This is another tradition that I have for each year. I like to look back and talk about the best new movies I've watched the last year. These aren't all brand new movies as it has taken me some time to get around to watching some them. Though this year I managed to keep it to stuff that was no older than 2022 so that is a thing.
I also realize that some of my choices and comments below might piss some folks off but thems the breaks. We are each entitled to our opinions and while mine might not be popular they are honest. But before I get to top ten list I figured I'd give you some honorable mentions. Some of the movies have full reviews that are available if you click on the title.
X (2023) – I didn’t hate this movie. It is a solid horror flick but I honestly don’t see what all the excitement is about. Plus I get that folks dig Mia Goth but she isnt’ that great. Personally I don’t think anything she has worked on has topped Samra Weaving’s run on The Babysitter, Mayhem, and Ready or Not.
Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) – I can’t believe they finally made a good D and D movie! Not the greatest flick I’ve seen this year but a solid effort that I enjoyed and will watch again.
Project Wolf Hunting (2022) – South Korea knocked another one out of the park. Tons of gore, a prison break, and an unstoppable monster that tears thru survivors like they are tissue paper. The only negative is the lack of story and the fact that it doesn’t end but instead just sets up the sequel.
With these honorable mentions out of the way it is now time to get to my list. The way they are listed below are in order from ten to one. So the first is the lowest while the last is my favorite new to me movie. I hope that makes sense.
Batman: The Doom that Came to Gotham (2023) – These animated DC movies are cool. This one is set in an alternate universe where Mythos beasts have invaded a Victorian Gotham City. Yeah Batman vs. Cthulhu.
We Have a Ghost (2023) – This was a surprise that showed up on Netflix. I loved this family friendly movie with ghosts, murder, and mystery. The cast is great and this is a fun adventure flick. David Harbor is awesome without saying a single line of dialogue.
Unwelcome (2022) – I found this one on Shudder. It is a cool take on Irish folklore with the redcap fae folk in the woods doing some serious murdering.
A Haunting in Venice (2023) – This is a cool mystery that is also a mashup with horror. I’ve been digging these new Poirot flicks and this one, while a bit different, is still a good time. I managed to check this out at a small theater while on vacation.
The Lair (2022) – This Neil Marshall monster movie checked all the right boxes for me. A fun creature, snappy dialogue from likeable characters, and some sweet gore/kills. He didn’t overthink it and gave us one of the best monster movies of the last couple of years.
Mad Heidi (2022) – This was an excellent flick. Totally over the top and not afraid to offend this modern take of exploitation flicks from the seventies was a good time. Though to truly enjoy this one you need to turn off your brain and kick back with an adult beverage.
Evil Dead Rise (2023) – This is another new horror flick that I had little hope for. Turns out this was a clever take on the franchise. I think it benefitted from the setting change and by God they let you know right away no one is safe.
The Pope’s Exorcist (2023) – This movie ended up being way better than I expected. I thought we were going to get Russell Crowe hamming it up, but he takes the material seriously. Not only that but there are actually some creepy spots.
Slotherhouse (2023) – This flick was a revelation. I was shocked that this creature feature turned out to be a parody of slasher flicks with a murderous sloth standing in for the killer.
Cocaine Bear (2023) – This is one of the funniest and stupidest movies that I’ve watched in a long time and was a blast. The bear gets high and destroys everyone that it meets looking for the next bump of coke.
© Copyright 2023 John Shatzer
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