“Driving Madeleine” is directed by Christian Carion (Merry Christmas, The Girl from Paris) and stars Line Renaud (I Can’t Sleep, Welcome to the Sticks), Dany Boon (Welcome to the Sticks, Murder Mystery), Alice Isaaz (Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again, Elle), and Jérémie Laheurte (Blazing Neon, Blue is the Warmest Color). This film centers around a woman who reflects on her life to a cab driver all the while being given an adventurous ride to a nursing home.
On the surface, “Driving Madeleine” sounds somewhat uninteresting. The whole movie is basically an extended car trip. That is probably what I would have said before I was a teenager. I love the concept of this film because even at my age, I find the whole idea relatable. As someone who lives in the U.S., a country who unfortunately treats trains like second class citizens, car rides are an everyday thing to me. Taxis are not something I am that familiar with from experience. Of course, as someone who has been in urban environments, I know what they are. I am not an idiot. I just live in an age where Uber and Lyft dominate the rideshare market. But having seen “Driving Madeleine,” the film reminds me of a personal joy of taking certain Uber and Lyft rides. Interacting with the driver.
My relationship with rideshare drivers have never blossomed into anything remotely close to lifelong. Though there have been a couple cases where I have encountered the same driver. But it is fun to know about their life, their job, what they like to do. And at the same time, you get to see the world around you. It’s a winning combo. This is just a small fraction of why I found myself entranced with “Driving Madeleine.”
That said, when I am immersing myself in the world of rideshare, very rarely is it for something I do not want to do. In the case of this movie’s story, the titular character of “Driving Madeleine” does not necessarily have that luxury. This is a once in a lifetime trip. But it is not to a place on every person’s bucket list like the Empire State Building or Disneyland or the Sydney Opera House. Instead, it is perhaps the last place we will ever want to attend. A nursing home. One of the joys of this film is seeing this woman embrace every moment in front of her and make the most of what some may consider to be a gateway to the end. This film definitely has its downer moments, but it also contains many more sprinkles of fun and happiness than I would likely expect of a film with this kind of concept. In some ways, this is just a fun road trip movie with an unfortunate endgame. There is a saying that it is not about the destination, it’s the journey, and there are few movies that come to mind that represent that idea as effectively as this one does.
This is more than just a road trip adventure. It is a slice of life story. A tale of friendship. Nostalgia. Regret. It is, in one sense or another, an encapsulation of what it means to be human. This is not the best movie I have seen recently, but it is one that had me thinking some time after leaving the theatre.
“Driving Madeleine” reminds me a bit of “Green Book.” Of course, both primarily take place inside cars and heavily involve car trips. But the two films have another standout quality in common. Both feature characters who given the context of the situation, develop an unlikely bond. I enjoy both of these movies because they allow these kinds of companionships to blossom. The way these films go about that idea vary a bit. But they nevertheless get their point across all the while unleashing fantastic chemistry between the two leads.
One of my more notable surprises with “Driving Madeleine” was that there were moments of genuine stakes. There was a real sense of tension in a number of scenes that stuck the landing. The obstacles that the characters encounter throughout the film are appropriate, well-timed, and allow the duo to think on their feet. There were two scenes in this film where the tension reaches a maximum that I cannot stop thinking about.
“Driving Madeleine” is not only one of those films that shows what it means to be a person. But it shows what it means to be around other people. I am a bit of a lone wolf, an introvert, a recluse to some degree. My social life is kept to a minimum. But even with that, I will admit that there is a supposed necessity to have other people in my life. Whether it is my family, friends, acquaintances. This film, in multiple situations, shows the beauty of what happens when two total strangers hit it off, develop a bond, and take things further. Does this film make me want to potentially befriend every cab or rideshare driver I meet? I wouldn’t necessarily say that. But it is a magnificent adventure that pays tribute to the value of the human connection.
But on top of the main journey, we get several insights into Madeleine’s life. How she grew up. What she does. Significant events. There are a couple curveballs in this film involving the character that I would bring up, but given how this is a spoiler free review, I will just suggest you watch the film yourself.
The film sometimes follows a slightly beaten path, but as I have said in other reviews, I am okay with that as long as the movie itself is good. As long as the familiar beats are admirable. And that is the case here. The familiar beats in no way water down the two most important aspects of the film, those being the leads. Not only are these two insanely likable centers of the film, but they are played by two people who give it their all from the opening scene all the way to the film’s conclusion. Those two being Line Renaud and Dany Boon.
The film’s music selection is quite good too. I have no real compliments about the score. That said, I have no real complaints about the score either. If anything it serves its purpose. But there are some good tunes in the film’s soundtrack. There is one song in the film that is used marvelously. Particularly “At Last” by Etta James. I do not think I can remember a song that has been this fantastically used in a film’s soundtrack, specifically a song that was not originally made for the film, since one or two songs from “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” or Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” in “Thor: Ragnarok.”
In the end, I am not sure how much replay value “Driving Madeleine” is going to get from yours truly, but I am glad I saw it. This is quite a good movie and I would recommend it to anyone looking for something simple, short, but deep. The film is in French, but as Bong Joon Ho famously said in during the 2020 Golden Globes, “once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” “Driving Madeleine” is a lovely, pleasant, hour and a half long rideshare experience, without having to worry about paying way more than what most people would pay just to fill their own gas tank. You know, depending on how many people you have in your party at the theater or how much you are willing to spend on food. I am going to give “Driving Madeleine” a 7/10.
“Driving Madeleine” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.
Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for the brand new thriller, “I.S.S.!” I always love a good space movie. This felt like a necessary watch for me. Was it as necessary as I was expecting? You will find out soon enough! If you want to see this and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Driving Madeleine?” What did you think about it? Or, what is the best car trip you have ever had? For me, I always love going through the middle of New Hampshire every fall to see the foliage. I always enjoy those trips. Let me know about your excellent rides down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!
“The Beekeeper” is directed by David Ayer (Suicide Squad, Fury) and stars Jason Statham (Fast X, The Meg), Emmy Raver-Lampman (Central Park, The Umbrella Academy), Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games, Five Nights at Freddie’s), Bobby Naderi (Black Summer, Bright), Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting, Speechless), Phylicia Rashad (Creed, The Cosby Show), and Jeremy Irons (The Lion King, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice). The film centers around a beekeeper and former operative who goes on a revenge quest after a woman falls for a phishing scam.
January and February are the two months where movies go to die. That is an objective fact. Do not get me wrong, there are some cases where you can release a movie in those months and have a hit. Look at movies like “Kung Fu Panda 3” or “Deadpool.” Both were well received and made a lot of money. When it comes to Jason Statham’s newest film, “The Beekeeper,” there is no way that I can see this film surpassing those at the box office. But much like those films, there is definitely a marketability behind this film that got me in the door. For one thing, it was not “Mean Girls,” which I do not plan on seeing. But in all seriousness, Jason Statham, kind of like Dwayne Johnson, has become one of Hollywood’s more likable action leads. Even if he does something that I would rather forget about like “Meg 2: The Trench,” I nevertheless like him. I just want to see him bust some heads.
Bust some heads? Should I say buzz? You know, buzz some heads?
…
Whatever, doesn’t matter.
Thankfully, we get plenty of head-busting in “The Beekeeper.”
This film is simple in its premise. It has some trademarks that action junkies may be used to seeing in other films, but that does not mean that this is a lackluster effort. If anything, it uses those trademarks decently. This film seems to follow a somewhat by the numbers revenge film formula, but the way it goes about it is entertaining. And a large part of that is because Jason Statham does a good job in the lead role.
Similarly, the same can be said for actors like Phylicia Rashad who plays the part of the victimized retired teacher, Eloise Park, with excellence. You also have Josh Hutcherson who arguably gives the best performance in the film as the antagonist, Derek Fanforth.
I have been used to seeing Hutcherson in certain roles over the years. In “The Polar Express” he voiced the Hero Boy. In the 2013 animated film “Epic,” he played a young Leafman named Nod. In “The Disaster Artist,” he plays Phillip, who ends up playing “Danny” in “The Room,” the film that movie is about. And of course he is well known for his time playing Peeta in “The Hunger Games.” In these roles, I often got a Mr. Nice Guy vibe from Hutcherson to some degree, even if his character had personal flaws. In this film, it is a much different role for Hutcherson, and I admire what they did with him. From the first scene, he is a moron with little to no remorse whatsoever. His character is almost what happens if you take someone with the looks and personality of John Mulaney but mixed it with that of a charismatic cult leader who has been involved in many a scandal.
