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 Last Voyage of the Demeter

The Last Voyage of the Demeter is a 2023 horror film directed by André Øvredal and based on a chapter from Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. The film follows the crew of a merchant ship as they are stalked and killed by a vampire on their voyage from Carpathia to London.

The film is a slow-burning, atmospheric horror film that builds suspense and dread effectively. The performances are strong, and the creature effects are impressive. However, the film does suffer from some pacing issues, and the ending is somewhat anticlimactic. Overall, The Last Voyage of the Demeter is a well-made horror film that is sure to please fans of the genre. However, it is not without its flaws.

OMG 2

OMG 2 is a spiritual sequel to Umesh Shukla’s 2012 film OMG – Oh My God!. It stars Akshay Kumar as a messenger of Lord Shiva, Pankaj Tripathi as an ardent Shiva devotee, and Yami Gautam as a lawyer. The film is a courtroom drama that explores the issue of sex education in India. The film is well-made and thought-provoking. It raises important questions about the role of religion in society and the importance of sex education. The performances are all strong, and the film is both funny and moving.

However, the film is not without its flaws. The courtroom scenes can be slow-paced and the film’s message can be a bit heavy-handed at times. Overall, OMG 2 is a worthwhile film that is sure to spark debate.

Byomkesh O Durgo Rahasya

Byomkesh O Durgo Rahasya is a 2023 Bengali thriller film directed by Birsa Dasgupta and starring Dev as Byomkesh Bakshi. The film follows Byomkesh as he investigates a series of mysterious deaths at a zamindari estate in Madhya Pradesh. The film is a visual treat, with stunning cinematography and production design. However, the story is somewhat predictable and the characters are not as well-developed as they could be. Overall, Byomkesh O Durgo Rahasya is an enjoyable but unremarkable thriller.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a 2023 computer-animated action-adventure film based on the popular video game franchise of the same name. The film stars Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Seth Rogen, Keegan-Michael Key, and Kevin Michael Richardson.

The film follows Mario and Luigi, two Brooklyn plumbers who transported to a magical world called the Mushroom Kingdom. They must team up with Princess Peach to stop Bowser from taking over the kingdom.The film has received mixed reviews from critics. Some have praised the film’s faithfulness to the video games, while others have criticized its humor and story.

Overall, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a fun and entertaining film for fans of the video game franchise. However, it may not be for everyone.

Ahsoka

Ahsoka is a new Star Wars series on Disney+ that follows the story of Ahsoka Tano, a former Jedi who is now on a quest to find her friend and former master, Ezra Bridger. The series is set five years after the events of Return of the Jedi and features a stellar cast, including Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka, Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren, and Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker.

The first two episodes of Ahsoka are a promising start to the series. The action is exciting, the characters well-developed, and the story is intriguing. Fans of Ahsoka Tano and the Star Wars universe will definitely want to check this series out.

Cheeni 2

Cheeni 2 is a Bengali drama series that tells the story of two women, Mishti and Cheeni, who bond over their shared struggles and embark on a journey of self-discovery together. The series well-acted and beautifully shot, and it tackles important themes such as domestic violence, marital infidelity, and the importance of female friendship. While it can be emotionally draining at times, Cheeni 2 is ultimately a hopeful and inspiring story about the power of women to overcome adversity.

Overall, I would definitely recommend Cheeni 2 to anyone looking for a well-made and thought-provoking Bengali drama.

Made in Heaven Season 2

Made in Heaven Season 2 promises a deeper exploration of complex relationships, personal struggles, and moral quandaries. This film stars the same cast as season one, including Sobhita Dhulipala, Arjun Mathur, Kalki Koechlin, Jim Sarbh, Shashank Arora, and Shivangi Rastogi, as well as some newcomers like Mona Singh, Ishwak Singh, and Trinetra. The brides in the second season will played by Mrunal Thakur, Radhika Apte, Shibani Dandekar, and Sarah Jane Dias, among others. While Sobhita Dhulipala and Arjun Mathur struggle with their relationships and finances – think debts, business expansion, and divorces – the rest of their team and prospective clients face similar challenges.