Countdown | Scene Before

Top 10 BEST Movies of 2025

Photo by Marvel Studios/MARVEL STUDIOS – © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 MARVEL.

Hey everyone, Jack Drees here! It is time to count down my top 10 BEST movies of 2025. This year has been in a word, complicated. There is a lot going on in the world right now. Granted, there always has been. But there is a lot going on that stands out to me, so I will take any chance I get to escape by watching a movie. Some of those movies have been complete and total bangers. I have reviewed those movies throughout the year, but now you will get to see me sum up my thoughts about them once more. If you are new to these end of the year countdowns, the rules are simple.

No touching of the hair or face. Never cross the streams. And do not feed the Gremlins after midnight.

Okay, in all seriousness… The rules are simple. Everything you see here is based on my personal thoughts and experiences, which are not based on scientific law, but rather on artistic opinions. If you disagree with something on this list, here is my suggestion. Make your own. Also, I did not see every single movie that came out in 2025. I have seen a lot of movies this year, but if you are wondering about my thoughts on movies like “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,” “Predator: Badlands,” “Train Dreams,” and “It Was an Accident,” I apologize, but I did not see those prior to making this list. One last thing, I have to say this every year, and I recognize it makes me look like a snob, but I stand by it, the movies on this list have to have had a theatrical release of some kind. Do not expect any straight to streaming movies on here. Do not expect any straight to DVD movies on here. Do not expect any straight to cable movies on here. They have their place, just not here. With that out of the way, let us begin with some honorable mentions.

Honorable Mention: Jay Kelly

The first honorable mention is “Jay Kelly.” Clooney leads this film as the titular character, and the story follows his various ups and downs in his family life, his personal life, and his work life. Each scene is as watchable as the last and the film does a great job at establishing the effects Kelly has on the people around him. Adam Sandler also stars, and it is nice to see him continue to expand his resume outside of the pure comedy genre.

Honorable Mention: Scarlet

This next film has not had a wide release yet, but I am counting it as it did screen for one weekend in select IMAX theaters. “Scarlet” is Mamoru Hosada’s latest anime and boy is it amazing. The film follows a young princess living in Medieval Times who dies before she can get revenge on her father’s killer. She fails to fulfill her goal by the time she dies, at which point she enters an afterlife where she runs into a medical worker from modern times. From then on, the two try to work together despite their differences. It is a thrilling adventure that looks absolutely beautiful. It is my favorite animated film of 2025.

Honorable Mention: Bring Her Back

Lastly for the honorable mentions is “Bring Her Back.” This film is directed by the Philoppou brothers, who also helmed another solid horror flick, “Talk to Me.” While I liked “Talk to Me,” “Bring Her Back” clicked with me just a little bit more. Sally Hawkins’ performance is one of the best of the year. The younger cast is well-written and just so happen to ace their roles. The climax is incredibly exciting. There is a lot to like about this movie. It is a definite must watch for horror fans.

With these movies out of the way, we have done the worst list, we have done the most disappointing list, and now, it is time for something positive! These are my top 10 BEST movies of 2025.

#10: Thunderbolts*

Photo by Marvel Studios/MARVEL STUDIOS – © 2025 MARVEL.

My #10 pick is “Thunderbolts*.” I saw this film twice in theaters. I loved it the first time and have only grown to appreciate it more on the second viewing. While “Thunderbolts*” is not my favorite Marvel movie, it is one of the better ones when it comes to dissecting the human condition. The film has a lot to say about mental health and how certain events of our lives could affect us down the road. “Thunderbolts*” also showcases the importance of not bottling your feelings up and keeping them too deep inside. The film shines a much needed light on mental health that I think a lot of people need this year, and probably will need for many years to come. “Thunderbolts*” copies and pastes certain elements from previous Marvel projects, but even this film’s familiarities are well done. Add in David Harbour’s Red Guardian as a solid comic relief, and you have a recipe for a fun but also impactful flick.

#9: One Battle After Another

Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures – © Warner Bros. Pictures

I took a trip to New York City in October and I had the privilege of seeing this next film at 8:30 in the morning in IMAX 70mm. Ladies and gentlemen, please do yourselves a favor, if “One Battle After Another” is playing near you, take advantage of the opportunity and check it out on the big screen. Technically speaking, this film is a goldmine. The film is shot on VistaVision, which has an aspect ratio that is a bit taller than your traditional flat screen TV. Not all screenings were capable of showcasing this, but those that did highlighted just how grand this movie can come off at times. Jonny Greenwood’s score is one of the mightiest of 2025, and as the film enters the climax, the music booms so heavily throughout the auditorium that it almost felt like I was in a concert hall listening to it live. Speaking of 2025 bests, Leonardo DiCaprio gives a performance to remember. He is given so much to do throughout the runtime and nails every little bit of it. The film is also likely going to open so many doors for Chase Infiniti, who plays the daughter of Leonardo DiCaprio’s character. The film is a bit long, but I was the engaged the entire time. It is hard to be bored with something as good as “One Battle After Another.”

#8: The Fantastic Four: First Steps

After years of trying, if you can call it that, I was unsure whether a good “Fantastic Four” movie was a possibility. That is until I saw “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” which may have been the most fun I had watching a superhero film this year. Overall, 2025 was a pretty decent year for superhero cinema, as long as you forget that the box office was not as strong as it was in the late 2010s. Regardless, “Fantastic Four” may not be Marvel’s biggest moneymaker, but it won my heart. The titular quartet are all charismatic and bring their individualities to the table, and that is more than just superpowers.

You have Reed Richards, whose highly intelligent brain results in some unique ideas. Beside him is his wife, Sue Storm, who serves as a core to the story when it dives into its deeply engaging dilemma. Johnny Storm strikes me as the fun party animal of the group, though to the movie’s benefit, he was definitely toned down from his 2000s variant played by Chris Evans. And the Thing is incredibly strong, but also seems to have a soft side while in front of children. Together they must go face to face with two compelling villains. Julie Garner may be the Silver Surfer, but her character has an occasionally ominous presence that is as good as gold. And you have Ralph Ineson as the fearsome Galactus, whose motivation is as simple as satisfying his hunger. I cannot blame the guy. We all gotta eat. The biggest standout of the movie for me is Michael Giacchino’s score, which I have listened to nonstop ever since this movie came out. The main theme from this film may be my all time favorite piece of music in the MCU. It packs in a classical feel that sometimes sounds like something you would hear in an urban nightclub. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” sometimes feels like what would happen if Tomorrowland from the Disney Parks became a feature film. That is unless you count the actual one with George Clooney from a decade ago. Whatever, I stand by this statement!

#7: Friendship

I walked out of this next film thinking I may have just seen the funniest comedy in years. If you have not seen “Friendship,” you are missing out on an obnoxiously hysterical masterpiece. Tim Robinson leads this film as a loser dad who tries to befriend his adventurous neighbor, played by Paul Rudd. The latter brings the former out of his comfort zone, the two bond, but their connection does not last very long. Despite its title, the film is not so much about the friendship itself, but more so the complications of Tim Robinson’s character trying to maintain it. We see how his actions affect the people he already knows. This is a wildly entertaining comedy that features some fleshed out characters. Also, it is a tried and true theory that people falling when they hit glass will always be funny, and this movie showcases a shining example of that.

#6: If I Had Legs I’d Kick You

If it were not for “Fackham Hall,” then “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” would take the award for best movie title of 2025. But the positives go far beyond the intriguing name. When I reviewed this movie, I described it as this year’s “Uncut Gems.” For the record, I saw “The Smashing Machine” and “Marty Supreme” sometime after watching this film. Yet even after seeing those two, which were separately directed by the brothers who helmed “Uncut Gems,” I thought “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” was the must see extended anxiety attack of 2025. It is hard to say if this film is going to be for everyone, because it deals with a lot of heavy issues, but the way the film handles all these issues makes for something special. If you are a parent, most especially a mom, I think you are going to relate to “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” in some way. Linda, played by the enormously talented Rose Byrne, deals with one issue after another. Not just the typical issues that many moms have to deal with, but she has a child who is ill, her husband is out of the picture, and when she is not dealing with her child, she turns her attention to her job as a therapist. Also, the biggest surprise of a performance in 2025 can be found in this movie. Conan O’Brien showcases his dramatic chops as a Therapist. I was not sure what to expect out of this performance, but I was floored with O’Brien’s efforts here. 2025 has proven that Conan O’Brien still has a knack for comedy based on his hosting of the Oscars. But if you are looking for him to take on something a bit more dramatic, then I implore you to watch “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.”

#5: The Long Walk

A number of Stephen King works were brought to the big screen this year, including “The Long Walk,” which is way more intense than its title might suggest it to be. “The Long Walk” is set following the end of a war. At this time, a bunch of young men compete against one another in an event where everyone must walk together at the same pace, or face certain death. Leading these young men is a very arrogant Mark Hamill as the Major. I sense the dark side in this character for sure. As for the young men themselves, the film does a solid job at fleshing each one out, including the film’s lead, played by Cooper Hoffman. Everything in “The Long Walk” is straight to the point. It contains plenty of killer while dodging right past the filler. The film is pretty bloody and gory. If you can handle that, this cinematic experience may be for you.

#4: Hans Zimmer and Friends:

This year was a first for Scene Before, I reviewed a concert film! And said film was so electrifyingly epic that it had to end up on my top 10 somewhere. That film is “Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert.” I love Hans Zimmer. I even attended the actual concert this film is based on several months before its release, so I felt the need to check this out. Throughout the year, I looked back on this project thinking it gave me two great movies for the price of one. Although one could argue it gave me three. It is part concert movie, part music video movie, and part documentary. All of these elements are done with excellence. When the film is not busy showcasing Hans Zimmer’s music, either at an actual concert or in a video specifically made for this picture, it splices in some fun and insightful interviews. I really enjoyed getting to know more about Hans himself, why he does his work, and the impact he has had on those who worked through the same projects with him. I particularly enjoyed the interview towards the end of the film where Zimmer explains why he ended up embracing “The Lion King,” Not just because it is a favorite film of mine, but the project subverted his expectations upon diving deeper into what it was about, how it reminded him of his own experiences. That said, I watched this film in theaters as part of a Fathom Event, and I do think the sound could have been upped just a smidge. Other than that, this is an excellent project featuring one of cinema’s greatest composers.

#3: The Life of Chuck

“The Long Walk” is not the only incredible Stephen King adaptation brought to the screen this year. A few months before that film came out, I had the privilege of watching the joyous and inspiring flick, “The Life of Chuck.” This is a film that makes me think about life. It sounds like a corny thing to say, but I would not be telling this to you if it was not true. “The Life of Chuck” is presented in a non-linear order, where we begin with act three, time travel backwards to act two, and conclude with act one, which goes even further back in time. Each act, as the title suggests, represents Chuck’s life and legacy. The film implies that to understand one’s life, you have to look backwards. The entirety of act two by itself makes for one of my favorite scenes of the year. It oozes excitement, passion, and happiness. Every performer is on their A-game, including Mark Hamill, meaning he has taken on two Stephen King adaptations this year. The narration is also spot on. If its diction and timing were not enough to make it sound cool, then the use of Nick Offerman certainly does. Despite maintaining a sense of atmosphere, the film is most definitely at its slowest in its first 40 minutes. Although if you can make it through that, you are in for a treat through what is left of the movie.

#2: Is This Thing On?

This is the second-to-last film I saw in theaters in 2025, and boy did this year end with a bang. “Is This Thing On?” is the third film directed by Bradley Cooper. I can confidently say that this is my absolute favorite of his. Granted, my love for this film may be due to some personal biases that would be worth noting. For starters, I love standup comedy, and this film is about someone who tries becoming a standup comedian. Also, this film is about a couple dealing with the potential of divorce. While I have never been married, and as a result, never divorced, my parents are not together, so anytime a movie deals with a topic like this one, I am onboard. That said, it handles both of these topics very well. The movie presents the idea of a couple separating as a new beginning for both Alex and Tess. While the movie does not officially see these two legally divorced, we see the moments leading up to that potential point. During this time we see Alex find a new hobby with standup comedy. AS for Tess, we see her get back into volleyball, which she played when she was younger.

The film also does a fantastic job at highlighting reasons why people fall in love, as well as the difficulties of maintaining that spark that was felt at the beginning of the relationship. “Is This Thing On?” contains one of my favorite scenes of the year, where we find out about a picture of Tess that Alex hangs on the wall inside his apartment. This upsets Tess, even though in Alex’s mind, he hanged the picture as a sign of appreciation. The scene is a fantastic representation of how their relationship started, and how it likely lost its magic. Both Arnett and Dern give knockout performances, and it was also amusing to see how loved ones reacted to the separation. We see the couple’s children and parents asking questions and critiquing the relationship. We see how the separation affects their friends and the direction in which they decide to take their lives. The film has a star-studded cast that also includes Peyton Manning, Amy Sedaris, and Andra Day, all of whom do a great job in their roles. Bradley Cooper handles several responsibilities at once. He is not only credited as the film’s director, but he co-wrote the film alongside star Will Arnett and Mark Chappell. Cooper even has a notable role on-screen as Balls. I have little to no notes on his efforts here.

As of this list’s publication, “Is This Thing On?” is only out in select cities. I was lucky to live close enough to Boston to get a chance to see it a couple days after Christmas. But if you are okay with waiting, or the film is not playing in your area, it is expanding into more theaters on January 9th. Please go check this one out. You’ll be entertained. You’ll be moved. You’ll be wowed.

#1: Secret Mall Apartment

I had some pretty cool theatrical experiences in 2025, between getting to see “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” in IMAX 70mm… Watching “Shelby Oaks,” a film I partially funded, finally come to life on the big screen… And seeing an extended cut of one of my childhood favorites, “Spider-Man 2.1,” at a Fathom Event in D-Box… but regardless of how this next movie turned out, I was going to be able to brag to everyone that I got to see it exactly where it was shot.

Thankfully, “Secret Mall Apartment,” to my utter amazement is the best film of the year. Until this very countdown, I have only put one documentary on my top 10 BEST movies lists, and that was “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”, which is about children’s TV icon Fred Rogers. “Secret Mall Apartment” is in rare company with that film, and the recently mentioned “Hans Zimmer & Friends.” It is not like I am against documentaries. But there are only so many that are theatrically released that I have time to watch. But I had to go see “Secret Mall Apartment” the moment I knew exactly what was. The film is about eight people who lived inside Providence Place, Rhode Island’s largest shopping center, between 2003 and 2007. As someone who lives in New England and has had an oddball obsession with malls as a child, I knew about this story for years, but not in its entirety. I am so happy to see it finally be brought to the big screen with archival footage and everything. The movie’s concept got me in the door, but there is so much more than meets the eye.

This movie sold me instantaneously on its larger than life, but completely true concept. It already had me on its hyperbolic nature, but what sealed the deal for me as the movie kept going is how joy-inducing it is. Yes, it is about a group of people who are basically trespassing and secretly taking advantage of the mall’s resources, but these are genuinely kindhearted people who are passionate for the arts and have sometimes used their art to make people’s days better or shine a light on others who deserve it. The movie dedicates an extended period of time to tape art, and it warmed my heart. I was expecting to be floored by “Secret Mall Apartment” in terms of the story’s overall absurdity, but I was not anticipating to be floored by how much the movie made me smile and see the good in humanity. “Secret Mall Apartment” is a genuine feel-good movie about a group of artists that also just so happens to feature a story about that same group living at a mall in which they had no business setting up a home.

The film does a great job at not just establishing its main characters, but also making the mall, as well as the city of Providence, characters of their own. The film does a great job at describing the city’s quirky charm, part of which ties to the characters’ own experiences as artists. I have been to Providence Place numerous times, and this film made realize things about it that amaze me to this day despite how often I have been there. The film does a great job at highlighting how the mall essentially ignored a large part of its own city, even as it was being built. One side of the mall that points west has no entry points from the street. The opposite side does, however, and one could argue that side is the “nicer,” “cleaner,” side of Providence with easy access to places like hotels and the Capitol. As someone who has been to that mall and seen its evolution, it is amazing to me to realize that this mall started out as a place for people who have more disposable incomes. The mall has a lot more down to earth stores than it did back in the day. Also, similar a lot of other properties of its kind, it is somewhat debatable at this point as to whether the mall has a future.

