Making my way through my Letterboxd Watchlist
2023 has been a really fun year in film for me. I’ve finally gotten around to clearing out my Letterboxd watch list, and in the process discovered some films I wish I had watched sooner. The films on this list are not exclusive to 2023 releases, but my favorite movies that I watched in 2023.
- Oppenheimer – Christopher Nolan
Oppenheimer is a masterful achievement in film making – led by the always evolving Christopher Nolan. The film opens exploring the two different story lines Fission and Fusion, one of which begins during Oppenheimer’s sleepless nights as a failing experimental science student, and the other later in his life after the events of the Manhattan Project.
These converging timelines lead towards the earlier moments in the film becoming somewhat confusing, though this does not continue throughout the entirety off the film as it does with ‘Tenet’, instead giving the viewer time to catch up and enthrall themselves in the film.
Cillian Murphy absolutely crushes the role of J. Robert Oppenheimer, nailing his mannerisms, speech patterns, and demeanor. The surprise performance of this film though? Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss.
If the movie wasn’t already incredible enough, Nolan obviously connects with the general audience as this three hour long biopic made close to $1 Billion at the box office.
2. Dazed and Confused – Richard Linklater
Dazed and Confused is a perfect film for anyone who enjoys watching fun and relatable characters interact with each other and engage in some banter over a compelling narrative. As with so many Linklater films, Dazed and Confused takes place in a single 24 hour period, as the school year ends, Freshman, Seniors, Jocks, Stoners, each and every personality type of the High School environment, head towards a party, while dealing with the pressure of the unknown future.
This technique of 24 hour period storytelling used by Linklater really makes you feel as though you are peeking into the lives of these strangers, and getting to know them, rather than with other films watching their lives go by within the context of the story.
The profundity of the script is also one that speaks to almost every teenager transitioning into adulthood, with different questions being addressed that revolve around the themes of success, self worth, and identity. The discovery of identity is a concept that all teenagers think they have already achieved within their youthful ego, yet as we all entered our twenties, thirties, we discovered that we’re only just discovering who we are on an intimate level, is this because of a newfound insight into yourself, or is it due to the personal growth/heightened maturity we find as we get older. These are all questions that Dazed and Confused asks the viewer through its brilliant script, yet it’s done so subtly that it doesn’t try to suffocate you in philosophy.
3. Frances Ha – Noah Baumbach
You see the stereotypical story of young person tries to make it in the big city all the time – to so much of an extent that it could be considered its own genre of film. Yet Frances Ha approaches this story from a different perspective, telling the story of Frances, an aspiring dancer, who is forced to move apartments after her best friend moves in with her boyfriend.
The film perfectly details the emotions of watching all your friends around you grow up and find success, while you are still left chasing your dream, wondering each day if its becoming unachievable.
As the film progresses we meet different characters, friends of Frances, who are in different stages of their lives, Lev and Benji (Played by Adam Driver and Michael Zegen) are sons of wealthy New York parents, who without the worry of financial bankruptcy are able to pursue their dreams with ease, patiently waiting for their moment. Rachel is part of the main dancing group, from a circle of friends who have reached a point in their lives where they can take trips to Paris, and enjoy expensive wine.
Then there’s Frances, still struggling to achieve her dream of professional dancing, finding her niche within the industry, and a way to retain her personality in a world that keeps putting her down.
All of Baumbach’s films always feel so real, akin to Linklater, as if we are taking a peek inside the lives of these characters. Yet the script also feels so inspired from the same place of desperation, this sense of reality, as if we are learning about the experiences of Baumbach’s life and career through the eyes of fictional characters.
4. Pearl – Ti West
Pearl isn’t a perfect film, but my god is it ambitious. A prequel to 2022’s “X”, Pearl tells the story of its titular character. The film aesthetically is ripe with color, emulating the technicolor trend of the period the movie is set in. The sky box is designed to look painted – whether it was a practical effect or visual effect, i do not know, the palette of the film is over exposed, leaving for a joyous sight for the eyes.
The score of the film is also brilliantly in line with movies of the technicolor era, providing a fully orchestrated score. These visual and auditory aesthetics are completely opposite to the contents of the film, with the plot essentially being a slasher film. Though this dichotomy isn’t jarring and both the visual flair, and dark story line actually complement each other and provide for a more distinct and meaningful viewing experience.
Mia Goth continues her winning streak of distinct and meaningful performances with the character of Pearl, slowly transitioning from innocent farm girl, to emotionally unstable psychotic killer.
If MaXXXine – the follow up to ‘X’ is a hit then I may have a new favorite horror trilogy.
5. Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters – Paul Schrader.
A beautiful insight into the inspiring life of Yukio Mishima this film has many triumphs. The editing of the movie is playfully done with multiple storyline’s/timelines of information being told at once, though never wavering into the realm of confusion. The sequences telling of Mishima’s novels are delightfully crafted to a mesmerizing aesthetic engaging in a visually pleasing medium of storytelling.
The use of theater based effects in the film help engage the themes and emotions especially in a particular sequence during the telling of Kyoko’s house.
The film explores the influences on Mishima’s books leading to his desire to restore imperialism within Japan in an attempt to retain its culture. These explorations are masterfully crafted to provide an emotional and engaging insight into the infamous author.
Especially the tie-in of the narrative of Runaway Horses into the real life event of Yukio Mishima and his militia holding up the Japanese garrison. The film leaves an emotional impact and retains its right as one of the most important pieces of cinema about one of the most important authors to ever live.
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