We’re now in 2025. Granted, it’s only the first day of the new year, but, hey, we have to accept that 2024 is now in our collective rearview mirror. Like has become tradition on this website, I start every year by listing the ten articles or reviews written in 2024 that were the most popular based on views. At the very end of the article, I’ll even reveal what non-2024 written output was the most popular in the year to which we have now all said goodbye. Let’s get to it!
#1 – Possession (1981) | CLASSIC REVIEW
From my review of Possession:
“Possession is creepy, deranged, comedic, and confusing. I do think it’s more of an art film about a separation’s chaotic descent into loss of self than a straight-faced and accessible horror film, so it isn’t for everyone, but I thought this was really fascinating in all the right ways.”
#2 – Civil War (2024) | REVIEW
From my review of Civil War:
“Alex Garland’s Civil War is one that already divides opinion, and I do think there is a chance that people’s unease about its political vagueness may lead to the film being destined to only flirt with greatness and never quite reaching it, instead living somewhere between inadequate and good, for most people. It is a film where I have complex feelings about its intentions and its deliberate vagueness, but, at the same time, it is also undeniable, at least to me, that it features great filmmaking and performances that, along with its thought-provoking aspects, help to make it one of the most memorable films of the year thus far. While the political commentary may be half-baked to some, what absolutely is baked in and quite clear is the personality, actions, and classification of the President, most of which resemble many people’s perception of a certain recent former POTUS (even if they’ll never admit that it was intentional). Garland is just not layering it on too thick, and I wonder if that is mainly to protect his film.”
#3 – Conclave (2024) | REVIEW
From my review of Conclave:
“In a lot of ways, Edward Berger’s well-staged and well-shot Conclave is the total package. In addition to being built around a riveting screenplay, it features a dramatic original score from Volker Bertelmann, as well as striking visuals that emphasize the production design and the rich reds of the costuming. At the heart of it, we find Ralph Fiennes, in top form, who turns in a performance of the highest order where he accurately captures and communicates his character’s concerns, his doubt, and his moral center. In addition to Fiennes and Rossellini, the film also features memorable supporting turns from Stanley Tucci and Sergio Castellitto.”
#4 – Alice & Jack (2024) | REVIEW
From my review of Alice & Jack:
“Admittedly, I can’t say that it is ever at the level of the Before-trilogy or Normal People, but it absolutely is worth your time —if you’re into this sort of thing — since it is, again, a very emotionally intelligent and mature series that takes you through the overwhelming, unexpected, and, for some, bumpy rollercoaster of life and love.”
#5 – Nimic (2019) | Short Film Spotlight
From my review of Nimic:
“On this most recent second viewing of the short film, I thought more about the relationships and the structures that our world is built around. Can anyone fulfill your role in society? Your role in relationships? If you grow tired of the mundanity and repetitiveness of daily life, if you take the love of your family for granted, then anyone can swoop in and take your place and perform your role adequately thus leaving you on a train to nowhere hoping to cling onto anything meaningful to get you through the day. I think this reading, which I only came to a couple of days ago, feels more right to me. In any case, I will say that the short film has massively grown on me, and I highly recommend it.”
#6 – 2023 TV Catch-Up / Backlog: The Greats | Bite-Sized Reviews
From the review compilation:
“For this post, I have specifically highlighted five of the past year’s best shows. For quite a few of these, I had initially intended to write extensive, long reviews, but time flew by and now I just feel the need to get my thoughts out there on some of my favorite shows from 2023.”
