The Movie Guy

With the Oscars being presented on Sunday, March 10^th, I like to focus on the films and performances that I found most memorable. In keeping with the tradition of the late Siskel & Ebert’s “If We Picked the Winners,” here are my standouts for 2023 using the nominees in the main Academy Award categories. While others try to second-guess Oscar politics with who ‘should win’ or ‘will win,’ I like to keep it simple. In case you missed any of them, these are the films and performances I’ll remember- simply put, these are the ones:  

For fans of the Chuck Norris films producers Menahem Golan and Yorum Globus made in the ‘80s through Cannon Films, “The Beekeeper” feels like an homage- it’s an over-the-top action fest that, despite being illogical and insipid, is a sweet escape into silly savagery.

Like a live-action Disney musical set against a Dickensian backdrop, “Wonka” is too eager to entertain and good-natured for me to be a Grinch in this season of giving. With chaste cartoon humor and songs that don’t completely suck, “Wonka” had enough charm to disarm me.

After 16 years, horror director Eli Roth (“Hostel,” ”The Green Inferno”) has finally given fans of his “Grindhouse” spoof slasher film trailer what they wanted- the feature film of “Thanksgiving” has come to fruition. Should they have been careful what they wished for? Because Roth has made “Thanksgiving” with care, fans can breathe easy and give thanks.

Leave it to Martin Scorsese to turn the century-old crime story of “Killers of the Flower Moon” into a three-and-a half hour cinematic tapestry but, when combining mob-like murders and method acting, nobody does it better.

If you enjoyed the true financial fiasco depicted in Adam McKay’s “The Big Short,” “Dumb Money” provides an equally true and entertaining look at the impact social media had on Wall Street with a two month takeover of GameStop stock shares.

It’s amazing how a good sports movie can suck you in: take a talented, determined underdog who, with a small support group, overcomes obstacles to show they’ve got what it takes. “Gran Turismo” sucks you in.

Despite its drawbacks, “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” treats its terror movie trope seriously, particularly in the logic and likable cast departments. More ghost story than gore fest, it’s decent enough to wind up being a decent movie in return.

Imagine spiritual possession as a party game and you’ve got “Talk to Me,” the debut horror film from Australian twin directors Danny and Michael Philippou that doesn’t cheat filmgoers with jump scares for jolts- they go right for the jugular.

Independent film lovers know the brains behind “Barbie”- director Greta Gerwig (“Lady Bird”) and co-writer/husband Noah Baumbach (“Marriage Story”) and the result is a smart satiric social commentary. Making Mattel’s iconic doll into a family-friendly film is its only weakness- “Barbie’s” bite doesn’t draw blood- and the movie’s musings never rise above amusing.