My Top 10 Movies of 2023

by A.J. 

For me, the Academy Awards marks the end of the movie year. It took me a while to see everything in my watchlist, but there's just enough time left to present my list of the best movies of 2023.

My Top 10 Movies of 2023

1. Oppenheimer

It should be a history lesson or another by the numbers biopic, but in the hands of Christopher Nolan, who is proving himself to be a master filmmaker, this is a rare blend of entertainment and art and is the best movie of 2023. 

2. Killers of the Flower Moon

Martin Scorsese made one of the best movies of [insert whatever year] to the surprise of no one. The skill at work once again proves he is a master and his depiction of the terrible crimes against the Osage makes for a difficult but powerful film. 

3. Barbie

The Barbie movie didn't have to be sharp satire about gender issues with emotional character arc for Barbie and Ken, but is and it also tremendous fun and a genuinely great movie. 

4. Past Lives

A gentle and moving story about relationships and more importantly connections. 

5. American Fiction

A very smart comedy and fun satire grounded by a relatable family story. 

6. Bottoms

Absurd. Ridiculous. Hilarious. This manages to be both a parody of high school/teen movies but also a good high school teen movie. The leads have great chemistry and are very good (maybe even too good) at playing teenagers.

7. The Taste of Things

From France. This is a gentle and lovely film about the joy of cooking, the joy of friends, the joy of lovers, the joy of life.

8. Godzilla Minus One

Maybe the best Godzilla movie ever? The human characters are great and Godzilla is scary, probably the scariest he's ever been.

9. You Hurt My Feelings

Nicole Holofcener's great comedy about an author who accidentally finds out what her husband thinks of her latest book. The characters and their problems feel realistic even though they come across as silly too. 

10. Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part One

The action is great, of course, especially the climax on a runaway train and of the very high quality we've come to expect from Tom Cruise and these movies.