#7 – David Lynch’s Dune (1984) | RETRO REVIEW
From my review of Dune (1984):
“David Lynch’s Dune adaptation is a fascinating misfire that can, however, still be somewhat enjoyed as a curiosity (perhaps especially once you’ve familiarised yourself with the overall narrative), even though it is somewhat of a mess. Despite its significant problems with pacing, goofiness, endless exposition, structure, and a lack of a complex central character arc, Lynch’s quirks, occasionally strong music, and his actually quite solid cast — Brad Dourif, Virginia Madsen, Patrick Stewart, Sting, Kyle MacLachlan, Sean Young, Max Von Sydow, etc. — help to make the experience of watching this fairly interesting. Even if it isn’t good, it does make for a super interesting feature to study comparatively with the modern widely loved two-part adaptation. “
#8 – Blink Twice (2024) | REVIEW
From my review of Blink Twice:
“Blink Twice is a solid and relatively promising start to Zoë Kravitz’s career as a feature director. It is an effective revenge fantasy that feels modern and features good performances, strong visuals, and a thoroughly gripping second half that makes bold choices that I think will challenge some viewers. Despite having some social commentary to it, I don’t think it has as much to say as other notable films like it. That said, its violence packs a punch, certain scenes tap into a horror and a rage that the film puts to effective use, and, although some may struggle with the tonal shifts, I think there are several moments where Kravitz attempts to infuse a nervous, absurd, or darkly comedic energy into the film that works well enough. I’ll be very interested to see what she does next.”
#9 – The Zone of Interest (2023) | REVIEW
From my review of The Zone of Interest:
“A disturbing vortex of darkness obscured by mundanity, it is an impressive, masterful, and powerful piece of art filmmaking — I liken it to a museum experience more so than a dramatic or entertaining World War Two adaptation — but if you think it sounds hellish or repetitive, then you’re not exactly wrong. There absolutely will be people who think of this as an experience that knocks you over the head with a single point over and over again. Is the lack of a plot and its pacing challenging? Perhaps. Is it a tough watch? Absolutely. But I think it serves a purpose. Like I said, admittedly, it does seem to be making the same point throughout. If it were shoddily made, one might call it a one-trick pony, but since it’s a near-masterpiece, it feels much more appropriate to say that it executes on its single idea exceptionally, horrifyingly, and masterfully well. A call to engagement and involvement. A test of humanity. It’s a reminder to take the astonishment and horror that this film brings to you and use it to speak up before your soul perishes in the thoughtlessness of politically orchestrated but unjust perceived normalcy. Because if you don’t, then how have we ever really learned from this? Don’t allow yourself to be numb to the cruelties of the world. Don’t let it be normal. Or history will judge you accordingly.”
#10 – 2024 TV Highlights Thus Far, Pt. 1 | Bite-Sized Reviews
From the review compilation:
“You don’t really understand it when you’re a kid, but, boy, it really feels like time flies by as you get older. When you’re stressed or overworked or even just have more important things on your mind, it can be difficult to find the time to do what you want to do before it feels like you’re too late. This is, in part, why I started doing these review compilation posts sometimes containing bite-sized reviews about shows or films that I feel like I still need to talk about, even though I missed out on the moment right after the release. If you read my website frequently, then you know that I’ve recently posted two backlog/catch-up compilations for last year’s TV series. With that out of the way, I now want to focus on some of the shows of the past seven or eight months that I really want to give you my thoughts on. Today, I’ll focus on some of the shows that I think are the very best of the year thus far, including, but not limited to, a video game TV-adaptation and an incredibly stylish reimagining of an iconic Patricia Highsmith story.”
As promised, I can now reveal that the most read article and/or review in 2024 that wasn’t actually written in that very same year was my retro review of James Cameron’s Avatar. In actuality, based on total views in 2024, it was the fourth most read article with Possession easily being number one.
If you’ve gotten this far in the article — and if you’ve been following the blog during the last year — I want to thank you and reiterate that I am so grateful for every view, every click, and every comment that I get. Like I wrote last year, I desperately hope that the written word stays around, and those of you who have decided to check out my writing help to make me believe that some people still appreciate the written word, as well as what I bring to the table. So, thank you so much, and please stick around next year. Because I’m not going anywhere.
– Article Written by Jeffrey Rex Bertelsen.
I'm Jeffrey Rex 