Best of 2023

Another year with minimal film watching. Sure, a few films were postponed due to the strike but I could not find a film to watch between the end of July and mid November. I’m sure I have some choices that some will find confusing but that’s the fun of making lists. Here we go:

TOP 10 FILMS OF 2023

1. OPPENHEIMER
Plot: The atomic bomb is created, followed by its political aftermath
Why: I like all of Christopher Nolan’s films but this one takes it up a notch. The stunning cinematography with beautiful black and white images, the crisp editing, the use and lack of sound, the practical effects, the captivating story and the stellar acting by Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon & Robert Downey, Jr, make this film a masterpiece and my top pick of the year.
MVP: Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) – a perfect blend of wonder and ego
Highlight: The Trinity test had everyone in the theatre in stunned silence
Full Review: Click here

2. AIR
Plot: How Sonny Vaccaro got Nike and Michael Jordan together for a shoe
Why: I was surprised how much I liked this film about contract negotiations. I like behind-the-scenes stuff but I am not a fan of basketball or shoe styles, yet, I found myself rooting for companies, players and agents. The strong writing and the wonderful acting won me over easily. The eighties nostalgia was also a fun treat. That Ben Affleck has some talent behind the camera.  
MVP: David Falk (Chris Messina) – Ari Gold-ish obscenity spewing agent
Highlight: The phone calls between Vaccaro and Falk are comic gold
Full Review: Click here

3. WONKA
Plot: Willy Wonka has to take down a chocolate cartel to open his shop
Why: I was instantly charmed with this whimsical musical. Timothee Chalamet plays the fantastical dreamer beautifully. I know with the borrowing of Oompa-Loompa designs and a couple songs, people expected a darker version and can’t see this Wonka turning into Gene Wilder. I am fine with this interpretation. This one isn’t written by Roald Dahl so it’s allowed to be a lighter and more optimistic in tone.
MVP: Willy Wonka (Timothee Chalamet) – simply mesmerizing & charming  
Highlight: The song “For a Moment” is sweet and beautifully done
Full Review: Click here

4. ASTEROID CITY
Plot: A science event in a remote town leads to romance and quarantine.
Why: I love all Wes Anderson films and this is no exception. You get everything you expect from quirky characters to creative tableaux to catchy music to vibrant sets and culminating with a fascinating story. I wasn’t as emotionally connected to this one but I still enjoyed my time watching this highly entertaining film.
MVP: The “Witches” (Faris triplets) – their exhuming responses are awesome
Highlight: The fun interrogations after the possible alien sighting
Full Review: Click here

5. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 7: DEAD RECKONING, PART ONE
Plot: Ethan Hunt and his team look for key to destroy an AI villian
Why: I love the Mission Impossible franchise. I like how they always try to top themselves. They have a great car chase that one would expect is similar to a previous installment, but they add a different driver, handcuffs and a smaller replacement for good measure. Loads of fun. There are some glaring plot holes but it is still a non-stop thrill ride that I don’t want to get off of.
MVP: Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) – not at all acting his age at this point
Highlight: The  kitchen car in an amazingly done train derailment
Full Review: Click here

6. THE KILLER
Plot: A paid assassin botches a job and must tie up loose ends
Why: Exploring the mind of this assassin was engaging. Lots of great inner monologues as we watch a killer prepare for his kills and make some mistakes along the way. It’s dark but also humourous at times. Also, lots of great angles and lighting. Classic Fincher.
MVP: The Killer (Michael Fassbender) – the strong, silent type 
Highlight: The Killer making his first getaway while not really being chased
Full Review: Click here

7. JOHN WICK CHAPTER 4
Plot: John is on a mission to take down The High Table.
Why: John Wick goes international and kills a whole bunch of people. The fight choreography is amazing as usual. How there can be this many fights going on with absolutely no police response is beyond me but I can still enjoy the non-stop action.
MVP: Caine (Donnie Yen) – he excels at playing blind assassins apparently
Highlight: The comic yet painful falling down the long flight of stairs bit
Full Review: Click here

8. A GOOD PERSON
Plot: Allison’s life falls apart after surviving a fatal car accident.
Why: I fully admit that I am bias with my love of Zach Braff’s work. While this probably won’t end on most top ten lists, I am a sucker for this compelling look at addiction and moving forward. I can’t relate at all but I was moved by the performances of Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman. I wish the soundtrack was a better though; Braff usually nails this.    
MVP: Daniel (Morgan Freeman) – he is just so soothing to listen to
Highlight: Daniel talks to Allison about his model trains
Full Review: Click here

