(This article is part of our Best of 2023 series.)
I usually play catch-up on last year’s films every January and it was no different this year. I’ve seen some great 2023 films already this month, including The Iron Claw (which just missed out on my Top 5). While I’ll continue to knock more 2023 films off my watchlist before the end of January, here are five of my favorite films from last year.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
One of the first 2023 films I saw and perhaps my favorite of the year. While I have never played Dungeons & Dragons (and don’t plan to), I had an absolute blast with Honor Among Thieves. It’s a fun action adventure/comedy with a great ensemble cast. These days, if you want something like that you have to watch Fast & Furious or an Avengers movie. I’m still mad that this film didn’t do better at the box office because these characters deserve a franchise to call their own. Also, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein are some of the best comedy directors working today.
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie
It’s a Michael J. Fox movie, so of course it’s making my Top 5. Focusing on Fox’s struggle with Parkinson’s disease, this Apple TV+ documentary doesn’t reveal too much that I hadn’t already known thanks to the actor’s autobiographies. However, I’m never going to pass up the opportunity to listen to my favorite actor talk about his career. If you haven’t already, check out Still. It’s a great watch if you’re less familiar with Fox’s career and life with Parkinson’s.
BlackBerry
Okay, BlackBerry surprised me. I had heard good things, but I wasn’t expecting this film to crack my Top 5. Yet, here we are. Similar to how the film reminds viewers that people used to refer to these smartphones as “crackberry,” BlackBerry is an addictive biopic that recounts the rapid rise to success for the company and smartphone as well as its equally quick fall (damn you, iPhone!). Glenn Howerton is phenomenal as investor Jim Balsillie while Jay Baruchel gives an equally compelling performance as BlackBerry co-founder Mike Lazaridis. I’ve always been a sucker for a good biopic that doesn’t feel like a history textbook on screen, and BlackBerry is anything but that. The fact that co-writer/director Matt Johnson was able to cram so much history in a 2-hour film is impressive. BlackBerry is one of 2023’s best films and I’m bummed that it’s not getting more awards attention.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
While I have some story issues with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, none of it has to do with Rocket’s story or Chukwudi Iwuji’s performance as the High Evolutionary. Marvel Studios has done a better job since Thanos to make its one-and-done villains more interesting (ex, Mandarin, Namor, Gorr), but the High Evolutionary is the cream of the crop. He’s just a cold-blooded villain with no redeeming qualities. Those Baby Rocket flashbacks are tough to watch.
However, the Rocket/High Evolutionary storyline is not why this film made my Top 5. What really stuck with me after viewing this film is how Star-Lord and Gamora depart as friends and not lovers. The closing moment between them where Gamora (who, to remind readers, is the alternate 2014 version from Avengers: Endgame and not the one from the first two Guardians films) says, “I bet we were fun,” and Star-Lord responds, “You wouldn’t believe it,” I mean… is someone cutting onions in here? James Gunn is 4/4 for superhero films in my opinion and I cannot wait to see what he does with the DC Universe.
Saltburn
Another surprise. I watched the first Saltburn trailer and it did nothing for me, so I only checked this one out on Prime Video because it was getting tons of good reviews. Let me tell you, I’m glad I did because I had a blast with this one. I know Saltburn has its fair share of enemies at ScreenAge Wasteland, but I enjoyed Barry Keoghan’s character and all the little twists and turns that came with him. Call me daft, but I didn’t see that ending coming. I figured he had something to do with the first death but not the other ones. Honestly, the final thirty minutes of the movie might be the best of the film. And that closing scene featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor” is maybe the most unexpected part of the movie. I liked Saltburn and if you didn’t, I bet you also don’t like runny eggs.
Those are my five favorite films of 2023. The runner-ups would be Air, Flora and Son, Thanksgiving, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and The Iron Claw.
What are your thoughts on the movies that made my top five? Share them down below!
