2023 Mini-Reviews

2023 MINI-REVIEWS 

By Nico Beland

 

SHIN ULTRAMAN: 

Movie Review: *** out of 4

TOHO CO. LTD

While Shin Ultraman's narrative at times feels disjointed, its cheesy monster movie entertainment values as well as impressive practical effects are sure to satisfy both Ultraman and monster movie fans in general! 

 

INFINITY POOL: 

Movie Review: *** out of 4

NEON

Filled with bizarre imagery, non-linear storytelling, and spectacular performances from its cast, Brandon Cronenberg (Antiviral, Possessor) successfully crafts a visual nightmare in his Infinity Pool! 

The film stars Alexander Skarsgård (The East, The Legend of Tarzan, Godzilla VS Kong), Mia Goth (A Cure for Wellness, X, Pearl), Cleopatra Coleman (Step Up: Revolution, In the Shadow of the Moon, Cobweb), Amanda Brugel (Jason X, Room, Suicide Squad), John Ralston (On the Basis of Sex, Ready or Not), and Thomas Kretschmann (Resident Evil: Apocalypse, King Kong (2005), Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny). 

 

AIR: 

Movie Review: *** ½ out of 4

AMAZON STUDIOS

Air effortlessly blends its fact-based story with sharply written dialogue heightened by its cast and excellent direction from Ben Affleck, resulting in a sports biopic that's a slam-dunk in just about every aspect! 

The film stars Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting, Bourne franchise, Oppenheimer), Ben Affleck (The Town, Argo, Gone Girl), Jason Bateman (Arrested Development, Juno, Horrible Bosses 1 and 2), Chris Messina (Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Julie & Julia, The Mindy Project), Matthew Maher (Dogma, Jersey Girl, Captain Marvel), Marlon Wayans (Don’t Be a Menace in South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, The Heat, On the Rocks), Jay Mohr (Saturday Night Live, Jerry Maguire, Go), Chris Tucker (Friday, The Fifth Element, Silver Linings Playbook), Viola Davis (The Help, Fences, The Woman King), and Gustaf Skarsgård (Kon-Tiki, Westworld, Vikings); and is directed by Affleck. 

 

CHEVALIER: 

Movie Review: *** out of 4

SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES

With an excellent Kelvin Harrison Jr. (It Comes at Night, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Cyrano) as the titular character, Chevalier expertly crafts a beautiful and poignant love letter to classical music that also doesn't shy away from the heavy themes of its fact-based storyline! 

The film also stars Samara Weaving (Ready or Not, Bill & Ted Face the Music, Scream VI), Lucy Boynton (Sing Street, Murder on the Orient Express (2017), Bohemian Rhapsody), Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo (Christopher Robin, Alex Rider), Marton Csokas (The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Kingdom of Heaven, The Equalizer), Minnie Driver (GoldenEye, Grosse Pointe Blank, Princess Mononoke), Henry-Lloyd Hughes (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Anonymous, Anna Karenina), and Sian Clifford (Fleabag, See How They Run, His Dark Materials); and is directed by Stephen Williams (Soul Survivor, Shadow Zone: My Teacher Ate My Homework, Milgaard). 

 

SISU: 

Movie Review: *** ½ out of 4

LIONSGATE AND STAGE 6 FILMS

As narratively simple as it is unapologetically gory, Sisu is an electrifying and relentless take on the historical revenge fantasy genre elevated by its mostly mute but endearing protagonist! 

 

BLACKBERRY: 

Movie Review: **** out of 4

IFC FILMS

Thanks to a smartly written script that blends fact-based storytelling with witty humor and a fully committed Glenn Howerton (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, A.P. Bio, The Fugitive), BlackBerry is a wildly entertaining look at the rise and fall of a generation-defining tech company! 

The film also stars Jay Baruchel (Tropic Thunder, How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, This is the End), Rich Sommer (The Devil Wears Prada, Mad Men, Hello, My Name is Doris), Michael Ironside (Top Gun, Starship Troopers, Nobody), Martin Donovan (Insomnia, Weeds, Tenet), Michelle Giroux (Blood Pressure, Life in a Year, Delia’s Gone), SungWon Cho (Borderlands 3, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, God of War: Ragnarok), Mark Critch (Satisfaction, The Grand Seduction, This Hour Has 22 Minutes), Saul Rubinek (Frasier, Unforgiven, Nixon), and Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Saw); and is directed by Matt Johnson (The Dirties, Operation Avalanche, Nirvanna the Band the Show). 

 

SOUND OF FREEDOM: 

Movie Review: *** ½ out of 4

ANGEL STUDIOS

With a bold, captivating story that's extremely relevant and a stellar Jim Caviezel (Frequency, The Passion of the Christ, Outlander) in the lead role, Sound of Freedom stands as one of the most powerful and important films of the year for all the right reasons! 

The film also stars Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, Summer of Sam), Bill Camp (Lincoln, Joker, Drive-Away Dolls), José Zúñiga (Ransom, Con Air, Mission: Impossible III), Kurt Fuller (Ghostbusters II, Wayne’s World, Ray), Gary Basaraba (The Last Temptation of Christ, The Irishman, Killers of the Flower Moon), Gerardo Taracena (Man on Fire, Apocalypto, Narcos: Mexico), and Scott Haze (Midnight Special, Thank You for Your Service, Venom); and is directed by Alejandro Gómez Monteverde (Bella, Little Boy, Cabrini).

 

JOY RIDE: 

Movie Review: *** ½ out of 4

LIONSGATE

Thanks to a talented and very funny cast, Joy Ride is a hysterical and heartfelt road trip worth going on! 

The film stars Ashley Park (Emily in Paris, Mr. Malcolm’s List, Mean Girls: The Musical), Sherry Cola (Good Trouble, Turning Red, Shortcomings), Stephanie Hsu (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Everything Everywhere All at Once), Sabrina Wu (Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.), Ronny Chieng (The Daily Show, Wish Dragon, M3GAN), Meredith Hagner (Damsels in Distress, Ingrid Goes West, Brightburn), David Denman (The Replacements, Fanboys, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi), Annie Mumolo (Bridesmaids, This is 40, Bad Moms), Timothy Simons (Veep, The Interview, The Boss), Daniel Dae Kim (Hawaii Five-0, Hellboy (2019), Raya and the Last Dragon), Desmond Chiam (The Shannara Chronicles, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Mortal Kombat 2), Alexander Hodge (Insecure, Tommy, Black Lightning), Chris Pang (Tomorrow, When the War Began, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny, Crazy Rich Asians), and Lori Tan Chinn (Orange is the New Black, Nora from Queens, Turning Red); and is directed by Adele Lim (Crazy Rich Asians, Raya and the Last Dragon) in her directorial debut and produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Superbad, This is the End, The Interview). 

 

PAST LIVES: 

Movie Review: *** ½ out of 4

A24

A beautiful and expertly crafted love story brought to life by the charm of its two leads, Past Lives is truly something worth watching and cherishing at any point in time! 

The film stars Greta Lee (Russian Doll, The Morning Show, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse), Teo Yoo (Pawn, Leto, Decision to Leave), John Magaro (Orange is the New Black, The Big Short, Carol), Choi-Won-young (Sex is Zero, Love in Magic, Confession of Murder), and Jonica T. Gibbs (Fresh, Something from Tiffany’s, Civil War); and is directed by Celine Song (The Wheel of Time) in her directorial debut. 

 

TALK TO ME: 

Movie Review: **** out of 4

A24

An expertly crafted, phenomenally acted, and spine-tingling experience, Talk to Me exceeds all expectations and kicks off a promising directing future for Danny and Michael Philippou (RackaRacka)! 

The film stars Sophie Wilde (You Don’t Know Me, Everything Now, The Portable Door), Miranda Otto (The Thin Red Line, What Lies Beneath, The Lord of the Rings trilogy), and Zoe Terakes (Wentworth, Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie’s Dead Aunt), Ironheart). 

 

BOTTOMS: 

Movie Review: *** ½ out of 4

ORION PICTURES (MGM)

Outrageously funny and completely insane, Bottoms fully embraces its bonkers premise and crafts a unique blend of sex comedy and schlocky exploitation cinema with hysterical results thanks to its wildly talented young cast and the best use of Marshawn Lynch ever! 

The film stars Rachel Sennott (Tahara, Shiva Baby, Bodies Bodies Bodies), Ayo Edebiri (Theater Camp, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem), Ruby Cruz (Castle Rock, Mare of Easttown, Willow), Havana Rose Liu (Mayday, The Sky is Everywhere, No Exit), Kaia Gerber (Sister Cities, American Horror Story, Babylon), Nicholas Galitzine (Chambers, The Craft: Legacy, Cinderella (2021)), Dagmara Domińczyk (They, Running with Scissors, Priscilla), Punkie Johnson (Saturday Night Live), and Wayne Péré (Out of Sight, Galaxy Quest, Ocean’s Thirteen); and is produced by Elizabeth Banks (Spider-Man trilogy, Pitch Perfect trilogy, Cocaine Bear) and directed by Emma Seligman (Shiva Baby).

 

NYAD: 

Movie Review: *** ½ out of 4

NETFLIX

Nyad's inspiring story and stellar performances from Annette Bening (Mars Attacks!, American Beauty, The Kids Are All Right) and Jodie Foster (Taxi Driver, The Silence of the Lambs, Elysium) make this uplifting biopic worth diving into! 

The film also stars Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Amazing Spider-Man) and Karly Rothenberg (Win a Date with Tad Hamilton, The Office, American Vandal); and is directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (Meru, Free Solo, Wild Life). 

 

RUSTIN: 

Movie Review: *** ½ out of 4

NETFLIX

With excellent direction from George C. Wolfe (Nights in Rodanthe, You’re Not You, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) and a remarkable Colman Domingo (Selma, If Beale Street Could Talk, The Color Purple (2023)) performance, Rustin brings one of the most important moments of American history to the screen with flying colors! 

The film also stars Aml Ameen (Red Tails, The Butler, The Maze Runner), Glynn Turman (The Wire, House of Lies, Fargo), Chris Rock (Saturday Night Live, Top Five, Spiral: From the Book of Saw), Audra McDonald (Rampart, Beauty and the Beast (2017), Respect), and Jeffrey Wright (Quantum of Solace, The Hunger Games franchise, The Batman). 

 

SALTBURN: 

Movie Review: *** out of 4

MGM

Saltburn isn’t for everyone and may need more than one viewing to fully understand it, but through solid performances by the cast, the film’s slow pace, and effective twists, it makes for a worthy sophomore directing effort from Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman)!

The film stars Barry Keoghan (Dunkirk, The Green Knight, The Banshees of Inisherin), Jacob Elordi (The Kissing Booth trilogy, Euphoria, Priscilla), Rosamund Pike (An Education, The World’s End, Gone Girl), Richard E. Grant (Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Logan, The Hitman’s Bodyguard 1 and 2), Alison Oliver (Conversations with Friends, Best Interests, The Order), Archie Madekwe (See, Midsommar, Gran Turismo), Carey Mulligan (Drive, Inside Llewyn Davis, Maestro), and Paul Rhys (Chaplin, From Hell, Napoleon).

 

A DISTURBANCE IN THE FORCE: 

Movie Review: **** out of 4

GIANT PICTURES

An ingeniously crafted documentary that celebrates the biggest misfire in Star Wars history and acknowledges how some of the best Star Wars movies and shows still pay tribute to this special in some shape or form, The Force is strong with A Disturbance in the Force! 

The film is directed by Jeremy Coon (Napoleon Dynamite, Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made) and Steve Kozak. (Seattle International Film Festival) 

 

ERNEST & CELESTINE: A TRIP TO GIBBERITIA: 

Movie Review: *** ½ out of 4

GKIDS

Beautifully animated, charming, and boasted by a genuinely touching story, Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia is a delightful, upbeat, and downright pleasant sequel that guarantees wholesome family entertainment! (Seattle International Film Festival) 

 

MAESTRO: 

Movie Review: *** ½ out of 4

NETFLIX

Bradley Cooper (The Hangover trilogy, American Hustle, A Star is Born (2018)) (Both in front of and behind the camera) crafts a powerful melody of enthralling storytelling, masterful performances by Cooper and Carey Mulligan (Pride & Prejudice, Drive, Inside Llewyn Davis), and a beautiful tribute to a tremendously talented man's life with Maestro! 

The film also stars Matt Bomer (Flightplan, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, Magic Mike trilogy), Vincenzo Amato (Unbroken, Red Notice), Michael Urie (Ugly Betty, Mode After Hours, Partners), Brian Klugman (Cloverfield, Vacancy 2: The First Cut, The Words), Sarah Silverman (School of Rock, The Sarah Silverman Program, Wreck-It Ralph 1 and 2), Zachary Booth (Assassination of a High School President, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, The Beaver), Miriam Shor (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3, American Fiction), Maya Hawke (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Asteroid City, Inside Out 2), Gideon Glick (Ocean’s 8, Marriage Story, The Pale Blue Eye), Josh Hamilton (Away We Go, Manchester by the Sea, Eighth Grade), June Gable (She-Devil, Friends, Somewhere in Queens), and Alexa Swinton (Billions, Old). 

SOCIETY OF THE SNOW: 

Movie Review: **** out of 4 

NETFLIX

A riveting story about survival with strong performances by the cast and phenomenal direction from J.A. Bayona (The Impossible, A Monster Calls, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom), Society of the Snow is an absolutely powerful and moving cinematic experience! 

ANYONE BUT YOU: 

Movie Review: ** ½ out of 4

COLUMBIA PICTURES

A run of the mill romantic-comedy with sitcom-style jokes and predictable storytelling, but the comedic chemistry between its two leads keeps Anyone But You together! 

The film stars Sydney Sweeney (Under the Silver Lake, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Madame Web), Glen Powell (Everybody Wants Some!!, Hidden Figures, Devotion), Alexandra Shipp (X-Men franchise, Love, Simon, Barbie), GaTa (House Party (2022), Young. Wild. Free., Self Reliance), Hadley Robinson (Little Women (2019), The Pale Blue Eye, The Boys in the Boat), Michelle Hurd (I Spit On Your Grave III: Vengeance Is Mine, We Don’t Belong Here, Star Trek: Picard), Dermot Mulroney (About Schmidt, Zodiac, Scream VI), Darren Barnet (Never Have I Ever, Gran Turismo, Road House (2024)), Rachel Griffiths (Muriel’s Wedding, Saving Mr. Banks, Hacksaw Ridge), Bryan Brown (Cocktail, Along Came Polly, Australia), and Charlee Fraser in his feature film debut; and is directed by Will Gluck (Easy A, Friends with Benefits, Peter Rabbit 1 and 2). 

AMERICAN FICTION: 

Movie Review: **** out of 4

MGM

Led by a brilliant Jeffrey Wright (The Hunger Games franchise, The Batman, Rustin) performance and an irreverently clever storyline, American Fiction is a funny, thought-provoking, and even poignant film that cannot and should not be missed! 

The film also stars Tracee Ellis Ross (Girlfriends, Hanging Up, Candy Cane Lane), Issa Rae (Insecure, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Barbie), Sterling K. Brown (Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Marshall, Black Panther), John Ortiz (American Gangster, Fast & Furious franchise, Silver Linings Playbook), Erika Alexander (Full Frontal, Déjà vu, Get Out), Leslie Uggams (Roots, Sugar Hill, Deadpool trilogy), Adam Brody (Jennifer’s Body, Scream 4 and 5, Ready or Not), Keith David (Gargoyles, Spawn, The Princess and the Frog), Okieriete Onaodowan (Hamilton, A Quiet Place: Part II, Molli and Max in the Future), Myra Lucretia Taylor (The Paper, Changing Lanes, The Big Sick), Miriam Shor (Bedazzled (2000), Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Maestro), Michael Cyril Creighton (High Maintenance, Spotlight, Only Murders in the Building), J.C. MacKenzie (The Aviator, Molly’s Game, The Irishman), and Patrick Fischler (Ghost World, Old School, The Black Dahlia); and is directed by Cord Jefferson (The Good Place, Succession, Watchmen).