My Year in Film (2023)

Welcome to my ninth annual movies-of-the-year list. I didn't get to triple digits this year but I still managed to watch 80 films released in the past calendar year. As always, I tried to expand my horizons through the medium. I watched documentaries, international features, every conceivable genre, and projects made by people underrepresented in the industry. Below you will find all of them ranked and tiered, from 80 down to 1, as well as a rating out of 10 and a small blurb for each. I will also include a watch-list of other movies from 2023 that I haven't gotten around to yet but still have the desire to see.

2022 Version: https://g-bugay.wixsite.com/filmlists/post/my-year-in-film-2022

Abysmal:

80) Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (3/10) - Despite having watched almost everything through phase 4, Marvel has lost me as a viewer. The television shows have added to the already sizable time commitment that is required to stay up to date on the overarching plot. The overall quality has taken a massive dip, as evidenced by this train wreck of a movie.

79) Love At First Sight (3.5/10) - This poorly paced romance features committed performances, but not even Oscar-caliber acting could save this cheesy and hackneyed script.

78) Joy Ride (4/10) - The road trip genre can offer great character arcs and humorous scenarios. Unfortunately, this one features neither. The solid final act isn't able to save what is a largely forgettable and stale affair.

Below Average:

77) Knock at the Cabin (4.75/10) - M. Night Shyamalan has gone from making great films early in his career, to horrid ones, to now mostly settling somewhere in the middle. The one bright spot in his most recent feature is a collection of outstanding performances.

76) Ferrari (4.75/10) - For a filmmaker as renowned as Michael Mann, I found some of the directing decisions in this to be quite confounding. Is this story trying to focus on the man or the brand? Is it a character study or an action film? Even if it's going for realism, when two competing vehicles look exactly alike, it's not an ideal way to help the audience process what's happening.

75) The Color Purple (5/10) - I watched the original by Steven Spielberg for the first time in 2023. I was motivated because it was one of the few movies in his discography I had yet to see and I also wanted some context going into the theater to watch this musically inspired remake. I found the original to be quite good, but I left the theater after the remake thinking I wasted an afternoon. The choreography is well done, but the songs aren't memorable and the story doesn't deviate at all from the original.

74) Nimona (5/10) - This Netflix original looks quite cheap. It's hard to recommend anything when the animation isn't pleasant to behold. The voice-over work is the main highlight.

73) Renfield (5/10) - If you're looking for something that's easy to watch and provides a few laughs, this will most certainly suffice.

72) Creed III (5.25/10) - The biggest criticism I have of the third installment of the Creed franchise is that the titular character is unlikable. It's quite hard to get invested in a sports movie when there's no rooting interest in the protagonist succeeding.

71) Maestro (5.25/10) - While the direction and performances are worthy of acclaim, the screenplay is a mess. There are too many characters, too many competing story lines that aren't sufficiently fleshed out, and too much of a focus on the technical elements in lieu of making something that is emotionally affecting.

70) Scream VI (5.5/10) - While Scream (2022) felt like a fresh new spin on the long-running horror series, Scream VI, produced, filmed, and released less than a year after the previous installment, feels more like the traditional Hollywood hackneyed sequel. It also features the dumbest sequence of any film I saw all year.

69) A Haunting in Venice (5.5/10) - Poor editing diminishes what is otherwise a reasonably well-written mystery. A fun setting and supernatural elements add to the intrigue.

68) No Hard Feelings (5.5/10) - While the trailer indicated a nonstop raunchy comedy, there is a sweetness to the proceedings that makes it easier to digest the humor that falls flat.

67) Leave the World Behind (5.5/10) - The direction is engaging and there are moments that sing, but the writing in this Netflix original is stilted and too monologue-heavy.

Average:

66) When Evil Lurks (5.75/10) - This Shudder original is a very well made "possession" horror. It's easy to admire the craft but the lack of entertainment value and genuine chills make it hard to recommend.

65) Plane (6/10) - The ultimate dad movie. Nothing remotely intellectual, but a competently made and entertaining action flick.

64) Aloners (6/10) - A Korean drama that focuses on grief, loneliness, and isolation. Very much a slow burn of a film that has its rewards if you're willing to stick with it.

63) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (6.25/10) - Another example of Marvel's descent. While it's still fun, it's pretty easily the worst entry in the trilogy.

62) The Blackening (6.25/10) - A comedic horror film that pokes fun at black stereotypes and the slasher genre. Yvonne Orji (Insecure) was heavily featured in the trailer but ends up playing a much smaller role than expected.

61) M3GAN (6.5/10) - A thriller that tries to walk the tightrope of "so bad it's good" comedy while simultaneously making genuine attempts at tension. It succeeds sporadically.

60) Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (6.5/10) - While I have a hard time imagining anyone getting that excited for a Harrison Ford action film in 2023, he's 81 years old after all, the fifth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise is at least an improvement over Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Phoebe Waller-Bridge brings a breath of fresh air to the series as Helena. Here's hoping we get a spin-off with the swashbuckling heroin.

59) Evil Dead Rise (6.5/10) - I am a huge fan of the Evil Dead franchise. Evil Dead II is one of my favorite films of all time, and Ash vs Evil Dead is an outstanding series. Unfortunately, the recent remakes that don't feature Ash, played by the legendary Bruce Campbell, go too far in the direction of horror and fail to recreate the slapstick lunacy.

58) Stephen Curry: Underrated (6.75/10) - A solidly crafted sports documentary about one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Really can't recommend this to anyone that isn't passionate about the sport.

57) Cocaine Bear (6.75/10) - A bonkers, LOOSELY based true story about a bear high on cocaine. If that sounds appealing, my guess is you'll be satisfied once the credits roll.

Above Average:

56) Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (7/10) - While I didn't necessarily find this to be particularly funny, the filmmakers here definitely care about the subject material and that shines through. There's also a sweetness and heart present that you rarely see in action comedies.

55) Gran Turismo (7/10) - The history of video games adapted into movies is fairly bleak. Fortunately, this is in the upper echelon of that list. The true story is quite fascinating, and the direction from Neill Blomkamp (District 9) is electric.

54) Sanctuary (7.1/10) - A low budget, single location, single day, dialogue-intensive movie that is elevated by its two leads, Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott. They do magnificent work inhabiting their characters inner lives and playing off one another. The first hour is captivating stuff, but a subpar final act drags it down a bit.

53) The Lesson (7.1/10) - A drama with plenty of twists and turns and good performances across the board. Fans of Richard Linklater's "Before" trilogy will recognize the lead actress, Julie Delpy.

52) The Night of the 12th (7.2/10) - This French murder mystery focuses less on the nuts and bolts of a case and more on the psychological toll it takes on the people working tirelessly to crack it. It also highlights the toxic masculinity that exists in police precincts.

51) American Symphony (7.2/10) - A intimate glimpse into the personal and professional challenges of musician Jon Batiste. His ambitious work, called American Symphony, is constantly being discussed and showcased throughout, but its impact and genius feels just out of reach.

50) Beau is Afraid (7.3/10) - Ari Aster's third feature film is quite a conundrum of a movie. It excels in placing the audience in the chaotic head-space of a man that suffers from crippling anxiety. It features some of the most memorable scenes of the year. But it fails to take all the disparate elements to make a comprehensible whole.

49) Saltburn (7.4/10) - Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi star in Emerald Fennell's second feature film. While I didn't find this as captivating as her debut, Promising Young Woman, it still offers plenty of surprises and has quite the unique aesthetic.

48) Infinity Pool (7.4/10) - A couple on vacation at an all inclusive resort end up befriending another couple and leaving the compound. A dark and strange journey follows. This would probably be a good movie to watch while stoned out of your mind.

47) Extraction 2 (7.5/10) - If you are a fan of John Wick, the Extraction movies are basically a B+ version. The choreography, cinematography, and direction are all in sync to create countless pulsating action sequences.

Good:

46) Missing (7.6/10) - The spiritual successor to 2020's Searching, this mystery offers plenty of twists and turns. The viewer sees the events transpire exclusively through cameras, computers, and smart phones.

45) Dumb Money (7.6/10) - A battle between the haves and the have-nots. This true story is a fun and illuminating glimpse into the mechanics of stock apps like Robinhood and the corruptness of the market.

44) Elemental (7.7/10) - Pixar forays into well trodden formulas with their newest animated feature. But with a compelling father-daughter dynamic and an earnestness that is palpable, it still manages to be an affecting coming of age flick.

43) Dreamin' Wild (7.7/10) - This is a true story about brothers who make an album when they are in high school. Despite the album going largely unnoticed upon release, it gains notoriety when they're in their 40's. Casey Affleck's character remained a musician in the intervening years, and struggles to find joy in playing his old songs. There's also resentment that his brother, played by Walton Goggins, is getting the same spotlight despite not devoting his life to the craft.

42) Tetris (7.8/10) - Even for those that aren't familiar with the game, the true story of the race to gain the rights of Tetris is gripping from a political and entrepreneurial standpoint.

41) Showing Up (7.8/10) - Kelly Reichert (First Cow, Meeks Cutoff) has a flair for exploring the human condition through the challenges of everyday life. Michelle Williams stars as a sculptor that struggles to connect with her co-workers and family. Due to pressure from her co-worker/landlord, she begrudgingly cares for an injured pigeon. It feels like a burden initially, but ultimately helps her be more responsible and caring for those around her.

40) Air (7.9/10) - Matt Damon and Ben Affleck star in this sports drama about the pursuit by Nike's athletic division to break into the sneaker space. Based in the 1980's, the division has their eyes on a promising young player by the name of Michael Jordan.

39) You Hurt My Feelings (7.9/10) - A writer discovers her husband has been lying to her by saying he likes her newest book. He feels like he's being supportive and that the fib is ultimately meaningless because his opinion won't impact the success or failure of the work. Director Nicole Holofcener (Enough Said) has explored honesty throughout her impressive filmography.

Really Good:

38) They Cloned Tyrone (8/10) - This Netflix original is one of the more unique films of the year. Its main three characters consist of a drug dealer (John Boyega), a pimp (Jamie Foxx), and a prostitute (Teyonah Parris). It delves into the griminess and cruelty of their respective worlds, but also manages to be quite funny and surprising.

37) The Burial (8/10) - We've got back to back Jamie Foxx recommendations for you! In this courtroom drama, he stars as a flashy lawyer that takes on a contract law case. Most films in this genre are a bit stuffy and pretentious; this one is anything but.

36) Every Body (8/10) - An entertaining and informative documentary about the "I" in LGBTQIA+. Through interviews with members of the intersex community, as well as a history lesson into the mistreatment and abuse that they continue to endure, the film explores the trauma caused by individuals and society alike and what we can do (or stop doing) to make a more inclusive and welcoming world.

35) No One Will Save You (8.1/10) - A modern day silent film. Lead actor Kaitlyn Dever has only a single line of dialogue. The rest requires a very physical and emotive performance, which she delivers with aplomb. The direction is quite effective in utilizing the score and the cinematography to convey the plot as well as the emotional ups and downs.

34) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (8.1/10) - The film is gorgeous, blending computer generated and hand drawn elements to craft something unique in the animated space. The script is clever playing up the teenage angst and quest for independence. The plot leaves a little to be desired, but it's funny and made with a lot of love for the source material.

33) The Boy and the Heron (8.2/10) - Hayao Miyazaki's (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke) final film is another example of his incredible imagination and insight. As you would expect from Studio Ghibli, the animation is stunning.

32) Theater Camp (8.2/10) - This comedy dives into the quirkiness of the theater world. Molly Gordon, Ben Platt, Jimmy Tatro, Ayo Edibiri, and the rest of the ensemble cast are hilarious.

31) Rye Lane (8.2/10) - The most common mistake in the rom-com genre is failing to patiently build a believable connection between the two leads. With an excellent script and two terrific performances from David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah, this succeeds where most fail.

30) Alice, Darling (8.2/10) - Anna Kendrick stars as the titular character in a thriller that showcases the psychological impact of emotional abuse. While on a road trip with some old friends, Alice displays extreme stress and anxiety. Her friends, being rightfully alarmed at her disposition, go to great lengths to decipher what's going on and come up with a solution to her situation.

Great:

29) Sisu (8.3/10) - The closest thing you'll find to a Quentin Tarantino film without it actually being directed by him. Based in World War 2 in Finland, a man discovers a gold deposit and begins his treacherous route home with the valuable nuggets.

28) Reality (8.4/10) - Utilizing an actual transcript from an FBI interrogation, the screenplay of this HBO drama has an undeniable authenticity. Sydney Sweeney and Josh Hamilton are superb at evoking the natural awkwardness of the proceedings as well as incorporating the subtle shifts in their character's demeanor as the truth is slowly unraveled.

27) Wonka (8.4/10) - Paul King's (Paddington, Paddington 2) newest feature is a prequel to the Gene Wilder classic. King has an uncanny ability to create unabashedly positive films. He also utilizes the flat character arc, meaning the protagonist does not undergo changes themselves, but instead their mere presence makes a positive impact on the people around them.

26) Suzume (8.5/10) - Makoto Shinkai (Your Name, Weathering With You) is my favorite active anime filmmaker. While his newest film is not quite at the level of his previous entries, it's still an absolutely gorgeous and exhilarating experience.

25) Bottoms (8.5/10) - After loving Emma Seligman's directorial debut Shiva Baby, I was so excited for her follow-up and continuing collaboration with actor Rachel Sennott. This is pure unadulterated comedy, with Sennott and Ayo Edibiri riffing off each other to hilarious effect. The score by Charli XCX encapsulates the tone perfectly, which is best described as ludicrous.

24) Priscilla (8.5/10) - The portrayal of Elvis in Sophia Coppola's newest work is far more accurate and well rounded than Baz Lurhmann's film from last year. Lurhmann chose to focus on his financial victim-hood. Coppola, by honing in on his mistreatment of Priscilla, highlights the power dynamic, age gap, and emotional abuse that should also be a key part of Elvis' legacy.

23) Asteroid City (8.6/10) - Wes Anderson's best film since Grand Budapest Hotel. His most notable work usually involves the setting being just as much a presence as the characters themselves. Also, unlike the French Dispatch, which felt like his unique style overshadowing the substance, his style here amplifies an intriguing narrative.

22) Dream Scenario (8.6/10) - Nicholas Cage has been on a great run as of late, starring in at least one great independent film in five of the last six years (2018: Mandy, 2019: Color Out of Space, 2021: Pig, 2022: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent). Here he stars as a man that gains notoriety for a phenomenon in which he starts appearing in people's dreams.

21) Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret (8.6/10) - I have an affinity for coming of age films and this is a refreshing spin on the genre. Based on the novel by Judy Blume, this wonderful adaptation features great performances across the board, including Abby Ryder Fortson. The film tackles the challenges of puberty and family strife with incredible nuance and grace.

20) The Royal Hotel (8.7/10) - Director Kitty Green (The Assistant) has a knack for filming fictional stories in a way that feels authentic and real. Her newest film is far more action-packed than her previous work, but tackles similar themes involving women having to navigate a male dominated space.

19) Palm Trees and Power Lines (8.7/10) - An incredibly heavy and poignant glimpse at the methodology of grooming young, impressionable women into the sex trade. Lily McInerny is quite captivating in her portrayal of seventeen year old Lea, who falls for an older man and then has to reconcile with the fact that the person she fell for was just using her for his own material gain.

18) How to Blow Up a Pipeline (8.8/10) - This is a politically oriented film that is courageously defiant in its messaging. It manages to relay its message while remaining entertaining and not coming off as overly preachy. The non-linear structure is at times an asset and at others a hindrance.

17) Godzilla Minus One (8.9/10) - I've been largely disappointed by recent Godzilla films, especially Godzilla vs Kong (2021). Monster movies don't have to be dumb. They can include quiet moments where things aren't punching or kicking each other. When you actually put thought behind your movie and have a theme, the messaging provides greater importance to the proceedings and creates an investment from the audience. The newest Godzilla kicks ass, in large part because it understands the proper balance between action and drama.

16) BlackBerry (8.9/10) - This non-fictional recounting of the rise and fall of the Blackberry phone operates in the same vein as The Social Network. Glenn Howerton, who plays Jim Balsillie, is titanic as the power hungry CEO.

15) Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning: Part One (9/10) - While I don't think the action set-pieces are quite as impressive as the previous few installments of the long running action franchise, the story has a strong sense of momentum and it successfully establishes the stakes of the follow-up, set to release in May of 2025.

14) The Deepest Breath (9/10) - This is my favorite documentary of the year. I would compare this to the Oscar winning sports documentary Free Solo. Both films feature remarkable athletic endeavors with enormous risk. Alessia Zecchini is an extremely ambitious free diver. She attempts to break world records in a sport that routinely causes blackouts.

13) Oppenheimer (9.1/10) - Christopher Nolan's newest blockbuster is nominated for 13 Oscars and is without a doubt one of his best films. My only gripe is an issue I have with a lot of Nolan's work, the timeline suspends the narrative tension. This is really two good movies in one, the first being the creation and release of the first atomic bomb, the second the aftermath and investigation.

12) John Wick: Chapter 4 (9.1/10) - There's not much to add to the John Wick discourse. If you love great action, choreography, and style, these are for you. If you want an intellectually stimulating character study or intricate plot, you should probably look elsewhere. Donnie Yen, the star of the Ip Man series, joins the fray and the results are as campy and fun as one could expect.

11) Barbie (9.2/10) - The soundtrack, which features various artists including Dua Lipa, Tame Impala, and Billie Eilish, is spectacular. The direction from Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird, Little Women) is sublime, both emphasizing the glitzy, superficial elements of the Barbie brand, as well as the enormous cultural and emotional impact that the product has had on women of all ages.

10) Talk to Me (9.2/10) - This Australian gem is my favorite scary movie of the year. Filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou utilize the tried and true approach of less is more, understanding our imagination is far scarier than anything they could show us.

Masterpieces:

9) Anatomy of a Fall (9.4/10) - A man falls to his death at his home under mysterious circumstances. Did his wife kill him, or was it simply an accident? A court case ensues and their young boy is put under immense pressure to testify. The film examines the ambiguity of innocence and how people mentally process the uncertainty when there's not concrete evidence or eye witnesses.

8) Poor Things (9.4/10) - The newest Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster, The Favourite) picture is an absolutely bonkers and hilarious Frankenstein-esque premise. The cinematography is stunning, with a magical landscape that matches the surreal tone.

7) May December (9.5/10) - This is a psychological character study from director Todd Haynes (Mildred Pierce, Carol). To prepare for an upcoming role, an actress embeds with a couple, who bonded under inauspicious circumstances. The performances from the likes of Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, and Charles Melton are outstanding. Each character has a vastly different perspective and philosophy towards dealing with the past.

6) The Holdovers (9.6/10) - Alexander Payne (Sideways, About Schmidt) is the ultimate humanist filmmaker. He makes another instant classic about a bond forged by a student and his teacher, both of whom begrudgingly remain at school over Christmas break. Paul Giamatti is more than deserving of his Oscar nomination.

5) Killers of the Flower Moon (9.7/10) - The three-and-a-half-hour runtime might scare some off, but the films pacing is flawless. From the opening frame, it's obvious a true auteur is pulling all the strings and creating another instant classic. It's absolutely incredible that directors Steven Spielberg (The Fablemans in 2022) and Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon in 2023) are still producing brilliant art at the ages of 77 and 81 respectively.

4) The Killer (9.7/10) - David Fincher (The Social Network, Zodiac) crafts a thriller that is part Sherlock Holmes, part Rear Window, and a sprinkle of Mission Impossible. It's utterly enthralling from start to finish, with an outstanding performance from the incomparable Tilda Swinton.

3) Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (9.7/10) - This is the only movie on this list that I've watched three times. While it doesn't quite live up to it's successor, mainly because it utilizes some of the same emotional beats, it's about as perfect of a sequel as you could reasonably expect. The animation, the humor, the heart, and the music all blend together flawlessly.

2) Past Lives (9.8/10) - What a sensational directorial debut this is from Celine Song. The film resonates through it's naturalism and universal themes. Immigration, long distance relationships, fate, and regret are all thoroughly explored over the course of three chapters in the protagonists lives.

1) The Iron Claw (9.8/10) - A very heavy, emotionally-draining experience that left me completely in awe. It's a true story about a wrestling family that you need to see to believe. The direction by Sean Durkin (The Nest, Martha Marcy May Marlene) is impeccable, with rollicking action shots, as well as restrained, intimate glimpses of family dissension.

Watch-list:

Eileen

Concrete Utopia

Nyad

Frybread Face and Me

The First Slam Dunk

Blue Beetle

The Creator

Skinamarink

The Starling Girl

The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster

Hunger

The Artifice Girl

Polite Society

Juniper

Saint Omer

One Fine Morning

To Kill a Tiger

20 Days in Mariupol

The Eternal Memory

Four Daughters

Bobi Wine: The People's President

Godland

Fallen Leaves

Dark Harvest

Smoke Sauna Sisterhood

The Disappearance of Shere Hite

Memory

Raging Grace

Radical

Broker

Monster

Mister Organ

Rustin

Afire

Clean

A House Made of Splinters