Favorite Movies of 2023

This year I was able to see 133 new releases in the theater (which is a record for me) and, as in year's past, I have compiled a list of my top ten favorites.  My ranking is not based on the critical response or on the box office performance but, rather, on how much I enjoyed both the movie and the experience of watching it.  As always it is a very eclectic list!  (Click on the title to read my original review).

10.  Are You There God?  It's Me, Margaret

I was completely charmed by this heartwarming adaptation of the classic book by Judy Bloom.  This movie portrays the awkwardness of early adolescence in an incredibly empathetic way as Margaret navigates the travails of making new friends, dealing with peer pressure, experiencing her first crush, and trying to understand her changing body.  There are lots of poignant moments as Margaret turns to God for answers after being raised without religion but there are also some laugh out loud moments, such as when she and her friends attend a socially awkward party with the boys in their class.  Abby Ryder Fortson gives an incredibly compelling and honest portrayal of a teen girl and all of her complexities and I also loved Rachel McAdams as her mother.  This is the most delightful movie I saw all year!

9.  Asteroid City

Seeing Asteroid City at the Broadway on opening night was probably the most fun I have had watching a movie because there wasn't an empty seat and the audience, full of Wes Anderson aficionados, laughed out loud through the whole movie (as did I).  It is a hilarious take on the ultimately futile search for the meaning of life but it is also about the power of art to explain the unexpected.  It doubles down on everything Wes Anderson is known for and I especially loved the stylized and elaborate production design, the pastel color palette, the symmetrical shot composition, the deadpan delivery which belies deeper emotions (Jason Schwartzman and Scarlet Johansson are brilliant but the entire cast is also outstanding), the subtle humor (especially the astronomical ellipses), and the title cards.  I think this is one of Anderson's best and I loved it.

8.  Barbie

Seeing Barbie with my nephew was another one of my favorite viewing experiences (I think we were the only ones in the capacity crowd not wearing pink).  Greta Gerwig effectively straddles the line between social commentary about female empowerment and nostalgia for a beloved toy in this movie through brilliant production design, costumes that recreate some of Barbie's most famous looks, and witty self-referential dialogue that had everyone in the audience laughing out loud.  Margot Robbie perfectly embodies the iconic doll but Ryan Gosling is an absolute hoot who steals the show as Ken (especially his performance of the power ballad "I'm Just Ken") and America Ferrera is outstanding in her delivery of a powerful monologue about the difficulties of being a woman in today's society.  In addition to the laughter and the applause during key moments, a montage to Billie Eilish's song "What Was I Made For?" brought tears to my eyes.  It exceeded my expectations in every way!

7.  John Wick: Chapter 4

I saw the final installment of the John Wick franchise opening night with a loud and boisterous crowd and I was on the edge of my seat, holding my breath, and cheering out loud!  The stakes are higher than they have ever been for our protagonist and the action sequences are absolutely amazing with spectacular set pieces that are intense and unrelenting with dynamic fight choreography and visually stunning shot composition.  Keanu Reeves gives an incredibly poignant performance, Bill Skarsgard is perfect as a petulant villain, Donnie Yen almost steals the show with his amusing line deliveries, and Rina Sawayama is outstanding in one of the best fight sequences in the movie.  Wick's character arc is very compelling because he must finally face the consequences of his actions in a very visceral way and I found it to be surprisingly satisfying.

6.  Ferrari

After reading Enzo Ferrari: The Man and the Machine by Brock Yates, Michael Mann's adaptation of this fascinating biography was one of my most anticipated movies of the year and it did not disappoint.  Enzo Ferrari reaches a crossroads in his life during the summer of 1957, both personally and professionally, but he is fiercely determined to win the grueling Mille Miglia road race at any cost.  Adam Driver is brilliant in an understated but powerful performance and Penelope Cruz is the perfect foil to him because she is as explosive as he is restrained.  While this is a meditative character study, there are some thrilling racing sequences and one of the most brutal car crashes I have ever seen.  It is both epic and intimate and I found it extremely compelling.

5.  Killers of the Flower Moon

I was able to see an early screening of Killers of the Flower Moon in a packed theater and I was blown away by it.  It features a riveting story that is equal parts epic Western, lurid crime drama, tragic love story, and scathing commentary on greed and corruption as white men lie, cheat, manipulate, steal, and eventually murder the Osage to gain control of their wealth from oil.  Frequent Scorsese collaborators Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio are outstanding but Lily Gladstone is absolutely captivating in a highly nuanced performance in which she portrays every emotion imaginable.  All of the technical elements, from cinematography to production design to editing, are brilliant and the score by Robbie Robertson really adds to the tension.  I loved this dark and melancholy masterpiece.

4.  Oppenheimer

I was able to see Oppenheimer with my nephew at an early screening and we both found it to be incredibly powerful and thought-provoking.  Cillian Murphy gives a brilliant performance that perfectly embodies a man who is conflicted after he succeeds in creating an atomic bomb because he knows that it is needed as a deterrent but is horrified by the prospect of using it.  The scenes where Oppenheimer envisions the consequences of his actions while everyone at Los Alamos celebrates are some of the most haunting I have ever seen.  Robert Downey, Jr. gives one of the best performances of his career and the supporting cast is also excellent.  The sound design and the score by Ludwig Goransson (especially when it mimics a ticking clock) are incredibly effective in creating an anxious atmosphere and the visuals are striking because they give the audience access to the cataclysmic visions in Oppenheimer's head.  I was incredibly impressed with this masterful exploration of power and accountability.

