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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

1. Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry I wasn’t excited to read this at first. Early on, I begrudgingly started to admit I liked it, but by the end, I didn’t want to say goodbye. These cowboys became friends. Their journey moved me. A perfect book, and one of my all-time favorites.

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

2. James, by Percival Everett This re-imagining of Huck Finn starts as a thrilling adventure with the same wit and spirit of Twain’s novel, but quickly descends into a much darker, human tale of the different worlds that James and Huck inhabit. A thrilling, challenging novel.

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

3. Star-Spangled Jesus, by April Ajoy April’s story of growing up and leaving Christian nationalism is different from mine but I related to so much of it. It’s genuinely funny, and painfully insightful. Most of all, it helped me feel a bit less alone. Can’t recommend it enough.

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

4. The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion One of the more surprising entries in my list this year, Simsion’s Rosie trilogy really caught me off guard. A rom-com (not my typical genre) with characters I just fell in love with. Hilarious, heartfelt, and just purely charming.

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

5. Powerhouse, by James Andrew Miller This tells the story of CAA, the legendary talent agency that changed how Hollywood operated. It’s extensive and engaging, with so many behind-the-scenes stories I had never heard before. A remarkable, authoritative Hollywood history.

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

6. Different Seasons, by Stephen King I chose to limit myself to just one King book on the list. With this anthology, Shawshank and The Body are two of King’s greatest stories ever, while Apt Pupil and Breathing Method are excellent pitch black thrillers. A perfect anthology.

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

7. Wild & Crazy Guys, by Nick de Semlyen A deep dive into the comedians who came out of SNL and SCTV and revolutionized the films of the 70s & 80s. It’s a captivating read, and gives a new perspective on the highs and lows of comedy over the years. Really loved it.

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

8. The Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead Another basis for one of my favorite films of the year, this is a powerful, grim story of injustice. Whitehead’s personal writing draws you into the world of Elwood and Jack, making the horrors of their tale all the more maddening.

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

9. Dylan Goes Electric!, by Elijah Wald Tells the true story of how Bob Dylan became a hero of the folk music scene before revolutionizing it. It thoroughly covers how audiences revered Dylan, and also felt betrayed by him at the time. Really engaging and illuminating.

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

10. Matilda, by Roald Dahl I didn’t read many of Roald Dahl’s books as a kid, but my kids and I have been devouring every one of his novels we can get our hands on. Matilda was our favorite of the lot. A funny, moving story about growing up different. A classic for a reason.

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

My favorite books of 2024! This year, I read 85 books, from classics, to non-fiction, to anything Stephen King. This was also my first year reading chapter books with my kids, and it’s been an absolute joy discovering Roald Dahl, Wizard of Oz, and more with them. Here we go!

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

James Mangold’s confident direction makes A COMPLETE UNKNOWN sing. Every musical moment is filled with such authenticity, it feels like you’re there witnessing history. An arresting biopic that captures a culture shift. It’s a defining performance for Chalamet. Outstanding.

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

MOANA 2 is a cheap knockoff of the original. It tries to copy the beats of the first film, losing any authenticity or originality along the way. Poor music, bland animation. It’s fine at best, but a disappointingly mediocre entry into the Disney canon.

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

I spoke with Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch about sorting through the myth to find the real Bob Marley. Give our conversation a listen:

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

BETTER MAN doesn’t eschew the biopic cliches we know and loathe, but it’s got a bold energy that just makes it work. Robbie Williams tells his own brash, arrogant story, but with a simple enough twist to stick the landing. Worked well for me, even as a total newbie to Williams.

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

BLITZ worked for me in fits and starts. Lots of compelling moments, but they’re lost among a non-linear narrative without much of a punch. Still, McQueen has an eye for beautiful snapshots of life that help this time period come alive. Good, yearning for great.

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

No Best Actress lineup should be complete this year without Fernanda Torres. Her stunning performance in I’M STILL HERE holds the entire film together. She’s understated in the best way, capturing the joy of her family and pain of loss.

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

#WickedMovie is a marvelous crowdpleaser, deepening the world of the show, bringing it to life with all the spectacle it deserves. Cynthia & Ariana’s chemistry makes the film. They’re a perfect pair. It’s long, but WICKED is a magical, moving musical that does not disappoint.

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Daniel Howat @howatdk.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

A few weeks ago, I spent some time getting a behind-the-scenes look at ULTRAMAN: RISING. Check out my conversations with directors Shannon Tindle & John Aoshima, composer Scot Stafford, and VFX supervisor Hayden Jones!

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