My Favorite Non-2024 First Watches

According to my Letterboxd stats, I have watched 134 films this year. Of these films, only a small number of them were films released in 2024, some of which I have reviewed on here. So, a lot of the movies I watched this year were older ones I had never seen before. Some of them I loved, and some of them were alright.

So, to celebrate the end of 2024, I figured I would pick a couple of my favorite first watches and talk about why I loved them. These range from very, very old to as recent as 4-5 years ago. I tried to choose a variety of films just to showcase how much I expanded my viewing experience this year. Without further ado, here are some of my favorite watches of this year!

Thelma and Louise (1991) - Dir. Ridley Scott

This film is the main reason I wanted to even make this list. Thelma and Louise is a film that has changed my whole perspective of the art form of filmmaking. What I find most engaging about it is how Ridley Scott portrays two very different reactions to trauma. For Thelma, she has just gotten sexually assaulted (that’s not a spoiler, it’s in the description of the film) and now is on the run as a refugee with her best friend, who killed her assaulter. She has no time to process what just happened to her at all; she immediately has to move on with her life and try to push it to the side. On the flipside, Louise had something traumatic happen to her in her past. She represents the demographic of people who have already tried to process their trauma, but still live with it day to day. While there are many other trauma responses to be explored, I think this film handles it with such care. The performances by Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis make this film feel so genuine and real. You could really believe that these two women are on the run from the law, and also happen to be best friends. Also, the cinematography is gorgeous, and the score is amazing. The ending scene (if you know, you know) actually changed me forever.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - Dir. Michel Gondry

As of writing this, I literally watched this yesterday. So, I am just going to take what I wrote on Letterboxd and put it here.

After seeing people talk about how amazing this film is, I finally watched it. when I started this, I told myself “I probably won’t like this as much as everyone else does”. But man, it’s just that good. I think what gets me the most about this is that I would have this procedure done in a heartbeat. Having someone who is present in your mind that practically torments your memories kills me anytime I want to think about the past 3 years of my life. However, I know for a fact my life would feel like Joel’s at the beginning of the film. I would feel empty. I think that we need to embrace that our grief and pain shape who we are as people. would I ever rekindle a romance with said tormenting presence? Absolutely not. But do I think that experience in my life has somehow made me a better person? Yes.

This movie is just pain, but good pain. Jim Carrey is absolutely splendid in this, and Kate Winslet is amazing too. They both just have this believability with who their characters are that makes this work so well. no one else could have played these characters. All of the supporting cast was great too. They explore every aspect of the concept of erasing someone from your mind, and it doesn’t feel rushed. Everything plays out the way it should. All I could ask for is more David Cross, but I say that about every project he’s in.

Akira (1988) - Dir. Katsuhiro Otomo

Oh my God, this might actually be the most insane film I watched all of this year. What a wild ride of a movie. I still don’t think I fully understood what exactly happened in this movie, but I know enough to know that I loved it. What I find the craziest about Akira is that the main cast is pretty much made up of children. Tetsuo is a child when he gets turned into this monstrous creation. Kaneda is just a kid watching his life long friend become something he isn’t against his will. The animation is absolutely beautiful. Compared to the more popular Ghibli style of Japanese animation (which I will get to later), this feels so gritty and real. I just love the art of animation and what can be created with it. The world building just phenomenal. It’s honestly hard to describe just how great this film is without showing it, so take this as a sign to go watch it. Also, the bike slide is such an iconic scene, that it can live outside of the context of the film.

The Graduate (1967) - Dir. Mike Nichols

What an iconic film. From the soundtrack to the plot to the ending shot, this film felt like a puzzle that I slowly put together throughout my life and was finally able to finish earlier this month. I love that this feels like such a simple movie but also insanely convoluted at the same time. I think this is accomplished through the amazing script and the cinematography. There is very little dialogue throughout, which also helps add to the sheer amount of awkwardness of this film. Benjamin feels so out of place literally anywhere he is, even when he’s alone. He truly encapsulates the college student feeling of having everyone want you to be something, when in reality you just want to be allowed to exist without pressures. Coming back to the cinematography, I wish it was still feasible to use technicolor; it just makes everything look so vibrant. Especially in the modern era of so many movies looking so dull and colorless, it makes me appreciate the importance of color in film so much. Also, I know a lot of people complain about the overuse of Simon and Garfunkel in this, but I kind of love it. It feels almost like we are listening to the random songs that pop into Benjamin’s head as he navigates life. But maybe that’s just me since I love Simon and Garfunkel.

Blue Velvet (1986) - Dir. David Lynch

If you know me at all, this should come as no surprise. This year was all about me falling in love with the insane world of David Lynch, and Blue Velvet is the end of that adventure until next year when I finally watch Inland Empire and his version of Dune. I chose this specifically because of just how unique it feels compared to the rest of his work. Much like the rest of his work, it feels like you are in a different universe, one that is very similar to ours, but just slightly off. However, there is no supernatural element to the plot, rather a mystery that Jeffery, Kyle MacLachlan’s has to solve. It’s like if you took everything about The Black Lodge out of Twin Peaks and it was just a murder mystery show, Kyle and all. Blue Velvet feels very real, especially with how it portrays Dorothy Vallens, played by Isabella Rossalini. She is by far the character you feel the most sympathetic for, and for valid reason. She has been treated horribly for so long that as soon as someone treats her with the tiniest bit of respect, she immediately latches on to them. She hurts, you hurt, everybody hurts. Back to this feeling unique, I just love the way David Lynch chooses to tell what could be a very simple story in the most absurd way as possible. A mother whose son and husband are being held captive? Let’s throw in a weird sadistic, sex club aspect into the mix. It makes watching his films a wild experience, and this is no exception.

Whisper of the Heart (1995) - Dir. Yoshifumi Kondo

This movie is just so loveable. I do not know how anyone could hate this. This was probably my most related to watch of this year. I see myself so much in Shizuku, both her personality and her aspirations. I grew up writing my own little stories and creating imaginary worlds. Now as an 18 year old, the love is only coming back now. I wish that when I was around Shizuku’s age I had someone (aside from my parents because I love them) to inspire me to continue to write like she did. Her story just serves as an inspiration to anyone who wants to pursue their dreams. I think another reason I love this so much is how different it feels from the rest of the Studio Ghibli catalogue. Unlike the Miyazaki films, the main character is creating the fantastical world rather than living in it. It feels so refreshing to see a character just live a normal life and still be just a relatable as a character like Chihiro from Spirited Away or Sophie from Howl’s Moving Castle. Speaking of relatability, the romance in this feels so real to the teenage experience. I love how Shizuku and Seiji both inspire each other in different ways, it’s adorable.

A Few Honorable Mentions

Before I wrap up, here are a couple films I also loved, but felt I didn’t have a lot to write about them:

Fargo (1996) - Dir. Joel Coen

This is a film that grew on me as the year went on. I found myself thinking more and more about it and just how great it is. I think my appreciation for it grew as I delved more into the Coen Brothers work, so I have to give it props for being my first of their films. It’s a very fun crime comedy that has so many memorable moments. You betcha I’ll be rewatching this one soon

The Lighthouse (2019) - Dir. Robert Eggers

God this movie is WILD. It’s so funny but disturbing at the same time that you can’t help but love it. I love the use of black and white; it really emphasizes the grittiness of the setting to me. Both Robert Pattinson and Willem Defoe are amazing in this. They are both some of my favorite actors at the moment. I think about the lobster scene far too much to be normal.

The Favourite (2018) - Dir. Yorgos Lanthimos

Dare I say, this might be my favorite Yorgos film. It’s right up there with The Lobster. I think what draws me to this one so much is the absurdity. Just the idea of a weird love triangle between an 18th century queen, a duchess, and the duchess’ cousin is so strange, but it somehow works. I love that everyone takes themselves so seriously, but the film doesn’t. It’s just a fun, surprisingly sapphic watch.

And that’s all! Be sure to check these films out, I highly recommend all of them

Also, check out my 2024 movies ranked list on Letterboxd. I might make something related to it soon, so stay tuned.