Hello, and welcome to another episode of moviemanMDG's "Movie Talk", where I talk about everything film-related. 2023 was another year full of ups and downs regarding the movie business, mainly when referring to the tail end of the year. The writer's and actors' strikes have affected their movies in more ways than one, resulting in plenty of disappointing box office runs. Let's also not forget that Disney and Warner Brothers Discovery finished their hundred-year celebrations with a whimper instead of a bang. Those studios must be wishing upon a star to make them forget about their embarrassing mistakes last year. But I won't waste your time talking about the negatives that happened this year. That's for another time. Today, let us focus on the good things that happened, including the best movies we watched in 2023. Yes, my friends, it is that time of year once again when yours truly is counting down the ten movies that accomplished every quality aspect from a cinematic and entertainment standpoint. These are the films that I think are exceptional, inspiring, and just plain awesome, especially when they make the theater-going experience more memorable. Unfortunately, we still haven't reached the same level as "Endgame" in 2019, but we're getting there. As usual, this list is from my personal opinion. Also, I have yet to watch all the movies you wanted me to see before I made this list, so don't expect some of your favorites to be on here. With that said, let's count down my top ten movies of 2023. #10 Tom Cruise may not have won the summer box office, thanks to the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon, but that didn't mean he lost his touch in the blockbuster game. "Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One" proved that the actor retains his A-game status regarding the action genre and the popular spy franchise. Granted, it didn't reach the same heights as "Fallout" and "Top Gun: Maverick" narrative and stunt-wise. However, it still packs a thrilling punch in its high-stakes story, thanks to an enjoyable cast, Christopher McQuarrie's direction, and awe-inspiring action. More importantly, it showcased the surprisingly consistent quality of the IP's recent sequels that other blockbuster franchises struggled to match. It's a shame that the "Part Two" subtitle is being scrapped, but hopefully, this doesn't mean they're leaving this plot open-ended. I want to see Tom Cruise defeat the evil AI, dang it! #9 Ben Affleck made a comeback that's as successful as Nike's game-changing deal with Michael Jordan. Following his attempts at directing gritty thrillers and dramas, Affleck took a chance to provide a light-hearted and immensely charismatic approach to the workplace genre. The result was "Air", a consistently enticing and incredible reflection of greatness from a workplace perspective. Despite the 1980s songs being a bit overdone, the movie boasted a great cast, a tightly written screenplay, and a marvelous mixture of comedy and drama to make it a bonafide slam dunk. #8 If I were to tell someone that there's a Godzilla movie that actually makes them give a crud about the human characters, they'd think I was crazy. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you Exhibit A! "Godzilla Minus One" was something I didn't expect to love this much until I saw it myself. It offered the usual elements that made the other Godzilla films entertaining but added in the human emotion that's thoughtfully compelling and immensely satisfying. Aside from my puzzling reaction to its ending, "Minus One" is blockbuster filmmaking at its finest, let alone one involving a giant mutant lizard wrecking cities. With its strong cast, great storytelling, superb direction, and fantastic visuals, "Minus One" is the best Godzilla movie I've seen in years. #7 Yorgos Lanthimos returned with an oddball and sexually charged experience that's also his best one yet. Of course, that's based on the two movies I've watched from him, so that could change. "Poor Things" was a surreal and weirdly fascinating experience that's also a thoughtful depiction of humanity and liberation from the perspective of a woman with an infant's brain. Emma Stone leads a terrific cast with charisma, humor, and wackiness, and the technical aspects coincide perfectly well with its imaginative world and storytelling. Besides the graphic sexual elements that may leave specific viewers feeling uncomfortable, this movie is anything but poor. #6 It is rare for an action franchise to maintain its quality, let alone surpass it with each installment. That is until "John Wick" came along in 2014, delivering each sequel that's better than the last regarding the action, world-building, and Keanu Reeves. Nine years later, the franchise continued to meet and even exceed my expectations in more ways than one, showcasing what the action genre should resemble. "John Wick: Chapter 4" was another exhilarating and brutally gorgeous action sequel that serves as a cinematic experience and a remarkable display of its stunning stunt work. More importantly, it features a satisfying closure to the protagonist's struggle that had plagued him for a decade. From its stellar cast to the incredible stunt work and action sequences, the film is another rare action sequel that never sheds a single blood of fatigue despite its lengthy runtime. #5 This was the last movie I watched before the year concluded, and based on my experience with it, I couldn't help but put it on this list at the last minute. So, if you're wondering why this list was late, there's your answer. 