MJ's Best Movies of 2023 (at least, those I've seen)

It's that most wonderful time of the year, when lists are created for every possible occasion: Best Movies, Best Books, Best of TV and Music, with the last two broken down into so many categories so as not to exclude anyone or anything. Plus, there are lists that introduced us to newcomers and the one that has become more poignant to me: In Memoriam. When I was young, I remember asking my parents who many of those who passed were. Now, I not only know almost all of them, I was also influenced by many of them.

So... at the risk of composing another ubiquitous list of useless information and movie trivia, here is my list of the ten best movies I've seen so far this year. I promise to keep the analysis short (I've got to save something for my Oscar predictions) and readable while you're drinking that first glass of New Year's Eve champagne.

Three films I have yet to see - and are thus not (yet) included are American Fiction, The Zone of Interest and The Color Purple. The first two are not playing in Chicago yet (American Fiction is only playing in one theater downtown), and I have not gotten to see The Color Purple. Soon, I promise.

For those I have seen, my ten best in no particular order (sort of)....

Saltburn - Writer/director Emerald Fennell continues to push the envelope of what is appropriate cinematic subject matter and character behavior with a second film effort (the first was 2020's Promising Young Woman) that skewers the British upper class, scrambles gender types, and crosses sexual boundaries as a murderous social climber (Barry Keoghan) plots to have it all. A warning: Saltburn is not a film for everyone, especially those who prefer their stories neat and the sex polite.

Wonka - The much-anticipated prequel to 1971's Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. Wonka offers a frothy origins story that features a young Willy (Timothée Chalamet) as he pursues his dream of owning a chocolate shop. If this movie doesn't warm your heart, nothing will. It's a delightful confection filled with magic and song.

The Holdovers - Director Alexander Payne reunites with actor Paul Giamatti (their first film together was 2004's Sideways) to create a period piece (I can't believe I'm calling 1971 a "period piece") about a curmudgeonly teacher at a private school (Giamatti) left to babysit the students who have nowhere to go during the Christmas holidays. Some predictable situations ensue, but the story along with first-rate performances from Giamatti and Da' Vine Joy Randolph as the school's cook make it worth seeing.

Priscilla - Sofia Coppola's dark and thoughtful study of Priscilla Presley, whose relationship with Elvis seemed, on the surface, to be a fairy tale. Coppola cleverly pulls back the curtain on the facade, delving deep into the toxic combination of love and fame on an impressionable Priscilla.

Anatomy of a Fall - Winner of the prestigious Palme D'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, Anatomy follows the story of a woman (Sandra Hüller) accused of murdering her husband. But the circumstances surrounding his death (a fall from a third story window), the evidence gathered, and various testimonies from witnesses, including her son, create more ambiguity than clarity in this clever and engaging treatise on marriage, women and professional jealousy.

Past Lives - Celine Song's debut film is a lovely tale of childhood sweethearts (Greta Lee and Teo Yoo) reunited years after her family left Korea to relocate in Canada. Now married to an American (a wonderful John Magaro), Nora (Lee) is torn between the happy life she has created for herself and the memories of first love and the culture she left behind.

Oppenheimer - Christopher Nolan's epic opus on Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, focuses on the personal and professional demons that tormented him throughout his life, despite his scientific genius. Outstanding performances from Cillian Murphy in the titular role and Robert Downey, Jr. as Oppy's nemesis Lewis Strauss. Expect to see this one take home lots of awards this holiday season.

Maestro - Bradley Cooper's magnificent biopic about the life of Leonard Bernstein and his marriage to Costa Rican actress Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan). Cooper's vision as director matches his performances as Bernstein to powerful effect: it is a work of cinematic art and a thoughtful tribute to American's first "maestro." Another potential awards season favorite.

Poor Things - Yorgos Lanthimos is nothing if not "odd" as a film director. His movies are quirky, sometimes kinky, and always edgy and interesting. No disappointment here, as Lanthimos turns the Bride of Frankenstein upside down and follows the journey of Bella (Emma Stone) a reanimated corpse whose re-introduction into the world is filled with wonder, sex, and a strong dose of fierce feminism. Like Saltburn, it's not for everyone, but definitely a must-see for the serious moviegoer. Poor Things is another strong contender for multiple awards nominations.

Barbie - This may be my personal favorite this year (I'm still thinking about it), but most of all Barbie is a funny, clever re-imagination of the Mattel doll loved and/or hated by many. Writer (with husband Noah Baumbach) / director Greta Gerwig has attached so many layers to Barbie's story that it's hard to single out just one reason to see it. Bolstered by strong, one-of-a-kind performances from Margot Robbie as Barbie and, especially, Ryan Gosling as (just) Ken, Barbie explores more serious themes of life, death, and what it means to be a woman.

There you have it - my 2023 wrap-up. More reviews and thoughts on the awards season as the new year approaches, and - if you haven't caught all my blog reviews - detailed reviews of each of the movies listed here can be found on my blog.

The Golden Globes are up January 7, so I'm just getting warmed up. Thanks to all who took time to read my blog posts in 2023. Here's to watching more great movies in 2024!