Movies Viewed in 2023

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 28th
Via: Paramount+

Plot: After their vessel sinks and their replacement vessel is impounded, a crew of fisherman are left to traverse dangerous waters to repay debts and get their lives back on track.

Rating: 7.1/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's a new movie on Paramount+, and I decided I should watch it before my membership expires.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 27th
Via: Disney+

Plot: In a land where fire, water, land and air live together, Ember and Wade - two different elements - are drawn together and learn they have more in common than they originally thought.

Rating: 7.4/10

Why Did I Watch It? I'll always watch a new Pixar movie, especially when it's on Disney+, and it seemed like a good chance to catch up with the year's biggest movies.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 27th
Via: iTunes Store

Plot: An alien scarab chooses Jaime Reyes to be its symbiotic host, bestowing the recent college graduate with a suit of armor that's capable of extraordinary powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the superhero known as Blue Beetle.

Rating: 6.7/10

Why Did I Watch It? Since I normally follow superhero movies and DC movies, I figured I should watch it.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 27th
Via: Binge

Plot: Backpackers Hanna and Liv take a job in a remote Australian pub for some extra cash and are confronted with a bunch of unruly locals and a situation that grows rapidly out of their control.

Rating: 4.9/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's a new Australian thriller that has been receiving a fair bit of critical attention.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 26th
Via: Apple TV+

Plot: A former top assassin living incognito as a suburban dad must take his unsuspecting family on the run when his past catches up to him.

Rating: 6.2/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's a new movie on Apple TV+, and it's time for me to catch up on all the 2023 releases.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 24th
Via: Amazon Prime Video

Plot: Dozens of passengers commuting from Langton to London for work on a daily basis begin to grow closer when one of them decides to throw a Christmas party for them all.

Rating: 7.9/10

Why Did I Watch It? I wanted to watch this last year after seeing Kaya Scodelario promoting it on social media, but I couldn't find anywhere to watch it. After watching an old Christmas movie, a French Christmas movie and a contemporary American Christmas movie, I wanted something British. Google brought this one back into view.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 24th
Via: Amazon Prime Video

Plot: After the death of their matriarch, a dysfunctional family comes together to celebrate Christmas and try to get along.

Rating: 6.5/10

Why Did I Watch It? This has been on my Prime watchlist for years being a Christmas movie, and I think I've intended to watch it for my Christmastime viewings for the last three years. I finally got to it.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 24th
Via: SBS On-Demand

Plot: One murdered man, eight women, each seeming to be eager than the others to know the truth. Gimme, gimme, gimme some clues to make up my mind. And eventually, enter the truth. Oh, thou cruel woman!

Rating: 6.7/10

Why Did I Watch It? It often features on lists for recommended Christmas movies, and it has been on my watchlist for over ten years. When I found out it was available and streaming, I had to watch it.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 24th
Via: Plex

Plot: Love blooms between a sympathetic attorney and the comely shoplifter he has taken home for the Christmas holiday.

Rating: 7.6/10

Why Did I Watch It? This has been on my Christmas watchlist for years. After finding it on Plex, I promptly watched it.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 23rd
Via: Tubi

Plot: Opposing the evil Barnaby, Ollie Dee and Stanley Dum try and fail to pay off Mother Peep's mortgage and mislead his attempts to marry Little Bo. Enraged, Barnaby's Bogeymen are set on Toyland.

Rating: 7.0/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's another iconic Christmas movie that has been on my list for years.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 23rd
Via: Amazon Prime Video

Plot: When college friends reunite after 15 years over the Christmas holidays, they discover just how easy it is for long-forgotten rivalries and romances to be reignited.

Rating: 6.0/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's another Christmas movie.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 23rd
Via: Tubi

Plot: After the founder of a manufacturing company commits suicide, a naive business graduate is selected to take over as part of a stock scam.

