It’s not really an answer but Challengers strangely has dominated the most mental space. Maybe it’s the monster soundtrack with Reznors throbbing soundtrack doubling as the soundtrack of the summer.
But more I kind of dismisssd the film as “fun pulpy smut” when it came and I went to see it. I sort of brushed off a lot of its elements for some reason.
But as time went by the nature and message of the relationship began to resonate more and more.
Spoilers:
Mainly how it frames these characters and their personalities. I won’t go fully into it but Art as a character isn’t quite a killer as a tennis player. Zendaya struggles to make him one and wants him to be out for blood to be the best.
Patrick shows up and wants to be just that. He’s broke. He’s dirty, he’s a loser, but he WANTS IT. So bad. He exists almost purely for the game. He tried to convince Zendaya to pick him and coach him because he WILL be the greatest and at some point realizes he is right.
But what Zendaya realizes is maybe the better thing in life is the sure thing and not the killer. The steadier, softer person, who is more stabled and focused on things like family IS better than being “the best” and that actually feels like a very real life lesson. That passion unchecked can actually destroy you and rob you of what you think you’re setting out to obtain in the first place.
I don’t , it’s interesting stuff and has stuck with me in ways. This film has been rattling around in my head all summer.
Yep, on top of how dang beautiful it looks, the narrative and character choices in this just astounded me. I was along for the ride the entire time but it totally coalesced at the end for me in such a way that I was basically fist pumping alone in the theater.
Furiosa was a fantastic watch. I'm glad i didn't miss it out in theatres. Loved how beautiful the shots looked and Chris Hemsworth really gave one hell of a performance
Furiosa, Ghostlight, and The Beast are my top 3. I’m going to count TB on the fact it only released in festivals and France last year. Challengers, Kinds of Kindness, Dune, and Do Not Expect Much From the End of the World are honorary mentions. Awesome first half of the year so far!
Since Dune was named in the main post I’ll drop 2 of my favorites otherwise: I Saw the TV Glow & Love Lies Bleeding. Two great A24 movies that really wowed me and have stayed with me for months since seeing them. Hope both can find wider audiences on digital.
Dune as well. I saw it with a girl I don't even talk to anymore and I paid for everything and she just left when the movie ended but I honestly can't even be mad because the movie was so good.
1. Horizon: An American Saga. Chapter 1.
2. A Quiet Place: Day One
3. Dune 2
4. Inside Out 2
5. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Haven’t yet seen, but hope to soon: Challengers, Civil War, Furiosa, Love Lies Bleeding, and The Bikeriders.
Kinds of Kindness: 8.2 stars
Furiosa: 7.9 stars
Dune 2: 6.1
Challengers: 6.1 stars
Love lies bleeding: 4 stars
I think last year was much better (though there are a few films left on my list for this year)
2023:
Zone of interest: 9.5 stars
Poor Things: 9.4
Anatomy of a fall: 9.4
Killers of the Flower Moon: 8.5
Challengers, Furiosa and I Saw the TV Glow are all duking it our for my top spot.
Favorite movie that I watched in 2024 unrelated to release is probably Better Off Dead.
"Buenos dias!"
For 2024 releases - Femme and Challengers.
Non-2024 releases - All of Us Strangers, Monster (dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda), Solo (dir. Sophie Dupuis), Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret and The Triplets of Belleville.
Great to see Civil War love. Such a thrilling, disturbing, and relevant film. Reminded me in many ways of Children of Men. There were shots that almost made me nauseous with how intensely shot they were (in a very good way).
I don't really have budget to watch movies in cinemas often so I just watch the movie that I wanna watch the most that comes out that year. This year is Deadpool & Wolverine, since it hasn't been released yet I have only watched 2 2024 movies, of which my favorite is "The Garfield Movie"
I loved the chosen family of the crew and the dream sequences were wonderful. I agree on the cheering in an empty theater part as well, i was one of two people attending my showing.
Love Lies Bleeding. One of my favorites these last years.
I saw the TV Glow
Roadhouse: For when you need just dumb fun where the protagonist beats the shit out of everyone for 2 hours straight.
