Best Movie Scenes of 2024: “Dune 2′ Sandworms, ‘Wicked’ Ozdust Ballroom and More

variety.com:

Variety writers took a moment to highlight some of their favorite scenes from the year’s best picture contenders. Obviously, spoilers to follow! Anora NEONTo call sex worker Ani’s romance with the wealthy Vanya a “whirlwind” is an understatement, but that chaos comes to an end after the two young lovers are flown to Vegas for an annulment.

It’s there that Ani realizes that even as a transaction, her relationship is not going to reap her monetary rewards, much less emotional fulfillment — and neither Vanya’s parents nor Vanya himself are capable of recognizing her intelligence, strength or autonomy. (Her would-be captor Igor does and sticks up for her when no one else will.) But it’s Ani who gets the last laugh when after Vanya’s mother calls her a prostitute, she throws the insult back by noting that Vanya hates his mother enough to marry one.

It’s a withering, out-the-door response that sums up their complicated family relationship. —Todd Gilchrist Blitz APPLE ORIGINAL FILMSIn Steve McQueen’s film, 9-year-old George (Elliott Heffernan) is evacuated to the English countryside after London comes under attack.

However, George doesn’t want to leave and heads back home. It’s hard not to feel scared for the boy as George finds himself in constant danger — escaping floods, narrowly escaping a blitz bombing of a bridge and encountering baddies who exploit him.