Barbie
(Pictured Above)
Greta Gerwig’s last two films Lady Bird and Little Women both ranked high for me, even if Lady Bird’s faded from my memory rather quickly. So I was already anticipating Gerwig’s next film regardless of subject matter, but when it was announced she’d be filming a Barbie movie I was curious and when I saw that incredibly referential trailer I was sold. What the film will end up being like is truly a mystery to me, but I just know it’ll have us all talking.
Director: Greta Gerwig
Lee
I love photography, and I’ve always had a passion for WWII history, so this film combines two of my greatest interests. Beyond that I’m also curious to see how a cast consisting of Kate Winslet, Andy Samberg, Marion Cotillard, and Alexander Skarsgard come together, guided by a relative newcomer to the director chair Ellen Kuras.
Director: Ellen Kuras
Killers of the Flower Moon
Synopsis: Members of the Osage tribe in the United States are murdered under mysterious circumstances in the 1920s sparking a major F.B.I. investigation involving J. Edgar Hoover.
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Despite his venerable status as a director I have a mixed track record with Scorsese, and similarly so with Leonardo DiCaprio. Still the films where I feel they’ve clicked together I feel they have really clicked. Likewise the story of behind this film is one I feel that needs telling to a broad audience. So I am optimistic that everything will come together and make this the best film it can be in 2023.
Director: Martin Scorsese
How Do You Live?
Synopsis: Centers on a teenage boy in Tokyo who moves in with his uncle after his father dies.
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Miyazaki has more than earned his retirement; however, selfishly at the announcement of yet another Miyazaki led Ghibli film I couldn’t help but be excited. My curiosity now especially at seeing the subject matter is if this is another film like The Wind Rises, which is grounded in reality, or if it’s another one of his fantastical films. No doubt whichever it ends up being it’ll be a stunning film worthy of your time.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Oppenheimer
Synopsis: The story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.
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Christopher Nolan’s films frankly have always had more style than substance for me; however, time and time again I find myself in a theatre or on my couch watching his latest film. I think despite my misgivings with some of his films, I still appreciate the work and his efforts to keep telling fresh stories. I’m hoping that Oppenheimer is the one that really clicks for me as a great film, and given the lofty subject matter I know the stakes will be high to make it so.
Director: Christopher Nolan
Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse
Synopsis: Miles Morales catapults across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. When the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles must redefine what it means to be a hero.
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Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse was an incredible feat of animation, a wonderful introduction of Miles Morales to the cinematic universe, and one of the best films of its year. All that said it set a lofty high bar for a sequel to meet; however, I have high hopes they can at least meet the achievements of the previous film.
Directors: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, & Justin K. Thompson
Renfield
Synopsis: Dracula’s henchman and inmate at the lunatic asylum.
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I was sold when I heard the words “Nicolas Cage” and Dracula, but add the always excellent Nicholas Hoult, and this promises to be a delightfully zany adventure of a film that I cannot wait to see.
Director: Chris McKay
Next Goal Wins
Synopsis: NEXT GOAL WINS follows the infamously terrible American Samoa soccer team, known for a brutal 2001 FIFA match they lost 31-0.
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Despite my present disinterest in watching sports as an adult, my love of sports as a kid has forever made me a fan of a whole variety of sports films from the serious and overdramatic to the zany, spoofs. Knowing Taika Waititi’s humor this will undoubtedly be more of the latter, and I’m absolutely hear for it. Taika’s become one of my favorite directors, with Hunt for the Wilderpeople an instant classic, and though I don’t know if it’ll reach that high, I already foresee it being a favorite for the year.
Director: Taika Waititi
Dune: Part II
Synopsis: A boy becomes the Messiah of nomads on a desert planet that has giant worms that protect a commodity called Spice. Spice changes people into travelers, mystics and madmen. What price will he pay to become the new ruler of their universe?
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Dune: Part 1 was one of the best theatrical experiences I’ve had in sometime. I was in an IMAX theatre (a REAL one) for the first time since the pandemic, and I and the crowd were totally mesmerized by the visuals of Dune. Of course the sudden ending, though expected, was disappointing nonetheless. Still I’ve been stoked to return to the world of spice ever since, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Villeneuve connects the two films.
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Monster
Synopsis: Plot under wraps.
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Of all the films on this list I know the least about Monster, though that’s quite intentional as the plot is at least presently intentionally hidden. Not only do I know little about the plot but I’ve also yet to watch any of Kore-Eda’s films (hoping to fix that soon); however, his reputation so proceeds him that by trust of critics I admire alone I’m curious enough to give this film a shot.
Director: Hirokazu Kore-Eda
Dunki
Synopsis: The rampant use of an illegal backdoor route called ‘Donkey Flight’ by Indians to immigrate to countries like Canada and USA.
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Though I’ve loved Bollywood films for sometime, I’ve only recently begun to take a more active role as a fan. Starting out I’ve begun to really notice and follow the actors, actresses, directors, I love who produce these films. One actor whose work I’ve been particularly taken with is Shah Rukh Khan, known affectionately as “King Khan”. Khan is making his film debut after nearly 4 years away with 3 films in 2023, and though it was hard to choose just one this story, one of modern immigration, caught my attention.
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