9. A MAN CALLED OTTO
Plot: A grumpy widow’s suicide attempts are thwarted by a needy family
Why: This film is pretty predictable. You know that Tom Hank’s Otto is going to soften up as the story progresses but it was still fun to watch. I liked the darker tone at times and the use of flashbacks.
MVP: Otto (Tom Hanks) – most of his grumpiness is justified in my opinion
Highlight: Otto’s first interactions with the rental family & parallel parking
Full Review: Click here

10. PLEASE DON’T DESTROY: THE TREASURE OF FOGGY MOUNTAIN
Plot: Three friends set off to find a treasure and change their lives.
Why: I am a huge of these guys from their SNL digital shorts. They have great one-liners and veer into such bizarre behaviour. When the three of them are together, it is rapid-fire comedy with great observational humour. Conan O’Brien pitching in as Ben’s dad is pretty awesome too.
MVP: Ben Marshall (Ben Marshall) – there’s something about his line delivery
Highlight: Late for work opening and John’s tabs
Full Review: Click here

No network shows this year. Some of that can be credited to the writer/actor strike. The streamers just have more talent at their disposal, I guess. I also find it interesting that none of my top ten shows from last year are on this list. Maybe that is because streamers take longer to make their series which sometimes shows in their quality.  When making my list of top television shows, I often think about how eager I was to watch the next episode. These are the shows that kept me wanting more this year:

 
TOP 10 TELEVISION SHOWS OF 2023

1. TED LASSO (APPLE TV+)
Why: This show is just so full of heart. I love having a good laugh but also ending with something heartwarming and cathartic.
MVP: Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster) – loved his growth and work with Roy
Best Episode of 2023: So Long, Farewell (S03E12)
While I liked the Amsterdam and mom episodes, this one ended the series just right with some fun soccer play, a team believing again and lots of stories wrapped up with satisfying conclusions. Well done!

2. SUCCESSION (HBO)
Why: Watching this rich Roy family squabble and try to get out ahead has been a pleasure to watch. Like Ted Lasso, I think they ended this series well and didn’t drag on too long like other shows.   
MVP: Roman Roy (Kieran Culkin) – a son vying for his father’s love at all costs
Best Episode of 2023: Connor’s Wedding (S04E03)
You gotta feel bad for Connor whose ill-advised wedding is upstaged by Logan’s demise. The multiple phone calls between Tom and the three other kids are masterworks of acting and script-writing.

3. THE BEAR (FX)
Why: There is a certain intensity in this show that is exhausting to watch but also so rewarding. I was fascinated with the remodel of the restaurant this season and all the craziness of changing direction.
MVP: Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) – the cousin who finally understands his role
Best Episode of 2023: Forks (S02E07)
While I enjoyed the chaos that surrounded Fishes, this episode gives us a breather as Richie works for a high end restaurant. The singing, the running for pizza, the conversations throughout are all beautifully done.

4. SHRINKING (APPLE TV+)
Why: While Jason Segel may not be for everyone, I like his therapist character and how he interacts with Harrison Ford. This is a chip off the old Ted Lasso with a little less joy. Looking forward to next season.
MVP: Paul (Harrison Ford) – A father figure/grumpy old therapist combo
Best Episode of 2023: Imposter Syndrome (S01E06)
A surprise engagement party that goes horribly wrong with embarrassing moments for both father and daughter, a drugged up Paul and a conclusion that, for some reason, I didn’t see coming.

5. THE LAST OF US (HBO)
Why: I didn’t play the game but I am very drawn to the show. The production value is incredible, the acting is intense and storyline is captivating. The interactions between Joel and Ellie are also amazing.
MVP: Pedro Pascal (Joel Miller) – he is certainly a father figure to all
Best Episode of 2023: Long, Long Time (S01E03)
Although this episode veers away from Joel and Ellie, watching Nick Offerman’s Bill and Murray Bartlett’s Frank forge a relationship and work together is a beautiful thing to watch.

6. THE DIPLOMAT (NETFLIX)
Why: I enjoy a well-written political drama. Keri Russell is wonderful as an ambassador dealing with a crisis. Her husband, played by Rufus Sewell, is also an amazing talent on the small screen.
MVP: Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) – She is a smart cookie who constantly questions
Best Episode of 2023: He Bought a Hat (S01E04)
Watching Kate infiltrate an Iranian meeting while also resisting the call to become vice-president is intriguing to watch. I love hearing the behind-the-scenes conversations with its espionage quality.

