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2023 TOP 50
01. BABYLON
score - 75
Closest thing to 'Boogie Nights' in 25 years, with it's rise-and-fall plot, ensemble cast, R-rating, and straddling of multiple genres. Excessive and divisive. S: Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt D: Damien Chazelle
02. JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4
score - 75
Strong entry to one of the best and most-consistent series ever. Too long, and Wick's too invincible; but the good comfortably outweighs the bad.
S: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne D: Chad Stahelski
03. THE COVENANT
score - 73
Not what you expect from Ritchie, but very good. Excellent pacing, considering he would've been tempted to make an "overblown epic". Strong in all areas. S: Jake Gyllenhaal, Dar Salim D: Guy Ritchie
04. KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
score - 72
Obvious issue is the run time, but outside of that, this is good stuff. Can really see 'Goodfellas' in it, right down to a great DeNiro performance. S: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert DeNiro D: Martin Scorsese
05. AIR
score - 71
Seeing the background to the decision was great. But knowing where it ends, limits the drama. Had to make up for it with good dialogue and acting. And does. S: Matt Damon, Jason Bateman D: Ben Affleck
06. TALK TO ME
score - 70
Works on all levels, considering the budget. Some average acting makes Otto stand out. Some queries, but can be answered in pre/sequels. S: Sophie Wilde, Miranda Otto D: Danny & Michael Philippou
07. OPPENHEIMER
score - 70
Cast and acting is off the charts. Visuals are great. Pacing is surprisingly good. But the subject matter is just too high-brow to wow me. S: Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr D: Christopher Nolan
08. SOUND OF FREEDOM
score - 70
A movie where you have 0% respect, sympathy, empathy, or appreciation for the villains. As it should be here. Bad topic, good movie, well made. S: Jim Caviezel, Bill Camp D: Alejandro Monteverde
09. WHEN EVIL LURKS
score - 70
Refreshing take on old ideas. Borrows, but delivers a violent chase film, blended with a possession tale. The end is a bit basic, but a winner overall. S: Ezequiel Rodriguez, Demian Salomon D: Demian Rugna
10. EXTRACTION II
score - 69
Like the 1st - good action/violence, but bullets/blades don't hurt like they should. And peaks midway through. Needs something fresh in a 3rd.
S: Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani D: Sam Hargrave
11. RENFIELD
score - 69
One of the best action-comedies in ages. Clever how it ties to the 1931 'Dracula', but stays completely modern. No scares, but lots of blood and kills. S: Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage D: Chris McKay
12. KILL BOKSOON
score - 68
There's a great film within. Creates an interesting world, with lots of ways to move forward. The editing of the sub-plot and overall pacing could improve.
S: Jeon Do-Yeon, Esom D: Sung-Hyun Byun
13. THANKSGIVING
score - 68
Modern day pacing of an old school slasher. It's silly fun. The acting and dialogue are poor, but is that deliberate? Maybe. But that aspect doesn't really help. S: Patrick Dempsey, Ty Olsson D: Eli Roth
14. THE KILLER
score - 68
The narration falls flat, and with little exposition any other way; it detracts from the overall film. But other that, and a fizzer ending, I enjoyed it. S: Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton D: David Fincher
15. CREED III
score - 68
Good, but many areas-for-improvement, plot-wise. Tries for more style, but needed more legit boxing elements. Series deserves a better finale. S: Michael B Jordan, Tessa Thompson D: Michael B Jordan
16. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE -
DEAD RECKONING PART 1
score - 68
As with most M:Is, it's pretty good; but just takes things too far, with it's long-run time, and one action set piece too many. A good entry in the series. S: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell D: Christopher McQuarrie
17. THE EQUALIZER 3
score - 68
Best cold open this year. Works for shorter and smaller-scale part 3; despite international setting. Good, but predictable and a weak ending. S: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning D: Antoine Fuqua
18. BEAU IS AFRAID
score - 68
Wow, this has it's moments. Weirdly excellent 1st hr, draining 2nd hr, flashes of brilliance in the 3rd. An aggressive editor could've made the movie of the year. S: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Ryan D: Ari Aster
19. KNOCK AT THE CABIN
score - 68
Entertaining, unpredictable, with trademark Night humour hits to break tension. Doesn't have the grand finale of his best stuff, but still good. S: Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff D: M Night Shyamalan
20. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL 3
score - 68
Similar quality to previous installments. But falls too much into 'ROTK' heartfelt-farewell territory; stretching out the runtime. Good. Could be better. S:Chris Pratt, Chukwudi Iwuji D: James Gunn
21. INFINITY POOL
score - 67
Interesting, but flawed. Like his father, Cronenberg blends violence, sci-fi, sex, and sheer weirdness. Better than anything dad's done in 15 years.