Rating: 8.1/10

Why Did I Watch It? This is considered a Christmas movie and it's from the Coen Brothers. When I realised I could watch it on Tubi, I leapt at the chance.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 23rd
Via: Tubi

Plot: A New York drug dealer is kidnapped, and his wife must try to come up with the money and drugs to free him from his abductors before Christmas.

Rating: 6.1/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's a Christmas movie which intrigued me, and I could watch it on Tubi.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 22nd
Via: 4K Blu-ray

Plot: A jazz pianist and a wisecracking journalist are pulled into a complex web of mystery after the former witnesses the brutal murder of a psychic.

Rating: 8.0/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's considered a Christmas movie in some film circles, and I've been meaning to check it out for years due to the acclaim associated with it.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 21st
Via: iTunes Store

Plot: Just before his best friend's wedding, the life of a Chicago writer becomes crazy when his best friend guesses that his new book's story is based on his bride's fervent past.

Rating: 5.7/10

Why Did I Watch It? I want to watch the Christmas-themed follow-up, so I had to start with this one.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 20th
Via: Binge

Plot: A once famous actor is now performing as Santa Claus in a mall because of his alcohol addiction. After accidentally meeting his estranged daughter he seeks help for his recovery in order to win his daughter's forgiveness.

Rating: 7.7/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's a new Australian Christmas movie, so I had to check it out.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 20th
Via: Cinema

Plot: Post-war Japan is at its lowest point when a new crisis emerges in the form of a giant, dinosaur-like monster, baptized in the horrific power of the atomic bomb.

Rating: 9.0/10

Why Did I Watch It? All the acclaim and hype got me extremely interested, I had to see it ASAP.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 19th
Via: Tubi

Plot: After mild-mannered art-buyer Bernard Bottle is fired by his greedy boss and abandoned by his girlfriend, he discovers a genie in an old bottle. The genie immediately embraces the modern world and helps Bernard on the side.

Rating: 7.9/10

Why Did I Watch It? After watching Genie, I felt I had to watch this, especially since it stars Rowan Atkinson.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 19th
Via: YouTube

Plot: Pee-Wee Herman throws a Christmas party at his playhouse with his friends and some celebrity guests.

Rating: 7.1/10

Why Did I Watch It? I do enjoy some Pee-wee Herman, so it seemed like a good one to fire up for the festive season.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 19th
Via: Disney+

Plot: A separated social worker takes his daughter on a ride along with him on Christmas Eve.

Rating: 6.2/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's a new Christmas movie from Tim Story and it's on Disney+. It looked entertaining and inoffensive.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 18th
Via: Netflix

Plot: When a workaholic is faced with divorce and the prospect of losing his child right before Christmas, he inadvertently summons a genie who can grant him unlimited wishes.

Rating: 6.3/10

Why Did I Watch It? On top of being a new Christmas movie on Netflix (that isn't Hallmark junk), it was written by Richard Curtis, which piqued my interest.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 18th
Via: Stan.

Plot: Follows Heather Jones as she manages to get her family under one roof for Christmas, but all is not merry and bright in this home because it gets impacted by bushfires.

Rating: 4.2/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's a new Australian Christmas movie, I figured it would be worth a shot.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 17th
Via: Cinema

Plot: A grieving father enacts his long-awaited revenge against a ruthless gang on Christmas Eve.

Rating: 7.2/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's a new, R-rated John Woo action movie. I was all in before I even saw the trailer.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 17th
Via: Cinema

Plot: Follows British humanitarian Nicholas Winton, who helped save hundreds of Central European children from the Nazis on the eve of World War II.

Rating: 8.0/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's an interesting story and the trailer looked good. There was advanced screenings, so I jumped at the chance.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 7th
Via: iTunes Store

Plot: After saving her town from a psychotic killer, Winnie Carruthers' life is less than wonderful. When she wishes she'd never been born, she finds herself in a nightmare parallel universe where without her, things could be much, much worse.

