Saturday, January 11, 2025

Movies Round Up 2024

11 days late for an annual round up post is unacceptable. There you go. No excuses. 

Also, lesson learnt for the umpteenth time - end-Dec is a busy time with vacations, family, non-laptop time and trying to cram in those last few movies watched in the week between Christmas and New Year is a bad idea. Will move the post to mid-Dec from 2025.

Other than that, 2024 was a pretty good for me in terms of movies though can't say the same for Bollywood. While going through my notes I realized it was  the driest Bollywood year, by a mile, in my three decades of following the industry. Maybe it was a break year after the mega success of Pathaan and Jawan in 2023. Or more likely we are in a prolonged slump with seismic changes underway in the business of Bollywood and streaming. Keeping my fingers crossed for 2025, and as they say so often - the show must go on.

Thankfully, Hollywood on the other hand showed significant promise. And the stand out for me in 2024 was the Malayalam (Kerala) movie industry. The quality/film last year was astronomical. Will be following this space as closely as Hindi and English going forward.

This is the 16th year of this tradition, and as always here's a recap of the prior years.

2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Moving on to the usual fixtures, before we highlight the best of 2024 (in my opinion, as always)

Here is the Summary Table (in its 18th year) of movies released in the same year (2024 for this post) that I watched.


Year     # Seen    Hindi:English:Others   Top Rating  Avg. Rating
2007     32               22:10:0                           9.0             5.78
2008     30               23:7:0                             8.5             6.35
2009     24               18:6:0                             9.0             6.85
2010     25               16:9:0                             8.5             6.62
2011     22               15:6:1                             8.5             6.77
2012     28               12:11:5                           9.0             7.33
2013     28               14:14:0                           9.0             7.12
2014     16               10:6:0                             9.0             6.16 
2015     26               20:6:0                             9.0             6.55
2016     30               17:13:0                           9.5             6.98
2017     31               17:13:1                           9.0             7.03
2018     87               23:59:5                           9.0             7.29
2019     86               12:65: 9                          10.0           7.45
2020     38               16:20:2                           9.0             7.40
2021     53               15:34:4                           9.0             7.20
2022     67               21:38:8                           9.0             7.30
2023     51               20:29:2                           9.0             7.50
2024     56               17:32: 7                          8.5             7.50 

The split of the movies by source (not just movies released in 2024) was as follows. While in-theater movies went down from 29 to 23 this year, Netflix made a big push to reach #1 spot in terms of where I watched my movies (from 18 to 31).




Now moving to the section you all (all 2 of you that is) have been waiting for...

Gentle reminder these are based on just the movies I watched in 2024 that released in 2024. Also, my blog my rules but our discussions. Here we go. All images courtesy of IMDb. All summaries courtesy of Claude/Anthropic.

Non-Hindi/English Movies


3. Maharaja (Language: Tamil, Director: Nithilan Saminathan)

"Maharaja" (2024), featuring Vijay Sethupathi, is a must-watch for its masterful blend of drama and suspense. The film portrays an ordinary man's extraordinary fight against a corrupt system, offering a deep dive into themes of justice and personal integrity. Sethupathi's compelling performance, coupled with a riveting plot and high-stakes action, makes it a standout film that captivates and challenges its audience, making it a thought-provoking cinematic experience.

2. Emilia Perez (Language: Spanish, Director: Jacques Audiard)

"Emilia Pérez" is a musical crime comedy about Rita Mora Castro, a Mexican lawyer who receives a mysterious offer from a cartel kingpin named Juan "Manitas" Del Monte. The kingpin wants to undergo gender-affirming surgery and start a new life as Emilia Pérez. The story follows Rita as she helps Manitas through this transformation and its aftermath, navigating complex family dynamics, criminal connections, and personal relationships. The film explores themes of identity, redemption, and the challenges of starting anew.

1. Manjummel Boys (Language: Malayalam, Director: Chidambaram)

A group of friends from Manjummel, Kerala, go on a vacation to Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. During their trip, they visit the Guna Caves, a restricted area known for its dangerous depths. When one of them falls into a deep hole in the cave, the others must work together to rescue their friend. The film follows their desperate efforts to save their companion, facing challenges from local authorities and the treacherous cave environment.



English Movies


5. Didi (Director: Sean Wang)
Set in 2008, "Dìdi" follows Chris, a 13-year-old Taiwanese-American boy navigating eighth grade in Fremont, California. As social media emerges, Chris uses it to escape his underwhelming reality and cope with feelings of inadequacy. He struggles with his identity, family dynamics, and social relationships. The film explores Chris's coming-of-age journey as he deals with internalized racism, friendship challenges, and the pressures of growing up in a Taiwanese immigrant family.

4. Inside Out 2 (Director: Kelsey Mann)
Two years after moving to San Francisco, 13-year-old Riley enters high school and attends an ice hockey camp. Inside her mind, her emotions face new challenges as four new feelings - Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui - arrive during puberty. The original emotions, led by Joy, must adapt to these changes and work with the newcomers to help Riley navigate the complexities of adolescence, friendship dynamics, and her goals in hockey.

3. Touch (Director: Baltasar Kormákur)*
"Touch" follows Kristófer, an Icelandic man, across two timelines. In the 1960s, young Kristófer works at a Japanese restaurant in London, where he falls in love with Miko, the owner's daughter. Fifty years later, an aging Kristófer embarks on a journey to find Miko during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film explores themes of love, memory, and unfinished business as Kristófer seeks to reconnect with his past and resolve lingering questions.

*Touch is an Icelandic movie, made by an Icelandic director. However, as it is primarily in English language, included it in the English section.
 
