Odin’s Top 10 Movies of 2023

Movies

What’s up, Geeks + Gamers? It’s ODIN!

With the first month of 2024 coming to a close, it seems like the perfect time to look at some of the best films to come out in 2023. Though overall, the box office profits for Hollywood were essentially nonexistent, there were still several solid movies that came out last year.

Honorable Mentions

There were several films I enjoyed thoroughly but were not quite good enough to crack my top 10 list. To see my thoughts on these movies, check out my reviews HERE or watch the livestream where I unveil all my top films HERE. Now, let’s get started (comments are from my reviews on Criticless)…

10. The Creator

“Went into this movie expecting a lot and was pleasantly surprised to get it. Though this film is just shy of being one of my favorites of the last 10-20 years… it’s definitely good enough to be one of my top films of this year. Great acting, solid action, and the best use of $80 million I have seen; an at times rushed story still delivers and is well worth seeing.”

9. The Covenant

“For Guy Ritchie’s first war film, he did a stupendous job telling a compelling story about a group in the Middle Eastern American Wars that has not gotten enough attention for their bravery and sacrifice. Add to that great acting from Jake G and the others, and you have a solid flick that could just be a bit crisper in the editing and pacing.”

8. Godzilla Minus One

“After being very critical of the ‘monster verse,’ I am happy to say that we FINALLY have a true Godzilla film that pays homage to the original 1954 film and takes advantage of 2023 technology. For a reported budget of only $15 million, the visual effects are outstanding. There are definitely times when the budget shows, but only occasionally.

Though this is a Godzilla film, it features a compelling human story with solid actors that help to sell the era in the aftermath of WWII. My favorite characters were definitely the ‘doc’ and the crew who worked with the lead of the film, a disgraced pilot from the war.

The writing is also quite good, though it is clear that many ideas were borrowed from the original film and subsequent releases. Even with that being the case, there is a level of comfort that comes along with that, as it makes Godzilla Minus One feel that much more like a true Godzilla reboot.

The only real critique I have is about the pacing, which, at times, is slow and drags. If the film had cut about 15 minutes, it would have been much better-paced.

All in all, this film was a darn good time and well worth the watch. Seeing it in IMAX for a fan preview was also great, especially when the original Godzilla score kicked in, and all the heads began to nod to the beat. These movie puts all of the so-called ‘monster verse’ films to shame. End the Legendary films and give that money to Toho instead. They clearly know what they are doing.”

7. John Wick: Chapter 4

“The John Wick franchise is a ton of fun, and this one is no different. The fact they are able to make every fight sequence feel fresh and unique is already an amazing feat. If this is the last of the series, it goes out on a strong note. Beautiful production design (especially the Osaka Continental), solid acting, and an amazing stunt team make this a must-watch film, especially for fans of the franchise.”

6. Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One

“Though it is the 7th film in the franchise, it is arguably one of the best with its fantastic story, solid action sequences, and fun performances, especially from Cruise. The old characters continue to shine, and the new ones feel like welcome additions. It is truly sad that this film ended up being a box office flop.”

5. Tetris

“This movie was probably the biggest surprise of the year for me, as I did not expect a film about the origins of Tetris (specifically the explanation of how it got out of Russia) to be as gripping and interesting as it ends up being. Taron Egerton once again gives a phenomenal performance, bolstered by a solid supporting cast. Add to that effective writing, great pacing, and solid cinematography, and you have one of the best films of the year.

The only issue I had was the random car chase they added towards the end. Though it was fine cinematically, it felt like a bit too far of a stretch.”

4. Suzume

“From the mind of writer/director Makoto Shinkai, who has made anime films like Weathering With You and Your Name, Suzume once again captures the mind and imagination in such a way that it leaves you thinking about it long after it is over. It delves into various deep subjects like loss, grief, the afterlife, and several references to Japanese mythology and culture. The relationship between the people and the land being done so that it doesn’t push any climate agenda whatsoever makes it much more impressive. The power of memory is also a key aspect of the story that all can relate to in some way.

The only criticism I have of the film is the English voice actor for the character Suzume. It clearly did not match the animated character and was a constant distraction. The fact that the film still sticks with me despite this, however, speaks to how good it truly is. I cannot wait to rewatch this film with the original voice actors.”

3. Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre

“From the very beginning, with a fun music/camera combo (edits and pacing on the beat), this movie took hold of me in a way that only a well-made Guy Ritchie film could. Featuring a fantastic performance from Cary Elwes, surprisingly great turns from Josh Hartnett and Aubrey Plaza, and a better performance from Jason Statham, Operation Fortune was one of my early favorites for its unique style and hilariously clever script. Guy Ritchie continues to deliver and to give Hugh Grant amazing roles with solid direction.”

2. The Holdovers

“Just when I thought my best films of 2023 list was coming together, this movie from Alexander Payne enters the fray. Not only does The Holdovers feature phenomenal acting and a very effective soundtrack/score, but it also has an incredibly compelling story that brings you along a journey featuring solid character development that leaves you wanting it to continue after it’s done.

It’s not often that a film makes you want to see what happens next, yet also has a satisfying conclusion… The Holdovers does it with ease. Add to that brilliant cinematography and direction, and you have easily one of the best films of 2023. Paul Giamatti kills it once again!”

1. The Iron Claw

“This gem is easily one of the best films of the year. Whether you are a wrestling fan or not, there is much to praise about The Iron Claw: excellent soundtrack, casting/acting, beautiful and compelling storytelling. The chemistry among the brothers is absolutely fantastic, and it features excellent pacing and solid cinematography (despite a few rough quick-cut scenes in the beginning). Zefron got jacked and was phenomenal in his role.

This is based on the true and tragic story of a wrestling family, but anyone with a family will find many things to connect with. Brilliant.”

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Those are my top movies of 2023! What are some of yours? Let me know in the comments below!