From the issue “Defying Gravity” in Evil to Paul riding the sandworm in Dune: Part Two2024 delivered some mind-blowing movie moments that demanded to be seen on the big screen. In the age of streaming, filmmakers are having to go to greater and greater lengths to bring audiences to theaters. If a film doesn't demand to be seen on the big screen, audiences will wait to watch it at home.
2024 brought some thrilling action sequences and deeply cinematic images that rewarded a trip to the cinema. Ridley Scott put hungry sharks in the Coliseum in Gladiator II. Rose Glass made her hero 50 feet tall in Love is bleeding. These movie scenes were the best theatrical experiences of the year.
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Sharks at the Coliseum
Gladiator II
Historians have questioned the accuracy Gladiator IIThe aquatic setting of - when a naval battle, complete with shark-infested waters, is recreated in the Colosseum - but no one can deny the blockbuster spectacle of this sequel. Two ships full of fighter jets fighting each other would be exciting enough, but the presence of bloodthirsty sharks adds another layer of terror. That Gladiator film turns into a Jaws film for a fascinating few minutes.
As with all great action sequences, this one has its own internal story structure with a beginning, middle and end. Paul Mescal's Lucius galvanizes his troops with a clear strategy: break the other ship's oars and then throw it over the side of the arena. This naval strategy made the sequence a compelling watch, but the hungry sharks made it a must-see on the silver screen.
9
The last tennis match
Challengers
Everywhere ChallengersLuca Guadagnino uses tennis as a visual metaphor charged with sexual tension. The entire love triangle story culminates in a climactic match between Art and Patrick, with a distraught Tashi watching from midcourt. The entire film gradually increased the intensity of the romantic conflicts, with old feelings resurfacing - both feelings of sexual desire and jealous rage - and adultery being committed on the eve of the final departure.
It all comes together when Art and Patrick face off on the court and Tashi watches the final showdown between these two men who have been fighting for her for years. The feelings of love, jealousy, passion, bitterness, resentment and desire leak from the screen. Guadagnino directs the sequence with an energy and intensity and a compelling cinematic flair that makes it impossible to look away.
8
The Rodeo Tornado
Twisted
A well-made disaster movie is always a sight to behold on the big screen. Much like its predecessor, Twisted made for a visceral theatrical experience. From the opening tornado that kills Kate's team to the climactic tornado in the theater, each storm sequence was a cinematic delight. But the best tornado scenario happens at a rodeo.
Kate finally starts to warm up to Tyler when they go to a rodeo together along the way. Twisted - and then the rodeo is interrupted by a violent tornado. Director Lee Isaac Chung masterfully scales the severity of the storm. Before long, cars are being launched into the air and Kate and Tyler are saving as many people as they can. It was a moving experience experiencing the terror of a tornado in the safety of a movie theater.
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A hodgepodge of Marvel cameos
Deadpool and Wolverine
It's become quite common for Marvel films to drop a crowd-pleasing cameo and wait for the applause, but Deadpool and Wolverine has four in a row. The film had already introduced Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan and Chris Evans as Johnny Storm before knocking out a quartet of back-to-back legacy character reveals. It was fun to see the audience go crazy when Jennifer Garner as Elektra, Wesley Snipes as Blade, Channing Tatum as Gambit, and Dafne Keen as X-23 appeared on screen.
It was comparable to the collective joy of seeing Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's Spider-Men walk through portals to Ned's grandmother's house in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Garner's appearance had already been announced and Keen's was spoiled by the final trailer, but the filmmakers managed to keep Snipes and Tatum's roles under wraps. This eclectic group formed a large ragtag squad of superheroes.
Love is bleeding
For the most part, Rose Glass' romantic thriller Love is bleeding is a sobering study of love, violence and family dysfunction. The emotions are raw and the worldview is bleak. But at its end, it turns into surrealism. In a tribute to the classic science fiction B movie Attack of the 50-foot womanJackie saves Lou from her abusive father by growing up to 50 feet tall by pulling him off of her and pinning him to the ground.