Another notable positive that captivated me from scene one is the overall aesthetic of the film. The set design, such as that inside the UDG call center for example, is eye-popping. Everything leaps off the screen and it either makes me feel like I am either in the scene or I want to reach out and touch something in the scene. Everything is not only neatly patterned, but insanely colorful. The lighting in the film is quite nice. Technically speaking, I am not going to pretend this film is the next big thing. In fact, there are a few action films from the last ten years that I would point to that look a bit better and creatively more ambitious than this film makes itself out to be. That said, every trick this film goes for, it seems to nail. The camerawork is dazzling. The lighting is pristine. The editing is quickly paced and well spliced. Overall, I would give the film’s look a thumbs up.
Now there is clearly a lot that I enjoy about “The Beekeeper.” In fact, as far as January movies go, this is surprisingly good. That said, it is predictable and somewhat cliché. If you have seen certain action films in recent years, again, there are things that feel repetitive from those other movies. But that’s not the problem with “The Beekeeper” that seems to linger on my mind the most. That problem in particular is the ending. Now, I do not feel cheated. I am not going to say that this is the worst ending I have witnessed in the history of cinema. But in terms of recent film, I cannot think of one that is as abrupt and out of nowhere than what this film gives. It is not really that satisfying. Yes, the main issue of the film comes to a conclusion, but the film ever so quickly says goodbye to its audience. It does not give much time to breathe. It is kind of like “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” in a sense where the big climax hits its peak and just like that, the movie takes little time to wrap itself up. It feels spontaneous.
Going back to positives, “The Beekeeper” sort of reminds me of the original “John Wick” in a sense. Both films star charismatic men who kick tons of butt and take names, but the films offer similar vibes throughout their runtime. There is a dramatic flair, but with some occasional wit here and there. But the real reason why the two feel like a match made in Heaven is because they both have protagonists who you can watch and root for just for violently taking out tons of people left and right. I have lived entirely in an age of computers, I think phishers are the scum of the earth, and that is putting it nicely. As someone who briefly worked in tech at Staples and as someone who uses a computer every day, I love seeing a man go to town on people who think it is okay to take advantage of those who may not know as much about technology. Of course, the real me knows killing people is wrong. But I am watching this movie feeling as if many of the kills Jason Statham makes happen to be justified. Honestly, after watching the obnoxiously dreadful “Fast X” and the intolerably dull “Meg 2: The Trench,” it is great to see Jason Statham in something worth watching for the first time in awhile.
No, I did not watch “The Expendables 4” for those who ask. I am well aware of the negative reviews. That said, they did not steer me away from the movie. I did not watch the prior three.
In the end, “The Beekeeper” is not quite an A, but I am sure that a movie of this title would happily settle for a B. Jason Statham kills it in the lead role. The supporting cast, across the board, all do their best and deliver satisfying results to this thrilling ride. Does it have problems? Sure, it has a few. But as far as January movies go, this is a win. The film reminds me of other revenge flicks I liked in the past decade like “John Wick” and “Nobody.” It is hard to know if I will remember “The Beekeeper” to the same degree I to which remember those two films, but I had a good time with it nonetheless. I am going to give “The Beekeeper” a 7/10.
“The Beekeeper” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now!
Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “Driving Madeline.” I just had a chance to watch the movie over the weekend with a couple pals. I will share my thoughts soon. If you want to see this and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “The Beekeeper?” What did you think about it? Or what is your favorite Jason Statham movie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!
“Night Swim” is written and directed by Bryce McGuire and this is his feature directorial debut. This film stars Wyatt Russell (22 Jump Street, Overlord) and Kerry Condon as a couple who move into a new house, they settle in with their family, and they quickly become accustomed to their surroundings. Only thing, there is a haunted swimming pool in the backyard.
To start things off, this is my first review of a 2024 film. I just saw “Night Swim” over the weekend. I did not get around to it the weekend before as I was a bit busy. But as we cannonball into this review, I thought the idea for this film had potential of working. There have been numerous titles over the years that have used water environments and turned out to be really scary. Look at “Jaws” for instance. Despite the shark looking fake, that movie continues to make people not want to go in the ocean. Shark movies like that one have been a cinematic staple for years. Not many films have lived up to that 1975 original classic, but I cannot deny that even lesser shark movies understand how to make the ocean or sharks scary.
When it comes to “Night Swim,” it is a much different scenario. There are no sharks, and there is also no ocean. Instead, we have a swimming pool. But again, there is potential. If you learn how to swim when you are young, that can be scary. Sometimes there are cases where people never learn to swim. Depending on the direction those people’s lives lead them, it could induce anxiety. I like a good pool. But I am just saying, the potential to make pools terrifying is there.
And I can confirm something about “Night Swim” was absolutely terrifying indeed. No, it was not the pool. It was the fact that the movie somehow released!
Then again, I should not be surprised that we are getting a throwaway horror film at the beginning of January. This is an unfortunate tradition in cinema as infamously consistent as showing all the funniest parts of a comedy movie in the trailer.
I want to be fair though, because this film is directed by Bryce McGuire, and this is his first feature as a director. He has done a number of short films in the past, and for all I know, he has a knack for filmmaking. That said, “Night Swim” is based on a previous short film he did of the exact same name. As someone who has made short films himself, I have often thought about maybe one day turning them into a feature. I made a short film in college that I am still proud of to this day. I consider it some of my finest work as a creator. But part of me wonders if taking that movie and making it longer would sacrifice some quality. I feel like that is what happened here. It’s not like this is a completely new thing. This is not a short film, but take “The Lion King” for example. The 1994 animation was short and sweet. There was no filler whatsoever. So when I watched the so-called live-action remake that came out in 2019, I was not afraid to point out that one of the biggest critiques I had was that the new material, which extended the movie’s runtime, dragged the product as a whole. Longer does not always mean better.
You might be thinking I am pulling these statements out of my butt. You might be thinking I did not watch the original short film. This link I pulled from YouTube may suggest otherwise. Having watched the film, it is very simple in premise and effective in what it is trying to convey. I think as a horror short, it’s not bad. But this new feature inserts all sorts of concepts that honestly don’t work only to make the runtime somewhat reasonable.
It is not that the entire movie fails to make sense. In fact if you want me to be real, much of the movie’s story and structure derails for me mostly in the second half. The first half is serviceable to some degree. The reason why I enjoyed “Night Swim” is because I feel the film did a decent job at establishing Wyatt Russell’s character, Ray Waller, a former professional baseball player. I like the little hints they drop about his backstory. There is also a part of the film where we see him playing baseball with a bunch of kids and that made for one of the film’s highlights for me. I liked the scene overall. It felt rather wholesome, nostalgic, and fun. But as I am watching this film, I got the sense that Ray Waller probably ended up being the only character I was remotely interested in watching. It is not that the other characters were incomprehensible, poorly structured, or the banes of my existence. It is just that when it comes to putting these characters together, explaining their backstories, and what makes them tick, the movie almost refuses to go above the bare minimum. Even in moments where it feels like it tries to, they just cannot stick the landing.
For example, there was a decent subplot about the character of Izzy, played by Amélie Hoeferle. She, naturally, decides to join the swim team, develops an instant crush on this one boy, and that becomes a driving force of the plot. I think their chemistry is in a word, acceptable. It is a fine depiction of puppy love to some degree. But when I am looking back at these characters, some of them feel cliché. Or, I did not care about them that much to recall everything about them upon leaving the theater.
But characters and story aside, I must ask the million dollar question. Is “Night Swim” scary? Kind of. It’s got a few neat tricks up its sleeve. I think the film gets rather creative with what random ideas they could utilize regarding the pool every once in a while. Sometimes that feels inventive. But again, by the second half of the movie, I just stopped caring. One thing led to another where I lost any and all interest in the plot, the characters, and whatever events could follow. When I reviewed “Godzilla Minus One” a month ago, one reason why I gave that movie such high marks is because it knew what to do with its characters. I said a large part behind why that movie was horrifying was because I cared about the characters and did not want them to get hurt. While the story in “Night Swim” makes sense, its characters kind of go off the rails to some degree by the movie’s end. There is a certain flair that they are missing as the movie progresses.
The film features a character named Kay, played by Jodi Long. Knowing what I am watching, I should be shivering during the moments in which she happens to be on screen. But knowing what is happening in the scene in addition the visuals and sound that could potentially make the scene eerier, I am watching it feeling more annoyed than terrified. It reminded me of when I watched “Midsommar.” I didn’t find that movie scary. If anything I found it annoying in terms of how they went about executing certain scenes. I was not amused. “Night Swim” is the first major movie to release in 2024, and as far as I am concerned, the cinematic calendar this year can only go up from here.
In the end, “Night Swim” dives head first and hits the ground hard. The first two thirds are mildly interesting and somewhat compelling. It is not perfect, but it had my attention the whole time. I like the main dad character, but everyone else took a back seat for me. That said, the film is not that scary. There are occasional scares, do not get me wrong. But at the end of the day, there is nothing to write home about. And by the third act, I tuned out. This film is cliché, tonally inconsistent, and I had my arms crossed for a good portion of the runtime. If you are looking for a good movie at the cinema to start off the new year, maybe pick something from last year. I am going to give “Night Swim” a 3/10.
