Continuing my recognition of the best performances from the 2024 movie year (you can see my Supporting Actress picks HERE), today we’re putting the spotlight on the Supporting Actors. Much like yesterday, this was a really good category full of great choices from a variety of different movies. Narrowing them down to five wasn’t easy. So let’s get started…
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Richard Roundtree (“Thelma”), Kieran Culkin (“A Real Pain”), Samuel L. Jackson (“The Piano Lesson”), Edward Norton (“A Complete Unknown”), Boyd Holbrook (“A Complete Unknown”), Jeremy Strong (“The Apprentice”), Peter Sarsgaard (“September 5”), Ray Fisher (“The Piano Lesson”), Willem Dafoe (“Nosferatu”), Adam Pearson (“A Different Man”), Antonio Banderas (“Babygirl”), Josh Brolin (“Dune: Part Two”), August Diehl (“Bonhoeffer”)
#5 – Tom Hardy (“The Bikeriders”)
There hasn’t been much awards chatter for Jeff Nichols’ “The Bikeriders” and that’s unfortunate. Among the period biker drama’s many highlights was its superb ensemble which included Tom Hardy. He gives an appropriately gritty, tough-as-nails performance that’s flavored with a surprising amount of humanity. Hardy is always fun to watch because of the commitment he puts into every character he plays. He does it again to great effect in “The Bikeriders”.
#4 – Nicholas Hoult (“The Order”)
What a year it has been for Nicholas Hoult. He has shined in several performances in 2024, one of my favorite being as a committed white supremacist in Justin Kurzel’s exceptional “The Order”. This is such a change of pace for Hoult, but he uses that to make his character more believable and even more chilling. The performance is a testament to Hoult’s diversity as an actor and it’s an exciting sign of what he may have in store for us in the future.
#3 – Chris Hemsworth (“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”)
This was never a performance most awards voters were going to consider. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t deserving. Chris Hemsworth is a fun and charismatic actor who has never been afraid of taking wild and sometimes wacky chances. For proof look no further than his role as Dementus, the preening yet diabolical leader of a post-apocalyptic biker hoard in George Miller’s “Furiosa”. He’s mean, nasty, calculated, and utterly hilarious and Hemsworth savors every delicious moment.
#2 – Denzel Washington (“Gladiator II”)
We’ve reached a point where we just expect Denzel Washington to be great in whatever he’s in. And wouldn’t you know it, he never disappoints. He is an absolute scene-stealer in Ridley Scott’s period epic “Gladiator II”. The Oscar-winner has a ball playing a power-hungry broker who’s not afraid to get his hands dirty in order to get what he wants. Washington sells every facet of his character, bringing a gravitas that keeps us glued to every scene he’s in.
#1 – Guy Pearce (“The Brutalist”)
For decades I have been championing Guy Pearce as an actor who never seems to get the recognition he deserves. That looks to be changing following his performance in “The Brutalist”. While I didn’t quite love the film the way I hoped to, Pearce was nothing short of magnetic playing a devilishly charming yet predatory industrialist. He is such a good fit for the character and the seasoned screen veteran offers an acting masterclass that simply can’t be overlooked.
That wraps up the supporting categories. What did I get right or wrong? Let me know in the comments section below. Stay tuned….the lead performances are coming up next.
And just like that another movie year has come and gone. A few days ago I shared my Top 10 movies of 2024 (check it out HERE). It’s always a fun list to put together, but I also enjoy giving some attention to the year’s very best performances. Over the next few days I’ll be sharing my favorites for each of the four major acting categories. So per usual, let’s kick it off with Supporting Actress.
Honorable Mentions: Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“Nickel Boys”), Carrie Coon (“His Three Daughters”), Elizabeth Olsen (“His Three Daughters”), Connie Nielsen (“Gladiator II”), Ariana Grande (“Wicked”), Carey Mulligan (“Spaceman”),Isabella Rossellini (“Conclave”), Rachel Sennott (“Saturday Night”), Renate Reinsve (“A Different Man”), Toni Collette (“Juror #2)
#5 – Zoe Saldaña (“Emilia Perez”)
It’s unfortunate that “Emilia Pérez” wasn’t a better movie and it’s bizarre that the film’s true lead has been tossed into the Supporting Actress category. But regardless, Zoe Saldaña is fantastic in Jacques Audiard’s messy musical/crime thriller hybrid. The often underappreciated Saldaña routinely elevates the material she’s given through a layered and nuanced performance that proves to be the flawed movie’s biggest strength.
#4 – Saoirse Ronan (“Blitz”)
The wonderful Saoirse Ronan has gotten a lot of attention in 2024, mostly for her outstanding lead performance in “The Outrun”. But I think a case could be made that she’s even better in Steve McQueen’s underrated “The Blitz” where she plays a single mother in search of her young son in the early days of World War II. She nails every facet of her role, conveying a heartfelt tenderness one minute and unflinching determination the next.
#3 – Monica Barbaro (“A Complete Unknown”)
With just a little more screen time Monica Barbaro could have easily been my #1 choice. She is terrific playing Joan Baez in James Mangold’s “A Complete Unknown”. Not only does Barbaro wow us with her acting, but she also sings and plays her own songs which only makes her performance stand out more. Barbaro is clearly an actress on the rise and her work in “A Complete Unknown” makes that truth abundantly clear.
#2 – Rebecca Ferguson (“Dune: Part Two”)
Not nearly enough awards consideration is being given to Rebecca Ferguson who was nothing short of brilliant in Denis Villeneuve’s masterful “Dune: Part Two”. Ferguson had a difficult part to play in the film and she delivers everything her role demands. She’s cryptic, mysterious, calculating, and strong. She often lurks in the shadows but makes her presence known when she needs to. It’s an utterly fascinating character and Ferguson is a big reason why.
#1 – Danielle Deadwyler (“The Piano Lesson”)
By now it shouldn’t be a surprise that Danielle Deadwyler is magnificent whenever she’s attached to a movie. After her well-documented Oscar snub for her powerful performance in “Till”, she comes right back with another dandy in “The Piano Lesson”. Once again she commands the screen and captures our attention with every impassioned word she speaks in this fantastic August Wilson adaptation. It’s terrific work.
And that wraps up Supporting Actress. What are you thoughts on my picks? Let me know in the comments section below. And stay tuned, Supporting Actor is up next.
And that takes care of the Supporting Actresses. What are you thoughts on my picks? What would make your list? Let me know in the comments section below. Next up I take on Supporting Actors.
Just wanted to take a few moments to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. For me personally, 2024 was filled with some enormous highs and a few pretty unexpected lows. But as far as this site goes, it has been a great year. Thank you all for the many visits and comments over the last 365 days. The conversations have been great and the growth has been exciting.
I can’t wait to talk more about movies with you all. I already have three 2025 reviews in the can and a few more ‘Best of 2024’ posts to share. Hope you’ll check them out.
Here’s wishing you and yours the very best in 2025.
Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment is celebrating the 30th anniversary of David Fincher’s acclaimed psychological crime thriller “Se7en” by bringing it to 4K Ultra HD for the very first time. Led by powerful performances from Academy Award winners Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kevin Spacey, “Se7en” has left an indelible mark and is rightfully heralded by many as one of the best movies of its time (see my full review of the film HERE).
This beautiful 4K Ultra HD anniversary edition of “Se7en” includes a digital copy and will be available to purchase on January 7th. See below for a full synopsis and release info including a list of special features.
About the Film:
Year: 1995
Runtime: 127 Minutes
Directors: David Fincher
Screenwriters: Andrew Kevin Walker
Cast: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Richard Roundtree, R. Lee Ermey, Kevin Spacey, John C. McGinley, Julie Araskog, Richard Schiff, John Cassini, Reg E. Cathey, Peter Crombie, Richard Portnow, Mark Boone Junior, Hawthorne James, Michael Massee, Leland Orser
Rating: R for grisly afterviews of horrific and bizarre killings, and for strong language
Two cops (Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman) track a brilliant and elusive killer who orchestrates a string of horrific murders, each kill targeting a practitioner of one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Gwyneth Paltrow also stars in this acclaimed thriller set in a dour, drizzly city sick with pain and blight. David Fincher (“Fight Club, Zodiac”, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) guides the action – physical, mental and spiritual – with a sure understanding of what terrifies us, right up to a stunning denouement that will rip the scar tissue off the most hardened soul.
Directed by three-time Academy Award nominee David Fincher (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, “The Social Network”, “Mank”) from a screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker, the film stars Academy Award winner Brad Pitt (“Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood”), Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”), Academy Award winner Gwyneth Paltrow (“Shakespeare in Love”), along with John C. McGinley (“Platoon”), Golden Globe nominee R. Lee Ermey (“Full Metal Jacket”), and Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey (“The Usual Suspects”, “American Beauty”) as John Doe. The film is produced by Arnold Kopelson and Phyllis Carlyle.
“Se7en” received an Academy Award nomination for Best Film Editing (Richard Francis-Bruce) at the 68th Academy Awards. The film was also nominated for Best Original Screenplay (Andrew Kevin Walker) at the 49th British Academy Film Awards.
The 4K restoration of “Se7en” was completed at Warner Bros. Discovery’s Motion Picture Imaging (MPI) and was sourced from the original camera negative. The restoration was overseen by director David Fincher.
Special Features:
“Se7en” Digital release and Ultra HD Blu-ray disc contain the following previously released special features:
Commentaries –
The Stars: David Fincher, Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman
The Story: Richard Dyer, Andrew Kevin Walker, Richard Francis-Bruce, Michael De Luca, David Fincher
The Picture: Darius Khondji, Arthur Max, Richard Francis-Bruce, Richard Dyer, David Fincher
The Sound: Ren Klyce, Howard Shore, Richard Dyer, David Fincher
Deleted Scenes –
Car Ride in from Gluttony
My Future
Raid on Victor’s
Spare Some Change?
Tracy Wakes from Light Sleep
Pride
Alternate endings –
Animated storyboards of un-shot ending
Original “Test” ending
Still Photographs (featurettes) –
John Doe’s Photographs
Victor’s Decomposition
Police Crime Scene Photographs
Production Photographs
The Notebooks
Production Design (featurette)
Mastering for the Home Theater (featurette)
Exploration of the Opening Title Sequence: Early Storyboards (featurette)
Exploration of the Opening Title Sequence: Rough Version (featurette)
Exploration of the Opening Title Sequence: Final Edit (featurette)
Exploration of the Opening Title Sequence: Stereo Audio Commentary One – The Concept – Designer Kyle Cooper (featurette)
Exploration of the Opening Title Sequence: Stereo Audio Commentary Two – The Sound – Brant Biles & Robert Margouleff (featurette)
Director Ben Smallbone gets some compelling material to work with in “Homestead”, a post-apocalyptic drama that has all the makings of an immersive big screen experience. The film takes its inspiration from the popular 2018 novel Black Autumn by Jeff Kirkham and Jason Ross. The book was the first in a 10-volume series which is now being adapted into an eight-episode streaming series by Angel Studios.
That last bit speaks to a hurdle “Homestead” has a tough time clearing. The movie does some solid tablesetting from building up the story’s complex world to introducing the characters who inhabit it. But just as the story reaches its dramatic crescendo, the film comes to a sudden halt. That’s because it’s all working towards the streaming series. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that. But it shortchanges those hoping for a more complete big screen experience.
Written for the screen by Phillip Abraham, Leah Bateman and Jason Ross, the movie opens with a jolt as a nuclear bomb is detonated near Los Angeles. Soon after, the nation’s power grid is hacked and communications are cut off. These early signs of a crumbling society plunge the entire country into chaos. Fear leads to panic which leads to violence as desperate people scramble for supplies. Meanwhile information remains scarce, leaving the population spiraling into oblivion.
Image Courtesy of Angel Studios
Amid the turmoil we’re introduced to Jeff Eriksson (Bailey Chase), a combat hardened former Special Forces operator whose had a tough time setting aside his military persona since retiring. Despite his best efforts and the encouragement of his wife Tara (Kearran Giovanni), Jeff has struggled to connect with his kids, especially with his oldest son, Abe (Tyler Lofton). After the bomb is detonated, Jeff’s soldier side kicks into full gear. He gathers his family and heads to a place called Homestead.
Nestled on a sprawling property in the Rocky Mountains, Homestead is a massive fortified estate owned by a wealthy landowner named Ian Ross (Neal McDonough). Ian and his God-fearing wife Jenna (Dawn Olivieri) have been preparing for this day by building his own solar power system, indoor gardens for growing food, a warehouse stocked with rations, and an arsenal full of weapons. He even took the precaution of hiring Jeff and former members from his unit to lead his security force if something were to ever go down.
Early on, “Homestead” leads you to believe it’s some doomsday survivalist tale heralding the virtue of those with the foresight to be ready for the inevitable apocalypse. But as it turns out, the movie is smarter than that. It fairly quickly introduces a number of legitimate moral quandaries that none of their military background or end-of-the-world readiness prepared them for.
Image Courtesy of Angel Studios
Much of the film’s conflict is between Ian and Jeff – two men who see their situation through dramatically different lenses. Ian is determined to protect Jenna and their daughter Claire (Olivia Sanabia) at all costs. But he has genuine empathy for those unprepared and optimism that the government will eventually come to their aid. Jeff is a rock-hard realist who struggles to maintain a grasp on his humanity. His tactics are well-meaning but cold and forceful to the point that he’s unable to see beyond “the mission” at hand.
Things ratchet up more as refugees begin arriving at Homestead’s gates. The human dilemma becomes a significant plot point and adds an element to their situation that Ian never considered. His decisions get even tougher when more hostile threats arrive. The story takes a few unfortunate diversions including a schmaltzy teen romance that clashes with the rest of the movie. But overall Smallbone does a good job developing the drama and building tension.
Yet there’s still the nagging issue of the film playing like a big screen pilot episode with so much left unfinished. There are several story threads that are left dangling because they’re clearly intended for the series (take Jeff’s daughter and her prophetic visions). In fairness, the filmmakers never hide their intent and this isn’t the first film meant to frame what’s to follow. But “Homestead” needs a more solidifying third act and a payoff that does more than direct us to a streaming platform. Still, the movie succeeds in several ways, and it’s hard not to be absorbed in the dramatically rich setup we’re given.
It’s hard to believe but another movie year has come and gone. Overall it has been an interesting yet somewhat disappointing year for movies. As always it had its share of surprises and more than a few letdowns. There were a decent number of box office successes, just as many undeserved bombs, and several trendy indies that are being pushed right through awards season. Things started slow but picked up in the final quarter which managed to save the year.
Now it’s late December, that time of the year where we critics complete our silly but fun annual ritual of picking the ten best movies from the past year. Interestingly, there has been a noticeable lack of variety among early top ten lists and awards announcements (at least more than usual). So I’m pretty proud to have onethat stands out from the crowd. But enough jabbering. It’s time to get down to business.
As always, let me start by showing some love to my #11-20….
#20 – “The Wait”
#19 – “Thelma”
#18 – “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”
#17 – “Late Night with the Devil”
#16 – “On the Wandering Paths”
#15 – “Alien: Romulus”
#14 – “Bonhoeffer”
#13 – “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter One”
#12 – “Gladiator II”
#11 – “Juror #2”
Now without further ado,here are my Top 10 Films of 2024.….
“The Bikeriders” – Jeff Nichols is a filmmaker who makes movies that speak to me. I’ve loved everything he’s done from his 2007 debut “Shotgun Stories” to his latest, “The Bikeriders”. Nichols puts together a tremendous ensemble led by the trio of Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, and Tom Hardy and immerses us in the biker culture of the mid to late 1960s. The style, the music, the attitude – it all coalesces into an authentic experience full of grease, grit, and human spirit. It’s yet another fascinating slice of Americana from Jeff Nichols. [REVIEW]
“September 5” – With “September 5”, director Tim Fehlbaum has crafted one of the most riveting edge-of -your-seat thrillers of the year. This taut journalism procedural chronicles the in-the-trenches work of the ABC Sports team covering the hostage crisis during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. “September 5” had me glued to the screen with its fiercely focused ensemble, its detailed recreation of ABC’s studio adjacent to the Olympic village, the gripping real-life intensity of its story, and the humanity that pulses through it all. Whatever you do, don’t sleep on this one. [REVIEW]
“I’m Still Here” – With “I’m Still Here”, Walter Salles delivers a powerful biographical drama driven by a Fernanda Torres performance that should be (but sadly isn’t) atop every Best Actress list. The searing screenplay from Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega tells the enthralling true story of a wife and mother in search of her missing husband while protecting her children in the middle of Brazil’s 21-year military dictatorship. Salles maintains a clear-eyed focus and firm control, conveying the horrors of the oppressive regime while emphasizing the family’s emotional journey. The results are intense, enlightening, and heart-wrenching. [REVIEW]
“The Order” – Justin Kurzel’s “The Order” sits comfortably as one of the biggest and best surprises of the 2024 movie year. Set to a striking 1980s rural Pacific Northwest backdrop, this riveting crime thriller is based on the true story of the FBI’s pursuit of a white supremacist terrorist group and its charismatic leader. Jude Law gives one of his best performances as does Nicholas Hoult who has had a remarkable year. They are essential to making “The Order” a thoroughly compelling thriller that emits a resonating urgency. [REVIEW]
“Nosferatu” – Despite having only three feature films to his name, Robert Eggers had already established himself as a visionary filmmaker with an unmistakable style. His fourth film, “Nosferatu” didn’t just cement his reputation – it added an exclamation mark. This is a Robert Eggers movie through and through from his stunning visuals to his masterful tone management. Most impressive is how he honors F. W. Murnau’s 1922 horror classic while still adding his own macabre twists. And he’s helped by an extraordinary cast that includes Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Bill Skarsgård, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Willem Dafoe, Ralph Ineson, and Emma Corrin. [REVIEW]
“The Piano Lesson” – One of the year’s best ensembles come together to deliver another sterling feature film adaptation of an August Wilson stage play. “The Piano Lesson” marks the impressive directorial debut of Malcolm Washington whose older brother, John David leads a talent-rich cast which includes Danielle Deadwyler, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Potts, Ray Fisher, Corey Hawkins, Erykah Badu, and Stephan James. Set in 1936 Pittsburgh, this is an authentic lived-in domestic drama with a tinge of the supernatural that kept me captivated throughout. [REVIEW]
“Megalopolis” – No film earned a more divided response than Francis Ford Coppola’s insanely ambitious “Megalopolis”. Most of the reactions have ranged from fascinated to perplexed to scornful. Without question this is a personal passion project that was never going to land with everyone. But “Megalopolis” is an imaginative tour de force that sees Coppola working free of anyone’s rules and expectations. His creation is as breathtaking as it is bewildering; as compelling as it is confounding. And it is every bit a visionary work meant to be absorbed, considered, and reconsidered. I loved every eccentric and extravagant second of it. [REVIEW]
“A Complete Unknown” – Timothée Chalamet playing Bob Dylan was not the recipe for success I expected. But then I saw “A Complete Unknown” and realized how wrong I was. Chalamet delivers one the year’s very best performances in James Mangold’s transporting biography of the American music legend. Outstanding supporting work from Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, Elle Fanning, and Edward Norton help bring this fascinating slice of music history to life. Together with Chalamet, they sing their own songs and play their own instruments to brilliantly recreate the 1960s New York folk scene. [REVIEW]
“Longlegs” – I’m not sure that any movie sat with me as long as “Longlegs”. This well-written, visually stunning, and utterly harrowing horror thriller found its genesis in the mind of writer-director Osgood Perkins. He takes us on a tense and terrifying journey that mixes the psychological with the supernatural. “Longlegs” features some of the year’s best cinematography from DP Andrés Arochi Tinajero and a superb lead performance from Maika Monroe. And of course there’s Nicholas Cage. In a year full of great horror movies, “Longlegs” remains the best chiller of the bunch. [REVIEW]
“Dune: Part Two” – Denis Villeneuve not only matched the brilliance of his 2021 adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic science-fiction novel “Dune”, but he surpassed it with his sensational continuation in “Dune: Part Two”. This monumental sequel impressively builds upon the first film, staying true to the spirit of the source material but not shy about adding its own distinct flavor. The cast is extraordinary and the visual wizardry is astonishing. But it’s Villeneuve’s grand vision and keen ability to realize it on the screen that makes this such an unforgettable experience. [REVIEW]
And those are my Top 10 Films of 2024. What do you think of my list? What are your thoughts on the movie year as a whole? What was your favorite movie? Let me know in the comments section below. Until next year…
Keith & the Movies 