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.
After exploring the realms of superhero and romantic comedy, Sydney Sweeney, the versatile actress, adds another feather to her cap with the visually stunning and uniquely captivating film ‘Immaculate ‘.
In his highly anticipated fourth film as director, the renowned Alex Garland unveils a captivating journey across a dystopian future America in “Civil War.” As the mastermind behind the film’s script, Garland takes us on a thrilling ride alongside a team of military-embedded journalists. They are racing against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.
Andrew McCarthy, a former ‘Brat Pack’ actor who spent a decade honing his directorial talents in episodic television, now brings his unique perspective to features in the appropriately titled ‘Brats’ from Hulu. The term ‘Brat Pack’ was a standard reference among young movie enthusiasts in the 1980s, first coined by writer David Blum after witnessing a group of young actors being overwhelmed by admirers at the Hard Rock Cafe in Los Angeles. The core members of the Brat Pack were often recognized for their appearances in the ensemble casts of two specific films released in 1985: John Hughes’s ‘The Breakfast Club’ and Joel Schumacher’s ‘St. Elmo’s Fire ‘.