Matt writes: The 95th Academy Awards were a refreshing comeback for the telecast, which reached an all-time low in 2022. Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s brilliant, uproarious and startlingly profound masterwork, “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” was the night’s big winner, earning seven Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and a historic Best Actress prize for screen icon Michelle Yeoh, who became the first Asian actress and second woman of color to win in the category (you can view her speech in the video embedded below). Be sure to read the excellent dispatches from our writers who were there that evening: Carlos Aguilar took Roger Ebert’s coveted place in the press room, while our critic Tomris Laffly got to attend the ceremony at the Dolby Theater as well as the Governor’s Ball afterward. It was undoubtedly a night to remember.
Trailers
Judy Blume Forever (2023). Directed by Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok. Synopsis: Judy Blume and the generations of readers who have sparked to her work. It will examine her impact on pop culture and the occasional controversies over her frankness about puberty and sex. Debuts on Prime Video on April 21st, 2023.
Nam June Paik: Moon is the Oldest TV (2023). Directed by Amanda Kim. Synopsis: The journey of Nam June Paik, famous Asian artists of the 20th century, who revolutionized the use of technology as artistic canvas and prophesied both fascist tendencies and intercultural understanding that interconnected metaverse. Debuts in the US on March 24th, 2023.
No Hard Feelings (2023), red-band trailer. Directed by Gene Stupnitsky. Written by Gene Stupnitsky and John Phillips. Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Natalie Morales, Matthew Broderick. Synopsis: A delivery driver desperate for cash accepts a Craigslist ad from a couple seeking someone to date their painfully awkward teenage son. Debuts in the US on June 23rd, 2023.
To Catch a Killer (2023). Directed by Damián Szifron. Written by Damián Szifron and Jonathan Wakeham. Starring Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn, Ralph Ineson. Synopsis: Baltimore. New Year’s Eve. A talented but troubled police officer is recruited by the FBI’s chief investigator to help profile and track down a disturbed individual terrorizing the city. Debuts in the US on April 20th, 2023.
Carmen (2023). Directed by Benjamin Millepied. Written by Loïc Barrere, Alexander Dinelaris and Lisa Loomer (based on the novel by Prosper Mérimée). Starring Paul Mescal, Melissa Barrera, Elsa Pataky. Synopsis: A modern-day reimagining of one of the classical opera ‘Carmen’. US release date is TBA.
Paint (2023). Written and directed by Brit McAdams. Starring Owen Wilson, Ciara Renée, Stephen Root. Synopsis: Carl Nargle, Vermont’s #1 public television painter, is convinced he has it all: a signature perm, custom van, and fans hanging on his every stroke… until a younger, better artist steals everything (and everyone) Carl loves. Debuts in the US on April 7th, 2023.
The Portable Door (2023). Directed by Jeffrey Walker. Written by Leon Ford (based on the novel by Tom Holt). Starring Christoph Waltz, Sam Neill, Miranda Otto. Synopsis: Paul Carpenter is an intern at a mysterious London firm with unconventional employers, including a CEO who wants to disrupt the ancient magical world with modern corporate practices. Debuts on MGM+ on March 23rd, 2023.
Wild Life (2023). Directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. Synopsis: A sweeping portrait of conservationists Kris and Doug Tompkins chronicling their fight to preserve one of the last truly wild places on earth. US release date is TBA.
Chupa (2023). Directed by Jonás Cuarón. Written by Joe Barnathan, Sean Kennedy Moore and Marcus Rinehart. Starring Christian Slater, Demián Bichir, Evan Whitten. Synopsis: While visiting family in Mexico, teenage Alex gains an unlikely companion when he discovers a young chupacabra hiding in his grandpa’s shed. To save the mythical creature, Alex and his cousins must embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Debuts on Netflix on April 7th, 2023.
Joy Ride (2023), red-band trailer. Directed by Adele Lim. Written by Adele Lim, Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao. Starring Stephanie Hsu, Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Annie Mumolo. Synopsis: Follows four Asian-American friends as they bond and discover the truth of what it means to know and love who you are, while they travel through Asia in search of one of their birth mothers. US release date is TBA.
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023). Directed by Kirk DeMicco and Faryn Pearl. Written by Kirk DeMicco and Pam Brady. Starring Jane Fonda, Toni Collette, Annie Murphy. Synopsis: A shy adolescent learns that she comes from a fabled royal family of legendary sea krakens and that her destiny lies in the depths of the waters, which is bigger than she could have ever imagined. Debuts in the US on June 30th, 2023.
Personality Crisis: One Night Only (2023). Directed by Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi. Synopsis: Follow artist David Johansen’s luminous set at Café Carlyle from January 2020. A concert that is wonderfully intimate and a testament to both a lost New York and an artist who remains as fresh and exciting as ever. US release date is TBA.
Kill Boksoon (2023). Written and directed by Sung-hyun Byun. Starring Jeon Do-yeon, Fahim Fazli, Hwang Jung-min. Synopsis: A single mother who is a renowned hired killer finds it difficult to achieve a balance between her personal and work life. Debuts on Netflix on March 31st, 2023.
The Wrath of Becky (2023). Written and directed by Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote (based on characters created by Nick Morris, Lane Skye and Ruckus Skye). Starring Lulu Wilson, Matt Angel, Alison Cimmet. Synopsis: Two years after she escaped a violent attack on her family, Becky attempts to rebuild her life in the care of an older woman – a kindred spirit named Elena. But when a group known as the “Noble Men” break into their home, attack them, and take her beloved dog, Diego, Becky must return to her old ways to protect herself and her loved ones. US release date is TBA.
On a Wing and a Prayer (2023). Directed by Sean McNamara. Written by Brian Egeston. Starring Dennis Quaid, Heather Graham, Jesse Metcalfe. Synopsis: After their pilot dies unexpectedly mid-flight, Doug White’s has to safely land a plane and save his entire family from insurmountable danger. Debuts in the US on April 7th, 2023.
Stop Making Sense (1984), 4K restoration. Directed by Jonathan Demme. Synopsis: An innovative concert movie for the rock group Talking Heads. US release date is TBA.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023). Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic. Written by Matthew Fogel. Starring Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day. Synopsis: The story of The Super Mario Bros. on their journey through the Mushroom Kingdom. Debuts in the US on April 5th, 2023.
The Little Mermaid (2023). Directed by Rob Marshall. Written by David Magee (based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen and the 1989 film adaptation by Ron Clements and John Musker). Starring Halle Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, Javier Bardem. Synopsis: A young mermaid makes a deal with a sea witch to trade her beautiful voice for human legs so she can discover the world above water and impress a prince. Debuts in the US on May 26th, 2023.
SXSW 2023: Table of Contents
Matt writes: You can find all of the reviews filed at this year’s SXSW by our writers Brian Tallerico, Nick Allen, Matt Zoller Seitz and Katie Rife in our official table of contents. One selection I am especially excited for is “Bottoms,” the new comedy re-teaming “Shiva Baby” filmmaker Emma Seligman and her marvelous leading lady, Rachel Sennott.
Ebertfest 2023 to Welcome Frank Oz!
Matt writes: We are beyond thrilled to be welcoming iconic performer and acclaimed director Frank Oz to Ebertfest 2023 (April 19-22). He will be joining the brilliant Derek DelGaudio in presenting their great film, “In & Of Itself,” which will finally receive the theatrical showcase it has deserved (ever since the film’s SXSW premiere in 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic) at the gorgeous Virginia Theatre. You can learn more about some of the other enticing films scheduled to screen at this year’s festival here.
Free Movies
A Farewell to Arms (1932). Directed by Frank Borzage. Written by Benjamin Glazer and Oliver H.P. Garrett (based on the novel by Ernest Hemingway and the play by Laurence Stallings). Starring Gary Cooper, Helen Hayes, Adolphe Menjou. Synopsis: An American ambulance driver and an English nurse fall in love in Italy during World War I.
Watch “A Farewell to Arms”
Judge Priest (1934). Directed by John Ford. Written by Dudley Nichols and Lamar Trotti (based on the character created by Irvin S. Cobb). Starring Will Rogers, Tom Brown, Anita Louise. Synopsis: Judge Priest, a proud Confederate veteran, uses common sense and considerable humanity to dispense justice in a small town in the Post-Bellum Kentucky.
Watch “Judge Priest”
Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946). Directed by Willis Goldbeck. Written by Harry Ruskin and William Ludwig (based on characters created by Aurania Rouverol). Starring Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Sara Haden. Synopsis: Andy Hardy goes to college after returning from World War II. He is in love with Kay Wilson this time.
