Films Watched 2023 [In Progress]
A comprehensive list, with ratings and comments, of all the films I saw for the first time in 2023.
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- DirectorMartin McDonaghStarsColin FarrellBrendan GleesonKerry CondonTwo lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them.8/10 - An original film, thought provoking and lonely, but also endearing in its own weird way.
- DirectorMark MylodStarsRalph FiennesAnya Taylor-JoyNicholas HoultA young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.8.5/10 - A fantastically made film that is captivating and somewhat absurd, but the allegorical themes on artistic expression and obsession really hit the mark for me.
- DirectorJohn Patton FordStarsAubrey PlazaTheo RossiBernardo BadilloDown on her luck and saddled with debt, Emily gets involved in a credit card scam that pulls her into the criminal underworld of Los Angeles, ultimately leading to deadly consequences.7.5/10 - Engaging film, nothing outstanding but it's a bit different and holds your attention until the end.
- DirectorEdward ZwickStarsLeonardo DiCaprioDjimon HounsouJennifer ConnellyA fisherman, a smuggler, and a syndicate of businessmen match wits over the possession of a priceless diamond.8.5/10
- DirectorJordan PeeleStarsDaniel KaluuyaKeke PalmerBrandon PereaThe residents of a lonely gulch in inland California bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.5/10
- DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsPark Hae-ilTang WeiLee Jung-hyunA detective investigating a man's death in the mountains meets the dead man's mysterious wife in the course of his dogged sleuthing.8/10 - There are moments where Chan-wook's greatness shines through, but as an overall package it doesn't doesn't quite stand as an equal to his other greats. Still very much a good film, it is beautifully shot and crafts a noir atmosphere, but I was not completely sold on the depth of the central relationship and the pacing/editing was a bit offbeat.
- DirectorMark NeveldineBrian TaylorStarsJason StathamAmy SmartCarlos SanzProfessional assassin Chev Chelios learns his rival has injected him with a poison that will kill him if his heart rate drops.8/10 - Silly, outrageous and over the top, but also action packed, hilarious and will get your adrenaline pumping.
- DirectorLuca GuadagninoStarsTimothée ChalametTaylor RussellMark RylanceA young woman embarks on a 1000 mile odyssey through America where she meets a disenfranchised drifter. But all roads lead back to their terrifying pasts and to a final stand that will determine whether love can survive their otherness.6.5/10 - I found the central theme rather unsettling, the pacing a bit slow, and character development a bit shallow, but the well crafted atmosphere kept me somewhat invested at least.
- DirectorMartin BrestStarsEddie MurphyJudge ReinholdJohn AshtonA freewheeling Detroit cop pursuing a murder investigation finds himself dealing with the very different culture of Beverly Hills.7.5/10 - Feels a bit dated, but otherwise a funny and entertaining cop movie.
- DirectorTakeshi KitanoStarsTakeshi KitanoMaiko KawakamiMakoto AshikawaA violence prone police officer discovers that his colleague is trafficking drugs.8/10 - Dark, raw and violent. A nihilistic film that is full of character, yet leaves you feeling empty.
- DirectorRuben ÖstlundStarsThobias ThorwidHarris DickinsonCharlbi DeanA fashion model celebrity couple join an eventful cruise for the super-rich.7.5/10 - I didn't find this particularly thought provoking, although somehow it still felt interesting and kept me engaged. I couldn't really take the satire seriously and it tended to make me laugh rather than think. I don't know if that was the intention of the film, but for me it's greatest quality was certainly the comedy factor.
- DirectorEdward BergerStarsFelix KammererAlbrecht SchuchAaron HilmerA young German soldier's terrifying experiences and distress on the western front during World War I.7.5/10 - Brings a fresh perspective on WWI and I commend the depiction of the harsh realities of trench warfare. However it is a bit predictable at times, somewhat drawn out, and I didn't connect with all the characters as much as I would have liked to.
- DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsBrad PittMargot RobbieJean SmartA tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.5/10 - Wacky and bloated, there are a lot of elements that just come across as convoluted and nonsensical. It does maintain some entertainment value, but overall feels way too indulgent.
- DirectorMatthew HeinemanStarsTim FoleyJosé Manuel 'El Doctor' MirelesPaco ValenciaFilmmaker Matthew Heineman examines the state of the ongoing drug problem along the U.S.-Mexican border.7/10 - Interesting, although a little lacking in structure and the Arizona based storyline felt out of place.
