TV shows have become the main focus for the majority of date nights. While there were many excuses to binge watch Primetime shows in fall 2020, in 2023, there are far more reasons to go out and enjoy the full cinematic experience at movie theatres. Chief among these reasons, of course, are the movies, some of which seem to not only be gearing up for critical acclaim, but are also being released at timely points in the year.
The Last Voyage of the Demeter (August 11)
Starring Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton), Aisling Franciosi (The Fall), Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones), and David Dastmalchian (Oppenheimer), The Last Voyage of the Demeter is drawn from just one chapter in Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula. That chapter, The Captain’s Log, is prime material for a suspenseful horror, though, and that’s what this movie seeks to bring to the big screen. The premise is that the crew is shipping some cargo from Transylvania to London, and on the way, a mysterious entity begins to pick off the crew. The story of Dracula is one of horror, with the film coming at a time when most vampire movies and shows lean much more heavily towards comedy. Earlier this year, we saw Nicolas Cage play Dracula in Renfield, and the fifth season of What We Do in the Shadows will see episode six come out one day before André Øvredal’s (Trollhunter) horror movie.
A Haunting in Venice (September 15)
Adding a third film to the modern Hercule Poirot movie series, following Murder of the Orient Express (2017) and Death on the Nile (2022), A Haunting in Venice sees the mystery thrillers take a supernatural twist. Kenneth Branagh reprises his lead role as Poirot, but once again, he’ll be surrounded by a superb cast. He’ll be examining the stories of Kyle Allen (West Side Story), Camille Cottin (Connasse), Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades), Tina Fey (30 Rock), Kelly Reilly (Britannia), and Michelle Yeoh (Sunshine) after a guest at a séance is murdered. If you want to get ahead of the flick or judge it on how it translates to the big screen, check out the 1969 original story, Hallowe’en Party.
The Creator (September 29)
With Monsters (2010), Godzilla (2014), and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) under his belt, Gareth Edwards is ready to deliver his massive sci-fi flick centered on a battle between rebellious AI programming and the remaining humans. He’s pulled in an amazing cast to bring the story of The Creator to life, too, with John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman) in the lead and Gemma Chan (Humans), Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai), and Ralph Ineson (The Witch) joining him for the action. As is noted in this Guardian article, The Creator is coming at a distinctly opportune time. AI fears have hit a fever pitch this year, especially with just about every entertainment outlet playing with ChatGPT to see how it would write films and shows.
Napoleon (November 22)
Ridley Scott, the creator of epics like Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, Black Hawk Down, Blade Runner, Alien, and The Martian, is back with another epic: Napoleon. For the lead role of the Emperor of the French, he’s brought in one of the most reliable names in Hollywood right now, Joaquin Phoenix (Joker).
Of course, Napoleon is one of the most well-known figures in European history. He’s enough of a presence in history to be a major draw beyond the big screen, too, as Napoleon: Rise of an Empire showcases. Available at Ontario casinos like SpinAway, new players can get a bonus to what’s being called the “best new casino” and play alongside Napoleon on his conquests. A military genius, Napoleon will always be sought out by entertainment seekers, whether that be in slot gaming or at the cinema. The new movie looks to be grand in scope, following the rise of Napoleon to Emperor while also sinking you into his bloody wars and his volatile married life. As is often the case when Scott turns to history, Napoleon looks to be an epic in every sense.
If you love movies, the rest of 2023 looks to be an incredible time to get down to the cinema for your date nights.
