Top 10 A24 Films
I recently saw Hereditary hoping that it would be the next Get Out. I don't like horror, because of my consistently adverse reaction to being scared, and this movie was definitely a well crafted horror film so it won't be my 2018 Get Out.
This is important because of its A24 connection. I've come to realize that every A24 movie I see stays with me. I may not love every movie I see from A24 but I definitely think the movies stick with me and force me to think about them long after the viewing. Let's take a look at 10 of the best examples of that!
Film/Rank:
#10- Enemy (2014)
Why Though:
This movie is the perfect example of something I didn't LOVE while watching but truly appreciated thinking about and reading theories about once I left the theatre. The fact that it is filmed in Toronto (if not flat out set in Toronto) also helped! But the mystery surrounding whether or not Jake was a twin/clone/something else was very interesting throughout the film. The large spider at the end is still a head scratcher but boy did I love reading what people thought about it. NEW THEORY: it was foreshadowing his possible role as Mysterio in the new Spider-Man movie. Too bad Ben and I didn't see this coming while we were casting Spider-Man's rogues gallery.
Would I Rewatch:
I'm surprised that I haven't already. I definitely will get around to it soon.
Film/Rank:
#9- The Spectacular Now (2013)
Why Though:
I didn't expect to like this movie. I liked Shaliene in The Descendants and now I like her in Big Little Lies but I thought she and Miles "No One Likes my Fantastic Four" Teller were just the kids from Divergent when I decided to watch this. Turns out the movie is good regardless of what I think of the cast. I liked that this movie took a less optimistic approach to the cool kid dates the dorky kid trope. Shaliene Woodley's character gets dragged down to Miles' level and it's not pretty. She is willing to blow up her life to be around a guy with an addiction and who doesn't have her best interest at heart. It's a great character study and didn't play out at all the way I assumed it was.
Would I Rewatch:
I've seen this movie MANY times. I didn't think I'd revisit it but I truly enjoy watching the story play out. So yeah, I'll probaly watch it again some day.
Film/Rank:
#8- The End of Tour (2015)
Why Though:
If you don't like, what has become, the Jesse Eisenberg schtick of mild mannered man who turns into a villain due to an inferiority complex then this movie might not be for you. However, if you can look past that and want to enjoy a slice of the real life of David Foster Wallace, as played by Jason "Forgetting Sarah Marshall has bought me all the good will in the world" Segel then you're in for something special. I truly enjoy dialogue heavy movies, and this one certainly delivers. Especially since the dialogue involves monologues from an author... they're extra good!
Would I Rewatch:
Funnily enough, I haven't rewatched. I'm not even sure I will. Doesn't mean I didn't like it though.
Film/Rank:
#7- Obvious Child (2014)
Why Though:
My mom's main complaint about Juno was that she didn't go through with the abortion... making it a hollywood morality story... or something like that. Welp! Here's a movie for you, mother! SPOILERS! You better believe Jenny Slate gets that abortion even though fake Jim doesn't really want her to. My enjoyment of the film, mostly comes from the dialogue. This time the dialogue involves comedians so it's extra funny, but also gets dark in ways that feel cathartic.
Would I Rewatch:
Most definitely. In fact, I already have.
Film/Rank:
#6- The Lobster (2016)
Why Though:
My praise for this movie comes down to the amazing world building, and the off kilter acting style everyone employs. You truly feel that you're watching something otherwordly without tons of visual effects and make up. It also helps sell the later scenes when things really get crazy. I can't tell if I'm a Colin Farrell fan. He's a big reason I love In Bruges, but I also find some of his other roles reaallll boring and bad. Luckily, he's great in this movie and helps shepherd the audience into the crazy world where you're turned into an animal if you don't find love. Go into this movie, if you haven't seen it already, knowing that and only that then enjoy! Like most A24 movies I'm dying to talk about it with other people!
Would I Rewatch:
Another instance of me not having rewatched it yet. But, I definitely will. I keep waiting for Pauline to agree to watch it with me.
