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Hello, everyone! With the year of 2024 in full swing, it’s time to exam the “worst” and “best” movies of the year. It took me a little bit longer than expected to get this particular list done (longer than intended due to my back catalogue of 2023 movie reviews that needed to get done), but here we are and I’m happy to share it. In truth, 2023 saw a number of pretty “good” films.
I’ve already posted my list for my Top 10 Worst Movies of 2023 and now I’m ready to share with my list for what were the best movies of the 2023 year. Whether the source material was solid (original or adapted), clever writing, great direction, visually impressive presentation, creative world building, great thematic / messages, superb performances, or even well-drawn-out characters, these movies were (at least to me) the “best of the best” of the year. But before I begin with number 10, take a look at some honorable runners-ups that almost made it on my top ten best movies of 2023.
Runner Ups
(click on the picture for full review)
THE CREATOR
“A visually stunning sci-fi action blockbuster”
CHEVALIER
“Classically bold”
THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE
“An animated “pipe dream” of Nintendo nostalgia and rambunctious fun!”
And now….my top ten!!!
10: Wonka
Rating: 4.3 Out of 5
Review: Wonka Review
Director Paul King found great success with 2014’s Paddington (and the 2017 sequel), encapsulating the essence of the iconic (and polite) bear within a heartwarming family film narrative. In 2023, King returned to the big screen by taking yet another famous character of children’s literature with the release of Wonka. The film takes the creation of Roald Dahl’s beloved chocolate maker and present a new tale to spin, presenting a prequel origin story to the author’s acclaimed literary classic that speaks to both King’s signature style of filmmaking as well as Dahl’s quirky “large-than-life” character. The feature itself is presented and created with such a fun and charming appeal to behold, with special attention to detail from King’s direction, great thematically tones, a vivid and vibrant visual presentation, fun “theatrically bold” characters, and a terrific cast across the board. The story was lighthearted and engaging, the themes of hopes and dreams were palpable and relatable, the choreography work for some of the musical songs was energetic and executed well and the cast (again) was just fantastic and knew how to play these characters. I knew that I was going to like this movie, since it was going to be directed by King, and I initial thoughts still stand on this project. Plus, it’s a really good / safe “kid friendly” family movie night experience, which is also a good thing. Therefore, Wonka is a charmingly fun and delightful entertaining film that invokes the spirit of magical optimism and child-like wonder on its outer candy coating, while its inner core is filled with heart and warmth in its chocolatey center, unwrapping a prequel tale that’s “pure imagination” splendor.
9: Saltburn
Rating: 4.3 Out of 5
Review: Saltburn Review
In 2020, actor / writer Emerald Fennell makes her directorial debut film Promising Young Woman, a film the garnished positive reviews from moviegoers and critics, with the feature even getting numerous award nominations, including winning Best Original Screenplay at the 93rd Academy Awards. Three years later, Fennell follows up on the success of her last film, with another tantalizing character piece with the release of Saltburn. This movie (Fennell’s sophomore film) takes a closer look at the human condition level of behavior, wrapping a motion picture of dubiousness and intriguing of shady individuals, ulterior motives, and lustful desires that’s found within us all, while mixed together within a dark comedy presentation. In addition, the film excels within its mystery-like premise of unfolding its plot, with special thanks to Fennell’s direction, a duplicity tale, dark comedy influences, a solid presentation, some slick cinematography, intriguing characters, and a great cast. Of course, those disturbing WTF moments made me squirm a bit, yet the project’s helmer, cast, and character study nuances help bolster the feature for a twisty dark comedy picture that works effectively well. Plus, a big shout to Keoghan and Pike for their performances in the movie. As a word of caution though, just don’t watch this movie with anyone who is easily offended with a few uncomfortable scenes. Beyond that, you’ll have a good time with this movie, especially those who love tantalizing tale of love and passion, and dubious personas. In the end, Fenell excels once more with Saltburn, a captivating and character study piece of human behavior and twisty glitter ball explosion tale twixt privilege and desire.
8: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Rating: 4.3 Out of 5
Review: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Review
For years, the Dungeons & Dragons board game has enchanted players around the world with its diverse role-playing campaigns and wildly imaginative creations within a fantasy landscape. The film adaptations of the iconic game have been below mediocre, with each one failing to capture cinematic quality to this unique tale of swords and sorcery. In 2023, however, came a chance to revitalize the brand name for the silver screen with the release of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves…..and it was certainly endeavor that rises above its former film predecessors by leaps and bounds. The film itself takes the popular boardgame from decades and presents it’s within a blockbuster framing, which results in fantasy project that ultimately finds its stride in balancing action, comedy, and fantasy nuances. In addition, the movie manages to find loads of merits and rises above expectations, with special thanks to Goldstein / Daley’s direction, a fun narrative, a stead balance of tones, a great presentation (all the way around), memorable characters, and solid acting talent across the board. It had plenty of charm, swagger, visual dazzlement, and just (as I’ve said many times in this review) just a great fun in its overall entertainment. This particular certainly caught me off-guard as to how much I liked it….and I think many viewers out there felt the same way. In the end, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is rousing and entertaining fantasy adventure romp that delivers on his swords and sorcery mantra and engaging viewers in a movie that is easily accessible and pure cinematic fun for older fans and newcomers to the realm of Neverwinter and the journeys and characters therein.
7: Joy Ride
Rating: 4.3 Out of 5
Review: Joy Ride Review
First time directed feature films can be hard to pull off the correct way, especially with the director having very little experience helming a project such as motion picture. On top of that….the movie is also a reflection (to all) as to what the director is capable of doing, feeling pressure from the studios or loosing sight from the mass appeal aims and goals. Fortunately, director Adele Lim’s directorial debut endeavor Joy Ride flies high within its premise and ended up being another “hidden gem” of the 2023 film release lineup. The presentation takes the classic “road trip” narrative angle and presents it within a comedy experience that is filled risqué type adult humor, wild shenanigans, and some welcoming heart of friendship and self-identity. In addition, the movie still manages to rise above those challenges and presents a humorous piece, with special thanks to Lim’s direction, some emotion drama elements, a wild and sharp comedy jokes and gags, a good presentation, and the film’s cast, especially the main four leads, who are solid across the board. Personally, I really liked this movie, which was sort of unexpected for me, especially since it was more of a “low key” with not a whole lot of marketing material. It’s hilarious fun, wacky within scenarios, and (surprisingly) heartwarming at times during those sincere moments. Definitely a great job for Lim on her film directorial debut. Again, it was fun and entertaining, and I greatly enjoyed it and I think a lot of people will to. In the end, Joy Ride is hyper-aggressive comedy piece that goes full throttle with comedic antics and adult humor, while also finding heart and sentimentality within its drama; a combination that makes for an excellent (and fun) comedy movie endeavor.
6: Gran Turismo
Rating: 4.4 Out of 5
Review: Gran Turismo Review
Film adaptations based on video games haven’t had the easiest road to cinematic success, with many having difficulty in the ways of translating what many the games fun and memorable on their console platform into a feature film presentation. Naturally, the results have been decisively mixed over the years, but, in 2023, such a transition clicked the right way with Sony Picture’s Gran Turismo. Based on the popular racing simulation game, the movie, which was directed Neil Blomkamp mixes video game racing with the “based on a true story” narrative to create a unique and palpable sports drama that has plenty action thrills and suspense as well as a healthy dose of emotional “human” connection amongst its characters. The film itself is elevated thanks to Blomkamp’s direction / vision, emotional character drama, intense action sequences, a visual and sleek presentation, and solid acting across the board, with notable standouts of Madewe, Harbour, and Bloom respectfully. I felt that a great majority of the feature was a fun and entertaining picture that harmonizes the video game aspects as well as the “real world” drama of which this movie draws inspiration from. I expected this movie to be good, but was more surprised how much I enjoyed it and certainly exceeded my expectations. Definitely was one of the “hidden gems” of the summer 2023 movie lineup. Is this the best video game film adaptation? I would say yes, but it’s also helps that the movie’s story is based on real-life and not solely on a game. Plus, it worked for both fans of the games as well casual moviegoers, with the project having mass appeal to the classic tropes of sports drama viewing. In short, Gran Turismo is a terrific underdog tale that races to the finish line with a wholesome dose of emotional human drama and thrilling racing action to provide plenty of inspiration and sincere moments as well as driving home the sentimentally importance that dreams do come true.