“Night Swim” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.
Thanks for reading this review! I want to end this post by saying that you may have noticed something missing from me this year. Specifically, my most anticipated movies of the year list. I do not do one every year, but I did them for 2021 and 2023. Sadly, I am not doing one this year. It is a bit late and when I was making one, my head almost burst open because one movie switched its release date as I was making it and I had no idea. So I am just going to say that my most anticipated movie of 2024 is “Dune Part Two.” I will leave it at that. But if you are interested in knowing my thoughts on the movies of the previous year, check out my countdowns for the top 10 BEST and WORST movies of 2023! If you want to see more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Night Swim?” What did you think about it? Or, what movies are you looking forward to seeing in 2024? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!
Hey everyone, Jack Drees here! It is time to put the happy in happy new year, because we are going to talk about my favorite movies from last year. It is time to count down my top 10 BEST movies of 2023! Before we go on with the list, I want to remind everyone that I also made a top 10 WORST movies of 2023 list, you can read it by clicking here. And much like the worst list, the rules are the same. First off, I have to have seen the movie. There are certain titles I wanted to get around to this year that for whatever reason I couldn’t. I have yet to see “The Color Purple.” I have yet to see “Beau is Afraid.” I have yet to see “Saltburn.” But that’s too little too late at this point. The list is locked and loaded. Also, the movie must have had a theatrical release of some kind. No exclusives to DVD, streaming, or television are on this list. Also, this list is packed with something I am sure the Internet needs more of. Opinions. These are just my personal favorite movies of the year and in no way am I trying to pressure anyone to like these. If you saw these movies and didn’t enjoy them, that’s fine, we’re still friends. I am not trying to hurt anyone, I am just trying to have fun. Also one last thing, I will have links to my reviews I did for the movies listed here. For the record, I was not able to review every movie on this list, as one of them came out earlier in the year and I finally had a chance to catch it at the tail end when I figured a review would be irrelevant. With that in mind, let’s dive into some honorable mentions. Honestly, this year in terms of cinema is one of the most spectacular I have ever witnessed. I am going to double my usual honorable mention count, which is typically three and list six movies that could not quite crack the top 10, but I feel deserve some recognition.
Starting off the honorable mentions is “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.” Much like another Tom Cruise-led blockbuster that came out a year before, “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” cements why I go to the movies. White knuckle action from start to finish. Dazzling, larger than life set pieces. Great characters we have come to know and love along with other newcomers who successfully enhance the experience. This is the third “Mission: Impossible” film Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise have done together and I cannot wait to see what they do next.
“The Boy and the Heron” is Hayao Miyazaki’s return to filmmaking after a decade-long hiatus. And boy oh boy, is it ever worth the wait. This movie offers exciting world-building, a distinctive and pleasing color palate, a great hero’s journey, and one of the best musical scores of the year from Joe Hisaishi. It is not my favorite Miyazaki outing, but like many other movies he has done, this one is filled with sparks of imagination in every frame.
One of my favorite comedies of the year, “Joy Ride” knows how to have a good time. It is raunchy, disgusting, and glorious. The four leading ladies all blend in to their roles and have fantastic chemistry. The jokes hit quite often. The screenplay is one of the best and most surprising I have witnessed in this genre. And much like a couple other movies on here, I watched it twice this year.
Speaking of raunchy, “Bottoms” is one of the single most unhinged flicks I have ever seen in my life. It is horny, occasionally violent, and creates its own unique universe that works within the context of the plot and characters. Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri are both phenomenally cast and play their parts to a tee. I often have a back and forth as to whether this movie or the recently mentioned “Joy Ride” is the funniest comedy of the year. One day I’ll say this movie, one day I’ll say the other. Either way, this movie is a perfect watch if you are looking for something where you’ll want to pee your pants laughing.
“The Holdovers” is a movie I have looked forward to ever since I first heard about it, and safe to say, it did not disappoint. “The Holdovers” is funny, heartwarming, and a bundle of joy. The entire cast, especially Paul Giamatti, put on quite a show. The movie had a wondrous old-timey feel. As a Christmas movie, it is one of the finest I have seen in a long time. Lovely story, top tier characters, and stupendous performances. What more could you want?
Lastly for the honorable mentions is “The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes.” This anime came out of nowhere for me, but I was pleasantly impressed with how much I enjoyed it. The story and plot offer nothing but absolute engagement from start to finish. The two leads are both excellently written and I loved every minute of when they were together. The animation is quite diverse throughout the film with several moments standing out. I cannot wait to watch this film a second time.
With those out of the way, it is time to talk about the 10 movies that offered experiences this year like no other could. These are my top 10 best movies of 2023!
Coming in at #10 is “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3!” This has been an interesting year for the MCU. Both in terms of how much money their movies made, and the way they were received by critics and audiences. If you ask me, I liked every MCU movie that came out this year. But much like the majority of audiences, I have to declare this year’s clear winner is “Guardians 3.” James Gunn’s trilogy capper is an exciting, funny, and emotional story that knows how to unleash the best from its characters. I loved getting to know more about Rocket, who has been a particular favorite of mine amongst the main cast. Bradley Cooper has always done a good job voicing him, and in this film, we get to see some more range from him all the while hearing the legendary Sean Gunn take a stab at voicing his younger variant. I liked his sidekick characters. I thought their chemistry was great. Their connection was surprisingly cute especially when considering Rocket’s personality over the past couple movies. He clearly has lost some of that adorable touch. The High Evolutionary is one of the best MCU villains we’ve gotten in recent times, and his performance by Chukwudi Iwuji is top notch. The action is stunning. The visual effects per usual in this franchise, are eye candy. And it some of the most fun I had at the movies this year. If James Gunn can keep this quality up on the DC front going forward, than that branch is in good hands.
#9: Past Lives
#9 is “Past Lives.” …A movie that I did not review this year. Prior to watching it, I have seen tons of talk about it online. I bought the Blu-ray for a relatively cheap price and put it aside for awhile. Then I got together with family over Christmas and my uncle recommended this movie to me. He drew me in. I have to say, shoutout to my uncle, because “Past Lives” slaps. It is a fantastic story between a main trio of characters, all of whom are charming and likable. Honestly, when it comes to genuine romance and sentimentality, there is almost no better movie that came out this year when it comes to those two aspects. I love the long lost connection this movie dives into, but I also like seeing where our lead protagonist ends up. It is a fascinating look at what it is like to live in an unfamiliar country (twice!). It is a movie that suggests that things may line up and fall into the right place, but it also tinkers with what life could have been had people gone in a certain direction. If you want fleshed out characters in a simple, but time-spanning story, “Past Lives” is for you.
2023 has been a goldmine for animated movies, and we are continuing this top 10 with the latest film from Makoto Shinkai, the creator of “Your Name.” And while “Suzume” is not as good as “Your Name,” I was heavily enchanted with this film from start to finish. As an adventure, this film is one of the most exciting I have seen this year. It is funny, charming, and marvelously animated. Shinkai always has a glowy polish to his work that I always find to be breathtaking. The film very much reminded me of one of the strengths I often find from Pixar movies. Specifically, taking inanimate objects or concepts, or in this case, a chair, and bringing significant life into it. This movie has intriguing world-building and lore. It is not only fun to watch, but as a visual piece, I honestly could not take my eyes off it. The sound mixing is rather bombastic too. This film was a blast to watch in IMAX. It is not Shinkai’s best work, but it is another proper addition to his library.
If you told me the concept of “BlackBerry,” I would be sold. If you showed the movie to me right after, chances are I would have kissed you on the mouth. This is of the most hysterical, funny because it is true stories I have seen in a long time. I was born in the late nineties, meaning I am quite familiar with the BlackBerry craze to a degree. When I was growing up I would hear those distinctive ringtones all the time. My mom had a couple BlackBerry phones. It was nice to see this crazy true story brought to life with this well-executed comedic angle. All the actors deliver on their role, especially Glenn Howerton as Jim Balsillie. That might go down as this year’s most underappreciated performance. He stands out in every scene he is in. As a story, it very much dives into the idea that hard work will result in success. But it also suggests that everyone in the group needs to be aligned with what is being done, otherwise the vision is more likely to fizzle. If you want my glowing endorsement for “BlackBerry,” here it is. To those behind the film, feel free to put this on an eventual DVD cover. Watch this film on the biggest screen possible. But really, any screen works. Even an iPhone will do.
