From GameRant : "Netflix: 10 Exciting Movies Set To Debut In 2023"

Netflix is a streaming giant in the world of online entertainment and has seen a lot of shakeups in both its pricing and production over the last few years. That being said, there are always new projects on the horizon and 2023 could be a good year for Netflix if it manages to consistently release quality movies and television series.

From action-packed blockbuster adventures to romantic comedies and animated features, there's something for everyone with their upcoming slate of movies. It's time to look forward to 2023 and see what Netflix may have in store for its subscribers in the year to come.

7/10: Players

As much as they hate to admit it most people love a well-crafted romantic comedy, despite the genre being packed with mediocre releases. Players is Netflix's next big stab at the genre and stars Tom Ellis and Gina Rodriguez in the featured roles.

It follows the life of a sports writer who ends up falling head-over-heels for a woman he was simply trying to hook up with. The cast is rounded out with appearances from Damon Wayans Jr., Liza Koshy, and Joel Courtney. Trish Sie is set to direct, who had her big breakout with Pitch Perfect 3 back in 2017.

From What's on Netflix : "New Netflix Movies Coming to Netflix in 2022 and Beyond"

Genre: Romantic Comedy | Director: Trish Sie
Cast: Tom Ellis, Gina Rodriguez, Damon Wayans Jr., Augustus Prew, Joel Courtney.

Lucifer’s Tom Ellis and Jane the Virgin’s Gina Rodriguez will be teaming up for this romantic comedy set in New York City. It’s about a sportswriter Mack who falls for one of the targets that his “successful hook-up plays” scooped him.

Filming began in summer 2021.

From Alabama Life and Culture : "‘The Jesus Revolution:’ Director discusses project being filmed in Mobile"

“And Joel Courtney is just this incredible kid and wonderful actor. I loved him in ‘Super 8,’ that was his first movie. He got chased out of the theater where we were at because a bunch of teenage girls saw him, and they love the ‘Kissing Booth’ movies on Netflix. The whole cast is really incredible. It’s a wonderful ensemble.”

“Mobile actually makes for a really good California,” says Jon Erwin, a Birmingham-born filmmaker who has been in coastal Alabama filming a movie with Kelsey Grammer and other actors of note.

“The Jesus Revolution,” which will be released in 2023, is a very California story, and a very ‘70s story, at least on one level. It retells the movement born when free spirit Greg Laurie connected with hippie street preacher Lonnie Frisbee and older, more conventional pastor Chuck Smith in Costa Mesa, California, in 1968. It was a pivotal moment in the process of fusing the energy of the ‘60s youth movement with Christianity.

Many elements of contemporary Christian worship and culture, and many of its leaders, took shape as the “Jesus Movement” exploded in the following years. Laurie, who’s still active, went on to found Harvest Christian Fellowship, one of the biggest churches in the country.

From Movie Web : "These Movies & TV Series Are Based on Wattpad Stories"

In 2018, Netflix released The Kissing Booth with Joey King taking the lead role as the quirky, lovable Elle Evans. The high school rendezvous were originally written by a then-15-year-old Beth Reekles, who published chapter by chapter online. It gained over 19 million readers and won the 2011 award for Most Popular Teen Fiction on Wattpad. The Kissing Booth follows the classic “best friend’s brother” trope, with Elle falling for Noah (Jacob Elordi), the sibling to her especially codependent bestie/partner-in-crime/birthday twin/dance partner and more, Lee (Joel Courtney). The movies might not be considered magnum opuses of cinema, but, even so, each film accumulated groundbreaking ratings, with the first one being one of the most watched Netflix movies in the world.

From Geek Tyrant : "Kelsey Grammer is Set To Star in Lionsgate's JESUS REVOLUTION"

Kelsey Grammer, Anna Grace Barlow, and Jonathan Roumie have joined the cast of Lionsgate’s upcoming film Jesus Revolution. The film is inspired by the true story of “a national spiritual awakening in the early 1970s and its origins within a community of teenage hippies in Southern California.”

The movie also stars Joel Courtney, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Ally Ioannides, Julia Campbell, Nic Bishop, and Jolie Jenkins.

In the story, “young Greg Laurie (Courtney) sets out to redefine truth through all means of liberation, and instead, meets Lonnie Frisbee (Roumie), a charismatic hippie street preacher. Laurie and Frisbee, along with Pastor Chuck Smith (Grammer), open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to an unexpected revival by way of rock and roll, newfound love, and a twist of faith leading to a Jesus Revolution that changed the world. Laurie went on to start Harvest Christian Fellowship, one of the largest congregations in America, with over 15,000 regular members. Over the years, six million people have attended Harvest Christian Fellowship.”