It’s Dune for me too, but I want to shout out my #2 & #3, which are Kill and Tuesday. Kill is a ruthless action thriller that’s as exhilarating as it is exhausting. It’s a demented blend of Snowpiercer, The Raid, and John Wick, with a little bit of Uncut Gems. Brutal & claustrophobic, it also packs some great emotional heft and character work as well.
Tuesday for whatever reason seems to have been buried by A24 upon release, but it happened to open in my city for a week and I was floored. Julia Louis-Dreyfuss gives one of her best performances in a heavy drama that incorporates some magical realism elements. I’ve seen a few films described as “R-rated Pixar” or “Pixar for adults” and this fits that bill almost to a tee. Highly recommended.
As far as favorites go in the sense that they'll go into my "best of the year" list, so far there's two of them:
- [Falcon Lake](https://letterboxd.com/giraffe_monster/film/falcon-lake/)
- [Steppenwolf](https://letterboxd.com/giraffe_monster/film/steppenwolf-2024/)
Still debating whether [Hamlet](https://letterboxd.com/giraffe_monster/film/hamlet-1964-1/) will get a spot as well. Very tempted, not a 2024 release though.
Hint: It has more than one hundred Beavers in it.
Possibly thousands.
How do I not know what this is? Lol
Hundreds Of Beavers. Hilarious movie. Kinda like a live action Looney Tunes. Trailer here: https://youtu.be/Dm5XHpQZvek?si=5rlPziP7tg562NWk
Hell yes
It’s not really an answer but Challengers strangely has dominated the most mental space. Maybe it’s the monster soundtrack with Reznors throbbing soundtrack doubling as the soundtrack of the summer. But more I kind of dismisssd the film as “fun pulpy smut” when it came and I went to see it. I sort of brushed off a lot of its elements for some reason. But as time went by the nature and message of the relationship began to resonate more and more. Spoilers: Mainly how it frames these characters and their personalities. I won’t go fully into it but Art as a character isn’t quite a killer as a tennis player. Zendaya struggles to make him one and wants him to be out for blood to be the best. Patrick shows up and wants to be just that. He’s broke. He’s dirty, he’s a loser, but he WANTS IT. So bad. He exists almost purely for the game. He tried to convince Zendaya to pick him and coach him because he WILL be the greatest and at some point realizes he is right. But what Zendaya realizes is maybe the better thing in life is the sure thing and not the killer. The steadier, softer person, who is more stabled and focused on things like family IS better than being “the best” and that actually feels like a very real life lesson. That passion unchecked can actually destroy you and rob you of what you think you’re setting out to obtain in the first place. I don’t , it’s interesting stuff and has stuck with me in ways. This film has been rattling around in my head all summer.
Didn’t that come out in 2022? EDIT: I was wrong. Theatrical was this year
It didn't have a theatrical release until this year
It was making the festival scene in 2022/23 but for the public it was all this year.
Civil War was such an experience in IMAX, either that or obviously Dune 2
I kept pleading with people to see Civil War in theaters because the sound design was so amazing
i abaolutely enjoyed Civil War as well!
About Dry Grasses
i've yet to see that one! Would love to check it out
It's on Criterion Channel.
very well, mate. I'll check it out! Just added it to my list
I Saw the TV Glow is a masterpiece I think about regularly ever since I saw it back in May
Saw it 3 times and I still can’t get it out of my head. One of the best queer films of all time.
https://preview.redd.it/txybgxd1sjbd1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ea49e72c73344a6c8ea567f3d99e37cbd6cf5560 Top to bottom incredible!
This movie was wonderful. The oxidation scene inside the crypt made my jaw drop. Beautiful film.
Yep, on top of how dang beautiful it looks, the narrative and character choices in this just astounded me. I was along for the ride the entire time but it totally coalesced at the end for me in such a way that I was basically fist pumping alone in the theater.
So annoyed I missed it in theaters
This is mine as well. Beautiful film.
Furiosa for sure
Hell yeah
Released in 2024: Dune Part II Watched in 2024: Godzilla Minus One
Challengers 100%
Dune 2 and Furiosa. I can't pick which one I liked better.
