My personal film choices of 2024 [Unscripted] | Entertainment

In spite of all the chaos of 2024, it was a good year for self-proclaimed cinephiles like myself. I tried watching a new (to me) movie at least once a month, whether it be on streaming or in theaters, and I would like to think I was successful, logging at least two dozen movies in 2024. Here are my favorite watches of 2024, in no specific order.

‘Challengers’ (2024)

Do I know anything about tennis? No. Did that stop me from being this in theaters? Absolutely not. Zendaya steals the show in this electric sports drama directed by Luca Guadagnino. I’m not a huge fan of sports, so I wasn’t necessarily eager to see “Challengers” when the promo for the movie started, but I was pulled in by its mystery. “Challengers” follows a love triangle between three tennis players at different stages in their career over the course of 13 years. With a nonlinear narrative and thumping, techno score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross to back it, “Challengers” kept me on the edge of my seat in anticipation, a feeling I’ve been chasing since I left the theater in spring.

‘Planet of the Apes’ (1968)

The “Planet of the Apes” franchise gets a bad rap, but I think that’s because we’ve strayed so far from the masterpiece that is the original. In preparation for “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” released in the spring, my husband suggested we watch every movie in the franchise — yes, that unfortunately includes the one starring Mark Wahlberg — over the course of a weekend. I can say, without a doubt, the best movie in the franchise is the original. Yes, the special effects are subpar by modern standards, but at its core, “Planet of the Apes” is about discrimination, caste and what it means to be human. Its iconic ending scene packs a punch almost 60 years after its release and left me with a feeling of unease — which was then ruined by the plethora of sequels.

‘Lisa Frankenstein’ (2024)

I’m always looking for something easy and fun to watch, especially after a long week of work, and “Lisa Frankenstein” fits the bill. With a shorter runtime of 101 minutes, “Lisa Frankenstein” is a campy romcom with a touch of horror. Starring Kathryn Newton as Lisa and Cole Sprouse as … well … Frankenstein, the movie follows an awkward, uninspired teenage girl and the zombie she befriends as she navigates the death of her mother and high school. Directed by Zelda Williams, “Lisa Frankenstein” is visually striking with a unique style that bridges the gap between fantasy horror and teen comedy. Although it wasn’t a box office success, “Lisa Frankenstein” is one of the cinematic highlights of 2024 for me.

‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ (2022)

What happens when a group of rich Gen Zers find the body of their friend in the middle of a bender? “Bodies Bodies Bodies” has the answer. In the midst of a hurricane, a group of friends find themselves trying to stay busy by playing games and indulging in drugs and alcohol. Everything is fine, albeit a bit tense, until one member of the group is found dead, and immediately everyone becomes a suspect. “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” directed by Halina Reijn, lures audiences in with a humorous depiction of young adults and pulls off an amazing bait-and-switch within the first 30-ish minutes of the movie, shifting to a panic-inducing whodunit. The script highlights the shifting dynamics in close-knit friend groups that are troubled by love triangles, drug use and disparities in wealth. I was pretty late to the game with this movie, but it quickly became one of my favorites and will surely become one I watch yearly.

‘The Substance’ (2024)

What more can I say about “The Substance” that I haven’t already said? About 100 more words I suppose. This movie deserves every award and accolade, including Demi Moore’s Golden Globe. A cautionary tale about the refusal to age gracefully, “The Substance” is captivating in its story and world-building. From intricate set design to Demi Moore’s performance as an aging woman desperately seeking eternal youth and Margaret Qualley’s performance as a shallow starlet, “The Substance” is one movie I just can’t stop talking about. I can feel myself gearing up for another tangent on how society treats women as they age, so I will leave you with this: Please watch “The Substance,” even if it’s just to admire the hard work that went into the striking sets and prosthetics. You’ll be better for it.