Like I said in my review, the people that make up this story are not troublemakers. They are simply trying to get by. In fact, the film highlights the group living in the mall as a way to move on from losing their homes. The film puts a spotlight on gentrification while also making for one of the most wildly entertaining hours and a half I have ever used up in my life. Now that I have seen this done as a documentary, it begs the question as to whether this concept could work as a written narrative. Honestly, after seeing this film, it is hard for me to imagine it as such, especially considering the B-plot about tape art. These feel like two separate movies that I am not exactly sure if they would blend perfectly if dramatized. But as a documentary, both of these movies combined into one neat package. That said, there was a movie released this year by the name of “Roofman,” about a guy who spent an extended period of time living in a Toys R Us. I have not seen that movie, but as of this publication, both the critic and audience scores for it on Rotten Tomatoes are in the 80s. If that could work, maybe something on this story could work. But for now, I am more than happy with the documentary we got. Go check it out. It is streaming. It is on DVD and Blu-ray. You will thank me later. “Secret Mall Apartment” is my favorite movie of 2025.

Marvel Studios/MARVEL STUDIOS – © 2025 MARVEL. All Rights Reserved.

Thanks for reading this countdown! You have seen my worst list, most disappointing list, and now my best list! With me doing a most disappointing list you may ask why I did not make a most surprising, or expectation-exceeding list. If I had it in me, I would publish one, but it was much easier for me to think about the films that let me down as opposed to the ones that went beyond my hype levels. I get excited to watch just about any movie, so maybe my constant excitement and hope that a film does well could play a factor. That said, I hope you enjoyed this epic trilogy of countdowns and I look forward to seeing more movies and putting out more reviews in 2026. This is going to be a good year, and I have some proof to back me up.

On a personal note, 2026 officially marks ten years of Scene Before! The official anniversary is in March, but the celebratory spirit is something I intend to carry throughout the year. Thank you to everyone who viewed this blog over the years and made me a very happy Movie Reviewing Moron.

In honor of the 10th Anniversary, I have 10 movie reviews already planned. I did not see the movies yet, but those will be in progress throughout the year, in a series I like to call… Celebrity Movie Requests!

Yes, some of your favorite stars have requested 10 movies for me to talk about and review! This year, you will see reviews as requested by an Emmy nominee, an Average Joe, a guardian, a video store owner, a sci-fi TV icon, a clerk, a game show host, a Jedi, a loudmouth, and a theme park manager. I will unveil the official guests down the line, but these are your hints for now if you would like to make any advance guesses.

Also, per usual, I will be doing the Jack Awards, it is Scene Before’s annual awards show dedicated to the best films of the year! As has been tradition in the past, the Best Picture category is based on my top films of the year, so chances are you could see the entire top 10 listed above represented in that category by the time I announce the nominees. This year’s edition is going to take place a bit earlier than usual… Look forward to the unveiling of the nominations on Sunday, January 25th, followed by the official ceremony on February 8th!

If you want to see these upcoming events 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 2025? Do you have a list? Do you think I missed a movie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Top 10 MOST DISAPPOINTING Movies of 2025

Posted on 5 Days Ago by Jack Drees

Hey everyone, Jack Drees here! It is time to count down my top 10 MOST DISAPPOINTING movies of 2025. Note the choice of words. These are not my least favorite or worst films of the year. I already made a list dedicated to that. These are not the films that I found the be the most intolerable, but rather the ones that I went into with high expectations, only to have them not be met. Spoiler warning, some of the films on the worst list make their way here. Sometimes a film is just plain bad, like I would anticipate it to be. I look forward to seeing every film that comes my way and hope for the best, but even with that in mind, I have to be a realist. If a trailer or poster does not impress me before seeing the film, it automatically lowers my expectations. That might as well be a long-winded way of saying “A Minecraft Movie” is not on this list. But sometimes a film, like ones that find their way on this list, are surprisingly unwatchable. Do we understand? Okay. Rant over.

That said, some ground rules apply to this list. This is completely subjective. Chances are we are not going to agree on what movies belong on this list. It only makes the world more interesting. Also, I have not seen every single film released in 2025. So, if there is a film that disappointed you that did not make the list, chances are I did not catch it, or I did not find it as underwhelming as you. Also, all of the movies here are theatrical releases. I do not count films that are straight to streaming, DVD, or television. In the spirit of disappointment, I apologize, but if you were looking forward to seeing some honorable mentions, you set your expectations too high. We are diving straight into the main event. These are my top 10 MOST DISAPPOINTING movies of 2025!

#10: Riff Raff

Starting off this list is “Riff Raff.” I am not going to pretend I knew a ton about “Riff Raff” months before seeing it, which is part of why it is one of the superior spots on this list. Although the main reason why “Riff Raff” made this list is because I thought it could have utilized its ensemble cast a lot better than it did. You have Jennifer Coolidge, Ed Harris, Bill Murray, Pete Davidson, Gabrielle Union. Some of these people are straight up icons! While it is fun to see a group like this one work together, part of me wishes they could have been in something far better. The film does have a laugh or two and it does get a bit twisted, but I think the positives in this film are quite bare. It is hard to say that I find the redeeming qualities of “Riff Raff” to stand out significantly. The film has some halfway decent comedy and drama, but I ended up forgetting a ton of it upon leaving the theater. That said, at least it is not the worst thing Jennifer Coolidge starred in this year. As much as I admire her, I cannot stand “A Minecraft Movie.” It is not good.

#9: The Phoenician Scheme

Courtesy of TPS Productions/Focus Features – © 2025

This film made my worst list, but now it is facing double trouble! “The Phoenician Scheme” is just plain insufferable, and it is only made worse because it is helmed by a well-known, respected director. I have a soft spot for Wes Anderson. I got a kick out of “Bottle Rocket.” “Moonrise Kingdom” is a solid flick. I even dug “Isle of Dogs.” But this? No no no. This is not quite doing it for me. The only scheme I see here is the one where this movie steals your money. Another reason why this film made the list is, like “Riff Raff,” because of the cast. And while that film had quite a few big names, it is nothing compared to the amount of superstars that make up the ensemble in “The Phoenician Scheme.” Everyone from Scarlett Johansson to Benecio del Toro to Benedict Cumberbatch to Tom Hanks to Richard Ayoade to Jeffrey Wright… I love all of these people, but again, I wish they all came together to star in something worth watching. This is also the second Bill Murray movie on this list. Not surprising though, he and Anderson have worked together several times. Why not one more?

#8: The Smashing Machine

Benny Safdie does not have the legacy of Wes Anderson, but he has proven to be a solid filmmaker alongside his brother Josh. While the latter ended up directing the terrific “Marty Supreme” this past year, the former unfortunately helmed “The Smashing Machine,” which I thought could have been better. This film, going into it, as well as coming out of it, reminded me of how I felt experiencing “Uncut Gems,” which the Safdie Brothers previously directed. Both films star actors in a main role you probably would least expect them to take on. In “Uncut Gems” you have Adam Sandler, and in “The Smashing Machine,” you have Dwayne Johnson. I am happy to say that Johnson aces his role, and so does Emily Blunt in hers. But those are the only two positive standouts of the film for me. I thought the story was surprisingly boring and forgettable. The film did not feel as experiential as I thought it would be. I remember walking out of “Uncut Gems” kind of anxious. I walked out of “The Smashing Machine” ready to move onto the next movie.

#7: Tron: Ares

Fun fact, I saw this next film in IMAX 3D. So, I got an extra dimension of disappointment. “Tron: Ares” is a digital mess. I am a sucker for “Tron.” Before going to see “Tron: Ares” I watched both of the previous installments back to back and those two are easily more memorable than this threequel. The film also feels like wasted potential. I thought it could have been cool to see what would happen if characters and concepts from the digital world in “Tron” entered the real world, but the execution of that concept ends up fizzling. This film stars Jared Leto, who seriously cannot catch a break. I do not think he is a bad actor by any means, but for whatever reason, he always ends up in the least watchable projects between “Suicide Squad,” “Morbius,” and now this. I barely remember any of the characters from this film, other than the fact that they sometimes spewed some of the cheapest dialogue of the year. Technically speaking, this film rocks at times. That does save it. The sound mixing is unbelievable. The visual effects are spellbinding. Nine Inch Nails has some good music throughout. And again, I saw this film in IMAX 3D. While I am not a huge 3D fan, the 3D in this film was kind of fun.

#6: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

Courtesy of Netflix – © 2025 Netflix, Inc.

At #6, we have “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” or the third film in the “Knives Out” franchise. Like the two previous installments, this one is directed by Rian Johnson. I thought the first “Knives Out” may have been his all time best work, and the second is also quite fun. This third one, like the others, is good, but not great. The cast, like the other movies, contains some big names, but this film seemed to be lacking in the what I would call “the performance.” By that I would mean the performance that I would continue to think about for days after watching this film. In “Knives Out” those were Ana de Armas and Chris Evans. In “Glass Onion,” those were Kathryn Hahn and Dave Bautista. It was hard for me to put a finger on the one actor that gave a performance like those four. Sure, like the other movies, Daniel Craig is fantastic as Benoit Blanc, and he is clearly having a ball. But the rest of the cast almost pales in comparison.

#5: M3GAN 2.0

Photo Credit: Universal Pictures – © 2025 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

While it is not my favorite horror film of all time, I appreciate the original “M3GAN” for its fine mix of scares and commentary. That film remained on my mind long after seeing it. So, when “M3GAN 2.0” was coming out, I knew I had to see it. Or at least I thought I knew… This is sequel that takes the vibe, tone, and familiar elements of the original “M3GAN” and puts them in a bold new direction. I have no problem with this. Just because one thing is not like the other, it does not mean that both things cannot be good. Except this second installment is not that good in the least. Instead of laughing with the movie, I found myself laughing at it because of how ridiculous things ended up getting at certain points. The action in this film is decently laid out, but not really much else in the film stands out for me as a positive. I do not mind the M3GAN character, although chances are this film did so poorly that I think it may have killed the chances of us getting a major project with her anytime soon.

#4: Love Hurts

We have yet another film with a solid cast, but for whatever reason, things did not quite work out. That film, my friends, is “Love Hurts.” And boy, did the experience of watching this hurt. “Everything Everywhere All at Once” was a massive comeback for Ke Huy Quan. I am glad to see him keep finding work in movies. He was just in “Kung Fu Panda 4” and after this film released he was in “Zootopia 2.” While Quan may be on a roll when it comes to voiceovers, I wish this live-action effort had more of an oomph. He is great in the movie, but the film itself does not live up to his charisma. The action scenes are often well choreographed and planned. I could see myself going on YouTube at some point just to watch certain sequences of the film a second time. As for the whole movie, I cannot see myself watching it again. If I were to watch it again, maybe I would mute it. The script and dialogue in this project are no match for the visuals.

#3: Materialists

A lot of the films on this list have nice casts that are totally wasted, great directors who do not showcase their full potential, or in the case of “The Phoenician Scheme” and “Wake Up Dead Man,” both. Turns out “Materialists” is yet another case of both being an issue. While this film’s cast is not as large as some of the others on this list, the star power is nevertheless strong here. You have Dakota Johnson, who has talent, but much like “Madame Web” in 2024, she felt kind of flat here. Joining her is Pedro Pascal, who quite literally was in a much more “fantastic” project released later this year. Completing this love triangle is Chris Evans, who does his best here, but it is not enough to make a good movie. The film sounds promising, but it ends up being kind of a waste. I had high expectations going into this film not just because of the cast, but because Celine Song ended up helming it. I could see why the three recently mentioned stars took on the project. If you have not seen Celine Song’s excellent 2023 film “Past Lives,” you are missing out on one the most heartwarming, emotionally striking films of the decade. It is sad to see that this is how she followed up that masterpiece. The film deals with fascinating ideas and topics about love, money, and why certain partners stick together, but for whatever reason they could not stick the landing. I would love to see what else Celine Song has up her sleeve, and I hope that this is just the one dud in her career. I think she has a promising future, but this is not the outing I anticipated following “Past Lives.”

#2: Captain America: Brave New World

I have established many times on this blog that I liked every Marvel Cinematic Universe movie that has come out since “Avengers: Endgame.” Unfortunately, that streak stopped in February 2025 with the release of “Captain America: Brave New World.” This film did not know what it wanted to be. While it is called “Captain America” and places its titular character front and center, the script shoehorns so much extra material to the point where this becomes a crappy sequel to the 2008 “Incredible Hulk.” Marvel movies are known for their visual effects. While they often tend to be a positive in these projects, they have been taking a bit of a downturn as of late depending on the situation. “Captain America: Brave New World” feels like the lowest of the low when it comes to visual effects in the MCU. The action scenes did not even stand out to me that much. For a Marvel movie, the core elements that are typically positives surprisingly fail to live up to their true potential. At times, the movie looked and felt like something that was supposed to go straight to Disney+. Then again, the film made a lot of money at the box office, so maybe dumping it onto streaming would have been a poor choice. The film also feels tonally inconsistent. While I wish nothing but the best for the future of Danny Ramirez as an actor, I do wish his character, Joaquin Torres, were less of a cartoon. Maybe he could have worked in something like “Guardians of the Galaxy,” but “Brave New World” feels mostly grounded, that is until Torres starts talking. If the film proves anything as a positive, it is that Anthony Mackie is incredibly charismatic and I would not mind seeing more projects where he can play the lead. I love him as Falcon and I am happy to see the character get their own movie, but I wish this film lived up to some of the adventures of Steve Rogers. Also, as much as I love Harrison Ford, Red Hulk was kind of wasted.

#1: Fackham Hall

My number 1 biggest disappointment of the year for cinema is “Fackham Hall.” Yes… That is the actual title. I do not make the rules, I just facking enforce them. Expectations are a funny thing, because the reality is that me disliking this movie could debatably be my own fault. I did not make a most anticipated movies list going into 2025. However, if I knew this movie were a thing at the beginning of the year, chances are it would have ended up on it. For starters, the trailer for this movie blew my socks off in every regard. I found almost every line in the film’s red band trailer, which I had seen for the first time in theatres, to be ridiculously hilarious. “Fackham Hall” is easily one of the funniest trailers I have ever seen. Sadly, the movie is nowhere near as comedic. Or, at least to me it is not. For all I know, I might have given the movie a more positive review had I not watched the trailer on YouTube several times after seeing it in the cinema. For the record, when it played in the cinema, it was not online yet. I kept waiting for the day it would finally drop, and when it did, I was one happy dude. Also, Jimmy Carr worked on this film. I do not think everyone reading this would be familiar with that name, but he is one of my favorite comedians and game show hosts. He happened to be writing this film along with a few other people, including his own brother, Patrick Carr.

Speaking of Jimmy Carr, he is also on screen as a vicar. He essentially has one joke in the movie done on repeat. I have massive respect for Jimmy Carr as a comedian, and if I wanted to hear Jimmy Carr not only tell more jokes, but also a greater variety of jokes, I will just go watch him in one of his specials or even on shows like “8 Out of 10 Cats.” I found him to be wasted here.

“Fackham Hall” is essentially “Downton Abbey” done in the spoofy spirit of “Naked Gun” and “Airplane.” I enjoy both of those movies. But “Fackham Hall” tries its best to make fun of its source material, but only takes the laughs so far. At times, the film feels like it was written by young adults who just learned adult humor but they have not heard enough complicated adult humor. In fact, the film has quite a bit of toilet humor that sounds like it comes out of a more mature Illumination movie. If you think the word “penis” by itself is funny, and that is the pinnacle of comedy for you, chances are you wrote this movie.

And before I forget, this film, while not the worst narrative of the year, at times feels kind of unstructured. While the film does advertise its murder mystery plot ahead of time, its placement in the final product feels rather out of the blue. Does it make sense? Sure. Should the film get rid of it? One could argue that it probably should not. But at the same time, its timing feels rather unexpected.

Prior to watching “Fackham Hall,” I had not watched the “Downtown Abbey” series, nor have I seen any of its feature films. I know enough about the series to understand it to some degree, but it is not for me. But for whatever reason, when the trailer for this film dropped, I lost my mind and I thought it made for an interesting concept. But the execution could not reach my high expectations, even if one could argue that said expectations were unfair. “Fackham Hall” may be cool title, but when it comes to the past year in cinema, there are so many fackin’ better uses of your time and money. “Fackham Hall” is my most disappointing movie of 2025.

Thanks for reading this countdown! So, we did the worst list and now, the most disappointing. Two negative lists in a row… I think it is time to go in a more positive direction. My next list is going to be for my top 10 BEST movies of 2025! I cannot wait to share these picks with you all, it is going to be fun.

Also, before we go any further, I just dropped a new poster for Celebrity Movie Requests! For those of you who saw my previous poster on Thanksgiving, you may think it looks exactly the same. There are some subtle differences though if you look close enough… Celebrity Movie Requests is an upcoming series where I review and talk about movies based on the requests of ten prominent people. I talked to them in 2025 and got their ideas on video to share with you all. I cannot wait to reveal who the special guests will be further down the road, along with the movies they asked me to review. Stay tuned for sometime later this year for more updates!