7. JURY DUTY (AMAZON PRIME)
Why: This fun comedy/reality show is so entertaining because the ‘victim’ is celebrated for his decency instead of the show punching down. There are lots of great characters and a very satisfying reveal end.
MVP: Himself (Ronald Gladden) –  a stand-up guy and perfect ‘victim’
Best Episode of 2023: Ineffective Assistance (S01E05)
Useless defense witnesses, James Marsden’s audition prep, a nasty turd, and Noah needing loads of relationship help including a sexual loophole. Ronald just rolls with the punches amidst the craziness around him.

8. THE LINCOLN LAWYER (NETFLIX)
Why: I warmed up to this show quicker than I thought I would. I like a good mystery and court case so this is right up my alley. Not a huge fan of the outcome and there are big stretches in believability but still a fun watch.
MVP: Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) – he holds the show together well
Best Episode of 2023: The Fifth Witness (S02E09)
I love watching courtroom scenes. While the series involves a lot of investigating, it’s great to see the court stuff play out. Lots of revealing testimonies and surprises.

9. ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING (DISNEY+)
Why: I always enjoy a good mystery being solved. There were a couple of predictable clues but there are always some surprises around the corner. I really enjoyed that there was a musical flair to this season.
MVP: Himself (Matthew Broderick) – steals an episode with his eagerness
Best Episode of 2023: Sitzprobe (S03E08)
While I love the clues coming out in the theatre with fun interruptions of an interrogations, the highlight is Steve Martin belting out a complicated musical number from the writers of Dear Evan Hansen.

10. DAISY JONES AND THE SIX (AMAZON PRIME)
Why: I like shows that go behind-the-scenes. This one explores the relationships of a seventies band in the vein of Fleetwood Mac. What really got me was that the songs were great to listen to.
MVP: Rod Reyes (Timothy Olyphant) – small, memorable role as a tour manager
Best Episodes of 2023: Track 8 – Look Like We Made It (S01E08)
This episode focuses on the final performance of this powder-keg-about-to-go-off band. The lead up is great but listening to more of their songs is the icing on the cake.

UPCOMING REVIEWS: 2024 Preview

So what’s in your Top 10 for 2023?

Film: The Holdovers

 

GENRE: Dramedy
RATING: R for language and some drug use
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 13 minutes
PLATFORM: Download
STARRING: Paul Giamatti (Sideways, Billions, Saving Mr. Banks)
Dominic Sessa (newcomer); Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Only Murders . . .)
DIRECTOR: Alexander Payne (Election, Sideways, Nebraska)
WRITER: David Hemingson (Kitchen Confidential, Whiskey Cavelier)
PLOT: A cranky prep school teacher remains on campus over the holidays with a student with no place to go.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I have enjoyed a number of Alexander Payne films

STORY STUFF: The story is okay. I heard the word ‘cozy’ thrown around when talking about this film. It fits; especially during this holiday season. You know the curmudgeon is going to soften up and the rebellious kid will learn some lessons. Incredibly predictable but sweet at the same time.   

ACTING STUFF: Giamatti plays the grumpy teacher perfectly. He is at times gruff and over the top in his disciplinarian role but he also has heart and makes you empathize with him along the way. Sessa rises to meet Giamatti’s talent. There are some great chemistry moments between the two. Randolph also adds some extra ingredients to the mix as the cook who has recently lost her son in the war.

ARTISTIC STUFF: From the production company logos on, it is clear that Payne wants to create a truly 70’s film experience. It’s a fun idea but I’m not a huge fan of dramedies from the 70’s. The sets were authentic, so that was nice. There’s not much else to say.  

VERDICT: Three stars out of five
SEE IT IF: You like seventies dramedies.  
UPCOMING REVIEW:  Best of 2023

Film: Maestro

 

GENRE: Biography
RATING: R for some language and drug use
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 9 minutes
PLATFORM: Netflix
STARRING: Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook, Limitless, Alias)
Carey Mulligan (An Education, Public Enemies, Great Gatsby, She Said)
DIRECTOR: Bradley Cooper (A Star is Born)
WRITERS: Cooper (A Star is Born) & Josh Singer (Spotlight, The Post)
PLOT: The love story between conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein and actress Felicia Montealegre.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Heard good things and like the West Side Story score.

STORY STUFF: I just didn’t get into this story. The dialogue is fun and fast-paced (glad I watched it with subtitles). The old school stuff is well done but then it jumps over West Side Story which is the part I wanted to see. The relationship troubles didn’t grab me. There are some amazing scenes with the standout being Bernstein conducting in an English cathedral. It may win Cooper an Oscar it is that good.  

ACTING STUFF: Cooper is incredible as Bernstein. He is riveting as a live wire of energy. He is fast talking, charming and passionate. There are a couple conducting scenes that are amazing to watch. I heard that Cooper took a long time to master those scenes and it shows. From the credits, it seems like Mulligan should be the star but she is often overshadowed by Cooper. However, she is also compelling to watch. She has great lines and scenes throughout and is able to match some of Cooper’s energy. These two performances are one of the main reasons to see the film.   

ARTISTIC STUFF: The cinematography is breathtaking. The first 45 minutes is done in lush black and white to symbolize the old Hollywood and beauty of the relationship. The color stuff is also well shot and shows the fracturing of the relationship. There is also some wonderful editing especially in the beginning.

VERDICT: Three stars out of five
SEE IT IF: You are fine with black and white and care about Bernstein.  
UPCOMING REVIEW:  Best of 2023

Film: Wonka

GENRE: Musical Comedy Adventure
RATING: PG for some violence and mild language
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 56 minutes
PLATFORM: Movie Theatre
STARRING: Timothee Chalamet (Call Me by Your Name, Dune)
Calah Lane (newcomer), Keegan-Michael Key (The Prom, The Bubble)
DIRECTOR: Paul King (Paddington 1 & 2)
WRITERS: King & Simon Farnaby (Paddington 2)
PLOT: Willy Wonka needs to overcome adversity including servitude and a chocolate cartel in order to open a shop and help a new friend.

FULL DISCLOSURE: The trailer looked pretty sensational.

STORY STUFF: What a charming and whimsical film. There is delight all around as we follow Wonka and his dream of opening a chocolate shop. There are, of course, a number of obstacles but with friendship, cleverness and a dose of magic, the audience is taken on a wonderful journey. There are plenty of humourous situations, catchy tunes, and eccentric characters mixed with some poignant moments. The pacing was great, the Easter eggs were plentiful, and I left the theatre with a smile on my face. I would say my only wishes were for Rowan Atkinson’s chocoholic priest to get more screen time and for the cartel to be less blatant about their law-breaking. But those are minor infractions.

ACTING STUFF: Chalamet is perfection as Willy Wonka. His optimism, heart and whimsy are on full display. I would love to see further Wonka adventures with him. The rest of the cast is superb and clearly having loads of fun. Well, maybe not Hugh Grant but he’s still a hoot as an Oompa-Loompa. While all the supporting roles are fun to spend time with, the stand out for me was Key as the Chief of Police who takes eating chocolate to a whole new level. Loads of fun.

ARTISTIC STUFF: Even though I saw some dancing in the trailer and expected the “Pure Imagination” and “Oompa Loompa” song, it didn’t occur to me that there would a lot more musical elements in this film. I highly enjoyed the first song (“Hatful of Dreams”), “Scrub Scrub” and “You’ve Never Had Chocolate Like This”. Apparently, this is Chalamet’s singing debut and he nails it. While there are a number of things I could talk about I’ll just mention that the production design is incredible. Loved the Oxford locations used. Wonka’s shop and some decked out suitcases are pure imagination. The costumes are also pretty eye-catching. This film is definitely a treat for the eyes.

VERDICT: Five stars out of five
SEE IT IF: You are in the mood to have fun at the theatre.
UPCOMING REVIEW:  American Fiction, Best of 2023

Film: Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain

 

GENRE: Comedy
RATING: R for language, sexual material and brief graphic nudity
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 32 minutes
PLATFORM: Downloaded
STARRING: John Higgins (SNL, A Man Called Otto, Country Club)
Martin Herlihy (SNL, Hubie Halloween), Ben Marshall (SNL, Jimmy Fallon)
DIRECTOR: Paul Briganti (SNL, CollegeHumor)
WRITERS: Higgins, Herlihy, Marshall (SNL-Please Don’t Destroy segments)
PLOT: Three friends set off to find a treasure and change their lives.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I love their videos on Saturday Night Live.

STORY STUFF: While the storyline is pretty silly, the content makes me laugh a lot. This film is chock full of great one liners and fun observations. The humour is identical to their shorts on SNL, which I absolutely love, except instead of being mostly confined to their cramped writing office, they have a much bigger sandbox to play in. There is a portion about a cult led by Bowen Yang (SNL) that starts to drag and they don’t quite stick the landing but there is a lot to laugh at in this film.

ACTING STUFF: The comedic chemistry between the three guys is the selling feature of this film. They are great at delivering a quick jab and are willing to mock each other endlessly. The other standout for me is the brilliant casting of Conan O’Brien as Ben’s disapproving father. He is hilarious and you can tell he’s having a lot of fun.  

ARTISTIC STUFF: Great song choices throughout. Herlihy’s baptism and rich outfits are entertaining. Some of the special effects are cheap looking but I wasn’t expecting much in that category.   

VERDICT: Four stars out of five
SEE IT IF: You have seen their work on SNL or wanna give them a try.
UPCOMING REVIEW:  Wonka

Film: Killers of the Flower Moon

 

GENRE: Crime Drama
RATING: R for violence, language and grisly images
RUNTIME: 3 hours and 26 minutes
PLATFORM: Download
STARRING: Leonardo DiCaprio (Wolf of Wall Street, Inception, Titanic)
Robert DeNiro (Goodfellas, Casino, Heat), Lily Gladstone (Billions)
DIRECTOR: Martin Scorsese (Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Wolf of Wall Street)
WRITER: Eric Roth (Dune, Forrest Gump) & Scorsese (Casino, Goodfellas)
PLOT: Osage people being murdered when oil is discovered on their land.

FULL DISCLOSURE: The runtime was a concern.

STORY STUFF: While I found the story interesting, the way it is drawn out left me bored. Once it gets to the court case, we don’t need another rehashing of what just happened. I love a good courtroom drama. Why not set it in the interrogation rooms and the courtroom and have the story told with people weaving their tales and then flashbacks telling us what really happened. I actually enjoyed the radio drama at the end just because it was so different. Funny how they wrapped up a big chunk of story in such a small amount of time. How novel. Oh, and I’m glad that diabetes has better medicine nowadays.

ACTING STUFF: Not a fan of DiCaprio’s character in this film. He plays it well but I’m not rooting for him. I like how a critic compared his Ernest to Henry Hill just more of a victim. De Niro is compelling as Scorsese always get great stuff out of him. Gladstone was also captivating but got tiresome when her health deteriorates. In supporting roles I really enjoyed Louis Cancelmi (Billions) and Ty Mitchell.

ARTISTIC STUFF: There are some really cool shots. Scorsese knows how to fill a screen with interesting cinematography. Not much else stood out to me.  

VERDICT: Three stars out of five (out of respect)
SEE IT IF: You have 3½ hours to spare and enjoy Scorsese films
UPCOMING REVIEW:  Please Don’t Destroy; Wonka

Film: Napoleon

 

GENRE: Bio-Drama
RATING: R for strong violence, sexual content, brief language
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 38 minutes
PLATFORM: Movie Theatre
STARRING: Joaquin Phoenix (Walk the Line, Gladiator, Joker, Her)
Vanessa Kirby (The Crown, Mission: Impossible - Fallout)
DIRECTOR: Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Bladerunner, The Martian)
WRITER: David Scarpa (The Last Castle, All the Money in the World)
PLOT: The rise and fall of Napoleon with a focus on his battles, wife & politics

FULL DISCLOSURE: I don’t know much about history.

STORY STUFF: I’d say I liked almost two-thirds of the film. The battle scenes were very well done and what kept me the most invested. The relationship between Napoleon and Josephine was strange and full of horniness. The political stuff was boring and made the story drag a number of times. It could be that I know nothing about French Revolution stuff so maybe it was just over my head. Like the man, this film tried to conquer too much. Also, what happened to Josephine’s children from her previous marriage? They just disappeared.

ACTING STUFF: Phoenix plays Napoleon well, especially when he’s having fun (the line about the boats made me laugh out loud). The warped relationship he has with Josephine is at times humorous but also melancholic. The battle scenes show him as a cunning strategist but also he’s sleeping while standing up. I know Phoenix usually plays psychological characters who don’t talk much but it’s not always fun to watch. Kirby plays Josephine more modern and more like Marie Antoinette than I expected. No one else in the cast really stood out to me.

ARTISTIC STUFF: Like I said before, the battle scenes are incredible. The Battle of Austerlitz has amazing shots full of underwater mayhem. The look is very epic in nature which makes the movie theatre a good place to see the film. The ending has a graphic of how many people died in Napoleon’s battles. Not sure what point was trying to be made. How many died on the other side? Am I supposed to not like Napoleon because a bunch people died in a war? Felt odd to end that way. I’m a geek and enjoyed the font choice.

VERDICT: Three stars out of five
SEE IT IF: You are into epic histories and have time on your hands
UPCOMING REVIEW:  Please Don’t Destroy; Wonka