Nickel Boys ★★★★
This film demonstrated the value of perseverance, determination, dignity and friendship while simultaneously revealing the horrid racial violence in the 1960s. The impactful message underlying
this story was shown through a unique style of cinematography. It often used a first-person viewpoint and created a homemade-style video feeling.
Dune: Part Two ★★★★★
This film includes jaw-dropping scenery with a variety of settings. It is truly mesmerizing when the camera zooms out to show a full picture of the landscape. The characters, the well-put-together costumes, the visuals and the original languages created made for an incredibly well put-together film. The incorporation of different landscapes and features of the Earth, paired with the intricate, in-depth plot, makes this movie an absolute must-see.
The Brutalist ★★★★★
Standing at a staggering 3 hours and 35 minutes long, “The Brutalist” was the longest movie made in 2024. The film utilizes every minute, capturing incredible visuals from Hungary. From the breathtaking cinematography to the picture-perfect costumes to the raw emotions shown through the incredible actors, “The Brutalist” was able to represent the importance of ambition.
I’m Still Here ★★★
Starring Fernanda Torres, who was a nominee for Best Actress, “I’m Still Here” was able to capture the gut-wrenching true story about Brazil’s military dictatorship in the 1970s. While this intense drama shared a very intriguing story with impressive acting, the cinematography and visuals were simple. Although these stories need to be told, I felt that the other nominees had more unique, monumental styles of videography.
The Substance ★★★
This psychological thriller uses a unique form of cinematography to create eerie rooms and scenes with peculiar decor, outfits and acting. Bright colors contrasting with dark, harsh ones distinctly separate the issues depicted in this movie. Along with the costumes and acting, the music created a horrifying ambiance. On top of the music, the enhanced sounds of things, such as screaming, add to the impressive film.
Emilia Pérez ★★
In “Emilia Pérez,” I thought that the plot of the film was odd and confusing, but it was still somewhat intriguing. This picture is categorized as a Spanish-language French musical crime film. However, the feeling of the movie, along with the intense plot, doesn’t align well with the usual light-hearted stories behind musicals. Overall, “Emilia Pérez” had impeccable visuals, but the plot holds it back from a good overall rating.
Anora ★★
This movie includes spectacular visuals using bright colors for the setting and costumes. However, the cinematography was standard and the visuals were unoriginal. Although this romantic comedy demonstrates an entertaining love story with unique twists, the videography doesn’t meet the revolutionary expectations set.
Conclave ★★★
“Conclave” is a thriller and a mystery that left me on the edge of my seat. Based on the 2016 novel “Conclave” by Robert Harris, this movie utilizes the beauty of the Vatican to construct an anticipating plot including secrets uncovered by the Church. I really liked that the picture created cinematic scenes by pairing monochromatic costumes along with eerie buildings and rooms.
A Complete Unknown ★★★
“A Complete Unknown” starred Timothée Chalamet, who received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for this movie. This film depicted Bob Dylan’s journey to fame, encapsulating his love story, the corrupt paparazzi and the struggles of rising to the top. The crew was able to perfectly represent the 1960 New York time period which allowed the film to stand out against other nominations.
Wicked ★★★★
“Wicked” has an intriguing storyline, extravagant songs and captivating visuals. Although I felt that 2 hours, 40 minutes was an unnecessary length, the movie was still a must-watch. The visuals and settings were enchanting, and the songs gave me goosebumps. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the stars of the film, displayed a heartwarming friendship partnered with incredible vocals. Even though parts of the movie were overdone, “Wicked” was an iconic movie of 2024 and I highly recommend it.