It’s explained, “Modern-day cause-related crusades and rallies for change are everywhere. Jesus Revolution is the story of one such movement that not only set a model for changemakers thereafter, but that sparked a revival with ripple effects that still matter today.”

Grammer will play Chuck Smith, the real-life pastor of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, “who served as a mentor to Greg Laurie. Chuck famously opened his church to a generation of hippies and seekers, helping to launch the last great spiritual revival in America.”

The film was written by Jon Erwin (I Can Only Imagine, American Underdog) and Jon Gunn, and Erwin will also direct the film. Erwin said in a statement, “The movie is set in a very specific time and place, but the theme of finding a deeper meaning to life, in the midst of a fractured and broken world, is timeless. In his iconic performances, Kelsey has a proven ability to connect with audiences in a real, vulnerable way, which will make him a tremendous presence in this film.”

Grammer added, “Jesus has been a profound influence in my life. I am proud to be a part of this film.”

From Oregon Faith Report : "Top Hollywood Stars Set for “Jesus Revolution”, True 1970s Story"

Kingdom Story Company and Lionsgate announced that Kelsey Grammer, Anna Grace Barlow, Jonathan Roumie, and more have joined the cast of Jesus Revolution, a film inspired by the true story of a national spiritual awakening in the early 1970s and its origins within a community of teenage hippies in Southern California.

Grammer (“Frasier”) will star alongside bSuper 8”), previously announced, as well as newly joining cast members Anna Grace Barlow (“The Big Leap”), Jonathan Roumie (“The Chosen”), Kimberly Williams-Paisley (“According to Jim”), Ally Ioannides (“Parenthood”), Julia Campbell (Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion), Nic Bishop (“Truth Be Told”), and Jolie Jenkins (“Alexa & Katie”).

In the 1970s, young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) sets out to redefine truth through all means of liberation, and instead, meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie street preacher. Laurie and Frisbee, along with Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer), open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to an unexpected revival by way of rock and roll, newfound love, and a twist of faith leading to a Jesus Revolution that changed the world.

Laurie went on to start Harvest Christian Fellowship, one of the largest churches in America, and the Harvest Crusade events, which have been attended by over six million people.

Modern-day cause-related crusades and rallies for change are everywhere. Jesus Revolution is the story of one such movement that not only set a model for change-makers thereafter, but that sparked a revival with ripple effects that still matter today.

Grammer will play Chuck Smith, the real-life pastor of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, who served as a mentor to Greg Laurie. Chuck famously opened his church to a generation of hippies and seekers, helping to launch the last great spiritual revival in America.

Barlow will play Cathe, who finds a connection with Greg as they both search for purpose in a changing world. Roumie will play Lonnie Frisbee, the young hippie preacher who brings thousands into the movement with his charismatic and vulnerable messages. Williams-Paisley will play Charlene, Greg’s struggling mother. Campbell will play Kay, Chuck’s wife, with Ioannides playing Janette, his daughter. Bishop will play Dick, Cathe’s father, and Jenkins will play Pilar, her mother.

Written by Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn, the film will be directed by Jon Erwin (I Can Only Imagine, American Underdog) and Brent McCorkle (Unconditional) and produced by Kevin Downes (I Can Only Imagine, American Underdog) and Jon and Andrew Erwin (I Can Only Imagine, American Underdog), along with Josh Walsh (The Jesus Music) and Daryl Lefever (Woodlawn).

“We’re thrilled by the incredible cast that has come together,” said Jon Erwin. “The movie is set in a very specific time and place, but the theme of finding a deeper meaning to life, in the midst of a fractured and broken world, is timeless. In his iconic performances, Kelsey has a proven ability to connect with audiences in a real, vulnerable way, which will make him a tremendous presence in this film.”

Grammer added, “Jesus has been a profound influence in my life. I am proud to be a part of this film.”

From Looper : "50 Best Space Movies Of All Time Ranked"

And #30 is Super 8!

This 2011 thriller from director J.J. Abrams lovingly pays tribute to nostalgic classics such as "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" and "Stand by Me," while also being a celebration of the art of moviemaking in itself. In the film, a group of friends are shooting their own zombie movie when they witness a horrific train crash and an alien creature emerging from the chaos. While the action in "Super 8" may take place on Earth, the focus is on the alien invaders and particularly how this is seen through young eyes.

With excellent performances from Elle Fanning and Joel Courtney in particular, "Super 8" evokes the feeling of some of Steven Spielberg's early work, (the director has a producer credit for this film) giving equal importance to blockbuster spectacle and genuine heart and warmth. The film proved to be a surprise commercial success, making over $260 million at the box office, and was praised by critics, including Total Film critic Jamie Graham who remarked, "Only a young Spielberg at the top of his game could beat it."