https://blacknerdproblems.com/bnp-staff-favorites-of-2024-movies/

So…2024 was a hell of a year. Both eventful and in some respects…hellish. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t some high points. Here are just a few of the movies that spiced up the water cooler talk at work, bewitched us in theaters and that made this (silly, silly, silly) year one to remember.

Alien: Romulus

For the longest time, I didn’t watch many horror movies because paying to be tense and stressed in a theater wasn’t exactly my idea of a good time. Although, I have since realized that the adrenaline rush is very much worth time and effort. Having watched snippets of Alien and all of Prometheus, when the trailer for Alien: Romulus came up, I watched the original quartet, rewatched Prometheus (a movie that gets surprisingly better with full context), and remembered that I had watched Alien: Covenant to prepare myself for the latest and I am glad I did.

Alien; Romulus takes the core formula of the original Alien with slightly different stakes, although empathically emphasizing that while the acid spewing horde of xenomorphs are terrifying, it is the capitalist framework that tries to leverage them that is the true villain. Cailee Spaeny’s Rain and David Johnson’s Andy anchor an emotionally charged story of survival and execute it brilliantly. Fede Alvarez’s direction was so brilliant that I knew the entire trajectory of the story the entire time, but between the eerie atmosphere, the existential dread, and sheer anticipation of the horrible things there was certainly no the way. It was a peak of horror and sci-fi and the singular experience that I wish I could see again in theaters. – Mikkel

It’s What’s Inside 

Ok, so I seriously want to write about Deadpool x Wolverine. It was by far one of the best films I have seen in 2024. But I thiiink everyone already knows that. If you want to know what I really think about it. Maybe I’ll make a video because I’d love to saucy recap it, or just let you watch my very animated face do the film justice. 

That said, I want to go a bit smaller scale for this one. One of my favorite films of 2024 is a little inappropriate flick called It’s What’s Inside. A Netflix original, this movie teeters the line between thriller, horror, and comedy. I recently heard in an industry panel that erotic thrillers are the “it” thing right now. I thought what the hell is an erotic thriller? looking back on it, this movie definitely hits that mark. 

It’s What’s Inside follows a group of friends from college reuniting to celebrate their buddy who’s getting married the next day. The premise has you thinking, oh no, bachelor party buffoonery ensues. But one – it’s not a bachelor party, and two, something way more sciencey-supernatural is afoot. Everything changes when one of the estranged friends shows up with a box that allows people to switch bodies/consciousnesses and decides to use it for a fun little guessing game. As an actor, this ish is fun as hell!! They are all a dude disguised as another dude pretending to be another dude!!

The performances are so subtle and so very on point. You can tell each actor had to study every character to the strangest depths but also had a hell of a fun time doing it. The movie is super well-written, the story is not complicated but beyond engaging, and it truly takes you on a ridiculous ride you happily strap in for. I may be aging myself, but it’s as if Very Bad Things had a baby with Bodies Bodies Bodies. The movie’s running time is perfect for a fun…yes – erotic thriller with twists and turns that make you say – oh no… and have to just laugh it off in the end. 10/10 recommend! 

-Aisha

Dune: Part Two

Let me keep it real with you. I didn’t give a dam about the Dune franchise until Chalamet and Zendaya starting doing the remake promo rounds in 2021, and my care meter did a slight eyebrow raise.

I wasn’t blown away after watching it (our site’s review here), but I thought it was a nice take on the intergalactic genre and wholeheartedly appreciated it not being a Zendaya hijacked movie (who I love btw). Dune: Part Two was announced and I saw no reason to skip it. That’s where the casual viewership ends. Dune: Part Two is a rare sequel (our site’s review here as well) that builds upon the successes of the first film and does not miss when expanding on the lore.  – Ja-Quan

Rebel Ridge

If you want light-hearted, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere. This film tackles hard topics in an over-the-top action way, and truly balances its genre and subject matter beautifully. No spoilers but if you’re looking for an edge-of-your-seat crime thriller with twists aplenty and shots of adrenaline on top of a strong plot, this is one of them ones.

And I cannot talk about this movie without talking about its star. Aaron Pierre has an absolute coming out party as Terry in this film, and he is magnetic from beginning to end. His character is part Atticus Freeman, part Chris from Walking Tall, and brings something to the action and thriller genre you don’t often see: gravitas. You don’t want to look away, and his performance rewards the attentiveness. If acting chops in the style of Idris Elba or Chadwick Boseman and one-liners like the Rock are up your alley, you’ll be right at home with Aaron Pierre’s performance here. 

The whole thing is a ride that takes an honest look at policing, small town life, and starting over in a hyperbolic way that is good for both the analysts and popcorn munchers among us, And with a final act that is pure octane. (Our site’s review here)

 I was going to talk about another film, but then I was like NAHHHHHH. -D.J.

The Fall Guy

We live in an age so absurdly meta that art imitates life quicker than ever. So much in fact that The Onion is just the real news now. In that world, where we are so aware of nostalgia’s pull that we just fall into it to escape the madness of our reality. How do I pull us out of this sad moment I’ve made here? Oh yeah, with a perfect piece of escapist cinema that wraps genius-level writing around some of the best practical stuntwork in years, and tucks that into a warm blanket of nostalgia. I’m talking about The Fall Guy!

Are there more deep and emotion-churning movies that expose the delicate nature of society collapsing? Absolutely. But nothing could prepare me for the brilliance of The Fall Guy. The movie does like eight things at once and does them all well. First off, The Fall Guy is a remount of a popular TV show from the 80s. The movie takes that idea and runs all the way into left field. Ryan Gosling leans all the way into his cool guy bag and stars in a movie that is an absent-minded action comedy, nuanced romantic comedy, and a love letter to one of the most marginalized communities in the movie-making universe: stunt people. Mind you, The Fall Guy is actually far from absent-minded; it’s the most meticulously crafted movie since Oppenheimer. It’s really funny, absurdly cute, smart, and filled with more stunts than a Jackie Chan movie. Nothing shook me out of the spiral of 2024 and gave me a moment to breathe like the two hours I spent laughing my ass off and being wowed by The Fall Guy. [The extended cut is on Peacock!] – Frantz

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

It amazes me that the Sonic franchise somehow found the formula to video game movie success. From that first horror show of a trailer to now bringing in the ultra-edgy Shadow and somehow doing the character justice. All of it culminates in not just an epically cheesy action scene but the closest we’ll get to a “live action” Dragon Ball Z film. This film was made for me. This film was made specifically for a 13-year-old me. And even though Jim Carey was more on the side of annoying Jim for me, it still delivered on exactly what the fandom wanted. It’s why this franchise is so successful. They know exactly what they are and who they’re for and play to that earnestly. And how can you not enjoy that? For me, it was the film I was looking forward to the most all year. And it did not disappoint. – Garrett

Want to get Black Nerd Problems updates sent directly to you? Sign up here! Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and Instagram!

The post BNP Staff Favorites of 2024: Movies appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.