There’s often a few films appearing for end-of year awards consideration that bumps one or two earlier favorites from my list, but this year wasn’t one of them. Here’s the top ten of what held my attention this past year (in alphabetical order). 💀

• Black Phone 2 – while a sequel was in no way needed, there was a lot of great story here in spite of the obvious A Nightmare On Elm Street inspirations, but if anyone wants to pitch Freddy Vs. The Grabber, I’m here for it.
• Companion – In what could have been a near-future throwaway sci-fi flick, Sophie Thatcher elevates the some smart writing to accomplish in two hours what HBO’s “Westworld” redux needed an entire season for.
• Final Destinations: Bloodlines – How does this franchise keep getting better? With the introduction of “the book” and a sorrowful curtain call for Tony Todd, we’re looking forward to what’s next. “Good luck…!”
• KPop Demon Hunters – Almost no one predicted the animated story of three pop stars fighting demons throughout Korean folklore would not only amaze and delight but dominate the pop charts for most of the year.
• Sinners – Just two good ol’ boys (sorry: grown men, with grown men money.) Never meanin’ no harm. Beat all you never saw, been in trouble with the law since the day they was born. Makin’ their waaaaay, the only way they know how! That’s just a little bit more than the law (or the Klan or vampires) will allow.
• Superman 2025 – It’s not easy being the Big Blue Boy Scout in a world of wisecracking Green Lanterns, vengeful Hawkgirls, and cynical Mr. Terrifics, but David Corenswet sells it off under the direction of James Gunn.
• The Life of Chuck – While it would be easy to say Mark Hamill or Tom Hiddleston made all the difference in this Stephen King adaptation directed by Mike Flanagan, it turns out to be dancin’ Jacob Tremblay who’s the real secret weapon.
• The Long Walk – Why this film didn’t get more love is likely tied to the difficulty in watching it. Sure, it was always going to be heartbreaking and horrific… and that’s why it matters.
• Thunderbolts – All the fisticuffs, weaponry, and superpowers on Earth turns out to be no match for genuine empathy and one big hug-out.
• Weapons – the worst part about this film is a green light for a prequel that simply isn’t needed, but man o’ man, does this movie have one of the best, most horrific, and wonderfully hilarious comeuppances nobody saw coming.

Honorable Mentions:

• Death of a Unicorn – Revenge is a dish best impaled at the end of a horn.
• Fantastic Four: First Steps – Fourth time’s the charm as the real Sue Storm finally shows up and the first family of Marvel finally acts like a family.
• The Monkey – And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and he was frickin’ exhausted from keeping up with that damnable drum-beating toy monkey.