The Ten Best Movies of 2023
Nathan Swank
January 23rd, 2024
I’m so happy the film industry seems to be on an upswing. 2023 was a very solid year in films and proved to produce even more great movies than the exceptional 2022 lot. My Ten Best Movies of 2023 include a total of 25 films that I believe are worth checking out. I have a lot of respect for my honorable mentions that were all missing a certain something to achieve number ranking status… or I just found them too difficult to rank. But what truly makes this year exceptional is my top three films. I consider these three movies to be interchangeable and could easily be the best movie of any year, all achieving my highest rating.
15. BARBIE – I’m so happy for the success of this Greta Gerwig written and directed film. I believe this will probably be one the most widely loved and remembered films of the batch and I want to give this clever comedic satire some props for being so fun while also delivering strong commentary. “Barbenheimer” was a real thing that proved two great films (BARBIE and OPPENHEIMER) can open together and help one another with audiences supporting great art and entertainment at the theater.
14. THE HOLDOVERS – It’s nice to have a proper comedic drama from Alexander Payne again. Even better it’s led by the always great Paul Giamatti.
13. HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE – One of the most thrilling movies of the year about an unlikely group of activists coming together with an elaborate dangerous plan in order to make a positive difference. This is like a smaller more serious OCEAN’S ELEVEN film and does not disappoint.
12. YOU HURT MY FEELINGS – Exploring the little white lies we might say to loved ones to spare their feelings, YOU HURT MY FEELINGS is funny, poignant, and surprisingly insightful. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is absolutely delightful.
11. AMERICAN FICTION – Just missing my top ten, AMERICAN FICTION follows a jaded author (played by the always excellent Jeffery Wright) finding success while writing a novel meant to mock the genre that is embracing the work. But the stronger aspect of the film is the dynamic of the family who are all dealing with their own life difficulties.
10. (Tie) JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING – I’m still fighting for a best stunt work category at the Oscars. It’s a shame these two movies are not recognized as respectable high quality achievements. Both films have choreographed action sequences in brilliantly entertaining fashions that are almost unbelievable in execution. It helps to have pros like Keanu Reeves and Tom Cruise who are willing to dedicate and learn every physical aspect to create unforgettable scenes.
9. IRON CLAW – In many ways this film should not work as well as it does. There is an over-emotional sometimes sappiness to this devastating true story. It’s wild to think they even left out some of the horrific truth. But to put it simply, IRON CLAW works. I was a sobbing mess. Great performances all around with Zac Efron as the standout in this well crafted adaptation.
8. ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME MARGARET. – I’m a sucker for a good coming of age story. And as a parent of a daughter and an avid prayer, this film, more than any other, is one I could understand and relate toward. Funny, charming, and educational while capturing common life experiences, growing up has never felt more relatable.
7. NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU – I love discovering great movies before hearing anything about them. This alien invasion film is nothing like you’ve seen before. Similar to a silent film, the action tells the story. Intense and entertaining, NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU is a heart-pounding thriller with an incredible lead in Kaitlyn Devel. I cannot wait to see what writer/director Brian Duffield will create next.
6. THE KILLER – David Fincher is back with a simple hitman story. The key to what makes THE KILLER so special, outside of Michael Fassbender’s electric presence, is Fincher finds all the interesting and humorous angles in storytelling and action. Having the hitman as an untrustworthy narrator who cannot follow his own rules as he constantly is barely getting out of trouble while obsessively pursuing his targets is thrilling entertainment done by one of the all-time best directors.
5. SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE – I revisited INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE before my viewing of ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE and was totally blown away. I was doubly surprised to be equally blown away by the sequel. The visual comic book style showcasing a rhythm in dialogue, music, and action is nothing like I’ve seen before and Miles Morales in the Spider-Verse is easily the best adaptation of Spider-man put to screen.
4. POOR THINGS – Yorgos Lanthimos is dark and strange and I love his uniquely compelling perspective in everything he creates. POOR THINGS is another fascinating exploration that lines up well with his previous film’s: 2018’s THE FAVOURITE, 2017’s THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER, and 2015’s THE LOBSTER. POOR THINGS is absurd, funny, and a bit twisted. This classic horror styling of a Frankenstein film explores many themes, some of which are enlightenment, second chances, and women empowerment.
3. OPPENHEIMER – The film I originally said, I may not revisit often, happens to be the only film I saw twice. Clearly, I was wrong and found myself eager to revisit before the end of the year. Christopher Nolan is an absolute must director for me. I have loved every one of his movies. Yes. Every. Single. One. Cillian Murphy, who I have adored since 28 DAYS LATER, is perfect as J. Robert Oppenheimer. Following the process of the invention of the atom bomb, OPPENHEIMER is ambitious and quietly grand, showing meticulous care and extravagance in every single frame. It’s three hours of mostly conversations and is absolutely riveting. It’s incredible. To be honest, this might actually be my favorite movie, but I’m thrilled to say, it’s getting enough attention.
2. KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON – The film that had the greatest impact on my initial viewing is the one that might unfairly be getting bumped because I’ve watched less recently. As much as I respect Martin Scorsese, I don’t always love his films. But his latest work happens to be one of the auteur’s best. Emotionally challenging, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON left me stunned, sobbing, and feeling guilty. The award beautiful cinematography from Rodrigo Prieto and award worthy performances from Lily Gladstone and Leonardo DiCaprio are masterfully woven to aid an incredibly important and devastating story in America’s tragically horrifying history.
1. PAST LIVES – Not near enough attention has been given to this film and is ultimately why I chose it as my cover photo. Similar to Richard Linklater’s BEFORE trilogy (BEFORE SUNSET being my favorite), PAST LIVES follows a capsuled relationship spread through a lifetime of interactions. Meeting in South Korea as children, reconnecting as college students, and then reconnecting once again as adults, Celine Song’s film explores the deep relationship and connection people can have with one another as they cross in and out of one another’s lives. Deeply moving and observant, PAST LIVES is exciting and emotional carried by a couple of the year’s best performances from Greta Lee and Teo Yoo through an incredible screenplay and brilliant choices in direction.
Honorable Mention (alphabetically): AIR, ANATOMY OF A FALL, ASTEROID CITY, THE CREATOR, GUARDIAN OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3, KNOCK AT THE CABIN, MAY DECEMBER, WISH, ZONE OF INTEREST
