Cinematic Sommelier
9.1
For a group of community college kids sitting around a table a majority of the runtime, this show is nothing short of brilliant. The variety of how its funny, the chemistry between the cast, and the overall high quality of the show is off the charts. Endless wit from beginning to end in a showing generational talents – Lightning in a bottle. It even made me like Joel McHale, and I thought that was impossible.
7.3
It’s basically “Breaking Bad,” but instead of making meth, this teacher/coach decides to sell himself to rebuild his life. A great cast, a lot of great laughs. The only complaint I have is the clunky ending. It ends like hitting a brick wall. Very strange, and unfortunate. But then again, this kept it from overstaying its welcome. Solid B-tier HBO television.
7.9
One of my favorite action sleeper hits. Costner and Cook have fantastic chemistry as the mentor/mentee in the murderous arts. Costner does a great job of portraying the struggle of leading a double life while also exuding a calm coolness almost the entire time. The twist at the end always elicits a cheer from yours truly. It blew my mind the first time I watched it.
6.1
In a story arch as unlikely as the “50 shades” trilogy, our main character Kim goes from nymphomaniac to professional assassin in the blink of an eye, with little to no explanation. This may also be the only film I’ve ever seen other than “Old School” (you’re my boy, blue!) where an elderly man is killed simply by the power of a nice pair.
The soundtrack had me in stitches as it never matched what was going on on screen. The acting was laughable. But it was an entertaining hour and a half, I’ll give it that. A thank you to “Cinema Speculation” for this odd rabbit hole to travel down.
A much better variety this year than I had expected or remembered when going back through the archives to compile this list. I’m loving the trend of new studios emerging with diverse content that isn’t necessarily continuation of tentpole franchises. I feel like we’re emerging from that era into a new frontier of cinema once again where “new” and “different” is the name of the game. We are due for this every 20 years or so phenomenon to occur.
Without further adieu, my top 12 movies of this year… cheers to what looks to be a great 2023!
Top Gun: Maverick
Violent Night
The Fableman’s
Spider-Man: No Way Home
X
Everything, Everywhere, All At Once
Terrifier 2
Smile
Barbarian
The Menu
Avatar: The Way of Water
The Banshees of Inisherin
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 