5: Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning
Rating: 4.4 Out of 5
Review: Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Review
Whether you love him or hate him, actor Tom Cruise has certainly made a name for himself over the years, including the Mission Impossible franchise, propelling moviegoers into a cinematic world of death-defying thrills and stunts large heroic bravados in spy espionage daring-dos. After some delays, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, the seventh installment in the franchise, had its theatrical release and was great addition to the summer movie line-up. Director Christopher McQuarrie’s latest film established the seventh installment in the long-running spy-action series and propels series character Ethan Hunt into a grand mission to save the world in an explosive first half of a two-part story. The movie easily finds its stride and lives up to its own inherit hype for a nonstop action extravaganza, especially due to McQuarrie’s direction / involvement, an expansive tale of “Mission Impossible” aesthetics, a great visual presentation, a terrific soundtrack, and solid acting from the cast across the board. It was definitely worth the wait and very engaging (and entertaining) follow-up sequel to Fallout. The action was intense, the thrills were fun, and the story was grand, especially in a satisfying ending for the first half of a two-part endeavor. With explosive danger and a fun, engaging blockbuster yarn to spin, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning stands as an outstanding summer tentpole triumph that has plenty of intense thrills, entertaining jolts of adrenaline, and bombastic action to make anyone want to accept this mission.
4: Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3
Rating: 4.5 Out of 5
Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 Review
While the current state of the MCU is not as strong as it used to be as moviegoers are going through “superhero fatigue” (to a certain degree), 2023 came with a surprisingly satisfying third installment in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy characters in the movie Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, closing out director’s James Gunn tale of cosmic band of misfits in celebratory way. The film brings an end to his Marvel superhero sci-fi space adventure with a rousing and moving tale that echoes themes of identity, family, and loving others for who they are that’s wrapped together within a visually stunning blockbuster Marvel movie. Of course, the movie’s success comes from Gunn’s direction, a poignant script, powerful themes, heartfelt moments, a fantastic visual presentation, and a great cast across the board. It was still very much Gunn’s Guardians endeavor that had plenty of humorous laughs, sci-fi action spectacle, and emotional drama and gives a masterful ending to this trilogy. I laughed a lot, I was in awe over the visual spectacle, and I even teared up once or twice. The movie beautifully captures Gunn’s vision and brings an end trilogy endeavor that’s blends humor and heart far better than most MCU installments have ever achieved. In short, the movie encapsulates the emotional and heart of the Guardians team from onset to conclusion, with the film beautifully echoing what Rocket’s resonating words “we all fly away together, one last time, into the forever…. that beautiful sky!”
3: Godzilla Minus One
Rating: 4.5 Out of 5
Review: Godzilla Minus One Review
With Legendary’s MonsterVerse creating both large-scale monster blockbuster mayhem and massive box office success over the past several years, Toho (the original studio behind the Godzilla) has waited in the wings for quite sometime since their last recent Shin Godzilla released in 2016. Thankfully, 2023 saw Toho’s famous kaiju return to the big screen with the release of Godzilla Minus One. Director Takashi Yamazaki’s latest film takes the Godzilla franchise back to its cinematic genesis, producing a very traditional tale of character-based drama against giant monster calamity. A great majority of the feature is held up and elevated to reign supreme against recent endeavors of portraying Godzilla, with special key components thanks to Yamazaki’s direction, a meaningful (and balanced) script, genuine fantastic action scenes, several thematic tones / messages, a solid presentation, terrific visuals, a great score, and compelling human characters. I really liked this movie….and I wasn’t expecting to, which makes it all the better. The film was fantastic and really harkened back to the classic Godzilla movies of yesteryear, yet still spoke to a modern medium of today’s viewers with its themes and visuals. I definitely think it was a great iteration of Godzilla himself and brought “the big guy” to its cinematic roots of chaos and terror, while also engaging characters that you really do care about. In the end, Godzilla Minus One is a celebratory triumph of a film that takes the giant lizard back to his roots and brings the classic feeling of kaiju action that is juxtapose the human character storytelling. In short, the film is a rousing return to form of old and is truly a kaiju monster masterpiece.
