Bouncing back from the Pandemic, 2023 saw a host of debuts in film and drama, so what kept us glued to the sofa at Punchline-Gloucester.com – and what got us into the cinema queue?

Pink, shiny and loud, number-one box office hit Barbie had every reason to top the charts - a movie of hidden depths beneath that glare. Little wonder it captured the hearts and minds of just about every demographic. 

For local big-screen allure, we enjoyed The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, based on a novel by a Gloucestershire-based author - and including brief glimpses of the best county in Britain!

Timothée Chalamet's magnetic performance as Wonka, in the new prequel to Roald Dahl's classic tale, was also a must-see, though we also went less mainstream by getting on the edge of our seat for My Name is Alfred Hitchcock - a blinder of a tribute to the man who was surely cinema's greatest ever storyteller.

Concurring with a Rotten Tomatoes' rating of 96% we had to stay in to watch Reacher (Amazon Prime), while straying across to Apple TV's The Morning Show. Now in its third season it's as addictive as ever. And back with Amazon Prime again, a fifth season of the deliciously dark Fargo proved to be a treat.

Back in the back row  though for a final popcorn outing, we were blown away by Napoleon. Despite a plot that promised no nice Holywood end, Joaquin Phoenix once more proved his stellar ability.

● WIN A £25 VOUCHER! What was your favourite film or TV show in 2023? Send us your nominations and we draw the winning reply – first out of the hat – will win a £25 Gloucester Gift Card or Cheltenham Gift Card. Drop an email to beth@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk.
CLOSING DATE: MIDNIGHT JANUARY 6th.