The Mosley Review: Best Films of 2024

2024 was one hell of a year for film! We saw the upswing in quality of the horror genre, the second part of a complete story set in the sands of another world and the first part of beloved musical come to life. I truly loved that the world of the stunt industry got the love it deserved for they are the true artist of cinema. Most years when I put my list together, I tend have an average of 10. Then again, its my list of what I loved so in the end, its up to me if I want to add that many each year. This year there were only 8 films that I loved the most and would consider owning on 4K Disc. As always, just click the title of each film to read the full reviews. So without further ado, here's my list of the best films of 2024!

First up...

Bad Boys: Ride or Die: It is a miracle that this franchise still is running strong without Michael Bay and its better for it. Not many franchises have the guts nor the right direction to reinvent themselves mid stream without straying too far away from what made it great in the first place. That's what these films have done so well and everytime, they keep getting more exciting and hilarious. The chemistry between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence is always at the heart of these film and they continued hot streak here. They are getting older and I loved that they fully embrace it. The action was invigorating and even though not all the comedy landed, it still was a blast. There is one character in the film that finally got the respect he deserved and it was the showstopping scene of the film. I can't get enough of the Bad Boys franchise and if there's one more on the way, give it to me, but if they want to stop here, its a great ending.

Deadpool & Wolverine: If wish fulfillment was a movie, then this is it. Not only was this film based on a long lasting idea and joke, but it was the convergence of 2 of the greatest Marvel characters and it went exactly the way you expected. The constant quiping and innuendos of Deadpool balanced against the many insanely violent and annoyed retorts from Wolverine was the strength of this film. It was a bloody match made in heaven and from beginning to end as we finally get to see the comic book accurate costume of Wolverine on full display. Hugh Jackman continued to shine as the best Logan we've ever had so far and especially in a montage that was another love letter to the character's lineage. This film was also a somber thank you and goodbye to the Fox/Marvel universe of films and a special thank you to the one character that got us to this point in history. What a introduction to a new addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Abigail: Now here's something that was a bit of a surprise. The premise is straight forward and the trailer almost ruined all the blood soaked twist and turns. The directing team behind Radio Silence have really carved out their niche corner of energetic and fun horror. Their take on the Daughter of Dracula tale was updated to modern day tech and it worked so beautifully. With a cast of talented actors like this, it can be easy to short change a few for the sake of the story. Luckily that didn't happen here. Melissa Barrera has solidified her status as this generation's Scream Queen and Dan Stevens is the Scream King. Alisha Weir was amazing with her playful and devilish smile as the titular character. Even though she's a blood sucking monster, she gave the character such personality and at one point, a soul. This film was just a pure bloody delight.

The Fall Guy: Like I said before, the was for the real heroes of the film industry as they take the heaviest falls and serious bumps for the lead stars that aren't Jackie Chan or Tom Cruise. It was a crime that this film didn't get the love it deserved box office wise. This was not only a loving look into the stunt world, but it was a heartfelt love story that also had a murder mystery vibe to it too. The banter between Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling in a particular scene involving fire, was the highlight of the film. It was an inventive way to capture the moment we've all seen where two former lovers reunite and air out their pain to one another. Aaron Taylor-Johnson was having a ball as well and really played up the Hollywood cliche of actors being overly self centered. The action sequences alone were the best practical set pieces I've seen in a long time. Gawd I loved this movie.

Nosferatu: Bram Stoker's Dracula was the defining novel that truly made you understand the psychology of a tortured soul that is cursed to live forever consuming blood. There was a romantic nature to it that brought his humanity back for a bit. Many have taken that story and adapted it into similar stories derived from that masterpiece. This film, like the 1922 version, gave us an even more iconic take on the legend. This version was handled with such care and mastery in its cinematography, lighting and sound design. It was a nightmarish dream that was unrelenting in its nature and was a true vampire horror story that took the genre back to its more gothic and operatic roots. Lily-Rose Depp delivers a unforgettable breakout performance that is both emotional and physically astounding. Nicolas Hoult knows how to deliver the innocence of a young and hard working man that becomes tormented by visions and a true demon sucking away at his vitality. Bill Skarsgård was truly unrecognizable and creepy as the titular creature also named Count Orlock. His voice and movement was inhuman and I loved every second that he was on screen. Robert Eggers is a true visionary and now his films have become an event to not be missed.

