Welcome to Film Friday’s special edition! Here’s a curated list of the top seven films and TV series of 2023. From mind-bending thrillers to heartwarming dramas, these captivating stories and performances have taken the industry by storm. Grab your popcorn and join us on this unforgettable journey through the best of 2023’s film and television.
Outlander
Outlander is a historical drama series that follows the story of Claire Randall, a nurse in World War II who mysteriously transported back in time to 1743 Scotland. There, she meets Jamie Fraser, a dashing Highland warrior, and they swept up in an epic rebellion. The series is a blend of romance, adventure, and history, and it has been praised for its strong female characters, its beautiful cinematography, and its faithful adaptation of the Outlander novels by Diana Gabaldon. The seventh season of Outlander premiered on Starz on June 16, 2023.
Black Mirror
Black Mirror is a British science fiction anthology television series created by Charlie Brooker. Each episode is a stand-alone story that explores a dark and twisted vision of the future. The show has praised for its thought-provoking and often disturbing episodes, which often examine the potential negative impacts of new technologies.The most recent episode of Black Mirror, “Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too,” aired on June 15, 2023. The episode tells the story of a young girl who becomes obsessed with a pop star who has turned into a life-size AI doll. The episode explores the dangers of idolization and the potential for technology to be used to manipulate people.
From
The new sci-fi mystery series “From” has been a hit with viewers since its premiere on June 18, 2023. The show follows a group of strangers who mysteriously transported to a small town in Maine, where they are trapped and must figure out how to escape. The series has praised for its suspenseful plot, creepy atmosphere, and well-developed characters. However, some viewers have criticized the show’s slow pacing and lack of answers. Overall, “From” is a promising new series that is sure to keep viewers hooked.
The Flash
Solving the problem of The Flash seems daunting. The movie has faced nearly a decade of development delays, multiple directors, and numerous writers. Constant changes in tone, vision, and story plagued WB and DC. To make matters worse, the lead star, Ezra Miller, experienced a widely publicized mental health crisis, involving alleged criminal activity. However, despite these challenges, The Flash highly anticipated. Director Andy Muschietti, known for his successful adaptations of Stephen King’s It, helms the final version. Early test screenings suggest the potential for greatness, drawing comparisons to The Dark Knight. The movie embraces Michael Keaton’s Batman, a beloved character. While the odds of disappointment remain high for a DCEU film, endorsements from Tom Cruise and Stephen King raise hopes for its actual quality.
Asteroid City
After nearly three decades of filmmaking, Wes Anderson has established himself as a distinct presence in the world of cinema. His visual style has become so iconic that even those unfamiliar with his films can readily identify it, leading to the employment of AI to imitate or mock his “brand” using popular franchises like Star Wars. Now, Anderson returns this summer with Asteroid City, a quintessentially Wes Anderson-esque film featuring deliberately artificial backdrops and characters delivering mundane lines with deadpan expressions. The story revolves around a diverse group of strangers who gather in the eponymous town to investigate a UFO sighting. Boasting a stellar ensemble cast led by Steve Carrell, Tom Hanks, and Scarlett Johansson, a retro 1960s aesthetic, and Anderson’s signature light humor, Asteroid City serves as a refreshing alternative for those seeking respite from mindless blockbuster spectacles.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
How do you follow up on one of the most beloved movies of the last five years? That’s the challenge for the makers of Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, the sequel to 2018’s Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Some call the first movie the best comic book movie ever made, including James Gunn. Across the Spider-Verse doubles down on what made its predecessor successful: more charm, dynamic animated fights, and multiple Spider-Men from different dimensions. Miles Morales and Spider-Gwen race against time to stop Spider-Man 2099, one of their variants, from doing something bad. They joined by a very pregnant Spider-Woman and the incredibly cool Spider-Punk. This sequel has high expectations to meet, but the trailers and sneak peeks suggest it will not only meet them but surpass them too.
Extraction 2
Chris Hemsworth returns to kick some ass in “Extraction 2,” the sequel to Netflix’s 2020 action movie that became the streamer’s most-watched original film with 99 million viwers in its first four weeks of release. Director Sam Hargrave is also back and attempting to craft even more insane action sequences, including a highly touted set piece that’s designed to look like a 21-minute one take. Given that Hemsworth’s Tyler Rake last seen shot in the neck and falling into a river, Netflix is keeping the specifics of his return under wraps until the sequel debuts. Expect plenty of surprises.
