Every Film I’ve Watched in 2023: May
Greetings friends! This is a record of every film I’ve watched in 2023, including rewatches, repeats and first viewings. Each film is accompanied by how / where I watched it, and my thoughts in 100 words or less. Welcome to part 5: May.
65. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Where? - Disney Plus [rewatch]
Thoughts - Nine years later and this is still top tier MCU content. A fun sci-fi adventure, with a roster of whacky characters. It’s fantastic to see an ensemble which is a little rough around the edges, where their team-up is reluctant and complicated. There’s equal amounts of comic book action and delicate, emotional character moments, making this a really well-rounded film. Also, the soundtrack is excellent, offering a jukebox selection of songs which suit the tone and themes throughout. It’s exactly the type of risk Marvel needed, and even now it still feels exciting.
66. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 (2017)
Where? - Disney Plus [rewatch]
Thoughts - Sadly, I’m not completely sold on this. It has a terrific sense of humour, another killer soundtrack, and action sequences which look amazing. However, it’s lacking in emotional engagement. There’s a lot of characters and a lot of ground to cover, which means multiple emotional arcs are under cooked. There’s also a villain who ranks as one of the most forgettable and flimsy in the MCU. Unfortunately, this film struggles to avoid typical traps for sequels. It relies on the same tricks as the original, but doesn’t do enough to match or exceed it. Regardless, it’s harmless fun.
67. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 (2023)
Where? - Cinema screening [first viewing]
Thoughts - Easily one of the best Marvel films we’ve had for a while, and it feels like a fitting end for this era of the Guardians. Although this film has numerous issues in terms of writing, and some character arcs are rushed, I had a great time. The action is fun and stylish, the villain is terrifying, the more sinister tone was impactful, and the emotional moments mostly landed. People expected this film to go in a cynical direction, which I’m really glad didn’t happen. I can forgive many of the missteps, because the ending made me weep happy tears.
68. Batman (1989)
Where? - Blu Ray [rewatch]
Thoughts - I’m biased, because Michael Keaton is my favourite Batman, but this film mostly holds up. Keaton absolutely excels as Batman and Bruce Wayne, and I enjoy the simplistic story. It feels more like a lower budget film than an expensive blockbuster, which is both to its detriment and benefit. There’s also an issue of balance and tone. It’s clear Tim Burton was more interested in Joker, and the tone shifts uncomfortably between 1960s Adam West era theatricality and the usual Tim Burton quirky darkness. Factoring in when this was made, it’s a good film for what it tried to be.
69. Nobody (2021)
Where? - Netflix [first viewing]
Thoughts - I had zero expectations going in, and I’m happy to report I was blown away. This is B-movie action executed to an incredibly high standard. It’s simple and not particularly layered, but it’s disciplined and focused. The creators weren’t trying to do anything outlandish or ground-breaking, which means they could focus on delivering stylish action sequences which were gritty and nasty in all the right ways. Bob Odenkirk gives one of his best performances, which was a key component in making me invest in the story and central character. This was a damn good time.
70. Monsters Inc (2001)
Where? - Disney Plus [rewatch]
Thoughts - Having not watched Monsters Inc in years, I wasn’t ready for how hard it would slap me across the face with nostalgia. It’s just fantastic! It’s creative, emotional, funny, and it dives headfirst into heavy themes. More than anything, I appreciated the messages of spreading kindness, and asking questions more than casting judgement. I’ve loved this film since I was a kid, and I’m really glad it’s still endlessly entertaining and heart-warming, and it resonated with me differently as an adult. I also realised I involuntarily memorised 90% of the screenplay, which will stay with me forever.
71. Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023)
Where? - Apple TV+ [first viewing]
Thoughts - I loved this film. It’s a fantastic documentary, offering an insightful look into Michael J. Fox’s life and career. This isn’t a film which treats Fox as a topic, with an outsider looking in. Instead, it places him at the centre, provides a platform for his voice, and treats him respectfully as a person. It’s important the filmmakers took this approach, because they also explore Fox’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, how his life has changed, and his work to raise money and promote understanding. It’s informative, warm, incredibly sensitive, and it maintains a sense of curiosity, honesty and respect. It’s brilliant!
