as one of the best actors working today and should be treated as such.
 

8.)
Luca Guadagnino for Best Director for Challengers
 
-  This one feels egregious. Challengers was one of the most tour de force directorial efforts we've seen in a long while. And it might be Luca Guadagnino's best movie to date? Luca is on top of his game here.

9.) Tilda Swinton for Best Supporting Actress for Problemista
 
- Again - does great comedy count for nothing? Tilda Swinton gives us an all-timer supporting performance in the criminally under-seen Problemista - one of 2024's best films. A huge standout of 2024.
 

10.) Willa Fitzgerald for Best Lead Actress for Strange Darling

- I'm thrilled with the multiple noms for The Substance this year. But 2024 was an incredible year for horror overall. And one of the best horror/thrillers of the year was the amazing Strange Darling. And one of the things that made Strange Darling so great was the absolute stunner of a breakout performance from Willa Fitzgerald. Cast her in everything. And give her some awards!

Bonus: Will & Harper for Best Documentary Feature. I mean, this is a really strange omission. I loved this movie and it affected me greatly.
 
 
Okay, on with the show. Here they are, my ...

 

 2024 OSCAR PICKS AND PREDICTIONS:

BEST PICTURE:

Should and Will Win: Anora

- Honestly, this is one of the toughest years in a while to predict Best Picture. On paper, it feels like Anora should be the front-runner. But is it? As I discuss above, Sean Baker's films historically tend not to be Oscar darlings - and Anora while is incredible, it's also not exactly a film for everyone. Conclave is a "safer" choice. As is A Complete Unknown, which seems to be gaining momentum. And Wicked is the feel-good juggernaut. And The Brutalist the big-swing epic. I think the vote will be heavily divided. But I also think that there are enough people like me - who passionately feel that Anora is the best movie of 2024 - to help it edge out the competition. We shall see.


BEST ACTOR:

Should Win: Colman Domingo (Sing Sing)

- There are a ton of heavy-hitters in this category. But Colman Domingo was, again, the best of the bunch. His performance in Sing Sing is simply an all-timer. The man is the best in the biz right now, and in a fair world he would get his props.

Will Win: Timothee Chalomet (A Complete Unknown)

- But, it's probably going to be either Adrian Brody for The Brutalist or Club Chalomet's favorite son. And don't get me wrong, both were fantastic in their respective films. I give the slight edge to Chalomet here as he really carried A Complete Unknown, whereas Brody was helped by huge contributions from the also-nominated Guy Pierce and Felicity Jones. And it's finally Chalomet's time to be acknowledged as one of the best young actors going (see also: Dune II). Also, I am happy that Sebastian Stan was nominated for his searing performance as Donald Trump in The Apprentice ... but I just don't think there is appetite (understandably) to give that award out now at this moment (and same probably goes for Jeremy Strong in the Supporting Actor category).



BEST ACTRESS:

Should Win: Mikey Madison (Anora)

- Another loaded category. But for me, I would give it to Mikey Madison. Yes, she's young and this is her first big starring role. But who cares? She crushes it in Anora, delivering an instant-classic performance. And when you realize how completely different this role is versus her real life personality? Even more impressive. This and Colman Domingo in Sing Sing were the two best overall performances of 2024.

Will Win: Demi Moore (The Substance)

- But, this is the one with an incredible narrative. And I can't be too mad, because Demi Moore kills it in The Substance. That mirror scene alone, that secured her the Oscar. It's the best role of Moore's career. And for that, she will be rewarded (and will give a great speech). I'll also note though: I wouldn't be shocked if I'm Still Here's Fernanda Torres plays spoiler.



BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:

Should Win: Yura Borisov (Anora)

-Watching Anora, for much of its running time, you wouldn't think that Yura Borisov would be an Oscar contender ... until those final 15 minutes or so when the depth of his character comes into full view, and the entire performance is, beautifully, recontextualized. It's astounding. Borisov in Anora blew me away. I would give him this Oscar.

Will Win: Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown)

 - I'm going to predict a bit of a surprise here. Because I know Kieran Culkin has won a bunch of awards and I know he is, in many ways, the favorite (and I thought he was fantastic in A Real Pain). However ... Edward Norton is kind of magical and amazing in A Complete Unknown, and it's a performance that sticks with you. Norton is approaching legendary status and has sort of reinvented himself in terms of the types of roles he excels at. I think he will end up taking this one. Note: I also love Guy Pierce in The Brutalist, but his performance there is so over-the-top and insane that I can't see him winning. But I would be amused if he did.

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

Should Win: Felicity Jones (The Brutalist)

- Felicity Jones enters the second half of The Brutalist like a total firecracker, and gives new life to the movie with a memorable and entertaining performance. Jones is always great in everything, and she particularly shines in this one. I'd give her the nod.

Will Win: Zoe Saldana (Emilia Perez)

 - And here's where it gets tricky, and here's where we get into the Emilia Perez of it all. Personally, I really loved the movie when I first saw it. I then read up on some of the controversies and it made my esteem for the movie drop just a bit. But then, all the Carla Sofia Gascone stuff came out and, yikes. That unfortunately tanked Gascone's awards chances and the film's Best Picture chances. But I think there is still love out there for the movie as a whole, and particularly for Zoe Saldana's performance in it. And it helps that the other contenders in this category, other than maybe Jones, aren't heavyweights per se (and how many Oscar voters watched all 3.5 hours of The Brutalist to see the brunt of Jones' performance?). So Saldana still gets it. And I won't be upset, because I still maintain that she is positively dynamite in Emilia Perez.


BEST DIRECTOR:

Should and Will Win: Sean Baker (Anora)

- Once again, I could see Anora winning a lot and also winning nothing. It's hard to say and it's going to be tight. I feel like Baker's main competition here is probably Brady Corbett for The Brutalist. But Baker has the track record that Corbett does not, and I could see a scenario where voters are like "yeah, we probably should have been nominating this dude for his last several films, so ...". But again, this could go in some different directions. James Mangold could be a spoiler for A Complete Unknown. I don't see Coralie Fargeat winning, but it would sort of rule if she did. We'll see. But ultimately I hope it's finally Baker's year, and I think it just might be.


BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:

Should and Will Win: Anora

- It probably comes down to Anora vs. A Real Pain here. And both are SO well written and are deserving. But man, Sean Baker is quite simply a genius who, more than almost anyone, can make personal stories take on a metaphorical significance that feels urgent and timely. See also: The Florida Project. See also: Red Rocket. I see Anora winning this one.

 

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:

Should Win: Sing Sing

- Sing Sing is a powerful film that's got an undeniable script. I really like a lot of the films in this category, but man, go look at some of Colman Domingo's big monologues in Sing Sing and tell me that this one shouldn't win the Oscar.

Will Win: Conclave

- Conclave is snappy. It's got the prestige of a classic Oscar winner while also having an airport thriller esque entertainment value. I am guessing this is where it gets an Oscar.

 

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:

Should and Will Win: The Wild Robot

- Let me just say ... when I finally watched FLOW several weeks back, I was floored. And it's now right up there for me alongside The Wild Robot as my pick for 2024's best animated movie. But I will give just the slightest edge to The Wild Robot both in terms of my personal pick and my pick to win the Oscar. Flow has gained a lot of momentum, but I don't know if it's gained quite *enough* momentum to topple the bigger movie that's been beloved for many months prior to voting. So an upset could happen, but I'll still bet on The Wild Robot.

 

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE:

Should and Will Win: I'm Still Here

- Interestingly, Flow is also in this category. But with the implosion of Emilia Perez, the smart money would be on Best Picture nominee I'm Still Here - which is a harrowing, incredibly-acted, emotionally-affecting film. Likely a lock.
 

 BEST VISUAL EFFECTS:

Should and Will Win: Dune: Part Two

- You could make the argument for a few movies on this list. And from a pure technical standpoint I might actually give the award to Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. But personally, for me, this category is one part technical and one part artistry - f/x that aided in telling the best and most compelling story. And that to me makes it Dune's award to lose. Because Dune II was one of the very best films of 2024, and its visuals were spectacular and unique and memorable.


BEST DOCUMENTARY:

- Should and Will Win: Porcelain War

- I sadly / shamefully haven't seen any of this year's documentary nominees (though another snub worth mentioning: where was Will & Harper on this list?). But I've heard good things about Porcelain War so I'm going with that one.

 

BEST FILM EDITING:

- Should and Will Win: Anora

 

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:
 

- Should and Will Win: The Brutalist

 

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN:

Should and Will Win: Dune: Part Two



BEST ANIMATED FILM SHORT:

- Should Win: ???
- Will Win: Magic Candies

 

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT:

- Should Win: ???
- Will Win: Incident

 

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT:

- Should Win: ???
- Will Win: I'm Not a Robot

 

BEST COSTUME DESIGN:

- Should and Will Win: Wicked

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING:

- Should and Will Win: Wicked

 

BEST SOUND:

Should Win: Dune: Part Two

- Dune II was total sensory overload, especially when seen in IMAX. But ...

Will Win: A Complete Unknown

- Because voters will just figure "hey, I liked the music in this one, so that means Best Sound?" The music is, of course, really good though.


BEST ORIGINAL SCORE:

- Should and Will Win: The Brutalist

- Again, how in the name of John Williams was Challengers not nominated here? In light of that snub though, I would easily go with The Brutalist - which had a tremendous score that really helped elevate the film. I've got to imagine it wins out.

 

BEST ORIGINAL SONG:

- Should and Will Win:  “El Mal" (Emilia Perez)

- Somehow, as part of all the (in many senses deserved) Emilia Perez backlash, people are now accusing the movie's music of not being good. But I really enjoyed the film's musical numbers, and "El Mal" was, IMO, pretty awesome both as a song and as a filmed sequence in the movie. I think voters will still give it some love despite everything else going on around the film.


And there you have it. As I've said, this is a VERY tough year to predict in many instances, and a lot could happen and there could be some genuine surprises. But despite various controversies, there are still a ton of fantastic films in this year's race, and I'll be genuinely happy in most instances for whomever wins (but yes, I'm rooting for Anora).

Celebrate film!

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

THE BEST OF 2024 - The Best MOVIES Of The Year


THE YEAR IN MOVIES - 2024

- 2024 was another amazing year for movies. And it was another year that, as I continued to struggle with Long COVID and the limitations it placed on me, the more I felt grateful for all those great movies. I know that we are always having these conversations about going to the theater vs. watching things at home. And sure, I very much enjoy curling up on the couch at home and watching something there. But going to the movies ... to me, there's still nothing like it. Especially when you have a good crowd that, like you, is there not to look at their phones or take photos for social media clout, but to be in the place where the magic happens (to paraphrase Nicole Kidman). A few weeks ago, I went to see a theatrical showing of Christopher Nolan's Interstellar - re-released in IMAX for a limited time. The experience was a memorable one. Even though I saw it in IMAX upon initial release, years ago - getting to now show the movie to others who hadn't previously seen it, in this format - it was something special. But it's not just big, huge epic movies that play better on the big screen. When I think back to all of my theater-going experiences in 2024, I think about the sort of immersion I experienced during the hypnotic Anora or the travelogue comedy of A Real Pain. These films were just as big-screen worthy, in my view, as anything else. And of course, the experience is always about more than just the movie itself. I think back to our "gathering of the fellowship" to see a new Lord of the Rings movie, or celebrating my birthday by experiencing the ridiculously over-the-top spectacle of Megalopolis ... these are some of my favorite memories of 2024.

2024 was one of the best years for horror movies that I can remember. I think the genre is expanding and continually finding new audiences - because when you have a great year for horror like 2024, people start to realize that horror movies can say so much about the world we live in. They're also the most fun movies to see with an audience. And as I type that, I can't help but smile as I think back to seeing Alien: Romulus and exchanging amused glances with friends, as a girl sitting behind us screamed bloody murder during a particularly crazy sequence. But man, it's hard to quantify these things ... but in a year that had The Substance, Nosferatu, Longlegs, MaXXXine, Late Night With the Devil, Alien: Romulus, Heretic, Oddity, Exhuma, A Quiet Place: Day One, I Saw the TV Glow, and more ... I mean, maybe it really WAS the best year for horror ever? 