Furiosa was a fantastic watch. I'm glad i didn't miss it out in theatres. Loved how beautiful the shots looked and Chris Hemsworth really gave one hell of a performance
Furiosa and I Saw the TV Glow
I haven’t gotten around to watching I Saw the TV Glow yet, but oh my am I hooked on the soundtrack! Also love Brigette for her role in Atypical.
Yup, the soundtrack is phenomenal and I love the way they implement the songs throughout the film.
Fuck yes, this movie went hard as fuck
I was expecting it to be a John Wick clone and was pleasantly surprised that it had its own identity. Really enjoyed it.
Honestly I kind of liked it more than John Wick.
I 100% did
hell yes, great action film
Lisan Al-Gaib!
Fine I guess I’ll watch dune part 2 again
do it!
Furiosa and The Substance (don't know if I should count Evil Does Not Exist, it became available in my country 2 months ago)
Either Dune or Furiosa
Perfect Days and The Beast both had their theatrical releases in 2024 so I'm going with that. If not then idk Thelma or Challengers
Love Lies Bleeding
So good
Dune 2 without a doubt.
Furiosa, Ghostlight, and The Beast are my top 3. I’m going to count TB on the fact it only released in festivals and France last year. Challengers, Kinds of Kindness, Dune, and Do Not Expect Much From the End of the World are honorary mentions. Awesome first half of the year so far!
Ghostlight. Criminally underwatched. Such a beautiful and hilarious movie
Agreed. In my top 4 now!
HUNDREDS. OF. BEAVERS.
Challengers. It *is* cinema. I honestly don’t know why I didn’t give it a 10.
Dune Ii Inside Out 2
The Devil's Bath
Furiosa 
https://preview.redd.it/lhgevvkx0kbd1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9bb79a609d07c2584720aab2795453b22a913b1f Idc
Challengers Civil War Kinds of Kindness Black Box Diaries Didi Exhibiting Forgiveness A Real Pain I Saw the TV Glow Love Lies Bleeding Furisoa
Dune 2 easily.
Dune
Dune: Part Two with Challengers a very close second.
Dune 2. After that, Challengers, Late Night with the Devil, Last Stop in Yuma County.
Coffee table was intense
Dune 2 effortlessly. I read the book beforehand and it did NOT disappoint.
Sasquatch Sunset or Kinds of Kindness
Dune 2, I Saw the TV Glow, Turtles All the Way Down
My gf gets really annoyed when I say “Lisan Al Gaib!”.
My Top 5 are: 1. Civil War 2. Daddio 3. Furiosa 4. Dune: Part Two 5. Late Night with the Devil
Dune 2!!!
Furiosa / Loves Lies Bleeding
Civil War (4.5 stars)
i liked that film as well. I gave it a 3.5 stars.
Challengers, Dune Part 2, Mars Express, Kinds of Kindness
Mars express was excellent. Glad to see it mentioned
MONKEY MAN
Since Dune was named in the main post I’ll drop 2 of my favorites otherwise: I Saw the TV Glow & Love Lies Bleeding. Two great A24 movies that really wowed me and have stayed with me for months since seeing them. Hope both can find wider audiences on digital.
Dune 2
Dune part 2
Furiosa
Dune as well. I saw it with a girl I don't even talk to anymore and I paid for everything and she just left when the movie ended but I honestly can't even be mad because the movie was so good.
The First Omen
LISAN AL GAIB!!!!!!!!!!
Civil war
Lisa Frankenstein
1.Dune: Part Two 2.Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga 3.Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes 4.Drive-Away Dolls 5.Madame Web (so bad that it’s good)
Furiosa.
Furiosa
Dune part two
1. Horizon: An American Saga. Chapter 1. 2. A Quiet Place: Day One 3. Dune 2 4. Inside Out 2 5. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Haven’t yet seen, but hope to soon: Challengers, Civil War, Furiosa, Love Lies Bleeding, and The Bikeriders.
