Over our five-day weekend for Thanksgiving break, many took the chance to catch up on homework, hang out with friends or enjoy time with family. And while I did all of those things, more importantly, I saw many, many movies. Over the break, I watched six new releases in addition to some classics. As a lover of cinema and aspiring filmmaker myself, I jumped at the opportunity to catch up on the November 2024 releases I missed, some excellent and some disappointing. Here are the movies I saw and whether or not I think they are worth your time and money.
Four Days, Six Films
Source: DISNEY
Moana 2 (2024)
“Moana 2,” the sequel to Disney’s 2016 modern classic “Moana,” has admittedly not been one of my most anticipated films of the year. In fact, I had not even realized it had come out until my friend, Erin, suggested we see it. So, we bought our tickets and took the train to the AMC Empire 25, my favorite movie theater in NYC. I was looking forward to the film, so it pains me to say that I was sorely disappointed. The songs were unmemorable and even at times annoying, the visuals were flat and uncinematic and the plot was predictable and not impactful. I did not once feel any fear or excitement for Moana, Maui or any of the forgettable, cliche supporting characters. When I read online that the film was originally intended to be a Disney+ series, I was not shocked. The entire film felt plain and uninspired. If the year was 1993, it would have undoubtedly been added to the canon of Disney’s straight-to-DVD animated sequels. I found “Moana 2” to be deeply disappointing, as a fan of the character. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s absence was strongly felt in the musical department.
1.5/5.0
Source: A24
Heretic (2024)
Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’s “Heretic” is a thriller about a man trapping two young Morman women in his house to participate in a series of tests and puzzles to try and answer questions about the true meaning of faith, religion and belief. The film is well-shot, and much thought clearly went into the themes and screenplay. But, I overall found it fell flat in terms of truly giving the audience something to think about. The ideas are interesting, sure, but not once in the film is a concept or question introduced that truly made me question the way I think about religion or faith. The directors did an excellent job at creating tension and stress, but the film fails to stick the landing or truly exploit its intriguing, faith-questioning concept. Compared to another 2024 horror film such as James Watkins’ “Speak No Evil”, which shared a similar objective of creating tension through watching our protagonist’s ideals being questioned by an antagonist who is keeping them trapped in a house. However, while “Speak No Evil” was able to effectively create a satisfying arc and lesson for its lead characters in addition to truly exploring its central theme of how far people are willing to go to be polite, “Heretic” does neither. Led by strong performances by Hugh Grant, Chloe East, and Sophie Thatcher, “Heretic” is a good time, but overall it left me wanting more.
3.0/5.0
Source: Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection
Smile 2 (2024)
The film I chose to watch on Thanksgiving Day was “Smile 2,” the sequel to Parker Finn’s “Smile,” a twisted psychological horror focused on a woman plagued by hallucinations of smiling people that lead her to madness. “Smile 2” delivered everything one could want from a Thanksgiving Day film viewing: insanity, gory deaths, an excess of blood, terrifying imagery and an all-around horrifying time. The film is more intense than the first, with the focus now being on Naomi Scott’s Skye Riley. Riley is a pop star attempting to make a comeback after a very public breakdown and resulting physical and mental trauma. Scott, who I last saw as Jasmine in 2019’s “Aladdin” remake, is brilliant as Skye Riley. She breathes life into the role of a lonely and heartbroken celebrity who just can’t catch a break. If you’re looking for a proper scare and a great time, “Smile 2” is certainly worth the watch.
4.0/5.0
Source: Universal Pictures
Wicked (2024)
Much can be said about Jon M Chu’s “Wicked.” It’s arguably the biggest film of the year, having staked its place in pop culture through an aggressive marketing campaign. Said campaign possibly even rivals last year’s “Barbie” in sheer visibility. The “holding space” and “me and Boq” memes went viral on TikTok, the star power of Ariana Grande drove d diehard fans to theaters and critics’ reviews are glowing. As a fan of musical theater, and specifically the musical “Wicked,” having seen it twice on Broadway, I was nervous for the film. I was unsure it would be able to capture the magic of the stage show while having enough exciting differences that it is not a line-for-line recreation. However, “Wicked” is one of the most fun experiences I had in a movie theater all year. Yes, the film is a bit too long, the cinematography is far too unexciting, the color grading is bland and a few of the supporting actors feel as though they are phoning it in. But I don’t care. “Wicked” is fun. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande light up the screen as Elphaba and Galinda, their vocals soar, the musical numbers are exciting and the emotional beats all hit. “Wicked” is imperfect, but it hits that combination of magical feelings and sweeping emotion that just works. If anyone has any interest in this film, I cannot see them disliking it. Go give “Wicked” your two hours and 40 minutes; it will be worth it.
4.5/5.0
Source: HBO Max
Sweethearts (2024)
The rom-com is a beloved and classic film microgenre that has withstood the test of time. It reached peak popularity in the 90s, early aughts and 2010s with major studio hits that made actors such as Hugh Grant and Kate Hudson household names. But now, theatrical releases for romantic comedies are becoming more and more rare, so the genre has found a new home on streaming. “Sweethearts,” starring Nico Hiraga and Kiernan Shipka, follows Jamie and Ben, two college freshmen who decide for the sake of their college experience and sanity they must break up with their high school sweethearts when they return home for a holiday break. The film is another addition to the endless sea of straight-to-streaming teen romantic comedies. “Sweethearts” is pleasant and funny enough. But, like most other streaming 2020s rom-coms before it, it lacks the memorable setpieces, iconic characters and distinctive style that make films like 2000s classics like “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days” and “10 Things I Hate About You” iconic. Hiraga and Shipka’s chemistry is enjoyable, and the screenplay has its witty moments, but overall “Sweethearts” is forgettable and slight.
2.5/5.0
Source: Paramount Pictures
Gladiator II (2024)
Rounding out my weekend of movies, my parents and I went to the Magic Johnson Theater in Harlem to catch an evening showing of “Gladiator II,” the sequel to the classic 2000 film, “Gladiator.” Both films follow a young gladiator, played by Paul Mescal and Russell Crowe, respectively, forced to fight for their freedom and the entertainment of tyrannical Roman emperors. As a fan of action movies, Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington, I was hoping for a bloody, intense fun time; I was not disappointed. “Gladiator II” met my expectations exactly, it just did not exceed them. If you are looking for an engaging action flick with solid performances (Washington is a particular treat) then “Gladiator II” will serve you exactly. The filmmaking is exciting and ambitious, the costumes and sets are detailed and the fight choreography is exciting. “Gladiator II” is a perfectly good movie but not particularly exciting. To answer Russell Crowe’s iconic question from the 2000 film, yes, I was entertained, but I was not exhilarated.
3.5/5.0
The Verdict
If you find yourself with three free hours this next weekend and are craving a bucket of popcorn in a dark room, I recommend watching “Wicked,” “Smile 2” or “Gladiator II.” Though you truly cannot go wrong with any trip to the movies.
