Podcast Summary: The Big Picture – "The Top Five Movies of 2024"

Episode Release Date: December 6, 2024

In this episode of The Big Picture, hosted by Sean Fennessey from The Ringer, along with co-hosts Chris Ryan and Adam Neyman, the team embarks on an in-depth exploration of the best movies of 2024. Despite the absence of guest co-host Amanda Dobbins, she contributes a voice note sharing her favorite films, adding another layer to the lively discussion. The episode seamlessly weaves through award analyses, film critiques, and the hosts' personal top-five lists, offering listeners a comprehensive look at the cinematic landscape of the year.

1. Year in Awards

The episode kicks off with a comprehensive review of the New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) and National Board of Review (NBR) awards, providing early indicators of the award season's trajectory.

New York Film Critics Circle Highlights:

• Best Film: The Brutalist
• Best Director: Ramel Ross for Nickel Boys
• Best Screenplay: Sean Baker for A Nora
• Best Actor: Adrien Brody for The Brutalist
• Best Actress: Marian Jean Baptiste for Hard Truths
• Supporting Actors: Carol Kane for Between the Temples and Kieran Culkin for Real Pain

National Board of Review Top 10 Films: Sean Fennessey notes that NBR's list is notably "safe and solid," comprising widely recognized films such as Honora, Baby Girl, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Furiosa, Gladiator 2, Juror Number 2, Queer, Real Pain, and Sing Sing. Chris Ryan echoes this sentiment, describing it as “a safe and good list” that excludes major contenders like Dune Part 2 and The Brutalist, reflecting a populist approach to film selection.

Sean Fennessey [03:52]: "A list that does not feature Dune Part 2 or The Brutalist, which is pretty notable."

2. Discussion of Notable Films

The hosts delve into several standout films, analyzing their impact, performances, and potential award prospects.

a. The Brutalist

• Overview: A compelling narrative about an individual rising in the architectural world of post-war Pennsylvania.
• Awards Insight: Chris Ryan compares its ambition to The Godfather, while Rob Harvilla praises its formal structure.

Chris Ryan [53:33]: "I was mesmerized by it. It felt like someone reaching for greatness in a way that you don't see directors do that often anymore."

b. Wicked

• Overview: Discussed in the context of potential Best Picture Oscar contention, particularly with its Part Two.
• Performance: John M. Chu’s direction and the film’s ambitious scope are highlighted, though some skepticism remains about its international reception.

Rob Harvilla [09:06]: "Who's the future David Lynch, whose movies are all gonna be coded remakes of Wicked?"

c. Nickel Boys

• Overview: An adaptation by Ramel Ross based on Colson Whitehead’s novel, lauded for its unique cinematic translation and original point of view.
• Reception: Praised for its extraordinary adaptation approach and emotional depth.

Rob Harvilla [47:43]: "It's a completely cinematic translation of a literary medium. It has a use of point of view that I think is genuinely original."

d. Kneecap

• Overview: An Irish film available on Netflix, featuring Michael Fassbender, centered on young activists promoting the Irish language.
• Reception: Chris Ryan describes it as “an absolute blast”, praising its energetic portrayal and musical elements.

Chris Ryan [14:37]: "Just an absolute blast from start to finish. The music's incredible, the performances across the board are great."

e. The Order

• Overview: A 1983-set thriller about an FBI agent tracking politically motivated bank robbers in the Pacific Northwest.
• Performances: Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult receive accolades for their gripping portrayals.

Chris Ryan [24:03]: "It's a really, really, really solid movie. Watched it like two or three times."

f. Evil Does Not Exist

• Overview: A Japanese film exploring the impact of industrialized tourism on a small fishing village.
• Reception: Sean Fennessey finds the film “deeply personal and complex,” appreciating its atmospheric depth despite its confusing ending.

Sean Fennessey [51:10]: "I adore this movie and I adore her too, for somewhat similar reasons."