Wicked: Part 1: This was one of those shows as a thespian that is on the list of must see on stage. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened for me yet. It will, but for now, this cinematic experience was everything I have been missing in film musicals. I have missed the grandiose scale of not only impressive musical numbers, but the jaw dropping set design and costumes. This was truly the definition of how to bring back the seemingly lost art of musical filmmaking, but that's not the only thing achieved here. The transfer from stage to screen is immaculate in my humble opinion. I felt I was watching the power of the stage working together with the transformative nature of cinema and it was pure magic. Ariana Grande surprised me as I'm not as familiar with her acting career as I am her singing career. She was hilarious as Galinda and I loved that in the opening scene, before we go back in time, there is a heaviness on her heart. The rest of the time she was just a delight to witness. Cynthia Erivo is a powerhouse in her own right and as Elphaba, she brings that same strength to the character and her voice in not only her redefining rendition of Defying Gravity, but the The King and I. Johnathan Bailey as Fiyero was the MVP of the film for me though. His performance and the entire set design of Dancing Through Life was mind blowing.

Dune: Part Two: After the amazing first part of this epic story, I couldn't wait to see the next half. There aren't many book to film adaptations that have gotten the visual care and epic treatment the story demands. This film continued to receive the same care the first part did and oh my what a satisfying and stunning film. I haven't been so inraptured by a universe that was so vast and yet so intimate in its portrayal. What I loved so much is the fact that each character has many layers and the hero of the film is flawed in knowing his fate and how it will effect the universe. Timothee Chalamet was great and became a badass as Paul Atreides in my eyes. The man is a reluctant hero that knows the weight of his decisions and had no choice, but to accept it. I loved that aspect of the character as it is rarely handled with this much class. Austin Butler was unflinching and menacing as Feyd-Rautha. He was the biggest standout for me and he was almost alien in his approach to the animalistic nature of the character. What a cast and what an adventure.

Now comes the moment you've been waiting for the most. My choice for the best film of the year is unexpected by most and probably lower on other people's list. The best film of 2024 is........

Saturday Night: As a youth, I grew up in the late 80's and all through out the 90's era of the greatest comedy sketch show on television. Chris Farely, Mike Myers, Molly Shannon, Will Farrell, Cheri Oteri and many more were among the line up of talent I came to know and love. The Blues Brothers, Coneheads, and Tommy Boy were always playing in my home. As I got older, I ventured back to the early days of the Saturday Night Live and began hearing all the stories about how it began. It was a real chaotic mess that should not have worked and some how, here we are 50 years later. As a fellow stage performer, I know exactly that feeling of anxiety, worry of forgetting lines, getting the timing right for costume changes and having the props in the right places. This film captures all of that and on a corporate nature as the network wants to know if their investment will pay off. Many legends were to appear on that historic broadcast and the cast brought to life that fateful night and the personalities of the every comedian. Gabriel LaBelle was amazing and endearing as Lorne Michaels. The amount of stress and on your feet thinking flowing through him was staggering and Gabriel did it perfectly. Dylan O'Brien was perfection as he captured not only the cadence of Dan Aykroyd's speech pattern, but also his gift of gab, his walk and attention to detail. Cory Michael Smith blew me away as Chevy Chase. He capture his charisma, comedic timing and sarcastic attitude. This was a fun, stressful and expertly filmed love letter to the fans of SNL and the legacy of the show. DO. NOT. MISS. THIS. ONE!

And that's it ladies and gentleman. That is my list of the best films of 2024. There were alot of other films I enjoyed that almost made the list, but I either ran out of time or I just missed their theatrical run entirely. Here's to 2025 and I hope it produces yet another list of this caliber or better. Thanks for reading!