If you want to see the upcoming best list 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 most disappointing movies of 2025? Do you agree with this list? Do you think I missed a movie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Top 10 WORST Movies of 2025

Posted on 7 Days Ago by Jack Drees

Courtesy of Warner Bros. – © Warner Bros.

Hey everyone, Jack Drees here! It is time to count down my top 10 WORST movies of 2025. Some of you may call this the fun list. Some of you may call this the unnecessary list. I just call it the list that I have to do in order to remind myself and others that you cannot have good movies without the bad. Each movie I have seen this year has provided with a unique experience. Sometimes that results in something memorable. That said, as these movies suggest, sometimes the word “memorable” is not always a positive. Before we begin this list, I will remind everyone that I have not seen every movie that has come out in 2025. While it is unfortunate that I missed a few titles, it also means that I do not have to talk about certain movies that I have heard less than stellar things about like “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,” “Flight Risk,” and “Bride Hard.” Do not expect to see those on the list. Also, this is a subjective list. Everything you see here is based on my own experiences, staring at screens of my choice. Also, all the movies on this list have to have been released in theaters. If the film’s not in theaters, than it is technically “television.” Before we get to the top 10, there are a few dishonorable mentions to highlight for hopefully the last time.

And before I announce the first dishonorable mention, I will note that this year’s top 10 WORST list shows what an unfortunate year this has been for Comcast. Spoiler, a lot of their movies, whether they are from Universal Pictures or Focus Features, make the list. And before Comcast blacklists me from working at any of their outlets, I would like them to know that “The Odyssey” is my most anticipated movie of 2026 and I had a blast going to Universal in Orlando this year. I cannot wait to go back to see Epic Universe. It’s going to be sick. With that plea for mercy out of the way, let’s get this roast started.

Dishonorable Mention: Honey Don’t!

Courtesy of Focus Features – © Focus Features

And if you thought I was bluffing, turns out the first dishonorable mention is in fact a Focus Features movie, “Honey Don’t!.” This film is uniquely boring. While it may have star power courtesy of actors like Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, and Chris Evans, the film ends up being a complete drag. This is one of those movies that as soon as I left, my brain started vomiting out any information related to it that it had previously taken in. This is the second year in a row we’ve gotten a collaboration between Margaret Qualley and Ethan Coen, following 2024’s above average “Drive Away Dolls.” Safe to say, “Honey Don’t!” makes that film look like a masterpiece.

Dishonorable Mention: Captain America: Brave New World

I love Marvel, but even I have to admit that “Captain America: Brave New World” is not quite doing it for me. Other than the admirable lead performance by Anthony Mackie, there is not really much in this film to write home about. I thought some of the action sequences could have been more exciting. The special effects are some of the worst I can recall seeing in a modern superhero movie. And the film almost has an identity crisis! While the movie is called “Captain America,” the script acts as if it is supposed to be an “Incredible Hulk” sequel. That would be forgiven if the movie was good, but that is not the case!

Dishonorable Mention: Love Hurts

Going back to Comcast, it pains me a great deal to say that my last dishonorable mention is “Love Hurts.” I love Ke Huy Quan, and I am over the moon to see him keep getting work following his comeback in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” While “Love Hurts” does satisfy at times when it comes to action, it often feels like a case of style over substance. If you want to watch a better Ke Huy Quan movie released this year, go watch “Zootopia 2.” Skip “Love Hurts.”

With those movies down, it is time to put the Moron in Movie Reviewing Moron. These are my top 10 WORST movies of 2025!

#10: Wicked: For Good

© Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

I was not joking when I said Comcast’s movies would dominate this list. The honorable mentions are just the beginning. Coming in at number 10 is “Wicked: For Good!” The original “Wicked” did not make my top 10 worst list last year, and looking back, I believe a large part of that was because the second half of the film had me hooked at times. So, why did this one make the list? Bear in mind, I knew nothing about the original musical prior to these films coming out, but when “Wicked: For Good” gets to the material that was made famous by “The Wizard of Oz,” the execution of some of it did not sit right with me. By the end of this film, I thought the story lost almost any potential stakes it could have had. I felt like nothing really mattered or had much of a substantial impact. Some of the numbers were okay. I thought “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished” was a highlight. Though I cannot think of any other numbers that quite reached the same level. Much like the original “Wicked,” the film’s color palette is not that easy on the eyes despite the neat production design. I was not a huge fan of either of these movies. And one could argue that these movies were not made for me, and such an argument would probably have a point. Even so, I found myself uninterested in a lot of what this movie had to offer. Parts of it dragged. As a musical it could have been better. And as much as I love Jeff Goldblum, the dude cannot sing.

#9: Him

At #9 is another Comcast movie! I am talking about the forgettable horror flick known as “Him.” Despite this movie starting off with the main character watching a football game, becoming obsessed with the sport, and getting invited to a location where he gets to take on football training sessions, I think football could have used a little extra screen time. For the record, if you know me in real life, I am not much of a football fan. But for a movie that is about football it could have used, I do not know, maybe more football. In my review for “Him,” I basically summed it up as “Whiplash” meets “Ex Machina.” You have a young man aspiring to be the next great in his desired field. That young man gets taken under the wing of an eccentric mentor, all the while staying at a remote facility. The film comes packed with fascinating ideas and concepts, but it ends up wasting every single one.

#8: M3GAN 2.0

Lookie here fellas, it is another Comcast film! Part of me was looking forward to this next movie, because I found myself to be pleasantly surprised by the original. This sequel surprised me too, but by that I mean I found myself surprisingly underwhelmed. “M3GAN 2.0” may have just killed its own franchise. If my personal opinion does not verify this claim, then the lackluster box office certainly does. I thought on paper, “M3GAN 2.0” had potential. The first “M3GAN” features its titular character as the baddie, but now she has become the hero. I thought that could have worked, but this idea was botched completely. At times, M3GAN reminded me of a variant of Deadpool who refuses to take their humor beyond a PG-13 level. Also, instead of a horror movie, like the first film was, this installment takes a more action-based route. I am all for franchises experimenting, trying new things, and going in oddball directions. But when it does not pay off, you get duds like “M3GAN 2.0.”

#7: Bugonia

Okay… Last Comcast film for now. Spoiler! Once this segment is over, we get back to bashing them in number five.

Ready for a hot take? I am not sure if you are, because this one’s as scorching as the Equator! “Bugonia” is easily one of the worst film experiences I have had this past year. While I respect Yorgos Lanthimos for delivering the banger of a flick known as “Poor Things,” this film, as well as a couple others he has done, has proven that his style may not be for me. I get that Jesse Plemons’ character was perhaps designed to be so moronic that he has fallen as deep into his echo chamber as he has, but it does not alter the fact that having to watch him be the hero of his own story for two hours was mind-numbing. Emma Stone, perhaps unsurprisingly, gives a solid performance. But it is not enough for me to give this film a pass. I will not deny that this film was disturbing, and that was perhaps the point. But when the point is so effective that I basically left the screening with a headache, I am not going to endorse the movie for that. I watch movies for many reasons. Hurting my brain is not one of them.

Throughout this countdown you are going to mostly see films I reviewed, but this next one is not one of them. I missed this film in the theater, but I ended up buying a used Blu-ray copy, which I ended up watching at the end of the year, and boy do I want my time and money back…

#6: The Alto Knights

This film showcases the talent of a popular actor whose films have influenced audiences worldwide, and this time around, they are playing not one, but two roles! Sounds an awful lot like “Sinners,” right? It is not. That movie was pretty good. Next up on this list is “The Alto Knights.” I am surely glad that I did not review “The Alto Knights” because that would have been a tough one to get through. While the first minute or so delivers an exciting, attention-grabbing scene, the rest of the film could not quite live up to that excitement. While I do appreciate Robert De Niro for taking on two roles, it is almost like the film is inserting two times the Robert De Niro to compensate for the utter boringness that ensues for its two hour runtime. This is one of those films that I was trying my hardest to stare at the screen and digest everything that was in front of me, but it felt near impossible to do so. I cannot name a single aspect of this film that stood out to me, maybe other than the production design. Well, that and some of the accents. This film is overacted to a sick degree sometimes. Overall, “The Alto Knights” could have been intriguing, but it falls flat on its face.

#5: The Phoenician Scheme

Is it just me? Or is Wes Anderson slowly losing his magic? I had fun with “The French Dispatch,” but after seeing “Asteroid City” in 2023, and now “The Phoenician Scheme” in 2025, which I found even worse, I am starting to question when, or if, he will deliver his next great film. Much like “The Alto Knights,” “The Phoenician Scheme” starts off with an enticing hook. We see our main character caught in a plane crash, and we find out that this is one of several he has been through. As soon as the first minute of the film is complete, it is all downhill from there. The film may have a humungous, recognizable cast, but that honestly makes the experience of watching it much worse! These people could have done anything, but they chose to be in something as dull as this! Yes, I know, a lot of people would kill to work with Wes Anderson. Nevertheless, I wish Anderson himself gave this cast significantly better material to utilize. I do not mind a Wes Anderson quirkfest, but quirks are not enough to make a good movie. I hope he can get out of his slump and deliver the next “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” I would much rather watch that over this garbage.

#4: The Ruse

If you want a horror flick that is a total snooze, look no further, because I present to you, “The Ruse!” The best part of “The Ruse” is Veronica Cartwright’s shining performance, but almost everything else feels insignificant compared to that. Well, okay, some of the locations are nice. There is that. Although, as I look back at the movie, I do not recall a whole ton about the other characters. Nothing really stood out about any of them. Each one felt paper thin. Few things disappoint more than a horror film that is not scary. The film contains plenty of jumpscares, which despite some decent buildup, often came off as cheap. The story gets more absurd as it goes along. As the film’s climax played out, it did not feel that satisfying. Much of the material felt like something that belonged in a second act. Overall, this movie should have been better than what it delivered. Veronica Cartwright deserves better. The rest of the cast and crew deserve better. The audience deserves better.

#3: Jurassic World: Rebirth

Photo by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment – © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

We come to Comcast’s worst film of the year… The “Jurassic Park” franchise really needs to take a breather. And I think I am being friendly with that sentiment. If you disagree, then chances are you have not been exposed to whatever the heck “Jurassic World: Rebirth” turned out to be. There are a couple positive things I can say about “Jurassic World: Rebirth.” I found the dinosaur action to be an improvement over “Jurassic World: Dominion,” which made my 2022 worst list. And Gareth Edwards, like usual, does a decent job at highlighting scale. He did it spectacularly with the titular monster in 2014’s “Godzilla,” and then he did it again with AT-ATs in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” So, it is no surprise that he does a good job in that regard when it comes to showcasing the dinosaurs in “Jurassic World: Rebirth.” The film has some of the hottest stars working today including Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey, but their star power is not enough to keep this franchise’s engine running. The film’s screenplay leaves quite a bit to be desired. A lot of the film tends to feel like a homage to the original “Jurassic Park,” that is if that homage were exclusively sold at Dollar Tree. It’s not even good enough for Five Below. It’s that cheap. Some of the film comes off as a joke. One idea implemented into the script was that the general public living within the “Jurassic” franchise has become heavily fatigued by dinosaurs. They’ve become boring by this point. To that I say, try walking outside and looking at a bird. Yes, chances are a lot of you reading this see birds everyday. But birds have been around forever and been part of many people’s lives! You think society is bored by something as commonplace as freaking birds? Now you want to tell me people would rather watch paint dry as opposed to even look at a dinosaur? Also, has humanity gotten tired of zoos? We have had zoos and aquariums for many years! I was at an aquarium in Boston over the summer and the place was packed! Perhaps the film was trying to emulate the audience’s reaction to the franchise, as the more recent installments have not been as well received as the older ones. I have no clue. But I did not buy this idea for a second. Add in some cheesy one-liners that sound like they are out of a bad Michael Bay movie and then you get “Jurassic World: Rebirth.”

#2: A Minecraft Movie

Even though I refused to play it, this video game was so popular growing up that a feature film with big stars felt practically inevitable. While said feature film, unsurprisingly, made a lot of money, it is also rich in schlockiness. “A Minecraft Movie” may be the most excruciating hour and a half of cinema I watched this year. I caught “A Minecraft Movie” a couple weeks after it was released with a friend. He paid for the tickets, so I thank him for that. And while I saved some money, the movie ended up stealing my time. I was not the biggest fan of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” when that came out, as I thought it was unbelievably cliché. But at least it had a clear beginning, middle, and end with its titular protagonist at the front and center.

It is almost unclear who and what “A Minecraft Movie” is actually about. Maybe that is why it is called “A Minecraft Movie.” Even the title seems unsure of itself and what it wants to be. Is the film about Steve? Is it about the younger brother and sister? Is it about Jason Momoa’s character? Honestly, I do not care about what kind of story “A Minecraft Movie” wants to tell, because whatever it did tell me was a chore to sit through. None of the jokes were funny, and the whole movie comes off as if it were designed to be a meme. I can watch a film that refuses to take itself too seriously, but this one was a bit much. Jack Black gives a slightly less annoying performance than what he gave in last year’s “Borderlands,” but he is still a bit too overly obnoxious for my taste. The film has some notable stars, but few, if any, had decent material to work with. Danielle Brooks sounded like she did not want to be there. Jennifer Coolidge commits to what’s in front of her, but it does not make for the easiest watch. The only actor I like in the film is Jason Momoa, who plays a narcissistic video game shop owner. I thought he played the part well, even if some of his jokes felt like they were made for the under five crowd. Also, while this film is experiencing a cultural impact, I wish that impact did not associate with people bringing live chickens into movie theaters and throwing popcorn around the auditorium. The film is a 90 minute monstrosity through a cubed uncanny valley. I will admit though, my expectations were not that high for this film. So, at least I was not disappointed.

#1: Smurfs

Much like number 2, my final pick for this countdown is a family film. Although whereas I could see how “A Minecraft Movie” would appeal to a lot of young boys and maybe remain as a core part of their growing up, it a bit harder for me to see how exactly 2025’s “Smurfs” is going to maintain a long-lasting cultural impact of its own. I am not going to pretend I am all that into the “Smurfs” property. In fact, I went into this film with absolute morbid curiosity. The trailers irked me, and maybe that is where I should have held my horse. But for some reason, I decided to go see this film in the theater. What a life-affirming choice that was, not! The only “Smurfs” anything I watched prior to this movie was the 2011 live-action film, which to this day is one of the worst pictures I have ever seen. This 2025 animation is almost as infuriatingly awful as that atrocity. The movie may be called “Smurfs,” but at times it feels more like a 90 minute long Rihanna music video. Part of this is because, well, Rihanna plays Smurfette, one of the film’s main characters. The other main character in the film is No Name Smurf, played by James Corden. His resume amazes me to this day. I do not know if James Corden is purposefully picking roles in projects that he knows will end up being crap. Or, if the project starts off great, but Corden has magical powers to make his projects crappier. For all I know, chances are Corden thinks his projects always sound like masterpieces on paper. But between this film, “Cats,” and “The Emoji Movie” just to name a few, it is kind of astounding to see Corden take on one abominable project after another.

Of course, with this film being released in the 2020s, there is a multiverse connection. Admittedly, this might have been the one slight redeeming quality of the movie, as it did allow the animators to go absolutely bonkers with some of the styles, kind of like “Spider-Verse,” but that excitement literally lasts for a minute and then the rest of the film plays out as boringly as possible. Speaking of which, the film constantly blends live-action with 3D animation in certain scenes, and at times, it looks plain odd.

As I watched this film, as well as my number 2 pick for this list, “A Minecraft Movie,” I felt like I was part of the crowd at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance in “Back to the Future.” For all I know, somewhere, somehow, Marty McFly showed up on screen to profess to me that I was not quite ready for these movies, but my kids, should I have them, are probably going to love them, with the disclaimer that they watch them at a certain age. Except I am not so sure if that is the case, based on my own experience of watching this film in the cinema with a good amount of children. Maybe my experience of watching this film was vastly different than yours, but as I watched “Smurfs,” it was really hard to tell how many people were actually enjoying the movie or getting something out of it. When I go to a lot of these family movies, I find the audiences to be a bit more active. Although in this case, nearly the entire crowd was dead silent. Hey, I will take it over the chaos of some of the “Minecraft” screenings, including my own, where a lot of children were busy shouting out the memes. But at least that crowd sounded entertained. Out of everyone in the auditorium, I might have been the only person to even chuckle at the film. Amazing, right?! While it is true that a lot of comedy derives from great pain, it is kind of astounding to me how my one laugh in a film containing the “Happy Song” came from one character opting to sacrifice themself. For the record, this is a film that is chock-full of jokes! Although at the end of the day, the joke is likely on me, as I wasted 89 minutes of my precious time watching what I found to be one of the most cringe-inducing animations that has ever come across my consciousness. Again, like “A Minecraft Movie,” my expectations for “Smurfs” were low, so at least I was not disappointed. Although the film is still unwatchable enough to be the worst of 2025 for me.