2023's "The Color Purple" is another movie musical that hits all the right notes in its storytelling, emotion, and the legacy of its source material. The cast is filled with incredible talent, the direction is visually appealing, and the songs deliver a joyful sense of toe-tapping goodness. It's a dazzling, music-filled treat that made me see purple. #4 The iconic master of animation, Hayao Miyazaki, never misses a step in his filmography. Regarding the presentations and stories, his movies provide a uniquely marvelous experience that animation companies in America rarely match. Miyazaki's first movie since coming out of retirement unsurprisingly continues to prove this fact, as it became one of the two fantastic movies from Japan to appear on my favorite 2023 films list, along with "Godzilla Minus One". "The Boy and the Heron", or "How Do You Live?" in Japan, was a subtly beautiful and gorgeously animated portrayal of grief, malice, and acceptance that's also Miyazaki's most personal film he created. It's far from my favorite movie from the director due to its complexity. However, "The Boy and the Heron" benefitted greatly from Miyazaki's strengths, including the fantastical worlds, engaging and poetic storytelling, and marvelous 2D animation. If this is really his last movie, then I will gladly call it one heck of a farewell to one of the most influential filmmakers in animation history. #3 The "Barbenheimer" trend became a significant part of Hollywood history that we'll never forget anytime soon. However, one of those two distinct films came out on top in my eyes: the one with the nuclear bomb. If you want another reason why I admire Christopher Nolan and his love of cinema, look no further than "Oppenheimer," an explosive and sublime cinematic achievement that transcends beyond the traditional biopic formula. More importantly, it's also a crucial film to watch to understand the fear and dread caused by the chain reaction that started with the first atomic bomb. The fact that Nolan made a three-hour-long, dialogue-driven drama that grossed nearly a billion dollars worldwide and was beloved by critics and audiences shows how much of an impact the filmmaker brought with his vision. From its fantastic cast (mainly Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr.) to the incredible visuals and sound mixing, Nolan's latest feature explodes with cinematic gold. #2 The runner-up of this list is a film that looked like it was released in the 1970s. However, it's actually a 2023 Christmas movie that resembles it in the most nostalgic way possible. But that's not the only reason I loved Alexander Payne's "The Holdovers". With its authentic 1970s presentation, "The Holdovers" was a bittersweet and thoughtfully moving comedy-drama that hearkens back to the classic holiday movies of yesteryear. It's also a heartfelt reflection of the human soul during the holiday season, which involves overcoming the tragedies to live a brighter future. Paul Giamatti delivered one of his best performances ever, and Alexander Payne's direction offered a smart representation of its straightforward concept. Combine them with David Hemingson's refreshing and hilarious screenplay, and you get a tremendous adult-rated Christmas film that'll surely gain "holiday classic" status sooner or later. Honorable Mentions#1 In 2018, I witnessed animation greatness in the form of "Into the Spider-Verse", an incredible display of visual creativity that blended incredibly well with its uniquely enthralling story and memorable characters. It proved to be groundbreaking not just for the superhero genre but also for how we see animation as a medium. It even made me forgive Sony Pictures Animation for bringing us "The Emoji Movie". Five years later, we had a sequel that accomplished this similar feat and cranked it up to an eleven. "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" was another astounding reflection of the endless possibilities animation can create regarding the visual styles, bold narratives, and emotional depth. However, it also showed that a superhero movie can be spectacular if the story is rewarding enough. Everything I loved in "Into the Spider-Verse" exists in this superhero sequel, including the lovable characters, a compelling screenplay, a fantastic soundtrack, and a brilliant display of stylized animation. It's a magnificent continuation that sets up big things to come in the upcoming third installment and is one of my favorite animated sequels ever made. More importantly, it's also my favorite film of 2023. That concludes my top ten favorites of 2023. Some of my picks are expected, while others might seem surprising to some of you, but isn't that the joy of reading top-ten lists? To see their surprising picks rather than seeing the same things from different people? Well, the obvious answer is yes. In the end, we all have different beliefs on what makes a movie great, and my list shows that my taste in film is quite different, but in the best way. But, of course, there's no best list without the worst list, especially in 2023. Stay tuned for my top ten least favorite films of 2023, and have a happy new year.
1 Comment
Henri Magnus Tamm
1/1/2024 01:47:07 pm
What about the questions about your EENE: TUE crossover movies I left in your Thanksgiving review?
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