Best Films of 2023 (So Far!)

So, the year is more than half over now, which means it’s beyond time we talk about the best in cinema so far. My finalized Best of 2023 list will, of course, not be published until January, but what movies may we be seeing on there? Here are a few.

My favorite film of 2023 so far is Beau is Afraid, the fever dream comic-tragedy film from auteur Ari Aster, the man behind Hereditary and Midsommar. The film has gotten mixed reviews from my fellow critics, but perhaps many of these said fellow critics just don’t understand Aster – who, incidentally, is one of the best filmmakers working today. I would put him and all three of his films right up there with the likes of Kubrick and Hitchcock – two filmmakers who could easily be called the cinematic parents of Aster. And then you have that titular performance by Joaquin Phoenix, who is at his best in Beau is Afraid saying a lot considering his track record as an actor.

Another film sure to be on my aforementioned Best list is also another that has been misunderstood by many. Infinity Pool Brandon Cronenberg, son of David, is the auteur’s third film and his best yet. Like Beau, it is a rather disturbing film at times and not for everyone, but from a cinephile’s point of view it is a near perfect work of movie making. The film stars Alexander Skarsg Goth. And while we’re on the subject of Mia Goth, can’t we just put her in every movie made? I know it will be extra work for the actress, but it’ll be worth it. Anyhoo, I digress. Two more of my faves from the first half of the year are Wes Anderson’s 11th City, and the animated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Both films are brilliantly designed to look like magic on the big screen. If these four films do not make my Best of 2023 list, that can only mean the second half of the year is a real doozy.

A lot of other very good movies from earlier this year are actually directorial debuts by women filmmakers. Blue Jean from Georgia Oakley; Palm Trees and Power Lines

Dack; Rye Lane from Raine Allen-Miller; Lives from Celine Song; Emily turned director Frances O’Connor; Society from Nida Manzoor; and Between from actor/director Alex Heller.

You can also toss in the films The Five Devils from French auteur Léa Mysius, Monica from Andrea Pallaoro (which is highlighted by a star-making performance from Trace Lysette), and Showing Up from Kelly Reichardt, who also directed the brilliantly heartbreaking Wendy and Lucy, among many other great films.

One last quick note. I will be seeing both Barbie and Oppenheimer between the writing of this column and the publishing of it, so a look at those two films which, judging from just my anticipation, could easily end up on my Best of 2023 list, will have to wait – for now.

That’s it gang. See ya at the movies.

I just got a new hobby: breathing. Thanks to the wildfires in Canada hovering over us, apparently I’ve taken up smoking.

A self-driving car on Auto Pilot is like an unguided missile. You don’t know what it’s gonna strike next.

It’s hotter out than a ghost pepper washed down with a mug of lava.

It’s so hot out my shadow is sweating.

It’s Take a Martian to Dinner Day. Good luck.