Continuing my look at notable 2024 films, today I’m covering the Action movies.
The only film of this batch I seriously considered for my top ten isn’t really an action movie, but I included it here because, as a pulpy crime thriller, it’s different enough from the dramas I mentioned yesterday.
That movie is Rose Glass’ Love Lies Bleeding, a lesbian noir that pairs up the great Kristen Stewart with bodybuilder turned actress Katy O’Brien in a breakout performance. The two lovers get caught up in an organized crime ring run by Stewart’s character’s father (Ed Harris) and — naturally — things spiral out of control.
I love a good film noir, and this one brings some nifty twists to the genre, especially when steroids enter the picture. Glass takes a big swing toward the end of the film that had me gasping at its audacity.
Some other action movies I enjoyed:
Carry-On – Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman have a blast with the “Die Hard in an airport” premise. This gets increasingly ludicrous as it goes, but it’s a great time.
Dune: Part Two – Denis Villeneuve’s striking adaptation of the “unfilmable” novel gets even better in this second installment. Epic sci-fi filmmaking at its finest.
The Fall Guy – A sweet and funny tribute to stunt performers that gives Ryan Gosling another chance to show off his comic chops, and his muscles.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – This prequel to Fury Road had the same gonzo virtuosity in its action sequences. I wish this movie and The Fall Guy had done better at the box office, because these are the kind of thoughtful tentpoles we deserve.
Gladiator II – A sequel to the Oscar-winning Gladiator that has a Russell Crowe-sized hole at its center, despite solid performances by Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – This is the most consistently great modern franchise. Even if this film didn’t reach the heights of the first three, it still utilized its extraordinary effects work in the service of a rich story.
Rebel Ridge – A taut thriller that made a star out of lead actor Aaron Pierre. If you don’t know his name yet, you soon will.
Twisters – Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones fight massive tornadoes with the power of their charisma and sexual chemistry. This movie would have made another $50 million if it had ended with a kiss.
Coming tomorrow… Horror.
Feel these hands that
Shape this world
Then try to understand
[Verse 1]
When the light shines down
And the time goes slowly
When my mind’s in the dust
Scorched and dying
There’s a penny in my hand
Inscribed to the sad and lonely
Now I feel so cold and alone
Thinking how long
[Verse 2]
Now if you had told me
She would come back
And if you had told me
The clock was gonna fall
And if you had shown me
Some affection
I would have believed you
[Chorus]
Don’t tell me the moon is blue
(Now you’ve let me down)
‘Cause tonight it’s over
(Now you’ve let me down)
Now the pain’s in the dust
(Now you’ve let me down)
And you can’t find your blue moon
Now it’s over
Oh, tonight it’s over
[Verse 3]
The pain was a sharp one
That cut me both ways
And tore my world apart
I could have healed that wound so deep
But you wouldn’t understand
[Chorus]
Don’t tell me the moon is blue
(Now you’ve let me down)
‘Cause tonight it’s over
(Now you’ve let me down)
Now the pain’s in the dust
(Now you’ve let me down)
And you can’t find your blue moon
(Now you’ve let me down)
Now it’s over, oh
[Outro]
Tonight it’s over, ooh
Tonight it’s over, oh, over
Tonight it’s over, ooh
Ooh, tonight it’s over
Oh, oh, over
Meet Me In Montauk 
I’ve only seen a few of these, but am interested in those I haven’t seen, including in particular Loves Lies Bleeding and Carry On.
I’ve seen several of these and really enjoyed Twisters, Rebel Ridge, Carry On and The Fall Guy. I’m not into Dune or Gladiator type movies so I avoid them. Also the Apes. Didn’t pay much attention to Love lies bleeding. Sounds interesting though