S: Alexander Skarsgard, Mia Goth D: Brandon Cronenberg
22. ANIMAL
score - 67
Lots going on in this solid crime epic. 3.5hr movie that feels rushed at times. Maybe better as a series? Hindi film that appeals to a global crowd.
S:Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor D: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
23. SICK
score - 67
Same writer as 'Scream', and it shows. With Covid a driver, rather than scary movies; it's not as meta or fun; but it is well-paced and accessible to all. S: Gideon Adlon, Bethlehem Million D: John Hyams
24. BALLERINA
score - 67
Multi-layered criminal underworld, grim subject matter, despicable villain, hero with a dark past. But lacks a way to stand out from those it borrows from. S: Jeon Jong-Seo, Kim Ji-Hoon D: Chung-Hyun Lee
25. THE CHILDE
score - 67
Doesn't land all it tries, and plot moves aren't as big as it wants. But there's enough hits here to make it one of the better action/crime movies of the year. S: Kim Seon-Ho, Kang Tae-Ju D: Park Hoon-Jung
26. SCREAM VI
score - 67
With a step-up in violence, I was enjoying it as much as any Scream since the first. But the ending was weak, predictable, unoriginal. S: Courteney Cox, Melissa Barrera D: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett
27. SISU
score - 67
Simple story works with fast-paced justified violence. Looks great. Style and effects hit the mark. But dodgy realism and quality of survival methods. S: Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie D: Jalmari Helander
28. CHOR NIKAL KE BHAGA
score - 67
Starts poorly. But then ramps up. Combines major plot points of other films (heist, hijack, terrorism) into one, with some twists. Totally unrealistic, but good. S: Yami Gautam, Sunny Kaushal D: Ajay Singh
29. COCAINE BEAR
score - 67
Is the stupid fun that the premise suggests, but even with a very strong second act, it's not as satisfying in all aspects as I'd hoped for. Worth watching. S: Keri Russell, Alden Ehrenreich D: Elizabeth Banks
30. EVIL DEAD RISE
score - 66
Tone lands between the original fun trilogy and the more serious 2013 reboot. Works here, but doesn't all land. Fast-paced and entertaining. Lacks scares. S: Alyssa Sutherland, Lily Sullivan D: Lee Cronin
31. TO CATCH A KILLER
score - 66
Unexpected little gem here. The cast is all OK, but it does lack some star power. More action than the average cop thriller, but a weaker ending. S: Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn D: Damian Szifron
32. IN THE LAND OF SAINTS AND SINNERS
score - 66
After a string of b and c-grade efforts, Neeson lands a good one. Not amazing, but finds a way to make it all feel fresh, including the cliches. Worth watching. S: Liam Neeson, Kerry Condon D: Robert Lorenz
33. DREAM SCENARIO
score - 66
Cage can still act, and needs films like this to show it. Other than him, a bit of an "almost" film - almost funny enough, almost dark enough, almost cool enough. S: Nicolas Cage, Lily Bird D: Kristoffer Borgli
34. THEY CLONED TYRONE
score - 66
Uneven tone. Works better spoofing stereotyped black characters, less effective when more serious with it's political message. Good overall, but drags on a bit. S: John Boyega, Jamie Foxx D: Joel Taylor
35. REPTILE
score - 66
Decent crime story, that never quite reaches the heights is strives for, and lacks a memorable scene to be it's calling card. Other than that, all is ok. S: Benicio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake D: Grant Singer
36. BOSTON STRANGLER
score - 66
Entertaining telling of The Strangler case. I don't know much about it, and no idea how much is real. But watching with that insight-level worked for me. S: Keira Knightley, Carrie Coon D: Matt Ruskin
37. THE GOLDFINGER
score - 66
Not the magic captured in 'Infernal Affairs', but enjoyable and well shot. Straddles gangster, cop, and finance genres; but doesn't fully commit to one.
