Dune: Part Two

Top 10 BEST Movies of 2024

Posted on 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 MOST ANTICIPATED Movies of 2023

Posted on by Jack Drees

Hey everyone, Jack Drees here! It is that time of year again to do my annual countdown streak, and this year is going to be a little bit different. In 2021, I did a most anticipated movies list for that year’s slate. I did not do one last year, but as you can see, it has been brought back this year. We are starting off the countdowns with my top 10 most MOST ANTICIPATED movies of 2023. Yes, the best and worst are coming, there will be more info on that later. Before we start, here are some ground rules. First off, much like my usual best and worst lists, these are completely subjective picks. I am not saying you have to agree with me on these picks, but these are recommendations for movies to check out this year, mostly as a to do list for myself. I do not know how these movies will turn out. In fact, many of you reading this probably are in the same boat. These are just my opinions, just a fair warning. Also, these movies have to be on the verge of a theatrical release. If a project will not be playing in theaters, I will not count it, as I technically call that television. With that said, I am going to list one honorable mention because I like the people behind the film, but I do not know much about it and I think if I knew more, I could potentially put it in my top 10.

Honorable Mention: True Love

While doing research for this list, one project I found is “True Love,” a science fiction film from Gareth Edwards (above). The track record for Gareth Edwards in regards to what I think about his resume is in a word “positive.” Although he directed “Rogue One,” which is one of the best things to have come out of the Disney “Star Wars” era. He knows how to make a film. Plus, not only his he directing “True Love,” he is also writing it. In addition, the cast includes notable names like John David Washington (Tenet, Amsterdam), Gemma Chan (Eternals, Crazy Rich Asians), and Allison Janney (I, Tonya, Mom). This movie has some promise, I just hope to know more about it soon. The film releases this October, so hopefully we get a trailer around the halfway point of the year.

With that out of the way, it is time to count down my top 10 MOST ANTICIPATED movies of 2023!

#10. Wonka

Starting off this list is a film that I almost forgot was coming out, “Wonka!” I love “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” and say what you want about the 2005 “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” I genuinely think it is a great film. I cannot wait to return to the world of Willy Wonka. But this time around we are not seeing another redo of the classic story by Roald Dahl and instead, getting a prequel as to how Wonka got his start. I have no idea what vibe they are going to go for with this. Supposedly this story is about Wonka’s days before he creates his own chocolate factory, which we have seen on screen before, but perhaps not in this much detail. I imagine this will be a magical story for the whole family, but I also wonder if they could go in a darker direction with this story too. After all, if you remember the other stories in this property, children, who to be fair, are kind of rotten, face various near death experiences because of how Wonka sets up his factory. I know this sounds dark, but I want to know if Wonka is setting up certain aspects of his factory on purpose. Remember the boat from “Willy Wonka?” If Augustus did not get sucked in the tube, he and his mother would not have even had a seat on the boat for themselves, it would have exceeded full capacity. Maybe I am overthinking things, but I am sure that whatever kind of story they tell, it has the potential to have the same awe and wonder I had when I read “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in elementary school. Also, Timothee Chalamet will be playing Willy Wonka this time around, and I do not know how his performance will be, but I have never seen him choose a questionable project, so this must be something special.

#9. John Wick: Chapter 4

Coming in at #9 is “John Wick: Chapter 4!” I have always loved the “John Wick” franchise. While I have not gone back to watch the films a whole ton over the years, I will say that this franchise manages to do something that people often say franchises fail to do, make a sequel that surpasses the original. I think it is fair to say I liked “John Wick: Chapter 2” more than its predecessor. Also, did I like “John Wick: Chapter 3” even more? Dang right, I like it more! Bring on the assassin dogs! I almost do not even care what the plot is at this point. I mean, maybe a little. This time around, John Wick has to trot the globe to defeat a new enemy. The concept does not seem to break new ground, but if you deliver action that is as killer and thriller as the previous installments, this could be worth watching. While I love “The Matrix,” I think Keanu Reeves is better suited to play John Wick than Neo, and I have always loved his portrayal of this character. I’m thinkin’ he is back and better than ever! I have no idea if this film is going to be good. For all I know it could suck. But if we are going by statistics, I think “John Wick: Chapter 4” could end up being a great time.

