Greetings again from the darkness. It’s 1944 in the mountainous northern Italy commune of Vermiglio. WWII has been raging for years, and even the families in this remote village have felt the effects. Writer-director Maura Delpero has delivered a beautiful and touching film that follows the four seasons. There is little wonder this was Italy’s Oscar submission for Best International Film. Although it missed on a nomination, it’s still one of the best films from 2024.
Much of this story focuses on the local schoolmaster’s large family. And by large family, I mean the mother delivers her tenth child during the story. It’s a close-knit community – the kind where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Secrets are difficult to keep, yet they play a vital role in the proceedings. First of all, Pietro is a Sicilian who has gone AWOL during the war. He’s hiding out in the barn, yet all the locals are aware. Then we have second oldest daughter Ada, whose developing desires take her “behind the wardrobe”, necessitating her cutting deals with God for self-inflicted punishments, becoming more severe with each episode. And lastly, we have the film’s biggest secret – a whopper that shocks the family.
This is a beautiful film shot in a beautiful part of a beautiful country. The seasonal changes provide built-in colors and textures delivering a contrast to the mostly serene characters. Lucia, the eldest daughter, is attracted to Pietro. A stolen kiss and a hand-drawn heart lead to much drama, and ultimately, tragedy. A couple of the other kids have significant roles, but Lucia’s journey is the main focus. There is a quietly stunning moment when Pietro asks Lucia’s father for her hand in marriage.
The slow and steady and sometimes disturbingly quiet pace of the story will likely not appeal to some viewers, but the subtlety displayed is enchanting and mesmerizing. There are moments of heartbreak, and we realize that this family and these local people are tough … they’ve learned how to survive and continue on, despite challenges. The concern about one being “ruined” makes for interesting conversation, and offers quite an example of how times have changed. This is a terrific drama that hopefully many will give a chance.
Opens in theaters on February 21, 2025
Posted by David Ferguson 
Greetings again from the darkness. Jackie Chan starring as … Jackie Chan! He’s an international action-comedy star appearing in this international action-comedy as himself. In fact, one of the running gags has various people questioning if it’s really “him” and whether or not he can actually fight like he does in his movies. The film is from writer-director Luan Zhang and co-writers Wei Xu and Meng Yida.
Greetings again from the darkness. Most every Valentine’s Day, we get at least one romantic-comedy designed for a sweet and harmless date night. Well, this one ain’t it. Instead, if you thrive on romance loaded with danger and action sequences and mysterious monsters and decades old experimental weapons … we have just the movie for you. Director Scott Derrickson (THE BLACK PHONE, 2021; THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE, 2005) and screenwriter Zach Dean (THE TOMORROW WAR, 2021) deliver the rare sci-fi/action/monster/romance thriller, and were wise enough to cast two charming, well-liked young actors for the leads.
Greetings again from the darkness. So, may we interest you in a Valentine’s Day movie about an abusive relationship doomed to failure? What if I told you that it’s meant to be funny, but it’s actually quite depressing and dark? Cazzie David (Larry David’s daughter) and Elisa Kalani are co-writers and co-directors on this film rumored to be ‘inspired’ by Ms. David’s relationship with a certain former SNL comedian (the one known for dating a steady stream of beautiful women).
Greetings again from the darkness. Empty nest syndrome has always fascinated me. As parents, we strive to build independence in our kids so that they can go out in the world and fend for themselves (better described as not moving back home or remaining on the family ‘payroll’). And then there are parents like Susan in this excellent and entertaining new film from co-writers and co-directors Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart (partners, spouses, and collaborators).
Greetings again from the darkness. Accusing someone, anyone, of something or anything, is as easy as speaking the words. The challenge of justice unfolds with the (often) difficulty in finding sufficient evidence for proof. Although all of this holds true for any age and most any infraction, when the scenario plays out with six-year-olds at school, the situation can prove nearly unbearable for the parents and faculty. This is the basis for the first feature film from writer-director Halfdan Ullman Tondel (grandson of Norwegian actress Liv Ullman and legendary Swedish director Ingmar Bergman).
Greetings again from the darkness. With so many MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE movies (another one coming this year) and others of its ilk, movies labeled as ‘thrillers’ or ‘spy thrillers’ seemed to have evolved into hyper-action events requiring the leads to display near-superhuman strength, speed, or smarts. It’s exactly because of this that I found a soft spot for the latest from writer-director Neil Burger (THE MARSH KING’S DAUGHTER, 2023; DIVERGENT, 2014; THE ILLUSIONIST, 2006; THE UPSIDE, 2017) and co-writer Olen Steinhauer.
Greetings again from the darkness. This was one of the films I watched in my end of year movie frenzy, and it immediately became one of my favorite foreign language films of the year (in a solid year for the category). Writer-director Ryusuke Hamaguchi is back after his excellent and Oscar nominated DRIVE MY CAR (2021). Sharing credit on the film’s concept is Eiko Ishibashi, a rare breed: a combination composer-story writer. I should probably clear this up immediately – despite the genre-sounding title, this is not a horror film. It falls quite comfortably into the “drama” category, and as previously stated, it’s a good one.
Here is the link to my TOP 10 (actually 11) movies of 2024. In keeping with tradition, you will also find a list of the “Next best”, as well as designated categories: Documentaries, World Cinema, Animation, and a few other special notes. I hope you enjoy!
Greetings again from the darkness. In the age of sequels, here’s one we can actually give a warm welcome to. Pixar has followed up the brilliant INSIDE OUT (2015) with one that picks up Riley a couple years later as she hits those teenage years, which as all parents know, means puberty. The first film won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, and director Kelsey Mann (in her first feature film) is hoping for a repeat. This follow-up is terrific, yet it faces some tough competition in a year that also delivered three other exceptional (and worthy) animated features.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 