Ready for our top films of 2023? Cinema was back baybe (at least according to some dolls and scientists). Here are some of the standouts of 2023.
Here is the list in alphabetical order.
Anatomy of a Fall – A skillful performance from Sandra Hüller as an author charged with the death of her husband. It’ll have you questioning whose side you’re on through the course of the film. Also it’ll make you potentially hate one of 50 Cent’s songs.
Barbie – This movie had everything: horses, beach, Allan, patriarchy, Matchbox Twenty… In addition to being a box office behemoth it also was just a delightful time at the movies. Highly worth a watch for any audience.
Find our review here.
Bottoms – While this film is a little more niche, boy does it know how to appeal to that niche. With a distinct sense of humor and subversive storytelling, this film about a female high school fight club was an unexpected treat.
Cassandro – Apparently a recurring theme this year is fighting / wrestling as this lucha libre tale marks its place. Gael Garcia Bernal gives a cheery but emotional performance as the titular exotico wrestler.
Find our review here.
Dream Scenario – Nic Cage is no longer just the man of our dreams, he’s the man of everyone’s dreams in this film. It’s the most grounded but also Nic Cagiest performance we’ve seen out of him in a while. In addition the film is a biting commentary on the phases of fame and infamy.
Find our review here.
Fast X – It’s all about family, and this is a family we’ve been with for more than 23 years. Is the film “good” in a classical sense? Probably not. Has it reached a weird level of self awareness but also self seriousness that is beyond impressive? Definitely. Bring on part deux.
Find our review here.
John Wick: Chapter 4 – Here’s a film that is starting to rival the Fast franchise in terms of escalating absurdity and simultaneously forgettable lore. However there’s no substitute for the magnetism of Keanu Reeves. Add to that the forces that are Donnie Yen and Hiroyuki Sanada and you’ve got an AARP eligible Asian A team. Who could ask for anything more?
Find our review here.
Joy Ride – Best experienced as a communal event, Joy Ride manages to perfectly capture the complications of friendship, the expectations of the AAPI identity, and be a rip roaringly fun time.
Find our review here.
Nimona – Rescued from production purgatory, this animated delight was more original and progressive than the majority of live action we saw this year. A well packaged exploration of identity, friendship, and misconceptions.
Find our review here and interviews with the filmmakers.
Past Lives – To say this film will sweep you up in a vortex of complicated emotions is an understatement. It’ll make you want to reconnect with your past and rethink your present. It also perfectly captures several snapshots in time of New York City that add extra beautiful flavor.
Find our review here and interviews with the filmmakers.
Polite Society – They say write what you know, and writer / director Nida Manzoor clearly knew her stuff in this female forward family fighting film. There’s a definite theme this year.
Find our review here and interviews with the filmmaker.
Poor Things – Absurd, artistic, anatomical? Poor Things is an unhinged Frankenstein inspired fantastical journey. A cavalcade of unexpected casting brings this film to life.
Find our review here.
Saltburn – Unhinged. Just watch it.
Find our review here and interviews with the filmmaker.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Visually stunning and emotionally devastating, this second Spider-Verse film continues to build off of the brilliance of the first. We can’t wait for the end to the trilogy.
Find our review here and interviews with the filmmakers.
Talk to Me – While we are normally not horror movie people, Talk to Me haunted our dreams with its accurate feeling take on if a haunting were to happen in modern times.
Find our review here.
The Creator – A VFX masterpiece and a standout performance from Madeline Yuna Voyles earned this meditative sci-fi a spot on the list.
Find our review here.
The Iron Claw – Wrestling with toxic masculinity is the name of the game here as The Iron Claw told the devastating tale of the real life dynasty of the Von Erichs.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem – Energetic with a mature enough sense of humor, this latest take on the turtles in a half shell was visually ambitious and delightfully ridiculous.
Find our review here and interviews with the filmmakers.
Honorable Mention:
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves!
Find our review here and interviews with the filmmakers.
What were your favorite films of 2023?