#8. Elemental

Speaking of statistics, Pixar has yet to make a bad movie. Even recent outings like “Luca” and “Lightyear,” while they are lower tier projects, I will still give them credit for entertaining me. That said, I am very curious about Pixar’s next project, “Elemental.” Pixar over the years has popped the question about what happens if certain things had emotions. What if toys had emotions? What if cars had emotions? What if emotions had emotions like in “Inside Out?” I do not know much about this movie so far. All I know is that the story is likely going to focus on a water being named Wade and fire being named Ember. The two meet unexpectedly and this seems to throttle the story going forward. But the thing is that given how these are different elements, Wade and Ember cannot touch each other. Given how there is an entire story between these two, something seismic is bound to happen. Perhaps a romance plot? That seems very likely. Plus, Peter Sohn, the director behind the project, notes that the movie traces elements of his experience growing up, and I imagine that could add some personality to the table. Here is hoping the movie is yet another win for Pixar.

#7. 65

On the note of actors who always appear in projects I like such as the recently mentioned Timothee Chalamet, let’s talk about a movie featuring the great Adam Driver, “65!” Sony recently released a trailer for this film almost out of nowhere, and I am curious as to what this movie could bring to the table. As much as I love “Jurassic Park,” the franchise has lost its magic it originally had in the 1990s when it made dinosaurs terrifying. This is especially true with the recent “Jurassic World: Dominion,” which is a roaring travesty. “65” looks like it is going to bring something fresh for dinosaur movies. The concept of this movie is that a couple people, including pilot Mills (Driver), crash land on a planet, which happens to be earth from 65 million years ago. The mission is to survive this unfamiliar territory, which includes, yes, dinosaurs. While he is not directing the movie, Sam Raimi is producing it, which seems promising. In fact, Raimi mainstay Danny Elfman is doing the score, and I always enjoy his work. The other thing to keep in mind is that the duo who wrote (and directed) this film also co-wrote “A Quiet Place,” which is an incredible horror movie with some of the scariest moments the genre has delivered in recent times. Scott Beck and Bryan Woods may be delivering one of the year’s highlights this March.

#6. Cocaine Bear

Some of you might beg to ask why I am putting this movie on the list. The reason is because I have been looking forward to it ever since I first heard about the crazy, unbelievable story that inspired this project back in 2021, That movie, my friends, is “Cocaine Bear.” The name alone is worth the curiosity, but the story is worth the attention. For those who do not know, this film, as crazy as it sounds, is based on true events. There are liberties taken in this case, but it is fun to know that this absurd concept is based on something that actually happened. Essentially, millions of dollars worth of cocaine happens to be separated from a plane and a bear ends up eating it. This movie sounds delightfully over the top, and it also looks hysterical. The bear itself looks like it could be the biggest riot of the year. The movie is probably not going to win any Oscars, but this looks like a contender for the year’s most kneeslap-inducing comedy. This film is directed by Elizabeth Banks, who previously directed the 2019 “Charlie’s Angels,” which I honestly was not a fan of. Although I genuinely like her and everything else she does. If you guys are not watching the ABC reboot of “Press Your Luck,” you should. Banks is honestly the best game show host on television right now. The one other caveat that comes to mind is that the movie comes out in February, and the first couple months of the year, with a few exceptions, are usually where movies go to die. I was looking forward to “Moonfall” last year, I thought it could be stupid fun. …It was one of those things, and if you read my thoughts on the movie itself, you could probably figure out which one. All I know is that this film looks ridiculous, it sounds like a strange concept, but as the saying goes, truth is stranger than fiction. Therefore, for all I know we could have a gem on our hands.