2. Challengers (Director: Luca Guadagnino)

"Challengers" follows a complex love triangle spanning 13 years in the world of professional tennis. Zendaya stars as Tashi, a former tennis prodigy turned coach, alongside Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist as Patrick and Art, two competitive players with a shared history. The story unfolds non-linearly, exploring their relationships and careers from their teenage years to adulthood. As tensions rise both on and off the court, the film culminates in a high-stakes match that tests their loyalties, ambitions, and personal connections.

1. The Substance (Director:  Coralie Fargeat)

"The Substance" follows Elisabeth Sparkle, a fading Hollywood star who is fired from her long-running TV show due to her age. Desperate to regain her youth and relevance, she obtains a mysterious black market serum that creates a younger version of herself, Sue. As Sue rises to fame, Elisabeth faces unexpected consequences. The film explores themes of aging, beauty standards, and identity in Hollywood through a body horror lens, building to a shocking and visceral climax.

Hindi Movies


5. Article 370 (Director: Aditya Suhas Jambhale)
"Article 370" is a political action thriller set in India, focusing on the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The story follows Zooni Haksar, an NIA agent, and Rajeshwari Swaminathan, a PMO Joint Secretary, as they work to investigate and address security issues in Kashmir. The film depicts their efforts to stabilize the region, investigate terror funding, and navigate the complex political landscape. It portrays the events leading up to the government's decision to revoke Article 370, blending elements of action, politics, and national security.

4. Madgaon Express (Director: Kunal Khemu)

"Madgaon Express" is a comedy film about three childhood friends who finally fulfill their long-held dream of taking a trip to Goa together as adults. What starts as an exciting adventure quickly spirals into chaos when they accidentally become entangled with dangerous criminals and a case of mistaken identity. The friends must navigate a series of comedic misadventures involving gangsters, drugs, and unexpected twists while trying to salvage their vacation and their friendship. Along the way, they confront personal truths and past deceptions
.
3. CTRL (Director: Vikramaditya Motwane)

CTRL is a 2024 Hindi thriller about Nella, a social media influencer who breaks up with her boyfriend Joe after catching him cheating during a livestream. Nella uses an AI assistant called CTRL to help rebuild her online presence. However, Joe mysteriously disappears after trying to urgently contact Nella. As she investigates his disappearance, Nella uncovers a complex web of secrets involving Joe, a tech company called Mantra Unlimited, and the AI assistant she's been using, leading to unexpected consequences.

2. Merry Christmas (Director:  Sriram Raghavan)

"Merry Christmas" is a mystery thriller set in 1980s Bombay. On Christmas Eve, Albert Arogyasami returns home after seven years. He meets Maria and her mute daughter Annie at a restaurant, and they spend the evening together. As the night unfolds, unexpected events occur, leading to a complex situation involving a dead body, two identical houses, and a police investigation. The film explores themes of deception, compassion, and the consequences of past actions, while keeping viewers guessing until the end.

1. Laapataa Ladies (Director: Kiran Rao)

"Laapataa Ladies" is a comedy-drama set in 2001 India. It follows the mishap of two newly-wed brides who get accidentally swapped during a train journey to their husbands' homes. The mix-up leads to confusion, as one bride ends up with the wrong groom while the other is left behind at a train station. The story unfolds as the characters deal with this unexpected situation, navigating cultural traditions, personal aspirations, and the challenges of arranged marriages. The film explores themes of identity, independence, and societal expectations in rural India.


Here's the final list of ALL movies watched in 2024 (in alphabetical order within groups. Movies listed above removed to avoid duplicates)

Grade: Must Watch
English Harry Potter (rewatched the series)
English Last Stop Before Yuma County
English My Penguin Friend
English Poor Things
English The Wild Robot
French Anatomy of a Fall
German The Zone of Interest
Hindi Zwigato
Japanese Perfect Days
Korean Burning
Malayalam Attam


Grade: Recommended
Bangla Chalchitra Ekhon
Bangla Raktabeej 
English All Of Us Strangers
English American Fiction
English Before The Devil Knows You're Dead
English Blue Jean
English Blue Valentine
English Conclave
English Dune: Part Two
English Enola Holmes
English Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
English Heat
English His Three Daughters
English It's A Wonderful Life
English Joy
English Maestro
English Nimona
English Nyad
English Priscilla
English The Holdovers
English Woman of the Hour
French Other People's Children
Hindi All India Rank
Hindi Buckinham Murders
Malayalam Anweshippin Kandethum
Malayalam Kathal - The Core
Turkish Crossing


Grade: Read Summaries/Use Discretion
Bangla Ballabhpurer Rupkotha
Bangla Dawsham Awbotaar
Bangla Shri Swapankumarer Badami Hyenar Kobole
English Beetlejuice
English Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
English Blink Twice
English Bottoms
English Civil War
English Deadpool & Wolverine
English Enola Holmes 2
English How To Have Sex
English I Saw The TV Glow
English Kinds of Kindness
English Kingdom of the Planet of Apes
English Love Lies Bleeding
English Maxxxine
English Moana 2
English Monkey Man
English My Old Ass
English Robot Dreams
English Rustin
English The Boy & The Heron
English The Fall Guy
English Twisters
English Wicked
English Wicked, Little, Letters
English Wish
English Wonka
Hindi Amar Singh Chamkila
Hindi Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Hindi Berlin
Hindi Bhediya
Hindi Do Patti
Hindi Khel Khel Mein
Hindi LSD 2
Hindi Madgaon Express
Hindi Srikanth

Grade: Please Avoid
English May December
English The Idea of You
English The Royal Hotel
Hindi Crew
Hindi Fighter
Hindi Phir Ayi Haseen Dilruba

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