3.  The Holdovers

I did not expect to love The Holdovers as much as I did but it is the most heartwarming movie I saw all year.  A curmudgeonly professor, a depressed and acerbic student, and a cook who is mourning the loss of her son in Vietnam are left at a New England prep school over the Christmas holidays.  They initially clash with each other but, after a series of misadventures, they form an unlikely bond.  I loved all three characters so much because Angus helps Paul make peace with his past, Paul helps Angus see a future for himself, and they both help Mary get through the present without her son and Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, and Dominic Sessa (in his first role) give incredibly affecting performances.  I also loved the 1970s aesthetic in the production design and the grainy film effects.  This is a movie that I can definitely see myself watching every holiday season.

2.  Poor Things

As a huge fan of Yorgos Lanthimos I knew that I would love Poor Things but this dark and twisted masterpiece exceeded my expectations!  This is a fascinating take on Mary Shelly's Frankenstein and I loved the themes of rebirth, self-discovery, transformation, liberation, and empowerment.  Emma Stone, as Bella Baxter, gives a brilliant and fearless performance and I found her disjointed movements, mannerisms, and facial expressions as Bella develops to be so much fun to watch.  Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo (who is hilarious), Ramy Youssef, and Christopher Abbott are also outstanding as the men who try, unsuccessfully, to control Bella.  The production design is gorgeous and I especially loved all of the steampunk elements.  The costumes are also fabulous and the merging of Victorian silhouettes with the theme of freedom from societal norms is ingenious.  It is quite explicit but I absolutely loved it!

1.  Past Lives

I had an incredibly emotional response to Past Lives when I first saw it at the Sundance Film Festival in January and no other movie that I saw this year impacted me as much!  It is a beautiful story about two people, Nora Young and Hae Sung, who yearn for the past and the life they might have lived together but understand that the lives that they now lead are the ones that they are meant to have.  Greta Lee and Teo Yoo give highly nuanced performances where just a glance expresses more emotion that pages of dialogue ever could.  Two incredibly poignant moments brought me to tears, including when Nora tells her husband that she is where she was meant to be because it is where she ended up and when she tells Hae Sung that the twelve year old girl he remembers was left behind in Korea.  I felt a deep connection to Nora because I often wish that I had stayed in Canada but I know that I am who I am because I left and seeing Nora come to the same realization was extremely cathartic for me!

Honorable Mentions (I loved too many movies for just ten this year):  Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, The Boy and the Heron, Anatomy of a Fall, Godzilla Minus One, and The Iron Claw.

Favorite Movies of 2022

This year I was able to see 121 new releases in the theater and, as in year's past, I thought it would be fun to compile a list of my top ten favorites.  My ranking is not based on the critical response or on box office receipts but, rather, on how much I enjoyed each movie so it is an interesting mix of blockbusters and indie darlings!  (Click on the title to read my original review).

10.  The Banshees of Inisherin

I enjoyed this movie about the end of a long-standing friendship so much more than I was expecting!  The goings-on descend into the absurd at times and there are some genuinely hilarious moments but this has some thought-provoking things to say about depression, isolation, loneliness, mortality, and the desire for a legacy and I think McDonagh strikes the perfect balance between the comedy and the tragedy.  Both Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson deliver incredible performances and Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan are also superb.  The cinematography is simply breathtaking and I loved the haunting score.

9.  Aftersun

This is the most quietly devastating movie I've seen in a long time but I loved the complex relationship between a father living with regret and a daughter just starting to live.  Writer/ Director Charlotte Wells employs hazy cinematography and an episodic structure to convey the fragmented nature of childhood memories and the ambiguity of the final shot is more heartbreaking than something more explicit would have been.  Both Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio, in her debut, give incredibly moving performances and I was absolutely gutted by the end.

8.  Decision to Leave

This neo-thriller about mutual obsession is complex but ultimately very compelling.  What I enjoyed most is how Park Chan-wook plays with perception by having images come into and go out of focus and by using clever editing and innovative camera work.  This is a straightforward police procedural but these stylistic choices, as well as multiple subplots, keep the audience guessing until the haunting conclusion.  Tang Wei gives an enigmatic performance worthy of Hitchcock's best femme fatales and the chemistry between her and Park Hae-il is smoldering.  The overhead shots of mountain peaks and crashing waves are beautiful and the woodwind heavy score is incredibly evocative in this atmospheric mystery.

7.  Triangle of Sadness

I laughed out loud during the entirety of this social satire that takes aim at the vacuous and shallow idle rich!  I loved how class divisions are dismantled in an absurdly amusing way (a scene involving just about every bodily fluid imaginable) and I really appreciated the message that people should not be judged solely on their wealth or looks but rather their knowledge, abilities, and experience and that it pays to treat the people who serve you with kindness and respect.  The cast is fantastic but Dolly DeLeon gives a standout performance in the third act and I am still thinking about her character's actions in the final scene!

6.  The Northman

This is a very simple revenge story but the references to Norse mythology and symbolism are what make it so interesting and compelling.  The images on the screen are stunning and feature the usual atmospheric world-building that Robert Eggers is known for.  The medieval warfare is visceral and unrelenting and I also loved the sound design and the heart-pounding score.  Alexander Skarsgard is an absolute beast but I also found Nicole Kidman's performance to be fascinating and Anya Taylor-Joy is luminous.  It is brutal, bloody, and brilliant and, while it may not be for everyone, I loved it!

