The Boy and the Heron
The Boy and the Heron is one of Miyazaki’s most soulfully animated pieces of his storied career
La Chimera
La Chimera is not just the best film to come out of Italy, but also one of the finest cinematic experiences of the year
Silent Night
Silent Night is an effective action venture from John Woo
Next Goal Wins
Next Goal Wins shows absolutely no visual cinematic or thematic appeal in any frame shown on screen
Godzilla Minus One
Action scenes involving Godzilla are jaw-dropping
Wish
Wish is not a movie but a commercial
The Holdovers
The Holdovers is a film that seems wholly unexpected in 2023
Rise of the Footsoldier: Vengeance
Vengeance does not disappoint in being entertaining or thrilling
Saltburn
Nothing in Saltburn is remotely daring, new or compelling
Napoleon
Napoleon won’t be remembered for being a serious biopic but as one of the funniest comedies of the year.
Dream Scenario
Dream Scenario has Cage’s best performance in ages.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes may very well be the best installment of the franchise yet!
The Creator
The Creator is an experiment that succeeds
Reality
Reality could not have come at a better time for actress Sydney Sweeney
Sly
Sly is a documentary that is sanitised above and beyond
The Exorcist: Believer
The Exorcist: Believer is a borderline unwatchable mess
SDAFF 2023: Egghead & Twinkie
While the story behind Egghead & Twinkie is wonderful, the actual film itself is a more mixed result.
The Marvels
The Marvels proves there’s still some gas left in the tank in the MCU after all.
Trolls Band Together
While the Trolls franchise has never been a notably strong series, Trolls Band Together is the lowest point it has ever reached.
NYAD
Largely due to the talents behind the camera, what could have been a layered and poignant true story in NYAD becomes an overly simplified and generic feature that fails to have a true bite or leave a lasting impression.