November has seven films…
My Old Ass
#FF24 My Old Ass is a bit shapeless, and takes a long time to go nowhere.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) December 8, 2024
I didn't care about anything that happened and it all seemed a bit obvious - and dull. The central romance didn't work for me, which is probably why I didn't enjoy this much.
Skip.
Heretic
#FF24 Heretic is a fine piece of psychological horror.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) December 8, 2024
Grant is clearly having a great time as the antagonist, and is delightful in the role. Keeps the tension up.
It nearly fumbles in the end (and in a handful of shots of a maze), but I think it just about pulls it off.
Good.
Caddo Lake
#FF24 Caddo Lake is one to see cold.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) December 8, 2024
Ostensbily about a young girl missing in a swampy lake, it quickly becomes clear something else is happening. Slow, methodical, and does a great job of slowly revealing the back half.
Very good.
Time Cut
#FF24 Time Cut is a somewhat generic time-travel/killer film, very similar to one from last year.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) December 8, 2024
A girl tries to prevent her sister's murder but in doing so causes ripples. You'll see basically everything coming and won't really care about what happens.
It's fine, not terrible
Conclave
#FF24 Conclave is about a Papal conclave frought with drama.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) December 8, 2024
Fantastic performances throughout, and each of the main threads keeps things twisting nicely - if a little melodramatically. The final twist is silly and heavy-handed, but I can't say I minded much.
Good.
Gladiator 2
#FF24 Gladiator 2 is a bit too much of a retread.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) December 8, 2024
Mezcal is great as the lead, but his journey follows pretty much the same arc as the original. Washington is fantastic - but is the only fresh injection of energy. Everything else is stale.
Okay, as an imitation.
Kneecap
#FF24 Kneecap was surprisingly great.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) December 8, 2024
About a hip-hop trio who rap in Irish, it's silly and fun, visually inventive, and well-paced throughout. I didn't expect much and it massively overdelivered - even if the Fassbender plot was a bit much.
Very good.
The November Winner
Some very good options but I think Caddo Lake is the film I’ll be revisiting most often.