I haven’t done one of these in a long time, mostly because I don’t care anymore. I used to really enjoy going to the movies, but with the death of the mid-budget films (virtually all going straight to streaming), I’m pretty much only going to see tent-pole films, most of which are mediocre at best.
Anyway, here’s what I’ve seen in 2023 so far. This is a mix of movies I saw at the cinema this year, regardless of release date, and movies released this year I watched at home.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania \ Watched: Streaming \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 2.5
I can’t even tell you what happens in this movie. There was a giant head with tiny legs, and I think Jonathan Majors was the villain?
Asteroid City \ Watched: Cinema \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 4
Like a lot of Wes Anderson, I know I liked it, but I’m not sure why or how much until I watch it again… then I can properly articulate what I like about it.
Avatar: The Way of Water \ Watched: Cinema \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 3
This is a stinker, but I can’t bring myself to totally dismiss how incredible the visual effects and general presentation are.
Babylon \ Watched: Cinema \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 3.5
This is a movie I admired more than enjoyed. It’s “too much” of a movie, and that hurts it, but it’s still entertaining as hell.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever \ Watched: Cinema \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 2
No idea why I rated this so low. The fact I can’t remember anything from it doesn’t help me trying to understand that poor rating.
BlackBerry \ Watched: Cinema \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 4
This is highly fictionalized, but I can’t hold that against a movie where Glenn Howerton was just allowed to go for it, unrestrained, for 2 hours.
Cocaine Bear \ Watched: Streaming \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 2
Doesn’t know what it wants to be, ends up being nothing. It’s not schlock. It’s not a comedy. It’s not a drama.
Creed III \ Watched: Cinema \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 3
Excellent performances elevate a movie that doesn’t ultimately understand the core formula of its franchise. Underdog overcomes adversity OR pride is overcome by humility. Creed III ends with the status quo of a prideful protagonist restored.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves \ Watched: Streaming \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 3.5
A ton of fun. Leans a little too into enjoying the smell of its own farts, but not enough to ruin the experience.
Flash, The \ Watched: Cinema \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 2.5
This was a movie with good ideas, but too many ideas for a single film. It should have been a multi-part series, like that Justice League Snyder Cut
Fool’s Paradise \ Watched: Cinema \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 3
Charlie Day is probably best known for his voice, and his manic delivery of dialogue, so choosing to perform in (and direct) a movie where he doesn’t speak adds a few points on to an otherwise mess of a film. Apparently this took years to finish, with many different edits to “fix” it. Could have used more passes at the script before they started.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 \ Watched: Streaming \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 3.5
A good way to send off these characters. Thankfully the tone is a little more even compared to its predecessors. This is the last Marvel movie where a director got to inject some of their own style/personality into it. Mark my words.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny \ Watched: Cinema \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 2
Who wanted to see an 80 year old Indiana Jones adventure? Phoebe Waller-Bridge is great, and kind of saves an otherwise turd of a film.
Night of the 12th, The (“La nuit du 12”) \ Watched: Cinema \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 4
Extremely well made and taught crime procedural. Gives away its hand at the very start that there’s no resolution to the crime, which completely alters your perception of what to expect while watching it.
Oppenheimer \ Watched: Cinema \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 3.5
It’s fine. It’s well made. Great performances. Way too long.
Renfield \ Watched: Streaming \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 3
There are three movies here, each of them could have worked on their own, but together it’s kind of a mess. Elevated by Nicholas Cage going for it, and some unexpected (albeit CGI) gore.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods \ Watched: Streaming \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 2.5
Another one I can’t tell you what happened in it. Helen Mirren was in it? And Wonder Woman showed up at the end… SPOILERS!
Shin Ultraman \ Watched: Cinema \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 4
An enjoyable love letter to the golden age of tokusatsu.
Super Mario Bros. Movie, The \ Watched: Streaming \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 3
It’s fun. The music was awful. You have decades of original Koji Kondo music to draw from and decide to use 80s pop songs?
Talk to Me \ Watched: Cinema \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 4
Excellent little flick. Neat concept. Fun practical effects and gore. Will probably be driven into the ground with sequels.
Whale, The \ Watched: Cinema \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 4
Excellent performances, but way too stagey, doesn’t take advantage of being “cinema”.
Women Talking \ Watched: Cinema \ Letterboxed Rating (out of 5): 3.5
Strong performances, great direction, but too stagey… just like The Whale
Armchair Screenwriter 