in cinemas
godzilla x kong: the new empire
While Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire is a swashbuckling adventure film, stuffed full with beautifully rendered creatures, but unfortunately it lacks a little bit of heart.
love lies bleeding
While Stewart and O’Brian in particular give great performances, you can’t help but shake the feeling that you’ve seen this kinda tale before.
kung fu panda 4
With comedic performances from stars Jack Black and Awkwafina that fill their characters with a fullness of life and personality matched only by the stunning animation, Kung Fu Panda 4 is an enthralling, action-stacked, fun filled ride for young and old. Skadoosh!
wicked little letters
While Wicked Little Letters finds hilarity in the vulgarity of the poison pen letters, with such an outstanding ensemble cast it’s at its greatest strength in its more dramatic moments.
ghostbusters: frozen empire
When it doesn’t get bogged down in exposition, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is an entertaining night out at the movies and a solid addition to the franchise.
the convert
The Convert is a striking film from director Lee Tamahori which features some impressive and compelling work from leads Guy Pearce and Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne. Though the MVP here is cinematographer Gin Loane, whose stunning work makes The Convert so striking to watch.
the bob's burgers movie
the great escaper
While it has the occasional narrative wobble, The Great Escaper is a touching film exploring life long love and loss and the perfect swan song for Michael Caine.
how to have sex
How to Have Sex is an impressive debut from writer/director Molly Manning Walker in both how well realised it is as a film, and how effectively it presents adult life arriving too early for a young woman, driven home by an excellent lead performance from Mia McKenna-Bruce.
dune: part two
An astounding, miraculous achievement, Dune Part: Two is a masterpiece of sci-fi cinema which has to be experienced on the largest screen you can possibly find. One of 2024’s best films.
drive-away dolls
While Drive-Away Dolls is punctuated with great moments, there is something about its quirkiness that makes it slightly less accessible.
the zone of interest
The Zone of Interest is a challenging film, but one that manages to provide a novel interpretation and presentation of the Holocaust despite following in the footsteps of many historic films before it.
bob marley: one love
Bob Marley: One Love is made entirely compelling by the committed and captivating performance of Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley. With the music behind him, Ben-Adir is magnetic.
may december
With a trio of powerhouse performances, May December drags us through manipulation, abject brokenness, and misery all under the guise of suburban respectability.
argylle
With twist upon twist that pulls you out of any connection with the story or its characters, Argylle tragically is a blockbuster misfire on multiple levels.
priscilla
With a star-making performance from Cailee Spaeny, at its very best Priscilla is a gorgeously rendered film but without the concluding punch of empowerment you could be longing for.
late night with the devil
Late Night with the Devil is a strikingly well realised horror led by an impressive David Dastmalchian that thoroughly captures aesthetics of the 70’s and shapes them into something thrilling, engaging and shocking.
monkey man
A stunning cinematic achievement that not only perfectly traverses the balance between beauty and brutality, Monkey Man is a bombastic announcement that Dev Patel is a director to watch.
the first omen
Drenched in a gothic, 1970’s horror hue, The First Omen is a terrifically terrifying horror both in its storytelling and in the themes that it explores.
abigail
Abigail is a joyful ride, borrowing from other genres to spice up the horror. There aren’t any dull moments. It’s a film to be seen in theatres with an audience to amplify those jumps and gory splatters, then to laugh together in a brief reprieve. I pinky promise if you enjoy horror you’ll love Abigail.
origin
Origin is a masterwork from writer/director Ava DuVernay, who combines expertly the wonderful performance of Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor with an ambitious multifaceted approach to explore the life and work of the film’s subject Isabel Wilkerson.
civil war
Civil War is another masterful film from writer/director Alex Garland, with an engaging lead performance from Kirsten Dunst and striking imagery from cinematographer Rob Hardy. Though the depth of Civil War’s impact may not reveal itself until thinking about its ideas for a few days.
boy kills world
Boy Kills World has the makings of becoming either a cult classic or just an oddball action picture with a great silent performance from Bill Skarsgård. The jury is still out on which way history will remember this film, so all the more reason to go see it and decide for yourself.
back to black
Back to Black boasts an incredible performance from Marisa Abela, who thoroughly captures Amy Winehouse’s personality, style and her stage presence. The film suffers a few missteps, though this is more than made up for by such a powerful central performance and Winehouse’s iconic music.