In 2022, many people flocked to the movie “Elvis,” including myself. While the film has its fans, I was nowhere close to being one of them. Then a year later we get a movie about his former wife, “Priscilla,” and it turns out to be one of the most gratifying stories of the decade. Cailee Spaeny does a ridiculously wonderful job in the lead role. I bought her in every scene. Jacob Elordi gives a riveting, hallowing interpretation of Elvis Presley that unleashes a much different vibe than what Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 musical biopic offered. But even if you do not consider the fact that this is based on a true story with two famous individuals, this film is a deep tale of what it is like to experience first love. That said, when you take the overall premise of the movie into account, it makes it just a tad better. Because while Priscilla may not be the smartest protagonist, this movie absolutely justifies why she makes the choices she makes. When you are given the chance to be a partner of one of the biggest stars in the world, that idea is incredibly difficult to turn down. Another thing, I was amazed on how much they utilized the character of Elvis Presley in this movie, and yet not once did they use any of his original songs. Of course, and by no surprise whatsoever, Elvis Presley Foundation did not allow any of the artist’s songs to be used, and declined their approval of the film. But in my book, this film not only gets a seal of approval, but it will be remembered one of this year’s most chilling and hypnotic times I had at the movie theater this year.
Christopher Nolan has done it again! He has dazzled with “Inception.” He has marveled with “Interstellar.” He has riveted with “Dunkirk.” He has hypnotized with “Tenet.” And now, he has captivated with “Oppenheimer!” This guy can do it all! “Oppenheimer” is basically two great movies in one package. One is about the rise of the atomic bomb, and the fall of its mastermind. Some of my favorite movies this year managed to entertain me to no end, and “Oppenheimer” is no exception. But of the movies on this list, “Oppenheimer” stands out for its ability to haunt my mind. Because it reminded me of how much I want world peace. It reminded me of how mankind’s most advanced creations could arguably be its most destructive. I contend “Oppenheimer” has my favorite final line in the history of cinema. It is so perfect to the narrative and arc at hand and leaves me with such an uneasy feeling that is beyond tough to explain sometimes. This is also one of this year’s most technically powerful films between its use of 70mm and IMAX, earth-shattering sound, and reliance on practical effects. The film is led brilliantly by Cillian Murphy but is packed with tremendous performances from a star-studded supporting cast ranging from Robert Downey Jr. to Matt Damon to Emily Blunt to Florence Pugh to Kenneth Branagh! If you asked me who my favorite filmmaker working today happens to be, my answer would immediately be Christopher Nolan. And if you need a reason, this movie is exhibit A.
Yeah, I’m thinking this is the best “John Wick” movie. “John Wick: Chapter 4” is an utter goldmine containing one ridiculous action scene after another. I was nervous going into “John Wick: Chapter 4” because I was wondering if it would be too long, if it would bore me. Never once did I tune out or feel bored. And I should have gone to the history books before making these assumptions because the reality is that “John Wick” is like “Mission: Impossible” to some degree because each film keeps getting better and better. I did not think it could get better than “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum.” I have never been more delighted to be wrong. We have practically hit peak “John Wick!” When broken down, this latest “John Wick” installment is less of movie and more of a video game. I feel like I am in the middle of the action with the protagonist who constantly has to get rid of various swarms of enemies one by one before the next one comes in. It is the definition of an adrenaline rush. And even with the positives of the last couple of these movies, I feel like the stories in these films are treated as an afterthought. With this fourth installment, that is not the case. Great story, fleshed-out characters, stunning sound, marvelous cinematography, astounding set pieces. It is everything you can want in an action flick.
When it comes to my top three, it feels like choosing my favorite child. These could probably change at any time. I am not going to lie. One reason for that is because they felt like the best of “something.” As for my #3, “The First Slam Dunk,” it is the best sports movie I have seen in years. I am a self-described anime novice. Therefore it should not come as a surprise that “The First Slam Dunk” is my first exposure to the “Slam Dunk” property. I said in my review that this movie made me want to explore more of this property. To be frank with you, I still have not gotten around to doing it. I want to, but I just couldn’t find the time just yet. But it does not change the fact that the film is excellently voiced, viscerally filmed, and stunningly animated. This film had me on the edge my seat between the fleshed-out characters, established relationships, and creative non-linear storytelling. There are a number of sports movies out there that have a number of small events, perhaps smaller games that eventually lead to the climax which is the biggest event or game of them all. I admire this film’s choice to practically start and finish at the big game. It is honestly amazing how it got me to care about these characters all the while focusing on one event. The way this film uses flashbacks is surprisingly brilliant. It really added to the emotion of the film. The film is animated, but the story is definitely down to earth. That said, “The First Slam Dunk” is one of those movies that shows the power of animation, and honestly, I cannot imagine the film being any better in live-action. This is one of the year’s most punch-packing, thrilling, and engaging watches for sure.
When I reviewed this movie, I called it the “Citizen Kane” of comic book movies, and that is why “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” has eternally lingered in my mind. I had insurmountable, sky high expectations for this film and safe to say, I was not disappointed. Is it my favorite “Spider-Man” movie? No. I have to give the slight edge to Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 2,” but I think of all the “Spider-Man” movies, this is arguably the most well made of the bunch. Terrific voice acting, especially from Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy. Her character has one of my favorite arcs I have seen on screen this year. Plus the “will they, won’t they” connection between her and Miles is kind of adorable. The “Spider-Man” movies have always done a good job at injecting romantic chemistry between its leads, and this one is no exception. It is a different approach here, but I honestly welcome it. I really hope we get to explore this connection a little bit more in the next film whenever it comes out. Plus, the film has two well written villains, both of whom take up a good amount of screentime. You have The Spot, whose portrayal by Jason Schwartzman is dynamite. There is a distinctive hyperactivity to his voice that he utilizes perfectly. Then we get to the main antagonist of the film, Miguel O’Hara, otherwise known as Spider-Man 2099, played by Oscar Isaac. Much like Thanos in “Avengers: Infinity War,” Miguel O’Hara is one of those villains that I could honestly side with. But I also think this film does a much better job at getting me to side with the main hero as well in this particular rivalry. Not to say that “Avengers: Infinity War” failed to do that, but “Across the Spider-Verse” does an incredible job at personalizing the stakes for our hero Miles Morales, while also presenting a case for the villain where his motivation will keep everything in balance for the sake of reducing anomalies and ruining timelines.
But of course, I must also address how technically advanced and gorgeous this film looks. This film is so pleasing to the naked eye in a way that is so notoriously difficult and mind-numbing to put into words. I admired this film’s predecessor, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” for its unique look and presentation. This sequel not only uses that same animation style exquisitely, but they implement several more that offer jaw-dropping, sensational results. The movie has six animation styles, and not only do all of them qualify for some of the best looking animated material ever put on a screen, but the way each of them blend together happen to be seamless.
Though you may be wondering, how is the story? Basically, it is fun-filled multiverse-spanning tale that shows what it means to be Spider-Man. In this movie’s universe, that could have multiple interpretations. But if we are simply widdling things down to Miles Morales, his meaning is nothing short of relatable. I always found Spider-Man to be my favorite superhero because his stories have always shown a balance between right and wrong, wants and needs, and trying to do the right thing. And not only did I get a sense in every scene that Miles was trying to do the right thing even in his lower points, but I got the same sense from his guardians. Every scene between Jeff and Rio cemented this idea into the ground. While these three people may not be on the same page, I got a sense that each one of them are just trying their best to progress through their daily lives even if the circumstances are tough or unfamiliar. This movie not only enhanced our superpowered characters like Miles and Gwen, but I think a notable positive backbone of this film would have to be Miles’s connection to his parents. Not only did this add a ton to the movie and plot, but made me root for Miles even more. On top of all of this, Daniel Pemberton delivers bone-chilling, adrenaline-pumping score that gets me going every time I hear it. His themes throughout the movie stand out significantly. I would love to see this movie presented with a live orchestra at some point in my life.
“The First Slam Dunk” is amongst the best sports movies I have ever seen. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is one of the best comic book movies I have ever seen. It’s up there with “The Suicide Squad” for me as the best of the decade. But this next movie offered me an experience like no other this year, and I am honestly shocked it ended up being this high on the list.
