By Mark Pukalo
The top 25 movies of 2023 fell into place for me by the end, but there were so many good films this past year that the honorable mentions list is a very strong group.
There is plenty of diversity in these 30 movies from some old favorites to some new ideas to just a plain fun 90-120 minutes or so.
You may say, "What the heck is 80 for Brady and the Adam Sandler film doing in this group?" But, to me, they were very likable films. If they were not as well written, they would have been easily forgotten.
Creed III, Equalizer III, John Wick 4 and Spiderman Across the Spiderverse were all solid sequels and, although "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" had its issues, it was certainly worth a watch for fans of the trilogy as a prequel.
Then you have the group of films about legendary figures - Napoleon, Wonka, Priscilla and Renfield (Dracula). Terrific performances in all of them. The Color Purple is also historic and the retool was well done.
Three of the best documentaries of the year are the inspiring "It Ain't Over" about Yogi Berra, "Little Richard: I am Everything," the maddening "Take Care of Maya" and the shocking "Beyond Utopia."
I liked "Poor Things," but not as much as most other critics. It is a unique story like Nic Cage's "Dream Scenario" and "All of us Strangers" - a mysterious film that makes you try to figure out what really happened. The intense "Fair Play" and the under-the-radar picks "Rye Lane," Finland's "Fallen Leaves" and "Scrapper" are also very good films in my opinion.
Director John Carney (Once, Sing Street, Begin Again) came through with another likable movie with "Flora and Son," while Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit) had fun with "Next Goal Wins," and "Polite Society" provided plenty of laughs.
Here's the list. There are 31 more to go.
High Honorable Mention (Could be in top 25 in other years. Recommended) - 31
All of Us Strangers - It's not a gay love story or a ghost story. It's basically about a young man dealing with grief and regrets. The film is much closer to "The Sixth Sense" with a little touch of "Aftersun."
Anyone But You - A harmless, entertaining rom-com with Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell in the leads. Was pleasantly surprised. Thought it would be corny.
Beyond Utopia - Gut-wrenching documentary about desperate families attempting to escape North Korea. You knew it was bad in that country, but somehow you finish this movie feeling like it is much worse than you ever imagined.
The Color Purple - A strong adaption of the classic movie, which is turned into musical about the journey of two sisters in the deep south. I actually liked it much more than I thought I would.
Creed III - Adonis is doing great with his career and family until a childhood friend brings back a bad memory, stress and a fight. It's probably better than Creed II.
Dream Scenario - Nic Cage is very good as an average teacher who suddenly begins appearing in everyone's dreams. When the dreams become sinister, he must deal with the other side of his fame. It's a good examination of our viral culture.
The Equalizer 3 - Denzel Washington is living peacefully in Southern Italy when he see his friends being controlled by local mafia. He decides to use his skills and eliminate the bad guys.
Fair Play - An intense sexual drama, based in a cut-throat hedge fund office. Phoebe Dynevor is amazing as a woman who advances ahead of her lover at the firm and it changes the relationship. The ending is powerful.
Fallen Leaves - Short, sweet story about two lonely people in Finland who find each other and form a relationship through hardships. It is unique and sneaky funny.
Flora and Son - Director John Carney's fourth best movie out of four I have seen, but Once, Begin Again and Sing Street are three of my all-time favorites. Music is a key to the story again as a broken family and a criminal kid find peace in song.
Gran Turismo - The story of Jann Mardenborough, a sim driver who fights to become a big-time racer. David Harbour's performance, as Jann's coach, makes the surprisingly good film better.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - There were a lot of good things through the first three quarters of the Hunger Games prequel, led by Rachel Zegler. It lacked a clear and convincing resolution, though.
John Wick: Chapter 4 - It's too long, but the action is terrific and the lead character very compelling as usual. The final scenes are very well done.
Little Richard: I am Everything - Terrific, detailed documentary about the under-appreciated artist and pioneer of rock and roll.
It Ain't Over - Documentary on the great Yogi Berra taught me a lot. The interviews and the editing are excellent.
Napoleon - Joaquin Phoenix does a great job with Ridley Scott's epic story about the French Emperor. I was there from start to finish on a film I had low expectations for.
Next Goal Wins - The feel-good story of the American Samoa men's soccer team is fun and inspiring. Michael Fassbender was a strange choice to play coach Thomas Rongen, but he does an admirable job.
Polite Society - Priya Kansara is both funny and smart as Ria Khan, who tries to save her sister from a dangerous marriage.
Poor Things - Emma Stone is amazing as Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life with a child's brain by a mad scientist (Wilem Dafoe) and finding herself in a cruel new world. I was not thrilled through much of the first hour, but it grew on me like Bella did.
Priscilla - Cailee Spaeny is tremendous as the under-aged girl Elvis finds and marries. Sofia Coppola does a good job with a tough subject and I learned a lot while being entertained.
Renfield - Nicholas Hoult stars as the faithful, but tortured, servant of Dracula (Nic Cage), Awkwafina's appearance always makes a movie better.
Rye Lane - British film about two young people coming off failed relationships who meet by chance and spend the day getting to know each other. It gets better with every second.
Scrapper - Little Lola Campbell steals this under-appreciated movie about a girl lying to social services to live alone after her mother dies. Her estranged father shows up and changes her world. It is messy, low-rent, but sweet and honest. Georgie is one of the best characters of the year.
Spiderman: Across the Spider-verse - Miles Morales goes off on another journey with a wonderful sidekick in spider girl Gwen Stacy. It's long and fun, but I was not aware it was a part one. Wanted a conclusion.
Suzume - A beautiful, mystical and somewhat quirky Japanese cartoon where a young girl is tasked with saving the world from disaster. Not sure what really happened at the end, but it made me tear up.
Take Care of Maya - A stunning documentary about a hospital in St. Petersburg that totally screws up the care of a 10-year-old child and blames the parents for it. It makes you mad. That's what it's supposed to do.
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour - What a show. The director did an excellent job putting this together with the use of three different shows at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood. Wish I could have been there.
The Teacher's Lounge - German film about the tangled web of office politics after a new teacher accuses a secretary of theft with a video. The ending was ok, but a better one could have put this in the top 25.
Wonka - Timothee Chalamet is terrific as the budding chocolate maker. It's fun, the songs are not annoying and the acting is very good, especially Chalamet and Calah Lane (Noodle).
You're So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah - Adam Sandler's latest netflix film was charming, humorous and showcased his daughters talents. His youngest, Sunny, stole the movie and is gonna be a star.
80 for Brady - Lily, Jane, Sally and Rita help Tom bring the Patriots back to beat Atlanta in the Super Bowl. Who knew? Thought it was just bad time management by Atlanta. But seriously, it's a lot of fun and it works.
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