Furiousa without a doubt Dune 2 at second
https://preview.redd.it/c91lag10clbd1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b1a94a83605f4cdd87264b515d226cd5746ff7d0
Definitely *Dune, Part 2*. I hope it wins Best Picture at the Oscars.
Evil Does Not Exist, Furiosa, About Dry Grasses, Spermworld, Challengers
My favorite movie I watched for the first time this year was the crow. My favorite movie to come out this year was Dune 2.
DUNE FURIOSA DESERT MOVIES WITH ANYA TAYLOR-JOY
Dune 2
Godzilla minus 1
Ultraman Rising
Civil War. Dune is a close 2nd.
La Chimera
It’s a toss up between Dune 2 and Thelma. I’d need to rewatch both before I could make a proper selection.
Un Actor Malo (Bad Actor). Superb mexican drama with a great build up and insane third act.
Favorite movie that’s released in 2024: Dune Part 2 Favorite movie I’ve watched in 2024: Blue Valentine
Monthly reminder to rewatch Dune Part Two.
Released in 2024: Jim Henson Idea Man Watched in 2024: Ikiru (1952)
The movie where Willy Wonka becomes Sand Jesus
Godzilla minus color I never saw the color version and I never wanna see it. It was perfection in B/W.
Late Night With the Devil had a 2024 wide release but is technically listed as a 2023 film, so I’ll go with Dune Part 2 as well
The horror fan in me has to go with Abigail
Kinds of Kindness
premalu
Lisa Frankenstein
Kinds of Kindness: 8.2 stars Furiosa: 7.9 stars Dune 2: 6.1 Challengers: 6.1 stars Love lies bleeding: 4 stars I think last year was much better (though there are a few films left on my list for this year) 2023: Zone of interest: 9.5 stars Poor Things: 9.4 Anatomy of a fall: 9.4 Killers of the Flower Moon: 8.5
https://preview.redd.it/81vlemc9ilbd1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=51c3425539626d9e6a073ddb87687f1aa3a53bae If we stick to 2024
probably lisa frankenstein
Sing sing
MaXXXine, I had a great time watching that. I thought it really brought the trilogy together very well.
The Bikeriders
Hundreds of Beavers, Civil War, Problemista
Kinds of kindness was wonderful
love lies bleeding, problemista & challengers
Late Night With the Devil.
I'm still waiting for Megalopolis. Why was it announced 4 months before coming out?
Challengers, it was so stylish and entertaining. I still listen to the soundtrack all the time.
Challengers, Furiosa and I Saw the TV Glow are all duking it our for my top spot. Favorite movie that I watched in 2024 unrelated to release is probably Better Off Dead. "Buenos dias!"
2024 has been dismal so far…my #1 thus far is Civil War with 4 stars.
I Saw the TV Glow
Definitely Furiosa
I Saw The TV Glow. Nothing else has mattered.
i still need to watch that film, probably tomorrow i would. Its on my watchlist for a while now!
For 2024 releases - Femme and Challengers. Non-2024 releases - All of Us Strangers, Monster (dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda), Solo (dir. Sophie Dupuis), Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret and The Triplets of Belleville.
1. Sing Sing 2. Challengers 3. Dune II
A Quiet Place: Day One
Society of the snow is still my Nr.1.. The end floored me
Top 3: 1. Dune Part Two 2. Challengers 3. Inside Out 2 (I’m biased on this though since the first is one of my favorite movies ever)
Dune 2, Civil War, The Bikeriders
https://preview.redd.it/tx0yck97tjbd1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5dfb3c51cc848890ab486d701dd1b8e113b8b417 Here’s mine so far
Great to see Civil War love. Such a thrilling, disturbing, and relevant film. Reminded me in many ways of Children of Men. There were shots that almost made me nauseous with how intensely shot they were (in a very good way).
Yes
A Real Pain
Monkey Man followed by Thelma.
Kingdom of the POTA
I haven't watched much from 2024 as nothing much has appealed to me so far. Land of Band was pretty good, so was Fall Guy.
Late Night with The Devil.
Watched in 2024- Bullet Train
Late Night With The Devil! Absolutely love it. Been a pretty good year so far imo.