My #1 best movie of the year, is, “Godzilla: Minus One!” For the longest time this year, I thought “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” would be my #1 this year. Maybe sometimes I would switch it back and forth with “The First Slam Dunk” and have that be my #1. Then much like a Godzilla-esque disaster itself, this monstrous masterpiece comes in out of nowhere and shakes up the competition with enormous power. I have long been a “Godzilla” admirer. Who does not like seeing big monsters destroy cities? But little did I know a concept of that nature could be this captivating, awe-inspiring, and emotion-fiddling! Much like “Slam Dunk,” I consider myself a “Godzilla” novice, but having watched “Godzilla Minus One,” it made me want to go back and watch some other “Godzilla” movies I have not seen. In fact, the next day, I ended up finally watching the 1954 original picture and had a lot of fun with it. That said, “Godzilla Minus One” might be a contender to be my favorite monster movie. And it is not just because of Godzilla himself. That said, Godzilla is written perfectly from start to finish. There is no dimension to this character, but that is what makes the character great. All it happens to be is a ruthless monster that will take out everything and everyone you know and love. It is that simple. When that beast unleashes its atomic breath in the film, I got chills. The biggest difference between this film and say 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong,” which is a good film in its own right, is that I am watching that movie and admiring it mostly for its spectacle. Not only from a design perspective. But I am talking action, polish, CGI, cinematography. Much like “Godzilla vs. Kong,” “Godzilla: Minus One” is action-packed, but it is action-packed in a way that offers significantly more emotion. When I watch “Godzilla vs. Kong,” I occasionally admire all the destruction that is going around a big city. In this one, I want the big city to stand tall. I want its people to survive. And that case is well established with how well written the human characters happen to be, which I am shocked and delighted to point out.
Unlike the last couple outings featuring the king of the monsters, this film is made in Japan. Naturally, the film tells a story that not only that country can relate to when taking its history into consideration, but its message has a versatility that extends around the world. I mentioned one reason why I loved “Oppenheimer” is because the message of the film furthered my desire for perhaps unachievable world peace. “Godzilla: Minus One” deals with similar-sounding ideas, similar-sounding themes, but with notable key differences between the story and the fact that there is a giant monster destroying everything. Much like how the original “Godzilla” suggests that nuclear war will be detrimental to our society, “Godzilla Minus One” takes that idea and expands upon it. It shows how sometimes we as humans tend to live life to an extent where we neglect danger. This film shows how we sometimes fail to take our lives into consideration before we destroy ourselves. It teaches us to value life, value each other. And similarly, I value the human characters in this film. Between the protagonist, Koichi Shikishima, a kamikaze pilot who feels internally hurt after fleeing his duty. You also have his love interest, Noriko Oishi, a homeless woman who is doing what she can to survive in postwar times. And together, the two are raising a baby that latter acquired from a mother who did not want it in the first place. These two are some of the kindest, sweetest people in the history of the world. This movie did everything and more to not only get me to like them, but make me bite my nails at the thought of them being in Godzilla’s sights.
One of my favorite films of all time is “Star Wars,” and that is the kind of film I could not stop thinking about as I watched “Godzilla: Minus One.” Granted, I think about “Star Wars” all the time. I am a fan. But when it comes to “Godzilla: Minus One” that film offered an experience that made me feel like I was seven years old and someone showed me “Star Wars” for the first time. The film is easy on the eyes, powerful on the ears, and offers an admirable hero in the center of it all. And the more I think about it, I look at the villains of “Star Wars” like Grand Moff Tarkin and Darth Vader and while they may offer passionate motivations and aspirations, I ultimately want the heroes to win. They say a movie is only as good as its villain, and if that is the case, “Godzilla Minus One” is one of the best movies ever made. I love a good villain like Thanos in the MCU or Scar from “The Lion King” or Lotso from “Toy Story 3” for their compelling backgrounds that may indicate how they got to where they were. But “Godzilla Minus One” shows that you can make a villain great just by having them do the simplest thing you can do to hero, get in their way. There is not a significant purpose to the character, they just want to destroy and move on. The motivation is as simple as that.
And I would like to propose one thing before we move on. Perhaps the biggest cinematic phenomenon in 2023 is “Barbenheimer,” where you watch “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” back to back and vice versa. I would like to propose a different double feature. Sorry, “Barbie,” you’re not invited to this party. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad movie, but it just doesn’t fit in this example. If there is ever a day where you have five hours to spare, take advantage of that time and start those five hours watching “Oppenheimer,” and once you’re finished with that, use the remaining two to watch “Godzilla Minus One.” These are two high-quality, conceptually similar movies that offer fantastic rosters of characters, a thrilling storyline, great acting, and ties to nuclear war. Start with “Oppenheimer” get the chills going, and finish off with “Godzilla Minus One” as a palate cleanser. It is not all fun and joy, but trust me, it works.
Between the humungous stakes, riveting story, shockingly well written human characters, a heart-pumping musical score by Naoki Satô, and the absolute terror of the titular titan himself, “Godzilla Minus One” is the one of the most exciting theatrical experiences I had this year. This movie made me feel like I was seven years old and I was learning how cool movies could be. And “Godzilla Minus One” is pretty cool. So cool in fact that it is my favorite of 2023.
Thanks for reading this countdown! Thank you so much for joining me once again in another year of cinema. This has been one of the best years for movies I have ventured through ever since starting Scene Before. Plenty of memorable franchise titles. Some exciting originals. And a lot of surprises. “Bottoms” came out of nowhere for me and I ended up loving it. There were a lot of great, and surprisingly good animated titles from this year. I did not think I would enjoy “Migration,” but somehow I gave it a thumbs up. My breath was taken away by how “John Wick” not only kept its hot streak going, but delivered its best film yet. I was very excited to get to see “Oppenheimer” in IMAX 70mm this year, and I was overwhelmed with happiness to know that the trend was catching on with people in my circles, and even some people who I did not think would latch onto such a thing. I am rather delighted to know that I am not the one humungous nerd that needed an excuse to drive an hour away from my house to see that film the way it was intended. And if things are going in a certain direction, chances are that these top 10 films are going to be this year’s best picture nominees at the 6th Annual Jack Awards, which is set to arrive on Scene Before later this year. I do not have an official date yet. But if you liked this list, why not check out another one? I just posted my top 10 WORST movies of 2023, so feel free to check that out whenever you can. But if you want to see content like this and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, what are your favorite movies of 2023? Do you agree with my list? Disagree? What are some of the gems I missed this year? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!
Hey everyone, Jack Drees here! It is the start of a new year, which means it is time once again for the end of the year countdowns! I apologize if I am getting these out a bit late. A couple last minute watches came up and I wanted to get them in before making the most definitive lists possible. That said, it is time to count down my top 10 WORST movies of 2023. Before we start the list, let’s get into some ground rules. First off, for a movie to qualify for the list, I must have seen it. Of course. Second, the movie has to be some kind of a theatrical release. If it is a streaming exclusive, straight to TV movie, straight to DVD movie, it does not count. Congratulations to all the shark movies that can be found at Walmart for staying off this list. Not that I watch any of them. I will remind everyone that the movies on this list, not to mention the best list that will be up in a couple days are completely subjective picks. These are just my least favorite movies of the year. I am not trying to pressure anyone into disliking these movies. These are just my recommendations. If you can call them that. Now that we have all this information out of the way, let’s continue by listing a few dishonorable mentions.
My first dishonorable mention is “Next Goal Wins.” I am not really a sports fan. I am not really a soccer fan. And safe to say, when it comes to this movie, I am not a huge fan of it either. Taika Waititi steps in and directs a comedy that honestly offers very few, if any, genuinely comedic moments. Many of the performances feel stale, the writing is quite bad, and the chemistry between a good portion of the characters happens to feel iffy at best.
“Anyone But You” is what happens when you take two stunningly attractive leads, put them in a romantic comedy, and waste them all the while offering very little that feels romantic or funny. I did not like the characters. I did not enjoy the comedy gags. This is the kind of movie that makes me feel tired and sleepy. The story and structure become as cliche as anything. I cannot recommend this one.
And lastly for the dishonorable mentions is “Napoleon.” “Napoleon” is directed by Ridley Scott. I enjoy many of his movies like “Blade Runner,” “Thelma & Louise,” and even very recently, “The Last Duel.” When I become vastly more interested in learning about the love interest and wanting to know more about her than the titular character, chances are the movie failed to captivate me. The story is poorly structured, poorly paced, and there are only a couple scenes that kept me invested throughout the runtime.
With that said, it is time to talk about these ten movies, hopefully, for the last time in my entire life. These are my top 10 WORST movies of 2023!
At #10 is “A Haunting in Venice!” I do not have a complete history with the Kenneth Branagh-helmed Hercule Poirot movies, but I was nevertheless intrigued with the marketing of “A Haunting in Venice.” One of the reasons why I was excited to watch this movie was because amongst its stacked cast, there happened to be Michelle Yeoh. I was very excited to see what she was going to do next after being in my favorite movie of 2022, “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Safe to say, this was a significant step down as far as she was concerned. Not only that, but if I were in charge of the Razzies, her performance in this film might be a contender for one of the worst of the year. I love Michelle Yeoh, but come on. As for the movie itself, I found myself immensely bored with it. When a murder mystery fails to offer any engagement, that is a significant problem. When I watch a murder mystery I enjoy like “Knives Out” or its recent sequel, “Glass Onion,” I am trying to guess who is going to make the first kill, who is gonna die first, who is the murderer… I keep asking questions like those and might want to change my guess every once in a while. By the time the first person dies in “A Haunting in Venice,” a part of me died too. I wanted to fall asleep. I said in my review that the cast is the biggest problem I have with the film. It is not that everyone in the film puts in abysmal performances or anything. Well, maybe aside from Yeoh. I just came to the conclusion that no one in this movie interested me. When I look back at Branagh’s last movie in this universe, “Death on the Nile,” I remember liking the characters. That simultaneously made me like the story, and therefore the film. “A Haunting in Venice” simply brings together a bunch of big stars without a star-studded feel to back anything up. It is not even that good as a horror movie! I cannot see myself watching this crap next Halloween! Put this back where it came from!
They say that Tom Brady is one of the greatest athletes of all time. He honestly should stick to football. “80 for Brady” was one of those experiences that simply made me go berserk. I did not want to see this movie. The thought of this movie by itself made me roll my eyes. My expectations for it could not have been more deflated. But I saw it because I had people in my life who wanted to see it. Safe to say, my low expectations were justified. “80 for Brady” takes a sport that I do not even enjoy, football, and somehow makes me think I should go back and instead watch the football game that inspired this movie to begin with. The film is based on real people with some creative liberties. Having looked into the true story, it is a nice story. But the way the movie adapts it makes for one of the year’s unfunniest comedies. The screenplay of the film is one of the most asinine I have seen in 2023. Even when our main quartet happens to run into something that could be dangerous or potentially tension-inducing, I know not to fear for them because they are either predictability going to get out of whatever pickle they’re in, or have some extremely convenient solution come their way that takes out any drama that the movie could offer. The movie is a set of tired comedy gags, wasted celebrity cameos, and it is essentially a mediocre commercial for the NFL. When I first saw the movie, I listed quite a few positives, but even with those in mind, there is zero replay value for this movie. I do not see a reason for me to go back and watch it a second time. When I watched the film, it was like a car crash. I did not love what I was seeing, but I cannot pretend that it was easy for me to take my eyes off it.
2023 was such a great year for animation. There were plenty of films within the medium that I enjoyed. And that makes it extra disappointing to say that “Elemental” could not quite join the ranks. This film is the first Pixar film I disliked. Not only was it bad, it was disappointing. The film looked like it borrowed a lot of what made many other Pixar titles great but it just couldn’t translate those trademarks from those pictures to this one. There was a point in “Elemental” where I almost thought I was watching a Pixar parody movie. “Elemental” is rather inventive in its world building and lore, but its characters across the board are mostly uninteresting. The writing is some of the worst I have come across this year. It felt nearly lazy. The humor mostly relies on puns that just don’t land. They never stop! Like any other Pixar movie, there are things to like about “Elemental.” The animation looks nice, a lot of the voice acting is good, and the story has some decent parts. But it is bombarded with all these tiny little… Elements, if you will, that water down the experience. Between the bad writing, unfunny jokes, tired gags, some unlikable characters, and a much smaller oomph factor than I am used to seeing from Pixar, “Elemental” is easily the worst film from the studio I have seen so far.
Speaking of atrocious animated movies, hello, “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken!” How I hardly missed thee! Unlike “Elemental,” which I put amongst my most anticipated movies of the year, “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken” was one of those films that had me disengaged from the moment I heard about it. I ended up seeing it at a free advance screening, so I thankfully did not waste money on it. But even then, I felt ripped off. There is one particular positive of the movie that continues to stick in my head, particularly Will Forte’s performance as Captain Gordon Lighthouse. His role is quite small, but his voicework behind the role is excellent. But when I saw this movie I said it was a contender for the most cliche movie I have seen all year. Having seen more movies from this year some time after, that sentiment feels truer than ever. The movie looks nice, but the story is about as predictable as what happens when I throw an Xbox out from the roof of an apartment building. Chances are it’s gonna hit the ground and smash to pieces. Honestly, this film barely feels pieced together to begin with. I barely had any interest in the plot, the characters, anything. Part of me though wants to know what it would have been like to watch this movie as a kid. Would I have liked it? I don’t know. But I bring that up because I think one of the big problems of this movie is that it serves as a decent lesson for children, but as an adult, I can see the lesson, and therefore the story progression, coming from a mile away. I have grown up as a kid watching certain movies that I don’t watch as much anymore because my tastes evolve. But there are certain titles, including other DreamWorks animations like the first two “Shrek” films that stick with me to this day. I really want to know how this movie is going to age for this generation of children. Then again, that is going to be hard to say because the film could not even make its own budget back at the box office!
Warner Brothers released the biggest of the phenomenon of the summer, “Barbie.” But a couple weeks later they unveiled a massive travesty to moviegoing audiences like no other, and that my friends, is “Meg 2: The Trench.” When it comes to shark movies, I am fully convinced that we are never going to get anything as good, as iconic, or as memorable as Steven Spielberg’s original “Jaws.” But just because that theory may have merit, does not suggest that future shark movies should not at least try to be the next big thing. For those of you who do not know, I enjoyed the first “Meg” movie. The film is not Shakespeare by any means. In fact to some degree, it takes a bit to get going, but it is quite good. Not only does this sequel take a bit to get going as well, it feels as if it barely gets off the ground. The characters are disposable to the point where if a shark ate them, I could not care less. The shark action in this film is not exciting. In fact it is sometimes boring. And speaking of boring, I know there is a saying not to judge a book by its cover, but everything involving the trench in this film made for an utter snooze-fest. It did not look as eye-popping and mysterious as the movie advertised it to be, and story-wise, I was never invested in anything. This movie is partially set on a place called Fun Island, and yet this movie did not offer a single, solitary ounce of fun whatsoever. If you want a shark movie, just stick to “Jaws.” Heck, even the original “Meg” will do.
When it comes to picking the worst movies of the year, usually the reason why it ends up on such a list has to do with certain qualities that stand out. When it comes to my next entry, “Hypnotic,” it is the opposite. This movie is beyond forgettable. I will give credit where it is due. “Hypnotic” is a pretty cool concept, but the handling of it could have been a lot better. What makes this even more disappointing is having a charismatic actor and a decent director and attaching them to a movie that wastes their collective skill. “Hypnotic” is by no means offensive, but it feels like wasted potential across the board. At least it is short, so I did not have to suffer for too long. “Hypnotic” has the style of a certain type of Christopher Nolan movie with the pace of a boring baseball game. The film did not make a ton of money when it came out, and frankly, I can see why. Just because you have star power in front of and behind the camera, in addition to a compelling story idea, does mean everything will line up in the end.
Here’s a fact. In 2022, “Jurassic World: Dominion” did the impossible. Make dinosaurs boring. Now a year later, another movie is continuing that tradition all the while wasting the talents of Adam Driver! How bad does your movie have to be for Adam Driver to come off as horrible in it? “65” can freaking go extinct for all I care. The one good thing about “65” is that the concept at least sounds interesting. But unfortunately, it is sullied as the movie progresses in its short but far from sweet runtime. The directing is some of the stiffest I have seen in any movie this year. I am honestly shocked that we got both a screenplay and a directorial effort as bad as we did because this movie is from the same duo who wrote “A Quiet Place,” I would not say “A Quiet Place” was my favorite horror film from the year it came out. But it happened to be quite a unique feature in more ways than one. “65” on the other hand is uniquely boring. It takes a certain event that everyone has in mind regarding dinosaurs and goes out of its way to describe that same event in a way that is about as amusing as watching my toenails grow.
If you know my relationship with comic book movies, you’d know that this next entry hurts. In fact, throughout 2023, I liked every comic book movie that came out, except for one. And that sole exception is “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” If you asked me years ago if I wanted to see a sequel to the 2018 “Aquaman” movie, I would have said “absolutely.” The first film, while not revolutionary, offered some of the most fun I had in any movie I saw that year! How can you not like a movie where an octopus plays the drums? Well, unfortunately, one of the worst things about “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is that it tests that theory and offers disappointing results. Basically, this film takes everything that is good about the first “Aquaman” and offers a saturated version of it. Jason Momoa is not as charming as he once was. Black Manta may have more prominence, but the way they use him is intolerable. The special effects and overall palate of the movie offer as much of a stylistic look and color as they did in the previous film, but they somehow look worse. And oh yeah, did I mention that this movie somehow makes an octopus playing the drums uninteresting?!
Amber Heard is in this movie, and for all I know, they originally wrote her character in a different way or they had scenes featuring her that were deleted, you could basically erase her character from the entire movie and have it feel no different. Sure, the action sequences look kind of cool at times, but just because the action sequences look dope, does not make the movie good. If I were more invested in the characters and story, then chances are I am going to find the action scenes just a bit more appealing. Much of the movie revolves around a specific transition Arthur Curry makes as a person. Specifically, him being a dad. That barely offered anything interesting to the movie, other than maybe him connecting with his dad for some time. But when it comes to anything involving the villain, Atlantis, or King Orm for instance, that is where the movie sinks.
