Alan Ng

Song Sung Blue is one of my favorite movies of the year. It all has to do with Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson’s performances, along with a touching script by Craig Brewer and Greg Kohs. What makes this story so compelling is not only that it is true, but also that Mike Sardina and Claire Stengl are us. They are normal people who want to perform and bring happiness to the world.

There’s just no nuance here. Good is good. Evil is evil.

Structurally, Science Fair is sound. Its a cross-section of human-interest stories is inspiring. The subjects are engaging and worth rooting for. It looks in depth at the processes of competing in a science fair. And the revelation of winners is exciting and nail-biting.

In Dune: Part 2, Denis Villeneuve is a sci-fi visionary. He built two massive worlds (on a relatively modest budget) that give you a sense of place rather than feel like a series of random locations. Villeneuve gives us a seamless image, blending the real with CGI. The care and detail make everything feel practical.

Ultimately, The Naked Gun reboot delivers enough laughs to make it worth the ride, even if it never quite escapes the shadow of its predecessors.

Bellingcat: Truth in a Post-Truth World is a highly engaging and fascinating documentary that questions the validity of the “truth” being presented to us on television, in news stories, and through social media. The facts presented are convincing, and the investigation of MH17 plays out like a crime thriller.

Yes, stories like this have been told before, but there’s an earnest, sweet charm to it all that really works.

Twinless delivers a sharp take on grief, deception, and unlikely connections. Characters are pushed into situations both painful and oddly tender. By the end, the film leaves you squirming but fully invested, proving that even the strangest setups can lead to an emotionally devastating payoff.

The honesty of the troupe in telling their story is both brutal and hilarious.

Sketch isn’t the greatest movie ever made, but it’s great at being a touching and thoughtful story of young kids and preteens.

After Yang is a good-looking movie, especially for one that’s mostly talking and conversations, the acting is good — an easy feat for seasoned actor Colin Farrell and Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja is adorable as hell. But unfortunately, it misses its storytelling potential by focusing too much of our attention on the wrong story elements.

John Wick: Chapter 4 is the return to the greatness we associate with the franchise, particularly after the misstep that is Chapter 3. It is easily my favorite movie of 2023 so far and begs for repeat viewings.

This documentary is an eye-opener to the future of this ever-shrinking yet growing world.

If you don’t like musical theater, you’re not going to like Merrily We Roll Along. If you’re a musical theater fan, Merrily is a must-see.

You’re definitely going to laugh and laugh out loud. Young has several hilarious moments with his subjects, and the absurdity of these musicals and songs create an endless stream of silly giggles.

The movie is funny, but for me, the fun is watching this well-controlled mess unfold.

The Earth Is Blue As An Orange is probably one of the most unique documentaries about filmmaking.

Unlike other productions, Del Toro finds the visual balance between creature and man. Elordi then runs with it, giving us the balance between a menace and a kind and thoughtful soul.

Get ready for a heart-pumping experience with Arthur the King—a sports drama that will leave you cheering for more.

In the end, if you’re going to tell a story we’ve all heard before, do something unique. Better Man is unique, indeed. The chimp gimmick never gets tiresome; in the end, it plays out beautifully.

As a biopic, Cooper elevates it to masterpiece level, worthy of the artistry of Leonard Bernstein. Maestro is a work of art.

In the end, Project Hail Mary works because it is thrilling, smart, and emotionally engaging, turning a giant cosmic problem into an exceptional adventure. It earns its emotional payoff by making every problem, every choice, and every human connection matter.

The film feels like a passing of the torch from some of Hong Kong’s veteran actors to the next generation. It’s sometimes brutal and gory, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

2040 is a fantastic and informative documentary.

The People’s Republic of Desire is a psychological treatise on self-worth, and the lab rats are the citizens of China.

Changing the Game makes important arguments that need to be heard.

As much as I thought the film’s heist element was unnecessary, which it is, Liman sure knows how to make it exciting and even in a pandemic. Locked Down could have been a much worse movie, but ultimately it’s a love story and a good one too.

All around, King Richard is a solid, inspiring film.