Poor Things (2023)

Direction: Yorgos Lanthimos
Country: USA

Greek-born filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos is able to keep audiences in giddy laughter or shocking horror. Known for his unique storytelling in films like Dogtooth (2009), The Lobster (2015), and The Favourite (2018), he presents his latest black comedy, Poor Things. Adapted from Alasdair Gray's 1992 novel, the film is written by Tony McNamara and features a stellar cast, including Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo, and Ramy Youssef.

The film follows the story of Bella (Stone), a candid young Victorian woman brought back to life by the eccentric surgeon Dr. Godwin Baxter (Dafoe). With newfound free will, Bella embarks on a journey of self-discovery, choosing to explore life with its pleasures and challenges. Her unconventional choices, including running away with lawyer Duncan Wedderburn (Ruffalo), will teach her many things, ultimately sending her back to an unimaginable past of darkness.

Gorgeously rendered, the film offers a smart and eccentric exploration of society and the human experience. An ambitious idea framed with visual distinction and spirited performances, where vertiginous philosophical foundations merge with a strong determination in self-learning and sexual liberation. This sinister tale is hilarious in spots, persistently full of life (despite dealing with death), and provocative as the hip filmmaker likes to shape his off-kilter comedies. 

With its moody soundscape by Jerkin Fendrix and superb cinematography by Robbie Ryan, Poor Things is the standout unconventional comedy of the year. Lanthimos continues to surprise audiences with his daring imagination, offering a fresh and intoxicating cinematic experience.

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

Direction: Takashi Yamazaki
Country: Japan

If you enjoy adventure films with a combination of intense action and dramatic flair, Godzilla Minus One might be the movie for you. Directed by Japanese filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki, the film offers a visceral and fast-paced fantasy with striking visuals and a strong sense of conviction. Yamazaki employs blockbuster tactics to depict multiple dangerous situations with a radioactive Godzilla wreaking havoc on a postwar Japan. 

The story revolves around Koichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki), a former kamikaze pilot turned deserter and sea-mine extractor. His lack of courage brings shame to many of his fellow countrymen. However, when he encounters Noriko Oishi and her rescued orphan baby, he discovers a new purpose in life. As Godzilla heads to Tokyo, Koichi sees an opportunity to redeem himself and prove his bravery and piloting skills.

The film explores strong anti-patriotic sentiments associated with the loss of war, mixed with a sense of unity among a group of civilians led by former naval weapons engineer and strategist Kenji Noda (Hidetaka Yoshioka). Despite some plot holes and sentimental moments, Yamazaki enhances the film with stylized visuals, well-composed frames, and knockout sequences that blend ferocity with desolation. The director bends the rules of the genre by providing reinforced visual effects and relying on an intense musical score. While Godzilla's new roar is a result of a simple amplification of the original, the overall experience feels fresh and new.

Maestro (2023)

Direction: Bradley Cooper
Country: USA

Directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, Maestro is a well-crafted representation of the enduring marriage between iconic conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein and his actress wife Felicia Montealegre. The film avoids messiness in its timeline, presenting an honest and mature biopic that excels on all fronts.

The story, spanning 30 years, starts with a prologue where Bernstein is filmed and interviewed at home, but the story quickly winds back to his conducting debut with the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall and his rapid rise to fame in 1943. Then, it focuses on the couple and how they changed over the years as he embraces the absolute freedom of the artist, sometimes recklessly. Despite betrayals and jealousy, their love proves to be resilient.

Cooper, who co-wrote with Josh Singer (Spotlight, 2015; First Man, 2018), not only delivers his best directorial work - I wasn’t particularly a fan of A Star is Born (2018) - but also his best performance, creating an extremely empathetic atmosphere that spans a wide range of emotions. Carey Mulligan’s earnest performance, the beauty of black-and-white and pastel-colored visuals by Darren Aronofsky’s regular cinematographer, Matthew Libatique, and the immaculate production, involving talents like Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, contribute to the film's richness and tonal consistency. Maestro stands as a testament to Cooper's directorial and acting prowess.

Priscilla (2023)

Direction: Sofia Copolla
Country: USA

Filmmaker Sofia Coppola has consistently impressed audiences with her unique perspectives and depictions in films like The Virgin Suicides (1999), Lost in Translation (2003), and Marie Antoinette (2006). In her latest work, Priscilla, a biographical drama based on Priscilla Presley’s memoir Elvis and Me, Coppola explores the turbulent journey and controversial relationship between the title character and the king of rock 'n' roll. 

The story begins when 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu is invited to a party in Germany and meets 24-year-old Elvis at the peak of his fame during military service. The initial fascination gradually fades over the years, marked by Elvis' aggressive reactions, addiction, and possessively toxic behavior. Priscilla goes from being a teen muse to a discarded wife.

Coppola, with the executive production assistance of Priscilla herself, creates an anti-fairy tale with sophisticated visuals. The film exudes earnest charm, and Cailee Spaeny, in a compelling performance, shines with incandescence. However, Jacob Elordi's portrayal of Elvis is unconvincing. While the film may lack a substantial plot or astounding revelations, and its tone becomes somewhat static, it is a gutsy, can’t-look-away work that captures the emptiness of a crumbling relationship.

Priscilla, painted with a filter of candor and maintaining its drive and passion, ultimately comes together nicely, more in the form of a dramatic whisper than a shout of affirmation.