This is the last movie in the DCEU and unfortunately it is probably the worst one in the entire cinematic universe. I literally own every other DCEU movie on Blu-ray at the moment. Even “Wonder Woman 1984,” which I absolutely detested. To be fair though, the Best Buy SteelBook looked kind of nice. This is probably going to end up being the one DCEU movie I watch that I do not end up buying and owning for myself. It’s that bad. I am not experiencing comic book movie fatigue, but even I felt like I drowned in the Atlantic Ocean having watched this terribly tragic travesty on a platter some people might call a movie.
If “F9: The Fast Saga” was the death of a franchise, then “Fast X” is its rotting, torn, neglected corpse. Oh my gosh. When it comes to big budget franchises, there is no worse example of quality I have seen this year. When I think bad “Fast & Furious” movies, my mind often goes to “Tokyo Drift.” I watched it once, it was not for me. That said, looking back on it, at least there was a certain novelty to it despite its occasional cliches and predictable storyline. Structurally, it works as a film. “Fast X” does not even work as half a movie! That is what this movie basically is! Half a movie! That would be fine if the movie was good. But it is not! You could make an argument that 2021’s “Dune” is half a movie. I would say that argument is not entirely accurate, as its protagonist witnesses a full arc from start to finish, but the argument is definitely there to make and I would understand why one could make that argument. But in regards to “Fast X,” this film basically shows everything that is wrong with this franchise. And I say this as someone who has enjoyed most of the films in it. Everything from the 2001 original, to the 2009 revival, to even the “Hobbs & Shaw” spinoff. But the franchise is much like “Pirates of the Caribbean.” The bigger it got, the dumber it became. To be honest, “F9” was the tipping point for me. I have not watched it since the theater and I am perfectly happy with that situation. “Fast X” on the other hand takes “F9” and makes it look like a masterpiece.
Now, I must say, the film is occasionally finely shot, quickly edited, some of the locations pop, and I am glad to see an actual street race in this film unlike the last one. But there is not really much else that this film does right. Vin Diesel has zero personality as Dom Toretto. He is basically Superman in this entire film. Only difference, people look up to Superman. When did I ever watch Dom Toretto and think one day I would want to learn to fly? Speaking of Dom Toretto, remember how he has a kid? Oh yeah, he plays a significant role in the film. Did you know he drives now? Of course, it is “Fast & Furious.” Having your characters drive makes total sense. But there is one problem. THE KID IS EIGHT BLOODY YEARS OLD! Why is he driving?! Dom Toretto is a terrible father! He should not be having children. And honestly, I look at young Brian and I am not convinced that the kid is actually Dom’s. I have seen plenty of episodes of “Maury” to see some strange paternity results. But I am honestly convinced a better movie would have been if Dom Toretto wanted to take a test to find out if his kid is actually his. That would have offered more drama, more stakes, and more character development than what we got.
I look back at the worst movie I saw last year, “Morbius,” and I remember one of the reasons why I put that film so high on the list is because the film was already insufferable enough, but it only crippled whatever life was left in it during its last moments. Specifically the material during the credits. Now, “Fast X,” thankfully, has a mid-credits scene that is not as bad. Granted, I did not love it, but it is still is not great. But the ending of this film takes a story and concept that are already atrocious, and enhance that atrociousness by a thousand percent. If you have not seen this movie, I will not spoil the ending for you, but just about everything in it gave me perhaps the angriest reaction to any scene I watched this year. And for those of you who say these movies are supposed to be dumb fun, okay. Make them fun then! This movie was not that fun. It was one of the most intolerable, brain-melting experiences I ever had in a movie theater. Are there occasional moments that get my approval? Sure. That Pete Davidson cameo was pretty cool. I think they improved John Cena’s character from the last film and utilized his comedic talents a bit more. And it is amazing that I am bringing this guy back into the conversation again, Jason Momoa does an okay job as the villain. He is kind of chuckle-worthy at times. But there are serious overwhelming negatives to this picture to the point where it would be an utter chore for me to turn it on again, even on basic cable for the sake of emitting background noise. If you want a good “Fast & Furious” movie, go watch the original. It’s basically “Point Break” with street racing, but it delivers quite a rush. Want one that’s dumb and fun? Watch “Furious 7!” Between the white-knuckle action, creative sequences, and engaging rivalry between the protagonist and antagonist, it might actually be my favorite film of the franchise. If the next “Fast & Furious” movie comes out and it is somehow worse than what we got here, then I might be done with this franchise if they decide to keep going, and I could potentially be done with movies period. But thankfully, I am done with this rant. Now the real question is, what could beat this movie? I did not see “Expend4bles” this year, so congratulations to Jason Statham for not having another movie on this list. But while he may be safe, there is another manly, muscular actor who should worry.
I am not going to lie. My #2 and #1 picks are almost interchangeable. #2 could be #1 tomorrow and vice versa. But I put them in the spots in which they lie right now because #2 had more notable positives that I can recall at this point. The positives in this next film barely stand out and if I am being quite honest with you, it is somewhat difficult to point out anything that stands out in this next entry. That said, there was only one movie this year that I ended up giving a 1/10 score to on this blog, and I stand by it completely. The worst movie I saw in 2023 is “Freelance.” This is one of those movies that lacks flair, lacks charm, lacks energy, basically it lacks any semblance of quality whatsoever. Talk about a piece of schlocky garbage full of awkward humor, awkward dialogue, and awkward chemistry! So much so that it may have broken yours truly upon leaving the little slice of Heaven on earth known as AMC Burlington Cinema 10. This movie stars John Cena! Come on! I am not going to pretend John Cena is the greatest actor in the world, but he has been heavily improving his craft, mostly thanks to his work with James Gunn. I thought he was on the right path to balancing his abilities in comedy and drama. In “Freelance,” John Cena is about as interesting as a terms and services agreement. Alison Brie is not that much better. But maybe their characters could be a saving grace… No they are not! John Cena plays arguably the most insufferable, sorriest excuse of a protagonist I have ever seen. Cena’s character sounds like the worst dad in the world when he is talking to his kids. I honestly found his wife, played by Alice Eve, to be more appealing in the first few minutes because she actually sounded like someone who was, I do not know, a genuinely good person. Sure, the movie tries to get you to feel bad for Cena’s character, but it fails miserably. Some of my favorite movies make me ask thought-provoking questions. Those kinds of films have a monumental impact on me. “Freelance” just made me ask “Why?” in almost every other scene. The performances are about as stale as convenience store pizza. The dialogue is some of the most cringe-inducing I have heard all year. Nothing in this movie was funny, thrilling, or exciting. At times it was either a complete bore or an utter chore.
I love a good story where our main hero gets a chance to take on something bigger than themselves. When they get a shot at a dream. When they face significant obstacles. But these aspects are much more likely to work if the character is admirable. If I don’t like the character, why should I care? I did not like anyone in the film. If anything, the closest I got to “liking” a character was whenever Venegas, the dictator, was on screen. He was this film’s closest example to being a scene stealer, but when I say that, I say that generously. If the characters of a movie barely emit any spark or luster, than chances are that the movie I am watching is a waste of time. And unfortunately, this waste of time fails as an action movie. It fails as a thriller. It fails as a comedy. It fails as whatever other random genre it tries to insert from time to time. Why did John Cena decide to do this movie? Was Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson too busy? At least if he starred in it we could have continued joking about the supposed contractual obligation The Rock has about having scenes featuring his character in the jungle.
What really shocks me here, and I am amazed that I almost forgot about this, is that this film is directed by Pierre Morel. If that name sounds familiar, he directed a few films, including one of my favorite Liam Neeson flicks, “Taken.” You know, the one movie he did several years ago that many of the movies he did after feel like they rip off to some degree? Not only was this a shock to me because of how great “Taken” was, but I was shocked that Morel agreed to helm a film where we go from watching a protagonist who could arguably be the father of the year to seeing a lame excuse of a parent as the center. If not for the big stars like John Cena, Alison Brie, and Alice Eve just to name a few, I would not be shocked to find out in another reality that this movie would probably be dumped onto streaming. And I would have been happy about that, because chances are if I had watched it, I would be more likely to forget it. But because I put my time into going to the cinema to watch this movie, it means something more. In fact, if you read my review, you’d know that I had to go to two different theaters to watch this movie because I left my wallet at home and I had to miss the first showtime. I feel like I put ten times the commitment into watching this movie than its screenplay does at delivering a good time. “Freelance” is an eyesore to the tenth degree. It is this year’s finest example of how not to make a movie. It is ultimately the worst film of 2023.