3. Year in Movies Analysis

The hosts reflect on the overall film landscape of 2024, touching upon:

• Impact of Strikes: Causing irregular release schedules, leading to weeks devoid of major releases.
• Streaming Influence: Acknowledgment that streaming platforms like Letterboxd are democratizing access to a broader range of films, though leading to debates on recency bias and list-making.

Chris Ryan [30:39]: "I have like a 15 to 20 movie long list that I was like, this is really good."

• Critical Reception vs. Popularity: Rob Harvilla emphasizes the importance of critics highlighting underseen films to balance the populist trends.

Rob Harvilla [35:40]: "If critics aren't calling attention to films that aren't as widely seen, they're not doing their job."

4. Top Five Movies of 2024

Each host presents their personal top-five list, highlighting diversity in taste and perspective.

Christopher Ryan's Top Five:

1. Civil War – Alex Garland's politically charged thriller.
2. Nickel Boys – Ramel Ross’s poignant adaptation.
3. Anora – Sean Baker’s emotionally resonant drama.
4. The Brutalist – An architectural saga with grand ambitions.
5. Strange Darling – A non-linear cat-and-mouse thriller featuring Willa Fitzgerald.

Chris Ryan [45:12]: "Number five, Strange Darling, is a cat and mouse serial killer movie told in non-linear fashion. Features my favorite performance of the year by Willa Fitzgerald."

Sean Fennessey's Top Five:

1. The Brutalist – Praised for its scope and performances.
2. Evil Does Not Exist – Admired for its atmospheric depth and unconventional ending.
3. Challengers – Luca Guadagnino’s intense love triangle within the sports milieu.
4. Dune Part Two – Denis Villeneuve’s continuation of the epic saga.
5. Nora – Sean Baker’s intricate storytelling and character development.

Sean Fennessey [53:47]: "My number five is Evil Does Not Exist. It has one of the most unusual and confounding endings to a movie that I've seen in recent times."

Rob Harvilla's Top Five:

1. Nickel Boys – Celebrated for its unique adaptation and emotional impact.
2. The Beast – Bertrand Bonello’s genre-adjacent exploration with standout performances.
3. The Order – A tightly constructed thriller with stellar acting.
4. Rebel Ridge – A martial arts-themed critique of civil asset forfeiture.
5. Red Rooms – Pascal Plant’s French-Canadian courtroom drama with intense character studies.

Rob Harvilla [47:43]: "Number five is Nickel Boys, directed by Ramel Ross. It’s a completely cinematic translation of a literary medium."

5. Honorable Mentions

The hosts briefly acknowledge additional noteworthy films that didn’t make their top-five lists but are still significant.

• Chris Ryan: Rebel Ridge, Juror Number Two
• Sean Fennessey: Challengers, Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat
• Rob Harvilla: The Beast, Red Rooms

6. Amanda Dobbins' Favorite Films

Though absent from the main discussion, Amanda Dobbins contributes a voice note outlining her top favorites for the year.

Amanda Dobbins' Top Favorites:

1. Twisters – Highlighted as her favorite blockbuster of the year.
2. The Beekeeper & Lonely Planet – Classified under her "junk category" for their transcendent entertainment value.
3. The Challenge – Described as the most "Amanda" movie of the year, emphasizing character-driven narratives and compelling soundtracks.
4. Honora – Ranked as her number one favorite, praised for its intellectual and provocative storytelling.
5. Additional Mentions: Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat, Furiosa, A Different Man

Amanda Dobbins: "My number one has to be Honora. It’s a completely engrossing, intellectual, and provocative movie that stays with you."

7. Conclusion

As the conversation wraps up, Sean Fennessey teases upcoming discussions on award nominations and further film analyses, inviting listeners to stay tuned for more in-depth coverage of the cinematic achievements and controversies of 2024.

Sean Fennessey [99:07]: "Next week, the Golden Globe nominations come out. Monday morning, I will be here with Joanna Robinson covering the first truly big domino of award season. We'll see you then."

This episode of The Big Picture offers a rich tapestry of film critiques, personal insights, and passionate discussions, making it an indispensable listen for cinephiles eager to navigate the cinematic milestones of 2024.