- DirectorKim Jee-woonStarsLee Byung-hunChoi Min-sikJeon Gook-hwanA secret agent exacts revenge on a serial killer through a series of captures and releases.7.5/10 - Visceral and unsettling, this film pulls you in with a powerful first act, however I found the storyline soon became a bit far fetched and contrived which took me out of it.
- DirectorMariano CohnGastón DupratStarsPenélope CruzAntonio BanderasOscar MartínezA wealthy businessman hires a famous filmmaker to help make a smash hit film.8/10 - Brilliantly executed satire that is both interesting and funny, sprinkled with just a hint of avant-garde abstraction to deliver a refreshingly lively piece.
- DirectorMichael MannStarsRussell CroweAl PacinoChristopher PlummerA research chemist comes under personal and professional attack when he decides to appear in a 60 Minutes exposé on Big Tobacco.8/10 - Well directed, well shot and well acted with a sharp script. It had incredible potential, however even though I was engaged from start to finish, I felt the story didn't flow with a real energy until the final act.
- DirectorRon FrickeStarsBalinese Tari Legong DancersNi Made Megahadi PratiwiPuti Sri Candra DewiFilmed over nearly five years in twenty-five countries on five continents, and shot on seventy-millimetre film, Samsara transports us to the varied worlds of sacred grounds, disaster zones, industrial complexes, and natural wonders.9/10 - I found this to be a completely engrossing experience, different to any other film I've seen. It's a meditative, reflective, and strangely cathartic piece. There are sections of the film where traces of a narrative seeps through, but I actually found the more abstract shots where I could just let my thoughts run free to be the most enjoyable.
- DirectorJamie PayneStarsIdris ElbaCynthia ErivoAndy SerkisBrilliant but disgraced detective John Luther breaks out of prison to hunt down a sadistic serial killer who is terrorising London.5/10 - Massively let down by some shoddy editing and an awful plot that's full of holes.
- DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsSean PennBenicio Del ToroNaomi WattsA freak accident brings together a critically ill mathematician, a grieving mother, and a born-again ex-con.7/10 - A sobering tale that is certainly compelling to watch, but suffers from a confusing structure and ultimately leaves you unsure of the message to be gleaned.
- DirectorElizabeth BanksStarsKeri RussellAlden EhrenreichO'Shea Jackson Jr.An oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists and teens converge on a Georgia forest where a huge black bear goes on a murderous rampage after unintentionally ingesting cocaine.6/10 - Some funny moments and mildly entertaining, but not quite as outrageous as I was hoping.
- DirectorGaspar NoéStarsDario ArgentoFrançoise LebrunAlex LutzThe last days of an elderly couple stricken by dementia.7.5/10 - Sad, bleak, depressing… this film is certainly powerful in what it sets out to achieve, doing so in a stylistically unique manner and with such authenticity that it feels almost too real at times.
- DirectorCharlotte WellsStarsPaul MescalFrankie CorioCelia Rowlson-HallSophie reflects on the shared joy and private melancholy of a holiday she took with her father twenty years earlier. Memories real and imagined fill the gaps between as she tries to reconcile the father she knew with the man she didn't...8.5/10 - A precious film that manages to bring a moving and wistful magic to the screen through a symphony of simple, subtle moments.
- DirectorTerry GilliamStarsBruce WillisMadeleine StoweBrad PittIn a future world devastated by disease, a convict is sent back in time to gather information about the man-made virus that wiped out most of the human population on the planet.7/10 - Engaging and original, but a bit too wacky in its style for my liking. Also quite hard to follow at times.
- DirectorGuy RitchieStarsJake GyllenhaalDar SalimSean SagarDuring the war in Afghanistan, a local interpreter risks his own life to carry an injured sergeant across miles of grueling terrain.7.5/10 - Crams a lot into just 2 hours and some parts feel a bit disjointed, but overall a solid offering with strong lead performances.
- DirectorSidney LumetStarsHenry FondaLee J. CobbMartin BalsamThe jury in a New York City murder trial is frustrated by a single member whose skeptical caution forces them to more carefully consider the evidence before jumping to a hasty verdict.9/10 - A film with a simple structure that nonetheless manages to be completely captivating.