5.  TÁR

This cautionary tale about a brilliant conductor's fall from grace is incredibly compelling and thought-provoking.  Cate Blanchett gives an unbelievably powerful performance because her character is very unsympathetic and yet you somehow begin to feel sympathy for her.  Every scene is fraught with meaning (the significance of which is not always immediately apparent but is eventually revealed) and I loved the ambiguity of the narrative because the audience is never really sure if she is guilty of what she has been accused.  It is an interesting commentary on cancel culture and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it or the discussion of whether artists should be judged by their work or their behavior.

4.  The Batman

I really loved the darker tone of this movie because it feels more like a classic noir thriller rather than a stylized superhero action movie.  I also really loved Bruce Wayne's character arc as a man almost broken by the weight of living up to his parents' legacy to finally accepting their fallibility and Batman's journey from exacting vengeance to becoming a symbol of hope for Gotham City.  Robert Pattinson is brilliant in the role and I enjoyed the juxtaposition between his more explosive performance as Batman with his restraint as Bruce Wayne.  The action sequences are exciting and intense and the images on the screen are gorgeous (I loved the use of red).  Finally, the atmospheric score by Michael Giacchino is one of the best I've heard this year.

3.  Everything Everywhere All At Once

The narrative is chaotic, strange, fantastical, and sometimes even ridiculous but it tells an incredibly touching story about the weight of missed opportunities and the pressures of living up to expectations.  I laughed uproariously through most of it but I had a tear in my eye at the resolution.  The images on the screen are gorgeous and I loved the fact that each of the multiverses has its own unique visual style with brilliant cinematography and editing.  Michelle Yeoh gives an amazing performance that showcases her range (I was so impressed that she performed her own stunts) and both Ke Huy Quan and Stephanie Hsu are also outstanding.  I loved this quirky masterpiece!

2.  Avatar: The Way of Water

That this is an immersive spectacle with unparalleled visual effects is to be expected from James Cameron but I think it is so much more than that.  I really loved the emphasis on what it means to be an outsider, particularly the relationship between Lo'ak and Payakan, a cetacean who has been shunned by his species.  I also really loved the journey that Sully and Neytiri take as parents because they focus so much on protecting their children but ultimately end up being saved by them and the father-son relationship between Sully and Lo'ak is incredibly poignant.  Finally, the theme of respect for the environment is very powerful, particularly the scenes where the whalers hunt tulkuns merely for the sake of acquiring a valuable resource.  The action sequences in the third act kept me on the edge of my seat and I was very impressed by the emotional performances of Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana.  Seeing this was a thrilling experience but it didn't quite live up to that of watching...

1.  Top Gun: Maverick

This is quite possibly the most exhilarating movie I have seen in a very long time!  The story is incredibly compelling and a lot more emotional than I was expecting.  It pays homage to the original, with a lot of fun callbacks that fans will instantly recognize, while paving the way for a new narrative with a new group of pilots who are easy to root for.  The action sequences are unbelievably thrilling and immersive (the audience is literally in the cockpit with the pilots thanks to all of the practical stunts) and the final dogfight in an F-14 Tomcat had me cheering out loud.  I loved Tom Cruise's performance and Maverick's character arc is a logical progression from the original movie because, even though he is still a bit cocky, he is more mature and feels his responsibility to his team of young pilots.  Val Kilmer's performance reduced me to tears and Miles Teller is outstanding.  I loved everything about this movie and I had a smile on my face during the whole runtime!

Honorable Mentions:  After Yang, The Woman King, Elvis, Bones and All, and White Noise.

Favorite Movies of 2021

This year I ended up seeing 105 new releases and all but 3 were in a theater.  I really enjoyed most of what I saw so it was actually quite difficult to compile my annual list of top ten favorites but I finally narrowed it down!  As in year's past, my ranking is not based on the critical response or on box office receipts but, rather, on how much I enjoyed each movie and, as ever, it is an eclectic list.  (Click on the title to read my original review).

10.  CODA

Even though CODA is the type of formulaic coming of age story that we have all seen many times before, it is incredibly heartwarming and I absolutely loved it.  This feel-good movie features an exceptional lead performance by Emilia Jones as a young woman trying to find her place in the world as the only hearing member of a deaf family completely dependent on her for its livelihood.  It also features a delightful ensemble cast made up of deaf performers who add authenticity to the story.  I laughed out loud many times and was reduced to tears by the moving conclusion.

9.  Pig

I was not expecting to love Pig as much as I did but this powerful meditation on finding meaning in a meaningless world surprised me.  Nicolas Cage (who is hit or miss with me) plays Robin Feld, a man who goes in search of his prized foraging pig after it has been stolen, and he gives one of the best performances of his career.  This movie is a complex character study rather than a traditional revenge thriller, which might be disappointing to some, but I think it is absolutely brilliant.  While it is definitely a slow burn, everything that happens builds upon the central idea and the resolution is more hopeful than I was expecting.

8.  C'mon C'mon

Another movie that really surprised me this year was C'mon C'mon.  It took me awhile to become invested but, once I did, I found it to be an immensely moving story about what kids can teach adults and what adults can do to help the kids in their lives.  Joaquin Phoenix gives an incredibly warmhearted performance and his chemistry with Woody Norman, who is extraordinary, feels really honest and natural.  Not a lot happens but it is a beautiful film about human connection.

