I post short movie reviews online after watching movies. These are the reviews of the movies I saw in 2023. You can find previous year’s lists by clicking on this link. (you should be able to find earlier years by clicking on the movies tag above). These movies are not in order within each category.
Movies I am Fairly Sure You’ll Want to Watch
The first seven here are the best movies I saw this year for sure. The ones I am most sure you will like.
Dungeon and Dragons Honor Among Thieves
Great fun. Really enjoyed this. Admittedly, this was aimed at me. But lots of fantasy movies are aimed at me. This is better than nearly all of them. You didn’t know you’d like comic book movies before iron Man.. .. You should give this the same shot. (Note, additional thoughts: really, really, if you like fun movies this is one of them. I know a lot of people that DO NOT like the game or genre that liked this a lot).
Nyad
Wow. Great movie about an amazing woman and her team. (note, this might be the best movie I saw all year, though I most recommend the Dungeons and Dragons one, for reasons).
Maestro
The opposite of last night’s awful movie. This is great, once you get past a few parts. The makeup team should get every award ever. Highly recommend if you like characters more than complex plots. (note: additional thoughts: it goes black and white, and to a different format, and has some artsy fartsy bits you might need to get through, but the writing and acting and editing is great).
The Imitation Game
Great movie. You should watch this. (note, additional thoughts: Not the happiest movie! But it was well written, acted, and has an important message).
Barbie
Not the most subtle political movie ever. I doubt I could ever know all the references. The Holy Grail one made us laugh. I liked it. (note: I understand it is BARBIE, but trust me, even with the lack of subtlety and one dance number that was too long, this is a great movie).
The Woman King
Very good movie. Somewhat historically accurate from what I read. It was good. You’ll like it. (note, additional thoughts: I had some issues, but this is great, with very good characters and acting and action).
Air, Courting a Legend
I think that’s the title… Anyway, we know the ending, but the journey is great. Really good movie. (note, additional thoughts: sure, you know what happens, but this is, again well written. Love we don’t really see Jordon, really. His mom and everyone else is well done).
This is the oldy but goody, I’ve already seen them section.
Star Trek, The Voyage Home (sarcasm alert)
The second best movie with the original cast. When did this show become so woke? It’s all about environmentalism!
Star Trek Wrath of Khan
Great movie. Holds up very well.
Caddyshack
Still a great movie.
Empire Strikes Back
Watching the best SW movie, and wow, the dialogue is not stellar. Also, man, Jedi are so much cooler in modern shows. Except Han, he has great lines.
Random movies:
Avatar Way of the Water
Don’t F with the badass mom’s kids. Pretty good movie. I’m sure it would have been even better in 3d. If you liked the first one, you’ll like this I think.
Nope
I was entertained. Starts slow, then, bam, action.
The Rom Coms I am confident you will like, even if you don’t love rom coms.
You People
Obviously I don’t live either side of this story, but this was good. We really liked it. A deep rom com about race and our issues.
Last Christmas
Did not see that coming. Pretty good rom com.
Look Both Ways
A very unique rom com. We’ll written, directed, and acted.
Movies You May Want to Watch
Rom Coms We Really Liked
Happiness for Beginners
A rom com that followed the outline, but had unique execution. If you like this kind of movie, recommended. (note: I would 100% recommend this, but some of you don’t like rom coms)
Love is in the Air
Pretty good rom com. We laughed some. Australia was lovely. If you like rom coms you’ll like this.
Holiday in the Vineyards
A rom com that actually has some very funny lines. It was a rom com, so you know what happens.
Feast of the Seven Fishes
Less cheesy than most rom coms for sure. We liked it. (note: I would 100% recommend this, but some of you don’t like rom coms)
Other Movies We Really Liked
Shotgun Wedding
Exactly what you’d expect from a comedy about pirates trying to crash a wedding and get money. So, I laughed. Plus J Lo in a low cut wedding dress in the whole movie almost….
Persuasion
Good adaptation of a Jane Austin book. I don’t know, maybe just talk? I liked it, most of the time.
The Flash
I liked this movie. Great time travel shenanigans. I understand the lead actor in real life issues, but as a movie, this was good on its own merits.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
I mean, it’s Indiana Jones. He finds the magic item and gives it to the Nazis who mess up. It felt like a good Indy movie.
No Hard Feelings
We were all mostly entertained. It’s not winning any awards, but it was good enough to watch.
Planes Trains and Automobiles
Guest review, because Julianne Sixel had never seen it: I hear this is a classic, now I can say I’ve seen it….
