The Best Movies Of 2023 So Far
let's talk about the first half of the year in film
According to Letterboxd, I have watched 88 movies so far this year. I know this is incorrect because I rewatched the entire X-MEN franchise one week in June (I am extremely unemployed) and didn’t log a single one of them because sometimes it’s nice to watch a movie and log it in your brain instead of on an app.
Most of these movies were from a year that isn’t 2023, but quite a few of them ARE from the year 2023. This edition of Working Title is dedicated to the best of the best of those that have come from the first half of this year. All of the films that follow were released between January 1st and July 2nd, which is the exact halfway point of a non-leap year. They are in a rough ranking of how much I enjoyed them, but if it’s on the list, I liked it and recommend it.
Before we start, I’m going to do one thing which is a small list of movies that I’ve heard were very, very good and would probably make this list, but I haven’t had the time to see them yet.
Movies that I’ve heard were very, very good and would probably make this list:
Showing Up
How To Blow Up A Pipeline
A Thousand and One
You Hurt My Feelings
Master Gardener
Sanctuary
Okay, that's enough of that. Let’s talk about some good-ass movies that I HAVE seen.
Movie: Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
Where To Watch: in a movie theater, baby. will be on digital VOD shortly.
Why: This movie is, artistically speaking, probably the best-animated movie I've ever seen. each scene is a painting, full of color and motion and feeling but never busy just to be busy. The different animation styles for each character are obviously rendered with love and care, which you feel. This is capital a Art.
I think the first ten minutes really set the tone. It would have been so easy to cram jokes to break the tension or do the "it's time to be sad" thing that animated movies can do, but it doesn't do either of those things. You simply feel how the characters feel while the artwork visually reflects those feelings at you.
Sweet but not saccharine. Funny but not cloying for your attention. Easter eggs galore that are rewarding but not necessary for enjoyment. Astoundingly contemplative at points; All featuring incredible voice performances from each character. The score whips all kinds of nuts as well.
What a special movie in what's hopefully shaping up to be an all-time trilogy. This is what a superhero movie can and should be.
Movie: Past Lives
Where To Watch: in a movie theater, baby. will be on digital VOD shortly.
Why: It’s been a while since we’ve had this romantic of a movie bestowed upon us. A beautiful film about who we chose to love and what that love can do to us regardless of space and time. This movie wrecked me. There are three leads in this film and all of them give the performance of the year.
The last 20 minutes of this movie are truly spectacular. There is a tracking shot that ends this film which is a breathtaking sequence. One of the most satisfying, heartbreaking, uplifting movies you’ll ever have the pleasure of watching.
Movie: Asteroid City
Where To Watch: in a movie theater, baby. will be on digital VOD shortly.
Why: You could probably just take a look at me for a couple of seconds and say “Here’s a guy who likes Wes Anderson movies” and reader, you’d be right. I hate to enforce stereotypes in this newsletter, but sometimes you like what you like.
This is definitely my favorite Wes film since GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL and easily my favorite location he's ever created. It’s so damn funny, filled with some wonderful sight gags. There’s a bit about real estate that got me good
One of the things I appreciate most about a Wes Anderson movie is his ability to coax incredible performances out of his actors, even if they’re there for 2 minutes of total screen time. I think everybody in this movie is wonderful, Jason Schwartzman, Tom Hanks, Maya Hawke, Steve Carrell, and Scarlett Johansson in particular.
I love all the jargon in this movie. How everybody is saying a whole bunch of nothing until suddenly they're saying something important and making you pay attention.
I’m still not sure about the framing device that he utilizes but man did he land the plane with that last act. It all snapped into place, especially the scene with Schwartzman and Margot Robbie (see the above point about actors and small screen time).
I might be a mark for this guy since he's been around in important ways my entire movie-going life but he's still got the juice. We should cherish it.
Movie: Blackberry
Where To Watch: available to rent wherever you usually rent
Why: One of my favorite movies of all time is THE SOCIAL NETWORK, and I am usually a fan of a “How this company/product was made” dramatization. As I wrote when discussing AIR, there’s something to be said about watching a movie where the marketing team are the heroes but I don’t think that’s what’s happening in BLACKBERRY.
I thought Matt Johnson was awesome in this, both behind and in front of the camera and I will be the conductor of the "Give Glenn Howerton an Oscar" train.
I also really enjoyed the way it was shot. It felt like I was peering into a world I'm normally not allowed to see, which is usually how the world of tech is meant to make you feel. The period piece aspect of this was really effective for me as I am (sigh) old enough to remember vividly all of the periods this movie is taking place across. An extra shout-out to the Alesana t-shirt. Post-hardcore representation in a 2023 film, you love to see it.
Movie: Beau Is Afraid
Where To Watch: available to rent wherever you usually rent
Why: Putting this one on here might be a hot take (insofar as putting a movie on a “Best of 2023 So Far” list for a newsletter with 200 subscribers can be hot) but I really enjoyed this movie. Actually, “enjoyed” might not be the right word for it, but I respected it. I’ve written many times in this newsletter about how I love a movie that makes me feel something, even if that feeling is the desire to shrink so far back into my chair that I actively disappear.
The first hour of this film when Beau is operating in the city from hell he lives in is so, so funny. There are so many jokes crammed in, both visual and spoken that were a real treat. It also features maybe my favorite sequence in any film this year that involves essentially a live-action play/animated sequence that takes up a good portion of the second act. It is beautiful and something I think would be worth revisiting on its own outside of just a rewatch.
Incredible performances from everybody involved, especially Nathan Lane. His line reading of “my dude” is something I’ve thought about constantly this year. I understand it isn’t for everyone, but I think you gotta watch this movie at least once.
Movie: Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 3
Where To Watch: available to rent wherever you usually rent. on Disney + in August
Why: I thought this movie was really good, which was a pleasant surprise to me considering the state of the MCU. The Rocket Racoon storyline was genuinely affecting and pretty upsetting. It’s amazing that he's sidelined for the first half of the movie but the glimpses into his past were great.
I know we don't like Chris Pratt, but I thought he was nice in this. I think it was a really smart idea to have him in this lovelorn state instead of the swaggering douche/kinda dumb guy. The Quill/Gamora stuff really worked for me.
I thought it was cool that everybody got an arc that made sense and closed well. Mantis shouldering a lot of the emotional weight in this movie was surprising but she carried it well. Dax the Dad was a fun story. Even Nebula who I haven't really cared about throughout the entirety of her appearances got some nice moments.
The High Evolutionary is the best villain the MCU has had in a really long time. Shakespearean and scary in a nice mix. I also loved the fact that this was another self-contained story not tied to any larger mythos with minimal additional characters I needed to learn about. Just the people I already know and love.
Pretty crazy to me that James Gunn pulled this off in a way that felt very true to him. Loved the weird organ planet and the Beastie Boys hallway fight scene. It all felt organic to what he’s done his entire time in the MCU. Now he can fuck off to do whatever he wants with DC. Good for him.
This feels like a natural endpoint for me with the MCU or at least a waypoint to not having to care about it as much. Maybe I'll watch more MCU stuff. Maybe I won't. That's a nice feeling.
Movie: John Wick: Chapter 4
Where To Watch: available to rent wherever you usually rent. Should be on MAX soon
Why: The opening of this movie is John Wick punching a tree and in my theater, the sound of that action was so loud that it literally shook the roof of the auditorium. That’s already good enough for me player.
These movies really have had such a fun evolution. They’ve gone from extremely violent, up-close combat movies, to something far more surreal. The action here is sublime and director Chad Stahlski has taken action filmmaking to the next level with each installment.
A Justice needle drop. Bill Skarsgård doing the worst French accent I've ever heard. Shotgun shells that cause people to burst into flames. John Wick finally getting to use nunchucks. Donny Yen absolutely killing it as a blind assassin named Caine. No notes.
Movie: Creed III
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime
Why: I read somewhere that Michael B. Jordan is going to continue the CREED universe and that it included an anime which I think is appropriate because that last fight in this film is essentially a Dragon Ball Z episode and that is high praise.
I thought Jordan's direction was honestly pretty good in this, especially for a debut! Maybe the best training montage in the series. I could have just watched it on a loop. Would love to see them bring Stallone back, though.
Weird to write about this movie now, because when I watched it one of the things I enjoyed most about it was Jonathan Majors' performance. His balance of rage, longing, fear, and loneliness was something else. In light of what we know now about Jonathan Majors the person, I can’t say I view it the same way. Extremely unfortunate and a bummer all around.
Movie: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Where To Watch: Paramount + / Amazon Prime
Why: This movie honestly has no business being as good as it is. I think we are all so starved for big blockbuster movies that aren’t superheroes that the bar is on the floor, but I had a real blast with this one. Granted, I’ve rolled the 12-sided die a few times in my day, but I don’t think you need to have played D&D to enjoy this movie.
The story (while basic) is executed well, the world-building is nicely done, and the movie has some very good bits of humor. I think the previews for this movie didn’t do it any favors and it’s not as corny as it appears. Chris Pine continues to be the best Chris IMO, and there is an extremely funny cameo that made me laugh out loud.
Movie: Infinity Pool
Where To Watch: Hulu
Why: This movie is worth the watch just to watch Mia Goth (still the coolest name a movie star could have) go absolutely crazy for 2 hours.
The first hour of this movie really hums and the concept is cool. The visuals are awesome and there are some surprisingly funny moments for a movie that’s this deranged. If you’ve seen a Brandon Cronenberg film before, this one is also worth the watch.
There are still a crazy amount of (hopefully) good movies to come this year, but if you’re looking for some to watch that you might have missed, give one of these a spin.
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You can find me on letterboxd and Twitter.