7.  The Power of the Dog

Many scenes in The Power of the Dog do not seem important on the surface, and could almost be called mundane, but they are fraught with tension leading to a resolution that took me completely by surprise.  Benedict Cumberbatch, in one of his best performances, is unnerving and captivating as someone who feels compelled to assert his masculinity at all times and Kirsten Dunst, in one of her best performances, is haunting as a woman who comes undone after unknowingly changing the status quo between two brothers.  I loved the beautiful cinematography and atmospheric score but, more than anything, this is one of the most thought-provoking movies I saw this year.

6.  The French Dispatch

I am a huge fan of Wes Anderson and The French Dispatch is the most Wes Anderson-like movie that he has ever made!  When the editor of the Sunday supplement to the Liberty Kansas Sun located in the French city of Ennui-sur-Blase dies, his staff picks four of the best articles to reprint for its final issue and each story has its own distinct visual style and mode of communication (my favorite is Revisions to a Manifesto).  The cast is made up of Anderson's usual roster of actors (with a few new faces) who all give humorous and quirky performances.  It is incredibly witty and I laughed out loud through the entire movie.

5.  The Last Duel

When I found out that my favorite actor Adam Driver was starring in The Last Duel, I immediately read the book upon which it is based by Eric Jager and I was captivated by the true account of the last legally sanctioned trial by combat in France during the Middle Ages.  I think the structure of this movie is brilliant because it shows each character's view the same events and the subtle differences are very powerful.  Jean de Carrouges believes he is the hero demanding justice for his wife, Jacques Le Gris believes his actions are justified, and Marguerite de Carrouges believes that she is the victim of both men.  The performances are excellent and the scenes involving medieval warfare are spectacular, especially the duel.  It is a shame that more people didn't see this because, in my opinion, it is outstanding.

4.  Eternals

The critical response to Eternals was very mixed but I loved it!  In fact, it is probably my favorite entry in the MCU.  I particularly loved how the character arcs and motivations for each of the Eternals are informed by the mythology surrounding their names.  I also loved the relationships between the characters and how they are developed in a nonlinear way throughout ancient history to build the narrative cumulatively.  Finally, I loved the philosophical debates between the characters about whether humanity deserves to be saved and I think the resolution of this question is beautiful and poignant.  Like most movies in the MCU the visuals are gorgeous, the action sequences are a lot of fun, and the score is amazing but it also the most thought-provoking entry in the franchise and I am looking forward to seeing more of these characters.

3. Dune

As a huge fan of the book Dune by Frank Herbert, I think Denis Villeneuve's adaptation is absolutely brilliant.  The message about the evils of colonialism, the oppression of indigenous peoples, and the destruction of the environment in pursuit of a valuable resource is supported by a scope that is epic with some truly spectacular and visually stunning sequences (I loved the depiction of the ornithopters and the sandworms).  The entire cast is outstanding but I was especially impressed by Timothee Chalamet's portrayal of Paul's journey from resistance to then acceptance of his destiny and Jason Momoa's depiction of Duncan's loyalty to Paul and House Atreides.  Hans Zimmer's score is incredibly atmospheric, particularly the chanting of the choir, and adds to the grandeur.  I can't wait for the next installment!

2.  The Green Knight

I love literary adaptations and The Green Knight is a bold retelling of the classic legend.  I usually do not like it when liberties are taken with the source material but the final sequence is incredible and left me sitting in the theater pondering what it means to live with honor long after the final credits rolled.  The cinematography is beautiful and atmospheric and the literal and figurative journey taken by Gawain is shown through powerful imagery and symbolism.  Dev Patel is riveting in the role and and I was spellbound by his performance.  It is a masterpiece and I love it more with each viewing.

1.  Annette

My favorite movie this year is the musical Annette.  The romance between Henry McHenry, a provocative comedian, and Ann Defransnoux, an international opera star, is incredibly surreal and fantastical as the lines between reality and performance are continually blurred.  The use of a puppet to portray their daughter Annette is absolutely brilliant because she is used by both of her parents for their own ends and becomes a real little girl only after she refuses to perform for them ever again.  Adam Driver gives a tour-de-force performance that is arguably the best of his career.  I was so impressed by his physicality in an expletive-laden and rage-fueled rant during a comedy routine and by his singing ability, especially in the emotionally charged "Stepping Back in Time" and "Sympathy for the Abyss."  This is one of the most thought-provoking movies I have ever seen with music (written by Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks) that I can't get out of my head.  Every time I watch it, I find something new that blows my mind!

Honorable mentions:  Judas and the Black Messiah, In the Heights, West Side Story, The Sparks Brothers, and Raya and the Last Dragon.

Favorite Movies of 2020

In a normal year I usually see well over 100 new releases.  Clearly this year was anything but normal but I was still somehow able to see 75 movies (including about 20 that I saw on various streaming platforms while movie theaters were closed).  When I compile my list of favorites for the year I don't really take into account the critical response or the box office receipts; I only think about the movies that I really enjoyed for one reason or another so the list is usually an eclectic one.  In that regard, this year is not much different than any other year!  So, without further ado, here are the movies I loved in 2020 (click the title to read my original review).

10.  Promising Young Woman

This movie blew my mind when I first saw it at Sundance this year and I enjoyed it just as much when I saw it again a few days ago.  I love dark comedies and this one is brilliant because it is a subversion of the traditional revenge story with an ending that I was not expecting.  It features laser sharp direction from Emerald Fennell, an outstanding performance from Carey Mulligan, an incongruous cotton candy visual style that belies the rage simmering beneath the surface, and a clever soundtrack that does much to enhance the mood.  It is a lot of fun to watch (surprisingly) but it is also a provocative indictment of rape culture that I haven't been able to stop thinking about for almost a year.

9.  The Way Back

I love the theme of redemption and an underdog sports story gets me every time so it is easy to see why I enjoyed this movie.  Ben Affleck gives one of the best performances of his career in a role that is pretty unsympathetic.  The story of a tormented alcoholic who is asked to coach his former high school basketball team and discovers that the only way to help them is to help himself is incredibly affecting.  The basketball sequences are thrilling because director Gavin O'Connor puts the audience right in the middle of the action and the score really adds to the intensity.  This is the kind of movie that makes you want to stand up and cheer and I loved it.

8.  The Gentlemen

This movie is an absolute blast to watch because it is a return to director Guy Ritchie doing what Guy Ritchie does best!  He has created a group of eccentric characters, assembled an all-star cast who look like they are having the time of their lives (especially Hugh Grant who is hilarious in an against-type role), devised a plot with enough twists and turns to keep the audience guessing until the final scene, and incorporated fast cuts and styled action sequences that are thrilling to watch!  It is a bit of escapist fun and I laughed out loud through the whole thing!

7.  The Invisible Man

This is a brilliant psychological thriller made all the more menacing because it is entirely believable.  The monster from the H.G. Wells classic novel has been updated to a villain (a domestic abuser who takes gaslighting to a whole new level) that contemporary audiences can readily relate to.  The tension builds and builds, more for what you can't see than for what you can, until there is a twist that I didn't see coming and a resolution that made me want to cheer.  Elisabeth Moss gives a riveting performances and I was fully invested in her plight as a woman whom no one believes.  I like to be scared by horror films rather than shocked and this is genuinely scary.

6.  The Prom

As a fan of musical theatre, I had so much fun watching this feel-good story that is also a colorful and sparkly love letter to Broadway.  I loved every song, especially "We Look to You," "Love Thy Neighbor," and "Unruly Heart."  I loved every performance, but I found newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman as a teenager who just wants to go to the prom with her girlfriend to be absolutely luminous and Ariana DeBose as a girl who feels compelled to hide who she really is to be incredibly powerful.  I loved all of the choreography, particularly the Fosse-inspired "Zazz" and the exuberant "It's Time to Dance."  I loved the message that everyone should be accepted for who they are and who they love.  I loved everything about this movie and I have already watched it again numerous times now that it is streaming on Netflix.

5.  News of the World

This is an old-fashioned Western that is incredibly beautiful to look at with an equally beautiful message about different people (and a nation) coming together to heal during the tumultuous days after the Civil War.  Tom Hanks gives an affecting performance as a former Confederate Captain, tormented by all he has seen and done in the war, who takes it upon himself to take a young girl on a treacherous journey to her family.  They bond over a series of misadventures and help each other confront the demons of the past.  Damaged characters finding redemption is a favorite theme of mine and I found this contemplative story to be incredibly touching.

4.  Tenet

This movie was the first big blockbuster to hit theaters after the lockdown so I may have enjoyed it more than is actually warranted but enjoy it I did.  In fact, I was pretty much blown away by this action thriller!  An unnamed protagonist must stop a Russian oligarch, who has access to technology invented in the future which allows people to travel backwards through time, from triggering a catastrophic event.  I had only the vaguest notion of what was going on but that didn't matter because the action sequences are incredible and they kept me riveted, especially a battle where some of the soldiers are moving forward in time and some are moving backward.  It was so much fun to see this on the big screen (and so much fun to try and unravel the complicated plot).

3.  Emma

Anya Taylor-Joy is perfect as a matchmaker who meets her match in this delightful new adaptation of the Jane Austen classic.  I loved her chemistry with Johnny Flynn as Mr. Knightley, especially when they dance at a ball and touch hands for just the briefest moment (it is unbearably romantic).  She is surrounded by an eccentric group of characters in the village of Highbury who are brought to life by an outstanding ensemble cast, including the scene-stealing Miranda Hart as the chatty old maid Miss Bates, the dashing Josh O'Connor as the lovelorn Mr. Elton, and the brilliant Bill Nighy as the hypochondriac Mr. Woodhouse (I laughed out loud every time he moved a screen because he felt a draft).  The production design is sumptuous with beautiful interiors, bucolic exteriors, and period-perfect costumes.  Literary adaptations are my jam.  Speaking of which...

2.  The Personal History of David Copperfield

I also really enjoyed this hilarious adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic starring Dev Patel as the title character.  David Copperfield describes his many adventures with friends and enemies who come and go and teach him the important life lessons that turn him into a celebrated author.  It is an incredibly whimsical and satirical version of the novel that had me laughing out loud throughout, especially when Mr. Micawber goes to great lengths to avoid his creditors, when Aunt Betsey tries to rid her lawn of an infestation of donkeys, and when Mr. Dick becomes preoccupied with the thoughts of Charles I.  The entire cast is wonderful, the bold and colorful costumes are so much fun, and the production design, which blurs the line between imagination and reality, is incredibly original and theatrical.  This was one of the first new movies that I saw on the big screen after the lockdown and I loved it.

1.  Nine Days

This beautiful and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be human is my favorite movie from the Sundance Film Festival this year and my favorite movie of 2020!  On another plane of existence (an isolated house in the desert), a man who was once alive (Winston Duke, in a phenomenal performance) interviews a group of souls given temporary existence over a period of nine days in order to choose one of them for the privilege of being born.  He tests them to see if they can handle the pain and sorrow of living but he is ultimately reminded by one of the souls (Zazie Beetz) that there is also happiness and joy to be found in life.  The final resolution is so poignant that I had tears streaming down my face and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I saw it almost a year ago.  This movie is scheduled to have a wide release next summer and I highly recommend it!

