Welcome to Film Friday’s special edition! Here’s a curated list of the top seven films and TV series of 2023. From mind-bending thrillers to heartwarming dramas, these captivating stories and performances have taken the industry by storm. Grab your popcorn and join us on this unforgettable journey through the best of 2023’s film and television.

The Lincoln Lawyer: Season 2

The Lincoln Lawyer: Season 2 is a solid legal drama that offers a satisfying blend of courtroom intrigue, character development, and stylish visuals. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo is excellent as Mickey Haller, a Los Angeles defense attorney who operates out of the back of his Lincoln Town Car. The supporting cast is also strong, with Neve Campbell, Becki Newton, and Jazz Raycole all giving memorable performances.

The season’s central mystery is well-crafted, and the supporting cases are also engaging. The show does a good job of balancing the legal procedural elements with the more personal aspects of Mickey’s life. The pacing is a bit uneven at times, but overall, The Lincoln Lawyer: Season 2 is a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre.

The Horror of Dolores Roach

Justina Machado plays Dolores Roach, a woman who is released from prison after serving 16 years for a crime she did commit. She wants to go straight, but society makes it difficult for her. She sets up an off-the-books massage parlor, but when a customer dies, she has to get rid of the body. Her friend, who runs an empanada shop, helps her by disposing of the body in the empanadas. Things quickly escalate and Dolores finds herself becoming a serial killer by accident. The show is a dark comedy with a farcical tone, and I can only hope they keep the laughs coming.

Full Circle

The trailer for Full Circle is scanty on exact details, but it’s about a kidnapping in New York that goes wrong somehow, and quickly spirals into dealings as far afield as Guyana – which, at the very least, has a fair few Guyanese TVholics looking forward to the show giving them their moment in the sun.

The cast includes cop-show stalwarts like Claire Danes, CCH Pounder, and also Timothy Olyphant, uncharacteristically not playing a king of the wild frontier. From the previews, it’s heavy on the circle imagery (like the name!), making much use of aerial shots of one of the USA’s very few roundabouts.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is an action-packed thriller that takes Ethan Hunt and his IMF team on their most dangerous mission yet. Tom Cruise, supported by a strong cast including Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, and Simon Pegg, delivers a top-notch performance. The film’s stunning stunts, jaw-dropping set pieces, and numerous twists keep audiences hooked, leaving fans wanting more despite its lengthy runtime of 163 minutes.

The film’s action sequences are its standout feature, with Cruise fearlessly performing his own stunts. From a motorcycle chase on a frozen lake to a high-speed car pursuit in London, and a gripping fight on a moving train, these sequences leave viewers in awe. Additionally, the supporting cast, featuring Atwell, Rhames, and Pegg, brings depth and humor to the story, enhancing the overall experience. While Dead Reckoning Part One could have benefited from tighter editing due to its length, it never fails to captivate. With its blend of action, suspense, and humor, this entry in the Mission: Impossible franchise is a must-watch for fans and an entertaining popcorn flick for all.

Insidious: The Red Door

Insidious: The Red Door is the fifth installment in the Insidious franchise, and it follows Josh Lambert as he heads east to drop his son, Dalton, off at college. However, Dalton’s college dream soon becomes a living nightmare when the repressed demons of his past suddenly return to haunt them both.

The film directed by Patrick Wilson, who also stars in the film alongside Ty Simpkins, Lin Shaye, and Angus Sampson. Wilson does a solid job directing the film, and he creates some effective scares. However, the film also bogged down by some unnecessary fan service to the franchise, and the story is a bit predictable. Overall, Insidious: The Red Door is a decent entry in the franchise, but it’s not the most terrifying. Fans of the series will likely enjoy it, but others may find it to be a bit too familiar.

The Out-Laws 

The Out-Laws is one of the most anticipated comedy films this year, directed by Tyler Spindel and produced by Adam Sandler. The film stars Nina Dobrev (The Vampire Diaries), Pierce Brosnan (Tomorrow Never Dies), and Adam Devine (Workaholics), and follows a bank manager who about to get engaged to the love of his life.

However, he soon finds out that a group of criminals known as “Ghost Bandits” had robbed his bank, and he suspects that his future in-laws involved. Given the producer’s track record of success in the comedy genre, The Out-Laws should be an intriguing addition to the month’s lineup.

The Crusades

The Crusades is a 2023 American comedy drama film written by Jack Hussar, Shaun Early and Leo Milano, directed by Milano and starring Rudy Pankow. The film follows three friends at an all-boys high school who make a pact to have one last, epic weekend before their lives turn upside down when their school merges with their rivals. The film has praised for its humor, heart, and performances, but some critics have found it to be too uneven.

Overall, The Crusades is a well-made and entertaining film that offers a fresh take on the high school comedy genre. The film’s humor is sharp and its characters are relatable, and the film’s message about friendship and acceptance is timely and important. However, the film’s uneven pacing and occasionally underdeveloped characters prevent it from reaching its full potential.