Tangent: I feel bad for people who have sort of stopped looking forward to things. I know ... everyone's brain works differently. But one thing I love about being a pop-culture nerd is how much there always is to be excited about. Even when things get rough, there's always a big new movie just around the corner. I know for me, during this crazy Long COVID period, it's something I've come to appreciate more than ever. Someone asked me recently if I ever get tired of movies. And I thought that, yeah, there is always that moment at the end of the year where I've seen a ton of stuff, in an effort to cram in all the potential awards nominees before the end of the year, and am feeling just a bit burnt out on movies. There's always that moment where I actually do get a little bit sick of watching and thinking about movies, even the good ones, and just want to "touch grass" as the kids say. But then I inevitably start thinking about the next few months. This year, I'm thinking about how in a few short weeks we've got a new Captain America movie coming out, and a two new Steven Soderbergh movies, and then a new Jurassic Park and ... well, you get the picture. So sure, I'm taking this moment to look back. But I'm also already thinking about what's to come. And I'm already pretty excited about all of it.

Back to 2024 though ... it was a great year for horror, but wow, it was a great year for movies in general. Literally all 51 movies talked about below are GREAT movies, in my estimation. Flawed, sure, in some cases. But there's some spark of greatness. Something I won't forget. And even in the honorable mentions below that, there are a bunch that I regretted to leave off the main list. So I hope you will find at least a few things to like and discover here.


DANNY'S BEST MOVIES OF 2024:


1.) Anora

- Sean Baker has been one of my favorite filmmakers for a long time now. His movies tell smaller-scale stories, yet always feel huge in terms of theme. His films are funny, poignant, and incredibly human. All the same, they have a heightened, mesmerizing quality to them that always transports you. From The Florida Project to Red Rocket and now ... what might be his best movie yet. Because Anora is a masterpiece and my favorite film of the year. I've loved all of Sean Baker's work, but the combination of humor, pathos, non-stop momentum, and thought-provoking commentary / character study here is simply genius. Mikey Madison kills it in the lead role - what a transformative, breakout turn (and I was lucky to see a fantastic Q&A with her following the film - she's got a bright future ahead of her!). So too does Yura Borisov, in what has got to be one of the most quietly devastating performances I've ever seen. Inspiring stuff. In its own way, Anora is one of the best explorations of the American Dream I've ever seen. And I can't wait to see what Sean Baker does next.


2.) Perfect Days

- Yes, this one is going on my 2024 list, even though it was in consideration for last year's Oscars. But to be fair, it didn't get a real US release until February of *this* year. And I had to put it on this list, because the movie is phenomenal and gave me so much to unpack. It’s a poignant, profound film brilliantly directed by Wim Wenders and featuring the performance of a lifetime by Koji Yakusho. It's a simple but many-layered story about the life of a humble Tokyo toilet cleaner and the people he encounters in his daily cleaning routine around the city. But there is so much happening here beneath the surface, and Wenders does a masterful job of showing us just enough to get a sense of our protagonist's inner life and backstory. It also serves as an engrossing tour of Tokyo (including the fact that the city, apparently, has extremely nice public bathrooms!).

 
3.) Dune: Part Two

- As much as I loved the first film, this one tops it - and truly feels like The Empire Strikes Back of this series. Bigger, darker, more complex - with a world that opens up and reveals a much larger scope and scale to the story. I was on the edge of my seat throughout - mesmerized by director Denis Villeneuve's striking and awe-inspiring imagery. There were SO many scenes that were seared into my brain, bursting with imagination and painterly composition. The film was filled with fantastic performances top to bottom. Timothée Chalamet really impresses, undergoing an unsettling transformation as the movie progresses. Zendaya brings raw emotion and heart. Rebecca Ferguson is a show-stealer, as usual, with her steely-eyed gravitas. This is the kind of visionary sci-fi/fantasy cinema that we only get every so often from a big Hollywood studio. 

 
4.) Sing Sing

- What a movie. That one got to me. It's an incredibly powerful, overwhelmingly emotional film. The great Colman Domingo delivers yet another Oscar-worthy performance, in what's got to be my favorite overall performance of 2024. And the rest of the cast - most of them non-professional actors and actual formerly incarcerated people - is also remarkable. A striking, searing, uplifting prison film about the power of redemption, and an inspirational testament to the power of creative expression. This one has been far too under the radar - make a point to watch it if you can!


5.) The Substance

-  The Substance left me both wowed and slightly traumatized - and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. This is flat-out one of the wildest, gnarliest, and most extreme movies you will ever see. It's Black Mirror-esque sci-fi social satire mixed with David Lynch-style weirdness and David Cronenberg-like, boundary-pushing body horror. Demi Moore & Margaret Qualley go for broke (one of Demi's best acting turns ever), and writer/director Coralie Fargeat (who previously gave us the adrenaline-fueled Revenge) leaves quite a mark. This is an unforgettable parable about aging, the questfor eternal youth, and the perils of trying to stay young forever in Hollywood. What a ride.

 
6.) Love Lies Bleeding

- Speaking of wild rides, Love Lies Bleeding is a nitro-fueled roller-coaster ride that kicks ass in every conceivable way. Kristen Stewart, Katy M O'Brian (in a truly breakout performance), and Ed Harris absolutely kill. And director Rose Glass - I'm floored by what she did here, because this film is a statement movie if ever there was one. Hard-hitting, tense, scary, funny, violent, crazy. A roid-rage crime-noir 80's-set romance-thriller that feels like a total burst of originality. I'm glad I saw this one with a packed audience - because there were some *reactions*!


7.) Challengers

- Challengers was an instantly iconic, singularly unique, swing-for-the-fences movie from Luca Guadagnino. It's crazy, campy, and heightened to the extreme - and incredibly fun to see in the theater, as it very much is a film that playfully manipulates its audience. Some real *Movie Star* performances in this one too from Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor. A memorable techno score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross as well. A strange, hypnotic, kinetically-charged piece of cinema that has stuck with me all year long.