- DirectorJohn Francis DaleyJonathan GoldsteinStarsChris PineMichelle RodriguezRegé-Jean PageA charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers embark on an epic quest to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people.7/10 - Terrible start but soon finds its charm. Entertaining with a likeable set of characters.
- DirectorVittorio De SicaStarsLamberto MaggioraniEnzo StaiolaLianella CarellIn post-war Italy, a working-class man's bicycle is stolen, endangering his efforts to find work. He and his son set out to find it.8/10 - Great film with lots of charm but it doesn't particularly bring a wow factor to a modern viewer.
- DirectorNa Hong-jinStarsKim Yoon-seokHa Jung-wooSeo Yeong-hieA disgraced ex-policeman who runs a small ring of prostitutes finds himself in a race against time when one of his women goes missing.7/10 - Interesting and different style to the usual, but did not achieve a particularly intense atmosphere or feel like high stakes for most of the film. A couple of very annoying plot devices too.
- DirectorPaul GreengrassStarsTom HanksBarkhad AbdiBarkhad AbdirahmanThe true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the U.S.-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years.8/10
- DirectorAsghar FarhadiStarsPayman MaadiLeila HatamiSareh BayatA married couple are faced with a difficult decision - to improve the life of their child by moving to another country or to stay in Iran and look after a deteriorating parent who has Alzheimer's disease.8.5/10 - An excellent Iranian drama piece that feels authentic and grounded.
- DirectorSam HargraveStarsChris HemsworthGolshifteh FarahaniAdam BessaAfter barely surviving his grievous wounds from his mission in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tyler Rake is back, and his team is ready to take on their next mission.7.5/10 - 2 hours of virtually non-stop action, most of which is high quality, with some creative camera work. However don't expect much of a gripping plotline.
- DirectorPeter YatesStarsSteve McQueenJacqueline BissetRobert VaughnA nonconformist San Francisco cop is determined to find the underworld kingpin who killed the witness under his protection.6/10 - Nothing particularly stood out except the car chase which was excellent.
- DirectorDamián SzifronStarsDarío GrandinettiMaría MarullMónica VillaSix short stories that explore the extremities of human behavior involving people in distress.8/10 - A bit silly in places, but overall a highly entertaining set of stories, crafted with an underlying dark humour.
- DirectorChad StahelskiStarsKeanu ReevesLaurence FishburneGeorge GeorgiouJohn Wick uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.5/10 - Didn't really follow the plot, but it seemed so nonsensical that I don't think it would've made any difference. This film is definitely carried by the non-stop action, which is very well choreographed, but every bad guy's aim is worse than a stromtrooper which ruins the immersion and believability to a large extent. Keanu's acting is as wooden as a tree like usual.
- DirectorChristopher McQuarrieStarsTom CruiseHayley AtwellVing RhamesEthan Hunt and his IMF team must track down a dangerous weapon before it falls into the wrong hands.8/10 - Solid film with lots of outstanding action, an interesting plot and some fantastic scenes.
- DirectorRon HowardStarsViggo MortensenColin FarrellJoel EdgertonA rescue mission is assembled in Thailand where a group of young boys and their soccer coach are trapped in a system of underground caves that are flooding.7/10 - Interesting story but doesn't get properly going until the second half, complemented by a couple of awful British accents.
- DirectorGil JungerStarsHeath LedgerJulia StilesJoseph Gordon-LevittA high-school boy, Cameron, cannot date Bianca until her anti-social older sister, Kat, has a boyfriend. So, Cameron pays a mysterious boy, Patrick, to charm Kat.8/10 - Great film with actually interesting characters.
- DirectorJohn DahlStarsMatt DamonEdward NortonGretchen MolA young, reformed gambler must return to playing high stakes poker to help a friend pay off loan sharks, while balancing his relationship with his girlfriend and his commitments to law school.8.5/10 - Good writing, good characters, a bit nostalgic, just all round an enjoyable film.
- DirectorPaolo SorrentinoStarsToni ServilloCarlo VerdoneSabrina FerilliJep Gambardella has seduced his way through the lavish nightlife of Rome for decades, but after his 65th birthday and a shock from the past, Jep looks past the nightclubs and parties to find a timeless landscape of absurd, exquisite beauty.7/10 - Has its captivating moments that truly capture the beauty of life, but in between there is a lot of rather eccentric and slightly bizarre content that leaves it overall feeling a bit thin. The setting, cinematography and soundtrack also very much deserve a nod.
