The 2024 MOOvie Awards: A Desert-Less list

This award list will be a bit shorter than in years past; I narrowed it down to the five most important categories for me. 2024 did not feel as terrible for movies as in recent memory. It was crazy to see how many movies took place in desert environments, like seriously. We had Dune 2, Fruiosa, Gladiator 2, Borderlands (kind of), and big parts of The Fall Guy. None of which besides Dune is on my list by the way. Sorry to disappoint you sand fans out there.

On the waterfront (see what I did there) Moana 2, was awful but nothing to write a 2,000-word paper about. It had plenty of red flags, and what a shock: Three first-time directors cannot make a good movie. “Other breaking news: water, wet.”

Please, sit back, and enjoy my list of what I felt was the best the big screen offered in 2024.

– The Categories –

Outstanding Cinematography

This award goes to the film with camera work which can elevate the storytelling to new and exciting heights.  

The Nominees:

Perfect Days – Director of Photography: Franz Lusting

The Wild Robot – Director of Photography: Chris Stover

Dune: Part Two – Director of Photography: Craig Fraser

And the MOOvie Award goes to…

What is the easiest way to make the ordinary, exciting? In the case of Perfect Days, a film about a man who cleans toilets in Japan, you put the audience in the shoes of our protagonist. The cinematography tastefully captures your attention and grips the seemingly mundane story tight, to help it elevate into an awesome visual spectacle. The way they portray memories and dreams stands out overlapping shots over one another, which makes us feel a better connection to the lead character. Similar to what can influence a good day to be “perfect,” the effect this camera work has on the story is subtle and lasting.

Movie-Magic Moment

This award goes to a moment that stands out as a part of the movie that would upset you in the theater when the guy in front of you stands up cheering.  

The Nominees:

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 – Live and Learn

Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver – Slow Motion Farming Montage

Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim – Helm Hammerhand’s Sacrifice

And the MOOvie Award goes to…

Why do we go to the theater? Sometimes it isn’t for a deep experience that transcends the universe, it’s to see two talking hedgehogs fight each other and then team up on the moon to fight robots in space. The story is heavily inspired by Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, and this part of the movie was gratifying as a fan of the game. The moment also works well for the film on its own, right before Sonic and Shadow join forces they bond over their shared experiences with loss. Playing ‘Live and Learn,’ the main theme from Battle, was the hedgehog cherry on top to propel this moment into the hall of fame of heart-pounding movie scenes.

Biggest Suprise Film

This award goes to the film that didn’t look very good, but after watching it you’ll repeat the quote, “A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.”

The Nominees:

Fly Me to the Moon – Director: Greg Berlanti

Mufasa: The Lion King – Director: Barry Jenkins

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim – Director: Kenji Kamiyama

And the MOOvie Award goes to…

I do not love the original Lion King, and I never saw the 2019 live-action remake this is a prequel too. I love Lions as much as the next guy, but that film never hit me the same way as a kid as say Lilo & Stitch or Toy Story. Mufasa brings a more mature approach to this world and continues this franchise’s trend of traumatizing children for years. The balance of music and serious tone adds compelling character moments that make this cash-grab feel warranted.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, who was the mastermind behind the music of Hamilton and the first Moana (not the sequel that’s why the music in Moana 2 sucked), once again delivers in the music department. Which makes this soundtrack one that will be on repeat for a while. I was not planning to see this movie, but I walked out of the theater glad I did.

Best Film No One Talked About

This award goes to the film which was not mentioned much in conversation but deserves a chance to shine.

The Nominees:

Elevation – Director: George Nolfi

Fly Me to the Moon – Director: Greg Berlanti

In the Land of Saints and Sinners – Director: Robert Lorenz

And the MOOvie Award goes to…

Finally, an Irish movie about something other than potatoes. A hitman trying to retire from a profession he will never escape, which on the surface looks to be loud and generic, is quiet and reserved. Sinners naturally develops the remote town and Liam Nesson’s connection to everyone in it. Compelling dialogue exchanges between characters painted in front of Ireland’s stunning background fill the runtime. Nesson’s acting and character development are a treat to watch unfold. Sinners seeks to find what molds us into choosing good or evil and does so very well.

Best Motion Picture of 2024

This award goes to the film that reminds us cinema still has a pulse.

The Nominees:

Perfect Days – Director: Wim Wenders

The Wild Robot – Director: Chris Sanders

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 – Director: Jeff Fowlers

And the MOOvie Award goes to…

Perfect Days probably won’t be on my yearly rewatch list, but it stuck with me more than anything else this year. It is a beautiful story of love, regret, and beauty in the mundane. This is definitely not for everyone, it’s one of those movies without a plot if that makes sense. It follows Hirayama, who lives a regular life with a job and hobbies. We see him struggle with day-to-day problems and find purity in the chaos of life. The movie isn’t even that deep, not that Perfect Days lacks depth, but it doesn’t rely on emotionally manipulating the audience to keep you invested. This in many ways is a perfect film, encapsulating everything film should be as an art form, not a Hollywood blockbuster.