 
8.) Problemista

- Problemista is a small miracle of a movie. This is SNL writer Julio Torres' first film as a writer, director, and star - and he absolutely kills it, bringing serious Charlie Kaufman-esque vibes to a movie that's weird and hilarious yet also poignant and real-feeling. A surreal and whimsical journey that's also a pretty spot-on commentary on how to survive in our late-stage capitalist culture. Tilda Swinton is amazing here too - an absolute force of nature. Another under the radar movie from 2024 that deserves much more attention.


9.) Strange Darling

- I went in basically blind to this movie, deciding to see it at the last minute based on the online buzz I was hearing ... and holy lord, did it ever live up to the hype. An incredible indie thriller that’s filled with devilishly entertaining twists and turns. And it's got a wickedly awesome breakthrough central performance from Willa Fitzgerald. Kyle Gallner is great too. Writer/director JT Mollner infuses the movie with shades of David Lynch and Jeremy Saulnier and a bit of Ti West - and absolutely knocks it out of the park. Avoid spoilers and go watch it asap!

 
10.) Thelma

- Thelma made me howl with laughter, made me teary eyed, and made me miss my grandma. It’s a great LA movie, a great Jewish movie, and one of the funniest comedies in a long time - with an amazing, one-of-a-kind performance from the legendary June Squibb. The whole cast is excellent - Richard Roundtree (RIP), Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, Fred Hechinger - but Squibb is next level.  This story of a 93 year old grandmother determined to take down the scammers who stole her money is an instant classic. Watch it!


JUST MISSED THE CUT:


11.) A Real Pain

- A funny, moving, authentic travelogue film that speaks to themes of Jewishness, Millennial angst/anxiety, mental health, family, and more. Kieran Culkin is so good in this, as is Jesse Eisenberg - who also wrote/directed/edited. I was lucky enough to see this one accompanied by an in-person Q&A with Eisenberg, which only reinforced to me how brilliant and funny he is and how much thoughtfulness went into this film.
 
 
12.) Sasquatch Sunset

- Speaking of Jesse Eisenberg - don't criticize the man for only playing himself. Because this year, he also played a sasquatch! And was great! Sasquatch Sunset is a strange, hilarious, moving, thought-provoking and kind of amazing. Truly a one of a kind film. Jesse Eisenberg and Riley Keough and the rest of the cast give fearless, all-in performances. One of the year's most original indies.
 
 
13.) Late Night With the Devil
 
- A fantastic premise with a killer script - executed to perfection - that manages to surprise and shock with each new twist and turn. David Dastmalchian kills it as our erstwhile, 70's-era late night talk show host, and the rest of the cast is great as well. What a fun, funny, spooky journey this movie takes you on. I was totally gripped throughout. One of the best horror movies of the last few years
 
 
14.) Hundreds of Beavers

- The cult indie movie sensation that’s been sweeping the nation. Wow. Rarely has a movie made me want to immediately find and watch a documentary explaining how they made it. A magic trick of a movie that’s one part old silent film, one part Looney Tunes, and one part videogame adventure. What a wild ride. It took me a good half hour to lock in to the film’s unique rhythm, but once I did I spent the rest of the runtime marveling at this movie’s mad genius.


15.) A Quiet Place: Day One

- Unexpectedly, this horror prequel turned out to be kind of amazing. What a script, what a central performance from Lupita Nyong’o, and what a great job directing from Michael Sarnoski. An emotional and surprisingly poignant thrill ride that is blockbuster filmmaking at its finest. Absolutely loved this one!


THE NEXT BEST:

 
16.) Saturday Night

- If you're a fellow TV/Comedy nerd, this one's for you. The movie captures a very specific moment - literally - in showing us, at breakneck pacing, the two hours before the first ever episode of Saturday Night Live. But it also shows us the broader moment in time. The moment in TV history when a new generation of 20-somethings was let into the hallowed halls of NBC and other places - on a mission to disrupt the business as it had been since the invention of the medium a few decades earlier. Every performance here is golden. The cast is filled with talented up-and-comers, and a few veterans like Willem Dafoe, JK Simmons, and Matthew Rhys as George Carlin really stand out too.


17.) Hit Man

- This Netflix original has an absolutely fantastic script and one hell of a performance from Glen Powell … who is masterfully doing a sort of Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent / Superman thing. A breakout role for Adria Arjona too. Fun, funny, and with some of the best individual sequences of any movie in 2024. Director Richard Linklater adds to his legend once again.


18.) It's What's Inside

- Oh man, It's What's Inside is another really great 2024 original film from Netflix. And they barely promoted it. Luckily, a few of my favorite film critics raved about it, and so I finally gave it a watch this December. And I was sort of floored. What an incredibly smart and fun and inventive sci-fi movie. Writer/director Greg Jardin is very much a talent to watch, as is just about every member of this young cast. Mind-blowing stuff. One of the years’s best films!


19.) A Complete Unknown

- Really loved this one. And I was probably prone to, because I'm a Bob Dylan fan and have always been fascinated with the era of 60's counterculture and the early days of rock & roll music. But even so, the performances in this film were phenomenal, especially when you factor in that the cast did all their own singing. Timothee Chalomet as Bob Dylan, Edward Norton as Pete Seger, and Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez in particular were outstanding and awards-worthy. Lots of chill-inducing moments throughout. A great rock biopic that gave a lot to chew on, despite being about one of the most unknowable figures of our lifetime.
 
 
20.) Emilia Perez
 
-  Emilia Perez is not quite like any movie I’ve seen before. It’s a cartel crime saga, a trans parable, AND an experimental musical. Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofía Gascón are both phenomenal in this. Selina Gomez too. The movie is just an explosion of originality, of music, of emotion, of drama. It's a heightened, wild tale of a film but it had me fully absorbed throughout. A Netflix original that I'm glad I got to see in a theater, because the film is so "big," in its own way, that it demands to be seen on a huge screen.

 
21.) The Brutalist

- Several years ago, I watched a fascinating but completely insane movie called Vox Lux, from a then new writer/director named Brady Corbet. I thought to myself "wow, this is crazy, but I'm glad this guy is out there making these movies." Well, after sitting through 3.5 hours of The Brutalist, I am here to tell you that this is a Brady Corbet joint through and through. It's a big, massive swing of a movie. It deals with big, weighty subject matter - aiming to tell a great American story of tragedy and triumph in a fashion similar to something like There Will Be Blood. But The Brutalist is anything but your standard American epic. And I won't soon forget it.


