Here are Cinephile Corner’s 10 recommendations for movies like The Surfer:
Ambulance
I have a confession to make. I did not see Ambulance on the big screen and it is easily my biggest regret of 2022 so far in terms of film watching. Every moment of Michael Bay’s newest heist, getaway, cocaine-driven anxiety trip is worth the price of admission, VOD rental, and 4k blu-ray bundle all sandwiched together into one.
Read our full review of Ambulance
The Beekeeper
While David Ayer‘s The Beekeeper is a lot of fun and has some surprisingly effective and exhilarating action sequences that are decked out with every possible way you could break a bone or die, it’s still too odd and ill-conceived to be taken seriously. And for that reason, it’s a perfect Dumpuary movie. Jason Statham stars a rogue special forces agent.
Read our full review of The Beekeeper
Mission: Impossible II
With an over-the-top soundtrack, scenic globetrotting, and a relentless commitment to John Woo’s vision, Mission: Impossible II is an outlier in every way. It may be the least essential Mission: Impossible movie, but it’s far from disposable. In a franchise that has evolved into one of the most reliable action brands in cinema, this film stands as an ambitious detour. Tom Cruise returns to star as IMF agent Ethan Hunt.
Read our full review of Mission: Impossible II
John Wick: Chapter 4
In terms of contemporary action movies, John Wick: Chapter 4 (and the entire John Wick franchise, honestly) has separated itself from the pack. Each detail, idea, and set piece is perfectly crafted to build out a world that feels so fully realized. Somehow, Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski continue to find new ways to keep the franchise fresh.
Read our full review of John Wick: Chapter 4
A Different Man
Although the story sometimes feels like it’s chasing its own tail, Aaron Schimberg deserves praise for his calculated setup, precise direction, and visual flair. A Different Man is not just intellectually stimulating, but it also offers a bright, grainy color palette and shot design that recalls old school B-movies. It’s schlocky in all the best ways while maintaining a serious script and story about valuing yourself and staying confident in your abilities.
Read our full review of A Different Man
Beau Is Afraid
Ari Aster puts his career and positive public perception on the line to create his most singular and divisive piece of filmmaking yet. Although easily his least accessible and structured movie, Beau Is Afraid still manages to work due to Aster‘s distinct eye for jaw-dropping images and scenes and Joaquin Phoenix‘s committed performance.
Read our full review of Beau Is Afraid
Barbie
Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie deliver one of 2023’s most colorful and sincere trips to the movies. Barbie is a movie that transcends style and set design, offering a visual feast with enough laughs along the way.
Read our full review of Barbie
Adaptation
I’ve never fully connected with Charlie Kaufman’s work, so it’s no surprise that Adaptation leaves me feeling indifferent. It’s arguably the most Kaufman-centric film ever made, literally placing him at the center of his own story, with Nicolas Cage delivering a fantastic dual performance as both Kaufman and his fictional twin brother, Donald. The supporting cast—including Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper—is strong, but if you’re not particularly invested in Kaufman’s neurotic, self-reflective storytelling, Adaptation can feel more like an intellectual exercise than a satisfying narrative.
Read our full review of Adaptation
American Fiction
Cord Jefferson’s first movie, American Fiction, didn’t blow me away, and I was hoping for a more cohesive film to get me excited about his big themes and sensibilities. A few stylistic choices are pleasant on the eyes, and the performances from Jeffrey Wright and Sterling K. Brown are worthy of their acclaim, but the final product is a lackluster satire.
Read our full review of American Fiction
I Saw the TV Glow
Jane Schoenbrun delivers a similarly sinister and bewildering story with I Saw the TV Glow as they did in 2021 with We’re All Going to the World’s Fair. And while their debut film used its DIY aesthetic to great effect with long uninterrupted found-footage shots, I Saw the TV Glow uses every effect and camera flourish you could think of.