Best Movies of 2023

 

I moved to a new city and my social life suffered. As a result, my movie viewing sky-rocketed as I concurrently re-enlisted in AMC A-List (in June) and have zero issue with braving the cineplex solo. 200+ movies viewed this year* with over 50 in theaters. (This is not a brag, quite the contrary.)

I thought it just a wonderful year for movies. We had some original IP summer blockbusters, some fun teen movies, a few straight up funny mid-budget comedies, and some truly unique award season options thrown in there. I also participated in a once-a-month movie-club with old friends and that was just a delight, watching Oscar-nominated movies ranging from old classics to more recent gems. I have an aversion to rewatching movies or checking out older movies so this was a fun way to explore beyond movies released in 2023.

I need to shout out a few non-traditional movies that aren't in my top-ten list: Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé and the A24 re-release of the Talking Heads' 1980's concert film, Stop Making Sense. Renaissance was a banger of a concert movie and allowed me to live the tour I missed. And the Talking Heads film truly lived up to its reputation as being one of the all time greats. Then Mike Birbiglia's The Old Man and the Pool is stand-up comedy / story-telling at it's finest. Birbiglia is brilliant, I love his podcast, and my brother and I were able to see him live midway through the year here in Indy so it's been a year of Birbs.

Okay, on to my faves of the year.

*My movie list includes traditional feature length movies, short films, and stand-up specials. 

10. The Iron Claw

The devastating story of familial athletic masculinity expectations that just escalates to absolute depression mode. Woof. So well acted and vibey and the four brothers just played off each so well. For such a downer of plot line, I didn't get stuck in the sadness slowness.

9. Saltburn

Um, what? From director Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), this story takes so many turns. It's hella dark, funny, freaky-deaky. And Barry Keoghan pulls off another killer performance (among many great performances).

8. Bottoms

These are the teenage movies that I'm here for. Queer and outsider story set squarely in 2023. Leads Rachel Sennett and Ayo Edebiri are the best and perfect casting of Marshawn Lynch. 

7. Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - Part One

Action done right. That's about it. 

6. The Color Purple

My first experience of The Color Purple story, somehow having not read the book, seen the 1980's version, or had much contact with the stage-musical version. This hit for me with amazing songs and performances that lift the movie up amidst lots of punishing plot points, ultimately resulting in a redemptive and uplifting movie. 

5. Poor Things

Emma! We love you. Keep taking the weird roles. Yorgos doesn't miss as dirctor. This Frankenstein story of a woman created in Victorian London is dream-like, hilarious, and explicit. Heavy social commentary without ever sacrificing story. Set design is so good. 

4. Theater Camp

Not a theater kid but kinda loved this one. Mockumentary style of a kids theater camp that expertly utilized the kids. Jokes throughout that just got me. And, of course, a lot of heart.

3. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse

I watch all of the Marvel stuff but this is one of the few franchises I continue to care about. Animation continues to be amazing. Plot continues to be super compelling. Can't wait for the next one.  

2. Past Lives

Beautiful and thoughtful movie. Lead, played by the fantastic Great Lee, immigrates to the States from South Korea as a twelve-year old then catches up with her childhood friend, first virtually in her twenties, then in-person in her thirties. Loosely set-up like a love-triangle minus any of the romantic will-they/won't-they. Instead, considerations of alternate life paths that could have transpired, dealing with split identities, consideration of choices made. All characters are treated with such grace and the movie is so honest and adult. Looking forward to more from writer/director Celine Song. 

1. Barbie

Hi Barbie. I'll follow Greta Gerwig anywhere. Even and particularly into a Barbie world that celebrates femininity and plastic commercialization. With a convoluted premise, I trust Greta to create something worth all of the excessive promotion. The movie is so much fun, holds up on repeat viewings, has great original music, hilarious performances from so many. While not a perfect movie, I'm here for all of it. And, this summer blockbuster juggernaut was a cultural powerhouse, breaking the box office, embracing the Oppenheimer double-release, and doing so while centering women. 

Honorable Mentions (Listed Alphabetically)

• Anatomy of a Fall
• Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret. 
• Asteroid City 
• The Blackening  
• Cocaine Bear
• The Creator
• Dicks: the Musical
• Dream Scenario
• Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
• Elemental 
• Every Body
• Godzilla Minus One
• A Haunting in Venice 
• The Holdovers
• Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny 
• John Wick: Chapter 4
• Joy Ride 
• Killers of the Flower Moon
• M3gan 
• Maestro
• The Marvels
• Missing 
• No Hurt Feelings 
• Oppenheimer 
• Please Don’t Destroy: The Legend of Foggy Mountain 
• Polite Society
• Red, White, and Royal Blue  
• Rye Lane 
• Scream VI
• Strays 
• The Stroll  
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 
• Talk to Me  
• You Hurt My Feelings 

Highly Anticipated (Listed Alphabetically)

• All of Us Strangers
• American Fiction
• Fallen Leaves
• Kokomo City
• Origin
• The Zone of Interest