Dad's Movie Lists

Movie of the Week

2024

Date Click poster for preview Including star ratings: 10, 9, 8, 7★, 6★, 5
12-23-24 Children of Men (2006) 9★

"This may be the most realistic depiction of humanity's possible future. It is presented in several genres: apocalyptic war zone, nail-biting thriller, and cautionary tale - all in a world without hope. There is incredible talent possessed by director Alfonso Cuarón - I didn't just watch from afar. I felt like I was a part of each scene, experiencing it from within. That was an intense experience."

12-16-24 Zero Dark Thirty (2012) 8

"There is a very strong cast, but nobody can hold a candle to Chastain. She commands the screen as a leader, but we also see her vulnerable side. This is a powerful education on the capabilities of the U.S. defense machine."

12-9-24 Whiplash (2014) 9★

"At the heart of this intense psychological drama is the question: "How much is too much when expecting true greatness?" Can a teacher berate and verbally abuse a student to bring out their best? I've never winced so much watching a film. J. K. Simmon's Oscar-winning performance seethes like open wound... but he drives the plot."

12-3-24 Baby Driver (2017) 8

"A crime film like this, dealing with some really nasty people, can easily devolve and lose focus. Baby Driver leans into all the meanness and madness, keeps its path true, and somehow manages to find a little true romance along the road."

11-25-24 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) 9★

"This film is again visually stunning and beyond creative, yet somehow continues to develop existing characters, and introduce a plethora of new ones. I wonder how much we will look back on these Spidey Verse films and say, "Wow, these really helped to bring us all together."

11-18-24 Green Book (2010) 9★

"This thoroughly enjoyable film held my attention for every single second. The two lead characters could not be more different, yet their journey together carries the film forward to where we hope it goes. In the end, both men emerge with a larger world-view and a lot more empathy."

11-11-24 Black Swan (2010) 9★

"This intense, and often disturbing film delivers on many levels, as it fades in and out of reality due to Nina's hallucinatory descent into exhaustion, jealousy and an unwavering obsession to be perfect. It is beautifully shot, frantic and dreamlike, a play within a play."

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