As 2023 comes to a close and 2024 starts, I want to once again talk about the best films I watched in the past year. This year has been a weaker one, as the SAG-AFTRA in Hollywood striked. A very important strike that will secure many actors and authors in Hollywood a better future and once again shows how many smaller actors struggle and the hard work that goes into these productions every day, to bring us the best films possible. Talking about films, here are my Top 5 of 2023. Enjoy.
5 - Rye Lane [8/10]
Starting with a smaller film. No theatrical release in Germany. Only streaming on Disney. But Rye Lane, shouldn't be slept on. Taking us on a journey through a beautiful, fascinating and lively London, this film and its crazy characters, tell us a very honest story about love. Although I missed Past Lives in the cinemas, I got to witness another unique and heartwarming, film about love, not traditionally romantic, but more of a modern, honest and touching take.
The dialogues are not realistic, very "arthousy", but you got to go with it and you will find a great budget film, that very likely went by the most people and subscribers.
4 - Evil Dead Rise [8/10]
Probably the only Horror movie that will ever be on this list. This one really caught me off guard, Sam Rami having a huge impact on me in my childhood, with his famous Spiderman Trioligy. Unforunatly Sam Ramis more recent films, were disappointing, so I wasn't expecting as much this time around. Fortunately - this time - Sam Rami seems to have got back to his grips with his beloved series, with creative, intense and never seen before bloody ideas. He once again showed why he is one of the greatest Horror film creators. With the compelling story, unique and fitting humour as well as new and fresh feeling ideas, he perfects a film that in hindsight doesn't tell too much story but a lasting one.
3 - Mission Impossible [8/10]
As this list continues to surprise me. Also, this action hit starring Tom Cruise and his now classic Mission Impossible crew surprised me. Unfortunately, this one underperformed massively and they even delayed the 2nd Part. Although this 8th film out of the franchise, starts with one of the most intense opening sequences I have seen in a looooong time, directly hooking you and pressing you into your seat. Through out this film we get some amazing action sequences and new interesting characters are introduced. Furthermore, this 8th part isn't lacking the humor either, with some creative jokes and funny scenes. Probably the people grew tired of this franchise. That is the only reason I see why this one underperformed.
2 - The Creator [8/10]
Finally, a movie that I could have predicted to be on this list and I also hoped it would be.
The Creator comes with a stunning visual set and fantastic visual effects for a small budget. This film should show everyone that good visual effects for smaller films can be affordable and still look good. In the cinema I got feelings of Blade Runner meets Star Wars, this is not surprising as director Gareth Edwards also directed Rouge One: A Star Wars Story. Although some aesthetics remind me of his previous work, this world still feels real and believable and could even be a possible future. Let's talk AI, if anyone didn't know 2023 was a revolutionary year for AI and this film picks up on these topics and asks the classic question what does it mean to be human. Therefore, you could almost label The Creator as a cyberpunk film but just missing the key dystopian vibe that makes it more a Sci-Fi film. Nonetheless, this film captures the risks and possibilities of advanced AI perfectly, although I would bet it's just coincidence that this film released in the year where AI got popular. I highly recommend this one, if you liked Rogue One and love creative, real-world esk Sci-Fi visuals.
1 - Spiderman Across the Spider-Verse [9/10]
The number one spot this year takes a marvelous animation film, which had some bad press in the background about working conditions and unfortunately one of the best films this year can't make enough of an impact to change these. Nonetheless, we once again follow Miles Morales, now one of the most iconic Spiderman to venture through the Spider-Verse. With a more of a subtle approach, for me, the first movie was one to kick off the cinema Multiverse Hype. With just introducing some characters from other Verses and a truly emotional and new spin to Spiderman, they suck many people into the idea of Multiverses. So no surprise the 2nd part of this new Story was eagerly awaited and it delivered. This time there were many many more and unique characters. Fortunately the film doesn't get overloaded with them and like the first one has funny yokes and unique multiverse ideas. All these beautiful animations and unique takes really made me love this one. If you liked the first one, you will like this one as well. So why did this one not score a 10/10 for me like the first one did? It's down to the story in many beats being predictable, but also about the ending where i am not even sure where this one was heading. As this is planned to be first parts of a doulogy, this one will in a big part then only as relevant for me as its impact on the 2nd part as well as how much i will like the 2nd one. Furthermore, without sounding too negative about my Top 1, I really loved the more "grounded" story of the first part, you really felt like you could self be Miles as well as the city felt big and alive, like a real place. Those are my ONLY negative points, the rest is just truly great. A MUST watch even in 2024.
