I have not seen most of the movies that made the regular critics best of lists as I watch most of my movies once they hit streaming services but I saw so many “great movies” that I found it challenging to winnow it down to 10. Each film on this list is in my mind must see cinema. You may not love them as I did but I think you will find something to admire and enjoy in each one. Before the list here are (presented alphabetically) all the movies that did not make the list but might have on a different day: Athena, Boom! Boom! The World vs Boris Becker, Death of a Cyclist, Gun Crazy, Inherent Vice, Jules and Jim, Marty, Mosul, Nomadland, Old Boy (2002), Possession, RRR, Tàr
10.
Badlands 🦛🦛🦛🦛 (Rent on Amazon, Apple, Youtube)
One of the all time great directorial debuts this tale of lovers, 15 year old Holly a mind blowing Sissy Spacek in only her second role and Charlie Sheen as 25 year old Kit, equally parts perfectly charming and stone cold evil, showcases all the things that would make director Terrance Malick’s movies distinct and great. Badlands was preserved in 1993 for preservation by the U.S. National Film Industry and it is easy to see why.
9.
Banshees of Inisherin 🦛🦛🦛🦛 (Streaming on Crave & Disney+, Rent on Amazon, Apple TV, YouTube)
Writer/director Martin McDonagh’s masterpiece (at least so far) is a heartbreaking tale of friendship on the idyllic island of Inisherin. It is hard to choose which is better the shocking Oscar worthy script or the stunning performances. Colin Farrell deserved an Oscar as Pádraic one of two friends that make up the central plot. Brendan Gleeson as the other half of the friendship is almost as good. Also deserving an acting award is newcomer Kerry Condon as Pádraic’s forlorn sister who gets caught up in the madness. The whole thing is dazzling in every way.
8.
Drive My Car 🦛🦛🦛🦛 (Rent on Apple TV)
A familiar topic, loss, is tackled with heartbreaking gentleness by co-writer Takamasa Oe and co-writer/director Ryusuke Hamaguchi. Nothing about this movie goes as expected and there is nothing flashy or obviously brilliant. It is amazing how remarkable the ordinary can be when it is made this well. The humanity is what you will remember long after the credits roll.
Thoughts? Feel free to weigh in!
7.
Aftersun 🦛🦛🦛🦛 (Streaming on Crave, Rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, YouTube)
Tales about growing up are a dime a dozen and there are plenty of good ones even so Aftersun is something special. Taking place over two weeks at a Turkish retreat it follows prepubescent Sophie and her Dad (Paul Msecal) separated from her by divorce. It is about memory, and loss, and growing up and it taps into something so core to us as people that I haven’t been able to get it out of my head in the eight months since I first saw it.
6.
MaCabe and Mrs. Miller 🦛🦛🦛🦛 (Rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, YouTube)
Director Robert Altman is known for his sprawling epics with multiple characters talking all at once. This on the other hand is a quiet intimate movie about only two people a gambler and a madame who build up a small nowhere town through illicit enterprise. Lots of familiar western story pieces are shown in unfamiliar ways here. Roger Ebert called it Altmans perfect film. I need more viewing before I can say that but I do think the bridge scene with young Keith Carradine is a perfect scene.
4.
My Neighbour Totorro 🦛🦛🦛🦛 (Streaming on Netflix, Rent on Apple TV, YouTube)
Wings of Desire 🦛🦛🦛🦛 (Rent on Apple TV, YouTube)
Totorro was probably my favourite movie of the year but I could not decide if it or Wings was more magical, which is what a Japanese anime film (My Neighbour Totorro) and a German modern expressionist film (Wings of Desire) have in common. They are both warm heart touching fantasies about life expressed through viewing a magical world. Totorro based on Japanese myth explores the discoveries and experiences of life through the eyes of two young Japanese girls who find a magical world including a Totorro, possibly the most adorable movie character ever. Wings explores the idea of love through the eyes of an Angel who has fallen in love with a mortal. In their own way both movies are incredibly existential. They differ in that Totorro is good for all ages and kiddies will probably not connect with Wings. Adults on the other hand should adore both as they are equally magical.
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3.
Killers of the Flower Moon 🦛🦛🦛🦛 (streaming on AppleTV+, Buy on Apple TV, Amazon, Youtube)
Perhaps my 15 year old who I saw the movie in theatres with summed it up best when as the credits rolled turned to me and said “What the Fuck!” Director Martin Scorcesse chose to take the perspective of the killers not the victims in retelling the historical horror show that was the long ongoing and ignored murders of the ? peoples when oil was found on their reservation. I think it was a brilliant tact and centering it is a flawless performance by indigenous actress Lilly Gladstone. The ending works on many levels. A genuinely powerful film.
2.
City Lights 🦛🦛🦛🦛 (Rent Apple TV,YouTube)
Charlie Chaplin was a comedic genius, he even has Memes but you need to see his full length films to understand the full breath of his talent. I grew up on Gold Rush and it remains a favourite but this is on a whole other level. I did not know a single movie could be so funny, so poignant, so heartbreaking, so real, all at the same time. From the maker of more than one masterpiece this may be his finest work.
1.
Beau Travail 🦛🦛🦛🦛 (Rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, YouTube)
I sought this movie out because it made number 10 the 2023 Sight and Sound poll of 2022 and because it was made by Claire Denis, a director I have been meaning to see for a long long time. My expectations were sky high and the movie blew me away. It is as pure a piece of cinema as I have ever seen. Definetly something to experience. Powerful all the way through and the final scene! One of the best ever.