My 10 Favorite Films of 2023

Now that 2023 has come to an end I can look back at the 79 movies I reviewed during the year and reflect on which ones I enjoyed the most.  This list below is in no specific order and not necessarily reflective of my original letter grade, additionally I’ve missed some critical darlings like Past Lives and Anatomy of a Fall among others.  

Like everything I’ve published, this is all subjective and I could probably be convinced to add and remove certain films which is why I’m terrible at making lists in general.

So, with that, here are my 10 favorite films of 2023.

Infinity Pool

Brandon Cronenberg's latest film is the kind of film that reveals is screwing with your mind throughout its runtime.  It’s gory, grimy but beautiful in a strange, psychedelic way.  Mia Goth turns in another performance that’s cements her status as a rising star in the horror genre. 

The Creator 

The plot of The Creator covers some well-worn territory in the sci-fi genre, but Gareth Edwards direction elevates it above the predictable plot.  Visuals and solid turns from the cast makes this one of the more entertaining sci-fi films in recent memory.  

Beau is Afraid

Ari Aster’s Beau is Afraid isn’t made for everyone and he doesn’t really seem to care.  It’s a behemoth of themes and ideas with some working far better than others during the film’s three-hour runtime.  A committed performance from Joaquin Phoenix as the sad sack who embarks on a cinematic journey that you won’t soon forget.  

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning 

In any other year, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, would have been one of the biggest blockbusters of the year.  Tom Cruise’s latest entry into the long-running series is another bit of well-orchestrated, big screen spy madness that keeps upping the game on the genre.     

Barbie 

If you had told me at the start of the year Barbie would be on my year end list I probably would have chuckled and said no.  I didn’t know what to expect from the film or story, but I didn’t expect much so it was a pleasant surprise such a fun, vibrant and heart felt even if some felt the message was heavy handed.    

Oppenheimer 

The other half of the cultural phenomenon that was Barbenheimer was even better with Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer delivering a serious, adult blockbuster that was built on performances and dialogue.  Nolan and his cast are laser focused throughout, making the dialogue heavy film feel brisk even at three hours long.

Killers of the Flower Moon

Martin Scorsese’s long gestating epic is a tragic, heartbreaking journey that ponders on a handful of themes buoyed by some excellent turns from its star-studded cast lead by Leonardo DiCaprio.  Lily Gladstone proves to be a revelation as the film’s beating heart fighting through the series of tragedies laid at her feet.

The Holdovers

Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers is a throwback on multiple levels as it evokes memories of dramadies from the 70’s and 80’s.  Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Dominic Sessa each deliver stellar turns as we follow their emotional journeys as part of their pseudo family.

Wonka

Paul King’s prequel, Wonka, proved to be one of the more pleasant surprises of the year.  King brings that same sense of joy and optimism to this franchise that’d he’d brought to his Paddington films.  Timothée Chalamet proves far more capable and endearing than expected, which results in a film that’s sure to leave a smile on the face of even the biggest cynic.  

Poor Things

Yorgos Lanthimos’ unapologetic, gothic fantasy is bold on multiple levels.  Its stark, inventive visuals give it a distinctive style that makes it a visual feast for the eyes.  Emma Stone’s fearless performance makes the whole thing work as she deftly creates a multifaceted character from start to finish.   Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe are just as good in memorable supporting turns.

 

Cindy Prascik's Review of Oppenheimer

 

My dear reader(s), if you have been with me for any length of time, you will know that I’ve gone from a twice-a-week movie-goer to a twice-a-year movie-goer, and my reviews these days are mostly limited to streaming options. If ever there were a person who could get me to face the talkers, the seat-kickers, the popcorn-bag-rattlers, and the straw-slurpers at the cinema again, that person is Christopher Nolan, who last week presented us with yet another masterpiece, Oppenheimer.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn’t know from the trailers, possibly from real life, and from the paragraph above, wherein I pretty much spoiled my entire review. D’oh!

Yes, Oppenheimer is a masterpiece, among Christopher Nolan’s best work, and that’s a very high bar. It’s early goings yet, but people are already throwing around the “O” word (no, not *that* O-word, though Florence Pugh is pretty hot), and, with half the year behind us, I’d say that’s probably going to stick. Nolan makes a three-hour movie seem like three minutes, with mesmerizing storytelling, sharp dialogue, and a glorious visual landscape. Robert Oppenheimer is painted neither hero nor villain, but rather a man so consumed by whether a thing *could* be done, he failed to consider whether it *should* be done…until it was too late. While there are some gruesome images in Oppenheimer, there’s nothing over-the-top or gratuitous, and the movie never takes lightly the grave ramifications of the choices it depicts.

Cillian Murphy, of course, is brilliant in the title role. He’s never been less, and if anyone didn’t know that by now, this is their education. The whole cast really couldn’t be more perfect, and it’s a testament to the Power of Nolan how many big people took little roles just to be part of this project. Expect awards season to be lucrative for at least Murphy, Robert Downey, Jr., Emily Blunt, and (depending on the field) Ms. Flo, although her role is comparatively small. Exceptional work to a person, Oppenheimer left me breathless.

Oppenheimer clocks in at 180 minutes and is rated R for “some sexuality, nudity, and language.”

Oppenheimer is a masterclass in storytelling and performing, making fascinating work of a grim tale. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Oppenheimer gets all nine.

Oppenheimer is now playing in theaters worldwide.

Until next time…

MOVIE REVIEW: OPPENHEIMER

A feature biography from director Christopher Nolan, explores how one man's brilliance, hubris, and relentless drive changed the nature of war forever, led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, and unleashed mass hysteria. 

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast: Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh

Release Date: July 21, 2023

Genre: Biography, Drama, History

Rated R for some sexuality, nudity and language

Runtime: 3h 0m

Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer is a heady, engrossing biopic that makes a series of conversations feel just as thrilling as any large scale action set piece.  Nolan's meticulous eye is laser focused throughout as he unveils a bendy narrative that jumps from two separate time periods and view points.  His sweeping visual style is more focused here, taking plenty of time on faces and subtle ruminations from the main characters as they tackle some truly world changing concepts and the repercussions they bring.  Cillian Murphy leads the film with a nuanced measured performance that maybe the best of his career.  Murphy's hundred yard stare conveys a bevy of emotions as the character carries the weight of the world as his mind juggles through the countless challenges and ultimate ramifications of what his work creates after the fact   Nolan uses his faces and expressions on more than a few occasions to communicate a slew of information occasionally without a single line of dialogue being uttered.  He's the driving force in the film but he benefits from some truly impressive turns from a stellar supporting cast.  Robert Downey Jr. gets the meatiest role as Oppenheimer's post war rival who is trying to secure a cabinet position.  Downey Jr. sinks his teeth into the role with impressive ease as he reveals the character's duplicitous nature.  His scenes play well in contrast against Murphy's more subdued, internalized sequences.  Matt Damon and Emily Blunt have smaller supporting roles with each doing the most with their screen time with the latter playing against time with great effect.  Florence Pugh is equally solid as Oppenheimer's mistress even if she is a bit young for the role.  A slew of other familiar faces pepper the film giving it a rich textured quality, Tom Conti, in particular, is fascinating in his limited screen time as Albert Einstein.  Their conversation revealed near the end of the film is particularly revelatory and devastating in its implications.  Its these kind of moments that Oppenheimer revels and delivers in a steady stream throughout with the cast and crew all working in top form.

A