Film/Rank:
#5- Ex Machina (2015)
Why Though:
Talk about a great cast! This was the first time I was aware of Alicia Vikander and I've enjoyed her work ever since. She even elevated Tomb Raider for me. The way her character, Ava, plays Domhnall and to a certain extent, Oscar's characters is great. It really made me think about my ego as a man and how I've been a Domhnall to varrying degrees in my life. Yes there are fun/weird dance sequences and blood galore, but there is a lot to unpack about this movie while you're watching and especially after. CLASSIC A24 film making!
Would I Rewatch:
I'd love to rewatch this movie with Paul. He did say it was his favourite of that year.
Film/Rank:
#4- Locke (2014)
Why Though:
It should be no secret that I find Tom Hardy to be one of the most interesting actors working today. So it should be no surprise that a movie that features JUST TOM HARDY driving to London in a car would be right up my alley. I immediately jumped to the trivia section of IMDb after the movie ended. What I found, astounded me. Some of the stuff in this movie wasn't scripted and it makes the movie that much better. I'm pretty sure Tom Holland is in this movie too so that's really cool. Maybe they'll be in another movie together later this year called Venom... who knows. I used to think movies with just one actor on screen the whole time would be boring, but I've really grown to like that genre and Locke is at the top of this particular genre if you ask me.
Would I Rewatch:
Of course I would and will!
Film/Rank:
#3- The Florida Project (2017)
Why Though:
The strength of this movie is the work done by the kids. Brooklyn Prince's Moonee to be exact. My worry going in was that there was going to be a white saviour element to Willem Dafoe's character. Luckily the movie doesn't lean into that too much. Sure, Willem is a great guy in the movie but he does not reach white saviour level because the movie wants you to focus on how the kids are dealing with the events of the movie. I also have to give a shout out to Bria Vinaite who plays Moonee's mom. I truly enjoyed watching her try to keep up appearances for her daughter and the spiteful all you can eat breakfast scene she has with Moonee. Surprisingly, Pauline liked this movie more than I did... and that's saying something.
Would I Rewatch:
Watched it with Paul and Pauline and I'll definitely watch it again sometime soon!
Film/Rank:
#2- The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
Why Though:
The Colin Farrell & Yorgos Lanthimos duo are at it again, and it worked even better for me the second time around! The key to this movie is Barry Keoghan (I'm so happy I don't have to say these names out loud... imagine having to pronounce Farrell???) as Martin. He was cool in Dunkirk, but that SPAGHETTI SCENE, THO!!! I also like that the movie he wants to watch with Colin is Groundhog Day because, just like in that movie, the magic is not explained in this movie either. Oh yeah... there's an element of magic in this movie. The acting style, once again, helps sell that element. The movie has got to be good for me to put aside my irrational distaste for Nicole Kidman. Word to Big Little Lies! Pauline and I had soooo much to talk about during and after this movie and it has still stuck with me. I don't want to get into any plot details. Just watch it, even if you already have.
Would I Rewatch:
I don't know if Pauline knows this, but I rewatched it like two times after we saw it. This movie is crazy.
Film/Rank:
#1- Moonlight (2016)
Why Though:
There is no denying that this is an important movie. It's the only multiple Oscar winning movie with an all Black cast. It's the only movie that got a mainstream push with a sensitive and nuanced look at black men who are gay in addition to how black men relate to each other and their mothers. But the movie is really that good too. It's not just important. The cast has some future stars in it no doubt. Mahershala, Janelle, and Naomie are obviously GREAT! Trevante is on the come up, and should be a Green Lantern, plus Alex R. Hibbert is in Black Panther and The Chi showing a different mode of acting than he did in Moonlight.
Would I Rewatch:
Thanks to the great people at Dork Shelf I got to see this movie and interview the cast and director but I also got Pauline to watch it with me again once it hit Netflix. I will revisit again this year but it's a lot to take in so I appreciate the long bouts of just talking about it with others in between watching it.
-YG