Thanks for reading this countdown! I very much hope you enjoyed looking back at the ten movies I saw this year that made me want to punch myself in the face for having watched them. In the community, there is a stigma if you will against these worst movies lists, saying that they should not be made. The reason why I continue to do them is because I believe in balance. You cannot have the good without the bad. It is my job on Scene Before to tell you which movies you should see, which also means it is my job to be honest when there is a movie you should avoid. So for those who don’t do worst lists, I completely understand why you don’t and I am not gonna rag you for it. I get it. I just think my work would be incomplete if I don’t do this. But pretty soon, we are going to be turning the frown upside down, because next week, it is onto the positives, it is almost time to reveal my top 10 BEST movies of 2023! I am quite excited to share these with you guys. Honestly, this year for movies has been nothing short of thrill-inducing. It is easily one of the best I have done on this blog right next to 2018. I cannot wait to talk about the greatest hits one more time. If you want to see this and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, what are your worst movies of 2023? What are some of the movies you saw this year you found to be nothing but hot garbage? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!
“Anyone But You” is directed by Will Gluck (Friends with Benefits, Peter Rabbit) and stars Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria, The Handmaid’s Tale), Glen Powell (Hidden Figures, Top Gun: Maverick), Alexandra Shipp (X-Men: Apocalypse, Barbie), GaTa (Good Mourning, Dave), Hadley Robinson (Utopia, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty), Michelle Hurd (Star Trek: Picard, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), Dermont Mulroney (The Wedding Date, About Schmidt), Darren Barnet (Never Have I Ever, Gran Turismo), Bryan Brown (Cocktail, The Thorn Birds), and Rachel Griffiths (The King’s Daughter, Hacksaw Ridge). This film is about man and a woman who meet in a coffee shop, hit it off romantically, only to have everything fall apart the next day. Some time later, the two reunite at a destination wedding in Australia all the while pretending to be a couple.
During many of my horror movie reviews, I would point out that horror is one of my weaker genres. When I started Scene Before, and even before I started, I tended to avoid horror because many of the movies coming out in said genre either looked identical or uninteresting. Thankfully, having explored more of the genre over the years, I have welcomed quite a few fascinating titles into my life. Similarly, romcoms are another type of film that usually slip under the radar for me. They’re just not my kind of movie. I’ve watched romcoms in the past. In 2019 I saw and reviewed “Long Shot” and “Isn’t It Romantic?,” which offered two completely different experiences for me. In 2022 I reviewed “Ticket to Paradise,” which ultimately got a thumbs up from me despite some problems that came up throughout the runtime. Last year, I reviewed “No Hard Feelings,” which I called a romcom in my review, though looking back it probably would be more accurate to call it a sex comedy than a romantic comedy. When it comes to this blog I have some experience with the genre. But compared to some other types of films, I am a bit of a novice here.
That said, this film is directed by Will Gluck, whose resume as a writer and director is kind of iffy. He previously did the recent “Peter Rabbit” movies, both of which I skipped because they looked like wastes of time. He did “Friends with Benefits,” which I thought was kind of cute. He also did the 2014 edition of “Annie,” which I watched once when it was on Starz. I did not see all of it, but I saw enough of to say I would rather devote my time to something more valuable. Gluck did not write this film, but he also directed “Easy A,” which thanks to some brilliant pacing, a great story, snappy editing, and a marvelous lead performance by Emma Stone, ended up being one of the more memorable coming of age stories of the 2010s.
So, going into “Anyone But You,” I cannot say I was stoked. But I would say I had generously moderate expectations.
Even with those expectations in mind, I was still let down.
This film is dumb. And I can tell it is dumb on purpose. But it is the kind of dumb I cannot appreciate. There is a difference between dumb fun and just dumb. This is the latter. Maybe it is because it is more in line with the films I usually like to seek out, I found a film like “Godzilla vs. Kong” to be an excellent example of dumb fun because even with the wooden characters and oddly structured storyline, the film has some of the best action I had seen in some time upon its release. It was a technical beast. The score was incredible. The special effects were really good. There was a lot to appreciate visually that kept the movie from being bad, unlike its 2019 predecessor, “Godzilla: King of the Monsters.” On the other hand, there are plenty of times in “Anyone But You” where visual gags popped up that either did not generate a reaction out of me, or if they did generate one, it was one that I don’t think the movie would have been going for.
Much of the humor in “Anyone But You,” most notably in the first half, are visual gags that either have to do with private parts or showing off ironclad bodies, sometimes both. It’s the same joke over and over again. If the joke is not funny the first time. Then it is not funny the second, third, fourth, and fifth time. The joke was old when it started, and it was basically on its deathbed by the film’s halfway mark.
My favorite joke in the movie though is one that involves a koala. Of course, Australia, koalas. What a pair. But there are a couple moments in the movie where we see a koala, and those made for my most notable reactions of the film. The jokes are so simple and quick, but that’s part of what makes them great.
And speaking of Australia, one joke that got old really fast was how much this movie utilized the character of Beau. The actor who portrays him, Joe Davidson, said in a press release, “Beau is what you get when you mix all the Australian islands and icons all into one character.” I have lived in the Boston area all my life, and I have seen a number of movies where the characters in said area will have noticeably played up accents. Movies like “The Departed” and “Good Will Hunting,” both of which I enjoyed. But the accents in both of them are definitely over the top, I’d say particularly more so in the former at times but I’d have to watch both films again to compare and contrast. And sometimes when the accents, and in the case of “Anyone But You,” the stereotypes, happen to be this played up, it is distracting. It is almost annoying. Beau is a living, breathing caricature of what some people would perhaps interpret as a hunky, Hemsworth-like Australian. And of course, they make a Hemsworth joke in the movie. Totally didn’t see that coming at all… It reminded me, as a Bostonian, when I saw “80 for Brady” and we would cut to the commentators and they would spew out the most asinine, ear-destroying Boston accents I remember hearing in film history. Safe to say, they were wicked awful. I am not saying there is anything wrong with Australia, their traditions, and what people think of them. I just think the jokes here range somewhere between lazy and overdone.
But how are the two leads of the film? I mean, they’re okay I guess. Sydney Sweeney does an alright job in her role and the material given to her, but there is not as much an oomph in her character or performance compared to what I would have liked to see. But I have to say, Glen Powell is a powerhouse in this film. I honestly forgot how charming he is. I thought Powell was one of the highlights of “Top Gun: Maverick,” and I am glad he is bringing the same appeal to this movie. While I did not love the movie, the material, the jokes, basically a ton of things in it, my biggest positive of the film is that I cannot see anyone other than Glen Powell playing his respective role. The movie is not funny, but Powell makes the most of what is in front of him and he is clearly trying. I just wish he were written better.
One of the more prominent problems I have with “Anyone But You” is that it ultimately feels like two different movies. Yes, I know it is a romantic comedy, which basically promises a romantic movie and a comedic movie all in one package, but the movie as a whole seems to lack a sense of consistency. The first half is a plethora of failed attempts at comedy, and the movie seems to dive into something more serious by the end of it that quite frankly did not keep me hooked. Part of that is because I never found myself completely invested with the characters in the first half. And the weird part is, despite noticing more obvious comedic attempts in the first half of the film, I am looking back at the film and would say I found the second half to be funnier.
As the film continues, it becomes cliche-riddled, bore-inducing, and tiresome. Is the movie offensively bad? I would not go that far. But it is far from the first pick I would make on a Friday movie night. Again, romcoms are not my genre, but I have come to a point in my life where I am practically okay watching any kind of movie regardless of the genre or what it is advertised to be. That said, I also heard enough about this film have some hesitancy towards it, and I felt as if I was right on those reservations. The film is not funny, overly cheesy, not romantic, and kind of forgettable. There are so many other options in theaters right now that I think you would be doing yourself a favor if you check out something else instead.
In the end, “Anyone But You” did not work for me. This is a romantic comedy that is neither romantic or funny. The jokes not only sometimes feel been there done that, but even the more clever ones fell flat because they felt as if they were repeating an earlier comedic attempt. Going forward, I am probably not going to remember a single character’s name from this film, maybe except Bea, partially because she is the lead, but the film somewhat reminded me of “Titanic” because of how many times I had to hear the names “Jack” and “Rose” in its extended runtime. I felt as if I had a similar experience hearing Bea’s name throughout the film. This movie is stupid and I feel dumber for having wasted my time on it. I would rather watch anything but this film if you ask me. I am going to give “Anyone But You” a 4/10.
“Anyone But You” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.
Thanks for reading this review! Happy New Year, everyone! And it is time to celebrate with some end of the year countdowns! Pretty soon I am going to be sharing my lists for my best and worst movies of 2023! Stay tuned! If you want to see these lists and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Anyone But You?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your least favorite movie genre? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!
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