Top 10 films of 2023

Another year comes to an end, brining with it the inevitable top 10 list to see out 2023. When compiling this list, I felt that the options were weaker than last year, but upon writing, I realised what strong, varied and wonderful films I had seen this year! Inevitably I will have missed off a few big shouts, but I just either did not get round to watching it (or you might just have bad taste...)! Either way, please enjoy my favourite films of 2023!

10. Talk To Me

Rounding out the end of year list with my favourite horror movie this year. This was such an interesting adaption of the classic possession story. The Phillipou brothers background in special effects helped them create some of the most disturbing scenes in recent years. The metaphor for drug use was obvious but effective in developing the story and showing how things can spiral out of control. The performance from lead Sophie Wilde was incredible and I hope she gets many more opportunities off the back of this film. The use of suspense is make or break in horror. Too little, you have a snooze fest like Paranormal Activity, too much and it becomes a jump scare fest with little lasting impact. This film rides the line perfectly and had me squirming in my seat from anticipation of what was coming next. A great start to a great year of film!

9. Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.3

Is the MCU dead in the water? Maybe, but films like this still show the opportunities that come with comic book films and that, when done right, they are fantastic films in their own right. The world building remains incredible and highlights the possibilities that present themselves in a superhero film. The colours are bright, and the film utilises absurd worlds to create an engaging backdrop to tell the story. On top of this, the story is surprisingly strong, and the depth of character created for a raccoon is not something I expected to be writing about in my top films of the year. Marvel still has potential… it is just a shame they lost their most talented creator to DC!

8.Theater Camp

I am neither a theatre kid, nor an American camp kid. Therefore, I struggled to relate or even understand the concept of this film. However, an incredible cast and a hilarious trailer piqued my interest and led me to checking this out. I am so glad I did because this film is absolutely hilarious. Even without understanding all the jokes, I was laughing throughout the whole runtime. The jokes come a mile a minute and absolutely stick the landing. I love the mockumentary film style; it allows for so many jokes to be squeezed in and a loose storytelling format that really lets the characters shine. This is one of the best in the genres, with some stellar comedic performances and a lot of heart.

7. Fallen Leaves

Probably the biggest surprise package on this list. I knew nothing of this film when I saw it, only that it was the only reasonably timed film at my local cinema and that I fancied a trip to the pictures! I went in with no expectations, I left absolutely loving it. This is an odd tale of working-class love in a bleak, depressing modern day Finland. The film follows two people at the bottom of the ladder and their desire to find happiness and comfort in a cruel world that is determined to stop them from being together. Despite its bleakness, I found an odd amount of comfort in this tale and left with my heart thoroughly warmed. With a tight runtime, I certainly recommend checking this out.

6. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

The perfect creative marriage results in a perfectly wonderful story. Wes Anderson was made to adapt Roald Dahl books for the big screen. The quirky and zany characters align perfectly with Anderson’s style, and you can feel the love and admiration emanating through the screen. Anderson’s faithful adaption of this short story is fantastic, and the narration fits perfectly into the story in such a unique way. Anderson’s recent aesthetic and almost stage show like sets are present again here, perfectly suiting this style of filmmaking. The story is tight and engaging and Anderson finds a way to bring his dry humour to Dahl’s original story despite how faithfully it is adapted.

5. Bottoms

This year was a real high for comedy, for this to have two potentially funnier entries is a real high standard. I had been waiting for this film all year and it certainly did not disappoint. Emma Seligman is one of the most talented filmmakers around at the moment and has solidified her seat at the table as a voice to pay attention to in modern filmmaking. To go from one of the most stressful films in recent years to one of the silliest shows her range as a director. It is genuine talent and her success at both is remarkable. This film was an absolute blast, just pure, unadulterated fun from start to finish. Rachel Sennot and Ayo Edebiri are two of the best actors out now and have real comedic chops. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I will definitely be checking out any future projects they are involved in, especially if they are both in it together.

4. Oppenheimer

2023 in cinema can be summed up by the next two entries. Two major blockbusters, two very opposite vibes, tow fantastic cinema going experiences. Christopher Nolan can be very hit or miss for me, but when he hits, it is usually a knockout. This film is a spectacle from start to finish and that bomb dropping scene alone earns its place on this list. The structure of the film really eases the potential a film as long as this has in dragging and the modern-day sections with Robert Downey Jr are surprisingly fantastic. To have a three-hour character study come of this well, it is clear a lot of thought and passion went in. I am so glad that this performed so well in the box office; hopefully studios realise that there is a demand for well made movies made with passion, rather than with the sole aim of making money.  Cillian Murphy is going to win an Oscar, and I am certainly not mad at it.

3. Barbie

The other half of the Barbenheimer coin, equally as fantastic (well, slightly better in my view hence the higher ranking!), completely different. This film is unbelievably fun and refreshingly self-aware. Everything I heard about this film in the build up just kept building my anticipation. Greta Gerwig announced as director. Fantastic. She will be co-writing the script with Noah Baumbach? Even better. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling will co-star? Perfect casting. Michael Cera will play a character named Allan? I’m hooked.

This is a visual masterpiece. Gerwig’s authentically artificial description of this world is a perfect fit. The whole of Barbieland is so marvellously fake but real at the same time. It matters so little and so much at the same time. Gerwig has you buy into the absurdity of the reality of the Barbies and Kens that you find no fault in the way it exists... until it starts to unravel. It is marvellous! The creative freedom afforded to Greta is rare from a major property and has paid off no end, this is some of the best world building in a major studio blockbuster.

The cast is fantastic, everyone is clearly having the time of their lives in these roles, and it translates so well. Gosling steals the show with his Ken, understanding the role perfectly. The script is hilarious and packs in so many knockout jokes. There is something for everyone in this film and I love how accessible it is. This was the most fun I have ever had going to the cinema and long may Greta Gerwig be given free rein to tell tales!

2. The Swan

Is it cheating to put a 17-minute short film at number 2 in my top 10 list? Maybe, but I do not care, it is my list and I can do what I want! Wes Anderson continues to blow me away with his film making capabilities. I have genuinely never seen a film told in this way and it left me stunned into silence when the credits roll. I had to sit and take in what I watched for a while after, I could not comprehend how something so powerful could be presented in just 17 minutes. This is a marvel in film making. The stage design creates a claustrophobic environment that supports the story fantastically, really drawing you in to the narration. I really do not want to say anything more as I would hate to spoil the power of this story. If you only watch one film from this list, make it this one; I mean it is only 17 minutes for goodness’ sake, hardly a tall ask!

1. Asteroid City

And here it is, my number one film of the year. This was a marvel that dominated my thoughts for months after first viewing. I even went to the in-person exhibition, marvelling at the real-life sets, contemplating the thought process behind the design and how Anderson came to craft such a fascinating world, thinking all this as I stared into the beady eyes of the roadrunner puppet. It is rare that a film moves you in a way that causes you to question your perception of art in the visual medium. This film did just that for me. I left the theatre so inspired by the unique and self-reflective way that Anderson chose to tell this story. He gets pigeon-holed as a gimmick these days with his over stylised visuals, but he is one of the most powerful creatives in cinema at the moment. What starts as a funny and quirky story, shifts into a moving piece on the purpose of cinema and Anderson’s role within the medium. It was so unexpected, but so impactful. It caused me to reflect on why I love movies so much and the role they play o my perception of the world and my own purpose in it. I love that cinema has the power to do that, it is such an important art form and I will champion directors that recognise the potential a passionate, powerful piece can have on movie-goers. For that reason, Asteroid City is my number one film of the year. And finally, if anyone is interested, here are my thoughts on the actual content of the film:

This feels like the perfect marriage of the new ‘Wes Andersony’ aesthetic and the heart of his original efforts. The visuals are a perfect follow up to The French Dispatch but explored in a different way. The bright, washed-out colours and the caricature of the forgotten American town paints a beautiful picture, providing the perfect backdrop and contrast for Wes to tell his most abstract and self-referential story yet. I keep hearing that this film is style over substance and that is complete rubbish. The contrast of the extreme bright colours, perfectly put together ‘play world’ and the dark, miserable, slightly odd ‘real world’ is in aid of the message of this film.

This is the first time I am aware of Wes Anderson being so self-critical in his writing, he heard all this nonsense about his work, and he addressed it head on. What is the point of his work the stories he chooses to make, the style he presents them? Is he a worthwhile voice in modern cinema? Is he doing a good job with his art? All of this is packaged with usual fantastic craft of addressing the human existence, of dealing with grief, feeling lost and finding purpose in a confusing world. Despite their quirky exteriors and dry, odd tone of speech, Anderson’s characters are some of the most relatable and genuine representations of what it is like to be a person.