My Favorite Movies of 2023

It’s 2024 and my new movie list is already underway. 

Since I’m not a movie critic (although I share my views), I don’t make it a point to watch every motion picture. 

I didn’t go to the theaters in 2023. I’ve only gone once since the pandemic and that was “Bros” in October 2022. 

There were three movies I wanted to see. Two were over three hours long (no, thank you), so I’ll see “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Oppenheimer” this year at home! (So, those will likely be on my 2024 list). 

The other, “All of Us Strangers”, only played in the largest metro cities in late December for Oscar consideration. It’s expanding now, but probably won’t play in Decatur, but I’ll see it eventually. 

So, before I share my 20 favorite movies I saw in 2023, here are my favorites over the past few years.

2022 “House of Gucci”; 2021 “Promising Young Woman”; 2020 “Parasite”; 2019 “The Farewell”; 2018 “Call Me By Your Name”; 2017 “Lion”; 2016 “Goodnight Mommy”; 2015 “Lilting”; 2014 “Bridegroom”; 2013 “Out in the Dark”; 2012 “Weekend”; 2011 “Children of God”; and 2010 “The Kids Are All Right”. 

As we kick off my countdown for 2023, there are two things to note: (1) my favorites may not be the “best” from critics’ list — for me, it’s more of did it touch me, did I enjoy it and would I watch it again. And, (2) some may be from the year before, but I didn’t see them until the following year. So, you’ll see some that were award-winning movies in early 2023 that came out in late 2022.

Let the countdown begin. As Casey Kasem used to say, “The hits don’t stop ’til we get to the top!”

“TRIANGLE OF SADNESS”

BOX OFFICE: $32.9 MILLION

“KNOCK AT THE CABIN”

BOX OFFICE: $54.8 MILLION

“THE MOTHER”

BOX OFFICE: NETFLIX EXCLUSIVE

“WOMEN TALKING”

BOX OFFICE: $9.3 MILLION

“MAY DECEMBER”

BOX OFFICE: $786,772

“MAFIA MAMMA”

BOX OFFICE: $7 MILLION

“NUOVO OLIMPO”

BOX OFFICE: NETFLIX

“MAESTRO”

BOX OFFICE: $458,000

“LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND”

BOX OFFICE: NETFLIX EXCLUSIVE

“SPOILER ALERT”

BOX OFFICE: $1.4 MILLION

Before we begin the top ten, I started watching two movies and didn’t even want to finish them, so “The Pale Blue Eye” and “Babylon” would rank as my two least favorite movies. In all fairness, both my have improved, but… 

With that being said, the least favorite movie I watched was “Shotgun Wedding”. 

It saddens me because I love Jennifer Lopez (notice she was at #18) and was at #6 in 2019 with “Hustlers”. And, Josh Duhamel is so hot. But, neither of them could save this disaster.

“I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY”

BOX OFFICE: $59.8 MILLION

“THE WHALE”

BOX OFFICE: $54.9 MILLION

“NYAD”

BOX OFFICE: $16,056/NETFLIX EXCLUSIVE

“THE PEOPLE WE HATE AT THE WEDDING”

BOX OFFICE: AMAZON PRIME VIDEO EXCLUSIVE

“FAIR PLAY”

BOX OFFICE: NETFLIX EXCLUSIVE

Missing out on the countdown this year were the other movies I watched: #21 “Boston Strangler”; #22 “Till”; #23 “Violent Night”; #24 “80 For Brady”; #25 “Cocaine Bear”; #26 “Barbie”; #27 “The Killer”; #28 “Rustin”; #29 “A Haunting in Venice”; #30 “Candy Cane Lane”; #31″ El Conde”; #32 “Reptile”; #33 “Bones And All”; #34 “The Hammer” (sorry, Reba!); #35 “Me3gan”; #36 “You People; and #37 “Shotgun Wedding”.

“ALL’S QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT”

BOX OFFICE: NETFLIX EXCLUSIVE

“TAR”

BOX OFFICE: $29.2 MILLION

“SALTBURN”

BOX OFFICE: $21.3 MILLION

Back in 2002, Sophie Ellis-Bextor crashed into the Top Ten on many music charts around the world with “Murder On The Dancefloor”. But, not in the U.S. 

