Yesterday, I gave my worst of 2023, so now, let’s review my favorite movies of 2023. These films have outstanding craftsmanship, groundbreaking performances, and thought-provoking narratives. While every movie here won’t get Oscar gold, they are the ones I enjoyed most in 2023.
Honorable Mentions – Spiderman : Across The Spider Vers, Rustin, The Iron Claw, Killers of the Flower Moon, Poor Things, Leave the World Behind, Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning, Joy Ride, Maestro and May December
10: A Thousand and One – Teyana Taylor leads this heart-wrenching drama with her star-making performance from Teyana Taylor, which would have received awards buzz in a less crowded year.
9: Air – Ben Affleck directs and co-stars in this enjoyable drama about Michael Jordan’s historic shoe deal with rock-solid acting work from the likes of Matt Damon, Chris Messina, Jason Bateman, Viola Davis, Marlon Wayans, and Chris Tucker.
8: They Cloned Tyrone – John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris join forces in this enjoyable comedic sci-fi romp.
7: The Burial – Jamie Foxx makes another appearance on the list for this crowd-pleasing courtroom drama. Who knew hearing Tommy Lee Jones sing a Tony Toni Tone classic would be so much fun?
6: The Holdovers – Alexander Payne returns to form with this enjoyable holiday drama featuring award-worthy performances from its trio of lead actors.
5. Barbie – Who knew a film about a doll would be so relatable to both men and women trying to find their place in the world? America Ferrara’s monologue alone is worth the price of admission.
4: Origin – If there is any studio that dropped the ball on promoting a film for Best Actress, its Neon with this one. Aunjanue L. Ellis-Taylor always brings her A-Game, and she elevates her character to a career-best performance.
3: Oppenheimer – Another masterclass in directing from Christopher Nolan that combines popcorn entertainment with enthralling performances.
2: The Color Purple – A bold new take on a beloved classic that stands on its own with an Oscar-worthy performance from Danielle Brooks.
1: American Fiction – In a less crowded year, Wright, overdue for Oscar Gold, would undoubtedly be a front-runner. Any melanin writer or creative will find something they can relate to in Wright’s performance. Furthermore, director and writer Cord Jefferson is an emerging talent, and I can’t wait to see what he does next.
Martial arts auteur Siyu Cheng delivers his latest action-packed fest in “The Tai Chi Master” from Well Go USA. The Tai Chi Master” examines the journey of Zhang Junbao, a dedicated disciple of Wuji, who emerges as a crucial figure during significant upheaval.
On a musical level, the documentary is a library of Williams’ great works. It’s dramatic performances of his most famous songs, such as the classic “Star Wars” marches, the grand piano music from “Jurassic Park,” and the melancholy music from “Schindler’s List.” Each song is part of a narrative, a call to revisit old films and remember their heart-wrenching connections. Its thrilling finale (which celebrated his work on “Harry Potter”) also underscores the longevity of his music among audiences today.
Megan Fox teams up with director S.K. Dale to bring her feminine wiles to the world of A.I. in “Subservience” from XYZ Films. Will Honley and April Maguire wrote the film’s screenplay. Alice (Fox) is a lifelike, artificially intelligent android who can care for any family and home. Looking for help with the housework, struggling father Nick (Michele Morrone) purchases Alice after his wife Maggie (Madeline Zima) becomes sick. Alice suddenly becomes self-aware and wants everything her new family has to offer, starting with the affection of her owner — and she’ll kill to get it.