2024 Ranked - List of films I watched that were released in Irish cinemas or on VOD in 2024 (...well Dec 2023 to Dec 2024) or also appeared in film festivals
Full list over on:
Letterboxd
The Year in Stats
Anyway here's my top ten:
10. DEVO - dir. Chris Smith ★★★★
Documentarian Chris Smith (Wham!, American Movie) brings the story of the band DEVO to the screen, the extensive use of the song 'Gut Feeling', a huge plus for me
9. American Fiction - dir. Cord Jefferson ★★★★
Kind of falls apart in the final act but a funny, if not in any way a vicious satire with a great central performance
8. Between the Temples - dir. Nathan Silver ★★★★
Jason Schwartzman plays a cantor whose faith is called into question at the same time his old music teacher (Carol Kane) re-appears in his bat-mitzvah class. If you can't handle anxiety and embarrassment in your comedy, not for you.
7. Poor Things - dir. Yorgos Lanthimos ★★★★
I have very mixed reactions to Lanthimos's films, but this one struck the right notes for me, can understand why some would hate though.
6. The Substance - dir. Coralie Forgeat ★★★★
Great to watch in the cinema as some left early, but then some had their brains fried. From Working Title which usually produce Richard Curtis movies, so fair play to them.
5. The Teacher's Lounge ('Das Lehrezimmer') - dir. Ä°lker Çatak ★★★★
When theft's occur in the teacher's lounge, one teacher decides to get to the bottom of it but soon her morals and idealism get tested.
4. The Zone of Interest - dir. Jonathan Glazer ★★★★
The commandant of Auschwitz and his wife try to create the perfect home for their family right beside the camp. Sandra Hüller continues to amaze in every role she takes on.
3. Conclave - dir. Edward Berger ★★★★½
Who knew a film about a Pope dying could be so much fun? The occasional clashes between the Vatican and real life are very funny, and with some of my favourite actors all doing their bits, an enjoyable way to spend two hours.
2. Anora - dir. Sean Baker ★★★★★
Big fan of Baker's work so was looking forward to this for a long time. Mikey Madison is quite rightly getting plaudits but the shouts for Vache Tovmasyan for Best Supporting Actor Oscar starts here.
DRUM ROLL PLEASE...
1. Hundreds of Beavers - dir. Mike Cheslik ★★★★★
I'm sure watching it in a packed Screen 2 in the Light House Cinema helped add a star (heck maybe even two), but it was a great day out watching this silly no budget gem. I clapped at one point, don't think I've ever done that in the cinema before.