However, I bought her CD, “Read My Lips”, and have enjoyed the song and the album for the past two decades. 

Now, thanks to a very revealing (and stimulating) placement in “Saltburn”, we may have our chance here in the U.S. This week, “Murder” moves up from #98 to #58 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Come on radio, make it a hit. 

Here’s the original — Barry Keoghan not included!

“RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE”

BOX OFFICE: AMAZON PRIME VIDEO EXCLUSIVE

“THE MENU”

BOX OFFICE: $79.6 MILLION

So, how many did you see? What was your favorite of 2023?

Anthony

Random Friday Thoughts — April 14, 2023

While I posted one blog in the past few weeks, it’s been over a month since I shared my random thoughts. It’s time for a few more.

Have a great weekend and thank you for checking out what’s on my mind today.

XANADU — SEVEN WEEKS TOGETHER

I can’t believe I’ve been a “Dog Dad” going on two months now.

Pug Xanadu and I love each other dearly, but boy she can be a stubborn little (b**ch) puppy.

She’s learning right from wrong, but it seems like she intentionally chooses wrong and then stares at me with those innocent little brown eyes that say, “What are you going to do about it?”

We’ve had more wins than losses when it comes to potty training, but we’re definitely not there yet!

MORE MASS SHOOTING, NEXT….

Just two weeks after three nine-year-old students and three school officials were gunned down in Nashville, Tennessee, another mass shooting in Louisville, Kentucky, left five people murdered and nine other injured earlier this week.

Yet, many just turn a blind eye or “pray for <insert city>”, and then move on.

MEANWHILE, GUESS WHAT PEOPLE ARE STRESSED OVER?

Politicians and conservatives are losing their minds over nakedness and art in Florida…

drag queens in Florida and Tennessee…

books to ban across the country…

and a trans woman representing Bud Light beer.

People, get a f*cking clue and focus on things that we ‘re losing sleep and loved ones over!

“BEEF”

This ten-episode Netflix series about road rage and its aftermath is incredible.

It stars Oscar nominee Steven Yeun (“Minari” and “The Walking Dead”) and Emmy-nominated comedian and actress Ali Wong.

You might think that a series focusing on a road rage incident might wear thin by the end of ten episodes, but no way.

Once you get to know Danny and Amy and what’s going on in their lives, you realize it could happen to any of us. Well, they do carry it to extremes!

GRADE: A–

TWO MORE “BEEF” THOUGHTS

Joseph Lee, who plays Amy’s husband, George, is absolutely gorgeous!

And, Yeun sings in the series and it’s amazing (grace)!

TASTY TREATS

I can’t recall the last time I had a Dairy Queen Blizzard. However, there are three that I really want to try.

One is new — “Peanut Butter Puppy Chow”. It’s crispy puppy chow pieces, peanut butter topping, and chocolate chunks.

The other is the “Choco-Dipped Strawberry” — a combination of sweet strawberry topping and chocolate chunks.

And, the “Cotton Candy” one sounds fun, too.

“YOU” SEASON FOUR, PART TWO

Thank God, season four of the stalker series, “YOU” is over! This was easily my least favorite season. Luckily, there’s a chance for redemption because it was renewed for a fifth and final season!

When the first five episodes of this season dropped on Netflix February 9, 2023, I gave it a “B” and said, “Joe’s teaching at a university and gets involved with a crowd that I absolutely despise. Well, there’s one in the group that I like and she has an interesting candle collection! Season four is a cat and mouse game like the first three seasons, however Joe is the one that’s being creeped on this time!”

In Season 4, Part 2, it goes off the rail. As much as it was an interesting concept, it was VERY CONFUSING, especially episode 8. Afterwards, I had to read the summary to fill in the blanks. I thought I had fallen asleep and missed something!

While I’ve enjoyed the creepy (love story!) and Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley), I’m glad season five will be the last.

Season three was my favorite and I gave it an “A-“. Season one would rank second and season two would be third!

This is the trailer for part one of season four. (I didn’t want to give anything away by showing the trailer for part two!)