Honorable Mentions:  The Assistant, The Devil All The Time, Ammonite, Mank, and Soul.

Favorite Movies of 2019

This year I saw 122 new releases in the theater but I didn't give very many of them a five star rating on Letterboxd.  The movies that I did rate with five stars are an eclectic group (I thought that last year's list was unusual) but they all really resonated with me on some level.  Here are my top ten favorite movies of 2019 (click on the title for my original review).

10.  Ad Astra

I really enjoyed Ad Astra because, although it does feature some spectacular action sequences (the free-fall from a space antenna is very exciting), it is mainly a psychological character study of a man who both reveres his father and fears that he is becoming like him.  Brad Pitt's performance, among one of his best, is understated yet riveting.  I also really liked the ultimate message about the universe because I found it to be strangely positive.  The depiction of space travel is a lot of fun, especially the flight to the moon operated by Virgin Atlantic, and the visual effects are fantastic.  Ultimately, it is a meditative and haunting masterpiece that not everyone will like but I certainly did.

9.  Ford v Ferrari

I loved Ford v Ferrari because it is a compelling true story about two outsiders who overcome their own personal demons and corporate interference to do something that had never been done before and it makes you want to stand up and cheer!  The racing sequences are an adrenaline-fueled rush with squealing tires, shifting gears, and fiery crashes and, even though I am not a huge fan of racing, I found these scenes to be thrilling, to say the least!  Both Matt Damon and Christian Bale give brilliant performances and I especially enjoyed how their characters play off each other.  It is an epic movie that everyone is sure to enjoy.

8.  Jojo Rabbit

Jojo Rabbit is an absolutely hilarious satire that made me laugh out loud but it is also unexpectedly poignant.  It tells the story of Jojo, a ten year old boy who becomes a fanatical member of the Hitler Youth to compensate for his lack of self-esteem.  He discovers that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl named Elsa in the attic and, through his relationship with her (which is beautifully portrayed), realizes that everything he has been taught about the Jewish people is a lie and ultimately risks his life to save her.  It is a powerful and touching story about learning to understand your enemy that is also one of the funniest movies I've seen this year.

7.  Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood

To me Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood is a beautiful and meditative ode to a Hollywood that no longer exists.  The juxtaposition of an angst-ridden Hollywood veteran named Rick Dalton who has an emotional breakdown after forgetting his lines with the innocence of newcomer Sharon Tate watching herself onscreen with unbridled joy is absolutely brilliant.  Both Leonardo di Caprio and Brad Pitt, who both seem like they could have been genuine movie stars during Hollywood's golden era, give very powerful performances.  It is a Quentin Tarantino movie with the requisite violence and profanity but I really appreciated the message about wanting to return to a simpler time before the innocence of the 1960s was irrevocably destroyed.

6.  The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse is a dark psychological thriller about two men who descend into madness that drew me into the action on screen with such intensity that I could hardly breathe!  Robert Pattinson realistically portrays a man slowly losing his grip on reality in the best performance of his career and Willem Dafoe is also outstanding as a man who is already unhinged.  I loved the story filled with mythology and allegory, the unsettling sound design, the atmospheric lighting, the black and white cinematography, the 1.19 to 1 aspect ratio, and the astonishing period verisimilitude.  This pretty much blew my mind and is definitely one of the most thought-provoking movies I saw this year.

5.  The Nightingale

The Nightingale is one of the most brutal movies I have ever watched (I don't think that I could sit through it again) but is is also a beautiful and powerful story of friendship that moved me to tears.  Set in Van Diemen's Land (present-day Tasmania) in the early 1800s, an Irish convict laborer and an Aboriginal tracker form an uneasy alliance with each other to elude a British officer and, eventually, they come to rely on each other and then care about each other while suffering unspeakable atrocities.  This movie is filled with a powerful message, beautiful symbolism, riveting performances, and stunning cinematography.  It is difficult to watch but it is absolutely amazing.

4.  Parasite

Parasite is a brilliant social satire that kept me guessing until the final frame.  At first this movie is an amusing story about a group of con artists who take advantage of a gullible family but in the final act it takes a 180 degree turn and becomes a scathing indictment of how the wealthy survive on the labor of the poor.  You are left wondering who the parasites referred to in the title actually are.  I really enjoyed the shot composition because the division between the rich and poor is shown in almost every scene, particularly the juxtaposition between the cramped and claustrophobic basement hovel where the Kims live and the open and spacious modern house (which is almost a character) where the Parks live.  All of the performances are fantastic in this riveting and thought-provoking movie.

3.  Booksmart

I really loved Booksmart because it is an absolutely hilarious and heartwarming story about two best friends who discover that they may have misjudged all of their classmates on the eve of graduation.  I loved the message that you must look beyond the labels to see the real person beyond them and there are some really poignant scenes about stereotypes.  I also really enjoyed the portrayal of friendship because the two main characters are so complimentary to each other and supportive of each other.  The young cast is fantastic and I particularly enjoyed Beanie Feldstein because she has great comedic timing and Billie Lourde who steals every scene she is in with her over the top antics.  This movie also really resonated with me because I saw so much of myself when I was in high school in the character of Molly ("Why be in theatre when you can be in debate?").  Comedies are a hard sell for me but this one kept me laughing out loud through the whole thing!

2.  Little Women

A more comprehensive review for Little Women is coming soon but I had to include it in this list because I loved literally everything about it!

