The New Year is here, and the only thing some Hollywood studios may fear is in how well their slate of films will perform. Out of what’s coming (with a few pushed back to this itme), I have my list of the best geeky movies coming in 2023 that I can’t wait to see.
As for the drama that occured in the closing months, namely Warner Brothers rebooting their DC Cinematic Universe with James Gunn at the helm, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s is not as happy. What he was cooking up was a hope that he would lead the future, but alas, that was not meant to be. This wrestler turned actor really wanted his movie, Black Adam, to lead to a slate of work where he’s the focus, but alas, that’s not meant to happen. Much like the antihero of lore, he now just wants to be left alone and brooding.
I won’t go into all that went on with the Marvel Cinematic front. There’s lots of coverage which simply said Phase Four wasn’t the best and going forward, we should have a better direction. Elsewhere, the film scene is doing just great and as for what to enjoy in the pop culture front, I have boiled down the former top twenty list to a definitive top ten of must watch.
SHIN ULTRAMAN (Japan)
Jan 12 (theatrical run)
Hideaki Anno can do no wrong in his update to the next beloved Japanese franchise. Here, this iconic Sentai hero gets a modern update, and the lucky person to become this galaxy’s protector is hardly feeling that. This film is good to watch since it examines the relationship aliens have with this human species.
I saw this film at Fantasia Film Festival, and hopefully there’ll be a continuation after it makes a full America-side debut. As audiences get re-introduced to this hero, it’s sure to spawn a new generation of fans
D&D: HONOUR AMONG THIEVES
March 3
After the last three attempts at making a live-action D&D movie, hopefully the fourth time will be the right one. Those movies (self-titled, Wrath of the Dragon God and Book of Vile Darkness) went direct to home video release, and ever since then, fans have been wanting that definitive live action version of the game. That is, it must reference all the classic monsters and tropes that define a game. Here, the producers are taking a cue from Guardians of the Galaxy–tossing a band of adventurers together and hope they can do what’s right to save a world.
Although, I must ask, why can’t one of D&D’s best adventure modules be adapted to screen? It’d do a lot more than satisfy the hard core, and there’s two that I’d love to see serialised in the eventual Netflix series–Ravenloft and Temple of Elemental Evil!
HAUNTED MANSION
Aug 11, 2023
I was honestly okay with the last version that starred Eddie Murphy. The visuals and setup from that film honours everything the ride offered. It was cheesier and this upcoming adaptation is said to be scarier. There’s now two “official” comic book series, one published by Slave Labour Comics and another by Marvel, which are one-shots, and as for whether this film will tie in to that depends on what the contract the Mouse has with the latter comic book publisher.
In regards to what we know so far is that here, Gabbie is a single mom and she bought a haunted mansion for dirt cheap. But it comes with a lot of baggage–tons of ghosts whom she hopes the team of exorcists and priests can get rid of!
Renfield and Last Voyage of the Demeter
(No official poster design yet)
April 14
It’s tough to say if giving Dracula’s side-kick will be a success, but when considering how well he’s beloved and that there was a successful comic book based on the character, I’m willing to give Renfield a chance! I’m more concerned about the genre it’s being put into in this modern remake. It’s a horror-comedy and Nicholas Hoult plays the titular character. Even crazier is the fact Nicolas Cage is playing Dracula! Instead of giving The Last Voyage of the Demeter directed by André Øvredal its own entry, I’m lumping these two works together. This adaptation of the chapter where Dracula lands in England has its own film and is due to release August 11.
According to the official synopsis: Every day, Renfield is forced to procure his master’s human prey and do his bidding, no matter how embarrassing. But now, after centuries of servitude, Renfield has decided to find a life outside the shadow of The Prince of Darkness; if only he can figure out how to end his codependency.
EVIL DEAD 3: RISE
April 21
The good news: this Sam Raimi approved and produced movie is a continuation of the franchise. The bad news: don’t expect to see Bruce Campbell return.
In this take, we have contemporary heroes, Beth and Ellie, who discover the Necromomicon, while exploring their new digs. And in what they discover sees the evil taking to the big city in an attempt to grow and take over the world. That is, these two will have to stop the evil from “rising” after a long time of hiding in a cramped Los Angeles apartment.
SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER VERSE
June 2
Sadly, the constant delays may quell interest. It’s been pushed back twice, and hopefully the third time’s the charm. Here, Miles Morales’ relationship with Gwen (Spider-Woman) is the focus as they go hopping to alternate Earths to deal with a threat to the multiverse. The big question everyone has is who is the villain?
Could it be Kang or, as the spoilers in the IMDB has revealed, The Spot? This lesser known villain is able to generate black holes that can transport others to other universes, and as for how important he is to Everything, Everywhere, All at once will depend on how bad this joke is. We’ll no doubt get introduced to other iterations of the Spider-Man character, and I’m still waiting for the six-armed version to return!
INDIANA JONES 5
June 30
Harrison Ford is all yippee kai yay about keeping the titular role all to himself. He even broke a bone during filming, and while production was halted, he was in good spirits about it. But as all fans must accept is that eventually, the lead actor has to either pass the torch, accept an on screen death or simply say, “I can’t do this anymore.”
Some fans are betting that the middle choice may be what will happen for this last outing. He’s protecting his goddaughter. Should this happen, to not have a blood relation to become the next globe trotting adventurer will be a welcome change. However, I don’t think the legacy will change. It’ll be retired because it should tie in with the Young Indiana Jones television series. Maybe we’ll see how it’ll all connect instead of being non-canon. Can anyone imagine surviving Nazis and the USSR working together?
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE DEAD RECKONING PT 1
July 14
This motion picture is broken up into two parts for good reason. There’s going to be a lot of action that’ll leave audiences breathless, and as for whether it’s the end for Ethan (Tom Cruise), he’s not getting any younger. When considering the controversy in finding places to blow up, I’m sure there’ll be more hurdles to finish part two.
But in what sells me to wanting to see this movie is a promotional video showing how the stunts are planned for this franchise. When considering the danger Cruise is willing to put his body through puts all of William Shatner’s going to the space to shame. Although there’s nearly thirty decades between them for age, there’s only so much physical activity either are willing to do for the sake of entertainment, and to see him base jump for real has me excited for this film!
Behind the Scenes Making of Teaser
OPPENHEIMER
July 21
Not every movie has to be about superheroes, and this entry is special because it’s features actors who were once heroes. Instead, they are part of a team who is either helping or hindering J. Robert Oppenheimer’s efforts to build the atomic bomb.
Cillian Murphy stars in this work directed by Christopher Nolan, and this director knows how to make his hims big. Not only is his Batman trilogy the most loved work of the past, but also he’s an auteur who knows how to make his films loud. This biopic will no doubt be a story of contrasts.
GHOSTBUSTERS
AFTERLIFE SEQUEL
Dec 23
We’ll see a continuation of what the post credits sequence teased at, and hopefully we’ll also watch the half of the old team reunite at least. It’s safe to say Murray won’t be involved in this take. Instead, it’ll be about the new generation learning from half the team, and answering the question the last movie left off concerning a certain containment system.
If the early teases are correct, this movie may be called Ghostbusters: Firehouse.
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