New Fiction 2023 – November

A Million Miles Away dir. Alejandra Marquez Abella (2023)

We have several inspirational true stories this month, but this one is special because it was a rare movie recommendation from my dad, who famously does not particularly care about art or stories. It’s immediately obvious why it clicked with him, an immigrant who had to make a lot of tough choices in life and a confirmed family guy.

Anatomy of a Fall dir. Justine Triet (2023)

Sweet, sweet European ambiguity. None of it’s in the realm of the fantastic. It’s just something that could really nag at you for the rest of your life.

Killers of the Flower Moon dir. Martin Scorsese (2023)

Over three hours and it does a good job of keeping things moving along. It’s also Goodfellas in Oklahoma, which is good and fine.

Five Nights at Freddy’s dir. Emma Tammi (2023)

I’m annoyed that I had the wrong director noted down, because this absolutely should’ve been watched in October. It was only lost in the shuffle of balancing the diversity of the directors. But, you know, it’s alright. Matthew Lillard is the key stone to the whole thing.

The Marsh King’s Daughter dir. Neil Burger (2023)

Could’ve used more scenes of a woman hunting down her shitty ol’ dad. I was just waiting for that the whole time.

It’s a Wonderful Knife dir. Tyler MacIntyre (2023)

How could I skip this? A Christmas slasher movie featuring a dope design for the killer, and it was in theaters. It has the vibe of a Netflix holiday special and that’s perfect for this.

The Marvels dir. Nia DaCosta (2023)

I hope Iman Vellani gets good gigs outta this. She’s the best part by far and I’m glad I watched the show before getting into the movie.

Freelance dir. Pierre Morel (2023)

Look, I’ll just admit that I have a crush on Alison Brie and that’s what got me into the theater here. And the movie knew that, too.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes dir. Francis Lawrence (2023)

This damn movie got me by the brain banana. I’m still tempted to read the books. I really just need to know why the story doesn’t go full Talented Mr. Ripley with the male leads. It’s right there.

Next Goal Wins dir. Taika Waititi (2023)

I know not every Taika Waititi can be his sort of sense of humor, but he’s at his best when he’s in that zone. This one’s a perfectly cromulent feel-good comedy, and Fassbender’s whatever but I like the actress playing Jaiyah.

The Holdovers dir. Alexander Payne (2023)

Loved it, stamp of approval. Funny when it has to be, serious in other moments. Just kind of a glimpse into a small group of people in the vein of those good short stories that hang around in the back of the mind.

Priscilla dir. Sofia Coppola (2023)

Real slow burn of a movie, but I appreciate that we’re with Priscilla all the way through.

Thanksgiving dir. Eli Roth (2023)

I guess we couldn’t expect the Grindhouse trailer to be made into a movie, but watching The Holdovers put me in that 70s mindset and wishing they’d gone for it. What we did get is standard slasher fare.

Napoleon dir. Ridley Scott (2023)

Not really blowing anyone away with a tepid biopic. I’m just surprised to learn that Napoleon’s ass got away with so much shit before being locked away in a tropical paradise.

The Persian Version dir. Maryam Keshavarz (2023)

It meanders a bit, especially in a long flashback midway through, but that pays off in spades.

Wish dir. Chris Buck & Fawn Veerasunthorn (2023)

Kind of a story-free musical, really. At least the nods to Disneyana weren’t bopping me over the head.