Every Film I’ve Watched in 2024: January
Greetings friends! This is a record of every film I’ve watched in 2024, including rewatches, repeats and first viewings. Each film is accompanied by how / where I watched it, and my thoughts in 100 words or less. Welcome to part 1: January
1. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
Where? - Disney Plus [first viewing]
Thoughts - Until the third act, this was boring but fine. It relies on a familiar bag of tricks which are deployed at a slow pace. Toby Jones and Mads Mikkelsen are both criminally underutilised, but Harrison Ford still plays Indiana Jones brilliantly, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a solid new addition. However, the third act lost me completely. The Indy films walk a very fine line, where realism touches fingertips with paranormal or mystical elements. Dial of Destiny charges head first into the realm of utter absurdity, whilst being painfully dull. Overall, it wasn’t my cup of tea.
2. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023)
Where? - Netflix [first viewing]
Thoughts - Given how much I love Chicken Run, I’ll admit my guard was up when approaching the sequel. I appreciate the craft and the aesthetic design, and as a piece of harmless fun it does tick some boxes. However, the spark of magic was missing. Chicken Run feels effortless, whereas Dawn of the Nugget has to force every punchline, every dramatic moment and every emotional beat. The result is a mixed bag where some elements work really well, and others fall flat. I think it warrants a rewatch now my expectations have levelled.
3. Maestro (2023)
Where? - Netflix [first viewing]
Thoughts - It’s ironic. In what is arguably a shameless vanity project for Bradley Cooper as actor, director and co-writer, he’s the least interesting aspect of the film. The driving force of Maestro is Carey Mulligan, who is absolutely exceptional and steals every scene. I appreciate it’s not a conventional biopic, but I also don’t think the narrative works. Rather than telling a story, it’s a collection of random moments clumsily placed together, with an over-stylised approach desperately attempting to keep the audience from falling asleep. Carey Mulligan excluded, this is shallow awards bait and nothing more.
4. Elemental (2023)
Where? - Disney Plus [first viewing]
Thoughts - While there are some aspects I like, this film is baggy, often boring and far too familiar. Much like with Turning Red, Elemental runs out of steam fairly quickly, although arguably Turning Red has more to offer. So despite some touching messages and poignant commentary, a larger portion of the runtime relies on repeating jokes and emotional beats. It’s frustrating, because there are moments which work really well, but they’re lost in a flimsy narrative which struggles to maintain momentum. Ultimately, it’s a long way to go for not an awful lot.
5. Shame (2011)
Where? - DVD [rewatch]
Thoughts - I can’t remember when I last watched Shame, but I remember it having a profound impact on me. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as good as I remembered. It’s an odd feeling because I like the core components. Michael Fassbender gives a fantastic performance, Carey Mulligan is as spellbinding as ever, and Steve McQueen is an excellent director who constructed a delicate story about human nature and self-destruction. There was just something missing. I’ll happily admit it’s my own problem, because I think the film succeeds in all of its endeavours, I just wasn’t as emotionally invested as I was previously.
6. I Care A Lot (2021)
Where? - Amazon Prime [first viewing]
Thoughts - I’m confused by films like this. When it’s a story about horrible people doing horrible things, I don’t understand how I become so invested. I don’t side with anyone in I Care A Lot, yet I found it entertaining and thought-provoking. The story has a great concept, with multiple twists and turns, and even when the third act became more predictable I was still engaged. Peter Dinklage, Dianne West and Eiza González play contrasting characters brilliantly, but the glue holding the film together is a fierce and haunting performance from Rosamund Pike. It’s nothing ground-breaking, but it’s solid.
7. Saltburn (2023)
Where? - Amazon Prime [first viewing]
Thoughts - I loved Saltburn. I’m aware people are caught up on the shocking moments, but the film has so much more to offer. Fantastic performances all round, a gripping story, and an oddball collection of vampiric characters. It’s a testament to how brilliant Emerald Fennell is as a writer. The screenplay delivers biting social commentary and intense character moments, whilst the film masterfully dances between various genres. Saltburn is simultaneously a psychological thriller, a dark comedy and a horror, and yet it never feels derivative. It’s fresh and engaging, and it leaves your mind and emotions rattled like no other film.