S: Tony Leung, Andy Lau D: Felix Chong
38. THE PALE BLUE EYE
score - 66
Decent murder mystery Starts strongly, loses it a bit with it's pacing, then tries something a bit different in the finale. Wished they pushed things further.
S: Christian Bale, Harry Melling D: Scott Cooper
39. AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM
score - 66
Enjoyable, but pointless. Doesn't do much for the Aquaman/DCEU story, except turning Orm face. No need for all the hate it got, but just an OK tme-passer. S: Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson D: James Wan
40. THE PIG, THE SNAKE, AND THE PIGEON
score - 65
Strong, but slightly unfulfilling Asian crime film. A few under-developed characters, and some unrealistic scenes detract from it, but good viewing overall. S: Ethan Juan, Ben Yuen D: Ching-Po Wong
41. THE CREATOR
score - 65
Has some great stuff in it. Works wells as a chase movie. In that sense, and more, it has 'Terminator' vibes. But when it goes more 'Avatar', it fails. S: John David Washington, Gemma Chan D: Gareth Evans
42. OLD DADS
score - 65
The timing of this anti-woke comedy is perfect, which elevates it. Nothing ground-breaking, but gets some decent laughs while pointing out modern absurdity. S: Bill Burr, Bobby Cannavale D: Bill Burr
43. THE FLASH
score - 65
Fun first 90 mins, working better than MCU multiverse films. Lost the plot trying to make the fnal battle epic, and can't be saved by some fun cameos. S: Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton D: Andy Muschietti
44. SILENT NIGHT
score - 65
Woo is back with maybe his best-looking movie, but not his best. The no-dialogue novelty doesn't add much, but restricts in ways. Good overall, but not peak Woo. S: Joel Kinnaman, Kid Cudi D: John Woo
45. GRAN TURISMO
score - 65
Pretty amazing story, even if not my jam. This is well-made in all aspects. But while it probably won't ever get a re-watch from me; I was entertained. S: David Harbour, Archie Madekwe D: Neill Blomkamp
46. OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE
score - 65
'The Gentlemen' meets 'Mission:Impossible' without the grit and cool of the former, or big set pieces of the latter. Not the Ritchie film we wanted, but good. S: Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza D: Guy Ritchie
47. PAIN HUSTLERS
score - 65
Tries hard to be 'Wolf Of Wall Street'. All aspects ok; but pacing of the rise and the fall, fails it. Letting us share in the success longer, will have us more invested. S: Emily Blunt, Chris Evans D: David Yates
48. SHARPER
score - 65
Decent con movie that cleverly intertwines stories and characters. Good acting and pacing. The issue is the final con, as it's mediocre and telegraphed. S: Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan D: Benjamin Caron
49. STRAYS
score - 65
Stupid stuff, but actually pretty well done. The voice casting works, and moves at a good pace. Not enough great moments to justify a re-watch though.
S: Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx D: Josh Greenbaum
50. NEXT GOAL WINS
score - 64
Charming and funny PG sports film. Based on a true story. Even so, it's a bit too predictable. That works against making it memorable. But it's decent.
S: Michael Fassbender, Kaimana D: Taika Waititi
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