A list of 2024 releases seen this year at theaters in SF and Sydney, and on VOD.

Initial threads-reactions to the higher rated films included. You can find reviews of everything on letterboxd. In alphabetical order, by star rating…

5⭐

All We Imagine as Light
Given how this year has gone, and these stories generally go for women, the gentleness and hope this defiantly imbues is most welcome.

Prodigious filmmaking and empathy from Payal Kapadia.

Fair Play
The power and relationship dynamics are ruthless, as each mounting barb ratchets up the tension. It’s like a psychotic version of Industry.

Can’t wait to see what writer/director Chloe Domont has in store for us next.

Perfect Days
Cinema. This is it, folks. All hail, Wim Wenders.

Pure. Analog. Satisfaction.

Koji Yakusho gives a gentle, scrupulously tuned performance that’s honestly life-affirming. And that final scene? Phew. How is he not up on every awards stage giving a speech?

It was 10/10 when he pulled out a folded piece of newspaper and turned it into a plant vessel.

Sing Sing
The deliberate gentleness and love on display in a setting like a maximum security prison is striking.

Not a bad performance, big or small. Colman Domingo obviously deserves his flowers. Googling Maclin after leaving the theater and understanding his story adds another layer of awe to what he portrays.

One of the greatest callbacks ever, beloved.

Wicked
I’ve seen four different productions. Listened to the original cast recording countless times. Happy to report Jon M. Chu has conjured up splendiferous magnificence! Across. The. Board!

The kaleidoscope of colour. The splitscreen on What Is This Feeling. How the projector comes to life. Ariana, Cynthia, and Jonathan.

Could have done without that additional Grimmerie number.

The Zone of Interest
I kept hoping for the sake of their souls that some of the family were naive to what was going on right next door. Nope. Plain ol’ evil.

Chilling and otherworldly from Jonathan Glazer, before the ending anchors everything. The sound design and score surround you in the sickness.

And the stylistic choice on those fairy tale scenes!

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