Top 10 Movies of 2023
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Well, it’s getting about time to wrap up the 2023 year dont you think? (He said 20 days into 2024). This was one of the most challenging years to finish because there were so many good movies that I wanted to take as long as possible to finalize my list. I am very happy how the top 10 movies of 2023 turned out because the movie year was amazingly eclectic. I got a little worried mid way through that nothing was going to hit, then got swung around by eyebrows as I got to see good movie after good movie. So without further ado, here are my top 10 movies of 2023.
10) Bottoms
In a film year that is not hurting for genuinely funny and well made movies, it’s no surprise that Bottoms comes in with a lot of expectations. With a premise this silly and talent this good, you’d be hard pressed to expect anything less than a rip-roaring time at the movies. Blessedly for us, Bottoms is an excellent film, coming through like a hurricane to disrupt the movie year and film-going consciousness.
9) Killers of the Flower Moon
Trying to summarize a reign of terror into a film is certainly a daunting task for a writer, so it’s no surprise that the film is as long as it is. Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese do a pretty good job of making the movie feel intimate yet grand. By focusing the story mainly on Hale, Ethan, Molly, and her family, were able to come as close as possible to the machinations that affected this entire community. As a balancing act, this movie does well to render the many people whose lives were affected and show off the sheer evil percolating in this part of the country. Martin is a world class director, but I have found myself falling out of lock step with him in his last two films. With Killers of the Flower Moon, he weaves a tapestry out of all the people and elements into a fierce movie. His trademarks are all on display here: the brilliant shots, the humanity even in the face of evil, and exploration of crime and violence.
8) Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé
Did I pay money to go a see a nearly 3 hour movie version of a concert I paid hundreds of dollars to attend this year? Yes. Do I regret it? Not when the movie is this good. Beyoncé not only is an incredible performer, but her understanding of editing is on par with the greatest filmmakers; there are some phenomenal editorial choices in this picture.
7) Passages
An adult drama about the way you can never put anything past a man. Just kidding, but Passages certainly is a great examination of the messiness of humans in love and the blurred lines that occur because of it. A superhuman performance from Franz Rogowski is matched by sterling turns from Adele Exarchopoulos and Ben Whishsaw. Welcome back to my good graces Ira Sachs!
6) Barbie
Arguably the movie that had to walk the highest tightrope, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is really a triumph. I was definitely skeptical about this movie but intrigued given the talent. Come for the brilliant send up of the world’s most famous doll and stay for the great performances, incredible design work, and brilliant soundtrack.
5) Past Lives
Writer director Celine Song debut could not have gone more swimmingly than this film. She manages to render so much humanity with her script and understanding of character interactions, and then shows them in the best light with her direction. You certainly never feel as though the film is going to spin off in strange directions, when it certainly could have, and Song’s sure hand and ability to draw out performances make this a winning debut.
4) They Cloned Tyrone
You better call Tyrone and tell them to watch this movie (I am so sorry, but I had to!) Seriously, a wonderful homage to blaxploitation films while updated enough for today, and a really great scifi premise. Juel Taylor is a director I will certainly have my eye on as this was an outstanding debut.
3) Godzilla Minus One
I cannot believe this movie was this good. Maybe the most surprising film of the year, Godzilla Minus One is my second favorite entry in the franchise. Returning Godzilla to his villanous roots and setting the movie post World War II gives the creative team rich thematic ground to cover. I could not believe how emotional I got towards the end of this movie, it snuck up on me.
2) Saltburn
Let audience be shocked again! That probably wasn’t Emerald Fennell’s remit for Saltburn but I so thoroughly enjoyed being scandalized in different ways whilst watching this movie. But the film would be nothing without the deliciously ferocious turns from Rosamund Pike and Barry Keoghan. Commitment of the highest level from everyone involved with the picture lets us plumb the depths of desire.
1) Anatomy of a Fall
You want to talk about a director having a GRIP on the material? Look no further than my #1 film of 2023 Anatomy of a Fall. Justine Triet’s story is somewhat simple, a woman is accused of murdering her husband and must stand trial, but she understands that life’s complexities are what make it fun. She digs and digs and digs into the all the nooks and crannies of this story and the characters that inhabit it, keeping the train on the tracks even as the case takes many twists and turns. With a leading lady like Sandra Huller, it’s no wonder that the film is so good.
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