Rating: 4.9/10

Why Did I Watch It? It has a fun premise and title, plus I'm always down for a Christmas slasher.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 3rd
Via: Netflix

Plot: The delivery of the gifts turns into a disaster and Santa Claus is in trouble. Will his grandchildren, Jules and Noor, manage to team up to save the day?

Rating: 4.1/10

Why Did I Watch It? I enjoyed the previous two films when I watched them last year, so when this dropped, it seemed like a logical viewing option.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: December 2nd
Via: Amazon Prime Video

Plot: A man is determined to win the neighbourhood's annual Christmas decorating contest. He makes a pact with an elf to help him win--and the elf casts a spell that brings the 12 days of Christmas to life, which brings unexpected chaos to town.

Rating: 6.4/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's a new Christmas movie with Eddie Murphy that's free on Prime.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 29th
Via: Blu-ray

Plot: A couple who participated in a potent medical experiment gain telepathic ability and then have a child who is pyrokinetic.

Rating: 6.7/10

Why Did I Watch It? I've been meaning to watch this for a long, time time. I finally said screw it, and just watched it.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 28th
Via: Amazon Prime Video

Plot: A secluded farm is struck by a strange meteorite which has apocalyptic consequences for the family living there and possibly the world.

Rating: 7.2/10

Why Did I Watch It? This has been on my watchlist since it first came out because it looks interesting and has Nicolas Cage.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 27th
Via: Netflix

Plot: Liza dreams of a better life for herself and her daughter. Hired to work for a bankrupt pharmaceutical company, Liza skyrockets with sales and into the high life, putting her in the middle of a federal criminal conspiracy.

Rating: 5.6/10

Why Did I Watch It? For Chris Evans and Emily Blunt, plus it's free on Netflix.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 26th
Via: Cinema

Plot: An epic that details the checkered rise and fall of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his wife, Josephine.

Rating: 7.8/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's a new Ridley Scott movie.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 26th
Via: iTunes Store

Plot: A detective investigates a mystery involving his missing daughter and a secret government program.

Rating: 5.9/10

Why Did I Watch It? I'll watch just about anything directed by Robert Rodriguez, and this was finally a cheap rental.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 25th
Via: Stan.

Plot: A small-town girl and a city boy meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams.

Rating: 5.8/10

Why Did I Watch It? For Tom Cruise. I was also curious about the movie back when it was first released and I intended to check it out.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 25th
Via: Cinema

Plot: When Margot, a college sophomore, goes on a date with the older Robert, she finds that IRL Robert doesn't live up to the Robert she has been flirting with over texts.

Rating: 4.3/10

Why Did I Watch It? The trailer looked interesting

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 25th
Via: Netflix

Plot: A 74-year-old lizard named Leo and his turtle friend decide to escape from the terrarium of a Florida school classroom where they have been living for decades.

Rating: 7.8/10

Why Did I Watch It? I always enjoy watching films like this, especially when they're free on Netflix and get positive reviews.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 23rd
Via: Paramount+

Plot: After his latest invention fails, Dex is welcomed back by Ed to his old job at Good Burger, which is once again put in jeopardy when Dex devises a plan to get back on his feet.

Rating: 5.7/10

Why Did I Watch It? I watched the first movie when this sequel was first announced, so when it dropped, I made it a priority.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 21st
Via: Shudder

Plot: A cargo ship is transporting dangerous criminals from the Phillippines to South Korea, but the prisoners soon make their escape with the intention of starting a riot. However, they unleash a sinister force that threatens everybody on the ship.

Rating: 7.1/10

Why Did I Watch It? It was recommended by a friend, and I wanted to watch it before my Shudder subscription expired.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 20th
Via: Stan.

Plot: The American Samoa soccer team has never won a game or even scored a goal. With the World Cup qualifiers coming up, a Dutch-American football coach attempts to turn the tide.

