For “Joker” star Joaquin Phoenix, this is no laughing matter.

Recipient of the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award at Sundance in 2024, Sean Wang’s feature film debut, “Dìdi” (Focus), is one of the best movies of the year by far. The only thing preventing it from getting an A rating from me is the excessive use of homophobic language.

In 2024, horror cinema is having its best year in a long time. Fright flicks such as “Longlegs,” “Cuckoo,” “A Quiet Place: Day One,” “MaXXXine,” and “Abigail,” are scaring up impressive box office activity.

Even though “Sing Sing” (A24) features out actor Colman Domingo (giving another of his trademark Oscar-worthy performances) and tells the story of a sort of theater troupe, it is not a musical. It is, in fact, quite the opposite. “Sing Sing” is the kind of “feel good” movie that the Brits are so good at, as in the cases of “The Full Monty,” “Brassed Off,” “Billy Elliott,” and “Pride.”

Deadpool, as portrayed by the irresistible Ryan Reynolds (even beneath burn make-up and a bad toupee, literally stapled to his head), is the MCU superhero for people who loathe MCU superheroes. His suggestive homoerotic patter is as hilarious as it is filthy (just wait for the “get out the special sock” line). Deadpool’s true superpower is his sharp tongue, and his attacks on movie studios and other pop culture phenomena are on full display in “Deadpool & Wolverine” (20th Century), the third installment in the popular series.

For years, Julianne Nicholson has been the other Julianne (to Moore’s Julianne). But with each successive performance, including in the 2021 series “Mare of Eastown,” she has established her own Julianne-ness.