72. Batman Returns (1992)
Where? - Blu Ray [rewatch]
Thoughts - I don’t want to question Tim Burton’s credentials with regards to comic book filmmaking, but this was a misfire. There are great performances from Danny DeVito and Michelle Pfeiffer, but there’s also various problems. Batman Returns is noticeably darker, but lacks substance. The darkness is a stylistic choice which doesn’t serve the story or characters. Crucially, the story strays into seriously goofy territory, Batman is side-lined in favour of three villains, and the screenplay is cheesy, problematic and disturbingly over-sexualised. All of those factors combined with Burton’s style going too far makes this a tough pill to swallow.
73. The Good Nurse (2022)
Where? - Netflix [first viewing]
Thoughts - True crime isn’t necessarily my cup of tea, but this had me gripped. I was engaged in the story, the characters worked, and the tone was fitting. Normally this type of film focuses on the perpetrator and loses sight of the victims, but The Good Nurse keeps a firm grip on the victims, their families and the people trying to catch the killer. Jessica Chastain is wonderful as usual, and Eddie Redmayne gives a truly fantastic performance which left me feeling uncomfortable. Add some poignant criticism of capitalism and American healthcare, and this was a solid film.
74. The Angels’ Share (2012)
Where? - DVD [rewatch]
Thoughts - If ever there were a film which perfectly defines the term “hidden gem” it’s The Angel’s Share. It’s not widely known, it doesn’t boast any huge names in the cast, and I guarantee most people would underestimate it. However, I cannot recommend it enough. It’s a small British film about redemption and second chances, which leaves me feeling warm every time I watch it. The performances are terrific, the screenplay offers humour and heart, and it’s so damn hopeful! This is a great example of a film which is smaller in scale, but it makes a loud noise.
75. A History of Violence (2005)
Where? - Blu Ray [rewatch]
Thoughts - One of my favourite David Cronenberg films. A fantastic adaptation of John Wagner and Vince Locke’s graphic novel, a rich crime drama where the violence is shocking but sporadic. The key focus is the characters and how their lives are influenced by violence. Viggo Mortensen gives an astonishing performance, which is layered and complicated, and rewards rewatches. This film offers a new opportunity for Cronenberg to peel back layers and explore gritty and uncomfortable themes relating to human minds and bodies, and the destruction of both physical and spiritual forms. It’s dark, unnerving, perplexing at times, but totally captivating.
76. The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
Where? - Blu Ray [rewatch]
Thoughts - This is unironically one of the best Batman films ever made. It’s an exciting visual spectacle, offering a new way of executing premium Batman action. Tonally and thematically the film has both its heart and brain in the right place, balancing sincerity and laugh out loud punchlines in equal measure. More than anything, it’s a celebration of the Batman mythos. It explores the dichotomy of Batman and Bruce Wayne, Batman’s place in Gotham and the DC universe, and his relationship with his rogues gallery. This film arguably offers much more substance than many of the live action Batman films.
77. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Where? - Blu Ray [rewatch]
Thoughts - I’m a huge comic book fan, so I love Homecoming. It’s exciting, fun, colourful and stylish, but it also has a beating heart. If you take away the VFX and the action, this is an in-depth study of Spider-Man. It’s Peter Parker going on a journey of discovery, figuring out who he wants to be, who he needs to be, and what it means to be Spider-Man. Tom Holland is phenomenal in this role, and he’s balanced perfectly by Michael Keaton’s Vulture, who is easily one of the best MCU villains. Simple, distinguished, top tier Spider-Man.
78. Old (2021)
Where? - Netflix [first viewing]
Thoughts - I’m sorry to say it, but this film is a joke. That’s the only way I can understand the purpose of Old; to parody a particular style of storytelling. It’s an interesting concept, but the delivery is horrendous. The characters are unengaging, the key moments of shock are unintentionally hilarious, it’s totally inconsistent with its own internal logic, and the screenplay consists of wooden character moments and clunky exposition. Rather than offering a sharp and gripping story like older M. Night Shyamalan films, Old spoon feeds the audience an underwhelming, pre-digested plot, like birds regurgitating food for their young.
79. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Where? - Blu Ray [rewatch - second viewing in 2023]
Thoughts - It should come as no surprise I watched my favourite film of all time again. I’m not going to fool myself and pretend I won’t watch it again multiple times this year, because it’s just so wonderful. If you want to see my thoughts in more detail, then you can read my January summary or my recent article about Across the Spider-Verse.
Favourite new film of the month
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie
Thank you for checking out part 5, hopefully you’ll find yourself back here soon for part 6! If you’ve enjoyed this article, please check out my other recent articles:
