From indie melodramas to comic book blockbusters – we tell you about the most successful, in our opinion, films of the beginning of the year.
In the first six months, a lot happened in the world of cinema – Guy Ritchie released two new films, James Gunn said goodbye to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pixar messed up once again, and domestic cinema once again showed it has something to offer even the most discerning audience.
The 'After the Credits' team watched over 50 films released in theaters or online from January to June 2023 and, through a general vote, selected the top 10. Can you guess who ended up at the top of the list?!
10th Place — Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
While all the latest superhero movies are crashing and nervously awaiting a reboot, the brainchild of Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, and Bob Persichetti remains firmly afloat (or on a web), enthusiastically showcasing innovative animation techniques and proving its status as the best adaptation of stories about the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
The polyphony of spider-verse will delight the most devoted fans — the creators have accounted for everything everywhere all at once, even resurrecting the most distant prototypes of Spider-Man (for example, the rebellious British Spider-Punk or the Indian Spider-Man Pavitr Prabhakar).
Overall — it's another dizzying, electrified non-stop attraction where every minute there's some funny, high-tech, cartoonish hustle and bustle. And in the rare pauses, the creators, following a well-worn path, rely on the eternal themes of superheroics: about strength, responsibility, the conflict between fathers and children, and finding oneself in a rapidly changing world (or worlds?).
The global box office is once again caught in a sticky spider web, which means Miles Morales is back on the big screen to once again conquer the multiverse and the hearts of viewers, aiming for n
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9th Place — Aita
While 'Cheburashka' saves Russian cinemas from disaster, and 'The Challenge' irritates with its pomposity and product placement, Yakut cinema continues to do its job well – releasing cool genre films that you're not ashamed to watch yourself and recommend to cinephiles.
In this regard, a wonderful example is the screen flooded with neon and rain that engulfs you completely while watching, and the existential questions in a prison cell, behind the wheel of a tractor, and under the gun of former friends and neighbors take on a special character so familiar to our people.
On March 30, 'Aita', a new film by Yakut director Stepan Burnashev ('Black Snow'), is released, in which this time it's as if Fincher, Winding Refn, and Carpenter have all merged at once.
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8th Place — Infinity Pool
Intuitive allegorical thrillers are the trend we've all been missing. And Brandon Cronenberg's work, elegantly combining the uncomfortable composition of 'Mr. Robot' and the chaotic-extravagant imagery of Gaspar Noé, is a vivid confirmation of that.
Brandon Cronenberg forces a failed writer to plunge into inner darkness in the disturbing and mesmerizing horror film 'Infinity Pool'.
Open materialThe expressive facial expressions of Alexander Skarsgård (reminding us why we love this dynasty), the sexy craziness of arthouse cinema princess Mia Goth, a hotel where some devilry is happening (hello, Shyamalan!), terrifying masks that are slightly surprising in their straightforward symbolism – all of this, as if, is too much, but in reality, it's just right.
You don't watch such cinema for the story. It's like reasoning with a slightly tipsy friend on the balcony of a nice apartment on a summer evening about how the world works.
If you've watched Ari Aster to death, why not check out 'Infinity Pool' and then discuss it with your friends in real life?
7th Place — Aftersun
'Don't Look Now' from the world of family melodramas. It's long been clear that the British, for some reason, are best at making films set away from home — vacation, business trip, another mission in any part of the Bond franchise — but this one stands out even in that proud lineup.
'Aftersun', a tender and sad film about a single father-daughter vacation, has been released. About one of the best films of 2023 – in our review.
Open materialThis is a simultaneously sad and extremely cozy film about how a grown-up girl returns to childhood memories to discover how joy mixed with sadness, and how none of it can be brought back (especially — the father who left, leaving behind everything a person can leave — that is, funny videos and faded memories).
All the usual ingredients are mixed in the film in unusual proportions, and even the somewhat tired water, sun, theme of memory, poetic editing, and the song Losing My Religion look unexpectedly fresh, though predictably sad. But this film is valuable because it doesn't promise, like other coming-of-age films, that we will all find ourselves and be saved in this life, but by peering into faces, walls, and children's pools, it honestly admits that everyone — both us and you and them — is absolutely and, in general, completely lost, and neither children, nor teenagers, nor especially their parents know what to do about it.
6th Place — Air
Ben Affleck's film is like a visual illustration of the concept of the 'American Dream' or a film adaptation of the iconic phrase Just do it! It's a film in which dreamers make history in front of everyone.
On May 12, the digital release of Ben Affleck's new film 'Air' took place. The Amazon Studios film about the signing of a revolutionary contract between Nike and the great basketball player M
Open materialPerfect immersion in the atmosphere, an inspiring story, the inside of the sports industry – 'Air' is a film that doesn't need to be retold, it needs to be watched. And then maybe buy yourself a pair of new sneakers...
5th Place — John Wick: Chapter 4
. Chad Stahelski has succeeded again in his ability to surpass himself. Not for nothing – he's a stuntman.
The fourth part of the 'John Wick' franchise has officially been released in Russian theaters. The story of a hitman, initially taking revenge on bandits for killing a puppy and stealing a car, never tires of expanding
Open materialThe highest class of cinematography, the cult of martial arts, and a polyphony of homages to all the heroes of classic action films (from Bruce Lee to Clint Eastwood) have elevated the action film to a completely new level, which others will strive to reach after Stahelski.
Exemplary genre cinema with a philosophy of contemplation and chopped quotes from Bushido. Bondian scale: from the cold neon of Osaka to the orange sunrise in Paris. Almost three hours for such exercises is, of course, a bit much, so some of the fight scenes copy themselves, turning into fighting porn, but in key moments, it's a real overture.
At the same time, the director does not forget to soften the juicy blows with sarcastic grins, reminding the viewer once again that this doesn't happen in real life and taking it too seriously is not worth it. You can't hide from a hail of bullets with a jacket. It's just a movie, nothing more. But what a movie!
4th Place — Master Gardener
Since his debut screenplay — for the cult film 'The Yakuza' directed by Sydney Pollack — Paul Schrader has been too lazy not only to come up with a new plot twist but even any new morality, and it is precisely in this, oddly enough, that the main value of his films lies.
For Schrader — as the last truly great American existentialist — this is not self-repetition, but a sincere attempt to convey hard-won truths. In particular, that everyone can be worthy of redemption.
In the finale of the thematic trilogy about silent men who simultaneously confront their past and their future, and don't know what to do in such a situation, Schrader is also, contrary to his usual style, optimistic. This is a very beautiful film about gardens and Nazis, and about how in the garden, as in life, what you sow is important, but with what you reap, only a miracle will help.
Paul Schrader's new film 'Master Gardener' has been released on digital platforms. About how the screenwriter of 'Taxi Driver' and director of the recent small hits 'First Reformed' and 'The Card Counter' in
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3rd Place — Babylon
One of the most common themes in Hollywood in recent years is when filmmakers make films about filmmakers. Sometimes fictional, sometimes real, sometimes classic, sometimes modern. And it had every chance of getting lost among other similar films. But for some reason, it doesn't get lost.
Ideas about bacchanalia in cinema will clearly change after Damien Chazelle's film 'Babylon'. People, animals, alcohol, illegal substances — everything is mixed up in his new film, which
Open materialPerhaps it's a matter of the diverse and very talented acting ensemble. Perhaps the script's humor and farce masterfully dilute completely standard moves. Perhaps Damien Chazelle simply understands well what he is doing.
But 'Babylon', diving into the very depths of the unsightly and unbridled seamy side of cinema, definitely has its own face. And isn't that the key to success now – individuality?
2nd Place — Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Marvel Studios is going through far from the best of times. Viewers criticize the latest projects more and more, because agenda prevails over content, but against this background, James Gunn's farewell film managed to stand out magnificently. The third film put an end to the story of this team and gave viewers a hurricane of emotions.
The third 'Guardians of the Galaxy' is in theaters (and in unofficial Russian ones too) — James Gunn's farewell gift to Marvel fans before fully diving into work on the cinematic univer
Open materialThis is another proof that interest in superheroes is still alive, because the main thing is that the film is made with quality and soul. You don't necessarily need to have Batman, The Flash, or Spider-Man in your arsenal to attract viewers to the cinema, because a team can be assembled from outsiders, where the main character turns out to be a raccoon. All that remains is to add good music, mix comedy and drama, throw in a couple of topics for thought, decorate with special effects and, voila, the chef's dish that everyone admires is ready.
1st Place — Rye Lane
'Hilariously inventive modern British rom-com' (c) Rolling Stone
'Sunny south London rom-com hits the spot' (c) The Guardian
'It's a warm, funny, instantly endearing story' (c) Empire
This Sundance hit was trumpeted in many world media, and almost everyone unanimously agreed that the film was a success. And it's hard to argue with that. In it, in some bizarre way, the classic rom-com formula of a chance meeting of kindred souls, humor, and the problems of the modern generation, which mainly communicates on social networks and messengers and for whom the absence of toxicity and 'red flags' is important, and an endless love for cinema, harmoniously merged.
The use of neon and pastel colors, as well as the fisheye lens, gives the film a feeling of a magical fairy tale, and the presence of Colin Firth in a hilarious cameo is like a passing of the baton from the past generation to the future generation. With films like this, we all, fans of good cinema, have a future.
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