Film Feature: The 10 Best Films of 2023, By Patrick McDonald

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CHICAGO – Here we are again, the end of another year, and it’s time to momentarily look back. Thus opens the 10 BEST FILMS OF 2023, the list that represents one soul interacting with the art of cinema. That soul belongs to Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, WBGR-FM and WSSR-FM.

So begins my list, with such a lofty and third person proclamation. By far, the story of the year is BARBENHEIMER (the same weekend release of BARBIE and OPPENHEIMER), proving in the digital age that something weird and organic can take hold, and get more people to the theaters, celebrating a true movie event. Kudos to the movie celebrators who did both in one magic day.

I format my 10 BEST to reflect the on-air reviews I do weekly on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin, Thursdays at 7:35am) and WSSR-FM (Three Station Broadcast out of Joliet, Illinois, Fridays at 4:20pm) and NEW on Missourinet.com. Each of the 10 BEST will be in the on-air or audio format for your listening pleasure. My thanks to broadcasters Scott Thompson, Dan Baker, Ben Thompson, Eddie Volkman and Hannah B. (Brummer), as well as HollywoodChicago.com publisher Adam Fendelman for allowing me to project my film obsession to the world.

I begin by ranking the 26th film favorites through the 11th, with the option to click on the highlighted title links for reviews or associated interviews… 26th - KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON (Marty Scorsese still has something to say), 25th - POLITE SOCIETY (Incredibly funny and family warm UK import that skewers action movies), 24th - PAST LIVES (relatable exploration of the past as present absolution), 23rd - DICKS: THE MUSICAL (hilarious anarchy and Nathan Lane, who could ask for anything more).

22th - THE KILLER (Filmmaker David Fincher creates a class action assassin), 21st - ANATOMY OF A FALL (French morality tale combining the event and the trial), 20th - ARE YOU THERE GOD, IT’S ME MARGARET (the adaptation of the Judy Blume classic YA novel works on two distinct levels), 19th - FREUD’S LAST SESSION (Anthony Hopkins as the title legend uplifts both reputations), 18th - AMERICAN FICTION (sure it’s satire, but hairline close to the inconvenient truth).

17th - YOU HURT MY FEELINGS (another sharp collaboration of Julia Louis Dreyfus and filmmaker Nicole Holofcener), 16th - THE TASTE OF THINGS (food lust as metaphor for real love lust, thus damn lusty), 15th - THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE (a right now allegory for the world today. link includes director interview), 14th - BEAU IS AFRAID (writer/director Ari Aster creates a f**ked up world), 13th - THE COLOR PURPLE (an inspiring and virtuous musical adaptation of the classic), 12th - SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDERVERSE (a genuine combo of thrills, humor, heroics and animation art) and 11th - THE STARLING GIRL (remarkable indie film on escaping a destiny that in essence doesn’t exist).

The 2023 Best for genre and other films … Animated it’s THE BOY AND THE HERON (below), for Documentary it’s BEING MARY TYLER MOORE, for Best Foreign Language Film it’s THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE (above), for Horror it’s TALK TO ME, for Superhero it’s SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDERVERSE (above), for Comedy and pure laughs, it’s DICKS: THE MUSICAL (above) and for Local Chicago filmmakers it’s WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE, written and directed by Lihn Tran (click for Lihn Tran Interview).

The 10 BEST list, and it’s order, are based on the vibrancy of the initial experience in viewing it, I consider all the films tied for the top spot. Below each review will be the reason for its designation plus where to watch it now, and any associative interview or article where applicable. Let’s get to it …

ORIGIN

Origin
Photo credit: NEON

Why a 10 BEST for 2023?: In viewing it, it allows for a deeper understanding of why apartheid, race bigotry and holocausts, in addition to your own understanding of it all. Opening wide in theaters on January 19th, 2024.

LANDSCAPE WITH INVISIBLE HAND

Landscape with Invisible Hand
Photo credit: MGM

Why a 10 BEST for 2023?: A science fiction film that comments on many aspects of our current society, and chillingly delivers its message, in ways that will keep you thinking. Available for digital rental or purchase.

THE IRON CLAW

The Iron Claw
Photo credit: A24

Why a 10 BEST for 2023?: A true American story, and to cite an oft-used cliché, the “Citizen Kane of Wrestling Pictures.” Opening wide in theaters on December 22nd.

ASTEROID CITY

Asteroid City
Photo credit: Focus Features

Why a 10 BEST for 2023?: The beautiful creative mind of Wes Anderson. Streaming on Prime Video, and for digital rental or purchase.

MAY DECEMBER

May December
Photo credit: Netflix

Why a 10 BEST for 2023?: Near perfect performances from Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, as well as a surprising turn by Charles Melton, who portrays the grown up boy. Streaming on Netflix.