22.) Didi

- Another criminally overlooked film of 2024 that I can't recommend enough - it's legitimately one of the best and most affecting coming of age movies I've ever seen ... the best, perhaps, since the seminal Eighth Grade. Funny, heartbreaking, and nostalgic (no movie has ever evoked more nostalgia in me for chatting on AIM). So many great performances in this one too (Joan Chen!). Make it a point to watch this one.
 

23.) The Wild Robot

- The Wild Robot is quite simply a stunning work of art. Incredible animation, intense action, some truly sensational voice work (Lupita Nyong'o absolutely crushes it - and there are some incredible supporting turns as well), and a giant beating heart that left not a dry eye in my theater. There's a very strong case to be made that this is the best film from Dreamworks Animation to date. Certainly, it was the best animated movie of 2024.


24.) The Apprentice

- A hell of a film, though it’s one of the most disturbing supervillain origin stories you’ll ever see. Because this villain is real and he’s about to be President again. But hats off to Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong for two incredible lead performances. And to director Ali Abbasi, who completely immerses you in 70's and then 80's New York City and makes every moment of this movie feel appropriately scuzzy and skeezy. If you have the stomach for it, I highly recommend everyone give this one a watch.


25.) Rebel Ridge

- Jeremy Saulnier (Green Room) is one of the most exciting filmmakers working today. And his latest movie absolutely rules. Rebel Ridge is Saulnier at his gritty best - with palpable tension and timely themes that bring to mind his best film, Green Room. Anchored by an insanely badass lead performance from Aaron Pierre, the film’s also got several strong supporting roles - from Don Johnson as a corrupt police chief to AnnaSophia Robb as a rebellious ally. 

 
MORE GREAT FILMS OF 2024:


 26.) Flow

- Updated now that I've seen this incredible animated movie. Flow is an amazing work of art, and a phenomenal piece of storytelling. It's a mysterious, enigmatic story about animals navigating their way through some sort of post-human, possibly post-apocalyptic future. And without using words, it still somehow manages to tell a story rife with emotion, awe, wonder, and spirituality. The animation is some of the best and most expressive I've ever seen. A must-watch.
 
 
27.) I Saw The TV Glow

- I Saw The TV Glow is a movie I’ll be thinking about for a long time, and as more time has passed, this one has really risen in my estimation. Because what I've realized is how vital this movie feels, and how strongly it's spoken to many who needed a movie like this. It’s a visually stunning treatise on Millennial nostalgia and angst - and a deeply felt film about the trans experience - filtered through a surrealist, Lynchian horror lens. Writer/director Jane Schoenbrun is 100% one to watch.


28.) Alien: Romulus

-  An incredibly fun roller coaster ride of a movie. It lulls you into thinking you might be getting a more YA-ish, Disney-fied version of Alien - but, nope! This one gets absolutely crazy at times. It also blends homage and innovation very well to make for a worthy entry in the storied Alien franchise, with fun references to nearly every Alien movie so far. Cailee Spaeny follows up her amazing work in Priscilla and Civil War with a great final girl turn here, and David Jonsson is also a huge standout as the robot Andy. Director Fede Alvarez creates a truly immersive survival horror experience.


29.) September 5

- September 5 features intense, riveting, pulse pounding direction from Tim Fehlbaum. And it's got an amazing ensemble cast. Ultimately, it's one of the best movies I’ve ever seen about real time journalism in action. And it's a stark, timely reminder of the horrific events of the Munich Olympics. 
 
 
30 .) The Bikeriders

- The Bikeriders is a joy to watch, in part because it's filled with great actors giving us a classic tale of power, crime, love, and death. It's a quasi Godfather-like crime epic (but with bikers!), with Tom Hardy going big in a hugely entertaining, Brando-esque turn. Austin Butler and Jodie Comer are also fantastic - in fact, the whole cast is great, even in terms of the smaller roles (Michael Shannon, in a short amount of time, completely kills it).


31.) Longlegs
 
- Combines a dash of Silence of the Lambs, a bit of 70's/80's era horror vibes, and some slick modern indie-horror twists. Absolutely killer and against-type performances from lead Maika Monroe (aka our reigning and defending scream queen) as well as an almost unrecognizable Alicia Witt in a fantastic supporting turn. Blair Underwood is great too, bringing some steely gravitas to the proceedings. And Nic Cage as the demented killer, well ... nightmare city. A retro-styled slow burn horror-thriller that delivers the goods. 

 
32.) Civil War

- Alex Garland is one of my favorite filmmakers, and he delivers yet again with CIVIL WAR - another thematically ambitious piece of social commentary in which Garland examines our endless lust for violence, conflict, and division. So much to unpack/discuss here - because Garland gives us a parable about the ways in which so many are happy to profit from or leverage the gears of war and are all too quick to ignore the actual, human cost. Another great 2024 film about journalism. A brilliant movie.


33.) The Piano Lesson

- An incredibly absorbing August Wilson adaptation filled with amazing performances and searing dialogue. What a cast! John David Washington, Samuel L Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Potts, Corey Hawkins, and Ray Fisher are all excellent here. I could watch this group of actors go back and forth with each other all day. And if, like me, you're a fan of August Wilson - then you will find a lot to like and a lot to think about and unpack. I hope this one gets some love this coming awards season.


34.) The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

- One of the great, underrated action movies of 2024. Director Guy Ritchie gives us a crackling story filled with great characters, grimly satisfyingly violence, and a witty and self-effacing sense of humor. This one falls somewhere between the pop blockbuster filmmaking of Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes and his grittier crime films like Snatch and Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels - but it is, I think, a huge crowd-pleaser. The cast is also just stacked with great, super fun performances. Henry Cavill (only fitting that Superman sticks it to the Nazis) crushes as the charismatic and rogue-ish team leader. This is one of those classic, uber-satisfying, men-on-a-mission movies and I highly recommend it! And a fascinating chapter of WWII history to boot. 


35.) My Old Ass

- One of the best teen movies I've seen in a long time (between this and Didi it's been an amazing year for coming of age films!). Funny, FULL of heart, authentic, and unique. It's about an 18-year-old girl who takes shrooms ... and magically encounters her 39-year-old self. So with that said, I went in expecting something a bit ridiculous - but got a surprisingly grounded and emotionally-impactful film. A breakout leading turn from Maisy Stella, and she pairs very well with Aubrey Plaza as her older self.
 
 
36.) Molli and Max in the Future

-  Loved this movie! A hilarious indie science fiction rom-com that mixes current-day Millennial angst with wildly inventive sci-fi satire. Sort of blown away by what writer/director Michael Lukk Litwak was able to do here with a presumably limited budget. So good! An under the radar movie that I think would have been huge had it gotten a bigger release.

 
37.) I'm Still Here

- A moving, harrowing drama set during Brazil's 1970's-era military dictatorship. It tells the story of a woman - played with steely grit by the amazing Fernanda Torres - struggling to find out what happened to her husband when he is abducted by the government. Ultimately, this is a story about persevering through the darkness, fighting back against oppression, and coming out the other side of dark times having helped the arc of history swing back towards justice. 
 
 
38.) MaXXXine

-  A fantastic capper to the X trilogy. Pure rock n’ roll filmmaking, with yet another memorable Mia Goth performance. The cast, the needle drops, the 80’s slasher vibes - spot freakin’ on. Shout outs too to Elizabeth Debicki, Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon and more for notable turns here as well. I'd maybe place this one a notch below X and Pearl - but still, so many memorable moments and scenes. So all I can say is: thank you to the great Ti West for an all time kick-ass horror franchise.

 
39.) The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim

- I don't know, fellow nerds ... I thought this one ... sort of ruled? A suitably rousing, epic story that was an interesting/absorbing mash-up of the Peter Jackson movies with an anime aesthetic and sensibility. Had its share of nicely nostalgic moments (and that classic Howard Shore music!) but was also its own thing. No, not in the same league as the original trilogy - but still a really cool, really enjoyable addition to the canon.

 
40.) Nosferatu

- While the main plot beats here will be familiar to anyone who knows the story of Dracula, director Robert Eggers puts his own unique spin on this one and tweaks the characters in some interesting ways. Visually, the movie is incredible. Eggers uses a heavily black, white, and grey color palate - often evoking classic gothic horror and giving us some extremely vivid and painterly moments. Eggers, as he did in The Witch, also has an uncanny knack for creating an atmosphere of creeping demonic dread that really gets under your skin. He remains one of the most interesting and talented filmmakers working today.
 
 
41.) Gladiator 2

- Sorry haters, but I was very entertained by Gladiator 2! A rousing, action-packed movie that IMO flew by. Paul Mescal was awesome and brought the gravitas, and Denzel Washington was of course a scene stealer. Plenty of pump-your-fist-in-the-air moments and man, Ridley Scott can still do epic visuals like nobody’s business. Is it the stone cold masterpiece of the original? No. But it did just about everything I could have hoped a sequel would do. A big thumbs up from me!

 
42.) Wicked Pt. 1

- As someone who’d never seen the Wicked stage show and didn’t know the music, I thought that Wicked Pt. 1 was an incredibly fun, soaring, impeccably cast musical movie filled with dazzling visuals thanks to the eye-popping direction of Jon M. Chu. The great Cynthia Erivo completely knocked it out of the park - both acting and singing-wise - and Ariana Grande was fantastic as well. The ultimate crowd-pleaser of 2024.

 
43.) Conclave

- Conclave seems like it might be a Very Serious Movie, but it's actually a really fun, twisty thriller - with some Capital A Acting from greats like Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci (The 'Tuc is truly loose here!), and John Lithgow (going full Lithgow!). Visually stunning, too, thanks to the immense talents of director Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front). Saw this one quite a while back through work, and have been waiting to talk about it. Suffice it to say, highly recommend


44.) Better Man

- Going in, I didn’t know much about British pop star Robbie Williams. However, this is a pretty fantastic movie from Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey. Raw, poignant, funny, and filled with kinetic and show-stopping musical numbers. And somehow, the central conceit of Robbie Williams being portrayed as a CGI-created monkey (yep!), well, it works like gangbusters (trust me). Also, unexpectedly one of the best movies about fathers and sons I’ve seen (and Steve Pemberton is awards-worthy as Robbie’s father).


45.) Abigail

- Funny, twisty, smart, and shocking. Abigail is a big, crazy, plays-to-the-audience kind of movie. Dan Stevens has been one of my favorite actors for a while now, but he's SO great in this - one of his best and most fun roles yet. And the movie has a veritable Horror Movie All-Star Team cast of Stevens, Melissa Barrera, Kathryn Newton, Kevin Durand, Giancarlo Esposito, and more - all doing great stuff. And a shout-out to Alisha Weir, who gives one of the most memorable child-actor performances in a long time. The Radio Silence team (Ready or Not, the last two Scream movies) have a nearly flawless track record at this point of delivering super fun horror-comedy, and I can't wait to see what they do next.


46.) Touch

- What a wonderful film. A sweet, moving, epic love story that spans decades and spans continents. A movie filled with memorable performances that make the most out of small moments. Amazingly directed too. It's a movie about an aging man seeking out a lost love from his youth - and the movie shows us both the present-day version of his character and the younger version in a really moving, interesting manner. Highly recommend this one - a must-watch international film that is another somewhat under-the-radar release of 2024.


47.) The Taste of Things

- This was France's submission for last year's Oscars, but it's another one, like Perfect Days, that didn't actually release in the US until 2024. In any case, this was an artfully directed, wonderfully acted film - a period-piece romantic drama that also highlights the love and craftsmanship and dedication that goes into the the culinary arts. Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel are fantastic here as well. I am not a foodie whatsoever, but really dug this this one. Highly recommended.


48.) Lisa Frankenstein

- Lisa Frankenstein is just what the doctor ordered if you grew up a fan of unapologetically weird, goth-tinged fare like Edward Scissorhands. It's got a funny, subversive script from Diablo Cody, eye-popping direction from Zelda Williams, and a great turn in the lead role from Kathryn Newton.


