Movie

Top 10 BEST Movies of 2023

Posted on 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 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!

Anyone But You (2023): Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell Star in a Romantic Comedy That Neither Feels Romantic or Funny

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Anyone But You” is directed by Will Gluck (Friends with Benefits, Peter Rabbit) and stars Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria, The Handmaid’s Tale), Glen Powell (Hidden Figures, Top Gun: Maverick), Alexandra Shipp (X-Men: Apocalypse, Barbie), GaTa (Good Mourning, Dave), Hadley Robinson (Utopia, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty), Michelle Hurd (Star Trek: Picard, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), Dermont Mulroney (The Wedding Date, About Schmidt), Darren Barnet (Never Have I Ever, Gran Turismo), Bryan Brown (Cocktail, The Thorn Birds), and Rachel Griffiths (The King’s Daughter, Hacksaw Ridge). This film is about man and a woman who meet in a coffee shop, hit it off romantically, only to have everything fall apart the next day. Some time later, the two reunite at a destination wedding in Australia all the while pretending to be a couple.

During many of my horror movie reviews, I would point out that horror is one of my weaker genres. When I started Scene Before, and even before I started, I tended to avoid horror because many of the movies coming out in said genre either looked identical or uninteresting. Thankfully, having explored more of the genre over the years, I have welcomed quite a few fascinating titles into my life. Similarly, romcoms are another type of film that usually slip under the radar for me. They’re just not my kind of movie. I’ve watched romcoms in the past. In 2019 I saw and reviewed “Long Shot” and “Isn’t It Romantic?,” which offered two completely different experiences for me. In 2022 I reviewed “Ticket to Paradise,” which ultimately got a thumbs up from me despite some problems that came up throughout the runtime. Last year, I reviewed “No Hard Feelings,” which I called a romcom in my review, though looking back it probably would be more accurate to call it a sex comedy than a romantic comedy. When it comes to this blog I have some experience with the genre. But compared to some other types of films, I am a bit of a novice here.

That said, this film is directed by Will Gluck, whose resume as a writer and director is kind of iffy. He previously did the recent “Peter Rabbit” movies, both of which I skipped because they looked like wastes of time. He did “Friends with Benefits,” which I thought was kind of cute. He also did the 2014 edition of “Annie,” which I watched once when it was on Starz. I did not see all of it, but I saw enough of to say I would rather devote my time to something more valuable. Gluck did not write this film, but he also directed “Easy A,” which thanks to some brilliant pacing, a great story, snappy editing, and a marvelous lead performance by Emma Stone, ended up being one of the more memorable coming of age stories of the 2010s.

So, going into “Anyone But You,” I cannot say I was stoked. But I would say I had generously moderate expectations.

Even with those expectations in mind, I was still let down.

This film is dumb. And I can tell it is dumb on purpose. But it is the kind of dumb I cannot appreciate. There is a difference between dumb fun and just dumb. This is the latter. Maybe it is because it is more in line with the films I usually like to seek out, I found a film like “Godzilla vs. Kong” to be an excellent example of dumb fun because even with the wooden characters and oddly structured storyline, the film has some of the best action I had seen in some time upon its release. It was a technical beast. The score was incredible. The special effects were really good. There was a lot to appreciate visually that kept the movie from being bad, unlike its 2019 predecessor, “Godzilla: King of the Monsters.” On the other hand, there are plenty of times in “Anyone But You” where visual gags popped up that either did not generate a reaction out of me, or if they did generate one, it was one that I don’t think the movie would have been going for.

Much of the humor in “Anyone But You,” most notably in the first half, are visual gags that either have to do with private parts or showing off ironclad bodies, sometimes both. It’s the same joke over and over again. If the joke is not funny the first time. Then it is not funny the second, third, fourth, and fifth time. The joke was old when it started, and it was basically on its deathbed by the film’s halfway mark.

My favorite joke in the movie though is one that involves a koala. Of course, Australia, koalas. What a pair. But there are a couple moments in the movie where we see a koala, and those made for my most notable reactions of the film. The jokes are so simple and quick, but that’s part of what makes them great.

And speaking of Australia, one joke that got old really fast was how much this movie utilized the character of Beau. The actor who portrays him, Joe Davidson, said in a press release, “Beau is what you get when you mix all the Australian islands and icons all into one character.” I have lived in the Boston area all my life, and I have seen a number of movies where the characters in said area will have noticeably played up accents. Movies like “The Departed” and “Good Will Hunting,” both of which I enjoyed. But the accents in both of them are definitely over the top, I’d say particularly more so in the former at times but I’d have to watch both films again to compare and contrast. And sometimes when the accents, and in the case of “Anyone But You,” the stereotypes, happen to be this played up, it is distracting. It is almost annoying. Beau is a living, breathing caricature of what some people would perhaps interpret as a hunky, Hemsworth-like Australian. And of course, they make a Hemsworth joke in the movie. Totally didn’t see that coming at all… It reminded me, as a Bostonian, when I saw “80 for Brady” and we would cut to the commentators and they would spew out the most asinine, ear-destroying Boston accents I remember hearing in film history. Safe to say, they were wicked awful. I am not saying there is anything wrong with Australia, their traditions, and what people think of them. I just think the jokes here range somewhere between lazy and overdone.

But how are the two leads of the film? I mean, they’re okay I guess. Sydney Sweeney does an alright job in her role and the material given to her, but there is not as much an oomph in her character or performance compared to what I would have liked to see. But I have to say, Glen Powell is a powerhouse in this film. I honestly forgot how charming he is. I thought Powell was one of the highlights of “Top Gun: Maverick,” and I am glad he is bringing the same appeal to this movie. While I did not love the movie, the material, the jokes, basically a ton of things in it, my biggest positive of the film is that I cannot see anyone other than Glen Powell playing his respective role. The movie is not funny, but Powell makes the most of what is in front of him and he is clearly trying. I just wish he were written better.

One of the more prominent problems I have with “Anyone But You” is that it ultimately feels like two different movies. Yes, I know it is a romantic comedy, which basically promises a romantic movie and a comedic movie all in one package, but the movie as a whole seems to lack a sense of consistency. The first half is a plethora of failed attempts at comedy, and the movie seems to dive into something more serious by the end of it that quite frankly did not keep me hooked. Part of that is because I never found myself completely invested with the characters in the first half. And the weird part is, despite noticing more obvious comedic attempts in the first half of the film, I am looking back at the film and would say I found the second half to be funnier.

As the film continues, it becomes cliche-riddled, bore-inducing, and tiresome. Is the movie offensively bad? I would not go that far. But it is far from the first pick I would make on a Friday movie night. Again, romcoms are not my genre, but I have come to a point in my life where I am practically okay watching any kind of movie regardless of the genre or what it is advertised to be. That said, I also heard enough about this film have some hesitancy towards it, and I felt as if I was right on those reservations. The film is not funny, overly cheesy, not romantic, and kind of forgettable. There are so many other options in theaters right now that I think you would be doing yourself a favor if you check out something else instead.

In the end, “Anyone But You” did not work for me. This is a romantic comedy that is neither romantic or funny. The jokes not only sometimes feel been there done that, but even the more clever ones fell flat because they felt as if they were repeating an earlier comedic attempt. Going forward, I am probably not going to remember a single character’s name from this film, maybe except Bea, partially because she is the lead, but the film somewhat reminded me of “Titanic” because of how many times I had to hear the names “Jack” and “Rose” in its extended runtime. I felt as if I had a similar experience hearing Bea’s name throughout the film. This movie is stupid and I feel dumber for having wasted my time on it. I would rather watch anything but this film if you ask me. I am going to give “Anyone But You” a 4/10.