- DirectorAndy MuschiettiStarsEzra MillerMichael KeatonSasha CalleBarry Allen uses his super speed to change the past, but his attempt to save his family creates a world without super heroes, forcing him to race for his life in order to save the future.6/10 - Had great potential in its concept and ambition, but the execution felt pretty scattered and all over the place.
- DirectorKore-eda HirokazuStarsLily FrankySakura AndôKirin KikiOn the margins of Tokyo, a dysfunctional band of outsiders are united by loyalty, a penchant for petty theft and playful grifting. When the young son is arrested, secrets are exposed that upend their tenuous, below-the-radar existence.7.5/10 - A heartfelt film but its understated style left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsCillian MurphyEmily BluntMatt DamonThe story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.7.5/10 - A very well made film on an interesting topic, but at the end of the day its just a biopic with 3 hours of talking. It never feels truly intense and edge of your seat, which is what I've come to expect from Nolan.
- DirectorTakeshi KitanoStarsTakeshi KitanoAya KokumaiTetsu WatanabeSeveral yakuza from Tokyo are sent to Okinawa to help end a gang war. The war then escalates and the Tokyo drifters decide to lay low at the beach.7/10
- DirectorJustin FolkStarsMatt WalshGert ComfreyMarci BowersPolitical commentator Matt Walsh explores the changing concepts of sex and gender in the digital age, particularly the transgender rights movement, anti-transgender bigotry, and what it means to be a woman.7/10 - A measured approach to a controversial topic that raises some important questions.
- DirectorMathieu KassovitzStarsVincent CasselHubert KoundéSaïd Taghmaoui24 hours in the lives of three young men in the French suburbs the day after a violent riot.8/10 - A sharp script, realistic characters and well stylised production come together to highlight important themes that still remain relevant 30 years later.
- DirectorGreta GerwigStarsMargot RobbieRyan GoslingIssa RaeBarbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.5/10 - Way too in your face with its message, there was no subtlety and parts of the film were basically just characters reading out a lecture. It was abstract in all the wrong ways, forcing quirkiness without adding any underlying intelligence or quality filmmaking. The main redeeming factor is that there were quite a lot of funny moments (especially Ryan Gosling).
- DirectorHwang Dong-hyukStarsGong YooJung Yu-miKim Hyeon-sooBased on real events, this film depicts the story of a school for the hearing-impaired where young deaf students were sexually assaulted by the faculty members over a long period of time.8/10 - Horrible but great.
- DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsJavier BardemMaricel ÁlvarezHanaa BouchaibA man dying of cancer tries his best to leave the world on his own terms.8.5/10 - Heartfelt film that's full of soul and real, human characters. In particular, Bardem gives an incredible performance with layers and subtlety to his lead role.
- DirectorCiro GuerraStarsNilbio TorresJan BijvoetAntonio BolívarThe story of the relationship between Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman and last survivor of his people, and two scientists who work together over the course of forty years to search the Amazon for a sacred healing plant.8/10
- DirectorAndrew LauAlan MakStarsAndy LauTony Leung Chiu-waiAnthony Chau-Sang WongA story between a mole in the police department and an undercover cop. Their objectives are the same: to find out who is the mole, and who is the cop.8/10 - Fantastic plot with enough depth and complexity to stay engaged throughout. The editing and cinematography is pretty slick on the whole but feels a bit cheesy in some moments.
- DirectorTi WestStarsMia GothJenna OrtegaBrittany SnowIn 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas, but when their reclusive, elderly hosts catch them in the act, the crew find themselves fighting for their lives.5/10 - Interesting style, good cinematography, quite weird, very average.
- DirectorTi WestStarsMia GothDavid CorenswetTandi WrightIn 1918, a young woman on the brink of madness pursues stardom in a desperate attempt to escape the drudgery, isolation, and lovelessness of life on her parents' farm.7/10 - Outstanding lead performance but everything else is pretty average.
- DirectorMakoto ShinkaiStarsKenji MizuhashiYoshimi KondouSatomi HanamuraTold in three interconnected segments, Takaki tells the story of his life as cruel winters, cold technology, and finally, adult obligations and responsibility converge to test the delicate petals of love.5/10 - Turns out I don't really like anime.