This wasn't the best year in film. The elite were few, and the rest were many. In TV, it was HBO and The Bear. The strike mucked up the works for basically the back half of the year. It looks likely that 2024 will see stronger effects of the industry hiccups of last year. Between the two, though, the highs were top-tier.
In some personal news, I have a six-week-old son. When I started publishing these lists a dozen years ago, I never dreamed that one day I'd have a family of my own. I think he's given me the motivation to continue making these things. You'd think I'd retain some semblance of critical confidence by maintaining this series after all these years, but I really don't. But now there will be a record of the things his old man liked most since the year he graduated college. That warms my heart.
(My arbitrary annual deadline, the Academy Awards ceremony, is sneaking up on me within the hour, so there is little to no elaboration on some of these picks.)
The Pretty Damn Goods of 2023
Season Two of 100 Foot Wave
Shouts to Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald of The Watch podcast for yet again recommending an incredible piece of television that I would absolutely never have given the time of day. I didn't care one iota about surfing. What you learn when diving into this show, though, is that 100 Foot Wave is less about surfing and more about people, who surf. This second season features some of the most breathtaking camera work I've ever seen. I don't know if it's underseen or underrated, but shows seldom come as thrilling as this.
Season Three of The Righteous Gemstones
At the risk of jinxing him and the show itself, there are few surer things in television than Danny McBride. That feels relatively safe to claim in 2023. For a juvenile fun time, you can't do much better. Amidst the crass antics, though, there is plenty of heart in The Righteous Gemstones. This third season found itself exploring not only the extended Gemstone family, but what it is that pushes vulnerable and foolish people into the arms of extremism. Shouts to Steve Zahn for his tremendous supporting performance this season. The show always belongs to the main cast, including the legend Uncle Baby Billy Freeman, but Zahn proved himself yet again as one of the most gifted performers in television today.
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning (Part One?)
It's a shame this perfectly solid entry in the Mission: Impossible franchise was swallowed by the Barbenheimer phenomenon. Perhaps it was longer than it needed to be (it was) and more complex than the scope of the story warranted (it was), but there are two action set pieces in Dead Reckoning that stand up to anything that's come before it. The Fiat car chase and the climactic escape from the crashing train are some of the best action scenes of the decade. Director Christopher McQuarrie always excels when it comes to old school action film fundamentals. Sometimes less is more, but Mission: Impossible never seems interested in taking that advice. And that's perfectly fine.
Ryan Gosling in Barbie
It feels wrong to say that Ken is the best part of a Barbie movie, but who at this point can argue? If there's anything Ryan Gosling is bad at doing in front of a camera, we haven't seen it. Much like Brad Pitt, he is a top-tier character actor in the body of a Hollywood legend. He could stand and do nothing else besides smolder and he would receive critical acclaim. But he never half-asses a role. He is really going for it in Barbie. Many others would've fallen flat on their faces attempting this silly character, but in giving the silliness 100%, he completely stole the movie and is nominated for an Oscar tonight. Respect.
"Elora's Dad"
Episode Nine of Season Three of Reservation Dogs
Reservation Dogs was a show that made a quick impact with its original voice and sense of humor, and insisted it not overstay its welcome. Even though the third season spent some of its limited time focused on stories outside of the core characters, the "Elora's Dad" episode was elite television. As soon as Ethan Hawke rounds the corner in that little store, you knew this was about to be one of the most important episodes of the series. It felt like a Richard Link later short film. You could feel the heaviness of the history between the two characters, like looking through a window at two people who still live inside their own losses. This is one of the best television episodes of this year, or any year.
Favorites of 2023
10. "Forks"
Episode Seven of Season Two of The Bear
I was not won over by the first season of The Bear. Some of what I don't love about it remains. The weight over every single decision the characters make becomes tiresome. I also couldn't stand Richie, but this is the episode where he and the show altogether finally held me in its grasp. Richie has been humbled by life and work. Or so he thinks. The realization that he can be an effective front-of-house man in charge is exhilarating and, I hesitate to say, life-affirming. There seems to be a universal acknowledgement that we as a species neglect to make every second of our lives count. Our time is limited, so why wouldn't we? It's a difficult question to answer, but like Richie, it's never too late to start.
9. John Wick: Chapter 4
I think there's an easy case to be made that of all modern franchise cinema, the John Wickiverse goes the hardest, as people younger than me would say. I couldn't stomach the runtime in the cinema, so I waited around til Peacock to finally catch it. By 45 minutes, I knew I was watching an all-timer. It's by far the best of the sequels, and likely the best of the bunch. Surely they'll make more, right? Please?
8. The Holdovers
Sometimes all you need from a movie is a good hang. The characters are often forlorn, but The Holdovers is never maudlin. There's something about this cold world that feels warm and inviting. Not perfect, but Alexander Payne makes 'em like no one else. Hail Giamatti.
7. Oppenheimer
I started a Letterboxd account this year where I elaborated on what I liked and didn't like about Oppenheimer. One thing I didn't say is that I think this realm of the historical is where Nolan might ought to stick for a while. I think Dunkirk is his best movie, and clearly this one took the world by storm. It's not my favorite of his filmography, maybe not even top five, but Nolan movies are events. In a world where the cinematic experience is in danger of disappearing, he is at the forefront of keeping it alive. May it ever be so.
6. Poor Things
I haven't seen a movie this batshit bananas in years. It is also one of the two most fun movies I saw this year. I think that's because everyone involved is clearly having a blast. Ruffalo has never been better, and I think this is a new career best for Emma Stone as well. It's certainly not one to blindly recommend to anyone, but it's a grand achievement nonetheless.
5. Killers of the Flower Moon
I also recently said a bit about this on my Letterboxd account. One thing I didn't mention was the inspired ending. As I understand it, it was tacked on after filming had completed. No one except Martin Scorsese could conceive of such an idea. The film is an incredible achievement that, like so much of Scorsese's filmography, I will rewatch for many years to come.
4. The Zone of Interest
What an original take on history's worst atrocity. It resembles hardly any piece of the source material, but it clearly inspired writer/director Jonathan Glazer to explore a new way to dissect how humans inflicted the worst of which we are capable on our fellow man. It is a singular experience that will be hard to remove from my mind.
3. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
This is one of the single most overwhelming theatrical experiences since the first time I saw The Fellowship of the Ring. I'm not a comic book guy, so I don't know how much of this material predates Across the Spider-Verse, but the creativity that teems forth from this movie is astounding. The scenes with Gwen and her dad where the background is an ever-changing cascade of color and emotion are as affecting as anything I've ever seen. There was so much unexpected depth in this movie. It was also the biggest blast I had this year. The ending blew away anyone who hasn't seen Back to the Future Part II.
2. "wow"
Series Finale of Barry
The final season of Barry is one of the most audacious pieces of television I've ever seen. It's been very divisive, but there's rarely been a surer creative hand than Bill Hader's. My jaw was on the floor for the majority of this episode, certainly the final scene. This show took a lot out of Bill Hader, and I'm sure he's still exhausted from the effort, but I can't wait to see what project he tackles next.
1. "Connor's Wedding"
Episode Three of Season Four of Succession
There couldn't be anything else. This was the year of Succession. I did not love the way the show ended, but this episode was transcendent. I don't know if creator Jesse Armstrong knew this particular character development would be handled the way it was, but experiencing it as a viewer seemed to mirror the stages of grief. There was disbelief, confusion, shock, grief and finally acceptance. Some of the best acting you'll ever see. I hate the show's gone, but I suppose it's better to burn out than fade away.