Throughout the film, Lou was victimized and surrounded by violence. His sister has an abusive husband, his father treats her horribly, and his girlfriend's bodybuilding supplements have made her aggressive. It's a glorious moment to see someone finally stand up for Lou. And thanks to the reference to the monster movie, it is also a dazzling spectacle that rewards a trip to the cinema.
5
The trial
Hundreds of beavers
Mike Cheslik's epic slapstick Hundreds of beavers It was one of the most popular films of the year. It's still hilarious to watch at home, but it was a communal experience watching in a packed house and laughing along with dozens of other people. This movie is a laugh from start to finish: there's a sledding chase filmed like a high-speed car chase; there's a kaiju-sized Voltron made up of hundreds of beavers stacked on top of each other.
But the funniest sequence is Jean Kayak's trial in the kangaroo court. When the beavers capture you, they give you the right to due process - but it's not exactly fair. From the absurd accusations made against him to his extremely incompetent and profusely sweating public defender (whose testimony puts the judge and jury to sleep), this entire courtroom scene is a laugh riot.
4
The War Platform Pursuit
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
No one organizes a car chase through a post-apocalyptic wasteland like George Miller. His visual storytelling is unparalleled and his commitment to practical stunt work makes all the difference. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is full of great action scenes, like Dementus' failed invasion of the Citadel, his ambush at Bullet Farm, and Mary killing the Biker Horde with a sniper rifle to save her daughter.
But the best action scene in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga sees Furiosa and Praetorian Jack forming a wordless bond as they protect the War Rig from the Octoboss and his invading henchmen. The explosive effects, immersive staging and roaring engines made this set a sight to behold on the big screen. It's not just an impressive piece of action cinema; Furiosa and Jack's connection also provides an emotional basis.
3
Elisasue Monster is Born
The substance
The twists and turns of Coralie Fargeat's body horror satire were a joy to watch The substance unfold with an unsuspecting crowd in a movie theater earlier this year. When Sue starts to break down before her big live TV performance, she rushes home to try and fix the problem. In a panic, she takes the Activator serum a second time - flagrantly breaking the rules of the Substance, which were clearly established when she started taking it - and the “Elisasue Monster” is born.
Pierre Olivier Persin created some of the greatest prosthetic effects in cinema history to bring this monster to life. The bathroom mirror reveal of this grotesque amalgamation of Sue, Elisabeth and the Elephant Man is one of the most shocking moments in the 2024 film. And it was a lot of fun to share that shock with the audience.
2
Defying Gravity
Evil
Jon M. Chu's film adaptation of Evil it only covers the first act of the Broadway musical, but it still goes out on a high note, thanks to Cynthia Erivo’s stunning rendition of “Defying Gravity.” As Elphaba is labeled as “evil witch,” she ascends to the sky and sings her heart out. In terms of cinematic interpretations of iconic Broadway musical numbers, Erivo's “Defying Gravity” is on par with Anne Hathaway's version of “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables film.
Evil originated as a community theater experience, so it's fitting that the film version has the same crowd-pleasing quality. Audiences around the world felt uplifted and inspired by Erivo’s jaw-dropping performance in “Defying Gravity.” Watching this final number on the big screen was a delight - the second part can't come soon enough.
1
Paul rides the sandworm
Dune: Part Two
Thanks to Greig Fraser's stunning IMAX cinematography, the entirety of Dune: Part Two it was a visual treat from start to finish and a mind-blowing theatrical experience. He has Lord of the RingsOversized battle scenes and epic images like thousands of Fremen saluting Paul Atreides. The knife duel between Paul and Feyd-Rautha is one of the most intense fight scenes of 2024. Dune: Part Two is full of incredible moments tailor-made for the big screen.
But without a doubt the film's most dazzling cinematic spectacle is when Paul rides a sandworm. Denis Villeneuve puts the audience right there with Paul on that worm's back, with sand whipping the camera, wind blowing on Paul's hood, and Fremen cheering from afar. This was a truly glorious moment on the big screen, complemented by Hans Zimmer's music playing over the speakers.