SEASON FOUR, PART TWO — GRADE: C-

SEASON 4 — OVERALL GRADE: C

MY OSCAR PICKS

Since my last “Random Friday Thoughts” was before the Oscars, I did very well on my Oscar picks for the major awards.

I correctly picked Best Picture (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) and Best Director (The Daniels for “Everything Everywhere All at Once”).

Also, I was right on all four acting winners (Best Actress Michelle Yeoh for “Everything Everywhere All at Once”; Best Actor Brendan Fraser in “The Whale”; Best Supporting Actor Ke Huy Quan and Best Supporting Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, both for “Everything Everywhere All at Once”). 

And, I won $50 for my picks.

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Random Friday Thoughts — March 10, 2023

Winter is winding down and spring is now just over a week away.

In Central Illinois, we experienced a spring-like day earlier this week with a high of 70° and snow is expected this weekend.

Speaking of the weekend, enjoy yours and thank you for checking out my thoughts.

XANADU — THE FIRST TWO WEEKS

Last week, I shared that I’m now a “Dog Dad” again and I introduced you to #Pug2023 — Xanadu.

She’s had more wins than losses in the potty training process, but that’s because I’m watching her like a hawk when she’s inside.

In the two weeks since I’ve had her, she’s gained one-and-a-half pounds and now weighs six pounds!

She also experienced her first snow (less than an inch) after a rainy day with near hurricane-force winds!

And, she was intrigued by the cold of the ice and enjoyed licking it!

It’s incredible how, like a baby, everything she sees goes into her mouth outside! And, I guess there’s an upside to her biting — she allows my fingers in her mouth to take everything out that she picks up!

Xanadu is becoming much more sociable to people and to the select dogs I’m letting her near until she’s fully vaccinated.

WHY EVEN BOTHER WATCHING?

There are so many streaming services out there, with Netflix being the biggest, and many create its own original content.

And, then if they don’t get “Game of Thrones” or “Ozark” viewership numbers, they cancel the series after just a season or two.

This is never more apparent that now. So, my question is, why even bother investing time into a new series that won’t have a conclusion?

“UNCOUPLED” LIVES!

This happened to the Netflix series “Uncoupled” that I watched last summer.

It was cancelled on a cliffhanger after one season. Luckily, it was picked up by Showtime.

If you haven’t watched it, here’s what I wrote about it:

“Neil Patrick Harris leads this eight-episode, Netflix series, alongside Tisha Campbell, Tuc Williams, and Marcia Gay Harden. This is the show that got me to thinking about my life.

Michael and his boyfriend have been together 17 years and he’s planning a surprise 50th birthday party for his partner. However, it’s Michael that gets the biggest surprise right before he and Colin walk into the party. Colin tells him that he’s moving out!

The series is very funny, sexy, and naughty!

The one thing I didn’t like was Michael’s excessive whining and crying about moving on without Colin.

Don’t get me wrong! I shed tears after my marriage fell apart, but life goes on!

It’s so great seeing Campbell again, even though she’s been actively working since 1990s “Martin”. She plays Michael’s real estate agent colleague and friend Suzanne.”

GRADE: B+

“MARCH MADNESS”

While spring officially begins Monday, March 20th, it’s “Selection Sunday” weekend for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

I might wager $10 this year and put forth my brackets for “March Madness” at work.

In 2013, I was successful in picking Louisville beating Michigan in the finals.

Not only did I win $144 at work, but I also won a 55″ wide screen television from a local store in the Quad Cities. And, it still works!

MY OSCAR PICKS

The Academy Awards are Sunday night.

Here are my picks in the big categories — who will win, who might win, and who I want to win!

Best Picture: I have it narrowed down to three: “All Quiet on the Western Front”, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”, and “Tár”.

WILL WIN: “EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE“

MIGHT WIN: “ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT”

I WANT TO WIN: “TAR” OR “EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE”

Best Director: My final two are Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) or Steven Spielberg (“The Fabelmans”)

WHO WILL WIN: THE DANIELS

WHO MIGHT WIN: SPIELBERG

WHO I WANT TO WIN: THE DANIELS

Best Lead Actor: My two final choices are Austin Butler (“Elvis”) and Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”) 

WHO WILL WIN: FRASER

WHO MIGHT WIN: BUTLER

WHO I WANT TO WIN: NOT COMMITTED SINCE I HAVEN’T SEEN “THE WHALE” YET.

