2024: A Year of Cinema

Following on from 2023 where we attended at least one gig a month, we decided on a monthly trip to the cinema to watch a movie. Here are all the ups and downs, including a rather ridiculous rating out of ten.

January

The Holdovers

For the first film of the year we headed to Cinema City in Norwich for The Holdovers. A teacher in an American boarding school is tasked with looking after five students left on campus during the Christmas break.

6.5/10 – a feel good Christmas movie

February

American Fiction

Another visit to Cinema City for American Fiction. An African-American novelist writes an outrageously satirical ‘black’ novel only for it to be mistaken as serious literature and become a success.

6/10 – reasonably good film, great ending

March

Wicked Little Letters

Another visit to Cinema City for what ended up being the joint best film of the year. Based on a real-life 1920s event, the investigation into hilariously rude insulting letters written to residents of a small town.

8/10 – great acting and very funny

April

Back to Black

Biographical drama based on Amy Winehouse, again Cinema City. Was expecting lots from this, didn’t get it. Film was ok, but not really much of a narrative. Considering all the hype surrounding her – it didn’t approach the stuff you wanted.

5/10 – underwhelming

May

The Fall Guy

This was one of those slow movie months. Nothing else on, so The Fall Guy it was. Wasn’t expecting much, got even less.

3/10 – worst movie of the year

June

Full Metal Jacket

The only film that wasn’t an actual new release. A classic. Cinema City. This film has stood the test of time.

N/A – it’s impossible to rate a classic against new releases

July

Twisters

The first visit to the Odeon in Norwich. Apparently this isn’t a remake of the original 1996 Twister, although it could well have been. This was a pretty stereotypical twister movie, if they exist, chase a twister, nearly die, run away from a twister, and repeat.

5.5/10 – watchable, but pretty poor

August

Alien: Romulus

Second visit to the Odeon. An Alien movie. Not as good as the other Alien movies. Doesn’t give you anything that the Alien movies haven’t already given you.

4/10 – doesn’t live up to the hype

September

Lee

A visit to Cinema City to watch this fantastic film. The joint best film of the year. The story of Lee Miller, photographer by and war correspondent during WWII. Very interesting story and Kate Winslet at her best.

8/10 – brilliant

October

The Outrun

Last visit to Cinema City of the year. Set in Scotland’s Orkney Islands, it follows Rona a former alcoholic who returns to her home to find herself. Loved this.

7.5/10 – powerful

November

Conclave

A visit to the Odeon in Norwich. A thriller based on a novel that explores the most secretive and ancient events – the selection of a new Pope. Slow in places, but overall an interesting watch.

7/10 – interesting and watchable

December

Gladiator II

For the final film of the year we visited the Odeon. It was also a month that was full of Christmas movies, Wicked and Paddington, so it was a struggle to find a film we fancied. Reluctantly we settled on Gladiator II. It was indeed a Gladiator movie, lots of fighting and lots of blood. As expected.

5/10 – it was a Gladiator movie

All in all, the challenge to visit the cinema once a month was a total success. 12 visits. Saw some good films, some poor films, and a load in between.