#5. Oppenheimer

Sometimes you have to really sell me on a movie to get me in the door, and in others, you just need to use the magic words. The magic words in this case… Christopher Nolan. Ladies and gentlemen, my #5 most anticipated film of the year is “Oppenheimer.” Christopher Nolan is my favorite director working today. With the exception of “Following,” I have seen all of his movies and enjoyed all of them. I even liked “Tenet!” I watched it twice this year when I found it playing on HBO for crying out loud! I have no idea how good “Oppenheimer” will end up being, but I know that it has the potential to be the movie of the summer. One that not only can bring in a big audience. One that not only ends up delivering a one of a kind cinematic experience. One that is not just as technically brilliant as it is solid of a story. But also one that could get people to think after they leave. After all, this movie is centered around Robert J. Oppenheimer and his involvement in developing the atomic bomb. This has the potential to be an emotional ride in more ways than one. Plus you have a stacked cast including Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., and even Kenneth Branagh is making a return to the Nolan-verse. There is massive potential with this movie, and I hope it is executed well when it comes out.

#4. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

James Gunn is a solid filmmaker, especially when it comes to comic book material. That is just one of the reasons why “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is the MCU movie I am perhaps looking forward to more than any other this year. I am looking forward to “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” but I have my reservations. “The Marvels” could be good, but I need to know a little more. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” on the other hand looks like an encapsulation of why I adore these characters, these stories. This is said to be the last “Guardians of the Galaxy” installment with this crew, which could end up contributing to an emotional script and great character moments. This film looks fun, visually stunning, and hysterical. If there is one thing that Gunn does well in his movies, it is delivering a perfect balance between comedy and heart. Yes, it is strangely amusing to see a talking tree who emits one phrase walk amongst a team of heroes, but the first “Guardians of the Galaxy” also uses that tree to induce tears out of people’s eyes. I would not be surprised if we get one or two of those kinds of moments here, especially considering the conclusiveness of this particular chapter. I do want to be careful though because I had monumental expectations for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” and that ended up being a disappointment for me. But Gunn’s resume also consists of the original “Guardians of the Galaxy,” which was hilarious and had a killer soundtrack. Additionally, he made “The Suicide Squad,” which is probably my favorite DC project of all time. Also, recently, he did “Peacemaker” on HBO Max, which in addition to having the greatest opening title sequence in history, is marvelously led by John Cena. Not to mention it is simply a fantastic series. Here is hoping “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is another win for James Gunn.

#3. Dune: Part Two

I really enjoyed the first “Dune” during my few watches. It has my favorite film score of 2021, the visual effects are outstanding, and it totally deserved its Best Picture nomination from the Academy. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that I am looking forward to “Dune: Part Two.” I am not familiar with any of the other “Dune” stories or the source material. But I cannot help but look forward to what is to come. Denis Villeneuve, the director behind the first film, is coming back to helm this one. He is a master of sci-fi storytelling, and I will not be surprised if he ends up churning out a sequel that surpasses the original. Like I said in my description for “Wonka,” Timothee Chalamet is a great actor, and he chooses his films wisely. Good to see him back as Paul Atreides. Rebecca Ferguson is back, so is Stellan Skarsgard, and maybe we will get a bit more of Zendaya. At the same time, we also have newcomers like the gifted Austin Butler and the great Florence Pugh joining the cast, so here is hoping we have a movie as excellent as its talent. I am looking forward to seeing more of this journey, and if the first film showcased anything, this could be a contender for the most technically beautiful film of the year.

#2. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning – Part One

If you guys remember my 2021 most anticipated movies list, you may remember that I had “Mission: Impossible 7” on the #3 spot. Well, that movie has yet to come out, and it has been promoted to the #2 spot. This time, it has an official title, specifically “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning – Part One.” Much like “John Wick,” “Mission: Impossible,” for the most part, is a franchise that gets better with each movie. The first film was great, but I thought the second was a giant step down. The third one was better, but the quality also appeared to increase with the fourth, fifth, and sixth installments too. When I did my best movies of 2018 list, “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” was my #1, and I often flip it back and forth these days with “Avengers: Infinity War,” which at the time was my #2. At the time, I did not know how Tom Cruise, arguably my favorite movie star in the business, could supposedly do a more daredevil-esque stunt than learning how to fly a helicopter just to pull off the film’s climax. Well, it appears Christopher McQuarrie, who is returning for his third “Mission: Impossible” outing, has an answer. I recently watched a behind the scenes video of how they pulled off a specific stunt where Cruise jumps off of a ramp while flying off of a motorcycle. I have no words. I cannot wait to see this on the big screen, this has the potential, like I said about “Oppenheimer,” to be the movie of the summer. “Top Gun: Maverick” made over a billion dollars at the box office last year. If this movie is masterclass material, I can honestly imagine this film outgrossing “Top Gun: Maverick.” I could change my mind, but everything that I have seen in regard to this film so far, looks incredible. This is certainly a mission I will choose to accept.

#1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

This is a film that not only has earned my spot as my most anticipated movie of the year, it has the potential to be the greatest animated movie of all time. That film is “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” I love “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” It is not my favorite comic book movie of 2018, but it is my favorite animated movie of that year. Miles Morales is a total delight. The film has stellar supporting characters from Peter B. Parker to Gwen Stacy to Jefferson Davis. I loved everyone in it. But that movie not only had great characters with phenomenal voice acting across the board, but some of the most unique, stunning animation in film history. I was not sold on it when I saw the marketing, but when I saw the movie, I wanted more of it. Not only are we getting more of it in this upcoming sequel, but it also appears that the film is going to have several different animation styles for various universes. How many are we talking? Two? Three? NO! TRY SIX! SIX ANIMATION STYLES! WHAT IS HAPPENING?! I was thrilled last year when “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” blended 2D and 3D animation together. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” feels like a different kind of technical ambition. Having Oscar Isaac return to play Miguel O’Hara, otherwise known as the 2099 Spider-Man, is something I did not think would happen, but I am delighted to see him return here. I thought he was just inserted in the last film’s post-credit scene as a one-off joke, guess not. I would not say it matters though, I am happy to see him come back. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the two directors behind “The LEGO Movie,” are writing this outing, and given how much I love their previous work, including their recently produced “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” it only ups the anticipation a bit more. I will remind everyone reading this that animation is a medium, not a genre. I admittedly have referred to it as a genre sometimes, and I feel guilty when I have. That said, this film looks it could not just define the superhero movie genre, but the animation medium. The trailer that just came out took my expectations to perhaps an unhealthy level. It is the best trailer I have seen in 2022, and for all I know we could get an even better one in 2023. Just for the record, “Spider-Man 2” from 2004 is my favorite comic book movie of all time. If “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” surpasses “Spider-Man 2,” it is a special kind of special movie. It is going to be challenging, but I love a good challenge. And if “Across the Spider-Verse” does surpass “Spider-Man 2,” I will be proud of everyone who worked on this movie for going above and beyond to deliver a great experience. It looks like we have something grand, here is hoping that this return to the Spider-Verse delivers the glory.

Thanks for reading this countdown! I hope you enjoyed reading my picks for my top 10 most anticipated movies of 2023. It is a bit unusual that I am doing this list, but I thought it could make for good material as I am waiting to see “Babylon,” which if I did not see before I did my best and worst of the year, I feel I would be doing a disservice to my audience. Speaking of the top 10 best and worst, we are going to dive into those soon, because my next countdown is going to be for my top 10 WORST movies of 2022. Yes, we are doing the worst before the best this year. The reason for that is because I want to get the bad stuff out of the way, that way I can save the best for last. And in a world where recent information is as snappy as ever, I want people to remember me for the things I love and not the things I hate. If you want to see these countdowns 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 the movies you are looking forward to the most in 2023? Do you think I missed anything? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!