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.

 

MOVIE REVIEW: POOR THINGS

 

Brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist, a young woman runs off with a lawyer on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, she grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Cast: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, Jerrod Carmichael

Release Date: December 8, 2023 

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi

Rated R for strong and pervasive sexual content, graphic nudity, disturbing material, gore, and language

Runtime: 2h 21m

Yorgos Lanthimos' Frankenstein-like fable, Poor Things, is a darkly comedic and bold exploration of self-discovery of oneself.  Its a fascinating journey with a distinctive style and feel that permeates the film from its opening act, shot in black and white, before the world and color palate of the film opens up with great effect.  Lanthimos' approach is aggressive but self assured as a bevy of themes and concepts that range from the grotesque, to the perverse and philosophical are thrown at the screen in steady succession.  Its a fearless approach that unafraid of losing portions of the audience along the way.  The film and story is held together and propelled by Emma Stone's central turn as Bella Baxter.  Stone's performance carries the film as she makes her character's journey believable and organic with an effortless ease as we see the character move from innate, instinctive, impulses into a fully defined persona. She has an impressive ability to make every step of journey feel authentic all the while never losing her comedic timing during some of the film's more insane and absurd moments.  If not for Stone's fearless turn, Mark Ruffalo could have easily stolen the entire film from a lesser actress.  Ruffalo's turn as the swarmy and nefarious lawyer is a true testament to his talent as actor.  Ruffalo works against his nice guy type to deliver an overconfident lothario who quickly loses control of Baxter before being ultimately ruined financially and emotionally by her.  Ruffalo and Stone work off each incredibly well which really gives the film an almost manic and vibrant energy it never manages to recapture in the back half of the film.  There's a definite sense that film starts to lose a bit of  steam in the final act which drags here and there which would have been helped with some judicious edits.  Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef and Jerrod Carmichael round out the cast with each turning in subtly effective performances in limited screen time.  Much like one of Dr. Godwin Baxter's experiments, Poor Things, is a fascinating amalgam of ideas and concepts that results in something singular and distinctive.  

A-