Tag: THE APPRENTICE

WAMG’s Top 10 Films Of 2024

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

The cinematic landscape in 2024 was indeed exciting, with films tackling profound themes of human connection, imagination, and the pursuit of utopia in a dystopian world. The cinemas offered prequels, sequels and franchises, highly anticipated adaptations and reboots and remakes.

The world witnessed various events in the last 12 months.

International sporting competitions, such as the 2024 Paris Olympics or the Cricket World Cup (first major ICC tournament to feature matches played in the U.S.), brought together athletes and fans from around the world.  

2024 saw Americans go to the polls and elect Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States, four years after he left office as the 45th. Elections and political developments in various other countries influenced national and international landscapes, while efforts to address social issues, humanitarian crises, and global challenges continued to be important areas of focus.

Further developments in the era of AI, including large language models and their applications across various fields, continued to be a major area of progress and concern. The 2024 solar eclipse and discoveries related to space exploration, including those focused on missions to the Moon and beyond, captured public attention and research and innovations in healthcare, medicine, and other scientific fields contributed to new knowledge and potential solutions to global challenges

New releases in music, film, and other forms of entertainment provided cultural experiences and captured public interest. Ongoing discussions and movements related to social justice, equality, and cultural shifts continued to shape public discourse. 

Always a favorite to share with you every year, have a look at what Hollywood offered to movie fans!

As we head into 2025, WAMG’s Cate Marquis, Jim Batts and Michelle McCue are celebrating the diverse year that was 2024 and one that had something for everyone!

We kick it off with our Honorable Mention, HARD TRUTH – Cate

The great Mike Leigh is famous for his truth-telling dramas about human nature and historical events, and HARD TRUTHS, reportedly the director’s last film, does indeed hit hard. Pansy is no delicate flower but an angry, hyper-critical woman who is massively unhappy in her life, and seemingly determined to make everyone around her unhappy too, particularly her hard-working husband and beaten-down, 22-year-old son. Marianne Jean-Baptiste gives an astounding performance as Pansy, revealing layers and nuances of this angry, self-destructive woman, while Michele Austin is wonderful as her cheerful, loving sister, the only one who seems able to reach through Pansy’s defensive walls. A tough but telling family drama in Mike Leigh’s signature style that does indeed tell hard truths about toxic unhappiness.

The legendary director joins the star of his new film HARD TRUTHS in the Criterion Closet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1RJNZak2Dw&ab_channel=CRITERION

10. DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE – Jim

For the first time in more than a decade, we were treated to a single flick this year from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (not to be associated with the dreadful trio of Sony “Spidey-verse IP), but what an event as Deadpool entered the MCU. And Ryan Reynolds brought Hugh jackman back as Wolverine. Or at least a “variant” from another “multiverse”. Yes, Wade is still the “merc with a mouth” so the movie is bursting at the seams with “meta gags”, inside “jabs” and a demolishing of the “fourth wall”. And it’s the first film involving the Time Variance Authority from the Loki series on Disney+. The two heroes make a splendid comedy team when they’re not trying to eviscerate the other. So yes, there’s action and laughs, but there’s a real beating heart thanks to the great cameos and a surprisingly touching “send-off” to the Marvel films released by New World and Fox (now part of Disney). This bodes well for the other acquired additions to the MCU (welcome FF and those misunderstood mutants). (review)

Streaming on Disney+: https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/movies/deadpool-wolverine/4TQTHo9Qto2m

9. WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL – Jim

Fancy another visit from our favorite cheese-loving man and dog duo? Crikeys, yes! Netflix teams with Aardman Animation for a brand new feature-length romp that’s an action-packed sequel to one of their most popular short films, “The Wrong Trousers”. And this means another showdown with their greatest adversary, the equally brilliant and ruthless Feathers McGraw, that pilfering penguin. Naturally, there are also plenty of laughs with sophisticated satire mixed with hilarious slapstick and sight gags (they somehow make the morning “wake up” a blast). Plus the big final boat/train chase rivals anything from those big live-action blockbusters (fast, furious, and so, so funny). After thirty-five years these characters have lost none of their charm and wonder, even as the visual tech becomes more polished and eye-poppingly gorgeous. It’s true cinematic art, so how about a theatrical run for the next adventure, eh?

