As many of you likely noticed may have noticed, 2023 was a strange year for movies. A lot of it had to do with two major strikes. Likewise, surefire hits featuring superheroes, spies and whip-slinging archeologists flopped while a three hour biopic about a scientist in the 40’s was a summer blockbuster. That being said there were still some great movies and some of them I was able to see. I have a busy life and can not see everything, so this is by far not a complete list but of the movies I saw here are my top five favorites in no particular order.
Oppenheimer: It goes without saying, that Christopher Nolan fella’ is pretty darn good at making movies. With an all-star cast combined with his brilliant and unique vision, the acclaimed director told the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man who opened the Pandora’s Box of our modern age. With the United States deep in World War II it is clear the nation’s best chance of winning lies in the ability of an eccentric scientist to build a weapon of unimaginable destruction. But what Oppenheimer creates would reverberate throughout the years as he deals with not only his own mental and emotional turmoil but also others who would rally against him for their own political gain.
Godzilla: Minus One: While we are on the topic of protagonists who were traumatized by the events of the Second World War. For the seventieth anniversary of Godzilla, filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki went back to the monster’s Post War roots while focusing on the element of the franchise traditionally viewed as the “boring” part: the humans. The end result is possibly the best Godzilla flick since the 1954 original. Returning in perceived disgrace Koichi Shikishima, tries to build a new life but the monster who terrorized him during the war has now made its way to Japan’s mainland with new nuclear power. Forgoing the battling kaijus and destruction the series has become associated with, Godzilla Minus One is a compelling and emotional story exploring heavy themes of PTSD and survivor’s guilt. But make no mistake, those looking for Godzilla causing destruction will be happy as well as the monster is portrayed as nothing less than a force of destruction.
When Evil Lurks: In 2017, Argentinian director Demian Rugna put the horror world on notice with his nightmare-inducing Terrified. This year’s follow-up combining old world folklore with demonic possession would prove that the previous flick was no fluke and Rugna has the potential to be one of the great masters of horror. Two ranch hands, Jaime and Pedro, discover a demonic presence on the land they work and it is spreading like a virus. Gathering their family they take off in search of safety, only to find the evil is following them and if they have any hope of restoring peace they must slay the source of the possession. This is the kind of chilling horror film that sticks in your mind long after it is over as it has no apprehension about taking audiences into horrific places.
Barbie: A movie based on iconic toy typified by materialism should by all rights have become a cinematic commercial. But in the hands of brilliant auteur Greta Gerwig, Barbie became a smart, funny, and subversive picture unafraid to tackle topics surrounding gender roles, consumerism, and beauty standards with a bombastic pink style. In Barbieland, Barbie, or Stereotypical Barbie, notices things in her life changing for the worst. This leads her to travel to the real world to get to the bottom of things, where she is joined by a stowaway Ken. While Barbie tries to connect with the mother and daughter she is tied to, Ken learns about the patriarchy and brings this style of men and horses running things back to ruin Barbieland.
Talk To Me: 2023 saw the visionary studio A24 bring this horror flick to the masses and we should be glad they did. For a group of teens, an embalmed hand becomes the source of the latest fad thanks to its supernatural properties. What starts as fun and games inevitably evolves into terror as things go too far. This atmospheric and haunting film sucks you in and never lets you go until the end.
The Holdovers: Over the holiday break of 1971, and the students and faculty of a boarding school have all left to spend time with their friends and family, all except three people. Mary, the lunch lady dealing with the loss of her son on the fields of Vietnam; Angus, a troubled teen who’s mother and stepfather reneged on a promise, and the wildly unpopular teacher Mr. Hunham played by the always fantastic Paul Giamatti. While they may initially be apprehensive about one another, over the course of the school break the trio find themselves bonding as those left behind. Usually films of the “dramedy” genre lean harder one way or the other but this hilarious and tragic film finds that perfect balance.
The Iron Claw: Throughout the history of professional wrestling few stories have been as heartbreaking as the story of the Von Erich family. The stars of WCCW, Kevin, David, and Kerry nothing short of Texas icons, but over the course of their careers these young men had to battle a plethora of personal demons. Their real life drama serves as the perfect fuel for writer/director Sean Durkin’s incredible film showing that even in the seemingly darkest of stories there is still hope.