“Anyone But You” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! Happy New Year, everyone! And it is time to celebrate with some end of the year countdowns! Pretty soon I am going to be sharing my lists for my best and worst movies of 2023! Stay tuned! If you want to see these lists and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Anyone But You?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your least favorite movie genre? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Poor Things (2023): Emma Stone Delivers a Career-Best Performance in This Wildly Entertaining Mish Mash of Genres

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Poor Things” is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite, The Lobster) and stars Emma Stone (The Favourite, The Amazing Spider-Man), Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight, The Avengers), Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man, The Lighthouse), Ramy Youssef (Ramy, Mr. Robot), Christopher Abbott (Sanctuary, Girls), and Jerrod Carmichael (The Carmichael Show, Lucas Bros Moving Co.). This film is based on a book by Alasdair Gray and it is about Bella Baxter, a woman whose body just so happens to be revived as a result of a scientific experiment conducted by the eccentric Dr. Godwin Baxter.

I cannot explain this film’s concept justice. It is not that I do not know what it is about. But even before going to see it, I knew certain things about it that would have made for awkward conversation or have ruined the somewhat vague nature of the film’s marketing. On the surface, the film seems to give enough away. Basically, a woman who happens to be brought to life through science experiences her definition of what it means to live. I think that is a great way to describe this movie without being too detailed, or in some cases, overly graphic. The concept is interesting to say the least. But as far as I am concerned, it was being helmed by someone who I did not completely trust.

One of my least favorite films of 2018 was “The Favourite.” Of that year’s slate of Academy Award Best Picture nominees, that movie was by far the one I considered to be the worst. That film was directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Other than the fact that I found the film to be a uniquely boring waste of time, it gave me a bad impression of the director to the point where I neglected visiting some of his earlier films. I have heard decent things about “The Lobster” and “The Killing of a Sacred Deer.” But I refused to watch those because I was so turned off by “The Favourite.” As I have said previously on Scene Before, first impressions matter. But I watched the trailer for “Poor Things” and found myself hypnotized, but also with a sense of hesitancy in the back of my mind. But I thought “Poor Things” was worth checking out because much like “The Favourite” five years ago, “Poor Things” has been receiving tons of positive word of mouth. Plus, if Emma Stone continues to trust Lanthimos, maybe I should too.

So, how was the movie? I am very pleased to say that this is a banger of a film. It is not in my top 10 of the year, but it is excellent. I am immensely pleased and surprised by how this film turned out. It is wacky, it is weird, it is a feast for the eyes and ears. Yorgos Lanthimos undoubtedly has a unique style to his filmmaking. But in some ways, this kind of reminded me of a Wes Anderson film. Its color palette is particularly striking, the production design is a perfect blend between reality and fantasy, and the dialogue is almost like an enhancement on everyday life. I might not come across people talking the way these characters do sometimes, but I assure you it makes complete sense within the context of the movie and its universe.

One of the reasons why this film failed to reach the mark of being in my top 10 films of the year is because it starts kind of rough. It takes a bit for the movie to get going, despite inklings of intrigue. There are a couple of moments that I found to be an eyesore. In a movie full of eye candy, there are moments where I found something in the frame quite disgusting to the point where I could not help but wince or look away. It is a bit of a balancing act, really.

Part of the movie is in black and white, and then there is a portion of it that is in color. There were some mixed bags when it came to the black and white scenes. Once we get to the color scenes, that is when the movie unleashes its best material. It is creative, insane, and even with its strange tendencies, everything makes sense. I found every single thing in this film convincing. That said, there are times where the pacing is a tad uneven. It is not a huge dealbreaker, but it is noticeable.

The ensemble of the film is honestly a contender for the best of 2023. To me, it is up there with “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and “The Holdovers” in terms of being a fine mix between star power, acting ability, and instant charm from everyone involved. Mark Ruffalo has a number of shining scenes that could potentially warrant some extended talk this awards season. Willem Dafoe, per usual, gives everything his all here. During the latter half of the film, I was heavily entranced by Kathryn Hunter as Swiney. The entire cast in this movie is great, but the star of the show, literally and figuratively, is none other than Emma Stone.

Talk about a marvelous triumph of a performance! Emma Stone nails Bella Baxter throughout this entire film. I looked back at Emma Stone’s IMDb and was reminded of some of her career highlights. Of course as a comic book movie enthusiast, I know she played Gwen Stacy in “The Amazing Spider-Man” and its sequel. She did a good job in those films despite them not being up to snuff. She also did one of the better coming of age films of the 2010s, “Easy A,” where she was funny and charming. I liked her in the “Zombieland” movies. Of course she was great in “La La Land.” I even liked her in “The Favourite” despite my negative thoughts on the movie. Given time to marinate, I have to say Stone’s performance in “Poor Things” trumps all of her past work that I have seen. I honestly cannot think of a performance of hers I liked more. “La La Land” comes close, but Stone’s performance in “Poor Things” is comparatively transformative, it is otherworldly. It something that I could have never imagined seeing in my entire life, especially from someone like her. I am not saying Stone is not a talented actress. There is a reason why she has an Oscar on her mantle. But this is a performance that takes what I know about Emma Stone as a person, as an actress, as someone who has seen her in certain movies, and completely subverts my expectations. As I watch this movie, I of course know it is Emma Stone in front of the camera. Her face has become rather recognizable over the years. In fact, even though I have not seen the movie, Stone may come off as less recognizable in Disney’s “Cruella” based on what I have witnessed through images and marketing. But as I watch this movie, despite the low difficulty of realizing the talent in front of the camera happens to be Stone physically, it is a bit harder to conclude that it is her mentally.

Part of what makes her performance so riveting and exciting is how her character easily blends in to the world around her. The script is written in such a way that I would not call it fantasy, but it certainly is not a part of our reality either. The film, kind of like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” meshes so many genres and ideas together to the point where it practically forms a genre of its own. Bella Baxter is one of the most unique characters I have seen all year, and she comes from an equally one of a kind piece of art. And that is what this movie is. Art. I was transfixed by this in the same way some may be transfixed by the Mona Lisa. Again, this is not to say “Poor Things” is one of the year’s best movies, but it is certainly one of the boldest and brightest.

While Bella Baxter might not be my favorite character in a movie I have seen this year, I need some time to think on that front. Baxter is nevertheless in contention to be, idealistically, the most fascinating protagonist created for the screen this year. She has a sympathetic personality, but she also has the mind of a young child and a teenager all wrapped into one person. With those last two ideas, we see a bit of a transition between them, but they are still interlinked somehow as the movie goes. The film is an entertaining study on what happens if you put someone as eccentric as Bella Baxter into our society, or some variant of it. What would she do? How would she behave? This is basically a fish out of water story. And while the fish out of water idea has been done time and time again, I imagine stories like this one happen to factor into why the idea continues to be unleashed in several projects. It is a tried and true method of storytelling that may be familiar, but if you could your own spin on it, it may be worth seeking out. And speaking of things that are worth seeking out, if you have time on your hands and you have not seen “Poor Things” yet, make an effort to see it at some point. Not only is it a great movie, it is one of the most welcome, monumental surprises of 2023. I know a lot of people were looking forward to this film. I was not one of them. If anything, I almost rolled my eyes knowing it exists. But with one AMC A-List punch later, I can say this is one of the better movies of the year.

In the end, “Poor Things” is a great turnaround for Yorgos Lanthimos. This movie took me from resisting his past work to making me want to see more of it. Emma Stone is better than she has ever been. If she is not nominated for an Oscar this season my jaw will be on the floor. I do not know of any actress I could see beating her this year. This is a once in a lifetime performance as far as she is concerned. The film is very funny. There are a lot of stellar lines from various characters. Bella Baxter’s mannerisms and quirks are wonderfully distinguished and brilliantly written throughout the picture. The movie does a good job at splicing all sorts of ideas at the wall and having most of them stick. The pathos was off and on. I do not think I am going to remember “Poor Things” through much of an emotional connection, but again, the comedy worked quite a bit so that makes up for it. The sets are detailed and colorful. I could not take my eyes off of some pieces. And if it were not for some occasional roughness in the first act, this film would probably make my top 10 of the year. You never know though, I could change my mind. I just saw the film. That said, as far as I am concerned, I am glad I saw it. If Lanthimos and Stone reunite in the future, I cannot wait to see what these two do next. I am going to give “Poor Things” an 8/10.