Streaming on Netflix: Jan. 3

8. LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL – Jim

So you remember that infamous episode of the 70s talk show that involved demonic possession, the one they couldn’t air? You don’t? Well, that’s because it’s part of a clever conceit dreamed up by the directing siblings the Cairnes Brothers in a truly spirited (sorry) twist on the now tired “found footage” horror flick. In this alternate universe, an “outlier” TV network decides to challenge “Carson the King” (as many did in fact) with their own past prime-time offering “Night Owls with Jack Delroy”. As the host, talented character actor David Dastmalchian gets to pull out “all the stops’ as the lead by portraying a TV personality who seems to be “uncomfortable in his own skin” as the “flop sweat” stains his polyester leisure suits. The show’s ratings are “swirling toward the drain”, so he makes a desperate Halloween ratings grab by having therapist hypnotize and interview a young woman who is the sole survivor of Manson-like satanic cult. And literally all Hell does break loose. Yes, there are lots of scares but there are plenty of nostalgic laughs from the recreation of 1977 kitsch (especially the sets, fashions, and hairstyles) and a terrific “history” of Delroy mixed with “backstage ” footage of him with his hapless on-air sidekick and the show’s seedy producer. this is a real “under the radar” “old school” chiller that will reward anyone who gives it a look. (review)

Streaming on HULU: https://www.hulu.com/movie/late-night-with-the-devil-a5c3c6e5-da1c-40ec-b708-4c7987689657

7. THE WILD ROBOT – Jim

The talented artisans at Dreamworks Animation finally broke away from their successful franchises (SHREK, KUNG FU PANDA, etc.) and delivered a very original animated adventure that pulls inspiration from many diverse sources. It’s futuristic science fiction set among cuddly forest animals. Plus there’s a good dash of consumer society satire and an engaging subplot about an unlikely friendship. A service robot named Roz is washed ashore on an island full of animals who react with fear, resulting in a first act that’s a slapstick symphony similar to the classic silent film clowns and the best of Golden Age cartoon shorts. The movement is fluid, especially of the title character who is a few basic circular shapes supported by flailing coil arms and legs. There’s also great character design and animation of Roz’s main sidekick Fink the fox, with Lupita Nyong’o and Pedro Pascal providing their voices (part of a superb vocal ensemble). It’s interesting that this film would come out 25 years after that cult classic THE IRON GIANT since they both involve machines developing emotions, often more in tune with them than many humans. This is brought “home’ in the thrilling climax that cements this work is real cinematic gem that is truly for “all ages”. (review)

Streaming: Available to watch in 4K Ultra HD on Prime Video, Apple TV and other video-on-demand platforms.

6. STRANGE DARLING – Michelle

Having its premiere at the 2023 Fantastic Fest Film Festival, writer/director JT Mollner’s STRANGE DARLING is a clever and relentless thrill ride that defies audience expectation at every turn. Nothing, and we mean nothing, is what it seems when a twisted one-night stand spirals into a serial killer’s vicious murder spree. A different film to be sure, the terrific revelations were that actor/producer Giovanni Ribisi was a first time director of photography on the film, catching the cat-and-mouse game like never before, and actor Willa Fitzgerald’s (JACK REACHER, Season One), performance is easily one of the best of the year and one we can’t rave enough about. Everyone’s advice on our #6 pick was to go in blind and we still highly recommend a first time, SPOILER-FREE viewing of the remarkable STRANGE DARLING.

Streaming to rent: YouTube, Apple, Amazon, and Vudu.

5. THE BRUTALIST – Cate

 Adrien Brody gives his best performance in years as a Jewish Hungarian architect who survived the Nazis and post-war relocates to America full of hope, in director Brady Corbet’s brilliant epic drama THE BRUTALIST. Mirroring countless immigrant tales, the architect goes from joy on arriving in America to facing the hard reality of living in a new land. In his home country, the architect was famous as an acclaimed, ground-breaking modernist but here he is an unknown, and he struggles to find his way in this very different world. Guy Pearce gives a chilling performance as rich man who hires, then tries to own, the architect. Felicity Jones is touching as the architect’s wife, once thought lost, who arrives unexpectedly, after surviving a concentration camp, as this fictional tale reflects countless post-war immigrant experiences. The drama, shot on 35mm film, is long but has an intermission, and it is so engrossing that one doesn’t feel the running time.

In select theaters December 20.

