by Rosalie Kicks, Old Sport and Editor in Chief

Apparently as we age time appears to move faster. Well, since last year marked my fortieth spin around this Earth, I feel I am more than qualified to confirm that this sentiment is emphatically true. Two thousand and twenty twenty-four is on a rocket and will be out of here in a blink. At the time of writing this I have managed to squeeze three hundred and ninety-six motion pictures into my eyes. The flicks that I have witnessed range from a variety of time eras and genres. However, for the purpose of this exercise and to celebrate reaching the midpoint of the year, below is a list of my top ten favorite movies theatrically released so far this year. It should be noted: I have not seen Long Legs yet, but will be rectifying this Thursday.

The Beekeeper
Now Streaming on Prime and Fubo

Somebody has to look out for the elderly, and I implore you to find a better candidate and nicer chap than Jason Statham. After a friend of his is scammed by charlatans of the internet webs, Adam Clay (Statham), a former operative, comes out of retirement to seek retribution. He goes on an action-packed, fiery quest to right the system. Beekeeper delivered exactly as it was packaged. I had such a great time at the cinema watching this flick that it led me down a bit of a rabbit hole of Statham’s filmography, making way for “Statham Saturday”. After experiencing sixteen new-to-me Statham films, finding one such as The Beekeeper is the true meaning of a diamond in the rough.

The Last Stop in Yuma County
Now playing on demand

This film is a breath of fresh air amongst the suffocation caused by Hollywood superhero worlds, universe building, remakes, and rehashes. Writer/Director Francis Galluppi has managed to make an old style shoot ‘em up noir story that plays off effortlessly. While watching, I could not help but think of the 1936 Archie Mayo picture, The Petrified Forest starring Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, and Leslie Howard. Similar to The Last Stop in Yuma County, unsuspecting folks find themselves held against their will by sinister thieves. And much like The Petrified Forest, Galluppi’s picture is driven by the uncertainty of the characters’ future.

Read my full for MovieJawn here

Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger
In theaters July 12

This documentary is a reminder of why it is important to look back on what has come before. Each time I experience a Powell and Pressburger film I am able to escape the present and visit a place of wonder. With the grim and bleak times we find ourselves in it is lovely to have this type of reprieve, even if it only lasts for a few hours. For those that are unfamiliar with the filmography of Powell and Pressburger, Made In England offers an easy way to dive in head first. And with prolific filmmaker, Martin Scorsese serving as the host of this journey, one could not be placed in better hands. I believe even avid fans of the duo, who commonly went by The Archers, would be hard pressed not to find this comprehensive flick engaging.

Find my full review on MovieJawn.com later this week

Immaculate
Now playing on demand

I am really pleased that I was able to experience Immaculate in the theater as the cinematography is a feast for the eyes. The abundance of candle lit scenes make my heart flutter.

Sydney Sweeney gives an exhilarating performance as an American nun that travels to a countryside convent in Italy. Soon upon her arrival, she discovers that the holiest of places is not so holy after all. Clocking in at one hour and twenty-nine minutes, this is a picture that does not waste any time. The lean script ensures that every moment is pushing the story ahead. The decisions that were made on what to show on the screen, or not, were extremely satisfactory. This is a director that practices restraint, and I appreciate that. As for the ending… well, take it from me, you’ll want to hold on to your socks.

The People’s Joker
Not currently streaming, physical release coming soon

The People’s Joker is extremely impressive given the limited resources that were available. Vera Drew is a filmmaker to watch out for and I can’t wait to see what she does next. Her feature debut, that she co-wrote, directed and edited, tells the tale of a hopeful clown that finds themselves questioning her gender identity and comes face to face with a fascistic caped superhero. It is hard for me to put into context everything that is witnessed within this flick. The only additional thing I can say is: WATCH IT, for it is unlike anything you have seen before.

Civil War
Now playing on demand

Since viewing Alex Garland’s directorial debut Ex Machina (2014), I have always been interested to see what this filmmaker is up to. His 2018 film, Annihilation may not have been as good as the work it was adapted from, but I still found it quite mesmerizing. Men was not really my cup of tea, yet I appreciated the swings he made with it. As for his latest venture Civil War (2024), even after seeing it several months ago I am still processing what I watched. The film has managed to worm itself into my brain, and with the current climate it can’t help but reveal itself periodically.

