Top 5 Films of 2024 that I Watched

Earlier last year, I had listed a few films that I had been wanting to watch in 2024. However, sadly I did not watch any of the films from that list. However, I am glad that the movies that I ended up watching in 2024 were fantastic and I enjoyed watching them all. So, without further ado, here are the TOP 5 Movies that I had a chance to watch in 2024.

1. The Quiet Place: Day One (Horror): This was one of the most anticipated releases of 2024, because of the popularity of the previous 2 movies of the franchise. However, this was special, because as much as the first 2 movies were about the present day when the world has already become quiet due to the presence of the deadly creatures, this film is all about how it all started.and serves as a prequel to the previous two films' aftermath theme. The premise is different, and here we see absolutely new people who are not at all connected to the characters of the previous films of the franchise. A terminally ill ex-poet, Samira visits the city to watch a puppet show with a group of other patients. She has her service cat, Frodo along with her. All she wants is to have pizza and shares her desire with the nurse, who happens to be her friend. However, while watching the show, a sudden attack of deadly creatures starts from the sky. The group gets dismantled and some of the survivors take shelter in the theatre. But it is not that easy to escape those attackers and slowly the survivors have to move away. They are supposed to reach the port without making any noise but in spite of all efforts they are attacked. On this journey, Samira meets Eric, a law student who is scared and finds a ray of hope and confidence in Samira. Although initially the grumpy and somewhat pessimistic Samira does not like his presence, she slowly becomes a guardian like figure and embodiment of strength to mentally support Eric. Both bond with each other, share about their background and wishes and become friends. The film, amidst all the chaos and death, presents a new ray of hope and life through the beautiful bonding of Sam and Eric. Its also quite miraculous that Frodo, the cat survived everything and remains with them. Sam who had lost all hope in life, again learns to live it to the fullest by the end, as Eric , even amidst such obstacles helps her create the world, that she longs to live. Amongst all the new releases of 2024,  that I have watched this movie stands out as my most favourite. Lupita Nyongo brings life to the character of Sam and Joseph Quinn as Eric skilfully brings out the vulnerability of the soft and responsible character.

2. Longlegs (Crime): After spending a commanding run as an action star for decades, Nicholas Cage has been mostly part of Horror/Crime ventures these days. Few years back his Mom and Dad with Selma Blair had scared cinegoers, and last year he returned even scarier as Longlegs. A young FBI Agent, Lee Harker is appointed to catch a serial mass murderer, Longlegs. On her spree to catch the killer, Harker comes across various people and even Longlegs himself, but lack of evidence never allows her to catch him. Her investigative journey is faced with various challenges that takes a toll on her personal and mental lives. This film is scary, disturbing and filled with disgusting scenes and depictions of killings. The suicide of Longlegs in the interrogation room is a never-before shown scene that torments the viewers for long. The performances of Maika Monroe as Harker and Nicholas Cage as Longlegs is worth the praise. This film is was one of the most watched releases of 2024.

3. If (Comedy/Fantasy): Now I love watching children's movies, mostly as I can watch them with my daughter. This is one of the releases of 2024, that both of us enjoyed much. Its about a young girl who has lost her mother, and whose father is hospitalized. She comes to the city to stay with her grandmother in an old apartment. What she discovers in that building is what the story of this film is all about. The girl realizes that she can see other people's imaginary friends. He befriends Cal, who gives her the task to act as a medium to re-introduce those people with their imaginary friends, A.K.A. Ifs, of whom they have forgotten. The story is beautiful and John Krasinski's direction never fails to startle the viewers with lovely imageries of a make-belief world. Ryan Reynolds as Cal is as charming as ever. Voiceovers of Brad Pitt, Emily Blunt and Blake Lively make the characters of the film play around our minds for long. It is definitely one of the films of 2024 that kids would love to watch.

4. Immaculate (Horror): One of the most disturbing films that I had watched ever was the Canadian movie The Voyeurs. Sidney Sweeney stole the show in the film. In this movie too, her performance is equally stunning. She plays Cecelia, an American nun, who comes to stay at in Italy in a picturesque but isolated countryside, at a convent. Upon her stay she comes across strange happenings, and is faced with weird behaviour from some of the inmates. The only friendly person that she comes across is Father Sal. However, when she realizes that one by one nuns are missing from the covent, she gets suspicious. On top of everything, she is declared pregnant, making her doubt even her own self and sanity. The film is unsettling and has numerous gory scenes. Some of the scenes look repetitive and could have easily made crisper to make the movie more engaging.

5.  Never Let Go ( Suspense): A mother lives with her 2 sons and their dog in an old cottage, devoid of electricity and other basic amenities. They struggle for basic necessities like food and clothing, as they cannot go beyond a certain distance from the house. They tie themselves to the house and only move to places till where the ropes go, because beyond that there are beings who possess them and can make them go against each other. Halle Berry stars as Momma, a over-protective mother who can go to any level to fight for the strong bond of her family, never letting each other go. The film is painful to watch at times, specially during the times when the mother's strict and almost brutal actions torments the children. Their starvation and survival journey is also quite challenging to watch. Halle Berry is convincing, but for me Percy Daggs IV, rules the film with his superb performance as Nolan, the older son.