1.  The Farewell

I loved The Farewell so much!  I had an incredibly emotional response to this beautiful and poignant movie because, once again, I saw so much of myself in the main character.  Billi is a Chinese-born writer living in New York who learns that her grandmother in China has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.  Her entire family decides not to tell Nai Nai that she is dying but they all contrive to return to China so that they can say goodbye to her.  It is a funny portrayal of family relationships but, to me, it is a touching exploration of identity.  There are several moving scenes that exactly mirror my own experience as an immigrant, particularly one where Billi looks out the window to see her Nai Nai crying as she drives away, which had me crying so hard that I had to sit through all of the credits so that I could compose myself enough to leave the theater.  Awkwafina gives one of the best performances I have seen this year.  This movie definitely affected me on a personal level but I think it is universal enough to appeal to everyone.

Honorable Mentions:  Honey Boy, Clemency (both of which I saw at the Sundance Film Festival),  Apollo 11, They Shall Not Grow Old, and Transit.

Favorite Movies of 2018

This year I saw 120 new releases in the theater so, once again, I thought I would compile a list of my top ten of 2018.  This list is a rather unusual one because it includes some unexpected choices but each one of these movies really resonated with me in one way or another (click the title to read my original review).

10. Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again

This movie was definitely the biggest surprise of 2018 because, since I wasn't a fan of the original, I didn't even plan on seeing it.  The second trailer caught my attention so I decided to give it a chance.  I am so glad that I did because I enjoyed this feel-good movie from the first number ("When I Kissed The Teacher") to the end credits ("Super Trouper").  I loved the charismatic performance of Lily James (who can really sing and dance) and Donna's story is actually quite poignant.  Also, how can you not love Cher singing "Fernando?"

9. Mission: Impossible - Fallout

It is unusual for me to include an action/blockbuster in a year-end list like this but I really loved this movie.  The action sequences are intense and unrelenting, including the much hyped HALO jump (which is spectacular), multiple car and motorcycle chases through Paris, a foot race across the roof of the Tate Modern, and an aerial helicopter chase through the mountains of Kashmir.  It goes without saying that Crusie, who performs the majority of his stunts, is absolutely amazing in the action sequences but he also gives Hunt some unexpected vulnerability as he deals with the consequences of his actions in both the present and in his past.

8.  Green Book

This is a movie that I liked more and more after thinking about it for days after watching it.  The story is a bit formulaic but it works on the strength of the lead performances.  Ali and Mortensen have great chemistry as their characters banter back and forth and it is a joy to watch them interact.  I also really enjoyed the message of overcoming prejudices by getting to know someone who is different which is something that is very important to me.

7.  Can You Ever Forgive Me?

This is a darkly comedic film in which a deeply flawed character eventually finds a sort of redemption (one of my favorite themes).  Melissa McCarthy gives a brilliant performance (earning some early Oscar buzz), turning Lee into an incredibly sympathetic character despite her behavior.  I liked the juxtaposition between Lee and Jack (Richard E. Grant) because Lee is misanthropic and difficult while Jack is full of charisma and charm.  They have some fantastic dialogue as two lonely people who only have each other banter back and forth.  I actually found the character of Lee to be refreshing in that she is unapologetic and I really enjoyed this film.

6.  First Man

This is the very human story of Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling) and his journey from a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base to be the first man to walk on the moon with the Apollo 11 mission.  It is incredibly intense, putting the audience right in the middle of the action with Armstrong as he experiences the claustrophobia of being in a tiny space capsule, the jarring vibrations of lifting off, and the disorientation of being in space.  I think this is a brilliant film and I am now in awe of what Armstrong and the other astronauts accomplished.  I wish more people had seen it.

5.  First Reformed

This film is a brutal portrayal of a man in torment with an incredible performance by Ethan Hawke that left me completely shattered.  It grapples with ideas of despair and hope (I really struggle with the darkness in the world tight now and sometimes I lose hope) but the ambiguous ending can be interpreted as either damnation or salvation.  It is brilliant because I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

4.  BlacKkKlansman

This film is incredibly powerful and thought-provoking.  I had an almost visceral reaction to some of what I saw on the screen but I also laughed out loud in many places.  Spike Lee does a masterful job in creating a film that is funny and entertaining but also has a definite message that is particularly salient for our times.  I love John David Washington's riveting portrayal of Ron Stallworth and I love the idea that fighting hate needs to come from within rather than through violence.

3.  A Star Is Born

I was completely blown away by my emotional response to this tragic love story.  Bradley Cooper gives an incredible performance and I was particularly impressed by the fact that he co-wrote many of the songs and that he sings and plays the guitar live on screen.  I've always respected Lady Gaga as a gifted musician despite her rather outlandish stage persona and she, as expected, gives a tour de force performance while on stage but she is also very believable in the role of a singer who doubts herself.  It is an intimate portrait of two flawed characters that has a sort of redemption at the end.

2.  Mary Poppins Returns

I had a huge smile on my face while watching this heart-warming and whimsical movie about how Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) returns to help save Michael Banks and his family.  Blunt and Miranda are absolutely delightful, the children are adorable, the songs are a lot of fun, the choreography is spectacular, and the visuals are stunning!  It is practically perfect in every way and I suspect that I will watch this again and again whenever I need a dose of happiness in my life.