4. THE APPRENTICE – Jim

During one of the most divisive election years in this nation’s history, the producers of this film took a big swing, and a big risk, by making this searing dramatized look at the formative years (the mid-70s through the 80s) of Donald J. Trump. Though many were tired of the endless news cycle, and some theatres were leery of booking it, this tale was well worth exploring thanks to the sharp direction by Ali Abbasi, who captures the seedy, grimy look of a “wormy” Big Apple, and a sharp script from screenwriter Gabriel Sherman that’s neither a “puff piece” nor a demonizing cinematic screed. Rather, it’s almost a classic comic book “origin” story as we see the beginning of the person who dominates the media. But what really sets this apart from a “basic cable” biopic are the superb performances. In the lead, Sebastian Stan strays far from the MCU, and avoids going the caricature path. with a gradual descent into the too-familiar gestures and speech patterns. Yes, it’s a bold and gutsy role, but the juiciest character may be the “mentor” Roy Cohn, played brilliantly by the compelling Jeremy Strong, who should be up for all the awards. If Donald is Anakin, then he is Palpatine. His Cohn is a dead-eyed reptilian power-broker who relishes leading others to the “dark side” before he embarks on his own very tragic march to tragedy. This film is worth seeing for this truly dynamic duo that brought recent (and ongoing) history to dazzling light. (review)

Streaming to rent: YouTube, Apple, Amazon, Fandango

3. CONCLAVE – Cate

In this lavish and visually lush drama from director Edward Berger (ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT), Ralph Fiennes is excellent as a Cardinal in the unsought position of organizing and directing the College of Cardinals in a conclave to pick the next Pope of the Catholic Church. CONCLAVE is twisty and intrigue-filled, a smart, well-acted ensemble film that blends political thriller and psychological drama. CONCLAVE is suffused with startlingly beautiful images, and boasts an excellent cast that also includes Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and a marvelous Isabella Rossellini, as a nun who suddenly injects some pointed words into this man’s-world gathering. (review)

Streaming on Peacock: https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-movies/conclave

2. A COMPLETE UNKNOWN – Cate

Director James Mangold helms this biopic with Timothee Chalamet as a young Bob Dylan at the beginning of his career in New York’s folk music community, up to the famous pivotal moment when he split with the folk music movement, and went electric at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. In this warts-and-all biopic, Chalamet is both charming and callous as the talented Dylan, but Edward Norton is astonishing as he channels folk legend Pete Seeger, in this excellent biopic filled with wonderful music.

In theaters Christmas Day.

1. SING SING – Michelle

The stellar performance from the Oscar-nominated Colman Domingo (RUSTIN), as well as many real-life formerly incarcerated men who were themselves alumni of the program during their incarceration at Sing Sing, lands the #1 spot on our list. Already having received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama, Domingo is brilliant as John “Divine G” Whitfield, gives one of the great performances of the last decade (and a lifetime) and there’s no other choice this year – he is the obvious winner for the Academy Awards Best Actor Oscar.

Cinematographer Pat Scola said of the theme of SING SING (review), “the film is about men finding their humanity inside of this place behind these walls and it’s about to the joy and warmth and heartbreak of everything that these men go through inside.” (interview) The ending is made even more compelling with the original song “Like A Bird” written and performed by Grammy-winning artist Adrian Quesada of the Black Pumas and breakout artist Abraham Alexander.

The artists sought to capture the infinite complexity of the moment – the song and the movie helps the audience to see someone’s longing for freedom, immerse themselves in empathy and tops our list as the best film of 2024.

Streaming to rent: YouTube, Apple, Amazon, and Vudu

Below are the Geeks individual favorites of the year…

Cate’s Top Ten Films of 2024

  1. THE BRUTALIST
  2. SEED OF THE SACRED FIG
  3. CONCLAVE
  4. SING SING
  5. A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
  6. QUEER
  7. NOSFERATU
  8. NICKEL BOYS
  9. LA CHIMERA
  10. THE APPRENTICE

HM: STRANGE DARLING, WALLACE AND GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL, ANORA, THE SUBSTANCE, HARD TRUTHS.

Jim’s Top Ten Films of 2024

  1. SATURDAY NIGHT
  2. INSIDE OUT 2
  3. A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
  4. SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY
  5. SEPTEMBER 5
  6. WICKED
  7. WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL
  8. REMEMBERING GENE WILDER
  9. THE APPRENTICE
  10. DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE

HM: STRANGE DARLING, LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL, THE WILD ROBOT, WOMAN OF THE HOUR.

Michelle’s Top Ten Films of 2024

  1. ALIEN: ROMULUS
  2. KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
  3. SING SING
  4. CONCLAVE
  5. TRANSFORMERS ONE
  6. A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE
  7. THE FALL GUY
  8. DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
  9. THE WILD ROBOT
  10. STRANGE DARLING

HM: THE BEEKEEPER, LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL, ONE LIFE, INSTIGATORS, ABIGAIL, ODDITY, FIRST OMEN, FLOW, REBEL RIDGE.

File this under: “TV series that were so excellent they felt like movies” – SHOGUN and THE PENGUIN.

And the STAR TREK film, UNIFICATION. It reminded us what made Star Trek so special!