2: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Rating: 4.6 Out of 5
Review: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Review
2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was a great animated film that played up the strengths and identity of the classic Spider-Man narrative yarn, but spins it on it head with multiverse mischief that follows within a young protagonist origin story. Flash forward a few years later and the follow-up sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse swung into theaters in 2023 and made a massive splash with critics and moviegoers. This latest animated “next chapter” in character Mile Morales’s journey takes what was previously established in the popular 2018 animated feature and expands upon that narrative, exploring new universes, realities, and a compelling story of a young hero challenging the status quo of cannon sequences of events. The animated feature itself is visually stunning animated masterpieces, with special thanks to the feature’s trio of directors, an impressive style of presentation, meaningful and thematic morals, a terrific score, humorous bits, an intriguing story, interesting dynamics amongst characters (old and new), and talented voice cast across the board. It was an amazing sequel endeavor that both honored its first entry by expanding upon its narrative and character that was previously established, yet also used that particular platform to spring off of for a bombastic and engaging story of multiverse mayhem and revelations. The animation was breathtaking (reaching new heights of visual flair) and the story, while only half of the story, was very interesting and engrossing towards its cliffhanger ending. Plus, the voice talents involved were great and provided a lot of humor and heart in their respective roles. It was definitely worth the wait and hype. It’s just that good. Overall, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a fantastical follow-up to its 2018 animated adventure and delivers an incredible first half tale that truly is a visually stunning and spectacular “sequel” cannon event.
1: Oppenheimer
Rating: 4.7 Out of 5
Review: Oppenheimer Review
So, what could beat out the seventh installment in Ethan Hunt’s intense impossible missions, a twisted character study of desire and pleasures, an amazing Spider-Man sequel, and an engaging kaiju masterpiece….one word…Oppenheimer.
Creation does not come without consequence as J. Robert Oppenheimer soon discovers as assembles a team of engineers and scientist to create the first atomic bomb for the US and thus dealing with the implications of what he unleashed upon the world.
Director Christopher Nolan’s latest film takes what he’s best known for in his theatrical movie endeavors and translates it into a bold and spectacular project that juxtaposes the wonder and horror of Oppenheimer’s life. While the feature may struggle in a some very minor areas (mainly its lengthy runtime and the interweaving of the multitude of characters coming and going), a great majority of the film excels as a vision triumph showpiece, especially thanks to Nolan’s handling and style on the movie, an impressive interlaced script / timeline of events, a stunning visual presentation, a powerful score, beautiful cinematography, and fantastic ensemble cast, with notable performances from Murphy and Downey Jr. Personally, I loved this movie. It was definitely a Nolan (from onset to conclusion) and captured his incredible and meticulous filmmaking details to the letter, which made the whole experience that much more enjoyable. The story was woven beautifully and interlaced together through in a very ingenious and creative ways, while the film’s cast was perfect and gave some great performances all the way around and across the board. Thus, as one can already easily surmise from the bulk of my review, my recommendation for this film would be a celebratory “highly recommended” as it’s a movie that should be seen both bold in scale and paramount importance, while also been personal and character driven; something that is somewhat uncommon in Nolan’s past work. From advance reviews and “word of mouth”, this picture is wholeheartedly worth seeing. While the movie may slightly lacks the intensity of Tenet or Dunkirk, or the mind-bending and layered trip of Inception, or even the comic book blockbuster flair of The Dark Knight trilogy, Oppenheimer, with equal and measure of biographical drama and cinematic storytelling of, showcases a masterclass viewing experience on Nolan’s work as director and a filmmaker. Like all his projects, it’s not just a movie….it’s a viewing cinematic experience….one that many will remember for quite a long time. In the end, Nolan’s Oppenheimer is crowning achievement in the great tapestry of moviemaking; a feature that will remember for excellency in direction, story, and character performances. Much like what Oppenheimer says after successful testing of the bomb….”the world will remember this day” ….as well as this movie.
And it is for that reason why Oppenheimer is my personal “best” movie of 2023!
And so that’s my top ten “best” movies of 2023. There were some movies that I didn’t get to see, so (naturally) I can’t critique them and pass my movie critic judgement on them, which is why they might not be on my list. So, what do you guys think? What were your “best” movies of 2023?
The post Jason’s Movie Blog’s Top Ten Best Movies of 2023 appeared first on Jason’s Movie Blog.
