Every Film I’ve Watched in 2024: July
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 7: July.
87. A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
Where? - Cinema screening [first viewing]
Thoughts - While this doesn’t quite match the same quality as the previous two films, Day One has many strengths. It’s a different flavour and setting for the series, the characters are complicated and realistic, and the central performances by Joseph Quinn and Lupita Nyong’o drive the film. It’s more of an action film than a horror film, so some of the more bombastic sequences are a bit silly. However, the smaller, subtle scenes are where the film shines. Crucially, the journey our main characters embark on is tense, meaningful and emotional in equal measure. Also, there’s an adorable cat.
88. World War Z (2013)
Where? - Netflix [rewatch]
Thoughts - I wasn’t wowed by World War Z upon first release, and in truth I’m still not wowed by it. It’s certainly different from other zombie / contagion films, and there are moments which stand out. The opening in particular is a solid horror sequence. However, the film quickly moves away from horror and descends into more of a plodding blockbuster. It’s a cliché, but the book is far better. The film is less interested in detail, and it loses a lot of the interesting political commentary. That being said, the film is fine. Nothing more, nothing less.
89. The Batman (2022)
Where? - Blu Ray [rewatch]
Thoughts - For me, The Batman stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. The quality of storytelling and filmmaking are both seriously impressive. Matt Reeves has a unique vision for Batman and Gotham, and the film is a complete package. The cast are excellent across the board, particularly Robert Pattinson as a younger, more vulnerable Batman, and Paul Dano as a dark, complicated Riddler. Also, the writing is superb, offering a rich detective story set in a living, breathing city. Add in a wonderful Michael Giacchino score and beautiful cinematography from Greig Fraser, and this is a brilliant Batman film.
90. Cherry (2021)
Where? - Apple TV+ [first viewing]
Thoughts - This is the type of film where I can see what the filmmakers were trying to achieve, but I’m not entirely convinced they stuck the landing. Far from being a film which simply tells the protagonist’s life story, the structure and style ambitiously divide the story into chapters which are each told through a different film genre. On paper, I like that idea, but the execution doesn’t quite work. It shifts the film’s focus from substance to style and becomes a distraction. Tom Holland gives a strong performance, which ultimately is the main selling point of an otherwise mixed film.
91. Fighting with My Family (2019)
Where? - Netflix [rewatch]
Thoughts - It doesn’t matter how many times I rewatch Fighting with My Family; it remains a charming and warm film. Even if you don’t know the true story or you’re not invested in wrestling, the film pulls you in. It’s funny, emotional, strangely inspiring, and it doesn’t feel like a glossy Hollywood film. There’s still a roughness around the edges, and a sense of wanting to portray people and events without a filter. The screenplay and performances play perfectly into the title’s double meaning. Crucially, Florence Pugh is a national treasure, and this performance remains one of my favourites she’s given.
92. MaXXXine (2024)
Where? - Cinema screening [first viewing]
Thoughts - After two wonderful films, MaXXXine is a fitting third instalment for the trilogy, both in terms of narrative and themes. It’s also a treat for horror fans for many reasons, but two stand out. Firstly, it has clever easter eggs and references. Second, it’s gritty, scary, and nasty, but it also tells a character driven story. Much like X and Pearl, MaXXXine is a wonderfully confident film. Ti West clearly understands horror, because his writing feels fresh and exciting regardless of whether he’s subverting tropes, or recontextualising familiar tools and tricks of the genre. Unsurprisingly, I loved it.
93. Iron Man (2008)
Where? - Disney Plus [rewatch]
Thoughts - I’ve seen Iron Man countless times over the years, and I’m still impressed by how well it holds up. It’s a standard of comic book filmmaking that’s timeless and simple. It introduces a B-level character to a mainstream audience, tells their origin story with style, and places them against a solid villain. Even the visuals still look polished and ahead of the times. Watching this film feels like listening to a classic debut album, because no matter how many times you’ve experienced it, it’ll forever be the start of something exciting.
