February Wrapped - 2023 Month X Month
February is over which means another month of movies and shows has come and gone and we’ve been busy catching up on all there is to see. So here is our ranking of least favorite to most of the “new-ish” releases that you may or may not want to check out.
18. Empire of Light (2022)
There are some things that certainly work in 'Empire of Light. As expected, the photography from Deakins is delicate but stunning while the score from Reznor & Ross is equally subtle but strong. However, everything else that this movie tries to deliver feels half-hearted. Themes on belonging, connection, mental health, and racism all feel attempted but empty and the movie as a whole feels void of any emotional weight. -SM
17. Cocaine Bear (2023)
I just want to be clear, I went in to this movie with what I assumed were the perfectly reasonable and “right” level of expectations, I just wanted to have a good time…BUT All the fun to be had with Cocaine Bear can be had by simply rewatching the trailer. A big swing and a miss from a lot of talented people. Wait for streaming. -NB
16. The Outwaters (2023)
Robbie Banfitch’s first feature length release follows four friends as they journey into the Mojave to film a music video; and from the get go this film goes a long way, through some extremely deft cinematography and sound design, to separate itself from the recent crop of Found Footage Horror. Unfortunately, for me the film never quite “gets there” and in the process abandons much of what made the first act work so well. It’s not without its memorable sequences but this one may be better left for your next ARKTOBER Binge. For those of you who’d like to see it sooner it’s currently Streaming On : Screambox, VOD, and in Select Theaters. -NB
15. Knock at the Cabin (2023)
Certainly not the best, but certainly not the worst venture from M Night Shyamalan. The story is actually one of the stronger parts of 'Knock at the Cabin' along with a very strong showing from Dave Bautista, who gives a dynamic and nuanced character. However, other performances seem stale and rigid while reciting dialogue that struggled to create buy-in and felt the need to hold the audience's hand too much at times.
-SM
14. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
As is the case in many MCU movies, there are some things that work and some things that don't, however, the latter far outweighs the former. Majors is everything that he is promised to be, engaging, nuanced, and menacing. Even with his stellar performance, the movie lacks weight. We are consistently pulled out of potential moments of pathos due to a lack of time with new characters, chaotic visuals, or witty quips. The movie lacks heart.
-SM
13. Stranger at the Gate (2022) Nominated for Best Documentary Short
This Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Short certainly has its moments, especially when it spends time depicting the humanity of the Muslim community. Where it falters is a shallow exploration of the harmful systems that strip that humanity in the first place. 'Stranger at the Gate' would have benefited from a longer runtime, allowing it to take a further dive into an interesting subject matter.
-SM
12. Ivalu (2022) Nominated for Best Live-Action Short
There is no denying the beauty that is on screen. The landscapes of Greenland act as a stunning backdrop for an unfortunately sad story as we follow our main character's search for their missing sister. There are some beautiful moments and memories of familial connection with a tragic turn that somewhat comes out of nowhere. The ending may leave some dissatisfied but there is sound storytelling leading to that point.
-SM
11. Magic Mike’s Last Dance (2023)
It’s only fair to note when discussing any Soderbergh film, I’m in the bag for this guy. Your mileage may vary, but for me the film just flat out delivered exactly what I wanted when I sat down in the theatre. Tatum is effortlessly charismatic and magnetic as always, and the pairing of the incomparable Salma Hayek Pinault just worked for me. It also features arguably the best dance sequence in the franchise. The Ranking still goes 2, 1, 3, but that’s not a knock. -NB
10. Navalny (2022)
This documentary likely benefits from me and others coming in with zero understanding of the Russian Political landscape. Alexie 'Nalvany' is an engaging and complicated political figure and Roher does an incredible job of bringing us along in this real-life political thriller. When all is said and done, it's impossible to know absolute truths, but you certainly have an appreciation for folks who are willing to risk everything to find and reveal them. -SM
9. My Year of Dicks (2022) Nominated for Best Animated Short
'My Year of Dicks' is creative and genuine. Pamela Ribon gives us a deeply personal series of vignettes that are clever and downright funny at times while being filled with so much heart that it's impossible for viewers not to connect with what they are watching.
-SM
8. An Ostrich Told Me The World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It (2022) Nominated for Best Animated Short
It is hard to know which animated short will pull the award this year with so many high-quality choices, but 'An Ostrich...' certainly has a solid chance. The premise is unbelievably clever and thoughtful and the execution is extraordinary.
-SM
7. The Red Suitcase (2022) Nominated for Best Live-Action Short
Tense from start to finish, 'The Red Suitcase' follows a girl as she tries to run away from an arranged husband picking her up from the airport. The story unfolding is affecting and heartbreaking for so many reasons as we see our lead fight for autonomy no matter the cost.
-SM
6. All That Breathes (2022)
Calm and subtle in its approach, 'All That Breathes' doesn't hold your hand and walk you to the point but rather lets you sit and ruminate on the world being presented. Through this beautifully constructed story, we watch these brothers do all they can to make a difference, in the best way they know how, and we are reminded about how everything is connected. Even with its shorter runtime, there are some moments in pacing that some may find tiresome, but even with those moments, there is so much beauty to be seen in these acts of radical hope. -SM
5. The Integrity of Joseph Chambers (2023)
Robert Machoian’s follow up to the criminally under-seen and underrated The Killing of Two Lovers* (flat out the best drama of its kind since In The Bedroom, It’s also on Hulu* Right Now!) covers similar thematic territory but through a decidedly different lens. Clayne Crawford leads the film once again as the titular Joseph Chambers, a man facing a crisis of masculinity that seems entirely self inflicted. To “prove himself” Joe decides to head out to the woods for a day of solo hunting, things do not go well…This is one of my favorite films of the year so far and while it doesn’t pack the emotional wallop and chest tightening tension of its predecessor, it’s still a huge recommend from one of our most exciting indie filmmakers. Available Now on VOD. -NB
4. Fire of Love (2022)
'Fire of Love' is simply put, a beautiful love story. Sara Dosa and her team have pieced together just an incredibly engaging documentary, filled with passion and joy. Not only are we treated with stunningly gorgeous footage, but this tale of two soulmates and their curiosity about the world they explore together is a deeply moving and enjoyable watch. -SM
3. The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse (2022) Nominated for Best Animated Short
Straightforward and kind. It's easy to look at this movie as the animation of a Live Laugh Love meme page, but the art style is nostalgic, mimicking the classic children's books of our past, and lucky for me, I love classic children's books. Then you layer on themes of found family and a heartwarming score and you've got me hooked.
-SM
2. An Irish Goodbye (2022) Nominated for Best Live-Action Short
'An Irish Goodbye' is a thoughtful tale about death, love, and connection. This 16-minute story is completely disarming, filled to the brim with charm and comfort, as we watch two brothers re-kindle a bond after they lose their mother. James Martin and Seamus O'Hara are wonderfully engaging on screen with a chemistry that is undeniable.
-SM
1. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
So many aspects of 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish' work so well. The voice performances are dialed in, the story is filled to the brim with wonderful themes around gratitude and found family, and it features some of the best animated fight designs I've ever seen. This may be the best movie in the Shrek franchise since the original and is certainly worth the watch.
-SM