Guardians of the Galaxy 3
Entertained….But Julianne did not really feel for the characters. It was nice to have a marvel movie not about saving the entire multiverse…
The Killer
Guest movie review: Unique. Good. The least dialogue ever? Not for everyone, but we enjoyed it.
65
Pretty good. Pretty predictable. But for an airplane movie I was entertained.
Shaun of the Dead
I can see why this has a following. Funny, in a social commentary way. I was entertained the whole time.
The Takeover
Not bad. Not great. I mostly enjoyed it. A few nitpicks…. Just enough information, but not too much. I’ll say you’ll likely enjoy it. (note: I literally cannot remember this movie now, and I watched it 8 months ago, so there’s that)
Glass
Didn’t see the first two movies in the series, but this one was quite good. Guess I should watch the first two. A thinker, a good one.
Movies I Don’t Know if You Should Watch or Not
Family Switch
Guest review from Julianne Sixel It’s exactly what you think it will be. Mike’s review: Some funny parts, but you Really need to want to watch this.
Shazam Fury of the Gods
Pretty dark compared to the first one. Plenty of people died. Still humor, if you liked the first one, you’ll likely like this one, but it wasn’t great.
Fast and Furious
I was entertained. But then we watched five and I can’t remember what happened….
Furious Five
Sure, if you binge them, they blend together. Watch the mid credit scene, which I only guessed was there. Again, entertained.
Banshees of inisherin
Bleak. So very bleak. I’m not sure if I should recommend this. Don’t watch it when depressed. It kept me engaged the entire time.
The Out Laws
Pretty ok? Lots of almost funny jokes? I mean, I did laugh a few times, and I’ve seen worse movies. I think some of you will like this.
Leave the World Behind
I have l no idea what to tell you, other than it was never predictable. Still processing…. (bonus content, thoughts from a couple friends: Tom Reynolds: Terrible… describes it. Paula Winkler Accurso: And odd…. And unfulfilling ….)
The Misfits
Not as well written as Leverage, which it wanted to be. Mediocre at best.
Better Luck Tomorrow
Wow. That took a serious, dark, turn. I doubt most of you would like it. I’m unsure how I felt.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
I mean, it’s what you’d expect from Marvel… So, not bad, not great. Definitely not as good as the early movies.
The Mother
J Lo wears too much clothing. It was a Liam Neeson movie, starring J Lo as the vigilante. If you like his movies, you’ll like this.
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar
Needed to clean my brain after the other movie, and this did that. One of the dumber movies I’ve ever seen. I was mostly amused by it.
Movies I am Warning You NOT to Watch
Rebel Moon, part one
Needed more slow motion, less subtlety, oh, and better writing, better acting, and not to be released. Seriously, this was not good. Why did I trust Snyder? The bad guys wore brown shirts and came from the mother world…. As one example of it’s subtlety… The dialogue was brutal. I could go on, but I think you get the point. (note: I’m still mad at how bad this is. I don’t think it is just that I wanted it to be good, the more I think about it, the dumber the plot is)
Season of the Witch
Not good. Not as bad as I’d been led to believe….. But not good. Shocking, it gets worse. But at least the only female character is the devil…..well, possessed, but you get the point. Ok, that wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d heard. Note, I cannot recommend this..…(note, short running commentary here.)
Best Christmas Ever
I don’t think this cloying movie was aimed at me. Julianne Sixel would also not recommend this. There were moments that made me laugh, but it was not ridiculous enough.
Black Adam
Very looooooooow expectations. Met. (note: here is a link to my comments during the movie)
Christmas as Usual
Not good. Seriously, not good. I’m supposed to believe any Norwegian is that backward? It’s based on a true story?
A Deadly Invitation
Awful. Truly terrible. Do not watch. (note: I literally cannot remember this movie)
Star Trek the Movie
My god this is awful. How did the franchise survive this pile of poop? Nothing happens for very long stretches. And when something happens, it’s stupid.…
Transformers, Rise of the Beasts
So much stupid. Look, good guys, if there is a device that can destroy the universe, stop hiding it, and just fucking destroy it. Every. Damn. Movie. It isn’t hard. Just destroy the thing.
Those who wish me dead
This might be dumber than last night, we’ll find out soon. Yes, live posting my thoughts.
Werewolves on Wheels
Great, terrible, movie. That was something. No need to watch.
A running commentary I wrote while sick and watching this, can be found by clicking on the movie name above.