We’re nearing the final quarter of 2023 and the year has been very solid in the world of cinema. While films like The Killer, Foe, Wonka, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Napoleon haven’t been released, I’ve begun crafting my full rankings for the year. As I’ve hit the 75 film mark, here is my updated top five.
Honorable Mention: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (dir. Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson, Kemp Powers), BlackBerry (dir. Matt Johnson), Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (dir. Christopher McQuarrie)
5. Talk To Me dir. Michael Philippou, Danny Philippou
I’m the furthest person from a horror fan, but Talk To Me breaks past gore and jump scares and uses emotional connections and an original concept to strike fear into the audience. It’s extremely tight with a 95 minute runtime and leaves you wanting more because of how great this film is. The good thing is, we will get more with a sequel, Talk 2 Me. I believe there’s real Oscar potential for Talk To Me, which is insane to think because horror movies haven’t fared well at the Academy Awards. But I think Sophie Wilde could receive a Best Actress nod and the screenplay could earn a nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The Philippou’s could be the future of horror and will succeed by not relying on tired tropes that we’ve seen over and over.
4.5/5 Stars
4. John Wick: Chapter 4 dir. Chad Stahelski
When I hit 50 2023 releases on the year, John Wick: Chapter 4 was at number two. It’s still hanging on in the top five and will definitely stay in the top ten of this year. I really can’t stress enough how great of an action movie this is. The John Wick franchise innovated action films, for the better, this past decade and did something rare. It kept the same lead actor and director through all four films, with John Wick: Chapter 4 being the perfect send off for a character many people fell in love with. The action sequences aren’t over done or half baked. They’re perfectly choreographed and the films cinematography hits its peak in the final dual with Paris in the background.
4.5/5 Stars
3. Past Lives dir. Celine Song
A24 has released a handful of divisive and entertaining films this year, but none hold a candle to Celine Song’s directorial debut, Past Lives. It reminds me of past romantic dramas like Carol (2015) and how you, the viewer, roots for this relationship to happen, but it simply can’t. There’s too much standing in the way of Hae Sung and Nora and it was an instance of right person, wrong time. But, in a past life, these two could have been lovers. They also could have never crossed paths. That’s what is so genius about the actual concept of Past Lives is that is gives a reason as to why these two lovers can’t grow old with one another. I think Greta Lee should be nominated for Best Actress and Past Lives should get a Best Picture nod.
4.5/5 Stars
2. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 dir. James Gunn
I wrote about it before when I saw Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but James Gunn has solidified himself as the best superhero movie director ever. The first two films of the trilogy built to an emotional and hilarious third film that’s not just the best film in this franchise, but is the best MCU film overall. There were parts that made me cry, laugh, and feel overpowered with excitement. It was like Gunn tapped into my mind and created a film to stimulate every emotion I had. It was genius to show the audience an in depth look at Rockets backstory and hone in on him as a whole. Gunn made him the main character, rather than having three films based solely on Star Lord. In addition, Chukwudi Iwuji as The High Evolutionary was a great villain because he had a reasoning for his madness and his actions.
5/5 Stars
1. Oppenheimer dir. Christopher Nolan
I wrote a full review of Oppenheimer after I saw it and not only do I think it’s the best film of the year, but I think it could go down as one of the most pertinent films of the 21st century. Seeing the perspective of Oppenheimer building the bomb vs what actually occurred was so riveting and I think it could have a La La Land (2016) style of Oscars where it receives 14 nominations. For the acting aspect, Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, and Florence Pugh should most definitely be nominated and Nolan should be nominated for Best Director. I’d say as of right now, it’s a lock to win Best Picture. If you’d like to read my in depth review of the film, CLICK HERE.
5/5 Stars