8. The Big Sick (2017)
Where? - Amazon Prime [rewatch]
Thoughts - This is potentially my favourite modern romantic comedy. The fascinating and deeply emotional true story is retold in glorious fashion, and it’s captivating from start to finish. The ensemble cast is perfect, to the point where I forget it’s a film and I feel like I’m watching real people. What’s most impressive is The Big Sick is a perfect example of walking a tight line between tragedy and comedy. The screenplay knows exactly how to make the audience laugh and cry, and more importantly it knows when to do those things. It’s an absolute gem of a film.
9. X-Men: First Class (2011)
Where? - Disney Plus [rewatch]
Thoughts - Matthew Vaughan’s entry in the X-Men franchise remains one of the best. It injected new life into the franchise, with a slick and entertaining prequel. The new generation cast are fantastic, particularly James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, and there’s a novelty in seeing a different era of mutants. For me, First Class works so well because it’s a refreshing blend of character and fun. The action is exciting and there’s a sense of spectacle, but the smaller emotional moments punctuate through and stand out. It’s a great example of how to make a simple, well-disciplined comic book film.
10. Pride (2014)
Where? - Disney Plus [rewatch]
Thoughts - One of my favourite films of all time. I love Pride more than I can put into words. I’ve watched it more times than I count, and it reduces me to tears every time. It’s a powerful true story about community, taking a stance against bullies, standing up for your rights, and owning your pride. Also, the soundtrack is end-to-end 80s bangers, which helps drive the tone and themes. With its head held high and a fist raised to the air, Pride charges forward with confidence, sincerity, heart and unwavering optimism, and I can’t help but follow suit.
11. The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Where? - Amazon Prime [first viewing]
Thoughts - I don’t blame Lana Wachowski, and I appreciate her attempt to salvage the film, but it’s sadly a hollow mess. The smug, self-referential screenplay and lame attempts at being meta read more like a parody. Technology, culture and philosophy have all moved on, but Resurrections is stuck in the 90s. It doesn’t offer anything new, in terms of themes or action sequences, and instead takes the audience on a lazy whistle stop tour of moments we’ve already seen. If you’re frustrated by gaping plot holes and big unanswered questions, the screenplay won’t help I’m afraid.
12. The Creator (2023)
Where? - Disney Plus [first viewing]
Thoughts - I’m torn. On one hand, this is another glorious sci-fi film which only Gareth Edwards could make. The VFX are stunning, the worldbuilding is impressive, and there’s a balance between adventure and asking big questions. Also, the cast is great, with John David Washington, Gemma Chan and Ken Watanabe firing on all cylinders. On the other hand, the story is jumbled and partially unoriginal, which prevented me from fully engaging with it. It’s not bad by any means, and I admire Gareth Edwards as a storyteller, but I wanted slightly more than what the film offers.
13. Detachment (2011)
Where? - Amazon Prime [first viewing]
Thoughts - This is the type of film I finished and thought “I don’t get it.” Not because I didn’t understand it, but because I didn’t buy what they were selling. It relies on an unrelenting downbeat and overly dramatic tone, but has no substance to back it up. The film flirts with numerous issues and themes, but it doesn’t have anything to say about any of them. Match that with a screenplay which in no way reflects real life speech, and a stacked cast who are given nothing to do, and you certainly have a flat experience.
14. Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
Where? - Disney Plus [rewatch]
Thoughts - I love Mary Poppins unabashedly, so I’m overjoyed to say this is a worthy sequel. It’s evidently a love letter to the original, simultaneously offering progression and nostalgia, without ever feeling like a pale imitation. It tells a unique story which explores themes both new and old, with a colourful range of songs that make me laugh and cry for various reasons. Crucially, the cast is spectacular, with Ben Whishaw and Lin-Manuel Miranda as particular highlights. However, the star is Emily Blunt. Given the pressure and legacy, Blunt confidently holds her own and delivers true, authentic Mary Poppins.
Favourite new film of the month
Saltburn
Thank you for checking out part 1, hopefully you’ll find yourself back here soon for part 2! If you’ve enjoyed this article, please check out my other recent articles:
