2023 Movie Half Term Report

Decided it's about time I did this again; a half-term report for the films I've seen this year!  This is a quick top ten of the best new films I saw in UK cinemas this year so far, as I think it will be interesting to see which of these end up in my final top ten of the year, how will my feelings on them change by then, and to reflect that a lot has happened in 2023 so far.  Now keep in mind, this is based on UK release dates, a few of these technically aren't 2023 films, but I am counting it as new to British screens as of January 1st.  I set that rule now because if I didn't, I'd be faffing about what did or didn't count so much, I'd never get the article done.  So with that in mind...

Honourable Mention: Shin Ultraman

I am still amazed by the fact that this thing got shown in UK cinemas at all, as I don't think any Ultraman was specifically imported to the UK, bar that Netflix anime.  Still, I did have a lot of fun with this one, an interesting little companion piece to Shin Godzilla (with some nice nods), but still does its own thing whilst capturing well the spirit of the original TV incarnation.  I particularly love in this the version of Alien Mephilas we get here, I'd love a sequel just so we get more of their scheming.  Now will Shin Kamen Rider ever grace Blighty's shores, that's a big question.

10. Evil Dead Rise

A great example of a requel (a sequel that also acts as a reboot; thanks Scream 5!), this is a great throwback to the style of the original, whilst also letting the dark humour shine through a lot clearer.  One of the most spectacularly gory things to be on screens in quite a while, this is a hell of a ride, wonderfully directed by Lee Cronin, and with MVP status going to Alyssa Sutherland, who gives a fantastic performance as perhaps the most chilling and memorable Deadite ever.  Groovy!

9. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Captures so well less the mechanics of the game (it's been a lonnnnggg time since I did any RPGs so I can't comment on authenticity), more the experience of playing it.  (I will add that there was one reference in the final act I utterly adored, though I wondered how many people under thirty would get it).  The loveable idiots in here feel like freewheeling, improvising on the spot players, and some of the plot twists feel a lot like a GM also having to freewheel and improvise to keep things going and balanced too.  Throw in some genuine warmth to the characters, really inventive set pieces and camerawork, and Owlbears, and this is a great crowdpleaser; I don't think you could get a better film from this property (and boy have we gotten some far worse ones!).

8. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

The sequel to the Shrek spin-off being this good.  Who'd have seen this one coming?  Taking some cues from a film who's sequel is also on here, this one takes some bold steps with its animation, definitely taking steps away from the standard Dreamworks style to embrace exaggeration and use of frame rates to emphasise actions.  But more than that, it's genuinely well written, with a mature tale of facing mortality, great characters, and real heart.  It says a lot that perhaps the most accurate depiction of a panic on film (coming from someone who's had one before, and they SUCK) happens to the title character here.  I give this one extra points for two of the villains; one who's proven very popular with the furry community, and one who's just the most one of the biggest bastards seen in a blockbuster film in ages.  Although, not THE biggest bastard; that goes to the antagonist of...

7. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

The High Evolutionary is perhaps the best villain the MCU has ever had, in terms of performance (give Chukwudi Iwuji a BIG role in the new DC films Gunn!), in terms of effectiveness, fascinating look, and personal impact on the characters.  That last one in particular I want to highlight, as earlier this year we had from Marvel Quantumania, a film I think failed because Kang's deeds felt too nebulous, it was hard to understand them on a human level.  Here, with how the HE ties into Rocket's backstory, and from us getting to know his creations before he sweeps them aside, we understand and feel them perfectly.  And that's just one of the strengths of this one, that has James Gunn leaving the MCU on one hell of a high note; now let's hope Warner Bros. and Zaslav leave him to do his magic well there.

6. Rye Lane

See, not all blockbuster genre fare on here!  (Just wait to see what number one is!)  A simple story of two people having a nice day together in East London, with great uses of the area, a fun, anarchic sense of humour, and characters that you can instantly make a connection with.  Pretty much the definition of a comfort watch, which given the occasionally jagged edges the leads display is impressive, and it's all in a neat, tight 82 minute package.  Why can't all rom coms be like this?

5. Pearl

I love that Ti West and Mia Goth purely on their own decided to make their own tiny cinematic universe (cinematic galaxy?  Cinematic solar system?).  X was a great piece of work, to quote one critic I like, it's the film that Rob Zombie has been trying to make for the last two decades and missing the mark constantly.  This prequel (you don't need to have seen X to enjoy this one, although there are allusions to it in here making the two good companion pieces) is a great showcase for what Mia Goth is capable of, with two incredible unbroken shots in the final act being particular high points.  Now here's hoping Maxxxine is worth the wait!

4. Asteroid City

Wes Anderson does it again; a nostalgia piece that has a lot to say about the period it's set in, as well as many a parallel for the modern day.  It's also got a hell of a game cast going for a story that's all about not entirely understanding stories or ones roles within them.  It constantly amazes me, the casts Anderson gets for his films and the gorgeous look of them, achieved with pretty modest budgets by Hollywood standards; this cost only $25 million and looks wonderful, particularly with a lot of stylisation, whereas The Flash cost nearly ten times more and looks like complete arse.  I'm not sure how this rates with my favourites of his films, it will take a few more goes to say for sure.  My Mum and Dad really liked it, so there's that.

3. Nimona

Thank you so much Annapurna pictures for saving this one when Disney threw it aside (you don't deserve this House of Mouse!).  A great fantasy with an SF edge, and also one of the most delightfully queer family films in years.  Having a gay lead character nice and clear from the word go is such a good change of pace from token efforts of representation like the dozenth "First gay Disney character" out there, but also having the title character be a great trans/genderfluid allegory too is even better.  This has some truly powerful stuff in here, moments that will stick with you for a long time (I'm genuinely getting a bit teary eyed thinking about the ending as I write this).  Oh, and not the only trans metaphor animated film on here...

2. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

There is so much to adore about this one, a sequel that expands on an already exceptional original in fantastic ways.  It does run the risk of being somewhat overstuffed, but it manages to keep a ridiculous number of plates spinning.  It's amazing the way it goes into areas that several recent superhero movies have taken stumbles in (the multi-verse, different versions of characters interacting...), and makes them work with a huge amount of grace, making it look so easy.  The reasons it's not number one?  Well it's only half a story, so we'll see if Beyond the Spider-Verse can make the landing, although on that note, Sony Animation?  Please don't work everyone nearly to death or at the very least not to burnout making that one!  Take your time, it will be worth the wait.

1. Marcel The Shell With Shoes On

Yeah, I'm serious about this.  A truly heartfelt tale, with one of the most adorable and appealing animated characters in recent years, a surprising amount of poignancy, and true commentary on the differences between fans and supporters.  A film that's like the warmest of comfort duvets, which is pretty much the optimum version of what it wants to be.  Look, if you haven't seen this yet, go do so right now, and you'll get why it's number one immediately.

This was fun; I think I'll keep this momentum going, so in a day or two, I'll reveal what I'm looking forward to for the rest of the year...