Each year, we make a bit of a “deal,” in so much as we can make a deal around here, of our favorites from the year. This includes books, yes, but mainly the favorite movies of 2023, plus TV, too. This not because we don’t still love books, but because we haven’t bene reading fiction much lately. A crime against reading, perhaps, but tis the truth. One of these years, it’ll all come back, but until then, we have other stories to feature.
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BEST OF 2023: THE FAVORITE FILM AND TV SHOWS FROM THE YEAR. Looking at some of my favorites in film and TV from 2023. #BestofYear #BestinYear #FavoritesoftheYear #NewYear #Favoritesof2023 #Barbie #GoodMovies #FavoriteMovies Click To TweetWatching film and TV has been something I’ve done for years. While it probably looks otherwise, it’s not always because I think it’s superior or “better.” Sometimes it’s not even that I want to see something, in fact in recent years, I’ve become weary of cinematic stories, but through the years, it’s been because someone else enjoys movies, so I watch them because of that. Or because I must create content and need inspiration or to review the current “it” flick. There’s any number of reasons as to the “why” of my film watching. Sometimes the movies surprise me, and sometimes they’re exactly what I anticipate.
As I look over this list, I’m finding that there aren’t many to feature. I’m not sure why this is, but I suspect it’s partially due to the films being produced today. The second reason I suspect this is so is that I’m more (cynical?) selective in what I consider good. Also important to note is, I don’t define good in the way most do. I’m looking at entertainment value. Today we’re going to talk about some of those that surprise, and I quite enjoyed.
BEST in YEAR: FAVORITE MOVIES of 2023
On this list is both big screen and streaming movie debuts, both of which aren’t likely considered “great” cinema by experts. But all of which I did enjoy for differing reasons. Some of which we’ll share below. Let’s meet our favorite movies of 2023.
BARBIE (2023)
Starting things off with a controversial one! Yes, this one may be sort of unusual to add, but honestly, I thought it was good. I don’t think it’s “all bad” like so many commentators say, nor do I think it’s “actually conservative” as others claim. Somewhere in the middle is more honest. There’s some things about the script I disagree with and there’s others that is touching and surprisingly insightful. Bottom line, Barbie is a good time, and if you let it, you’ll find some honest messaging mixed in. favorite movies of 2023
THE FAMILY PLAN
Fun and more fun labels this one. Unlike Ghosted (this and The Family Plan are from Apple TV+), this one doesn’t really have anything I didn’t like. It’s not a “great” film when judged by the critics or classics, but it’s good fun and it made me laugh which are two things I rarely find in today’s cinema.
FREE GUY (2021)
Silly, yes, and honestly, I’m not even sure this “should” be on my list. But it’s a fun watch, and one that clearly, I didn’t see until this year.
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
From Netflix, this is an adaptation of Jennifer E. Smith’s The Probability of Love at First Sight. I actually liked this one… a lot. For a modern rom-com (or more drama), it works really well, even with the changes. And I think of the two adapted novels by her, this one is far superior. There’s just something about the connection and the narration that adds some depth and the latter adds a distinction that we don’t normally get in rom-coms.
ROSALINE
A Hulu original, this one is just fun. I wasn’t sure if I’d like the movie, but it does entertain and the cast is super fun, too. In a kind of tongue and cheek humor check, this one is an alternative Romeo and Juliet story.
WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? (2023)
Imperfect, yes, just like anything else, this film is far better than Your Place or Mine? which was a flick from the beginning of this year that I was anticipating. This one doesn’t “hit” all the marks, but it’s still good and I quite enjoyed it. Plus I think it asks better questions about love and romance. favorite movies of 2023
ALMOST FAVORITE SHOUT-OUT
ONE TRUE LOVES
Just watched this one after reading the novel this year. It’s not perfect, and there’s a couple of things I didn’t love, but it’s a decent adaptation and is, really, quite touching. It’s not a favorite in the way What’s Love Got to Do with It? is, so I am leaving it off the favorites list.
ON THE SMALL SCREEN
I really saw almost no new TV shows this year. Those I watched were new seasons of established favorites, and those I did see that were new, weren’t shows I watched all the way through. So the shows I am including are coming with a disclosure that I didn’t see every episode.
CANNES CONFIDENTIAL
From Acorn TV, this show is fun. I didn’t make time to finish it, but loved what I saw. It’s one of those “sleek,” kind of high concept crime dramas, that probably gets complicated with the would-be romance. Based on what I saw, there was a possible sticky love situation likely to unfold. Plus, the show does rate TV-MA, meaning it’s more adult than some of its peers.
THE COMPANY YOU KEEP
I didn’t watch all of this either, which turns out to be good since ABC opted not to renew it. But it had the potential to be interesting. It’s about a family of con men who find their past catches up to them. favorite movies of 2023
THE GILDED AGE
Haven’t seen the second season of this as of yet, but season one was easy watching and made it hard not to want to see what’s next. This is a period drama from Julian Fellowes, and follows two neighboring families in 1800s New York; one is old money, and the other is new money just moving into their elaborate home, and the fight the lady of the house is making to be socially accepted.
NCIS: SYDNEY
The last spin off from NCIS, this one is set (obviously) in Syndey Australia, and is so far quite good. I like the team, and the possible building blocks (about and for the character) going into place.
IN A “COPY + PASTE” SCENARIO –> What’d I Miss? I still haven’t seen 2019 titles like Five Feet Apart; The Sun is also a Star; Tolkien; X-Men: Dark Phoenix; Yesterday; Where’d You Go, Bernadette?; 2020 tiles I haven’t made time for The New Mutants; A Rainy Day in New York; 2021 titles include F9: The Fast Saga; Jungle Cruise; Sing 2; Spider-Man: No Way Home; The Tomorrow War; 2022 titles Love & Gelato; Redeeming Love; The Sky is Everywhere; 2023 titles Are you There God? It’s Me, Margaret; The Little Mermaid; Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning; and others were on my priority list. Alas, I just didn’t seem to make time for them. I’m not sure why, but when it comes to box office films, I missed a lot this year. What should I start with in 2024??
Have you seen any of these? Which ones should I still see from this year? Which titles do you think I’m missing out on? What would make your favorite movies of 2023 list? Comment all of your thoughts below! Let’s meet in the comment section.
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