Last year has ended and it is time to cover some of the favorite, not best or worst, movies of 2023! What has became apparent is that the fresh, creative vision of filmmakers is something that was unexpeted in 2022. There are still some films that I have not caught up on; Susume, Past Lives, and Air. Some movies must have honorable mention and should qualify for the best in cinema; The Color Purple, Barbie, and The Marvels. The movies are not judged based on their box office, award worthiness, and instead are ranked by their personal impact.
So let’s go over some favorite films of last year! Starting with #10 The Little Mermaid, it was #2 for the Top Five Movies article on August 25th. The impression of the movie is great entertainment, but while fantasy is compelling, I like the more human element. I do like Halle Bailey’s performance, Ariel's lost mother, and the need to understand and bring together two cultures which is also shared by the prince. The story, characters, and the visuals brought something fresh to the original 1989 classic animated movie.
#9 Wish, this is a Disney animated movie of beauty, an entertaining family film, with great songs. I love the character of Asha (Ariana DeBose), a young woman who believes that everyone should have their dreams, plus Alan Tudyk as the GOAT goat, Valentino! My favorite moment is when a villain like Magnifico (Chris Pine) is about to crush the hopes of a positive character, this is also in #3, but hope can't be stomped out.
#8 Godzilla Minus One, it stunned me that general audiences have taken to a G-Film, a feat accomplished by the director and visual effects supervisor, Takashi Yamazaki. There were dramatic parts with the human characters of Koichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki) and Noriko Oishi (Minami Hamabe) were more interesting than the Kaiju, in fact if there were more of the humans, it would probably rate higher. Love the effects and the depiction of Godzilla.
#7 The Boy and The Heron, another Japanese movie and in this case from Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli. There is wonder in this film and sadness. The loss of Mohito’s mother is the driving part of the story, but there is also war, bullying, a new step parent, plus a fantasy world that follows the fairy tale rules. It is a treasure for movie goers. #6 The Creator, brilliant in telling a different story of A.I. with the vision of writer and director, Gareth Edwards. with Alfie (Madeleine Yuna Voyales), protected by soldier, Joshua (John David Washington).
In turn, he is sarching for his wife, scientist, Maya (Gemma Chan) in the midst of war. The world building is some of the best in sci fi. #5 Missing, I love a good mystery, this one had me engaged with a real human story of a missing parent. There are twists that uncover family secrets. In this movie and the previous one, we get creativity in the filmmaking itself. For Missing, it is the innovative Screenlife format using cell phones, computer, and tv screens to tell the story. Storm Reid as June is perfect, clever, but has to her use last resources to find her mother.
#4 was #3 of my Top Five, The Last Voyage of the Demeter, pure horror, and best of all, the fulfillment of Bram Stoker’s novel in terms of tone which always seemed elusive on film. It struck me as Dracula, but bringing in modern horror that was perfect. Love every moment of the movie. The director, André Øvredal, had a dark vision that brought tension to the inevitable loss of the crew by Dracula. The highlight is Corey Hawkins as a character not in the novel, but completely works in this telling.
The crew is great including Aisling Franciosi as a stowaway and David Dastmalchian as the first mate. Wonka is #3, what stands out is the director, Paul King, who can make a film that appeals to every audience. A wonderous performace by Timothée Chalamet as the eternally upbeat Wonka taking on a world trying to bring him down. Still, he is flawed being illiterate and not understanding the Chocolate Cartel or the Oompa Loompas. A splendid cast including Calah Lane’s Noodle and the love to hate villain, Mrs. Scubitt played by Olivia Colman.
The #2 favorite will be on almost no one’s list, The Magic Flute, #1 on the top five movies. It impacted me the most with the introduction of Mozart’s opera, beyond what was in Amadeus, (1984), with charismatic leads, Jack Wolfe as Tim Walker, and Niamh McCormack as Sophie. Plus there is the best music. I would like everyone get an appreciation of Mozart, The Magic Flute, and the contemporary and fantasy characters, with the premise of the creativity of the artist. The top movie, Killers of the Flower Moon, the greatest part is showing the world the Osage Nation.
It is just a peek into the culture, the tragic event, but also the trust that director Martin Scorsese is placing in the audience to decide for themselves on the motivations of the characters. The movie offers complexity for them, in other words, they are human. Lily Gladstone, has deserved award attention; what Mollie Burkhart goes through, her family, and culture is important. The parts for Leondardo DiCaprio, Ernest Burkhart, and Robert DeNiro, William Hale, are brave roles to take on. I think the subtleties and hints opens the movie for repeat viewings. 2023 had a number of magical, dramatic, tension and terror, movies that are very human and entertaining! Now there is the promise of 2024 films!
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#MinamiHamabe, #TheBoyAndTheHeron, #HayaoMiyazaki, #TheCreator, #Garethdwards, #MadeleineYunaVoyales, #JohnDavidWashington, #GemmaChan, #Missing, #StormReid, #TheLastVoyageOfTheDemeter, #AndreOvredal, #CoreyHawkins
#AislingFranciosi, #DavidDastmalchian, #Wonka, #PaulKing, #TimotheeChalamet, #CalahLane, #OliviaColman, #TheMagicFlute, #Mozart, #JackWolfe, #NiamhMcCormack, #KillersOfTheFlowrMoon, #MartinScorsese, #LilyGladstone, #LeonardoDiCaprio, #RobertDeNiro
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