“Poor Things” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now!

Thanks for reading this review! If you enjoyed this review, why not check out some of my other ones? Just recently I did reviews for “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” “Migration,” and “Wonka.” Check those out when you have a chance! Also, I will soon be reviewing the new romcom “Anyone But You.” That will be up later this week. Also coming soon, I will be announcing my top 10 best and worst 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, did you see “Poor Things?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite Yorgos Lanthimos movie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023): The DCEU Ends Not with a Bang, But a Whimper

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is directed by James Wan (The Conjuring, Furious 7) and stars Jason Momoa (Fast X, See), Patrick Wilson (Insidious, The Conjuring), Amber Heard (Her Smell, Drive Angry), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (The Matrix Resurrections, The Trial of the Chicago 7), Randall Park (WandaVision, Fresh Off the Boat), Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV, The Expendables), Temuera Morrison (The Book of Boba Fett, Once Were Warriors), Martin Short (Mulaney, Only Murders in the Building), and Nicole Kidman (The Northman, Eyes Wide Shut). This film is a sequel to the 2018 film “Aquaman” where the titular character, also known by the name Arthur Curry, must balance being a father in addition to the King of Atlantis. Meanwhile, Black Manta is planning his revenge plot against the powerful superhero. With the villain’s return coming his way, it is up to Aquaman and his imprisoned brother to save the kingdom.

Of all the DCEU movies, the one that has been most likely to get a sequel based on results alone is “Aquaman.” Yes, “Wonder Woman” was a huge hit financially, critically, and has done really well with a variety of audiences, including me. But “Aquaman” is the only title in the cinematic universe to make a billion dollars, and remains the highest-grossing DC film ever. Sure, maybe the Amber Heard/Johnny Depp shenanigans in recent years, in addition to other factors, may have decreased the chances of a sequel happening, but nevertheless. In fact, I really enjoyed the film when I saw it. I will also add it was extra special to watch on the big screen as it had some of the best visuals and sound of its respective year. It was an extravaganza for the eyes and ears. The film seems to make for a proper tech demo when first using a new television or surround sound system. When it comes to my DCEU rankings, it is somewhere in the middle. I liked most of the DCEU titles. I could probably count the ones I did not like on one hand.

But I am going to be real, of all the comic book movies coming out this year, I think I was looking forward to this one the least. The marketing for most of DC’s movies this year has not been fantastic, and I admittedly liked the first trailer for this film to some degree, but I have heard more than I wanted to know about test screenings. The behind the scenes shenanigans did not boost confidence. To some degree, the film very much struck a feeling of “been there done that.” And when it comes to the higher ups at Warner Bros. and DC like David Zaslav and James Gunn, they spent significantly more time boosting promotion and awareness for “The Flash,” another problematic movie on its own. Despite that, they and others basically summarized “The Flash” as one of the best movies of its genre. Having seen the movie, it is not. It is not even the best comic book movie of the year. It is not even the best DC movie of the year. That honor so far belongs “Blue Beetle.”

According to Wikipedia, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” did not hold its official premiere until December 19th at a fan event in Los Angeles. Per Borys Kit of The Hollywood Reporter, there was no red carpet. No afterparty. And therefore, an absolute likelihood of no confidence in the film whatsoever.

But I am a trooper. I am a DC fan. I enjoy comic book movies. I am not feeling the “fatigue” some people claim to have. I think most of the comic book-based projects that came out this year were enjoyable. Yes, even “The Marvels.” Yes, even “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” Not sorry. “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” has the special distinction of being the only comic book movie I have seen this year that I did not enjoy.

And I didn’t just “not enjoy” it. This is one of the most bottom of the barrel, uninspired, and inconceivably boring wastes of time I have had watching a comic book movie. This is bad.

They say it is common for sequels to be inferior to the original, but the difference in quality between 2018’s “Aquaman” and 2023’s “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is as massive as the Atlantic Ocean. I am not going to pretend the first “Aquaman” is the greatest movie ever made. But this is like going from a Nintendo Switch to a Virtual Boy. I am utterly shocked that James Wan was behind this project. I do not enjoy all of his movies. I think one of his latest films, “Malignant,” is an abhorrent waste of time. But he is one of the more prominent mainstream filmmakers working today. He has a decent reputation.

Unfortunately, when it comes to “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” I feel like a hypocrite judging it. Because when I first watched “Aquaman,” I praised it for being like a live action cartoon. It is sometimes out there and nonsensical, but it is done in such a way that works. You cannot go wrong with a movie where an octopus plays the drums. But when I think of the ways that “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” disappointed me, one of the first that comes to mind is that it is overly cartoony. And maybe, if I sit down and think about it, I might not be disappointed with the fact that the movie is overly cartoony and more disappointed by how it specifically handles said cartooniness. Because to some degree, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” feels like more of the same, but with less of an oomph than before. There was a certain novelty factor to that original film despite coming out at a time where comic book movies dominated the market. The film was the definition of crazy, stupid fun. Now it is just crazy and stupid.

Jason Momoa is a likable actor. I enjoyed him as “Aquaman” in his previous portrayals in “Justice League” and this film’s predecessor. I like this universe’s take on “Aquaman” because he always felt like the cool superhero you wanted to hang out with. But when I watch this movie, he feels lame in comparison. And I do not think Momoa himself is lame. If anything, he is doing the best he can with the material given to him. Most of the time, that is. There are some scenes where he and others are kind of stiff in front of the camera. But for the scenes where Momoa stands out in a more positive way, his character is nevertheless comparatively boring when looking back at his portrayal in the original film. Does his development from one film to the next make sense? Sure. But the execution of the material following said development was tiresome. Arthur Curry is a dad now and quite a bit of the material involving that made for some lower points of the film. There is a portion of the plot involving that idea that brought some intrigue, but it was not enough to make the movie good.

Also, Momoa spends a good portion of the movie alongside Patrick Wilson. I could not have been more turned off by their chemistry. I could tell the movie was trying to go for a Thor and Loki-esque brotherly dynamic between these two, but it felt more like it was trying too hard to copy what Marvel does well to the point where it feels like exactly that. An inferior copy. Their relatonship is forced, and never once was I onboard with it.

Black Manta is the antagonist of this movie. And say what you want about Dar-Benn, the antagonist of “The Marvels,” coming off as forgettable. If I were being frank, she was not the best antagonist I have ever seen, but I liked her in the context of the film. It has been awhile since I have seen the first “Aquaman” so it would be hard for me to compare how Black Manta stands from one movie to the next. But I can say as far as this sequel is considered, Black Manta is the most one-dimensional antagonist I have seen all year. There is nothing interesting about him. The limits to his character are him getting possessed and unleashing his revenge boner for the entire movie, and the way he does it is unreal. I did not know whether to cringe, laugh, or cry. Maybe I could have done all three if I really wanted to.

Let’s talk about Amber Heard… Here we go. Now, I want to go easy on the people making this movie because I do feel bad to a certain degree. For those who don’t know, this movie ended up shooting between June 2021 and January 2022. This was all before the drama of the infamous Depp v. Heard trial. We did know some things leading up to it, but the defamation trial happened between April to June 2022. If I were in a position of power, I would have kept Amber Heard out of the movie as much as I could. Maybe write her out entirely. But that is easy for me to say when I am not dealing with millions upon millions of dollars. Speaking of which, this movie almost does not even need Amber Heard’s Mera to further the story. Yes, she is a mom now. But there is not really a ton explored there. We learn more about Arthur as a dad. We see him bonding with his dad and how he handles being a dad himself. Every scene featuring Mera could honestly be deleted with no harm done the final product. And Heard honestly sounds like she does not even want to be on screen. Her performance feels paper thin, although to be fair that precisely matches the ridiculous amount of incompetence the whole movie has.

The entire script comes off like it was written by a seven year old boy playing with his action figures and maybe borrowed a couple others that his dad was trying to keep in the box just because he was running out of ideas. Except in this case, that seven year old child is somehow obsessed with politics and meetings. This movie reeks of vibes that I must imagine most viewers must have gotten upon their initial watch of some of the “Star Wars” prequels. The dialogue is as sleep-inducing as melatonin, and as horribly delivered as a pie from Pizza Hut.

And as far as the action goes, it does not save the movie. Sure, maybe one or two moments look cool, but they don’t feel cool. It is the very definition of style over substance. Except in this case, even the style is not that great. The visual style of this movie pales in comparison to its predecessor. It has been years since I have watched the first “Aquaman,” but I remember being entranced by Atlantis and how fantastical everything looked. The movie has an intense color palette, but in such a way where the colors feel incredibly artificial. I took a television production class in high school and at the time, 4K was still growing. My teacher noted in that class that if something we shoot looks bad, then we should forget about 4K. Because it would look four times as awful. There are some scenes in this movie that look okay, but a number of them strike me as overly fake. I collect 4K Blu-rays. If I were to buy this movie on 4K Blu-ray, which judging by everything I am saying so far, I clearly have no plans to, I would be almost terrified to look at it sometimes.

The first “Aquaman” cost $160 million to make. This second film cost $205 million. I am astounded to say I think the first film looks ten times better than this one. Yes, some of the special effects are great. Yes, there is a comic book-esque look to the film in certain frames. Yes, the color grading works at times. Not all the time, but at times. Although even with these compliments, the movie is bombarded with so many drawbacks that it is almost difficult to acknowledge the positives even when they may deserve to be highlighted.

This movie has a couple instances of brief, almost blink you’ll miss it slo-mo. I know movies like “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Legend of Hercules” may be notorious for their overuse of slow motion, but “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” may nevertheless have the single worst use of slow motion I have ever seen. At least those movies, despite how bad or unneeded the slow motion may be in them, feel like they are put there because someone committed to having them there. The slow motion sequences in “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” are so cheesy, so forced, so abrupt, and so unnecessary. They took a movie that was already bad and just made it slightly worse. Just like that. It is almost like I was in an editing class at a college or film school or something where someone was given a project and didn’t care about the quality other than filling the basic checkmarks. The professor is just gonna look at it and go, “Oh, slo mo! They get a point!” Not here.

Prior to seeing “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” my least favorite movie in the DCEU was “Wonder Woman 1984.” The dip in quality from “Aquaman” to “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is not quite as drastic as the dip from “Wonder Woman” to “Wonder Woman 1984,” but the dip feels pretty familiar. But when it comes to these sequels, looking back at “Wonder Woman 1984,” I found it to be flawed, but it still had a genuine spark to it that felt as if Patty Jenkins was putting her heart and soul into it. I do not fully doubt that James Wan tried his best with “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” but as I watched the movie, I could not help but imagine what was going on in Wan’s head as this was being made. This comes off less as a passion project and more as an obligation. Every choice in “Wonder Woman 1984” feels like something Patty Jenkins intended from the getgo. Almost every other scene in “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” feels haphazardly slapped together and spruced up with duct tape just to keep everything from falling apart. Oh my gosh, even the score in “Wonder Woman 1984” was memorable. Sure, there are good themes in “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” but come on. It’s a second class citizen compared to “Wonder Woman 1984.” To put a long story short, given everything I mentioned so far, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” has officially dethroned “Wonder Woman 1984” as my least favorite movie in the DCEU. There was a point in this movie, in the first act by the way, that I desperately wanted to fall asleep. That is probably the most glowing compliment I can give this movie, because on the bright side, I at least know if I am tired and need something to put me right out, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” makes for a dynamite option.

In the end, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” closes out the DCEU not with a bang, but a whimper. In my mind, I really want to call “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” the most watered down movie of 2023, but that would be too easy. I could say the movie was so bad I wanted to drown. But that’s also too easy. Instead, I am going to say this. “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” has the incompetence of “Batman & Robin” and the mundaneness of 2015’s “Fantastic 4.” It is so poorly made that I imagine if Martin Scorsese saw it with his own two eyes, he would set fire to every theme park on the planet. It is so boring that I would rather watch paint dry while tied to a chair in a windowless room. It is so mind-numbing that I would rather be stuck in an elevator with no phone, no working alarm, no lights on, and no sanity left to keep myself from screaming at the ceiling! “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is what happens when you take the DNA of a bad “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie, infuse it with the DNA of a bad “Indiana Jones” movie, and blend them together with a snoozefest of an underwater fantasy adventure created by a mastermind of idiocy. This is a cannibalization of cinema in every capacity. This. Movie. Blows.

Jason Momoa’s likability and charm cannot save this movie. He was somehow more interesting this year as a “Fast and Furious” villain and I have no idea how we have come to this reality. I know playing the bad guy is fun and all, but do you guys remember my thoughts on that movie? It is just about as bad as this!

“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is one of the worst movies of the year. It is not worth your time. It is not worth your money. It is not worth your IQ points. It really hurts to know that the absolute highlight of the film for me is the mid-credits scene. It is not only the best part of the movie, it might also be the funniest. Speaking of which, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is a complete joke and I am going to give it a 2/10.

“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is now playing theaters everywhere, unfortunately. Tickets are available now, not that I recommend you buy them.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “Poor Things,” the brand new film from Yorgos Lanthimos. I just had a chance to see it this Friday and I will have it up very soon. Also coming soon, I will be sharing my best and worst 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, did you see “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom?” What did you think about it? Or, now that the universe has come to an end, what are your best and worst movies from the DCEU? For my favorite, I would have to say it is “The Suicide Squad,” and judging by this review, you could probably guess what my least favorite happens to be. But let me know your picks down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Migration (2023): Illumination’s Second Barely Passable Animated Flick of 2023

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Migration” is directed by Benjamin Renner (Ernest & Clementine, The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales) and co-directed Guylo Homsy (Despicable Me, The Lorax). This movie stars Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley, Eternals), Elizabeth Banks (Press Your Luck, The LEGO Movie), Keegan-Michael Key (Toy Story 4, Keanu), Awkwafina (Renfield, Raya and the Last Dragon), and Danny DeVito (My Cousin Vinny, Jumanji: The Next Level). The film is about a family of ducks who leave their habitat with the intention of migrating south, much to the resistance of their overprotective, closed-minded father.

Of the major animation studios out there today, the one that interests me the least is Illumination. “Despicable Me” never struck me as a franchise I tended to enjoy. “The Secret Life of Pets” has one average movie followed by a painfully awful sequel. “Sing” is the one notable saving grace the studio has delivered over the years. “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is about as barely passable as movies can get. Granted, it is major step up from the 1993 live action adaptation of the iconic video game franchise, but when it comes to Illumination’s legacy, I have never found myself attached to it. Illumination is no Pixar, which has banger after banger after banger. Well, until they released “Elemental” this year which was one of the most disappointing animated features I have seen in my entire life. That said, this has been a great year for animation. For those who do not know, little preview behind the scenes at Scene Before, I am currently working on my top 10 best movies of the year, and I have not reviewed or seen everything I wanted to see yet, but a good portion of the titles contending for that list are animated.

I have good news and bad news. Let’s start with the bad news first, “Migration” is not going to join the top 10 best movies of the year for me. The good news is, “Migration” is nevertheless a decent movie. I was quite surprised with this film. I honestly thought the movie would not only be bad, but it would completely suck on every level. The marketing has been underwhelming, and ever since it started, I have not had the best impression of it. I remember when they dropped the first teaser back in the spring and half the trailer was just Illumination patting themselves on the back for all the movies they created so far. Now, I am a bit of a hypocrite because “The Boy and the Heron” just came out, which had a trailer close to the film’s release looking back at many of Hayao Miyazaki’s films. But one, I like most of those movies. And two, given the long time it took to make Miyazaki’s latest film a reality, the trailer in that campaign felt somewhat earned.

But you know what? I was pleasantly surprised. I did not pay to see this film, I ended up attending an early screening less than a week before the film came out and I had some laughs and smiles. The film does not reinvent the wheel and is far from the best animated film released this year. If anything, it is somewhat predictable and cliché, but as I said before on this blog, a movie can be predictable and done well. “Godzilla Minus One” has some predictable moments, but as long as they make sense or feel earned, I can forgive them for being there.

All around, the voice acting is decent. Not the best of the year, but when it comes to Illumination, it is collectively better than what we got in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Jack Black as Bowser is the glaring exception. Kumail Nanjiani does a good job as Mack (right center), the lead duck who happens to be stuck in his ways. Elizabeth Banks as Pam (right) is a standout amongst the cast. Banks traditionally has a lively, often upbeat voice that lends itself to roles like this one. As husband and wife, I bought into the duo immediately. Their respective voice actors were well paired.

One voice actor I was shockingly entranced by was Awkwafina. I have not seen everything Awkwafina was in throughout the past few years, but she has built a reputation of being particularly unlikable amongst some people. I never found her that way, but in the past few roles, she seems to be typecast and relying on previous schtick that is not quite old yet, but is getting there. That is why I am pleased to say that Awkwafina, despite my reservations from the trailer, is a fun standout in this film as Chump the pigeon. Her lines landed perfectly within the context of the film. She voiced the character well. And I felt that almost every scene she was in enhanced the picture in the long run. When it comes to Awkwafina, this is obviously nowhere near as memorable of a portrayal as the one she gave to Billi Wang in “The Farewell.” I will also say she is better in films like “Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” but I always like a good surprise.

And that is kind of what this movie is. I watched the trailer months back and absolutely hated it. Then I watched the movie a couple weeks ago and ended up liking it. I am not going to pretend this is Illumination’s best work. “Sing” is a step up from this, though this might be a tad better than “Sing 2.” But like those movies, “Migration” has its flaws.

The most prominent flaw for me, and this may strictly be based on personal preferences, I did not like how the movie portrayed its antagonist. The antagonist in this case is a restaurant chef. It kind of reminded me of another Illumination title, “The Secret Life of Pets 2,” where the villain basically overembellishes everything. I understand this is an animation, but there is a certain threshold that this movie crosses with the antagonist at certain points that I was not able to buy. I do not want to dive too deep into spoilers, but there are select moments where I saw the antagonist do certain things or act in certain ways that did not feel authentic.

However, like other Illumination titles, “Migration” has a nice polish in its animation. The color palette is pleasing to the eye. The film looks good. Much like the studio’s previous effort, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” the animation is one of the top tier qualities of the entire film. But also like “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “Migration” tends to suffer sometimes from its screenplay. In fairness, the screenplay makes sense and everything lines up. But it is full of cliches. Sometimes it feels safe and familiar. There are some creative decisions here and there, and there is one scene involving herons in the first act that was quite good. It was tense and had some laughs. But I am not going to remember this movie as one of the best of the year because it does very little to lean away from predictability. I think “Migration” is a good family movie. And if you are looking for something to do with the kiddos for the rest of their winter break, this makes for a fine time at the cinema.

In the end, “Migration” is one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. I think it is probably my second favorite title from Illumination. But then again, that is not saying much, because I have not seen every single film from them (I do not give a crap about “Despicable Me”) and when it comes to the films I have seen, their collective average when combining my final scores is not that great. In fact, the film is quite flawed at times. It is utterly nonsensical in terms of its overall story and how some scenes play out. Again, I know this is animated, sometimes there is a ceiling the film needs to avoid cracking. But the film has a couple of chuckle-worthy moments, likable characters, and it is nice to look at. There is not much more to write home about, and there are significantly better animated movies I have seen this year. I could name a bunch of them. but this film was a pleasant surprise. I am going to give “Migration” a 6/10.

“Migration” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! If you enjoyed this review, good news! I have more coming! Stay tuned for my thoughts on “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” and “Poor Things!” Also coming in January, it is that time yet again! I will be revealing my best and worst 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, did you see “Migration?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite animated movie of 2023? Right now it is kind of a tossup for me between “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” and “The First Slam Dunk.” Let me know your picks down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Wonka (2023): A Sweet But Tired Prequel Whose Strength Comes from Old Tricks

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Wonka” is directed by Paul King (Paddington, Space Force) and stars Timothée Chalamet (Dune, Call Me by Your Name), Calah Lane (This Is Us, Kidding), Keegan-Michael Key (Toy Story 4, Keanu), Paterson Joseph (Timeless, Peep Show), Matt Lucas (Come Fly with Me, Little Britain), Matthew Baynton (Ghosts, The Split), Sally Hawkins (Godzilla, The Shape of Water), Rowan Atkinson (Johnny English, The Lion King), Jim Carter (The Good Liar, Downton Abbey), Olivia Colman (The Favourite, The Mitchells vs. the Machines), and Hugh Grant (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Joneses Diary). This film is about a young Willy Wonka who tries to open a chocolate shop in the hopes of making his dreams a successful reality. He must also deal with the greed of a chocolate cartel that looms over him.

I absolutely adore “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” When I was seven years old, I would watch that film almost every other night. I was equally as fascinated by some of Roald Dahl’s books, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” included. And if you all must know, I did watch the Tim Burton “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and while many of you will probably spew pitchforks at me, I do not just like the film, I kind of love it. It is simmered with the dark vibes of Wonka himself in every scene. Danny Elfman’s score is a banger. I really liked Freddie Highmore as Charlie. Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka leaves a little to be desired though, that’s the one big downside. Both films, especially the latter, make me want to stuff my face in chocolate. That’s how good those films are.

Thus far, we have had a couple of “Wonka” features that I tended to enjoy, so when I heard they were doing this new one with Timothée Chalamet, I was onboard. He is one of the best young talents working today. He has range. He has a natural look to him. So I was curious to see what he can do in a film like this. The great news is that Chalamet slays in his performance. As far as the Wonka character goes, he is significantly better than Johnny Depp. He is no Gene Wilder, but one thing to note about these two roles is that they are basically interconnected. This is set long before the events of the original “Chocolate Factory” story and the film does a decent job at making these two interpretations interlink. They don’t feel like the exact same character, but when it comes to a bridge in the gap between these two, it is filled exquisitely. Chalamet’s take on Willy Wonka matches his younger age, upbeat personality, and the dreams that clog his mind. Both Wonkas emit a sense of wonder and joy in their mannerisms, but as I watch Chalamet’s take and think about him, he seems to have more of a heart and significantly more patience than Wilder’s. Credit is due to Paul King as well for his stellar direction, as it felt not only distinctive, but effective enough to allow Chalamet to bring one of the year’s better performances.

Unfortunately, the film is not all pure imagination. In fact, the best parts of the movie to me, are mostly those in reference to nostalgia or things that came before in say “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” Pretty much everything that is new feels like a far cry.

Much like “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” “Wonka” is a musical. And there are callbacks to songs from the 1971 classic. The highlight of the film for me is the new take on the Oompa Loompa songs. They have new lyrics, new visuals, the whole nine yards. I thought those were well done, and it also helps that Hugh Grant sells the Oompa Loompa character to a tee.

The Hugh Grant Oompa Loompa might be my favorite character in the movie partially because of how Grant voices him. There is a certain snark factor to this character that I immediately welcomed. He also allowed for one of the better gags in the film during the second half. It is in the trailer, but having seen it in the film, it worked for me.

But with that Oompa Loompa bit aside, most of the musical numbers in this movie are some of the most forgettable and bland I have seen in ages. These are some of the most uninteresting musical numbers I have come across since 2021’s “Dear Evan Hansen.” As a movie, I liked “Wonka” better, but as a musical, this movie fails. Sure, there are rhymy timey lyrics, a lot of excuses for spectacles, all that jazz. That is what I come to expect in many musicals. But it is not a matter of it being in the movie, it is how it is done in the movie. I just wish the musical bits could have been done a little better.

The best way to describe “Wonka” to someone who has not seen the movie is that it is basically a Saturday morning cartoon come to life. Given the family friendly nature of the film and the musical aspect, that should not come as a surprise. In fact, Roald Dahl’s work, which this film is inspired by, has a very animated feel to it. Unfortunately though, if I were seven years old, I do not think I would be as transfixed by “Wonka” as I would hope to be. Maybe it would be one of those movies like “Attack of the Clones” that I like as a kid but grow up to realize it is not as good as I thought it was. To be honest, it is quite bland, it is a little boring at times. In fact, much like “Dear Evan Hansen,” I feel like the movie forces itself to be a musical at moments where it is better off staying closer to reality.

Sticking with the cartoony vibes, the antagonists of the film, specifically the chocolate cartel, feel rather mustache twirly. The movie does a terrible job at making these three look intimidating. The movie asks me to see them as bad people. And yes, objectively they are, but it is a matter of execution. There is almost no word I could use to describe this cartel other than unamusing. If anything, going back to the idea of “Wonka” basically being a live action cartoon, I theorize this film would be a lot better if they just went for the cartoon route and just animated it from start to finish. Heck, the musical scenes would pop more. The characters would come off as more appealing. In fact, many of the supporting characters like Bleacher (Tom Davis) and Mrs. Scrubbit (Olivia Colman) feel like they would lend themselves better to that style. If I had my way, I almost would want to see a 2D style animated movie set in this universe. I could imagine enormous potential with that concept. Unfortunately though, I don’t know how it would do at the box office, it would probably be a lot harder to market. But if word of mouth is good, maybe it would be worthwhile.

But if I have to be honest, the dialogue is unmemorable, the humor is metza metza, and the only performances in the movie I am going to fondly remember just so happen to be Timothee Chalamet as Willy Wonka and Calah Lane’s charming portrayal of Noodle. Both of those actors are the highlights of the film. They don’t always have the best chemistry, but going back to the dialogue, I am sure if I liked the dialogue better, maybe their chemistry would have worked better. Both actors seem to have done their best with the material handed to them. And as far as I am concerned, I have done my best on getting through this movie to call it one of the most average watches of the year.

In the end, “Wonka” was quite disappointing. The “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” property was a big part of my childhood. Unfortunately this latest addition to it is nowhere near as magical or scrumdiddlyumptious. When I watched the 1971 and 2005 Roald Dahl book adaptations, it made me want to eat chocolate afterwards. I was a kid in a candy store. This latest prequel made me feel like an old man getting ready for my latest shouting event directed at a cloud. Paul King likely put his heart and soul into this project, but it unfortunately resulted in something that was poorly paced, uneven, and barely watchable. There are better movies to watch at the cinema this holiday season, or you can just stay at home and watch the other films this property has delivered over the years. I would recommend those over this one. I am going to give “Wonka” a 5/10.

Also, we have had two adaptations of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” some other random takes on the property over the years, this prequel, and yet I have not seen a single “Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator” movie. Life is funny, isn’t it? Then again, having read both the “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” books, the original appears more cinematic as it progresses, but that’s probably just the way I see it for now.

“Wonka” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for Illumination’s “Migration.” Also coming soon, I will have reviews for “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” and “Poor Things.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Wonka?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite “Willy Wonka” or “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” movie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Maestro (2023): Bradley Cooper’s Sophomore Directorial Effort is a Step Down from A Star is Born, but Is Delivered with Undoubted Passion

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Maestro” is directed by Bradley Cooper (A Star is Born, Guardians of the Galaxy) who also stars in the film as Leonard Bernstein. Alongside Cooper is Carey Mulligan (She Said, Promising Young Woman) as his love interest, Felicia Montealegre. This film is about Leonard Bernstein’s journey through life as he spends it focusing on his greatest passions. Composing music and his relationship with his partner.

Actors who become directors is nothing new. In recent years we have seen it with James Franco, Jonah Hill, Olivia Wilde, Jordan Peele, and John Krasinski to name a few. The results have from these people have varied across the board, but another man on that list is Bradley Cooper. His previous outing was the 2018 remake “A Star is Born,” which became one of that year’s most celebrated titles that thrust a popular original song, “Shallow.” I thought the film was very good. Maybe a tad overrated as time went on, but I found it to be well done. And much like that film, Cooper’s directorial followup, “Maestro” also features him as the star. This film was not completely on my radar. Partially because Netflix is traditionally terrible at marketing their originals most of the time, but I at least knew about the film because the Internet has its way of feeding information to me. I was not completely sure what to think, but I was onboard with the concept. Bradley Cooper is currently 1 for 1 in the director’s chair, so I wanted to see if he could make it 2 for 2.

And he certainly scores here.

Overall, “Maestro” is a step down from “A Star is Born.” I don’t think I will be thinking about “Maestro” for as long or as heavily as I did after seeing “A Star is Born” back in 2018. I have not gone back to rewatch the film since, but I praised the film for its music, its acting, its screenplay, and display of what happens to creatives once they are given tools from big names. I still think the idea that people would make fun of Lady Gaga’s nose is unconvincing to the tenth degree, but the movie’s gotta movie.

If anything, Bradley Cooper almost directs this film better than he acts in it, and that is saying something because he is quite a good actor. There is a long orchestra scene more than halfway through that had me fully engaged. The entire film is set in the 20th century, but with that in mind, a lot of the film’s earlier scenes heavily immersed me. But I also think part of why he directs this film so well is because the acting in this movie is so good. One of the key aspects of directing is making sure your actors give the best performances possible. Given Cooper’s acting background, he uses that to his advantage as I felt several characters honestly could not be played by anyone else. Even if I was not a fan of some of the script choices or dialogue the characters had to utter, each character managed to make me escape from my chair into the screen. While this film is based on true events, it felt like a world that was different than my own.

Going back to Bradley Cooper’s acting, I think his acting here is also a slight step up from “A Star is Born,” because it is more chameleon-like here. Yes, factors like makeup, costuming, and others come into play here. But if I have one thing to say about this movie that makes his performance better here than “A Star is Born” it is that when I hear Bradley Cooper talk or look at his face, I see Cooper himself. In “A Star is Born,” he comes off as a movie star sometimes. It does not mean his performance sucked. Not one bit. It just means that felt like I was watching a variation of the actor as I also watched the character. Here, all I see is Bernstein. It is one of the best lead performances of the year and undoubtedly one of the finest of Cooper’s career.

The film is also one of the best edited pieces of the year, it starts kind of fast, but there are plenty of slower scenes to balance everything out. But as we get to the climax, there is a lot of breathing room that allowed the emotions of the scene to sink in. It allowed me to perhaps successfully feel the emotions this movie was going for.

The film is written by Bradley Cooper in addition to one of the finest screenwriters of this generation, Josh Singer (Spotlight, The Post). When it comes to the latter, this is one of his weaker scripts, but there is a lot to like about it. I think the first two acts have their off and on moments. Certain portions of the story worked better than others, but the third act made the film worth watching. The film is a slice of life piece to some degree and very much highlights both its beauty and misfortune. Once we find out a certain revelation about the character of Felicia, I was riveted. The way the scene plays out once the revelation kicks in is nothing short of emotional. I almost teared up. If I took one thing from this film, without going into spoilers, it is the idea that life is short so you should enjoy it however you can. Some of the happenings throughout the film cement that idea to a high degree.

The film is of course called “Maestro” meaning it is about Leonard Bernstein. But at its core, it is a love story. If anything, I think “Maestro” is quite a good love story. Bradley Cooper has a knack for romance between this film and “A Star is Born,” and part of that is because of the chemistry he maintains with his co-lead. This time around it is Carey Mulligan. Both actors and their characters have natural on-screen chemistry and this is shown in every era this film flies through. Speaking of the eras, the film manages to transition very naturally between each timeframe. Not once do I feel like we are spending too much or too little time in one place or another.

“Maestro” is unfortunately from Netflix. I say unfortunately because that means most theaters will not be playing it. I thankfully got to see it in a theater, and I have no regrets. This is a film that is worth seeing in theaters just to take in every little detail from the cinematography, the production design, and to hear the music perhaps the way it was intended. Again, going back to the orchestra scene more than halfway through the film, that was glorious to watch in a theater. It is the holiday season, meaning that there is a chance that you are with loved ones and may be looking for an excuse to get out of the house at some point. This is not a film for everybody, but if there is a theater near you playing this, take advantage of that opportunity and take your partner, take your spouse. take your parents, take your grown children. Have a night out on the town, get some food, and go see this movie. You might not regret it.

Or of course you could order takeout and watch Netflix in your pajamas, your call.

In the end, “Maestro” is a step down for Bradley Cooper’s directorial resume, but that is like comparing winning 200 bucks on a lottery ticket and then scratching another ticket moments later to win 150. Both clearly deliver a sense of satisfaction. One is just clearly greater than the other. That said even with “Maestro” being a lesser film than “A Star is Born,” I would not be against watching it a second time just to study it. The cinematography looks really good, it is well directed, and the editing is top notch. Technically, there is a lot to like about it. And as a love story, it is solid. Both leads are fantastic and make the movie worth watching. Overall, an easy thumbs up from yours truly. I am going to give “Maestro” a 7/10.

“Maestro” is now playing in theaters and is also available on Netflix to all subscribers.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “Wonka,” starring Timothee Chalamet as a younger interpretation of the iconic chocolatier. I just had a chance to watch the film earlier this month in IMAX, and I will have my thoughts on it soon. Also stay tuned for my reviews for “Migration” and “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Maestro?” What did you think about it? Or, which of Bradley Cooper’s directorial efforts do you like better? “A Star is Born?” Or “Maestro?” Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Dream Scenario (2023): Unlike Dreams, This Film Will Be Hard to Forget

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Dream Scenario” is directed by Kristoffer Borgli (DRIB, Sick of Myself) and stars Nicolas Cage (The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Raising Arizona), Julianne Nicholson (August: Osage County, Masters of Sex), Michael Cera (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Superbad), Tim Meadows (The Goldbergs, Saturday Night Live), Dylan Gelula (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Shameless), and Dylan Baker (Spider-Man 2, Kings). This film is about a professor at a Massachusetts college who for some reason starts showing up in all sorts of people’s dreams. Now this ordinary man must deal with extraordinary fame as the dreams, in addition to his life, take a nightmarish turn.

Who here likes Nicolas Cage? *raises hand*

Actually, better question, who doesn’t like Nicolas Cage? Okay, of course, he has done way too many projects for every single one to be an acclaimed masterpiece, but he has quite a prolific resume, he is a good actor, and he commits in every just about every role that is given to him. Nicolas Cage is one of those actors who will show up in any project and automatically turn it into gold. But I am going to be honest, when it comes to the concept of “Dream Scenario,” that alone is a golden idea. Basically, it is one guy showing up in people’s dreams and becoming a celebrity as a result. It is an idea that could potentially lend itself to decent comedy and tons of engaging consequences. But of course, if you put Nicolas Cage in the lead role, you are going from a golden nugget to a platinum gem. Literally. This might be because of meme culture and such, but when it comes to people’s faces, Nicolas Cage is one of those that I cannot get out of my head for some reason. Between those big eyes, expressive mouth, and crazy hair, it is impossible for that image to leave my noggin. In the case of “Dream Scenario,” Nicolas Cage’s character has a bit of a different look to him, but there is a vibe here that I have also managed to achieve from Cage’s other roles.

Of course, knowing what I just said, Nicolas Cage and the concept have clearly had me knocking on this movie’s door. But how was the execution? For the most part it was quite good, until it begins to falter by the film’s conclusion.

Per usual, Nicolas Cage is bringing his A-game here as the character of Paul Matthews. He has a natural and admirable presence throughout the film that made him come off as a standup gentleman. When it comes to the fame that is brought upon him in the movie, it turns out to be something he clearly never asked for. Fame can be fine and dandy, but it is clearly not for everyone. The movie dives into the downsides of being famous and the consequences that are more likely to ensue to those who achieve fame.

There are a good amount of characters in this movie, and there happen to be more than I expected at the forefront. But one of my favorite characters in the film just so happens to be Molly (right), played excellently by Dylan Gelula. I doubt she is going to be considered for an Oscar this awards season, but when it comes to the demands of her role, she basically checks every box and gets extra credit. Her character also adds a bit to the overall insanity of this film’s premise. She explains her part in the whole dream scenario, what Paul is doing in those dreams. To be honest, when she mentioned what that thing is, I honestly found it to be a bit predictable. I thought based on where the movie was going, I did not find the idea all that shocking, but it does necessarily mean it was stupid. It made sense and what the movie does with it is a highlight.

If anything, I will add that not only would I mind seeing Dylan Gelula in more stuff down the road, but I also would not mind seeing a movie where she and Nicolas Cage happen to be co-leads. Maybe a buddy cop movie or a father-daughter road trip adventure. Both actors do a really good job and unleash tremendous chemistry.

The film kind of goes back and forth between genres. Specifically horror and comedy. But never once does either genre overpower or jeopardize the other. They feel perfectly balanced. But when it comes to the horror aspects, I cannot say I was overly scared by “Dream Scenario.” Although I highly doubt that is what the film was going for. I think it was going more for hypnotizing chills than heart-stopping terror. But when it comes to comedy, I was surprised with how far the movie went. I wasn’t surprised it was funny. I was expecting that from the getgo. I was shocked with how funny it turned out to be. Now I don’t remember every joke in the movie, and when it comes to comedies this year, I think “Bottoms” and “Joy Ride” are better films overall. But there is one joke in this movie that had me laughing so hard to the point where I probably embarrassed my family members with whom I saw this movie. There is one particular joke in the middle of the film. I am not going to share too many details other than to note it was a fart joke. I find fart jokes to be a bit hit or miss, because they sometimes feel like copout jokes when there is nothing else that comes to mind. But here, it could not have been timed any better than it was. I was laughing so hard I almost died. That joke alone makes the movie worth seeing.

My biggest problem with “Dream Scenario” would have to be the climax. Because at this point, the movie almost decides to change course with its tone, vibe, and ideas, and deliver something different than what we have already seen. “Dream Scenario” very much feels like two different movies in one. There is a fairly enjoyable feature we see from the start, then there is some tacked on, rushed short film by the end. You can say the transition between these ideas makes logical sense, but you can also say they don’t belong in the same movie. Maybe the idea could be used in a sequel or spinoff to this film, but the climax takes a short amount of time to establish something we have not seen in the movie and quite honestly, barely even felt like we were building up to. If you had to ask me if “Dream Scenario” is a thumbs up or thumbs down, I would easily give it a thumbs up. But the climax made the film lose a point in my book. At the end of the day, I choose to look at the positives. The idea of the film is clever, and its cast from the lead to everyone else, turn things up to an 11. The movie is sometimes pretty funny. In fact, it probably delivered one of the biggest laughs I had watching any movie from this year. There is some fairly decent social commentary on cancel culture, fame, and how one bump in the road can jeopardize your life.

