Throughout the school year, many great movies lit up our screens for all to enjoy. Some of these movies were harsh, brutal dramas, while others were satirical comedies for audiences to laugh at. Of the films releases since August, four stood out. They are as followed: American Fiction, Dune: Part Two, Killers of the Flower Moon, Poor Things.
American Fiction tells the story of an author, played by Jeffrey Wright, that is struggling to sell books and is falling behind the curve. In an attempt to make fun of what he believes modern literature has become, which in his eyes has fallen to basic stories about race rather than journeys through life, Wright’s character creates a fictional identity of a criminal turned author, and writes a purposefully awful book under this name. However, critics love the book, and Wright has to navigate his newfound success while managing issues and struggles in his personal life. American Fiction was nominated for five Oscars, and won Best Adapted Screenplay.
Denis Villenueve’s sequel to his critically acclaimed film Dune may have just outdone his first film in the trilogy. Dune: Part Two has an incredible, star studded cast, having actors such as Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, and Christopher Walken alongside Florence Pugh and Dave Bautista. This sci-fi epic follows Paul Atreidis, played by Chalamet, as he navigates the destruction of his wealth and status by the evil House Harkonnen, as well as trying to find a way through his father’s death. Villenueve’s masterpiece as some might consider it may have just ushered us into a new era of science fiction.
The legendary Martin Scorcese’s latest film, Killers of the Flower Moon, takes viewers to Oklahoma in the 1920s. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone, viewers are treated to a thrilling story about corruption in society and the injustices the Osage Native Americans faced once oil was discovered on their lands. With an incredible ensemble cast, Killers of the Flower Moon was nominated for ten Oscars, however the film did not claim any victories. Despite that, Scorcese’s latest film, despite its long runtime, is a must watch.
Lastly, Poor Things is what could only be described as a fever dream. Emma Stone delivers an incredible performance with her Best Actress winning work, while Willem Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo each deliver incredible supporting performances. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, known for his quirky and unique films, Poor Things was highly praised by critics and Stone especially received high honors for her work as Bella Baxter, an upper class woman in Victorian London who goes on a wild journey through Europe before a thrilling and unexpected ending. Poor Things was nominated for a whopping eleven Oscars, winning four, including Best Actress.
The past school year brought some incredible films, and nearly halfway through 2024, movie buffs and fans alike wait for upcoming films, such as Deadpool and Wolverine, Furiosa, and Joker: Folie a Deux.