Best Lead Actress: My finalists are Cate Blanchett (“Tár”) and Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)

WHO WILL WIN: YEOH

WHO MIGHT WIN: BLANCHETT

WHO I WANT TO WIN: A TIE — YEOH AND BLANCHETT BOTH GETTING OSCARS!

Best Supporting Actor:

WILL WIN & WANT TO WIN: Ke Huy Quan (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) 

Best Supporting Actress: I’ve narrowed it down to Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”) and Jamie Lee Curtis (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) 

WHO WILL WIN & WANT TO WIN: CURTIS

WHO MIGHT WIN: BASSETT

Best Adapted Screenplay: My finalists are “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “Women Talking”

WHO WILL WIN & WANT TO WIN: “ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT”

WHO MIGHT WIN: “WOMEN TALKING”

Best Original Screenplay: My finalists are “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Tár”

WILL WIN & WANT TO WIN: “EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE”

Best Original Song: This is no contest and I’d be shocked if “Naatu Naatu” doesn’t win!

“Applause” from “Tell It Like a Woman”

“Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick”

“Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

“Naatu Naatu” from “RRR”  

“This Is a Life” from “Everything Everywhere All at Once” 

WILL WIN & I WANT TO WIN: “NAATU NAATU”

“EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE”

Typically, this would not be my kind of movie.

I watched it last December because of the awards seasons buzz and I love Michelle Yeoh. (Yes, I’m crying because we may never see the sequels to “Crazy Rich Asians”.)

The movie has already picked up the equivalent of “Best Picture” at the Critics’ Choice Awards and the Screen Actors Guild Awards and Yeoh has already won about three dozen Best Actress awards with the Oscars coming down to her and Cate Blanchett.

Ke Hu Quan, who plays Yeoh’s husband, is almost a shoe-in for the Oscar, and Jamie Lee Curtis earned her first Academy Award nomination for the movie in the Best Supporting Actress category.

While the movie ended up being my #6 movie of 2022, I’m so ready to watch it again just to see what I missed the first time since it was so mind-blowing!

GRADE: A-

I’M SO IN LOVE WITH MICHELLE YEOH

I’ve been singing the praises of “Crazy Rich Asians” for years.

When I saw the movie in August 2018, I gave it an “A” calling it “a classic romantic comedy — a masterpiece of not only love, but culture.” in a blog titled, ‘“Crazy Rich Asians” Sparkles — Fascinating & Irresistible”‘.

In that piece, I called Michelle Yeoh “ageless and gorgeous”. And, now that beauty graces the new “People” magazine.

The accompanying article on Yeoh is incredible — just hearing in her own words about the battles and stereotypes she’s been fighting since coming to Hollywood!

While I showed the cover because it’s beautiful, I also featured it because of the emerald ring from “Crazy Rich Asians”. It’s actually her ring and wasn’t just a movie prop!

However, here’s my favorite photo from the “People” article.

Now, just give her the Best Actress Oscar already (and if you’re reading this after Sunday night, you’ll know if the Academy Awards did just that)!

“YOU PEOPLE”

With a cast led by eight-time Emmy Award winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Emmy winner and Oscar nominee Eddie Murphy, how could you go wrong? Well, pretty easily!

The romantic-comedy movie is about race. Broker and podcaster Ezra (Jonah Hill), who is Jewish, meets and falls in love with fashion designer Amira (Lauren London), who is Black.

Dreyfus plays Ezra’s mother who tries too hard to show how thrilled she is by having a future daughter-in-law that’s Black. Meanwhile, Murphy doesn’t try hard enough to hide his feelings about having a white Jewish son-in-law.

While Louis-Dreyfus was great, the standouts in the movie were London and Sam Jay, who plays Mo, Ezra’s podcast sidekick, who’s a Black lesbian.

One of my favorite actors, David Duchovny, is pretty much wasted in this movie — not drunk-wasted, just no real purpose in the movie.

GRADE: C-

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony