2023 may have been a rough year for Hollywood, but it was a phenomenal year for film.
Whether it was a quiet indie, a booming blockbuster, or the beloved double-header of “Barbenheimer,” this year gave us a plethora of well-crafted original stories. And for the first time in forever, I actually STRUGGLED in writing my top 10 films, because so many impressed me.
So without further ado, here are my top 10 films of 2023.
Did he fall? Or did she push him? Justine Triet’s gripping courtroom thriller “Anatomy of a Fall” will leave you guessing until the end. Sandra Hüller is a tour de force keeping you glued to your seat for the entire runtime. Plus, the film boasts the best performance by a dog this year AND the best inclusion of 50 Cent’s “P.I.M.P.” And for those two factors alone, earns a spot on my list.
9. John Wick 4
No film got my heart racing more this year than the fourth installment of “John Wick.” When you didn’t think this high-octane action franchise could get any more thrilling, it somehow did. Between its impressive stunt work and pulse-pounding cinematography, “John Wick 4” is the definition of BAD ASS in every single way. And that sequence as John makes his way up the stairs of Sacré Coeur? Pure adrenaline.
Danielle Brooks’s Sofia may have been be belting out, “Hell No” on screen but I was in the theater screaming, “hell yes.” Powered by a stellar ensemble and vibrant direction, the newest iteration of Alice Walker’s beloved story is gutsy, bold and bursting with joy despite the pain woven throughout the narrative. “The Color Purple” will leave your toes tapping and your eyes leaking.
7. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” set an insanely high bar for animated storytelling. But somehow its sequel, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” pushes the boundaries to even greater heights. An astonishing achievement in film, this dazzling spectacle proves to be even more groundbreaking than its predecessor with an emotionally rich narrative and astonishing artistic styles that will leave your jaw on the floor. Beautiful. Bold. Better. Let’s just say, I can’t WAIT to see what is next for the Spider-Verse
6. Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan took a giant swing this year, adapting a dense biography about the “father of the atomic bomb.” And between its narrative, performances, cinematography, and technical prowess, Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” is nothing short of a cinematic achievement. It explodes off the screen (pun most certainly intended) as both a compelling biography, anchored by a brilliant Cillian Murphy, and a searing portrait of our country’s political landscape. “Oppenheimer” is a tragic drama that takes historical storytelling to a whole new level.
5. Past Lives
The “what if” concept constantly pulls me in — especially if executed creatively. Celine Song’s emotional directorial debut, “Past Lives,” poses this question through childhood sweethearts who reconnect years after one emigrates to the United States. An achingly beautiful narrative helmed by a powerful performance by Greta Lee, “Past Lives” is one of those rare films that is quiet in its delivery but so loud in impact.
Acclaimed director (and newly celebrated TikTok celebrity) Martin Scorsese takes a deep look into our country’s complex history of corruption, greed, and power in one of the most well-crafted films of the year. “Killers of the Flower Moon” is a monumental Western epic that is an exception on every level. It isn’t afraid to put a magnifying glass on our country’s sinister history and treatment of Native Americans. It does it in such an unsettling and meticulously executed way. Although the film boasts one of the strongest ensembles of the year, it is Lily Gladstone’s serene yet powerful performance that will burn in your mind forever.
While so many filmmakers in 2023 thrived in the realities of discomfort, “cozy” filmmaking felt like a thing of the past. That is until we were gifted with Alexander Payne’s nostalgia-fueled gem “The Holdovers.” From its hilariously sentimental script to its cast of tragically beautiful characters, “The Holdovers” delivers on every level. Plus, it will leave you with warm fuzzies, craving hot cocoa and a warm hug. And that’s a hygge win in my book.
2. Poor Things
Bold, brilliant, and downright bonkers, I have not stopped thinking about Yorgos Lanthimos’s wondrously twisted “Poor Things.” This feminist fairytale is more than an eccentric rehashing of “Frankenstein.” Anchored by a tremendous performance from Emma Stone, the film celebrates sexuality and individuality in an unforgettable odyssey of self-discovery. Its unapologetic nature may not suit every viewer, but it is a memorable experience and Lanthimos’s best work.
1. Barbie
She is here and she is the moment! Inspired by the iconic doll, Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” is an irresistible, innovative, and intelligent celebration of womanhood. Although I can go on and on about how sensational the film is and why it is my top pick of the year, the “Barbie” experience truly solidified its top spot for me. This wasn’t just a movie. This was a movement. Being surrounded in the movie theatre by a diverse group of women decked in shades of pink and feeling this warm sense of community and acceptance is not something audiences – let alone female audiences – often experience. In a world where we are all so divided, “Barbie” united us.
Honorable Mentions: “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” “Joy Ride,” “Maestro”
Films I Didn’t Get To View in 2023: “All of Us Strangers,” “American Fiction,” “The Zone of Interest,” “Passages,” “Fallen Leaves”
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