13 Favorite Films of 2023

This could and would change tomorrow, but today this is my list. The 2023 films I liked the most are (in no particular order and I haven’t watched everything)…

They Cloned Tyrone

The rest aren’t in order, but this was my favorite. It’s INSANE to me that this isn’t on every single “Best of 2023” critic list. I am convinced that stylized, silly, pulpy genre films often get punished because they aren’t arthouse enough — especially sci-fi. Get outta here with that. Impeccably written and acted. Unfortunately, it also got lost in the Barbenheimer shuffle. Which probably explains the lack of overall hype. Jamie Foxx murdered his role. Teyonah Parris is a star. The way it subverted Blaxploitation tropes was brilliant. Need to go back and watch TCT again becase this was the most fun I had with a movie this year. Future. Cult. Classic.

Air

Another movie that isn’t getting its proper due. Because critics often punish, or at least dowgrade, movies that are fun — something we need to lean into to save Hollywood. Look, it’s not celebrating late-stage capitalism or what Nike has become. Anybody who is crossing their arms because of that has missed the mark. It’s celebrating Nike when it was David — not Goliath. More than that, it’s celebrating a dumpy basketball outcast clinging to relevancy and an underestimated powerhouse black mother coming together to change sports history. It’s an underdog story. A story about witnessing and celebrating rare greatness. This is very much the Ben Affleck who made Argo. He’s back. Having read this one before watching the eventual movie, Alex Convery’s screenplay sings. It’s probably better than the movie, but the movie hit damn close to the mark. This is my most rewatched film of 2023, and rewatchability is the most underrated movie trait.

Saltburn

No clue why this movie is under fire. Was there a secret cool kids meeting where a dogpile was planned? Bummed I didn’t get an invite. Anyway, after watching it last night, I discussed this one with my screenwriters group. At first, I liked it less than Promising Young Woman, writer/director Emerald Fennell’s first film. Now, PYW will certainly go down as a more of a cultural touchstone. No doubt. Smaller. More independent. More acidic. Yadda yadda yadda. Saltburn, however, has grown on me hour by hour as I digest. The spiritual sequel is just so fully realized, down to the aspect ratio, music choices and production design. The ending clicks a bit better than PYW‘s too. As someone who loves The Talented Mr. Ripley (and Purple Noon… and Ripley’s Game) and Cruel Intentions, this was a fresh coat of paint for that breed of story. It’s not deep or game-changing. It doesn’t nail all of its bold choices either (ahem, necrophiliac American Pie). Who cares? It’s a freaking blast that pushes limits. Patricia Highsmith with an aughts soundtrack that slaps. A cotton-candy class struggle movie (which subverts expectations, BTW) that feels disposable now, but when you see it pop up on Netflix 4-5 years from now you simply won’t be able to resist. Prediction: Saltburn will live on via the memes.

May December

Screenwriter Samy Burch is a force of nature. Cannot wait to watch Coyote vs. Acme and I’m begging for someone to scoop up that film after the Warner Bros. fiasco. Glad so many influential voices rebelled to protect that flick. Anyway, her script here was a perfect match for the Todd Hanyes experience — camp, dollhouses, melodrama but make it all a bit mundane. Haynes doesn’t always hit my taste strike zone, but this one did. Perfectly. The second watch is a different experience. Trust me. Oh yeah, Charles Melton is a star.

BlackBerry

Filmmaker Matt Johnson made The Social Network Lite, which is no knock, for a measly $5 million. Astonishing and an indictment of a business model that too often throws unholy gobs of money at problems instead of ingenuity. Glenn Howerton deserves a goddamn Oscar nom for his role. Period.

Anatomy of a Fall

Not quite Nordic Noir, because it’s French, but it has a similar vibe and aesthetic. Something about the combo of blood and snow always does it for me. Blame Fargo. It’s also more of a procedural than most of those movies, which sounds boring, but it’s by no means boring. Mid-movie, I wondered how director Justine Triet would stick the landing… and she proved she could. For me, it all came together.

Godzilla Minus One

Let’s remake Dunkirk but make it Japanese with actual character development and throw Godzilla in there for shits and giggles. A helluva ride.

Barbie

Was the ending perfect? No. Did it have a few off moments? Yes. Was Will Ferrell uninspired casting among an inspired cast? Yes. That said, this script from Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach turned a two-hour toy commercial and Mattel cash-grab into a memorable movie. It said something of value, sure, even if all the messages didn’t penetrate. The real accomplishment here is creating a comedy that will become Austin Powers-level ubiquitous in the age of social media distraction and a gazillion content options. Kudos to Mattel Studios, actually, for letting artists use their IP to do something new and unexpected. Hoping it becomes a trend.

Oppenheimer

Where Killers of the Flower Moon felt far too long and undisciplined, despite its many strong suits, Oppenheimer was tight and taut. I wasn’t a fan of Christopher Nolan’s previous three efforts — each felt so surgical and sterile that they were cold — but he’s back to his old self. His best outing since Inception.

Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret

Rachel McAdams deserves an award for her pitch-perfect performance here. Just a lovely film that felt like an authentic time capsule. I didn’t expect to love it; I merely expected to like and respect it. Ended up loving it.

Theater Camp

I laughed. A lot. A lot a lot.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

You didn’t really expect me to leave superhero movies entirely off the list, did you? Silly rabbit.

How to Blow Up a Pipeline

Incredible filmmaking. Riveting stuff. This one spoke to me, unsurprisingly.

[Saving potetial spaces for Poor Things, The Holdovers, American Fiction, a boatload of foreign films, etc.]

Music that Has Helped Me Survive the Pandemic

“Blue Skies” – Willie Nelson

A number one hit way back in the day. Willie is a fellow Austinite so I have to show some love.

“Crimson Tide” – Destroyer

Six minutes of perfection. Destroyer might be the most underrated person in all of music. That’s quite the claim, but I’ve felt like that for a minute now.

Fetch the Bolt Cutters – Fiona Apple

Fiona has long been one of my favorite artists. She never ever ever disappoints. How many artists in any medium or industry can you really say that about? And what a blessing to see her drop a classic album right when the world needed it. The track I jam out to the most is “Cosmonauts.”

“WHOLE WORLD” – Earl Sweatshirt

Huge Earl fan. I have my old-school favorite rappers, but he definitely cracks my new-school top five.

“One More Year” – Tame Impala

This one didn’t really stick at first, but post-pandemic, at least for me, it’s very sticky. “We’re on a roller coaster stuck on its loop-de-loop” has a whole new meaning now.

“Boku Wa Chotto” – Haruomi Hosono

Just discovered this song but it is effing wonderful. The Japanese pop singer doing a folk number.

“Easy Rider” – Action Bronson

Now that I’m screenwriting again after almost a decade hiatus, I’m back to a practice I adopted in film school: creating a soundtrack for the movie I envision in my head. This song is unlike any rap song I’ve ever heard and was perfect for the twisted Texas thriller I’ve been working on.

“People, I’ve been sad” – Christine and the Queens

It’s true that I have been sad during coronavirus, but this song makes me happy. Soothing as hell. I have a thing for songs that oscillate between English and French (hello, Arcade Fire).

“Violence” – Grimes

Ugh. I cannot stand Elon Musk but I won’t let that stop me from enjoying strong work from his talented wife.

“You and I” – Caribou

Another one of my favorite artists. This song continues to grow on me (as his stuff tends to do). Sometimes you have to be in the right space or place for music to connect. And this finally did.

“Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 1-5)” – Pink Floyd

As far as songs that are great to write to go, this is near the top of my list.

“O Superman” – Laurie Anderson

Words can’t really do this song justice, now can they? Every few years I go through a phase where I play it often.

“Laura” – Bat For Lashes

This ballad is somber but I can’t get enough of it. Was obsessed with it when it came out and lately it’s been a constant in my rotation.

“BEST INTEREST” – Tyler, The Creator

A short bop but a bop nonetheless. Love tracks that leave you wanting more.

“She’s A Rainbow” – The Rolling Stones

This is a pretty Stones tune and right now we need to listen to pretty tunes as much as we can. A sonic antidepressant.

My Favorite 30 Films of the 2010s

My favorite 30 films of the 2010s, off the top of my head in no particular order. Apologies to the movies I loved that didn’t make the list (there are plenty!).

Sorry to Bother You (2018) – Boots Riley is one of a kind. Just a genius film. Reminded me of old stuff I cherish like Brazil, How to Get Ahead in Advertising and Eating Raoul.

The Wailing (2016) – Sad not to get more foreign film on here, but there was no way I was leaving this one off. Seriously might be the best movie of the decade. Up there for sure.

Parasite (2019) – I’ve only seen it twice, but I’m not sure any movie hit me harder. Both overtly and with its symbolism, it is the most scathing critique of wealth inequality of the decade along with…

Snowpiercer (2013) – Like this one even better than Parasite, actually. When the movie ends, you want to head right back to the tail end of the train and make the arduous — and bloody — journey to the front again. Was tempted to list another Bong Joon-ho flick on here (Okja).

The Big Short (2015) – How in the hell is a movie about the financial crash so fun and rewatchable, yet informative, without pulling any punches?

Bad Genuis (2017) – A Thai film about a heist over school exams. It’s like Oceans Eleven for kids under pressure to academically excel, but with the intensity of a Christopher Nolan movie. Please hunt this down and watch it.

The Social Network (2010) – This is up there for the best movie of the decade. I know it’s trendy to hate on Aaron Sorkin, and I totally get it, but this is both him and Fincher at the peak of their powers.

Lady Bird (2017) – Greta Gerwig is a national treasure and must be protected.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) – Only room for one MCU movie on this list, and this gets the nod to rep them all because this movie is kind of the one that turned it up a notch for Marvel. They started allowing filmmakers to put their personalities in their flicks.

Ex Machina (2014) – There aren’t a lot of movies that leave my mouth hanging wide open, but this one did that.

Frances Ha (2013) – This was in the midst of when I was traveling to NYC constantly for work, and I instantly fell in love with this movie. Big Noah Baumbach fan.

Whiplash (2014) – You will not find a film with better editing and sound editing. My dear god what an effing rush this film is. Edge of your seat for most of it.

Moonlight (2016) – Really glad this one Best Picture. Such a poignant, illuminating film.

Gone Girl (2014) – Fincher is on his own level, and he and Gillian Flynn turned a bit of a guilty pleasure into a cinematic masterpiece. Ben Affleck is perfect in the Scott Peterson role.

Get Out (2017) – This one changed American cinema forever. Jordan Peele is a god damn genius.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) – Arguably, both the best superhero and animated movie of the decade. Maybe the best Spidey movie ever. I’ve seen it at least 5-6 times.

Headhunters (2011) – Nordic Noir is an addiction of mine, so since Girl with the Dragon Tattoo came out in 2009, this underrated gem of a Norweigan crime thriller gets to rep the genre.

Coco (2017) – When I got done watching this at the theater with my wife and future inlaws, we were all crying. What. A. Movie. Favorite Pixar joint since Wall-E.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) – The set pieces alone! I didn’t love the other Wes Anderson films this decade nearly this much, so it was a natural selection.

Green Room (2015) – The perfect intersection of horror and thriller. RIP Anton Yelchin. Patrick Stewart as a villain is a god damn treat.

Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) – Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant had unstoppable chemistry. Haven’t seen A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood yet, but Marielle Stiles Heller is an impressive storyteller.

The Favourite (2018) – Yorgos Lanthimos was the filmmaker of the decade. Was close to picking The Killing of a Sacred Deer and did pick…

The Lobster (2015) – Don’t think there’s been something quite like this made at this level since Eternal Sunshine.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2012) – The best-acted scene of the decade was Leo ODing on ludes and crawling his ass into a Lambo to drive home. Love how this film pulls you into the appeal of greed and then pulls the rug out from under you Goodfellas style.

The Shape of Water (2017) – Always felt Pan’s Labyrinth should’ve won Best Picture. Controversial film, but I love it and its director. Long live Guillermo.

Sing Street (2016) – Who knew New Wave music and a coming-of-age plot where the perfect match? I heart this movie so fucking much, especially since my wife turned me onto it. Sometimes that can make a picture more special.

The Square (2017) – Not even sure how to explain this nutty Swedish movie about the art world, but it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen and really stuck with me.

Moneyball (2011) – I love sports, data and underdogs, plus Phillip Seymour Hoffman forever. *sheds a tear*

Blindspotting (2018) – This buddy movie about friendship and gentrification is heartfelt, funny, and one of a kind. Felt like I had to squeeze it onto the list.

Arrival (2016) – My wife’s favorite of the decade (and she has excellent taste). I’m just as partial to his earlier film, Prisoners, but this one is more unique, so it gets the spot.

Scot Pilgrim Vs. the World (2010) – Did I just squeeze number 31 onto the list? Oops. Couldn’t leave this off, as it’s one that I will always say yes to when asked if I want to watch.