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures – © Paramount Pictures

Thanks for reading this countdown! As someone who loves movies and wants to make them, it pains me sometimes to make these lists. But I only do it because I love the art form and as someone who reviews these movies, I always believed that honesty is the best policy. If you enjoyed this countdown, I have another on the way! You cannot have the bad without the good! In the coming days I will be sharing my top 10 BEST movies of 2025! I can guarantee that list will bring significantly more joy than this one. I might do another countdown as I have done three around this time in years past. Although I am not going to do a most anticipated list as I already saw one 2026, which I will review later this month. If you want to see that countdown 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 2025? Do you agree with this list? Do you have your own? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

The 10 BEST Movies of the 2020s (2020-2024)

Posted on January 11 by Jack Drees

Hey everyone, Jack Drees here! After a long series of lists, we are getting to the end! And we are closing things off with a bang! After the worst movies of 2024, the best movies of 2024, and the worst movies so far to come out in the 2020s, we are capping things off with a look back the best movies of the 2020s. That is, up until the end of 2024. Same rules apply here as the worst of the decade list. First off, I have to have seen the movie. Obviously. Second, our lists are likely not going to be the same. If you have a movie that is not on here, make your own list. Third, all the films have to be theatrical releases. Fourth, with this being a bit of a halftime report, I have decided that I am not going to list these films in order from least favorite to most favorite, or the other way around. Instead, I am going in alphabetical order. If I keep updating Scene Before up until 2030, I might unleash something with a little more pomp and circumstance, kind of like my top movies of the 2010s series I did when this current decade began. Just like my worst of the 2020s list, there will be no honorable mentions. We are diving straight into my 10 faves. These are my 10 BEST movies of the first half of the 2020s.

Belle (2021)

Starting off this list is “Belle!” Just a spoiler alert, I reviewed most of the movies on this list, and each one I talked about earned a perfect score. That is unless you technically count this movie, which I gave an 8/10. But with this film’s everlasting replay value, stunning animation, great voicework, fantastic score and soundtrack, I would instantaneously change my mind on the verdict if I were to redo my review today. It would definitely be a 10. I love “Belle” not only because it is an entertaining film about a young girl who becomes a popular online singer, but it is a story that the more I think about it, I would have needed at some point in my life when I was younger. Because I will admit straight up when I got started on social media, I cared so deeply about how many followers I would get. How popular I could become. I did not know this about myself at the time. But I simply wanted attention. This movie would have been a great reminder to just be me, perhaps be grateful to make some friends, and maybe I would be more satisfied with myself when I was online. Even though this film does tap into the negatives of social media behavior such as bullying or not thinking before you post, it has a refreshingly positive lean on the concept. It is a movie that by the end of it, sees our hero not only helping herself get through her own problems, but also being there for people who are impacted by her and need her at a time of great distress. I love Suzu as a protagonist. The Beast is a fascinating character responsible for spawning a compelling mystery. Justin is a great interpretation of an Internet troll. Also, genuinely, “A Million Miles Away” is one of my favorite songs. Not just in movies, but in the history of ever. It is that good.

CODA (2021)

Speaking of movies with great protagonists, let’s talk about “CODA.” I experienced “CODA” in the cinema a little more than a week after it won its three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film is honestly one of my all time favorite coming of age stories, containing likable characters and a compelling narrative. Is it cliche at times? Sure. Can you predict one or two story beats from a mile away? Perhaps. But it does not change the fact that I was engaged with this from the moment it began to the emotionally satisfying conclusion. The concept proves itself to be very intriguing. The film is not just a great look at the life of a child of deaf adults, hence the title. But on top of that, this child is heavily into music, something that her parents cannot fully experience. The execution of this concept is beautiful, phenomenally edited, and done in such a way where you root for the protagonist but you understand every single side once you are presented with the full picture. This is also a film that is surprisingly funny, and its successful attempts at humor result in perhaps one of the most unique film experiences I had in a theatre. Because this film gets so quiet at times, then all of a sudden, you hear an audience bursting out laughing. It is a fine example of polar opposites attracting themselves to each other so perfectly.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

Out of all the movies on this list, this is the only one I saw in the theater three times. “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is one of the wildest rides I ever took in my life. While some might shame me for going with a mainstream title, I cannot tell a lie. This is my favorite film from A24. I cannot fathom how much work went into the performances of this film. All of these actors have to play different variants of the same character, and sometimes embody those variants in one version of the character. The film gets weirder as it goes, and equally as entertaining. I watched this film long before it won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and I was ecstatic when it won. This film is as the title says, everything. It is a comedy. It has elements of sci-fi and fantasy. It is an action flick. By the end, it becomes a tear-jerking drama. This is a movie where in one moment Ke Huy Quan takes a bunch of people out with a fanny pack, and then in another, we see our main character learn pinky finger kung fu, and then in another, we have a simple moment where said main character tries to make things right with her daughter. The multiverse is a common tool used throughout this decade of cinema, particularly in comic book films. But if there is a film that does it best, it is the refreshingly original and zany “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

The First Slam Dunk (2023)

Even after watching this movie, I still have not exposed myself to any of the other material this franchise has to offer, but it does not change how much I adored “The First Slam Dunk” when I saw it in the cinema. When I walked out of this movie, one of my first thoughts was that this was the best sports-related film I have seen in a long time. This film powers itself to the max with incredibly fast-moving animation and basketball sequences. The sound design is also crazy good. There was a simple moment at the beginning of the film that honestly reminded me of playing basketball across the street from my house when I was eight, nine years old. It really took me back. This film is a non-linear narrative that is done very well, but at always harkens back to one important game that by the end of it, becomes a nail-biter. This film has one of my favorite slow motion sequences in the history of cinema. If you have seen the movie you probably know exactly what I am talking about.

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

When this movie ended, in addition to applauding the efforts of the cast and crew, I simply asked myself, “THAT was a ‘Godzilla’ movie?” I could not believe a movie “Godzilla Minus One” actually exists. I am not going to pretend this is the first serious “Godzilla” movie. Heck, if you look back at the original 1954 “Godzilla” film, you would know the film is an allegory regarding the dangers of nuclear weapons. Similarly, this 2023 highlights how little we as human beings sometimes tend to value life. The film is about a kamikaze pilot who fled his duty and is dealing with survivor’s guilt. Throughout he meets a girl, and the two end up raising a kid that is not theirs, but it ended up in their hands. The chemistry between all three of these people is magical. Is the film a bit predictable? You can say that. But you can also say that these predictable moments were earned. As much as I love the spectacle of Warner Brothers’ current MonsterVerse, Toho’s “Godzilla Minus One” has that in addition to great characters who I rooted for the entire time. Also, the ending, whether it makes sense or not, gets me teary-eyed just thinking about it. I hear a sequel to this film is in development and I could not be happier. I will be first in line to check it out when possible.

The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)

When it comes to modern animated movies, I often cite Pixar as the gold standard. But it does not mean other studios are incapable of unleashing something magical. Case in point, Sony Pictures Animation’s “The Mitchells vs. the Machines.” I laughed so hard the first time I watched this movie. It is hard to find an animation that does not have attempts at comedy. In fact, a lot of the times I watch animated movies, I usually end up appreciating the humor. That said, this is probably the hardest I laughed at an animated film since “The LEGO Movie,” and I do not think I have laughed as hard watching an animated film since. The film goes above and beyond funny lines and visuals, there are also some creative gags that broke my brain. There are some blink you’ll miss it Easter Eggs in the background that make me want to watch this movie several times in a row just to see what other minor details I can find. I mean, the film literally has a character whose online handle is “Jade_Runner2049.” Gosh, I love this movie. I also love this film’s approach to the villains. Like a lot of other sci-fi concepts, artificial intelligence is the big bad. But this movie in particular does a great job at matching the tone of our modern world with some enhancements. This film is not just hilarious, but also becomes very heartfelt towards the end.

Over the Moon (2020)

Like many people, I thought 2020 was an outright atrocious year. The movies honestly did not save it. That said, the year also gave me one of my most pleasant surprises throughout my years of moviegoing. Netflix’s “Over the Moon” made me break down in tears by the time the film was coming to an end. Kind of like “Belle,” this is a film I really would have loved to have in my life when I was younger. Throughout a good portion of my coming of age, I grew up with one parent in the household. Granted, I do not envy the reason why this film’s protagonist deals with such a situation. My parents separated whereas her mother literally died minutes into the runtime. Even so, this film deals with a scenario I ended up seeing in my own life, particularly the moment when the protagonist’s single parent starts dating. This film heavily reminded me of what it was like to meet a potential replacement for my own parent and having my household overwhelmingly expand. On top of all of this, the film is a fun, colorful, clever space adventure with some really good original songs. Steven Price’s score is also a banger. Again, this is a Netflix movie which came out in 2020, so not many people saw this in theaters. I was one of the lucky few. If I could watch it in a theater a second time, I will take that chance in a heartbeat because it delivers on style, spectacle, and emotion.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Here we have another animated film! I have come to notice that there are at least one or two animations per year that I think are not just good, but epic. That said, calling “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” epic is kind of an understatement. I have a couple drawbacks with the film. For the most part, it is setup. This is a part one and refuses to hide it. That said, I thought the execution of each one of the film’s elements resulted in something amazing. The film has several animation styles, each one as creative as the last. The action sequences are super fun to watch and are perhaps some of the most comic book-like I have seen in one of these films. The voice cast is not just good, I cannot see anyone else in some of these roles. Shameik Moore is a phenomenal choice to play Miles Morales. Oscar Isaac is perfect as Miguel O’Hara. Karan Soni is an utter riot as Spider-Man India. But perhaps my favorite of these voices is Hailee Steinfeld as Spider-Gwen. She has this wondrous yet relatable presence to her. Hearing her voice in this film makes me want to watch an IMAX documentary where she narrates about space. The score for this film is so lively and heart-pumping that even when I watch the film at home, I feel like I am in the middle of a concert. We are supposed to get a followup to this movie at some point, “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.” As the days go by I sense the chances of that film coming out are becoming increasingly unlikely. Although if that movie ends up releasing and is as good as these last two, then the “Spider-Verse” movies will have to be in the discussion as one of the greatest cinematic trilogies ever.

The Suicide Squad (2021)

What I am about to say will probably vary based on who you ask, but I thought 2021 was a very good year for comic book movies. “Eternals” was a glorious vision from Chloe Zhao. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” is a cinematic event that celebrates several generations of the titular character. But my favorite comic book movie of 2021 is the only one we got from DC, “The Suicide Squad.” The film is from “Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn, and much like “Guardians of the Galaxy,” this movie left me in stitches. I was laughing like an utter maniac at certain parts of the film. But also like “Guardians of the Galaxy,” the film is not short on heart. Despite his simple-minded nature, the film does a great job fleshing out King Shark, a giant fish who wears trunks and wants nothing except to have friends. Of course, returning characters like Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flagg also steal various scenes. This is also a film where I would say John Cena, who has a knack for comedy, got to cut his teeth with some more serious material as Peacemaker. Sure, he also did 2017’s “The Wall,” but who cares about that? This film showed Cena’s range as an actor, and I am glad he got to continue playing Peacemaker in his own Max series. This film is a factory of nonsensical wonder. At one moment you have me rooting for a guy whose superpower is spewing polka dots. At another, I am laughing my brains out as a series of characters wonder who the heck “Milton” is. Then in another, I am cheering as Amanda Waller gets what she deserves. Then in another, I am almost tearing up as an army of rats make their way towards a giant kaiju who was just happy staring at the stars. The film is capable of unleashing every emotion ever conceived. I am not in love with every James Gunn comic book movie. I think “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is not that great. But if there is any reason why I should be excited for “Superman” this year, it is because of Gunn’s impressive resume that contains epic wins like this one.

West Side Story (2021)

If you look at some of my opinions regarding the past year for film, you might think I loathe every musical ever made. Although I am hopeful that the number of times I use the 2021 adaptation of “West Side Story” as a positive in my reviews have lessened those assumptions to some degree. I am not a theater nerd. I have never seen a Broadway show. Nevertheless, this film practically put me on a Broadway stage through its large cast, magnificent setpieces, and bombastic numbers. This is also the film that introduced me to two actresses whose careers I remain quite optimistic about, Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose. Both can sing like there is no tomorrow and just so happen to be perfectly cast in their roles. As much as the 2022 Oscars has unfortunately been scarred with the slap incident between Will Smith and Chris Rock, I must acknowledge that a lot of the winners that year were deserving of their hardware, including DeBose. The film is mostly spoken in English, though there are a couple instances where the characters are speaking in Spanish. Despite there being no subtitles for the Spanish dialogue, the characters’ conversations were still able to hit me based on Spielberg’s direction of the scene and proper use of tone. Not a lot of people saw this movie when it came out, and if the reason is because of Ansel Elgort’s sexual assault allegation, I cannot blame those people. But trust me when I say this movie solidifies Steven Spielberg as one of the best directors working today, even at his age. He is not only capable of taking on any genre or medium he can, but in some cases, he essentially perfects those genres and mediums. I have no idea how many more directorial efforts Spielberg has up his sleeve, but if we get another one as exciting as this, I am going to be blown away.

Thanks for reading this list! With four separate rankings out of the way, I think we are good to get 2025 into gear. Although like other years, it is possible that I could slip in a review of a 2024 movie. I still have not seen “The Brutalist.” I still not have seen “Emilia Pérez.” I still have not seen “Nickel Boys.” Maybe I will review one of those movies next, or perhaps even one from this year! 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, what are your best movies of the 2020s so far? Do we have anything in common? Did I miss something? Let me know your picks down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

The 10 WORST Movies of the 2020s (2020-2024)

Posted on January 9, 2025 by Jack Drees

Hey everyone, Jack Drees here! If you have followed this blog for a long time, you would know that I enjoy doing recaps of my best and worst films of the year once that specific period comes to a close. 2024 is no different. But when 2020 started, I also put out my best and worst films of the 2010s. I did two separate countdowns and I had a lot of fun doing those. I figured given how we are halfway through the decade, why not do a halftime report? This is not going to be as grand as the countdowns I did recapping the entire 2010s. There is no video content on top of everything else. I figured I would keep the summaries simple and as much to point as possible. For this list, I am going to be talking about the 10 worst films throughout the first half of the 2020s per my opinion. Few reminders, this is a subjective list based on movies I have seen. The movies also have to be theatrical releases. No streaming exclusives, no straight to DVD titles, no straight to TV titles. Well, actually, there is one exception to that rule, and I will explain why when I get to it. Also, this list is going to be in alphabetical order. I figured since there is a chance that I could do a 10 year recap in 2030, I will maintain some mystery and not rank my worst films of the decade from most tolerable to least tolerable or vice versa. With that in mind, let’s get straight to the list. No honorable mentions, just the 10 stinkers right off the bat! These are the 10 WORST movies of first half of the 2020s.

Borderlands (2024)

I have played my fair share of video games, although I have never played any of the “Borderlands” titles. After seeing the “Borderlands” movie, I am not sure if I have any plans to play any of those games given the bad taste this film left in my mouth. This film is essentially “Guardians of the Galaxy” if you allowed someone who lacked the competence of James Gunn to oversee it. This film has green screen backgrounds that are about as real as Bigfoot. It also has special effects that would perhaps be barely tolerable in the early 2000s. To have these effects now is almost a criminal offense! This film has a lot of big stars in it like Cate Blanchett, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Kevin Hart. But the bigger the names are, the harder this movie falls. Trust me when I say, this movie shook the ground with its lack of quality. Did I mention Jack Black’s horribly realized voice performance as Claptrap? Jack Black has at least one tolerable video game movie on his resume, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” and he was easily the highlight of said film as Bowser. So it is only fitting he has a movie on the opposite side of the spectrum that comes off as a fine example of the video game adaptation curse.

Cinderella (2021)

One of my favorite comedies of the 2010s was “Blockers,” directed by Kay Cannon. I was excited to see whatever she would pump out next. I did not think it would be something as bad as “Cinderella.” This film is kind of a parody on the “Cinderella” tale. It is a jukebox musical that takes a satirical approach on the formula, but the problem is the movie is simply not that funny. I do not remember laughing once throughout the entire runtime. As much as I do not want to be on his enemies list, this film has something in common with a lot of other movies I did not enjoy in recent years. Specifically, the presence of James Corden. I do not know who his agent is, but I think his resume suggests that he could probably find a better one between this film, “The Emoji Movie,” and “Cats” just to name a few. I do not know if he is just wasted or simply not that funny. I never really watched his late night show when it was on. If I were up at that hour, chances are I would be watching “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” Just my personal taste. As a musical, I was barely entertained by some of the numbers at best, perhaps straight up annoyed at worst. Conceptually, this film has promise by setting a character like Cinderella in a modern society where women are more independent, but as far as the execution goes, I thought it could have been better. I still like Kay Cannon though and I am curious to see what she does next.

Dolittle (2020)

After many years of being the dominant face in the MCU, Robert Downey Jr. moved onto his first big project following the gargantuan success of “Avengers: Endgame,” and let’s just say the movie did very little to impress me. “Dolittle” is not just a waste of Robert Downey Jr. in addition to a fairly talented supporting cast, it just so happens to be one of the most forgettable family films I have ever seen. Well, for the most part. There are some parts I’d rather forget, but much to my disappointment, that is simply impossible. In recent years, I have come to totally despise the term “kids movie.” It is not an entirely unusable phrase, but sometimes it is kind of like the term “chick flick.” It is more or less used as an excuse to put a movie in a box for its lack of quality. “Dolittle” is a movie that some kids can probably enjoy for its visuals, but I do not think this film will age well for every viewer who watches it at a young age. Maybe they’ll have some nostalgic attachment to it when they are older. But it does not change the fact that the film itself is sloppily written, badly directed, and is not as funny as they are trying to convince people it is.

Freelance (2023)

When it comes to wrestlers-turned-actors, John Cena seems to care more about his range and performances than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. But just like many other performers, his resume is far from perfect. Case in point, “Freelance.” John Cena comes off as the most likable, nice guy in real life, but Cena unfortunately plays a lead in this film who is honestly the polar opposite. Given some of the dialogue early on in the film, his character, Mason Pettits, seems to dislike his spouse and children. Maybe he respects them deep down, but that is not the first impression I got from watching the character in the film’s earliest scenes. On top of that, he sounds miserable. I get that the film presents this character with an opportunity that could potentially turn his frown upside down, but from everything I gathered in the first 10, 20 minutes of the movie, Cena lacked any and all charisma when it comes to this role. Sure, the film gives a reason for the character’s misery, but I still thought Cena came off more as a moron than anything else. A lack of charisma is something I am not used to seeing with John Cena as an actor. Even in movies I did not enjoy like “Fast X,” I still thought Cena was charming. Not here. If there is one performance I liked in the movie, it would probably Juan Pablo Raba’s performance as the dictator, Venegas. I remember emitting one genuine laugh during the film, and he was the one responsible for it. Does it make up for a bad, somewhat ordinary screenplay? No. Does it make up for some of the characters having nonexistent chemistry? Also, no. Does it make up for a lack of identity as to what the film is supposed to be? Definitely not.

Madame Web (2024)

Yyyyyyyup. This is only the umpteenth time in recent memory I had to talk about this abomination against humanity. “Madame Web” is a humongous disgrace on every level. This is just the first culprit in a year of outright inexcusable comic book movies. Thank goodness for “Deadpool & Wolverine,” because otherwise I probably would be in a straight up depression as a fan of this genre. To me, Sony’s Spider-Man Universe was dead on arrival. But for whatever reason the studio just kept pumping out ridiculous crap like this. “Madame Web” is a film about a woman who can see the future. Well, if that is the case, why did she not see this flop coming from a mile away?! Between okay at best action scenes, horrible camerawork, and some of the most annoying characters of all time, “Madame Web” is a horror show. The film even puts its own spin on the “with great power comes great responsibility” line. The delivery of that line comes off like a parent trying to take interest in their children’s hobbies but doing a terrible job at hiding their distaste for them. People can try as hard as they want to convince me that this movie could develop a cult following similar to Tommy Wiseau’s “The Room,” but I will not be part of it. The film is not so bad that it is good. It is so bad that I questioned Sony as to why the heck they were okay with making the film, in addition to bringing back the writers of “Morbius.” Sure, “Morbius” was technically profitable… But it does not change the fact that they wrote a terrible screenplay. Again, I do not have comic book movie fatigue. But I am fatigued by Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. I would be totally happy if they stopped making these films. In fact you know what? I would be totally happy if I could stop talking about these films. I had to review three of these atrocities in 2024, as if doing one them was not already bad enough. I have had it with this film! I have had it with “Kraven the Hunter!” I have had it with the “Venom” movies! Well except the second one, that was actually fun. I have had it with this impractical joke of a cinematic universe! And I would most certainly be happy if I never had to talk about another Sony Spider-Man Universe movie ever again!

Morbius (2022)

So, now that I am done whining about the Sony Spider-Man Universe, let us move onto something el–AW COME ON! …Alright. Let’s trash “Morbius” one more time. I already bashed the screenwriters of this film, so I will at least address a positive by saying that some of the first act was decent. But once that act concludes, the film crashes and burns. It is 104 minutes of images that honestly made me feel nothing. I never once felt excitement, or chills, or wonder. The movie itself comes off as if it were going through the motions. Jared Leto and Matt Smith definitely play up their performances, and the results of that are in fact memeable. But it is not enough to save this nightmare. This movie is centered around science. I am a little suspicious about that. When your film’s characters cannot properly pronounce “Nobel Prize” I think you lost your credibility. The special effects in this film are also amazingly unrealistic by 2022 standards. Maybe they would get by in the early 2000s, but not today. I normally try not to judge a film by a post-credit scene, but this is one where I cannot help myself because it tacks on a promise that sounds so nonsensical it is insane. It promises a team-up I had no interest in checking out. It brings in a character who I honestly have no interest in seeing return because I fear they will be written terribly. It very much feels like Sony saying, “We are out of options.” In case you are not paying attention, “Kraven the Hunter” dodged a bullet. I hated that movie, it would probably be in my top 20 worst of the decade. But I hope that film is the last one we see in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe because the two that did make this list reek of utter incompetence. Perhaps to the point where it is almost being done on purpose.

The Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson (2019) (STILL COUNTS!)

I know some would say “The Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson” is a 2019 film, but in the United States it released in 2020, so I am counting it here. Regardless, this is a terrible movie. The one positive in the movie is perhaps Mena Suvari, who like everyone else, is working with abominable material, but it does not erase the other negatives. When I look at some of the cast members alongside Suvari, they sound like they are overacting. I could not buy into their performances even for a second! This film is directed by Daniel Farrands, and this is not the only film he has done in relation to famous figures who died in a tragic manner. Not long before this film came out, audiences were also subjected to “The Haunting of Sharon Tate.” It is actually amazing how close in quality, or lack thereof, these movies happen to be. “The Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson” is both so bad that you want it to be over instantaneously, and yet, I am under the impression that this 82 minute film perhaps overstuffs itself by the end of it. By the final 10 minutes, I just questioned why I was watching this movie. Maybe I just hate myself. It is possible.

Music (2021)

This was my worst movie of 2021, and it still stands. “Music” is a cinematic disaster. It advertises itself as a movie championing the autistic community. But as someone who has connections to and has been around people in said community for a good portion of my life, this is not a movie that best represents them. You could make the argument that maybe it has something in its story for caretakers of autistic people, but it also displays actions that if you speak to autistic people, they probably would disapprove if somebody else were to engage in them. The film itself is stereotypical, poorly paced, and horribly directed. I feel bad for Maddie Ziegler because for all I know she is talented, but she was not given good material to work with in this film. Honestly, her performance is almost offensive, but I more or less blame the film’s director, Sia, for letting this picture come to be in the first place. Kate Hudson gives an okay performance, but it is not enough. Say what you want about the Golden Globes having any meaning whatsoever. But the fact that this film even got a Best Picture nomination from that voting body is one of the all greatest insults to cinema I have ever seen. Kate Hudson getting nominated for Best Actress? I mean, it is not my first choice, but okay… But Best Picture?! Go home, you’re drunk!

Skinamarink (2023)

Out of all the movies on this list, this is the only one I did not put on one of my worst of the year countdowns. But if I did, I would say “Skinamarink” is probably the worst horror film I have seen all decade. This film is not just bad, but utterly disappointing at the same time. I am not going to pretend my expectations were as high as say they would be when I walk into a Christopher Nolan movie. But I was intrigued by what this film had to offer. It was an experimental vision unlike anything I had seen. Yet that is exactly what this film feels like. An experiment. A failed one at that. Essentially, the entire film is a series of shots staring at various parts of the inside of a home. The film apparently has a plot, but I could not describe it to you if I tried. Also I mentioned this is a horror movie. It is one of the least scary horror films I have ever seen. Not once did I even shiver or get a bad vibe. I just stared at the screen in awe of how unamusing this travesty turned out to be. I watched this film from home. I wonder if the experience is any different watching it in the cinema, but I missed out on that opportunity so I got to suffer from the comfort of my bedroom.

Superintelligence (2020)

Remember how I said at the beginning that I would only put movies that were in theaters on this list, with one exception to the rule? Well, here we are. “Superintelligence” released on the streaming service formerly known as HBO Max in 2020. The film was going to hit theaters at one point in 2019 until Warnermedia decided to make it a streaming release. It kind of bends my rules a little, but 2020 kind of bent everyone’s rules a little bit so this is only fitting. This film is a collaboration between Hollywood couple Ben Falcone and Melissa McCarthy. As if their previous film together, “Life of the Party” was not bad enough, they followed it up with this pile of artificially unintelligent garbage. The screenplay for this film is just plain terrible. Does it get from point a to point b? Sure. But as I watched this film’s protagonist go from one point to the next, never once do I get the impression that any of her outcomes feel earned. Such a thing could be acceptable if the film made me laugh, but unfortunately that concept is about as real as Valve’s chance of ever releasing a video game with the number “3” in its title. My first laugh while watching the film honestly did not come in until the 44 minute mark. The further the film went on, the angrier I became. By the end, I was at a loss for words. For a film called “Superintelligence,” it certainly feels super dumb. Also, once again, shoutout to James Corden’s agent for ruining everything! Apparently Corden makes an appearance in this shoddy mess as well.

Thanks for reading this recap! Coming up next, I am going to be talking about my best films of the decade so far! Expect that post in the next few days! I am just like Thanos, I believe in perfect balance. If I am going to bash 10 films, I will applaud 10 others. It is only fair. If you want to see posts like these 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 films of the decade so far? What films do you recommend for properly punishing your enemies? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Top 10 BEST Movies of 2024

Posted on January 7, 2025 by Jack Drees

Hey everyone, Jack Drees here! It is time to list my top 10 BEST movies of 2024! We just did the worst list, and I mean it when I say the bad movies this year where on a different level. That is not a sugarcoat. That is the honest truth. But it does not mean there were no good movies this year, as you will see in a moment. But before we get to that, I would like to remind everyone this is a subjective list. By no means is this list supposed to influence you into liking these movies. These are recommendations, these are endorsements, but they are also my own opinions. If you dislike any of the movies on this list, do as I said on the worst list if you like any of the movies I hated, make your own list! Also, I did not see every movie that came out this year. I missed “Moana 2,” “Despicable Me 4,” “The Substance,” “Heretic,” “Terrifier 3,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Wolfs,” “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” “Emilia Pérez,” among others. Not to mention “The Brutalist” has yet to come out in my area. Also, all the movies on my list are theatrical releases. There are no streaming, DVD, or TV exclusives. With that said, let’s start off by naming some honorable mentions that I have enjoyed throughout the year.

Honorable Mention: Daddio

My first honorable mention is “Daddio.” This film stars Dakota Johnson as a passenger in a taxi and Sean Penn as her driver. The movie has a lot to say about people judging others by what they see. It shows how if we were to get to know people on a deeper level, we would sometimes be surprised by what we learn about them.

Honorable Mention: The Fall Guy

“The Fall Guy” is director David Leitch’s love letter to stuntwork. If you have ever watched a movie and were wowed by the stunts, make an effort to check “The Fall Guy” out. The film not only has something for everyone, but such concepts are realized to their maximum potential. Also, Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt have terrific chemistry on screen.

Honorable Mention: Flow

And lastly for honorable mentions is “Flow.” I was floored by this film during my initial watch of it in the theatre. This is an animated flick containing no dialogue and no human voices. The only noises that come close to dialogue in “Flow” are animal sounds. If you are looking for a textbook definition of “visual storytelling,” “Flow” is definitely it.

Now for those of you who follow the blog, you may be aware that I scored “Flow” a 9/10. You might be thinking this would have ended up in the top 10. The reality is, I think some, if not all, of the films on this list will probably have more replay value for me over time. Nevertheless, “Flow” is an undoubtable achievement. Give it a watch if you can.

Now to 10 more movies you should also give a watch when you get the chance… These are my top 10 BEST Movies of 2024.

#10: IF

Starting off the top 10 is “IF,” which is short for “Imaginary Friends.” This is a movie that I had iffy, no pun intended, thoughts about as I went into it. Then my screening finished, and I immediately thought it was one of the most heartfelt and nostalgically wonderful movies I can recall watching. This is a film I can recommend to just about anyone. It is a great watch for both kids and adults. “IF” highlights the importance of maintaining your inner child. Many of us growing up have imaginary friends, and those connections fade over time. This film presents moments when our adult characters probably need those imaginary friends more than ever. Ryan Reynolds plays a major role in the film, and he gives a surprisingly quiet performance. If you watch him in films like “Free Guy” or “Deadpool,” you would get the sense that Reynolds is a bit of a loudmouth. Not here. I love Reynolds as a movie star and this is one of the better performances I have seen from him. “IF” is directed by John Krasinski, and this is his first feature outside of the “Quiet Place” franchise. When it comes to the mood of each of these films, these could not be more different. But it shows Krasinski’s versatility as a filmmaker. I cannot wait to see what he comes up with next. On top of all of this, Michael Giacchino’s score is a banger. It does a great job at matching this film’s cheerful and optimistic spirit. When I review movies and say I would listen to the score on my own time, sometimes I end up doing so, other times I likely forget about it. This is one where I ended up listening to the score on my own time. It is great in the movie. It is stellar on its own. As a film, “IF” is one of my biggest surprises of the year.

#9: Abigail

If you have ever wanted to see a ballerina vampire torment some folks on screen, then “Abigail” is definitely for you. “Abigail” is directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet, the same duo behind “Ready or Not.” While this film is not quite as good as “Ready or Not,” it maintains a very similar vibe. Not only is the film scary and tense, but it is also distinctively funny. I do not know of a proper adjective for the kind of humor presented in both of these films, but I certainly laughed a lot watching them. The film also has a great cast including some bigger names like Giancarlo Esposito, Kathryn Newton, and Dan Stevens just to name a few. However, the scene stealer is Alisha Weir, the young girl who plays this film’s titular vampire. Her character is written and executed with an extreme sense of unpredictability. I can imagine Weir had a lot of fun playing her. You could even say she had just as much fun as I did watching her on screen.

#8: Sing Sing

Coming in at number 8 is “Sing Sing.” Of all the movies I saw this year, this is the one that arguably put the biggest smile on my face. This film showcases the importance of art as an escape. As for this film’s cast of characters, they are a group who embrace that idea, especially considering their situations. The film is occasionally serious. After all, it is set in a prison. But my favorite moments of the movie are when we get to see our cast making a play, escaping into their characters, rehearsing, any instance of them leaving their world so they can enter another one. It reminds me of why I love art. Colman Domingo gives one of my favorite performances of the year and as soon as the movie ended, I felt an incredible sense of joy. Again, this is an occasionally serious film, but if you are looking for a feel good movie, I highly recommend “Sing Sing.”

#7: A Quiet Place: Day One

I enjoy the “Quiet Place” franchise, but not a single film from it made my top 10s at the end of the year after they were released. That changes now, because I think “A Quiet Place: Day One” may be the best film in the franchise yet. This film sees the rise of its patented creatures, the Death Angels, as they wreak havoc in New York City. This is an incredible concept considering how one of the main objectives the characters in the “Quiet Place” franchise have to take on is not uttering a sound. We see this reality take effect in one of the loudest cities on earth. The film introduces some compelling characters who I rooted for the entire time. While this film is scary, I still find the first “Quiet Place” movie to be the most terrifying in the franchise. It may be due to the novelty the film had when it came out. Although I will also say that of all the “Quiet Place” movies, I think “Day One” is perhaps the most exciting one yet considering its huge scale, likable leads, and compelling screenplay.

#6: Dune: Part Two

I ended up watching this next film for the first time on February 29th, a day that comes only once in a blue moon. On that note, movies as satisfying and thrilling as “Dune: Part Two” also come once in a blue moon. I really enjoyed the first “Dune” movie but I think everything that was great about 2021’s “Dune” is improved even by the slightest of margins in this 2024 sequel. The fight choreography had me on the edge of my seat. The cinematography is grander in scope. The color spectrum is more eye-popping. The journey is more engaging and better paced. Many people say the first “Dune” feels like a part one. After all, these two films are one book split in half, but I see the first “Dune” movie as a full story where its protagonist has a solid arc. At the same time, this film does successfully pay off some of the things that were teased in the original film. We get to see more of Zendaya’s character, Chani, and she does a good job with the role. The scene where Paul Atreides rides a sandworm for the first time will go down as one of my favorites of the year. Seeing that come to life in IMAX was jaw-dropping. Also, just like the original movie, Hans Zimmer kills it here with the score. A score like the one here continues to support why he rivals John Williams as my favorite film composer working today.

#5: Saturday Night

This next film spoke to me on a personal level. Not necessarily because I am a loyal fan of the show it is about, though I do find it entertaining. But as someone who works in live production, I have to put “Saturday Night” somewhere on this list. This film beautifully captures the stress that comes with live TV, an industry I just so happen to be a part of. Everything is down to the wire, and in some cases, there is a sense that anything can or will go wrong at the moment you least expect. “Saturday Night” is this year’s most fast paced, heart-racing anxiety trip. It throws a lot of material into an hour and a half of storytelling, and not a single moment of it is boring. The film contains a stacked cast who all play their parts well. This film is a perfect balance of comedy and drama. There are a lot of lines and gags that go hard but at the same time, I understand that these characters are probably under their own degrees of stress. They have a lot of prep work to deal with. They are a bunch of nobodies trying to make names for themselves. They do not know if their show is going to make it to air. This film is directed by Jason Reitman. I happen to like a number of his films including “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” “Juno,” “Tully,” “Young Adult…” But I think “Saturday Night” is easily my favorite of his so far.

#4: The Wild Robot

Honestly, my top 4 are almost interchangeable. You could almost label my top 4 films as a tie and finish the list right there. But at this point, these films are very close to matching in quality. That said, I would be an idiot to miss out on telling you that “The Wild Robot” is an exceptional picture. I am not a parent, but I can easily recommend this film to any parent who has ever lived. In the simplest terms, the film is about the journey of parenting. Only thing is, the task is taken on by a robot and they have to raise a gosling. The robot realizes that the journey in raising this young bird is beyond her programming. Sometimes she will resort to improvisations and sacrifices. Some people say parenting is the hardest job in the world, and this movie brings that saying to life. You are literally raising someone who knows you from the minute they are born, and the process prompts tons of questions that not everyone would know the answer to. Much like “IF,” the film is great for kids and adults, but I think there will be plenty of adults who enjoy it more than kids because there is a lot that speaks to people at a certain time in their lives. The animation style, while sometimes a little cheap-looking, is unique and sometimes wows the eyes. This is a great film for family movie night, but if any parents are reading this, be very careful because you might shed a tear.

#3: Anora

Coming in at #3 is “Anora,” which is by far the craziest trip of a movie I have seen all year. Watching this movie is like drinking 10 cups of coffee. It will keep your eyes wide open. This movie has two imperfect, but extremely likable main characters. You have Vanya, a spoiled child of a wealthy oligarch. And you also have Ani, a sex worker played by Mikey Madison, an actress who I think has a pretty decent shot at winning an Academy Award this year. This movie puts these two people together until something happens where they are told to drift apart. While one would not be wrong to call this film a drama, I would also say “Anora” is one of the funniest movies of the year. It has a vibe of a grounded Tarantino flick like “Reservoir Dogs” or “Pulp Fiction.” If I had to pick a favorite second act of a movie I have seen in 2024, I think “Anora” would be my winner. My auditorium burst into chaotic laughter so many times during this portion of the film. Experiences like the one I had with “Anora” solidify why I love going to the movies.

#2: Look Back

One of the reasons why I put “Saturday Night” on this list is because of how much I was able to attach the movie to my own life. The same can be said for my next pick, “Look Back.” For those looking for something short to watch, you are in luck. This movie is just a tad less than an hour so it is barely a feature by some stretch of the imagination. That said, the hour is filled with absolutely powerful material. The film showcases the importance and unpredictability that can come with friendship. We see our main character, Fujimoto, befriend a shut-in named Kyomoto. The two vary in terms of their personalities but they end up bringing out the best in each other. Both end up making manga together, and Fujimoto helps Kyomoto come out of her shell. This movie truly spoke to me as an artist. We see early on that Fujimoto is a dedicated manga artist for the school newspaper. But when Kyomoto jumps on the scene with her own manga, Fujimoto’s peers start to think her drawings are inferior, therefore prompting her to try as hard as she can to improve her work. I think many artists, myself included, get a little jealous when we see someone we think is better than us at our own craft. Then we get to the second half of the movie, where things just take a turn. It is moving, sad, and utterly powerful. This year has presented some unique animation styles. We saw 2D and 3D blend together in “Inside Out 2.” We saw fantastical vibrancy that almost feels lifelike in “Transformers One.” We saw a variety of animation choices come to life in “The Wild Robot.” “Look Back” is also rather unique. It sometimes transports into the style of manga drawings with consistent colors or even black and white. On top of all of this, “Look Back” has one of my favorite musical scores of the year. Haruka Nakamura delivers some booming orchestral pieces that floor me just thinking about them. Again, this is a short movie. So if you are looking for something to watch in just a short span of time, this could work. But if you cry easily, you might want to keep the tissues on standby.

#1: Deadpool & Wolverine

If you read my rankings for the worst movies of 2024, you would notice one consistency on that list. Much to my disappointment, it happened to be comic book movies. These films have defined me as a moviegoer and most of them have been fun to watch over the years. Though this year was a complete letdown. That is excluding one crystal clear diamond in the rough. My #1 movie of the year is “Deadpool & Wolverine.” You can make an argument that I am rather predisposed to this movie, but it does not change the fact that out of all the experiences I have had watching films this year, this was by far the most entertaining. This is a film that honestly shattered my expectations. I am still iffy over Disney buying Fox and the ramifications of said purchase, but if we keep getting movies as exciting as this, I am willing to acknowledge any positive that comes my way, and this is a big one. Admittedly, while I have watched Hugh Jackman play Wolverine in films before, this latest outing of his does not offer the same nostalgia value that “Spider-Man: No Way Home” did in 2021 with their supporting webheads. However, that may also suggest how great this film is as a standalone feature. It is definitely a movie where certain viewers will probably pick up select details others might miss, but it also has a lot that general audiences can savor. Stunningly choreographed action that is gracefully edited. Excellent meta humor that rivals the previous two “Deadpool” installments. And an overall pace that flies by.

Yet at the same time, this film is not short on fan service. Going back to “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” as much as I loved the film, part of me saw its surprise cameos coming. “Deadpool & Wolverine” on the other hand caught me so crazily off guard multiple times. Just when I thought this film unleashed its most out of left field character, it sets off another bomb that somehow drops my jaw even further than it did previously. These surprise characters also do more than just wave at the camera, they actually serve the story.

“Deadpool & Wolverine” won me over as a Marvel fan. It won me over as someone who enjoys watching Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. It won me over as someone who grew up with Shawn Levy as a director. One of my first movie theater experiences is his family film, “Night at the Museum.” I am so happy to see Levy’s career continue to the point where he gets to helm one of the most graphic comic book movies ever. For the record, if I were to rank the “Deadpool” movies, I still think the original is the best one. This one would be a strong second, however. The “Deadpool” trilogy as a whole has proven to be a success. I also think this sparks some good news for the MCU after a rough patch in the Multiverse Saga. I liked every film since “Endgame,” but my opinion would be challenged by casual and hardcore fans alike. Some would say the universe itself has become convoluted with so many characters and ideas to the point where some of the projects feel like homework. That said, if watching “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” on Disney+ feels like homework, then “Deadpool & Wolverine” feels like coming to class, the teacher brings in the TV, and we just watch something fun for the entire period. “Deadpool & Wolverine” is a movie that does not take itself too seriously and offers a relaxing vibe despite its gratuitous violence and excessive use of the f-word.

Out of all the films I have seen in 2024, this is the only one I ended up watching three times. And this is definitely a film I recommend watching more than once because I ended up noticing certain details and jokes that I missed before. “Deadpool & Wolverine” does not lose its edge by the third viewing. Each watch is as thrilling as the last. That said, my first viewing of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” the only time I watched it in cinemas, was by far my favorite filmgoing experience this year. My friend and I had a great time. There was no shortage of laughing and cheering from the crowd. “Deadpool & Wolverine” is a film that I want to watch again with a friend or two who never saw the film, just to find out how they would react to it.

Is the film perfect? No. Like a lot of Marvel movies, I think the villain could be better, but given all the other positives the movie has, that is a small price to pay. “Deadpool & Wolverine” is the most entertaining cinematic experience I have had in a long time. It was the movie event of the year. It is also the BEST movie of 2024.

Thanks for reading this countdown! I appreciate all your support throughout another exciting year for film. No perfect movies this year, but a lot of really good ones. I will take the hits as they come along. With these countdowns out of the way, I would like to take this time to announce a new project I am working on. So far, I have no movie reviews on deck. January is a rather slow month for film, and I took the last weekend to travel a bit. Though in addition to these countdowns, I am also planning on doing my top 10 BEST and WORST movies of the 2020s so far. That includes all the movies I saw from 2020 to 2024. These are going to be published in the same order as the yearly countdowns, so expect my worst list coming soon! If you want to see projects like this one 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 best movies of 2024? What movies hit you where you live? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Top 10 WORST Movies of 2024

Posted on January 5, 2025 by Jack Drees

Hey everyone, Jack Drees here! It is time for the annual tradition! Something that everyone can agree on. Something that will unite us all. Something that will cause absolutely no fights whatsoever either in a comments section or on the streets. It is time for the end of the year countdowns. As I have done in the past couple years, we are starting with the worst movies list. It just feels better to get the bad stuff overwith. For those looking to see certain movies on this list, please note that I have a busy schedule between work, travel, life, and so on. I do not have time to get to every movie that has come out in 2024. There are some movies I have heard some not so good things about this year like “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” “Afraid,” and “Imaginary.” I ended up skipping these films. Either because I did not have time, or they looked terrible. Possibly both. Also, the usual reminder, this list is not scientific law, it is artistic subjectivity. If you disagree with this list, that is fine. Make your own that way you can say that the movie I hated is your favorite and celebrate it. Another thing that must be said, these movies also have to have played in theaters. Sounds snobbish, I know. But this list is about cinema, not television. With that in mind, let’s get to naming three dishonorable mentions before we go any further.

Dishonorable Mention: Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

The first dishonorable mention is “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.” “Godzilla Minus One,” which was made in Japan, ruled my top 10 BEST movies of 2023 list when I made that. Therefore, it is disappointing to know that this Hollywood-produced movie featuring the iconic kaiju in addition to Kong turned out to be a big, loud, bloated mess that made me dumber by the time it was over. It treats the audience like we have never seen a movie. It is sprinkled with some of the most in your face dialogue of all time. There are cool things in the movie though. We get to see King Kong use a young monkey as a weapon. Although it does not make up for the rest of the junk I had to trek through.

Dishonorable Mention: Sasquatch Sunset

I reviewed most of the movies on this list, but “Sasquatch Sunset” is not one of them. That said, if I were to review it, I would say that the experience the movie delivered was certainly unique, but also kind of boring. I ended up laughing quite a bit. Though I am not sure whether I laughed for the right or wrong reasons. Also, I did not really care for the characters. I sat through this movie in the sense that I was watching events happen as opposed to experiencing them. The film is definitely different, but one watch is enough for me.

Dishonorable Mention: Challengers

Here is an unpopular opinion… I really did not like “Challengers.” Do not get me wrong. The movie has good performances, especially from Zendaya. But there are a lot of things about the movie I did not enjoy. The story left me uninterested, the score left me with a headache, and to my surprise, I did not think the movie was that sexy. I know that was an aspect they were shooting for. Maybe it is a personal taste thing? A lot of people seem to love this movie, I was just not one of them.

With those dishonorable mentions out of the way, it is time go from the bad to the ugly. These are my top 10 WORST movies of 2024!

#10: Venom: The Last Dance

This list has a couple of consistencies on it. Bad Sony movies and bad comic book movies. Both of those consistencies start with the top of this list! Bottom? Top or bottom? I do not know which is more accurate. Whatever, it starts with perhaps the most tolerable of the top 10 movies on this list… “Venom: The Last Dance!” I was disappointed, but not terribly shocked that I found “Venom: The Last Dance” to be a bad film. I was not a fan of the first “Venom” movie, but I surprisingly dug the second one. This third movie is not the worst of the trilogy, but I found parts of it to be slow, tiring, and forgettable. The one thing that saves the movie is the chemistry between Tom Hardy’s characters. Eddie and Venom to be specific. That is one consistency between these films. Even though the franchise as a whole is not great, they did get the casting and chemistry right. Mrs. Chen is also in this movie. You could honestly remove her character and have the movie be no different. This movie serves both as a finale to the “Venom” character, at least this iteration of the character, and as a kickstarter to what could be an ongoing saga in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. The execution of both aspects were not that satisfying.

#9: Bob Marley: One Love

Coming in at #9 is “Bob Marley: One Love.” This is a film that has glimmers of decency, but it is surrounded by a multitude of dull scenes with characters I do not care about and a story that nearly put me to sleep at times. This film seems to be heavy on drama, but I wish I were more intrigued by it. Looking back at Kingsley Ben-Adir’s performance, it is not the worst acting I have seen all year. But at times Ben-Adir comes off as if he were giving a Bob Marley impression rather than an authentic performance. I dislike this movie for a number of reasons, and I hate myself for disliking it for this one, but I have to be honest. I wish I understood the dialogue. I do not know if it was the accent or the audio levels not being up to snuff, but I there are times could not make out what was being said, even if there was no music in the background. My least favorite part of the movie though is the ending. I will not spoil it, but it was a huge letdown. It felt as if the movie were building up to something and suddenly said, “Forget it!”

#8: The Garfield Movie

At #8 is the next Sony movie on this list! You could even say it is based on comics too! Not superheroes, not Marvel, but still… Whatever the case may be, “The Garfield Movie” is the biggest waste of time I spent this year watching an animation. I knew this movie was going to be bad just from the marketing. Chris Pratt playing “Garfield?” Goodness gracious! That’s a choice! The guy already ruined “Super Mario” so why not add this hairball of a performance to his resume? Pratt’s execution of the title character did not just make me hate Mondays. It made me hate all the days. In fact, all the months. The years. The decades. All time, really if you think about it. Chris Pratt just plays Chris Pratt in this movie. The performance is as bland as can be. The movie barely had any laughs in it. And the ending, while not super annoying, does take a long time to tie things up. If it were not for some okay-looking animation and Ving Rhames’ stellar voice performance as Otto the bull, this movie would be even lower on the list.

#7: Argylle

I enjoy a good spy action thriller. This is not one of them. I am talking about “Argylle,” one of the biggest disappointments of the year. This film is directed by Matthew Vaughn, who also helmed the “Kingsman” movies. Like those films, this occasionally has decent action scenes. Yet the movie becomes perhaps the most diabolically unhinged headache-inducer I have seen all year. This is a movie that by the midpoint thinks it is so clever, so twisty, that my jaw hit the floor. Although in reality, my jaw dropped not because I was impressed, but rather annoyed. There is a good movie somewhere in “Argylle.” It starts off with a clever concept about someone’s book coming to life, but then it just spews a bunch of nonsense in your face and throws some cat porn into the mix. By the climax of the movie, when our main hero is ice skating on oil, I just shrugged like a maniac. My suspension of disbelief could only go so high. “Argylle” may have notable names behind it, but that is only a small part as to what makes the film such a big letdown.

#6: Night Swim

I will admit, after watching this next movie, I watched the short it was based on, and thought it was not that bad. That said, it does not change the fact that the feature-length version of “Night Swim” is one of the worst movies of 2024. This film is about a family who buys a house with a haunted swimming pool in their backyard. Sounds scary, right? No. What made this film not so scary to me is a direct correlation to something else this movie lacks, which is my personal investment in the characters. The film does an okay job fleshing out the father character, who used to be a pro baseball player. I liked seeing that play out. Although I did not really care about anyone else. Going back to what I said about “Argylle” and suspension of disbelief, that was also broken in this film too. I get this is a horror flick involving a haunted pool, but there is a point where I thought things may have gotten a little too off the rails. This is Bryce McGuire’s first feature film as a director. For all I know it could end up being his worst one should he continue down this career path. Maybe he has something better up his sleeve in a sophomore effort.

#5: Tarot

Guess what guys? Sony’s back! Although this time we will be talking about a Screen Gems release, not a Columbia Pictures release. Up next is a film that as soon as I finished watching it, my brain chose to vomit out anything I knew in relation to it. “Tarot” is one of the most forgettable, dull experiences I had watching a so-called horror movie in the past 12 months. I remember watching “Ouija” years after it came out, and if there were a film that I could easily compare it to, I think “Tarot” might be it. It is a bunch of young people playing stupid games and winning stupid prizes. Only difference, I do not think this film is going to have the cultural impact that “Ouija” did. Heck! “Ouija” got a sequel, and I hear it is actually pretty good! I did not see it. But who knows? Maybe it is worth watching in comparison to this pile of malarkey. The film is not that scary, and is full of characters who are bland at best. Maybe “Tarot” could be a good time with some alcohol, but I do not drink. Therefore, as far as I am concerned, this movie is just plain horrible. Just like “Night Swim,” this is a directorial debut. Only difference is, the movie is helmed by a duo – Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg. Maybe their next outing, whether it be together or separate, will be better.

#4: Kraven the Hunter

It’s the gift that keeps on giving! ANOTHER Columbia Pictures release! And just like “Venom: The Last Dance,” it is based on Marvel’s “Spider-Man” comics! May “Kraven the Hunter” rot in a torture chamber for all I care! What was this thing?! “Kraven the Hunter” might as well be the nail in the coffin for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. If this is not, then what are we doing here? What have we done to deserve this? This film is not just a massive waste of time for loyal viewers of its respective genre like myself, but I have to imagine it is equally as wasteful for the people working on it. You have Aaron Taylor-Johnson trying his absolute best to play a convincing anti-hero. He is certainly convincing but his material is not backing him up quite well. Then you have Oscar winners like Russell Crowe and Ariana DeBose, the latter of whom was also in “Argylle” this year so that is kind of sad. Crowe plays maybe the most one-dimensional so-called father figure in film history and DeBose plays some disposable character who plays with tarot cards. Consider yourself lucky “Tarot,” you are not the worst movie on this list involving those doohickeys! This movie has the most poorly structured screenplay I think I have ever had the displeasure of witnessing in a comic book movie. Add in some bad CGI and forgettable villain characters, you have the recipe for an utter disaster! The sad thing is, “Kraven the Hunter” is not even the worst comic book movie on this list!

#3: Joker: Folie à Deux

Marvel is already getting beaten to death on this list, so why not DC?! “Joker: Folie à Deux” is likely what happens when a studio gets so caught up in seeing dollar signs that they forget how to make something artistically sound. Throughout the 2010s, the comic book movie sub-genre has produced hit after hit after hit, including the original “Joker,” which then became the highest-grossing R rated title of all time. So making a sequel had to be an easy decision. From a business perspective, I could get the reason behind making a sequel. Although for art’s sake, I was nervous when they announced a sequel, and I think I was right for that reaction. The worst thing about “Joker: Folie à Deux” is that it genuinely feels like a slap in the face to every single person who could have possibly had any interest in it. I do not mind movies being bold or different. I was actually kind of excited when I found out there were going to be musical numbers in this movie. But I was disappointed when I found out that just about every musical sequence would make me roll my eyes and beg for mercy. Although several things that I thought were good about the original “Joker,” feels like it takes a step backward in this sequel. Story – boring. Characters – unlikable. The acting – not the worst I have seen, but still feels bad compared to what he have seen before. The ending – asinine. The pacing – slow. Deep exploration into the main character – nearly nonexistent. This is a two hour schlock that honestly feels like it a goes on for a month. There are positives of the film including the production design and Lawrence Sher’s cinematography. This film, like the original, is directed by Todd Phillips, who also co-wrote the film once again with Scott Silver. While I will give them credit for making a great original, I cannot help but detest their efforts on this sequel. These people honestly created a movie that comes off as an insult to its own audience.

And now, a live look at what happens to your money when you pay to see this movie…

Some men just want to watch the world burn.

#2: Borderlands

Coming in at #2 is an enormous embarrassment of a movie that somehow made me want at least one of the heroes to die. That is not the feeling I should be having while watching a story play out, but it happened. Ladies and gentlemen, the video game movie curse is not quite broken yet! Because we are still getting stinkers like “Borderlands!” I have never played “Borderlands,” and after watching this movie, I am of two mindsets. One, this movie is so bad that it ruined my chances of ever playing the games. Or two, this movie is so bad that it makes me wonder how much better the video games are in comparison. I have seen images of the games and if were to issue one compliment about the movie, the overall look tends to feel similar to the games. But that is about it. There are times where this movie genuinely looks like a video game, and I do not mean this as a positive. The backgrounds and special effects in this movie look obscenely fake. This film is an hour and a half of Cate Blanchett wearing one of the least convincing wigs I have ever seen all the while spewing uninspired dialogue. The film has a ton of big names, but that just makes the movie even worse! Aside from Cate Blanchett, you also have Ariana Greenblatt, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, and most annoyingly of all, Jack Black delivering one of the most headache-inducing voiceover performances of all time. If you think Cate Blanchett’s dialogue is horrible, just wait until you hear whatever the heck comes out of Jack Black’s mouth. It is not his fault. He clearly sounds like he is trying. But his character, Claptrap, is essentially the “Borderlands” equivalent to Jar Jar Binks from “Star Wars.” Gosh, how bad was Jack Black in this movie?! Speaking of video game movies, if the upcoming “Minecraft” movie is as bad as I am expecting, I think Black needs to find a new agent. This movie is a watered down version of a rather gory video game franchise that has stars, but it ends up wasting all of them. These people are talented, but here, they tend to come off as miscast. Some people say playing video games rots the brain. But if you would like the perfect movie to destroy your noggin, look no further than the poor excuse of mind-numbing buffoonery that is “Borderlands.”

#1: Madame Web

We have reached the culmination of the countdown, and not just because this is the #1 film. Guess who’s back again?! Sony! That’s right! It’s another Columbia Pictures release! And that’s not all! This is another movie based on Spider-Man characters! La-de-freaking-dah! My #1 worst movie of the year is “Madame Web.” My brain still hurts from this mess! The same can be said for my eyes! Not to mention my ears! And let’s not forget about my soul! This movie was a first for me. When the film ended, I literally stormed out of the auditorium like a child. No hyperbole. As soon as the credits popped up, I shoved myself out of my seat, turned right, waltzed my way through the row, and rushed down the stairs like a maniac just hoping to escape the saga of stress that was this movie. This is what happens when imagination dies. We get heaping piles of garbage like the ones Sony seems to be putting out in its non Spider-Man series of “Spider-Man” movies. And this is not just the worst of the three movies in this universe Sony put out this year. If you ask me, it is the worst one they put out period. Yes, I think it is worse than “Morbius!” You may remember that film topped my worst movies of 2022 list. “Madame Web” makes “Morbius” look competent. The funny thing is, both films have the same writers! If at first you don’t succeed, Sony will hire you again anyway, because why not.

I said this as I reviewed “Kraven the Hunter,” and I will say it again. I do not have comic book movie fatigue. But I nevertheless find this whole Sony Spider-Man Universe to be the most tiring trend in Hollywood. This is essentially Sony trying to make “fetch” happen time after time after time and never getting the message! I know some people say the Detective Comics Extended Universe plays second fiddle to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and by that I mean the Disney-owned Marvel timeline… But at least the DCEU has some great movies! “Madame Web” is just another waste of time in Sony’s web of bores and chores.

This film stars Dakota Johnson, who for all I know is a nice person, I liked her in a few projects. I still have not seen the “Fifty Shades” trilogy, which depending on the source, I hear is about as unwatchable as “Madame Web.” That said, I saw her performance and I do not think the word “sleepwalking” has ever been a more accurate term to use than it is here. Going back to “Borderlands,” you could say Cate Blanchett sounded like she was tired as the lead of that film. But at least that sort of ties into how the script describes her specific character. Dakota Johnson sounds like she was bored out of her mind. Every other scene she had a vibe that simply screamed, “just give me the paycheck.”

Of course, Johnson’s material did not serve her well. Once again, this is from the same writers behind “Morbius,” Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless. Granted, there were other writers too. I do not know if this is a case of not understanding the material, having too many cooks in the kitchen, or perhaps a combination of those two things. Perhaps something else entirely. Nevertheless, a bad movie is a bad movie. And believe me when I say this movie is a travesty. Take some of the worst dialogue of all time, unlikable characters, stiff direction, bad A-D-R, bleak color grading, and top it off with a rather deceptive marketing campaign, and you have the recipe for an utter disaster! Some could say this movie has a so bad it’s good vibe to it, but I do not see it. This is a movie made by people who seem to barely have any interest in what it is about.

Honestly, this movie reminded me of 2015’s “Fantastic 4,” where you have recognizable actors on screen known for other decent projects, but they are wasted in this mind-numbing comic book-based abomination. Granted some faces are more famous than others, but on top of the recently mentioned Dakota Johnson. You have Sydney Sweeney, a two time Emmy nominee! She even does the whole cliche where you take someone so shy and reserved and out of nowhere she becomes the belle of ball. It is so unbelievably corny.

And if you did not give your money to the fine people behind “Madame Web,” that is okay. Because Pepsi certainly did! Pepsi is everywhere in this movie! As a soda drinker myself, I kind of go back and forth between Pepsi and Coke. Although if you ask me, it is possible that “Madame Web” solidified me as a Coke drinker for a very long time because it is one thing for Pepsi to dominate every frame. And in this movie’s case, the drink dominates a noticeable amount of them. It is another thing for them to arguably play as much of a role in this film as our protagonist by the time the film reaches its conclusion.

And speaking of conclusions, that is both the best and worst part of the movie. Because remember how I said this movie has deceptive marketing? By the way, that is another thing this film and “Morbius” have in common. Pure poetry! If you remember the trailers for “Madame Web,” they show our heroes in costume, but we do not end up seeing that until the final couple of minutes! To top off the laziness, we see a vision of our characters in the future, probably in some story we will hopefully never see, and said vision borrows a shot from “Spider-Man 2,” a significantly better film in every way imaginable.

I said at the beginning of this list that you are going to see bad Sony movies and bad comic book movies. “Madame Web” as far as I am concerned, is the worst of both disciplines. It takes a giant crap on several well-known characters. It further tarnishes the rotting corpse that is the Sony Spider-Man Universe. The film itself is shot and presented in a rather lackluster fashion. It has an occasionally nonsensical screenplay that contains insufferable characters emitting terrible lines or in your face exposition. And it is sad to know that this movie was part of Columbia Pictures’ 100 year celebration! Judging by some of the other movies on this list, I do not think Columbia’s 100th year was their best. Some people say Disney and Warner Bros. had some noticeable missteps during their centennial celebrations in 2023, and it looks like Columbia is following them in such a path in 2024.

If someone buys you “Madame Web” on DVD, just run the copy over with a car. I would not wish this movie on my worst enemy. “Venom: The Last Dance” is bad, but Tom Hardy still holds his own as the two lead characters. “Kraven the Hunter” is a disgrace, but it has okay action scenes. “Madame Web” has nothing redeemable about it. There was one part in the middle of the movie that served the story in a halfway decent manner, and for all I know, maybe this movie could lead to someone remembering how to perform C-P-R one day. But that is about it! “Madame Web” is executed in such a way that made me wonder if the people behind it refused to give a single ounce of care about it. As for my experience watching this film, chances are I cared even less. So much so that “Madame Web” is easily the worst movie I have seen in 2024!

Thanks for reading this countdown! I have to tell you the absolute truth. The bad movies really stood out this year. The past couple years I gave a 1/10 to only a single movie. Well, that is unless you count movies I saw from those years after they ended, in addition to those I did not have time to review. 2024 is the first year in a while that I had to give a 1/10 for two movies. Granted, this is also a leap year, so with an extra day comes extra stupidity. And both of those 1/10 verdicts still stand by the way. Hopefully I can soon get out this hole of pessimism. Thankfully, there is probably a way to do that! Later this week I am also going to be diving into the best movies of 2024! Stay tuned for that countdown when it arrives! 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 2024? What film irked you the most this year? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Top 10 BEST Movies of 2023

Posted on January 8, 2024 by Jack Drees

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.

Honorable Mention: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

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.

Honorable Mention: The Boy and the Heron

“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.

Honorable Mention: Joy Ride

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.

Honorable Mention: Bottoms

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.

Honorable Mention: The Holdovers

“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?

Honorable Mention: The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes

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!

#10: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

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.

#8: Suzume

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.

#7: BlackBerry

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.

#6: Priscilla

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.

#5: Oppenheimer

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.

#4: John Wick: Chapter 4

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.

#3: The First Slam Dunk

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.

#2: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

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.

#1: Godzilla: Minus One

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!

Top 10 WORST Movies of 2023

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Jack Drees

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.

Dishonorable Mention: Next Goal Wins

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.

Dishonorable Mention: Anyone But You

“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.

Dishonorable Mention: Napoleon

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!

#10: A Haunting in Venice

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!

#9: 80 for Brady

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.

#8: Elemental

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.

#7: Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken

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!

#6: Meg 2: The Trench

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.

#5: Hypnotic

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.

#4: 65

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.

#3: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

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.

#2: Fast X

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.

#1: Freelance

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!

Top 10 BEST Movies of 2022

Posted on January 10, 2023 by Jack Drees

Hey everyone, Jack Drees here! It is time once again to reflect on the year’s cinematic calendar! It is time to list my top 10 BEST movies of 2022! If you have not read any of these countdowns before, the rules look a little something like this. First, I must have seen the movie for it to qualify for the list, obviously. There are certain titles I missed out on this year like “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,” “Father Stu,” “RRR,” “Blonde,” and “Crimes of the Future.” I can only see so many things in one span of 365 days. Also, this is a subjective list. I am not saying these are the movies you should like, I am only giving my recommendations. Maybe you’ll like them, maybe not. I am not trying to force anyone to love these titles. Also, these movies must have had some theatrical release over the past year, even if it just played in one theater. If it is a straight to Disney+ or HBO Max title for example, the film does not qualify. Although on that note, I will be listing where you can find these movies as of writing this post. If you are reading this months from now, they might be somewhere else, but still. Also, if I reviewed the movie, which is the case for almost all of the entries on this list, I have attached links to my reviews of these projects. Check them out if you are interested in knowing more about my thoughts! With that out of the way, it is time to start counting down the movies, and we will start with these honorable mentions.

Honorable Mention: Top Gun: Maverick (available on Paramount+)

The first of six honorable mentions this year is “Top Gun: Maverick.” I saw “Top Gun: Maverick” three times this year, with two of those times being in a giant IMAX theater. It is probably the most immersive movie that has come out in 2022. Yes, even more than “Avatar: The Way of Water.” I like the first “Top Gun,” but I can easily claim this sequel is superior. This film is action-packed, funny, and ultimately has something for everyone.

Honorable Mention: Nope (available on Peacock)

Speaking of movies I saw three times this year, “Nope” is a Spielberg-like effort that offers stunning cinematography, a creepy UFO, and charismatic characters. What more could you want? While it is probably not in contention for any Oscars, Keke Palmer gives a performance that displays her talent and personality in full force. This is my least favorite film from Jordan Peele, but it also stands out for being his most fun. Give it a watch sometime.

Honorable Mention: Clerks III (available on VOD)

“Clerks III” is one of my favorite comedies of the year. Like some of the other films on this list, this is a love letter to filmmaking. But what makes this one stand out from say the recently mentioned “Nope,” is that it feels less like a love letter to Hollywood, perhaps industrial filmmaking. And instead, more of a shoutout to those working in independent films or those who just want to make movies with their friends. “Clerks III” is not only funny, but utilizes a true event from Kevin Smith’s life to add plenty of emotion. It is the best “Clerks” movie of the trilogy.

Honorable Mention: The Adam Project (available on Netflix)

“The Adam Project” is the latest collaboration from star Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy. This film has a clever concept, a talented cast, and some slick action sequences. Alongside Ryan Reynolds, Walker Scobell plays a younger version of his character and delivers plenty of palatable chemistry. It is also a great watch for younger viewers, because I think they can take something away from the film in addition to being entertained by it.

Honorable Mention: Babylon (in theaters)

Similar to how “Nope” is my least favorite Jordan Peele directorial effort, I can say the same when it comes to “Babylon” directed by Damien Chazelle. Although despite that claim, I can nevertheless point out that “Babylon” is an absolute must see for lovers of film. The lead performances by stars like Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt are unspeakably grand. Some of the sets are among the most eye-popping of the year. For the most part, “Babylon” mixes comedy and drama to excellent results. It is another spectacular effort from Damien Chazelle.

Honorable Mention: Emergency (available on Prime Video)

Lastly for honorable mentions is “Emergency.” I watched “Emergency” late into the year, but I am glad I had the chance to check it out. This movie is responsible for some of 2022’s most gutbusting scenes, palatable chemistry between talent, and a simple concept done brilliantly. Like “Babylon,” there are certain moments that successfully blend comedy and drama, in addition to quite a few thrills.

With those out of the way, it is to talk about my favorite movies of the year one more time. These are my top 10 BEST movies of 2022!

#10. Smile (available on Paramount+)

Coming in at #10 is “Smile!” 2022 might be the best year for horror I have experienced while doing Scene Before, and this film is exhibit A as to why that is the case. This is a film that did not cost a ton of money to make, in fact it was intended to be a straight to Paramount+ release until they did test screenings. The test screenings had enormously positive results, the film was put in theaters, and people ate it up. Not to mention, Paramount must have been popping bottles over the humungous profit. This film has a terrific lead performance by Sosie Bacon, a captivating supporting cast, and a neat concept. Sosie Bacon is responsible for one of my favorite lead performances in a horror film since Toni Collete in “Hereditary.” The way she has to navigate the lead role through such terrifying, strange, and outlandish happenings is brilliantly realized and I bought into all of it. The horror genre has a history of delivering scares through repeated, expectedly horrifying concepts like clowns, ghosts, and monsters. “Smile” on the other hand effectively takes an everyday concept, specifically smiling, and makes it scary. Nevertheless, this movie was grin-inducing. “Smile” has elements of other horror movies, but uses those elements to create something delightfully fresh. This is the feature-length debut for Parker Finn, and I cannot wait to see what idea he comes up with next.

#9. Barbarian (available on HBO Max)

Speaking of top tier horror, #9 is “Barbarian.” This film is simple in its concept, but balls to the wall crazy good in its execution. Essentially, a woman rents a home while visiting a spot away from where she lives but she ends up finding another guest staying in the house when she arrives. Despite the confusion, the two end up staying together. Georgina Campbell and Bill Skarsgård have great chemistry and had my attention from the first act and beyond. Justin Long has a significant role in the movie and he does an outstanding job playing one of the most fascinatingly written characters of any movie I have seen this year. In addition, this film is scary, gory, and tense. There is a sense of conflict even in the most miniscule of moments. While there are some expected horror elements in “Barbarian,” the film stands out for how well it uses the relationship between Tess (Campbell) and Keith (Skarsgård) to not only further the story, but further the sense of unease for the former. After all, Tess is a woman entering a home with which she is unfamiliar and there is a seemingly strange man inside. Classic stranger danger. The ending feels a tad abrupt, but that is forgiven with one of the year’s most well-written scripts and some genuinely creepy moments.

#8. Turning Red (available on Disney+)

Up next on this list is “Turning Red!” Some of you might be thinking that this film goes against my theatrical only rule because it is a Disney+ release. Technically speaking, yes, it is primarily a Disney+ release. Although the film also released in select theaters at the same time. In fact, I had the privilege of getting to watch this film earlier this year at the El Capitan in Los Angeles. “Turning Red” is marvelously animated in addition to being ridiculously fun. The music in the film is occasionally catchy, the characters are likable, and I always rooted for the protagonist of Meilin Lee. “Turning Red” is my favorite Pixar film of the decade thus far because much like some of my other favorite Pixar movies like “Up,” it is a story that perfectly balances fun and emotion. It is a story that I adored because of how likable of a character Meilin is but also because of how it reminded me of how some people in my family, possibly including myself, may have had to adjust to me as I was growing up and becoming an adult. Granted, this film is a metaphor for puberty, and as a man, part of that metaphor involves something that I cannot experience firsthand. But that also goes to show how impactful this film is. It is a film that despite its subject matter, is accessible to a multitude of audiences and manages to keep me interested the whole way.

#7. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (in theaters, available on VOD)

If you thought “Turning Red” was a cool animation, then guess what? “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is freaking spectacular. While I care about Pixar, the studio that made “Turning Red,” a bit more than DreamWorks, when the studio has a hit, I am not afraid to acknowledge it. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is a movie that did not deserve to be this good. It is not just fun, but it is hilarious, fast-paced, and surprisingly dark. I enjoyed the first “Puss in Boots” for what it was, but “The Last Wish” makes the original “Puss in Boots” look like “Shrek the Third” when I compare it to the first “Shrek” installment. Not only is the concept brilliant despite its simplicity, but it also delivers a great lesson for children. Antonio Banderas kills it as Puss, the supporting cast from Florence Pugh to John Mulaney all bring their A-game, and the writing does them all favors. Aside from that, this is one of the prettiest looking films of the year with stunningly realized action sequences. If anything, I would say “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” to my delightful surprise, is this year’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” Not only does the movie excellently bring forth such an epic journey with likable characters, memorable moments, and tons of laughs. It also manages to break new ground in terms of delivering an unconventional, but attractive animation style. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is a movie I would recommend for all ages.

#6. The Fabelmans (in theaters, available on VOD)

Steven Spielberg is one of the greatest filmmakers of all time and he continues to prove it this year with his brand-new movie, “The Fabelmans.” This movie was practically made for me. It is about a young boy growing up in a kooky family who just wants to make movies. I was sold with the premise, but little did I know how much said premise would translate to a great story on its own. “The Fabelmans” is not just a solid story, but it reminded me of why I do what I do. Specifically anything and everything around film and video. Whether it means making it or reviewing it. I do it for myself, obviously, but like this post, or anything else deemed artistic, I do it for an audience. If the audience continues to come back, I will keep making this for them. “The Fabelmans” showcases the importance of family while also highlighting the spirit of one’s hopes and dreams. The film is funny, dramatic, and heartwarming. This is one of the most fun watches of 2022 for a plethora of reasons. One reason why this movie is not higher on the list is because the second act, while still good, slightly falters at a certain point and shifts the tone dramatically before getting back on the horse in the third act, but it does not change the fact that I left “The Fabelmans” a happy camper. If you have ever had a dream, you will adore this movie.

#5. Pearl (available on VOD)

Up next is a movie I did not get to review this year, and that is “Pearl!” This year, Ti West created “X,” which I thought was a solid horror flick. Then months later we got this prequel. I waited a bit to watch both films, I nailed em both in a day, and I cannot be happier that I did. What a great series of films so far. “Pearl” surprised me because of how quick it came after “X.” Speaking of surprises, I was amazed in regard to how much more “Pearl” stuck with me compared to “X” after watching it. While films like “Glass Onion” have a more recognizable cast, the ensemble in “Pearl” is by far the cream of the crop for 2022. Mia Goth is a freaking legend as Pearl. Emma Jenkins-Purro plays her friend, Mitsy, to perfection. Pearl’s mom, played by Tandi Wright, is incredible. There is a particular argument between Wright and Goth that sent chills down my spine. Most horror movies give me chills through action. Maybe someone gets beaten, bloodied, killed. But despite how actions often speak louder than words, this is a film where words, not to mention moments of silence, become the elephants in the room. There is a five-minute monologue that is perfectly executed in every way from Ti West and crew behind the camera, and Mia Goth in front of it. It is almost the greatest scene of the year, and possibly the best acting of the year. For those who read this post, I recommend “X.” Give it a shot if you have not seen it. But if you must know, its follow-up prequel, “Pearl,” is jaw-dropping, mind-boggling, and I could not stop thinking about it the moment it was over. Give “Pearl” a watch sometime.

#4. The Banshees of Inisherin (in theaters, available on HBO Max)

What is the concept of “The Banshees of Inisherin?” Two friends break up. Sounds kind of boring, right? Well, it is not! In fact it is one of the most satisfying movies I have seen in recent memory! This movie had happiness, sadness, and everything in between. This is a simple concept that becomes more twisted by the second. The locations in this movie are easy on the eyes and some of the most attractive I have seen on screen this year. In an industry that is increasingly relying on green screens and new technologies like StageCraft, it is nice to see movies like “The Banshees of Inisherin” show the power of what shooting on location can do. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are brilliant together. Never have I wanted to spend so much time watching two characters who hate each other this much. This movie is directed by Martin McDonagh, who also helmed “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” While I liked “Three Billboards,” I loved “Banshees” and I cannot wait to see it again.

#3. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (available on VOD)

Up next is one of the cutest movies I have seen in my entire life, “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On!” I have not seen the “Marcel the Shell” web series that this movie bases itself on, but this does not change the fact that this movie offers the most adorable scenes and characters I have seen in recent film. I have seen a lot of movies, therefore I have witnessed plenty of comedic scenes, but “Marcel the Shell” offers a possible first for me through my moviegoing experiences. There was a segment in the film that had me laughing so hard that I drooled by an armrest. This is one of the few gems that audiences witnessed this year from A24, and it is undoubtedly one of my favorite movies from the studio. I think as far as family friendly movies go, there is almost no better option in regards to this year’s cinematic calendar. This is the kind of movie that will enlighten imaginations and entertain everyone. Despite being based on previously established materials, this is one of the most original and fresh stories of the year. On paper, this sounds ridiculous, but the execution is perfect. Give “Marcel the Shell” a shot, you might be surprised on how great it is!

#2. The Menu (in theaters, available on HBO Max)

Anya Taylor-Joy has been on a roll lately doing one interesting project after the next. Projects like “Emma.” and “Last Night in Soho.” While she made an okay movie with “The Northman,” I can declare that “The Menu” is a feast in every way. All the characters, even those as minor as can be, are charming. The editing is some of the cleanest and funniest of the year. The script is incredible. If I could relive one theatrical experience this year, my first experience of “The Menu” would be up there because of how hard I laughed. Very few movies have been this funny and haunting at the same time. I also loved John Leguizamo’s character. Hong Chau is excellent in her supporting role. Ralph Fiennes however practically steals the show as the eccentric chef Julian Slowik. I saw the trailer for this movie during almost every screening I went to for some time at the theater. It gladdens me to say despite how many times that trailer played, this movie still felt fresh and delivered plenty of moments to savor. Once again, this year has been chock full of great horror like the few films already mentioned on this list such as “Smile.” Although if I had to pick a favorite project within the horror genre, it would probably be “The Menu.” This movie delivers some of the best dark comedy in recent cinema. The laughs were neither short or quiet. Above all, “The Menu” is this year’s greatest encapsulation of what horror can be.

#1. Everything Everywhere All at Once (available on Paramount+, Showtime)

Through all the ups and downs, peaks and valleys, and all that jazz, we have arrived to my favorite film that I saw for the first time in theaters this year, excluding “Belle,” which despite being on some of this year’s best lists, is technically a 2021 film. I would love to include it, but I cannot, because reasons.

That said, I can include the greatest multiverse story ever told, one so great that it is unfathomable as to how it can ever be beaten. My #1 best movie of 2022 is “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Between the recently mentioned “Marcel the Shell,” the “X” movies, and even movies like “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” A24 killed it with this year’s slate, and “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is the holy grail of this great slew of films. There is so much to love about “Everything Everywhere All at Once” that I am not sure I would have time to list all the reasons. To start, here is some talk about the film’s originality. For those of you who say original filmmaking is dead, let me just remind you that in recent times, there is an executive who thought a movie about a woman who tries to save all of reality while dealing with the IRS and her family was a good idea. This is one of the best concepts for a film I have ever heard, and it has led to one of the best films I have ever seen. I try to avoid seeing movies twice in theaters, but this is one where I made an exception. This is the kind of film that would make for an outstanding watch with friends who have no idea what it is. I would love to invite a friend or two over who have never seen the movie and see how they react to certain scenes because I am sure some of those reactions will either stand out, or vary across the board. Either way, despite following the recent multiverse trend Marvel has been doing lately, this movie is a one of a kind. I have never seen anything like it, and it is possible I will never see anything like it again.

Every single cast member had to take on perhaps one of the toughest, most complex roles they had to face in their lives. Because they are not just playing one character, they’re playing two, three, four, sometimes hundreds of different iterations of the same character. Each one is unique enough to pass as its own, but they are all a small part of this massive story. Michelle Yeoh plays the lead role of Evelyn, and said character is the perfect center to this movie as she is perhaps a representation of everyone who had a dream. This movie begs the question as to what our lives could have been if we made a certain choice, or if our lives are planned out to be super exciting or totally boring from the getgo. Joining Yeoh is Jamie Lee Curtis as a cranky IRS inspector, in addition to Stephanie Hsu as a massively layered character by the name of Joy, and you have Ke Huy Quan making a comeback as Waymond, Evelyn’s husband. All of these performances are terrific and each one of their characters maintain a great deal of pizzazz and personality.

This film has perhaps the most ridiculous, absurd, jaw-dropping use of quantity, and therefore, it all adds up to what can only be described as god tier quality. The amount of universes we visit, the varied characters we see, the concepts that feel new, fresh, and exciting, it all makes the film so thrilling, and yet, mind-numbing to describe. There are so many exciting things going on in “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” that there has to be more than one definitive, perfect, sellable way to tell people what this movie actually is on the surface. Although the best thing about this film is that despite its convolution, despite so many different things going on all at once, it does not keep itself from neglecting the core of its story. Evelyn is easily the most likable protagonist of the year because while she does whatever she can to succeed in accomplishing her goals, we also see other versions of her who are practically superior, and while they may be happy, it makes me feel sympathetic toward the central Evelyn who is spending her days running a laundromat. We see hints of her other interests throughout the movie. Perhaps her other creative aspirations. There are others in this great multiverse who are living dreams that she failed to achieve, so in a way, I feel bad for this Evelyn most of all. This movie got me to care about rocks sitting next to each other. I cannot remember the the last time I said that. I sometimes think about and appreciate how animations can successfully turn inanimate things like toys into lively, emotional figures. “Everything Everywhere All at Once” on the other hand is live-action, and I found myself surprisingly captivated by rocks. This movie takes big swings, and every hit is a grand slam. While “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is not my favorite movie of all time, it is one that is so unique, so one of a kind in its nature, that I do not know how it could possibly be done as a sequel or how people could rip it off with pleasing results. “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is a representation of what people’s lives could have been, and yet, shows us what life is all about. That is why it is my favorite movie of 2022.

Thanks for reading this countdown! First off, I want to shoutout everyone who made a movie in 2022, good or bad. You kept this moron inside the cinema or in front of the television, and I call that an achievement. If you want me to be real, 2022 did not have a lot of exceptionally great movies compared to other years, same with the exceptionally bad. There were plenty of good movies though. Although some, like the recently mentioned “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” falls under the category of exceptional. It is that epic. That said, the time for 2022 movies is coming to a close, and it is time to move on to 2023! I want to announce some time this year, we will be doing the 5th Annual Jack Awards. For those who do not know, I do this thing every year called the Jackoff Awards, where I celebrate the year in film. It is like the poor man’s version of the Oscars. And yes, I said Jack Awards. I am changing the name. It is my show, I can do what I want! The other name is kind of getting old. It did win a Twitter poll, and that is why I stuck with it, but this year I decided, enough is enough. Stay tuned for the 5th Annual Jack Awards, coming later this winter! Some of the films mentioned here, possibly all of them, could contend for Best Picture when the awards arrive. Stay tuned! If you want to see more of my recent countdowns, check out my top 10 WORST movies of 2022, and speaking of leaping into the new year, also be sure to check out my top 10 MOST ANTICIPATED movies of 2023! 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 favorite movies of 2022? Did I miss anything? Do you agree with my list? Disagree? List your picks down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

	Top 10 BEST Movies o… on Secret Mall Apartment (2024):…
	Top 10 BEST Movies o… on Is This Thing On? (2025): Brad…
	Top 10 BEST Movies o… on The Life of Chuck (2024): The…
	Top 10 BEST Movies o… on Hans Zimmer & Friends: Dia…
	Top 10 BEST Movies o… on The Long Walk (2025): No Misst…