Max Hechtman's Top 10 Films of 2024
The full list of Max Hechtman’s Top 10 Movies of 2024.
As the year begins to come to an end, here’s my list of the top 10 films of 2024. From blockbusters to long-awaited follow-ups, emotionally-moving independent cinema to intimate documentaries, this was for sure another memorable year for cinema. What were your favorites from this year?
1 - Dune: Part Two
Directed by Denis Villeneuve
The follow-up to Denis Villeneuve's 2021 sci-fi epic, which brings us back to the planet of Arrakis to see what happens next to Paul Atreides as he unites with the Fremen to wage war against House Harkonnen, is my #1 pick for the best film of the year. The cinematography, music, editing, everything - basically no notes.
2 - Wicked
Directed by Jon M. Chu
The iconic musical that brings to life the untold story of the Witches of Oz finally comes to the big screen, in the form of a two-part film adaptation whose first half not only “defies gravity” but defies every expectation that was set for it. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande give Oscar nomination-worthy performances as Elphaba (the hero cinema needs more than ever now) and Glinda, while Jon M. Chu adds his own cinematic stamp on the magical Land of Oz and a story that’s become much timelier than ever before. Will no doubt be nominated for Best Picture.
3 - The Wild Robot
Directed by Chris Sanders
DreamWorks Animation has delivered another banger with this animated adventure about Roz, a robot dropped to Earth who helps a community of woodland creatures learn to survive their environment and teach them lessons of friendship and kindness. It might seem like "WALL-E in reverse" on the outside, but on the inside is its huge heart that makes this the one to beat for the Best Animated Feature Oscar this year.
4 - Inside Out 2
Directed by Kelsey Mann
This is to this year what Toy Story 2 was to 1999 (the latter being the first film I ever saw in a theater). This sequel continues to expand the world set in stone by the 2015 original and brings in new emotions that cause more challenges for Joy, Disgust, Fear, Anger and Sadness to face as Riley enters her teenage years. The character of Anxiety, one of the new emotions, is a stand-out among the new familiar faces introduced, and the climax has one of the most realistic depictions of a panic attack that I had ever seen on screen.
5 - Anora
Directed by Sean Baker
Sean Baker's magnum opus about a stripper's forbidden romance with the son of a Russian oligarch is a romantic dramedy that's worth seeing mainly for Mikey Madison's breakthrough performance in the title role. While the explicit content was a little much for me, the acting and the cinematography successfully get the heart of the story across.
6 - Colibrí
Directed by Francisco Salazar & Juanpedro David Salazar
A meditative look at a Colombian couple about to have a child who must confront their own pasts in order to create a better future was one of the best indie films I have seen this year. So happy for fellow East Meadow indie filmmakers Francisco and Juanpedro David Salazar on the success of this film.
7 - Nickel Boys
Directed by RaMell Ross
One of the year's most visually stunning films with a unique approach: presenting the story of two teenage African American boys and their struggles to survive in a segregated America in the early 1960s directly through their eyes, by filming it entirely from their first person point-of-views. For sure to be a future piece of required viewing in film schools and a definitive example of the evolution of first-person cinematic storytelling.
8 - Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
Directed by Ian Bonhôte & Peter Ettedgui
Christopher Reeve will forever be known as cinema's definitive "Superman," both on and off the screen, as best exemplified by this powerful and emotional documentary about his life, mostly focusing on his experience he went through following his 1995 horse-riding accident which left him paralyzed. But with unwavering courage, the support of his family and friends and his advocating for people with disabilities, he showed that it's more than just wearing a red cape that made him a hero.
9 - Saturday Night
Directed by Jason Reitman
Jason Reitman and a talented ensemble cast led by Gabriel LaBelle as a young Lorne Michaels recreate the fateful 90 minutes that led to first televised declaration of “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” An enjoyable watch with stand-out performances and a worthy tribute to the night that changed late night television forever.
10 - Music by John Williams
Directed by Laurent Bouzereau
A revealing look at one of the greatest film composers of all time, who wrote the iconic music we know and love from Star Wars, Jaws, Indiana Jones, E.T., Jurassic Park, Home Alone, Harry Potter and more.
