Half a year has flown past, and it is time for our mid-year top 10 films based only on our cinema visits.
Before we get to our top 10, however, a quick review of some of the first time watches we have seen on streaming services this year.
Firstly, we are suckers for shark movies, unfortunately most of them are not that good, however Netflix movie Under Paris was one we loved.
Sadly, our cinema never showed it, but we were glad to finally see The End We Start From which was a great adaptation of the book.
We also finally saw award nominated Saltburn, Past Lives and Anatomy of a Fall, all of which we loved.
Blackberry, Nyad and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story were a few biopics we loved.
RomComs Rye Lane and Bottoms would be our two stand outs.
Quiz Lady was a fun comedy that we also loved.
This year documentaries have really stood out, the excellent Robodoc, the making of Robocop was incredible, and left no part of the making of the movie unturned.
We also loved James Blunt: One Brit Wonder, which is how after being a figure of ridicule for his song You’re Beautiful, he reinvented himself on social media, the book is also a great read.
Remembering Gene Wilder was a great look at the actor’s fantastic career as was Jim Henson Idea Man, which looked at The Muppets creator’s legacy and career.
A special mention before we get to the movies needs to go to Sydney Sweeney, whilst she did not make our top 10, she has chosen some great films as we enjoyed Immaculate; Anyone But You and especially Reality.
In fact, we will say it quietly, we didn’t think Madame Web was as bad as it has been made out to be.
We also loved the new version of Roadhouse, but it is one of those movies that seems to have divided the internet between loved and hated.
We should say however that we had no real attachment to the Patrick Swayze original, and also the fact that this version doesn’t have a final big fight sequence set against a backdrop of animal head trophies we particularly liked.
Now before we get onto our top 10 films at the cinema this year, a few honorable mentions.
We’ve already mentioned Romcom Anyone but you, but also Monkey Man was a great first-time action film from Dev Patel.
We really enjoyed the horror movies Sting, especially as it featured a chihuahua and Abigail, we think this suffered a little as our hopes were that we would see another Ready or Not, so whilst we enjoyed it, we did not love it.
Academy Award winning Poor Things we also liked, but it is not a film we imagine we would be in a rush to see it again.
So here we go, our Top Ten Cinema Visits of 2024.
- FURIOSA
We struggled with placing this on our list, it was made for the big screen and is a great watch, with great performances and expands the story as well.
Its only flaw, and unfortunately is that it is one that I am never sure it could beat, is that it is a prequel to the far superior Mad Max: Fury Road.
Had these come out the other way round, then we are sure we would have loved this more, instead we came out with a thought process of enjoyed that, but it was not another Fury Road.
- KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
This almost had the opposite reaction for us to Furiosa, whereas when we saw that we were hoping for another Fury Road, with this we went in going love the Apes movies, but do we need another one?
As it happens this was a fantastic addition and having watched all the previous nine Apes movies, we still can’t say we have seen one that we didn’t like (and yes, we are including the Tim Burton version)
- DUNE PART TWO
This was made for the big screen; it was a sweeping Syfy epic, and we really enjoyed it, but like the sweeping epics of the Lord of the Rings films, its not one we really imagine we will do repeat viewing of.
Dare I say we prefer our science fiction sagas more in the realms of Star Wars and Trek.
- GODZILLA X KONG; THE NEW EMPIRE
We love creature features, and Godzilla is definitely one of the best cinematic creatures.
This was a great big budget action movie, that we had a lot of fun with, but as a full disclaimer, due to the incredible Godzilla Minus One, we went into this with really low expectations, but we really did have a fun time with it.
- MEAN GIRLS
The original was a classic, the direct to DVD sequel is also a fun watch, but this one seems to be despised by the internet and we have no idea why.
It seems mostly in part due to the fact that the trailers seemed to hide that this version was a musical.
It was always going to get our attention as a good majority of its cast came from shows we love, especially the Sex Lives of College Girls and Love Victor.
The fact that even after its January release, the soundtrack is still regularly on here at BMAF HQ only confirms that we enjoyed it and deserves its place on our top 10.
- BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE
Much like Godzilla X Kong, we went into this with low expectations which seems odd, as we have enjoyed the previous three entries, (although oddly, as the internet seems to differ, we liked Bad Boys 2 the least)
I think this low expectation is in part, unsure if audiences would accept a return of Will Smith, since that ‘slap’, but also the fact that its third film’s returning directors Adil and Bilall, previous movie, Batgirl was deemed not fit for release.
This was a fantastic action comedy and I assure you the one thing that you will think when coming out is no way they could have made a Batgirl film that was bad enough for release.
Many suggestions online suggest it was a tax saving scheme by Warner Brothers, its distributors.
We also will add that we enjoyed Bad Boys 4 a lot more than the recently released fourth Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
- WICKED LITTLE LETTERS
Finally, we have a non-reboot, remake, sequel make our list and we loved this historical comedy of scandalous letters being sent.
The cast are great, it feels like a great tale that is as relevant today with social media posts instead of letters, but it also provides plenty of great laughs on the way.
- THE BIKERIDERS
A film about an exclusive gang of bike riders doesn’t sound that exciting on paper, but this tale of wanting to belong, friendship and impact on relationships really was a great watch.
The leads of Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy and Austin Butler are all fantastic.
We hope this film finds its audience as it was moved to streaming just four weeks after it hit the big screen, and that is a real shame.
- THE FALL GUY
We love seeing Ryan Gosling as a stunt man, as we also love him as the stunt driver in Drive, but this was a lot of fun.
It didn’t really remind us of the series that we grew up with, but it had plenty of action and comedy to keep us entertained.
Sadly, it did not do well at the box office so it will now rely on streaming to see if we get any more adventures of this new version of The Fall Guy.
And at number one, THE IRON CLAW
This biopic based on a true story of a wrestling family was fantastic, at times heartbreaking, a fantastic lead performance by Zac Efron, the biggest shock of this film was that it was not showed with awards.
So this is our top ten, how about yours, what did you choose?
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