94. Iron Man 2 (2010)
Where? - Disney Plus [rewatch]
Thoughts - Despite a fun performance from Sam Rockwell and a nuanced performance from Don Cheadle, Iron Man 2 ranks in the low tier of MCU films, for a variety of reasons. It’s not just an unworthy sequel, but a bafflingly stupid film. It’s loud, poorly written, and seems to lose everything that made Iron Man feel so vibrant and engaging. Beyond anything, this stands out as an ill-advised and toxic film, because the way Tony Stark speaks about women is disgusting. To top it off, a shameless cameo from Tony Stark’s friend, Elon Musk, leaves an incredibly sour taste.
95. The End We Start From (2023)
Where? - Netflix [first viewing]
Thoughts - This may not be one of the most exciting or entertaining films I’ve watched recently, but it’s definitely one of the most thought-provoking. It’s a different style of survival film from anything I’ve seen before. It takes a slower approach, it follows grounded characters, and it tiptoes delicately through profound themes. I particularly like that the story focuses on a new mother, and integrates real life struggles into the narrative. Again, it wasn’t a blockbuster or a thrill ride, but it stayed in my mind for days after.
96. The Iron Claw (2024)
Where? - Amazon Prime [first viewing]
Thoughts - I’m trying to remember a time in recent years when a film broke my heart as much as The Iron Claw. It’s an unbelievably emotional film, which makes the story accessible without diluting events. The entire cast is on top form, and at the centre of the film is a truly remarkable performance from Zac Efron. More than anything I was surprised to find this is so much more than a wrestling film. It’s about family, the bond between siblings, grief, toxic masculinity, and dreams being derailed because life had other plans. It’s a fantastic piece of work.
97. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Where? - Disney Plus [rewatch]
Thoughts - I don’t have any strong feelings about this film, because it’s just naff. Not in a rage inducing way, but an upsetting way. It could’ve been a half decent Hulk film, but it reeks of interference from both the studio and lead actor Edward Norton. It juggles conflicting visions, mixed purposes, and clashing tones, and seems to mishandle everything. There might be some okay moments, but the overall picture is a bizarre hodge-podge. I can best summarise this film with a food metaphor: it’s a below average quality pizza which has been dropped on the floor, topping face down.
98. Logan (2017)
Where? - Disney Plus [rewatch]
Thoughts - There aren’t many comic book films I would label as “great” but Logan is easily one of them. It stands out from other comic book films, because the narrative and themes are those of a gritty and layered western film which just so happens to be about former superheroes. Comic book characters don’t often reach their third act, so there’s something truly special about seeing Wolverine reach such a satisfying and deeply emotional conclusion. Plus, the film understands how to give a character like Wolverine a send off in glorious R-rated fashion. It’s an exceptional film.
99. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Where? - Cinema screening [first viewing]
Thoughts - Despite leaving the screening with a headache, I enjoyed Deadpool & Wolverine. It’s a film of two sides. On one hand, it’s just supposed to be fun. It offers anarchic comedy, stylish action, cameos, comic book references and a generous serving of nostalgia. On the other hand, it’s a mess. The plot is hanging on by a fine thread, the villain is underdeveloped, many of the jokes didn’t land, and it suffers from tonal whiplash as a result of joking too much and not fully committing to emotional elements. So, it’s a great cinematic experience, but a paper thin film.
100. Thor (2011)
Where? - Disney Plus [rewatch]
Thoughts - My thoughts haven’t really changed since I watched this film last year. I still find it boring and fairly unremarkable, but it was a necessary step on the full MCU rewatch I’m currently conducting. In the grand scheme, Thor has seen far better days, but he’s also seen worse days.
101. Fresh (2022)
Where? - Disney Plus [first viewing]
Thoughts - I was in the mood for a tense thriller, and this fit the bill quite nicely. It’s got an intriguing premise, a story which is simple and well-constructed, enough tension and nastiness to maintain pace, and characters that I quickly invested in. When you’ve got Sebastian Stan and Daisy Edgar-Jones giving terrific performances, there’s more than enough to make this film worth your time. I also like some of the social commentary, and there’s definitely deeper meanings to be found upon closer inspection. Overall, it was a perfectly fine thriller, with just enough bite (no pun intended).
Favourite new film of the month
MaXXXine
Thank you for checking out part 7, hopefully you’ll find yourself back here soon for part 8! If you’ve enjoyed this article, please check out my other recent articles:
