Marybel Sacramento ’26
Staff Writer
Summer is almost here and classes are coming to an end in a few days, so why not take a break while studying and finishing up final projects? Although the most anticipated movies of 2023 aren’t coming out until summer, here is my final recommendation of movies to watch right now in case you all are wondering what is in theaters and what is hot to watch.
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic
Recently released to the box office, “The Super Mario Bros Movie” made history and broke records as it now claims the title of “the highest-grossing animated movie of all time” during opening weekend, beating “Frozen 2”. Despite the movie receiving negative feedback from professional movie critics, earning 54 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, fans of the video game franchise and families are absolutely loving the new animated movie. Starring Chris Pratt, Jack Black, and Anna Taylor-Joy, boosting the audience score to 98 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. I say it’s a definite recommendation for anyone who enjoys the franchise and animated movies in general.
“John Wick: Chapter 4,” directed by Chad Stehelski
Although there is debate on whether “John Wick: Chapter 4” will be the last movie of the “John Wick” franchise, both fans and critics are certainly loving this movie and are begging for a fifth one. The casting, such as Bill Skarsgard being the antagonist of this movie, was part of why this movie succeeded as a plot. The cinematography is glamorous to look at on the big screen and the acting and choreography sequences leave you on the edge of your seat and even have a feeling of nostalgia for old action movies for action movie lovers. Many argue that this movie is the best in the franchise and it is one of the highest-rated movies of 2023 and a definite recommendation from me.
“Creed III,” directed by Michael B. Jordan
The “Adonis Creed” story continues with a third movie with leading star Michael B. Jordan, fighting childhood friend Damian Anderson (Jonathon Majors) in the boxing ring, with Anderson having nothing to lose. This movie was Jordan’s directing debut and earned a high 89 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the highest-rating movie of the franchise. What made this movie captivating was the amazing boxing sequences that were caught on camera and the unsolved drama that was driven throughout the movie, making it a homage to what the “Rocky” movies were once previously.
“Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathon Goldstein
Based on the cult-favorite board game “Dungeons and Dragons,” the board game was finally written into a screenplay and made into a film for the big screen. Starring Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Sophia Lillis (from the “IT” franchise) and Hugh Grant, the cast and the story together were able to captivate and entice the audience who are and are not fans of the board game and earned a high rating on Rotten Tomatoes as well. If you enjoy fantasy, action, or Chris Pine in general, this movie is for you.
“Tetris,” directed by Jon S. Baird
The film is unbelievably based on the true story of how the world-famous game “Tetris” was played at its peak during the Cold War between an American gamer and the Soviet inventor of Tetris. The story’s angle is how an admirer of the game, Henk Rogers (played by Taron Edgerton), discovers the game and is challenged to play it against Alexey Pajitnov in the Soviet Union. A lot of dedication was put into this film by recreating the nostalgia from the ’80s with the fashion, music, and how the game looked 40 years ago. This movie is a terrific drama for game and movie lovers everywhere.