In the end, “Dream Scenario” is not the best film about dreams. Let me just remind everyone that “Inception” is a thing, but it is quite a good time and you would be doing yourself a favor if you watch it. “Dream Scenario” comes from A24, which is a rather polarizing distributor. A lot of their films are bangers, but there are also a notable few that are less than stellar. This is one of the better ones. And similar to even their bad or less notable films, I will be thinking about parts of this one for some time. I was pleasantly surprised that a movie diving deep into cancel culture and the consequences of fame may have had the best fart joke I have witnessed in a long time. Everyone is really good in this movie. The screenplay is fun, crazy, and wild. But if it were not for the third act, I probably would have liked this movie a little more. The positives heavily outweigh the negatives on this one, so I would have to give “Dream Scenario” a 7/10.

“Dream Scenario” is now playing in select theaters. It is also available to buy on VOD.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will have reviews for “Wonka,” “Migration,” and “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Dream Scenario?” What did you think about it? Or, what is the wildest dream you remember having? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

The Boy and the Heron (2023): Hayao Miyazaki’s Imagination Runs Wild in His First Feature in a Decade

Posted on by Jack Drees

“The Boy and the Heron” is directed by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle) and stars Soma Santoki (Koko wa Ima kara Rinri Desu, Idatan: Tokyo Olympics Story) Masaki Suda (The Great War of Archimedes, Death Note: Light Up the New World) Aimyon, Yoshino Kimura (Boku no yabai tsuma, Confessions) Shōhei Hino (My Happy Marriage, Emperor) Ko Shibasaki (47 Ronin, Dororo), and Takuya Kimura (Space Battleship Yamato, Howl’s Moving Castle). This semi-autobiographical fantasy film is about a young boy who longs to see his mother one more time. After discovering an abandoned tower, the young boy ventures into a world shared by the living and dead.

My earliest memory of watching a full piece of anime from start to finish goes back as early as 2011. I was attending summer school and we ended up watching a movie that I would long forget the name of, only to realize years later that movie would end up being “Howl’s Moving Castle.” I have since rewatched the film and continue to think it is really good, but it goes to show how much of an impact Miyazaki has had on the craft. He is a well known individual in this industry, even across the world. And yes, I heard of “DragonBall” like a lot of other kids growing up probably did. But even today I never got around to it. That said, when it comes to my limited knowledge of anime, Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli have a notable presence in my mind. I have seen most of the Studio Ghibli features, many of which include Miyazaki’s work. The recently mentioned “Howl’s Moving Castle” is an imaginative adventure. “Spirited Away” is an otherworldly ride. “My Neighbor Totoro” is a cute little tale. “Ponyo” is a simple, but incredibly well done story. “The Wind Rises” is an emotionally charged piece of animation. Miyazaki is not my favorite filmmaker, but having seen most of his work, he has a remarkable batting average that puts him up there with the greats.

When it comes to the 2023 roster of films, I would often get excited for “Oppenheimer” and sometimes refer to it as “the next Christopher Nolan movie” to show my fanaticism for the director. I acted similarly when it came to “The Boy and the Heron.” Despite knowing the title of the movie, I would often talk about my anticipation for the film and not even use the title, I would just call it “the new Hayao Miyazaki movie.” That is how excited I was to see one of his films come to life. There is also a novelty that comes with a film like this because it is the director’s first in a decade. But with an extended break, has Miyazaki lost his touch? Absolutely not. If anything, this movie goes to show how good of a filmmaker he is. Watching this film made me realize Miyazaki may be one of the most imaginative minds alive right now.

“The Boy and the Heron” is a layered, beautifully animated, and charming time. All the characters are likable, the journey itself is quite fun, and it successfully does what I ask many movies to do. Have me escape from my own reality. The movie also has its fair share of funny moments, which I was delighted to see.

When it comes to the main character of Mahito, I could not help but root for him once we are first introduced to him. Now I cannot say I followed a similar path to him as his primary motivation is to see his late mother one more time. But I very much liked the character conceptually. I think his primary motivation that we see throughout the film made for quite his journey all the more compelling.

Sadly though, I think the big problem with this film is that there happens to be little impact from most of these characters once I left the auditorium. On the surface, I liked everyone, but some characters either felt surface level, or their substance or backstory could not match their stunning design. Yes, I enjoyed Miyazaki’s other films because of how spellbound I became upon seeing the animation. But I also enjoyed “Kiki’s Delivery Service” because the titular character had my attention the entire time. While not my favorite of his movies, part of why I liked “My Neighbor Totoro” is because of the chemistry between Satsuki and Mei, the two young sisters. I cannot really name too many character relationships in “The Boy and the Heron” that had me in as much of a trance as those. But even with these thoughts in mind, “The Boy and the Heron” is one of 2023’s best film experiences. Everytime I watch a Hayao Miyazaki movie, it is like going on vacation to somewhere fantastical. Everything feels nice and serene, even if there are adventures along the way. This film is no exception. The locations are beautiful, the effects are eye-popping, the story has quite a solid progression to keep me hooked, and of course like many other stories from Miyazaki, it is wildly imaginative.

I say Miyazaki’s imagination is as vivid as the sun. One small part of that has to do with how he handles a particular set of characters in the movie. Specifically the parakeets. First off, these parakeets, while mostly interchangeable to a degree, are fantastically drawn. They’re all colorful and match the palette of the film at hand. Not to mention, these parakeets are the definition of cute but not cuddly. These creatures are kind of like the Ewoks from “Return of the Jedi,” who may look innocent, but if you ran into a couple, chances are they will proudly murder you. I am not going to pretend I own any Studio Ghibli merchandise, but if I saw one of these parakeets in my travels, maybe I’ll pick one up. I don’t know. In terms of world-building and establishing the environment, the film does a great job with that. In fact, one of the minor flaws with this movie is that it does such a good job at building its world to the point where I am more focused on the background as opposed to the characters. And maybe that is part of why I have my previously mentioned character complaints. This is probably where a second viewing would come in handy. But of course, one would be warranted if I like the film enough the first time around. Thankfully, my initial watch of this film provided for a glorious experience.

If I have any real flaws with the movie, portions of the story were inferior to others. I think the film takes a bit to get going. There are a fair share of decent moments when the movie begins, but I think everything from the second to third act had more of my attention compared to select moments in the first act. This is not me ragging on the movie, this is just me stating my personal preferences. I like everything in it. But certain things appealed to me just a bit more.

My other big highlight of the movie is that it has one of the better musical scores I have heard this year. And I should not be surprised because not only does Miyazaki make a comeback here, but his longtime composer, Joe Hisaishi also returns here and he fires on all cylinders. Maybe it is recency bias talking, this is one of the better scores I have heard from him. I think when it comes to my favorite work of his, I think “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” “Howl’s Moving Castle,” and now I am probably going to put this up there. There is one particular theme from the film that is still stuck in my head, and it very much matches the sense of adventure this film provides.

In the end, “The Boy and the Heron” comes with minor flaws, but even with them in mind, there are a gargantuan number of positives that make me reflect on this movie being one of my favorites of the year. 2023 has been an excellent year for cinema. Animation especially. From Japan alone we had “Suzume,” which was marvelous. And we had “The First Slam Dunk,” which turned out to be one of this year’s most overwhelming and delightful surprises. Now we have yet another winner from that market and it comes from the man whose mark on this industry is almost unmatched. I like a fair number of his movies, and Studio Ghibli is a remarkable company. Is this Miyazaki’s best movie? No. But it is far from my least favorite. And even when I say that, I do so knowing that I have not seen a bad film from him yet. If anything, the film is worth seeing. I already saw it in Japanese, and you bet I have plans to one day check out the English dub. I am going to give “The Boy and the Heron” an 8/10.

“The Boy and the Heron” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! If you enjoyed this review and want to see more, good news, there are more coming! My next review is going to be for “Dream Scenario,” starring Nicolas Cage. I just had the chance to see this movie a couple weeks back and I cannot wait to share my thoughts. Also coming soon, I will have reviews for “Maestro,” “Wonka,” “Migration,” and “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “The Boy and the Heron?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite Hayao Miyazaki movie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!