THE APPRENTICE – Review

Jeremy Strong, left, as Roy Cohn and Sebastian Stan as Donald J. Trump in THE APPRENTICE. Briarcliff Entertainment

It is not the old TV show but Donald Trump’s “apprenticeship” under his attorney and mentor Roy Cohn, the corrupt lawyer whose ruthless approach to the law did so much to make the young Trump who he became. Starring Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump and Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn in powerhouse performances, THE APPRENTICE is a making-of-the-man drama that starts out with a darkly comic bent but then shifts subtly to a more serious one as the relationship between mentor and apprentice shifts.

While the filmmakers are clearly not pro-Trump, the tone of THE APPRENTICE has a surprisingly neutral tone towards the people in the film, treating them as just people and letting events unfold without commentary. It even seems a bit sympathetic towards the young, almost naive Donald Trump as he encounters the legal pit bull that is Roy Cohn, someone often described as evil, then at the top of his powers as a New York fixer. But even Cohn is treated as a human being, just one with a very different view of ethics.

Early on, attorney Roy Cohn teaches his young apprentice his three rules, the ones he follows in his legal business. Number one: Attack, attack, attack, in every case. Two: Deny, deny, deny, no matter what the facts. And three: No matter what the outcome, always declare victory. Roy Cohn built that ruthless reputation in the Cold War “Red Scare.” Roy Cohn first made a name for himself as a relentless commie hunter for his role in prosecuting the Rosenbergs, and pressing for Ethel’s execution despite her being the mother of young children. He continued the hunt for suspected communists with a young Richard Nixon, and then Sen. Joe McCarthy. When McCarthy’s unethical methods fell out of favor, Cohn moved on to became a powerful “fixer” for corporate interests.

When the two first meet, Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong of “Sucession”) is at his height as a powerful, crooked New York lawyer who was a mover-and-shaker in New York City, while young Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan) is a small-time real estate businessman with bigger ambitions. Young Trump and his father Fred are facing federal charges for racial discrimination in renting apartments when the young Donald caught Cohn’s eye at a posh restaurant frequented by the notable and notorious, inviting the tall, blonde young businessman to join him and his party for dinner in a private room.

The meeting was an eye-opener for Donald, and he immediately sought out Cohn, despite his real estate dealer father Fred’s opposition to Cohn as a crooked lawyer. Young Trump chased Roy Cohn until the attorney reluctantly took the Trumps’ case, which he got dismissed through a combination of delaying tactics and a little blackmail, using Cohn’s extensive of “dirt” he continually collected on any and all public figures. Trump is hooked, although at first, young Trump is a bit shocked and taken aback by Cohn’s lack of ethics.

Sebastian Stan is having a heck of a year, starring in this film as well as the thought-provoking A DIFFERENT MAN, but it is “Succession’s” Jeremy Strong who steals this show. His Roy Cohn is perfectly sleazy but also hypnotic. Strong takes his Cohn from scary beyond words at the start but with a sharp intelligence and magnetic personality, to a sadder, eventually even pitiful as the power shifts and Cohn’s health declines, as he suffers from AIDS, which he always denied having, even suing anyone who said he was gay.

Roy Cohn makes a deal with Trump to aid each other and be friends, rather than having a paid attorney-client relationship, clearly seeing a useful potential in the tall, blonde, handsome young man to gain entry to spheres of power less open to the short, less attractive, closeted-gay lawyer.

Roy Cohn imparts to his apprentice his three rules – always attack when confronted with an adversary or obstacle, always deny no matter what the facts, and always declare yourself the winner not matter the outcome. Cohn follows this rule in his legal work but not her personal life, but his apprentice takes a different path. In the first part of the film, the mentor is in charge but tables turn in the latter part.

At first, Trump is Cohn’s faithful accollite, and Cohn even becomes like a second father to him, a more supportive one than his own criticizing father. The film delves into the Trumps’ family dynamics, including his father Fred’s harsh treatment of Donald’s older brother, Fred Jr. It also shows us Trump meeting and wooing Ivana (an excellent Maria Bakalova), following their romance and marriage, and it’s final souring, including a controversial rape scene.

The film keeps us grounded in historical events by giving us markers with little news video snippets, starting with Nixon and his “I am not a crook” speech, then Reagan footage and references.

Scriptwriter Gabriel Sherman and director Ali Abbasi strike a perfect neutral tone that lets the actors work their characters and events unfold without commentary, making the film more powerful.

This is an impressive film, one that treats the people in this historical drama as human, and even sympathetic at times, while being clear-eyed about the facts. That is no small feat, and boosted by riveting performances, especially by Jeremy Strong, this is a must-see for anyone to understand the man running for president, Donald Trump.

THE APPRENTICE opens Friday, Oct. 11, in theaters.

RATING: 4 out of 4 stars