Rating: 7.9/10

Why Did I Watch It? With the film adaptation set for release soon, it seemed like a good time to check out this documentary.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 19th
Via: Blu-ray

Plot: The Fellowship of the Ring embark on a journey to destroy the One Ring and end Sauron's reign over Middle-earth.

Rating: 6.7/10

Why Did I Watch It? Considering my love for Peter Jackson's movies and of Tokien's works, this was a long overdue watch.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 18th
Via: Cinema

Plot: Three firefighters must save New Orleans from a shark attack.

Rating: 4.5/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's the new Tommy Wiseau movie and it's opening night in Sydney, I had to go to the premiere screening.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 18th
Via: iTunes Store

Plot: A devoted husband and father helps two stranded young women who knock on his door, but his kind gesture turns into a dangerous seduction and a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Rating: 5.6/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's the only Eli Roth movie I haven't seen and I've been curious about it since it was first released.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 18th
Via: Amazon Prime Video

Plot: Two years after slaughtering the Neo-Nazis who killed her father, Becky encounters members of a violent terrorist cell. After they kill her friend and steal her dog, Becky begins another killing spree.

Rating: 6.8/10

Why Did I Watch It? I liked the first film, and I've been waiting to see this sequel. It finally released in Australia, so I pounced.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 17th
Via: Cinema

Plot: After a Black Friday riot ends in tragedy, a mysterious Thanksgiving-inspired killer terrorizes Plymouth, Massachusetts - the birthplace of the infamous holiday.

Rating: 7.1/10

Why Did I Watch It? Everything about it made me want to see it ASAP.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 16th
Via: Netflix

Plot: Ava is a deadly assassin who works for a black ops organization, traveling the globe specializing in high profile hits. When a job goes dangerously wrong she is forced to fight for her own survival.

Rating: 5.5/10

Why Did I Watch It? It leaves Netflix soon and I was curious about it.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 15th
Via: Cinema

Plot: An ex-special forces operative takes a job to provide security for a journalist as she interviews a dictator, but a military coup breaks out in the middle of the interview, they are forced to escape into the jungle where they must survive.

Rating: 6.3/10

Why Did I Watch It? It's a new R-rated action film from Pierre Morel and it stars John Cena.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 14th
Via: Amazon Prime Video

Plot: After a one-night stand with Alex, Isabel realizes that she is pregnant and they decide to get married. However, along with the marriage comes compromise of one's own cultural traditions.

Rating: 7.0/10

Why Did I Watch It? Matthew Perry mentioned it in his autobiography and it sounded promising. When I saw it was a cheap rental, I pounced.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 13th
Via: Stan.

Plot: Former getaway driver Charles Bronson jeopardizes his Witness Protection Plan identity in order to help his girlfriend get to Los Angeles. The feds and Charles' former gang chase them on the road.

Rating: 5.7/10

Why Did I Watch It? I intended to watch it back in 2012, and I didn't want to pay for it, so when it appeared on Stan., it seemed like a good chance to finally give it a whirl.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 12th
Via: Netflix

Plot: A yachtswoman is forced to deviate from her plotted course in response to stormy weather, and she discovers people in the water clinging to wreckage. After saving them, she is forced at gunpoint to recover cocaine from the bottom of the ocean.

Rating: 5.8/10

Why Did I Watch It? I'll always watch a new shark movie, especially if it's free on Netflix.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 12th
Via: Amazon Prime Video (via VPN)

Plot: The life of British career criminal Carlton Leach.

Rating: 7.2/10

Why Did I Watch It? This has been on my watchlist for many years and I could finally watch it with a VPN.

First Viewing

Viewing Date: November 11th
Via: iTunes Store

Plot: A sheriff tries to stop the killing spree of a silent maniacal murderer who, as the result of secret genetic experimentation by an unethical scientist, has the ability to self-heal.

Rating: 5.3/10

Why Did I Watch It? I'll take a simple Chuck Norris action movie any day, for the schlockiness of it all.