I know I haven’t been using this blog as much as I originally intended to. I’ve done a few movie-related posts, some recipes, and other nonsense, but still . . . I haven’t been as active as I wanted to be. Hopefully, I can change that in 2024. I’d love to write more about film and post some abhorrent recipes. Well, not too many. I don’t want to vomit that often. So, rather than starting the new year off making my house smell like spam jell-o, I’ll just give you my top films of 2023. I only watched 136 new-to-me movies last year, and that feels way too low. Need to get back to the 300+ years! Anyways, here are my Top 10 favorite first time watches of 2023. As always, they’re in no particular order.
Usually when I do a post like this, I add the director, writer, and the actors/actresses, plus my opinion of the film. I’m not going to do that this time around. I’m going to keep it simple. I’ll list the ten films and one sentence as to why I loved it. Short and simple! Plus, I just wrote a lot in my current novel and I’m getting hungry. Hmm . . . maybe I should make some Spam.
Sorry, I’m getting off topic. Here’s the list:
Devil in a Blue Dress (‘95)
Denzel in a Neo-Noir.
Oppenheimer (2023)
Picture of the damn year.
Witness for the Prosecution (‘57)
A masterpiece.
The Verdict (‘82)
One of Paul Newman’s finest performances.
Local Hero (‘83)
An unheralded gem everyone needs to see at least once.
Carnival of Souls (‘62)
Arguably one of the greatest B films to sell your soul to.
Fury (2014)
A war film you feel down to your core.
All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
World War I was hell.
Barton Fink (‘91)
You’re not always 100% sure what’s going on, but you can’t look away.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (‘58)
Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor ensure the roof is scalding.
Honorable Mention:
The April Fools (‘69)
Miracle on 34th Street (‘47)
On the Waterfront (‘54)
Barbie (2023)
The Railway Man (2013)
Alright, that concludes my favorites! But here’s a bonus. Check out the documentary, They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead (2018). It’s fantastic.