The best movie of 2023 is listed first while the next four are not in order; they are simply the next four greatest of last year.
1. Killers of the Flower Moon. Martin Scorsese and filmmakers astounded with a nearly three-and-a-half hour film that never stepped wrong. It never waivered in its storytelling, observations, writing, and performances. This film could have continued for another hour, and was virtuosic on so many levels, it will endure and be studied for decades to come.
2. Poor Things. Yorgos Lanthimos's film got a career-defining and career-best performance by Emma Stone, and the director knew how to tell his story within the parameters of the genre while challenging the audience constantly with visuals and dialogue.
3. Oppenheimer. Christopher Nolan's film throws so many images at us with pitch-perfect performances, it's a wonder the behemoth of a film didn't sink on itself. That's because the screenplay never dragged, but explored the characters and ideas of one of the most pivotal times of the twentieth century like never before.
4. Barbie. Greta Gerwig's film could have stepped so wrong: narration, comedic timing, a script that's all over the map with commentary, the list goes on. It's always sure-footed while taking one risk after another, and everything is constructed perfectly, from production design to cinematography to editing. Gerwig and company created the most illustrious and luscious film of the year.
5. Anatomy of a Fall. Justine Triet's film approaches its story whole, circling the characters and story in a fascinating tapestry that lets the audience observe and uncover. Rare is the film that empowers the audience.
1. Killers of the Flower Moon. Martin Scorsese and filmmakers astounded with a nearly three-and-a-half hour film that never stepped wrong. It never waivered in its storytelling, observations, writing, and performances. This film could have continued for another hour, and was virtuosic on so many levels, it will endure and be studied for decades to come.
2. Poor Things. Yorgos Lanthimos's film got a career-defining and career-best performance by Emma Stone, and the director knew how to tell his story within the parameters of the genre while challenging the audience constantly with visuals and dialogue.
3. Oppenheimer. Christopher Nolan's film throws so many images at us with pitch-perfect performances, it's a wonder the behemoth of a film didn't sink on itself. That's because the screenplay never dragged, but explored the characters and ideas of one of the most pivotal times of the twentieth century like never before.
4. Barbie. Greta Gerwig's film could have stepped so wrong: narration, comedic timing, a script that's all over the map with commentary, the list goes on. It's always sure-footed while taking one risk after another, and everything is constructed perfectly, from production design to cinematography to editing. Gerwig and company created the most illustrious and luscious film of the year.
5. Anatomy of a Fall. Justine Triet's film approaches its story whole, circling the characters and story in a fascinating tapestry that lets the audience observe and uncover. Rare is the film that empowers the audience.
