2023 was a fantastic year for movies. Whether it was the excitement of seeing atomic bombs exploding or emotional meetings between childhood sweethearts reuniting, the year offered diverse films appealing towards every demographic. Given the number of movies I saw in 2023, making lists wasn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed are my picks for 2023’s best movies. If you appreciate filmmaking, you won’t regret watching these movies.
Honorable Mentions:
- Air
- American Fiction
- Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret
- BlackBerry
- The Color Purple
- Fair Play
- Mission: Impossible -Dead Reckoning Part 1
- Poor Things
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
- The Zone of Interest
1. Past Lives
Everyone remembers a time when they felt a rush of affection for a crush. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school seeking marriage. I bonded with a girl my entire school would admire. However, immigration standing in the way of destiny ended relationships suddenly. Years later, I would contemplate if she would have been soulmate had fate not caused me to immigrate. Few films have captured my longing for past lives as powerfully as Celine Song’s masterpiece “Past Lives”. With a remarkable romance, Song captured fate leading lovers to separate. From a technical point-of-view, the film was so well-made it was impossible to believe it was a debut. Overlooked by the Oscars, Greta Lee and Teo Yoo were extraordinary as lovers separated by immigration barriers. Ultimately, though, what made it my favorite film was its message. Watching Nora reminiscing a kid in her head for a long time after leaving Korea sparked heartwarming memories of girls I abandoned following immigration to Canada. If movies can transform the lives of people, it has motivated me to leave painful past lives behind to build a future that’s hopeful.
2. Oppenheimer
Chances are near zero movie-goers saw a blockbuster in the theater this summer blowing them away as much as “Oppenheimer”. Christopher Nolan’s breathtaking biopic commemorated the father of the atomic bomb whose invention was iconic. With the greatest film of his career, Nolan recreated atomic bombs exploding in the air becoming a burden for Oppenheimer to bear. However, what elevated Oppenheimer beyond a summer blockbuster was its message about disaster. As someone impacted by terrorism disaster, I connected to Oppenheimer. Witnessing the physicist haunted by bombs exploding sparked memories of bombings impacting my well-being. 80 years after Oppenheimer manufactured groundbreaking bombs which were profound, it’s an extraordinary tribute towards a renowned figure giving me strength to turn life around years after the ear-splitting sound of bombs destroyed my compound.
3. All of Us Strangers
Being gay comes with painful prices to pay for people in Pakistan today. During childhood, I bonded with a gay cousin whose sexuality was misunderstood in a Pakistani neighborhood. However, his disclosure of sexuality ended relationships forever. Few films I’ve seen have captured barriers faced by queer people regarded strangers as powerfully as “All of Us Strangers”. British filmmaker Andrew Haigh captured burden homosexual men bear by celebrating communities that are queer. Shamefully snubbed by the Oscars, Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal were extraordinary as vulnerable gay lovers. However, what moved me most was its message. Witnessing Adam feeling like a stranger in families sparked acknowledgements of a cousin mistreated after disclosing sexuality in conservative countries. If Cinema evokes empathy for LGBTQ communities in the modern era, it has inspired me to celebrate a cousin overcoming homophobia in Canada.
4. Killers of the Flower Moon
When discussing crimes in American history, one can’t forget murders of the Osage community. During the 1930’s, the Osage were Native-Americans experiencing tragedies. A shameful part of history, the murders were never made into a movie. However, everything changed last year when Martin Scorsese captured the community’s despair. With “Killers of the Flower Moon”, Scorsese commemorated tribes murdered over oil fortune. Anchored by strong performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone and Robert De Niro, the movie celebrated communities that perished years ago. Despite a 3 hour running-time, it never lost my attention. However, the movie’s highlight was its message. As a member of a Muslim community, I connected towards the Osage tribe’s tragedy. A century after the Osage were killed underneath a moon for fortune, it’s a heartwarming tribute towards a community that won’t be forgotten soon.
5. The Holdovers
Teachers are powerful figures shaping students’ futures. During high school, I bonded with a Math teacher mistreating students in ways that were cruel. Despite his temper, I got along well with a teacher treating me in a generous manner. As someone bonding with schoolteachers, I loved “The Holdovers”. Alexander Payne’s film painted a portrait of teachers shaping students’ fate. Audiences enjoyed the film’s iconic appeal as a celebrated Christmas classic. However, what impacted me was its message about teachers. Watching Angus bond with Mr. Hunham during Christmas sparked memories of Math professors that gave my life focus. A touching tribute towards teachers, it has led me to celebrate professors securing my future.
6. Anatomy of a Fall
Marriages are doomed to a downfall. Years ago, I witnessed my aunt’s divorce causing sorrow. Her soul was damaged by separation taking a toll. As someone that can recall a marriage’s downfall, I loved Justin Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall”. Justin Triet’s drama examined a marriage dilemma. Anchored by an Oscar-worthy Sandra Huller, the film explored marriage disaster. However, what moved me most was its message about marriage. The film features a scene involving a couple’s argument that’s the most realistic marriage depiction I’ve seen. If entertainment repairs marriages facing resentment, it has encouraged me to recover from incidents where my aunt had an argument cherishing relatives with whom I formed an attachment.
7. The Iron Claw
Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve always shared long-lasting bonds with my brother. During childhood, I formed a relationship with a brother that enjoyed playing soccer in the neighborhood. I looked forward to play soccer with my brother every day, until University forced him to move away. Few films have captured my awe for brothers like “The Iron Claw”. Sean Durkin’s biopic examined the Von Enrich brothers that overcame circumstances which were tragic. Overlooked by Oscars, Zac Efron delivered a career-defining performance as a wrestler bonding with brothers. 40 years after the Von Enrich family’s wrestling, it’s a tribute towards brothers reminding me of a sibling whose sports passions impacted my well-being.
8. Barbie
Few dolls made out of plastic whose lives are fantastic are as iconic as Barbie. Years ago, the doll inspired my mother to follow dreams somewhere over the rainbow. A Barbie girl living in a Barbie world, she loved a doll shaping identity. Being a boy, I couldn’t understand why the toy gave my mother joy. Therefore, I was surprised how much I loved “Barbie”. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling were extraordinary, capturing dolls living lives of blonde fragility. However, what made the film soar was its motherhood message. 60 years following introductions of Barbie, it has incited me to celebrate an icon shaping my mother’s identity.
9. American Fiction
As far as I can remember, I’ve wanted to become a writer. During childhood, I developed passions for writing about filmmaking. However, racism barriers have made me question dreams of film criticism. As someone facing rejection in the film criticism profession, I related to Cord Jefferson’s “American Fiction”. Watching Monk publish fiction brought back memories of my rejection from a magazine publication. A tribute toward books black authors publish, it has motivated me to celebrate passion for writing I’ll cherish.
10. Maestro
Music is an art holding a precious place in my father’s heart. Years ago, my dad was a maestro that enjoyed performing in a studio. I bonded with a father whose melodies I came to treasure. As someone acknowledging a father that was a maestro, I appreciated Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro”. Shining as a filmmaker, Cooper commemorated composers. Witnessing Leonard Bernstein conduct an orchestra reminding me of my father with nostalgia proved the perfect way to conclude an extraordinary year for Cinema.
The Film Buff 
You must be logged in to post a comment.