the fall guy
The Fall Guy is an all around big budget, perfectly executed crowd pleaser with something for everyone.
the exorcism
While The Exorcism has a great premise, a slow start and confused direction leaves you with the sense that this was a missed opportunity.
bad boys ride or die
Filled with enthralling action set pieces and laughs a plenty, Bad Boys Ride or Die is a cracking popcorn blockbuster that demands to be seen on the big screen.
freud's last session
A rarity in mainstream cinema, Freud’s Last Session is an exercise in intellectual sparring punctuated with soul gripping humanity perfectly embodied in the performances of Hopkins and Goode. One of 2024’s best films.
the garfield movie
While the animation was incredible The Garfield Movie fails to really capture the Garfield spirit we have all come to know over the years.
furiosa: a mad max saga
While visually striking in its production design and action set pieces, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga feels narratively fragmented and fails to allow the film’s namesake her chance to really shine.
copa 71
Masterful in its storytelling, arresting in its themes of chauvinism, yet hopeful in the changes football has and can make for the betterment of women, Copa 71 is a film not to be missed.
a quiet place: day one
A character driven drama set against the backdrop of blood thirsty, invading aliens, A Quiet Place: Day One not only continues the tremendous legacy of the previous films, but perfectly crafts its only unique place in it.
despicable me 4
Zany, insane, and crammed full with bright, colorful animation and cartoony action sequences, Despicable Me 4 is a great day out at the cinema for all the family.
the road to patagonia
A breathtaking adventure, The Road to Patagonia is an intriguing tale of a search for meaning and purpose in the most stunning natural landscapes.
inside out 2
While not quite reaching the dizzying heights of the original, Inside Out 2 is a funny, colorful, and thoughtful film with stunning animation and themes that will impact both adults and children alike.
coup de chance
Coup de chance is a clever and charming mix of comedy, drama and thriller that benefits both hugely from a wonderful core performance from Lou de Laâge and Woody Allen’s skillful filmmaking.
longlegs
While inventive in its execution with terrifyingly constructed cinematography, Longlegs just doesn’t land the finale which sadly is more obvious than it is petrifying.
horizon: an american saga part 1
While Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 is an epic in every sense of the word, it feels more like a setup for what’s to come rather than its own unique and contained story.
twisters
Despite a slow beginning, Twisters picks up considerably in its final act, heading towards a thundering, nail biting finale. Popcorn cinema at its finest.
fly me to the moon
Fly Me to the Moon is a feel good rom-com in the unlikely setting of the US Apollo Space missions that enjoys excellent chemistry between its leads Scarlett Johannson and Channing Tatum.
kinds of kindness
Kinds of Kindness is a challenging film from Yorgos Lanthimos; in its themes, runtime and its anthological structure. Excellent performances from the cast however, especially Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe and Jesse Plemons help the film succeed with its dark sense of humour.
the bikeriders
The Bikeriders is an excellent adaption by Jeff Nichols of Danny Lyon’s work, with engrossing performances from Tom Hardy and Austin Butler.
we were dangerous
A rebellious, sucker punch to the soul of the very best kind. Not only a film of historic consequence because of its subject matter, but We Were Dangerous is one of the best films of 2024. You’ve just got to see this film.
blink twice
One of the most original films of 2024, Blink Twice will enthrall and thoroughly gross you out in equal measure with the most wonderfully realized and rewarding final act of the year. An absolute must see.
alien:romulus
A bona fide sci-fi epic that will enthrall and terrify in equal measures, Alien Romulus is a popcorn blockbuster that requires being watched on the biggest screen you can possibly find.
bookworm
While the pacing isn’t always consistent, Bookworm is a solid family film that explores complicated parent child dynamics with a cracking adventure to boot.
radical
Tender but also terribly troubling, Radical is a clarion call that the needs of our young people need to be met with compassion and innovation.
deadpool and wolverine
With all the irreverence and bloody violence that we’ve come to expect from Deadpool, a full blooded bromance with Wolverine and a shot of nostalgia, Deadpool & Wolverine is not only the resurrection of the MCU but one of the best films of 2024.
The Bob's Burgers Movie is a charming adaptation of the long running animated series, with great humour and musical numbers that will please returning fans as well as newcomers to the series.
