The MadHouse

This animated film was written and directed by Chris Sanders, based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Peter Brown and has a voiceover cast that includes Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Conner, Bill Nighy, Catherine O’Hara, Ving Rhames & Mark Hamill. In this film, a robot crash lands in the forest and takes on the responsibility of raising and protecting a newborn bird and meets new friends and encounters odd enemies along the way. This movie debuted at the Toronto Film Festival on September 8th, 2024 before hitting theaters nationwide on September 27th. The film has been nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and the British Academy Film Awards.

The Road to Wrestlemania begins with the Royal Rumble. 30 men and women compete for a shot at the World Championship at Wrestlemania. The men’s match featured past winners like Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, John Cena & Drew McIntyre, featured former World Champions, Damien Priest, CM Punk & The Miz. This match also saw the return of “The Phenomenal One” AJ Styles. The women’s also had its share of returns such as “The Queen” Charolette Flair & Alexa Bliss. Their match featured both former winners such as Bayley & Bianca Belair and former World champions like Liv Morgan & Nia Jax. The WWE Tag Team Championships were on the line as the team of #DIY, Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano defend against The Motor City Machine Guns, Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin in a 2 Out of 3 Falls match. Finally, a Ladder match for the WWE Championship as “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes defending against “The Prize Fighter” Kevin Owens in hopes to end their blood feud once and for all.

This horror film was co written and directed by Leigh Whannell, is a reboot of the classic Universal monster movie series and stars Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner & Sam Jaeger. In this film, a man returns to home after his father’s death to clear out his farm. While there he and his encounter a mysterious creature that attacks them one evening. The man must protect his family at all costs but realizes that he’s wounded by the creature and is slowly changing. This film comes after Universal’s failed attempt to start a “Dark Universe” with their movie monsters back in 2017. Universal returned to this concept after Whannell’s success with 2020’s “The Invisible Man”. After director, Derek Cianfrance & actor Ryan Gosling left the project in 2023, Whannell was brought on board. Gosling remained attached to the project but as an executive producer.

This Netflix original film was co written and directed by Seth Gordon and stars Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Kyle Chandler & Glenn Close. In this film, 2 secret agents faked their own deaths after discovering that they were pregnant but after 15 years of being off the grid, trouble has found them once again. This film marks the first for Foxx since being hospitalized for the majority of 2023, as well as the first for Diaz since announcing her retirement from acting back in 2014. Diaz’s last film appearance was in 2014’s “Annie”, which also starred Foxx.

The 3rd and final round before the Super Bowl comes to the remaining four teams. In the NFC Championship, 2 of the NFC East teams are up as the Philadelphia Eagles led by QB Jalen Hurts and RB Saquan Barkley go up against their divisional rival, the Washington Commanders, led by the rookie QB, Jaylen Daniels. The Eagles won the Super Bowl in 2017 but came up short in 2022 and the Commanders are looking for their first Super Bowl appearance since 1992. In the AFC Championship Game, we have a true heavyweight bout as the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs are looking to make history by becoming the first team to win 3 Super Bowls in a row. On the other hand are the Buffalo Bills, led by MVP candidate, QB Josh Allen who have a chance make their first Super Bowl appearance since 1994.

The second SNME comes live from the Frost Bank Arena in San Antonio, Texas and is the final stop before the Royal Rumble next Saturday. The Women’s World Championship is on the line as Rhea Ripley defends against Nia Jax, “The Monster Among Men” Braun Strowman goes one on one against “The Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu, “The Mad Dog” Bron Breakker defends the Intercontinental Championship against “The Celtic Warrior”, Sheamus. In the main event, “The Ring General” Gunther put the World Heavyweight Championship on the line against “Main Event” Jey Uso. Plus, in a traditional contract signing segment, the reigning WWE Champion, “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes comes face to face with the number one contender, “The Prize Fighter” Kevin Owens all under the eye of the special guest, the NXT general, the Hall of Famer & San Antonio’s own, “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels. These 2 are scheduled for a Ladder Match for the WWE Championship at next week’s PLE, the Royal Rumble.

This political thriller was directed by Edward Berger, is based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris of the same name and stars Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow & Sergio Castellitto. In this film, after the sudden death of The Pope, a conclave is organized by The Dean, who manages to summon a handful of worthy successors. However, on the Eve of the Conclave, many accusations & stories begin to circulate surrounding the chosen candidates which then spark heated debates on who shall be the next Pope. This film debuted at the Telluride Film Festival in August of 2024 before hitting theaters nationwide later in the year in October. The film has already received 8 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor for Fiennes and Best Supporting Actress for Rossellini.

This science fiction fantasy film was written, produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola and has a star studded cast that includes Adam Driver, Nathalie Emanuel, Giancarlo Esposito, Shia LaBouf, Aubrey Plaza, Jon Voight, Jason Schwartzman, Talia Shire, Laurence Fishbourne, D.B. Sweeney & Dustin Hoffman. In this film, a Roman story is told in a futuristic setting as a eccentric architect clashes with a corrupt mayor of the city over the future of city’s economy and developments. Francis Ford Coppola has been waiting over 4 decades to make this film but never the money and or scripts together. Plans were announced in 1989 and 2001 with no action taken. Coppola spend a large sum of his own money to get this movie made and it went into production in 2022. The film debuted at The Cannes Film Festival in May of 2024 before hitting theaters nationwide later in November.

Round 2 of the NFL Playoffs has arrived. The remaining 8 teams are battling for a spot in the Conference Championship and one more step to the Super Bowl. The defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs are hosting the Houston Texans. The number 1 seeded, Detroit Lions take on the Washington Commanders. The Philadelphia Eagles are set to take on the LA Rams and then in the battle of the top 2 MVP candidates, Lamar Jackson leads the Baltimore Ravens to take on Josh Allen & the Buffalo Bills.

We’ve seen the rest and now it’s time for the best. These are the best movies of the year with a few honorable mentions.