1.  Bohemian Rhapsody

It should come as no surprise that this is my favorite movie of 2018!  I don't know when I have been so emotionally impacted by a movie as I have been by this one.  I know it has flaws but I love it so much.  I love the music of Queen and I find Freddie Mercury's ultimate redemption (reconciling with his family, resolving his differences with the band, coming to terms with his sexuality, finding someone to love, and giving the performance of his life) to be so affecting and life-affirming.  I also love Rami Malek's tour de force performance as Freddie because he not only captures his incredible showmanship in every staging of a Queen performance but he also brilliantly portrays his vulnerability.  I am so impressed with Malek's passion for this role and everything he did to prepare for it.  I continue to be so obsessed with this movie!

Honorable Mentions:  You Were Never Really Here, Blindspotting, Leave No Trace, Eighth Grade, and The Death of Stalin.

Favorite Movies of 2017

I actually saw over one hundred new releases in the theater this year so I thought I would compile my top ten favorites of 2017 (click on the link to go to my original review of each movie). 

10.  Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

I loved this dark comedy because it allowed two incredibly compelling characters to not only express their rage over untenable situations but to also find some sort of forgiveness with each other.  It really struck a chord with me because I find narratives about tragically flawed people behaving badly but ultimately finding redemption to be incredibly cathartic (it is a theme in many of my all-time favorite movies).  Both Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell give tour de force performances and I thought about this movie long after I left the theater.

9.  The Shape of Water

What I loved most about this film is that, in an age of conformity, a group of misfits is able to triumph over a truly despicable authority figure and that, ultimately, love wins!  All of the characters mirror the otherness of the humanoid they are trying to protect and I think it is a beautiful exploration of what it means to be different and that the monsters are not who we think they are.  Sally Hawkins gives a remarkable physical performance that it is worthy of all of the accolades she is receiving.

8.  The Florida Project

This film is another that stayed with me long after I left the theater.  I loved the juxtaposition of people living on the margins of society right next to Disney World, the Happiest Place on Earth.  In a nation of great abundance, what do we do for the people who fall through the cracks?  A young girl chooses to turn the tragic circumstances of her life into a daily adventure and I found myself rooting for her young mother, who despite some major character flaws and some questionable behavior, tries her best to do what she can for her daughter with limited resources.  Brooklynn Prince gives a truly affecting performance as does Willem Dafoe.

7.  Blade Runner 2049

This movie is a visual masterpiece that exceeded my expectations in every way (which is very rare).  I've always been a fan of the original Blade Runner and, in this latest installment, Denis Villeneuve continues Ridley Scott's world-building to its logical progression to tell a compelling story of what it means to be human.  There are some scenes that resonated very powerfully with me and I loved Ryan Gosling's performance.

6.  Dunkirk

This movie was a truly immersive experience for me that literally left me breathless with brilliant cinematography that put the audience in the middle of the action, whether in an aerial dogfight or on a sinking ship.  It is a powerful portrayal of one of the most defining moments in history and the subject is survival itself.  The action is unrelenting and the three different timelines kept me completely engaged with the story.  I loved the small acts of heroism with standout performances by Fionn Whitehead, Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, and Kenneth Branagh.

5.  Logan

I enjoyed this film much more than I anticipated.  I think it resonated so deeply with me because it is such a raw portrayal of a tortured man living with regrets who is ultimately redeemed by a young girl who faces the same demons.  The tone is much more somber than the other movies in the franchise, and much more violent, but the message is one of hope about people who are different and the final resolution left me with tears in my eyes.  Hugh Jackman gives a highly nuanced performance that, in my opinion, should generate some attention this awards season.

4.  Lady Bird

As a huge fan of Greta Gerwig's particular brand of humor I knew that I would really love this film.  It is a quirky coming of age story that perfectly captures the narcissism of youth as a teenager navigates her senior year and her combative relationship with her mother.  I had a deep emotional connection to the character of Lady Bird and Saoirse Ronan is brilliant in the role as is Laurie Metcalf as her mother.  It made me want to call my mother after I walked out of the theater.

3.  Wonder Woman

In my opinion Wonder Woman is the best superhero movie, ever.  I loved everything about it!  Diana is such a dynamic character and Gal Gadot brilliantly captures both her strength and naivete.  World War I has always been of particular interest to me and setting the narrative during the war to end all wars worked very well because her struggle is against war itself and man's inclination to evil.  I loved that her relationship with Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) and his capacity for love is what redeems mankind in her eyes.  I may or may not have had a tear in my eye during the No Man's Land scene!

2.  Personal Shopper

This film is a fascinating exploration of a young woman's search for identity.  The juxtaposition between the spiritual and the material is brilliantly portrayed as Maureen (Kristen Stewart), who is a medium and a personal shopper for a celebrity, is haunted by a ghost and a stalker.  I honestly don't know which scenes are more menacing: the ghost in an abandoned house or the stalker's texts to Maureen on the train!  Stewart gives one of the best performances of the year (I find her to be vastly underrated).  I saw this multiple times in the theater and I've watched my copy countless times because this is a film that makes me think!

1.  A Ghost Story

This film was easily my favorite at Sundance this year and that status was solidified after viewing it again in wide release.  To be sure, there are long sustained shots without much action but I found them to be strangely compelling.  The cinematography is beautiful and the score is one of the most evocative in recent memory.  The ghost, even completely shrouded in a sheet with eye holes, is an incredibly sympathetic character and I was emotionally invested in his journey.  I loved the theme that attachment to people, places, and things is what holds us back because this is something I think about a lot.  It is a masterpiece and I loved it so much!

Honorable Mentions:  Good Time, Brigsby Bear, Baby Driver, The Big Sick, and Ingrid Goes West.