Another year, another crop of movies being shat out by Hollywood that fails to live up to expectations. 2023 was a mixed bag, with some good films sprinkled amongst the mediocre to bad movies we got. Disney and Warner Bros. decided to celebrate their 100th anniversary by pumping out the same dull, uninspired garbage as before. In addition, Marvel celebrated 15 years of the MCU by making one good movie between two terrible ones. But, more importantly, 2023 marked the 5th anniversary of this site, which is certainly a milestone worth celebrating. As always, this list is my opinion, so feel free to agree or disagree with what I say. Also, I have yet to see every movie that came out in 2023, so some might not be on this list. So, with that out of the way, here are my picks for the Best and Worst Films of 2023!
Honorable Mentions
#10: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
As I mentioned in the intro, 2023 wasn’t a great year for Marvel fans since most offerings were subpar. The lone exception was the third and final installment of James Gunn’s epic space opera trilogy. While it isn’t quite as good as the second one, it’s still a fantastic way to cap off the trilogy. But like the first two, this hits many emotional beats that make it stand out from other comic book movies. Seeing Rocket Raccoon’s tragic backstory is heart-wrenching, and seeing him get the spotlight is excellent. That’s not to say the other guardians are pushed aside, as they’re each given their moment to shine. Admittedly, some elements feel slapped together, and not all the jokes land quite as well as others. Still, this was an entertaining, emotional, and enjoyable last Hurrah for the MCU’s most dysfunctional family. Plus, it’s the first MCU movie to say “fuck”.
#9: Subspecies V: Blood Rise
I bet you never thought a movie from Full Moon Features would appear on a list of 2023’s best movies. But yes, the fifth installment in Ted Nicolaou’s iconic vampire series was way better than I could’ve imagined. You can tell that Full Moon invested a lot into this movie, and it shows in every facet of production. The locations are gorgeous, the cinematography is impeccable, and the acting is strong all across the board. This feels like the closest we’ll ever get to reliving the glory days of Full Moon circa 1989-1995. Nicolaou’s direction is on-point as always, Anders Hove gives another outstanding performance, and the story moves at a good pace. Sure, there probably were better movies in 2023, but the fact this came from Full Moon is astounding. Even if we never get something as good as this, we can still appreciate what Full Moon gave us.
#8: Air
I’m not a huge sports fan, but you don’t need to know about the NBA to enjoy this inspirational film. Much like Ford v. Ferrari, this story is about overcoming the odds to make something seemingly impossible into a reality. Even if you’re already familiar with Nike’s partnership with Michael Jordan, it’s still a fascinating story worth retelling. Couple that with some fantastic performances from Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Jason Bateman, and you’ve got a real winner. However, the real show stealer is Viola Davis, playing Michael Jordan’s mother, who commands every scene she’s in. It helps that Alex Convery’s script has some great dialogue, and Affleck’s direction is solid and perfectly captures the 1980s. At slightly under two hours, the movie moves steadily without feeling rushed or prolonged to reach feature length. All in all, Air is a slam dunk that’s worth checking out, even for non-sports fans.
#7: Evil Dead Rise
If you’ve been reading my reviews for a while, you know The Evil Dead is my all-time favorite horror film. So, when I first saw the trailers for Evil Dead Rise, I was initially skeptical about Lee Cronin’s standalone entry. Believe me when I say this movie blew my expectations out of the water and then some. Sure, it sucks that Bruce Campbell isn’t here, but the film works so well on its own that it’s ok. Unlike the sequels, this one plays out like a more serious horror film similar to the original. That said, there are some touches of dark humor and even a few nods that long-time fans will appreciate. Also, Lilly Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland both give wonderful performances as the reluctant hero and unfortunate villain, respectively. Mix that in with some over-the-top gore, and you’ve got one of 2023’s best horror films.
#6: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
It’s not often that a series can last for almost 30 years and still be above average, let alone good. The Mission: Impossible series is a rare exception, as each entry gets progressively better than the last. Even if this latest entry didn’t perform as well as some might’ve hoped, it’s still a fantastic action movie. Love or hate him, there’s a reason why Tom Cruise is one of the most prominent actors in the industry. His charm and likability, coupled with his need to do death-defying stunts, puts him above similar actors his age. That’s not discounting the other cast members, who do an incredible job and have their moments to shine. The action sequences are excellent, Christopher McQuarrie’s direction is impeccable, and the film leaves you wanting more. All I can say is that I cannot wait for Part Two when it comes out in 2025.
#5: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was one of my favorite films of 2018, so I was excited for the sequel. Considering how great the first film was, this one had much to live up to, and it more than succeeded. Like its predecessor, this one is a love letter to all things Spider-Man, with numerous references and easter eggs. Thankfully, these never get in the way of the actual story and don’t feel like they’re just for fan service. The central story focuses on Miles accepting his new calling as Spider-Man, which is riveting and keeps you on edge. Additionally, we’re given more development for Gwen Stacy, and The Spot makes for a fantastic villain. Admittedly, the beautifully fluid animation can sometimes be a bit much, but it’s still dazzling and surpasses the original. With superhero fatigue being common, Across the Spider-Verse should be what other superhero films aspire to be.
#4: John Wick: Chapter 4
Much like the Mission: Impossible series, the John Wick series is the rare exception where each installment gets progressively better. This fourth, possibly final, installment is no exception, as it easily trumps even its three predecessors. There’s a reason why movies like Sisu are being greenlit, and that’s because of this decade-long series’ staying power. Once again, Keanu Reeves is in complete control as the strong yet silent assassin John Wick on his revenge quest. Another highlight is Donnie Yen as the blind assassin Caine, who has some fantastic fight scenes with Reeves. The fight choreography is superb, complimented by Chad Stahelski’s excellent direction and Dan Laustsen’s dynamic cinematography. Admittedly, it is a long movie, but there’s so much going on that keeps you engaged throughout its 169-minute runtime. While a fifth installment is still in development, it will be hard to top this one.
#3: Killers of the Flower Moon
Martin Scorcese is one of those filmmakers whose movies are always good, and this is no exception. This epic about people going to great lengths to rob Native Americans of their oil money is spectacular. Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro gave some of the best performances of their careers without even trying. That said, Lily Gladstone is the highlight of this film, and I’m excited to see what she does next. The production design is exquisite, perfectly capturing the look of early 20th-century Oklahoma, highlighted by Rodrigo Prieto’s stellar cinematography. Robbie Robertson’s score is beautifully haunting and matches the somber tone throughout the story. Granted, the film is an extended sit at almost three and a half hours, but it’s still a fantastic watch. A haunting tale about the birth of the American century, Killers of the Flower Moon shouldn’t be missed.
#2: Godzilla Minus One
While the Legendary Godzilla movies are enjoyable, no one does the King of the Monsters better than Toho. While Hollywood continually pumped out $200 million bore fests, along comes Godzilla Minus One, which had a $15 million budget. It’s even more impressive that the CGI in Toho’s latest kaiju movie is infinitely better than what Hollywood can deliver. Much like the 1954 original, this one depicts Godzilla as a force of destruction that instills dread. This excellent monster movie also works as a severe drama about Japan recovering after WWII that tackles survivor’s guilt. Though most other Godzilla movies had secondary human storylines, this one is engaging, and the human characters are memorable. This is a grand entry, even if you’ve never seen a Godzilla movie, and it might even convert non-fans. As I said in my original review, Godzilla Minus One should make Hollywood reevaluate their creative decisions.
#1: Oppenheimer
While Barbie might’ve won the box office battle, Christopher Nolan’s historical biopic about the atomic bomb won this reviewer’s heart. Whereas most modern movies are quickly forgotten about, this is one that I feel will stand the test of time. This is a great biopic, and it feels like Christopher Nolan’s celebration of all things cinematic. This is one of the year’s best-looking films, from the fantastic practical effects work to Hoyte van Hoytema’s excellent cinematography. Everyone in the cast is excellent, including Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, and Robert Downey Jr. Pair with an excellent score from Ludwig Göransson, and you’ve got a cinematic experience you won’t soon forget. I usually don’t use the word “masterpiece,” but I think Nolan’s latest film deserves that title. Despite the primarily mediocre movies we get, Oppenheimer reminds us why we go to the theater in the first place.
Worst/Most Disappointing Films