So far it's been La Chimera and Civil War. I'm looking forward to Nosferatu, Longlegs and Metropolis
Surprised no one said Monkey Man
I don't really have budget to watch movies in cinemas often so I just watch the movie that I wanna watch the most that comes out that year. This year is Deadpool & Wolverine, since it hasn't been released yet I have only watched 2 2024 movies, of which my favorite is "The Garfield Movie"
https://preview.redd.it/8rt3xyu4gkbd1.jpeg?width=258&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=78c9cca9d13fdce2bda994911c9f05d72f6d60a9 This shit was fire
Love Lies Bleeding
Love Lies Bleeding
Yes
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes 🔥 Monkey Man is a close second
So far? Atlas. Ask me again on July 27th
I loved the chosen family of the crew and the dream sequences were wonderful. I agree on the cheering in an empty theater part as well, i was one of two people attending my showing.
MaXXXine
Monkey Man
Love Lies Bleeding. One of my favorites these last years. I saw the TV Glow Roadhouse: For when you need just dumb fun where the protagonist beats the shit out of everyone for 2 hours straight.
I can’t think of anything this year
The Fall Guy is 162 on my list. I really haven't seen a ton of unmitigated winners this year.
My highest rated 2024 release so far is Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
It’s Dune for me too, but I want to shout out my #2 & #3, which are Kill and Tuesday. Kill is a ruthless action thriller that’s as exhilarating as it is exhausting. It’s a demented blend of Snowpiercer, The Raid, and John Wick, with a little bit of Uncut Gems. Brutal & claustrophobic, it also packs some great emotional heft and character work as well. Tuesday for whatever reason seems to have been buried by A24 upon release, but it happened to open in my city for a week and I was floored. Julia Louis-Dreyfuss gives one of her best performances in a heavy drama that incorporates some magical realism elements. I’ve seen a few films described as “R-rated Pixar” or “Pixar for adults” and this fits that bill almost to a tee. Highly recommended.
*La Chimera* is definitely up there too, but it's hard to argue with the masterpice that is *Dune II*.
https://preview.redd.it/870jgjl32lbd1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3bb91d01e384487e1dc5bcd085a4cadb89a50a9c
Abigail!
For me, it's a tie between Abigail & Dune 2
i saw the tv glow
Dune and monkey man
Young Woman And The Sea tbh. Other 5stars of mine from this year include Night Swim, Bob Marley, Civil War, and Tuesday. …I have weird opinions
Janet Planet and Love Lies Bleeding. Thelma's up there too.
https://preview.redd.it/mbawxidjblbd1.jpeg?width=188&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e8d3c58e5eaed34a9e205ab37b7d386da27f1733
Thelma
Mad Max
Late Night with the Devil
Inside Out 2 was so good that it quickly made not only my list of favorites in 2024, but my list of favorites in general.
Inside Out 2
As far as favorites go in the sense that they'll go into my "best of the year" list, so far there's two of them: - [Falcon Lake](https://letterboxd.com/giraffe_monster/film/falcon-lake/) - [Steppenwolf](https://letterboxd.com/giraffe_monster/film/steppenwolf-2024/) Still debating whether [Hamlet](https://letterboxd.com/giraffe_monster/film/hamlet-1964-1/) will get a spot as well. Very tempted, not a 2024 release though.
Dune Part two remains my number one
Civil War (2024)
Furiosa, Civil War, Quiet Place Day One, and Dune 2
I'll let you know when I find something I like. So far I'm coming up on empty. Here's hoping Deadpool 3 redeems this crappy year...
I have to admit watching the scene where he rides the worm in Dune 2 in an IMAX was just about as good as it gets.
Furiosa, with Dune a close second.
https://preview.redd.it/nqbtww3a1mbd1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b5b8798c2a49ef45abc54352036b45620644db18 Robot Dreams
Furiosa, dune part 2, monkey man
Furiosa
I would have to agree with you on this one. Dune Parts 1 and 2 are some of the greatest sci-Fi films I’ve seen in a long time.
Civil War. My poli science background is screaming.
Dune or Civil War
All Of Us Strangers