So, so far this year it’s been a darn good year for movies, to me, anyway. Here’s what I’ve seen in theaters:
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, a long-awaited cinematic comeback for Pirates of the Caribbean (original trilogy) director Gore Verbinski starring Sam Rockwell in a wicked social satire and epic sci-fi adventure.
Crime 101, featuring Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry in a psychological crime thriller that feels like classic Hollywood.
Fuze, directed by David Mackenzie (Hell or High Water), featuring a killer performance from Theo James.
The Drama, a rare popular hit outside of IP work from Robert Pattinson and Zendaya, more satisfying than Pattinson’s similar film from last year, Die My Love.
Mother Mary, new from David Lowery, one of my favorite directors, a kind of Taylor Swift story featuring Anne Hathaway.
Michael, a huge hit that reminded people that Michael Jackson’s music was wildly successful.
Project Hail Mary, a kind of MCU movie without the MCU and also only two characters, which somehow works better.
The Mandalorian and Grogu, a new Star Wars movie selling the heck out of Baby Yoda’s charms, and the John Wayne swagger of the bounty hunter who babysits him.
Mortal Kombat II, which is better than the first one, and brings the feel of the reboot back to the kind of filmmaking of the original two films, but better.
In the Grey, in which Eiza González commands the screen beyond all reason.
The Sheep Detectives, which is exactly as charming as everyone keeps saying.
Supergirl, which is as great as the Tom King comic that inspired it.
Disclosure Day, which is the first time I’ve soundly enjoyed a Spielberg film in twenty years.
The Death of Robin Hood, which is Hugh Jackman redoing Logan but with less mutants.
Moana, which is just as delightful as its animated predecessor. Love that it makes it obvious that Dwayne Johnson is Maui, even though people don’t love him as much as they did when it was easier to overlook.
Young Washington, which as it turns out really was well worth being the American Revolution film released in the 250th year.
The Odyssey, which is a story I knew so well, by a director I knew so well, it was like watching Batman Begins for the first time all over again, having to realize a bit later just what was actually being accomplished.
Toy Story 5, which I think really does, for the first time since the first one, justify continue making these. It’s the first one since the first one not to reframe the first one.
And the rest of the year, these’re the ones I plan on seeing in theaters or definitely catching up with later:
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (7/31)
One Night Only (8/7)
Super Troopers 3 (8/7)
The Rivals of Amziah King (8/21)
Coyote vs. ACME (8/28)
The Dog Stars (8/28)
Heart of the Beast (9/25)
Digger (10/2)
Street Fighter (10/16)
Klara and the Sun (10/23)
Wild Horse Nine (11/6)
Ebenezer (11/13)
How to Rob a Bank (11/13)
Focker-in-Law (11/27)
Avengers: Doomsday (12/18)
Dune: Part Three (12/18)
Jumanji: Open World (12/25)
And this doesn’t include films I still need to catch up on at some point…