49.) The 4:30 Movie

-  Unexpectedly sort of loved Kevin Smith's latest. It gave me the same feeling of inspiration as Clerks did when I saw it way back in the day. Hilarious, lots of heart, a great young cast (and lots of great cameos), and many a geeky movie reference that made me chuckle. Kevin Smith’s best movie since the days of Clerks and Mallrats. Awesome to see one of my original movie heroes back in top form.

 
50.) Drive-Away Dolls

- It's been fascinating to see Joel Coen's Macbeth and now this film - from Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke - and get a better sense of each Coen Brother's individual sensibility. Ethan is clearly the goofier of the brothers. He brings Lebowski-esque humor to this one (trippy, random, very dirty). It's highly quotable and hilarious. Loved the lead performances from Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan (in a total breakout performance). Maybe not an all-timer in the Coen catalog, but a thoroughly enjoyable low-key entry in the canon. And as with many of the Coen's films, I can't wait to re-watch.

 
Bonus:
 
51.) Will & Harper

- This documentary is hilarious but also extremely moving. It's a testament to the good and bad of America in 2024. But ultimately it's about getting to know the recently-transitioned Harper and understanding her story. Her best friend Will Ferrell's presence leads to a lot of laughs and a lot of tears. But this is an important film, a movie that has the superpower to generate empathy and understanding. Highly recommend giving it a watch!
 
 
52.) Deadpool & Wolverine

- I didn't quite know what to expect going in, but I surprisingly really loved Deadpool & Wolverine. Such a fun, funny movie that worked for me on just about every level. The jokes largely landed and I was laughing throughout. The action was cool and the character dynamics were on point. And there was a real beating heart to boot. Hugh Jackman did NOT just cash a check here - he goes all-in and may even get you emotional. But ... there were SO many fun shout-outs for Marvel geeks as well - and there was stuff here that I've waited my entire life to see in live action. But all of it felt done with love, not cynicism. There was a clear passion here for the good, the bad, and the weird of Marvel.

 
53.) The Beekeeper

- Almost every January there is that one movie that’s just what you need after a bunch of awards-bait films in December. A movie that exists merely to kick ass and make you smile at the absurdity of its premise and the loudness of its explosions. That gives you a few quotable one-liners and at least one solid twist. Well, that movie in 2024 was The Beekeeper. Jason Statham and a solid supporting cast (Jeremy Irons!) understand the assignment here. David Ayer brings the action movie goods as director. There are bee puns.This one 100% delivers the goods.


HONORABLE MENTIONS - OTHER RECOMMENDED MOVIES FROM THIS YEAR:

- Housekeeping For Beginners
- Furiosa
- Queer
- Maria
- Woman of the Hour
- Blitz
- Joker: Folie a Deux
- Inside Out 2
- Heretic
- Y2K
- The Gutter
- The Fall Guy
- Babygirl
- Destroy All Neighbors
- Exhuma
- Immaculate
- Oddity
- Nightbitch
- One Life
- Music By John Williams
- Kinds of Kindness
- Kung Fu Panda 4
- Mean Girls
- Wicked Little Letters
- Juror #2
- Carry On
- The First Omen
- The Beast
- Megalopolis
- Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

 
 
 INDIVIDUAL 2024 AWARDS:


BEST LEAD ACTOR:

1.) Colman Domingo - Sing Sing
2.) Koji Yakusho - Perfect Days
3.) Adrian Brody - The Brutalist
4.) Glen Powell - Hit Man
5.) Tie: Timothee Chalomet - A Complete Unknown / Sebastian Stan - The Apprentice


BEST LEADING ACTRESS:

1.) Mikey Madison - Anora
2.) Demi Moore - The Substance
3.) Willa Fitzgerald - Strange Darling
3.) Carla Sofia Gascone - Emilia Perez
4.) TIE: June Squibb - Thelma / Cynthia Erivo - Wicked Pt. 1 / Lupita Nyong’o - A Quiet Place: Day One

 
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:

1.) Yura Borisov - Anora
2.) Kieran Culkin - A Real Pain
3.) Jeremy Strong - The Apprentice
4.) Edward Norton - A Complete Unknown
5.) TIE: Guy Pierce - The Brutalist, Tom Hardy - The Bikeriders


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

1.) Danielle Deadwyler - The Piano Lesson
2.) Felicity Jones - The Brutalist
3.) Tilda Swinton - Problemista
4.) Zoe Saldana - Emilia Perez
5.) Margaret Qualley - The Substance


BEST DIRECTOR:

1.) Sean Baker - Anora
2.) Denis Villeneuve - Dune Pt. 2
3.) Coralie Fargeat - The Substance
4.) Luca Guadagnino - Challengers
5.) Tie: Brady Corbett - The Brutalist / Wim Wenders - Perfect Days


BEST SCREENPLAY:

1.) Anora
2.) Sing Sing
3.) Strange Darling
4.) September 5
5.) Saturday Night
6.) A Complete Unknown
7.) Problemista
8.) It's What's Inside
9.) Thelma
10.) Challengers

THE BEST OF 2024 - The Best GAMES Of The Year

      

- If you think it's tough keeping up with all the latest TV shows and movies ... try keeping up with what's new and buzzworthy in the world of videogames. It's pretty much an impossible task, and yet ... thanks to listening to podcasts like Triple Click, I constantly feel like I'm missing out. There's so much cool new stuff, all the time - especially in the world we now live in where there's an almost constant stream of interesting new indie games to check out. 

So let me talk about ASTRO BOT. I'll spoil my list below and reveal that Astro Bot is 100% my Game of the Year for 2024. It won GOTY at the Game Awards earlier this month. And it premiered to nearly unanimous rave reviews. And yet ... I still hear people talk about it with a bit of condescension. Why? Because the game isn't a 100+ hour behemoth that requires a black belt in gaming to master and defeat? Because the game emphasizes awe and wonder and delight and fun over grimdark storytelling and endless lore? Because it's a 3D platformer in an era when the genre is less popular and considered somehow less-than? 

Honestly, I think the games industry needs way more games like Astro Bot. Games that provide escape without taking over your entire life. Games that are simple yet challenging. Games designed to make you feel something. Games that are in the spirit of the kind of stuff that made my generation fall in love with games in the first place, in the days of the NES, Super NES, and Playstation. I've always loved the 1-1 controls of a great platformer. There's something so satisfying about pressing a button and causing an instantaneous reaction, rather than what you get in so many games today where a button press activates a pre-programmed set of animations to play out. The feeling of pressing the "jump" button and your character just, you know, jumps. It can't be overstated how good that feels and how immersive it makes gameplay. There's also something to be said for games that can be played in relatively short bursts, that don't require a a multi-hour commitment and don't require the memorization of or mastery over multiple complex systems in order to really get in the groove. Not that there's anything wrong with that ... but sometimes, less is more.

And that, I think, was evident when it came to some of 2024's high profile bombs. The recent Suicide Squad game will forever be the quintessential example of this. The game tried to be SO much. It was a single player action adventure game, but also a loot shooter, but also an online co-op game, but also ... Why do game publishers think this is what people want? Hopefully, game successes like Astro Bot help to swing things in the other direction. I mean, when Nintendo made Super Mario Bros., were they thinking "gee, I bet we could create better longterm monetization opportunities if only we put ___ in this game"-?! No, of course not. Great games always win out at the end of the day. As we inch towards new console generations and even more advanced tech powering these games ... it's a lesson the industry could stand to remember.

I played a lot of great games in 2024, and of course, a lot of those games were not from 2024. I played through Astro's Playroom in preparation for Astro Bot's release and realized it has the most amazing videogame soundtrack ever ("S-S-D ..."). I finally got to the end of Spider-Man: Miles Morales, which I really enjoyed. I also finally played Life Is Strange: True Colors, which I loved. What an incredible and affecting narrative experience. 

But as for my favorites of 2024, let's get to it.



DANNY'S FAVORITE (NEW) GAMES OF 2024:


1.) Astro Bot

- Astro Bot is just pure coolness and joy wrapped up in a shiny futuristic package. It's a platformer on par with the greats in terms of gamplay, level design, and tightness of its controls. It has numerous moments that are there simply to wow and delight. And its techno-synth musical score absolutely rips. But bigger picture, it also feels like a throwback to the optimistic Y2K Futurism of the late 90's and early 00's - the era of Space Channel 5 and SSX Snowboarding and Daft Punk. There's something inherently happy and cool and inviting about this game that feels needed in this day and age. At a time when joy and escapism was much needed, Astro Bot answered the call.

 
2.) Animal Well

- Animal Well is a mind-blowingly magical and inventive indie game - a brilliantly clever and imaginative Metroidvania. It looks simple and charmingly retro on one hand (with its 8-bit style graphics) - but it's a game full of complex puzzle design that demands creativity and thoughtfulness and discovery on the part of the player. Inspiring, absorbing, and endlessly surprising. If you haven't given this one a whirl yet, you've really got to check it out.

 
3.) Life Is Strange: Double Exposure

- I love the Life is Strange games. I spent a solid chunk of gaming time in 2024 playing through True Colors, which I can now say is incredible and hugely underrated. And I'm just now dipping my toes into Double Exposure - which brings back original series protagonist Max Caulfield, continuing her story from the first Life Is Strange game. It's great to check in with Max again, and already I can tell that the same eye-popping visuals and absorbing narrative design from True Colors have carried over into this one, via developer Deck Nine. Those classic Life Is Strange emo-punk vibes are back again, and that to me is a wonderful thing.

 
4.) Tekken 8

- I'm a longtime fan of the Tekken series. I love the insane characters, the even more insane storylines, and of course, I love the bone-crunching fighting game action. Tekken 8 brings back pretty much all the best characters and gameplay innovations from the previous game - while also upping the ante in terms of graphics and fighting play styles. But at the end of the day, this is just the complete Tekken package. It's one of those series where each new installment helps to make a Playstation generation feel complete. Finally, there's Tekken on PS5 (now I just need Soul Caliber).


5.) Dragon Age: The Veilguard

- I'm not a hardcore Dragon Age fan, so I don't have strong opinions on the overall direction of the series or anything like that. But I decided to give this new installment a go, as I was especially intrigued by its shift to action-heavy gameplay. And so I recently fired up the game and got totally lost in its fantasy universe. The game feels a lot like Mass Effect but high fantasy, except in this case, the combat is nicely crunchy with a Horizon: Zero Dawn esque flow. I'm into it.


6.) Star Wars Outlaws

- It was always going to be a bit of an uphill battle for a brand new take on a Star Wars adventure game to win me over, so close to the release of a new game in the super-fun Jedi Fallen Order series. But this one quickly drew me in because it allows you to just sort of hang out in Star Wars in a way that few other games ever have. Sure, the various missions are cool, as is the narrative - but even more cool is just stumbling into a Star Wars dance club and checking out the scene. 


7.) Loco Motive

- I'm a sucker for a great, old-school point-and-click adventure game, and Loco Motive hearkens back to subversively funny LucasArts classics like Day of the Tentacle or Sam & Max Hit The Road. The game features some really amazing pixel art, some really nice jazz music, and that classic LucasArts-esque charm and wit that makes all the puzzle solving that much more enjoyable.


8.) Stellar Blade 

- If you enjoy quirky Japanese sci-fi action games a la Nier Automata, then Stellar Blade will likely float your boat. The game has an out-there story about an android protagonist navigating a post-apocalyptic world, and it's got fast-paced, stylish action that calls to mind the likes of Bayonetta or Devil May Cry. In fact, the game feels like a bit of a throwback to the PS2 days. Which to me, made it instantly appealing.

 
9.) Epic Mickey: Rebrushed

- I missed out on the original Epic Mickey game, so I was super curious to finally try it out via its new remaster ("Rebrushed"). From what I've read, this new version not only gives the game an amazing-looking visual refresh, but it also polishes up the gameplay substantially. Suffice it to say, the game now looks and plays fantastically, and so far I've really been enjoying it a lot. The Disney magic is strong in this one.


10.) The Plucky Squire

- The Plucky Squire is one of the most graphically innovative games I've ever seen. The central conceit is that you play as a cartoon-ish character from a children's storybook, who can leap out of the 2D plane of the book and into a more realistically rendered 3D space. Not everything works here, and there can be some clunkiness. But there is a sense of real visual magic on display in this game that you don't often see. It's worth checking out for the wow factor, but overall I found a lot of fun and charm from this one.