It was difficult to sit in the cinema and not be filled with dread by what was being shown on the silver screen. This dystopian fictional tale of a country on the brink of a great rebellion could in fact be in our not so distant future within the United States, making the story that much more terrifying due to its possible realness. The cinematography is on-point and the cast is flawless. However, the standouts were definitely Kirsten Dunst who turns in an compelling performance and Cailee Spaeny proves she is someone to watch out for. I loved that the narrative was from their perspective as photo journalists. It felt like we were right alongside of them looking down their camera lenses, witnessing the horrors firsthand. I can’t go without mentioning Jesse Plemons ,who managed to chill me to the bone. This may not be an easy watch, but I find it to be a necessary one.

I Saw The TV Glow
Now playing on demand

This film will demand a rewatch, as I found myself during the initial viewing completely enthralled by what I was hearing and seeing. So much so, that I believe I may have missed something the first time around. Jane Schoenbrun’s sophmore feature is about two teens that connect due to their affinity for a supernatural television program. I love movies that inspire conversation, that not only require the use of my brain but make me feel something. After watching, I was thankful to have a thoughtful discussion with my partner in crime as it was fascinating how it hit us both in such a unique way. Jane’s writing is wonderful and it truly speaks to so many types of people. What thrills me the most, is the way in which each of us have our own takeaways of how it affected us as individuals. I think for a motion picture to evoke such a range of emotions and meanings within its audience is a rare feat. There is no wrong answer here.

Inevitably, what I took from this watch was how grateful I am to be in my present situation. I am finally living the life I desire and no longer feel like my soul is being taken slowly each time I had to log on to my corporation’s computer. I am a weirdo and am meant do grandiose, creative things (follow along with those things here, in my newsletter Sundae Matinee). I Saw The TV Glow has a lot to unpack and may even inspire one to change their life in the best way possible.

Love Lies Bleeding
Now playing on demand

I am in awe of Rose Glass. She is now two for two in terms of feature films and has landed on my list of filmmakers in which I must see their new motion picture immediately upon the theatrical release.

Love Lies Bleeding boasts captivating characters, a killer score, and original story that one may believe they know where it is going but will find themselves rocked by the third act. When gym manager, Lou (Kristen Stewart) encounters aspiring bodybuilder Jackie (Katy O’Brian), sparks fly and the two end up on blood-soaked roller-coaster ride of emotions. The two leads provide memorable performances that not only stick with you well after the credits roll, but demand your undivided attention. Without a doubt, I can’t wait to see what Rose Glass does next. In the meantime, I recommend catching up with some of her short flicks, which are available to watch on Vimeo. This director knows how to point, my friends.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Now playing in theaters and on demand

After watching Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, I peeled out of the parking lot with a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. George Miller’s latest picture is not just incredible, it is absolutely thrilling. The main reason Furiosa worked for me was the storytelling. Split into five chapters, the film takes the viewer on a journey of this character’s past and ends right where Fury Road begins. The filmmaking itself does not waste any time as, within the first moments, young Furiosa is snatched up by a gaggle of wasteland wayfarers. From there the first hour is spent with young Furiosa who is portrayed remarkably by Alya Browne (Three Thousand Years of Longing). Much strife and misery is inflicted upon Furiosa via the menacing Dr. Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) until she eventually winds up in the hands of Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme) at The Citadel.

I connected with this story much more than Fury Road due to actually getting to know these characters on a deeper level and being given an understanding of the motivations behind their actions.

Read my full review for MovieJawn here

Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person
Now playing in select theaters

After the opening events of this movie, I knew that I was going to love it. The plot would have had to take a rather sharp turn to change my initial opinion and instead, as the picture progressed, I found myself more enthralled.

Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (HVSCSP) tells the tale of Sasha (Sara Montpetit) a demure, young vampire that is not up to the task of killing. Her predilection to a passive demeanor and compassion for humans runs so deep that even her fangs refuse to come in. All Sasha wants is an endless supply of ethically acquired blood bags and free time to make music on her keyboard. This is cause for concern and her parents take her to numerous specialists. After her family grows tired and frustrated of catching corpses to satiate Sasha’s hunger, they decide to hold an intervention. As Sasha sips on one of her juice boxes (an IV bag full of blood) her family explains why she needs to embrace her heritage and learn to make kills independently. They inform Sasha that she will be moving in with her cousin Denise (Sophie Cadieux) to learn the all about being an independent vampire around town. Denise, an enthusiastic bloodsucker, agrees to show her the ropes and not provide Sasha with a drop of blood. Of corpse (see what I did there) this type of forceful tact causes a slew of problems, as Sasha continues to refuse to succumb to the pressures of her family and their views of what they believe is a natural disposition for beings like them.

Read my full review for MovieJawn here