By: Kimberly Grant
As we enter chapter 2024, I took some time to reflect on the movies that had us talking 2023. I will forever remember how a movie about a Barbie doll and a movie about the man who built the atomic bomb opened on the same weekend. Rather than choosing one over the other, most people just watched both. That is the sign of great movies making a comeback to the movie theaters. Without further ado, here is my list of the best films that I saw in 2023.
10. The Blackening (released in theaters in June 2023)
Mostly satire and all the way cultural, this movie had me in stitches. I’m not a fan of horror movies at all. But, this movie had me so entertained that I forgot to be scared. In the film, a cast of young, affluent African Americans meet at a cabin in the woods to celebrate Juneteenth. Before the entire crew can arrive, the protagonists are battling racism. Naturally, my first thought was “that’s why we don’t do cabins in the woods”. And, I can assure you that I still feel the same way about cabins in the woods. Not for this black woman.
9. Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, Part 1
Even though it feels like we’ve cancelled older white men; we haven’t totally thrown them away. Tom Cruise is getting older and still going strong. He’s managed to keep a long-standing franchise alive with vigor. This latest Mission Impossible had a lot of twists and turns, like the previous versions. But this one felt a little different. Maybe it was the semi-love triangle. Or maybe it was the fact that the women in this film got to do some ass kicking for a change. There weren’t any damsels in distress in this one. And, the women get to wear regular street clothes, instead of the revealing clothes actresses are forced to wear in action films.
I am a new soccer fan, but a fan nonetheless. (Go Liverpool FC!) So, this heartwarming film about the American Samoa National Soccer Team and their significant failures in the league had me enthralled. Like any sports movie, I was rooting for this rag tag bunch of individuals, their uber optimistic owner and team dad, as well as their hot head coach. Even if you’re not a fan of soccer, you’ll love this film for the heart of the brown people who give their all to showcase their culture. The film is also not shy about pointing out the subtle racism of non-whites.
7. Fast X
I really thought this franchise was done after The Fast & The Furious 9. For the simple fact that the film sent some of the characters into outer space in a “ship” that’s kept together with duct tape. I know these films live in unrealism, but that was just too much for me. Thankfully, the writers brought the franchise back to what made it popular for the tenth film: fast cars, characters that jump off of the screen, and familial bonds. The addition of Jason Momoa as a villain was one of the best ideas the franchise has come up with. In fact, I only bothered to see this movie, because Momoa is in it. And, shout out to one of my other favorite action stars in this film: Jason Statham.
6. Gran Turismo
This is another film about sports with a twist. I’m not a fan of watching car races on TV, but this film manages to speak to the hearts of the gamer in most millennials. Not only is Archie Madekwe a great actor (he’s in another movie on this list, Saltburn), but he really brings gamer-turned-race-car-driver Jann Mardenborough to life. Not only is this movie about a gamer who literally inserts himself into the world he dreamed about for years, but it’s about a young man proving to his immigrant father what happens when you take a chance to achieve your dreams. Just beautiful.
5. Barbie
When I was younger, I played with Barbie dolls like all of the young girls of that time period. Then I grew out of playing with those toys like most women (and some men). So, seeing a film about a toy doll didn’t really interest me. However, after seeing how angry it made older white men, I decided that I definitely needed to see this movie in my hottest pink.
I’m glad to say Barbie did not disappoint. The monologue about the pressures of women resonated with me the most. I use it to remind myself that I’m only human and I need to do what makes me happy. In hindsight, the point of the Barbie dolls was to show young girls that they could be and do what they wanted. It was to empower us to be the strong women we are today. It actually took a movie about that doll to drive that point home in my mind.
4. Saltburn
This movie might as well be called “Slow Burn Then Oh My God Did He Just Do That?!”. If you have not seen Saltburn, you must. If not for the trippy plot points, then for the mystery of it all. Just when you think you know what the movie is about, it takes a sharp right turn and then you’re feeling feels. Some parts disgust and some parts pensive. You’ll spend the whole movie asking questions. And, once you arrive at the ending, you’ll have to rewatch the film to catch all the Easter eggs you missed from the first watching.
3. Chevalier (released in 2023)
The Revolution has indeed been televised. So often when historical stories are told, there aren’t many people of color. And, if there are people of color, they’re in roles of servitude or in positions of being saved by the white protagonist. Chevalier doesn’t totally ascribe to that tired trope. No. Instead, it tells the story of a prolific musician, composer, champion fencer, and revolutionary who was as talented as he was charming.
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, also happened to be mulatto. Not only does this story give the real Chevalier his flowers, but it takes an unflinching look at racism in 19th century France. It’s the kind of history that Ron Desantis doesn’t want people to know. Yet, he can’t stop movie theaters from showing national films. Chevalier is a reminder that when someone tries to stifle growth, all we have to do as a people is find another way. The same way a tree’s roots will find their way to a water source. By any means necessary.
Every writer of color needs to see American Fiction. Not only does it speak on the black writer experience in a way that has been taboo. It also examines the choices that many mainstream writers of color have made. Are these writers “selling out” or are they trying to break into the industry by any means necessary. This film asks what role does conforming to a predominantly white publishing industry play in the perception of the Black Community. I’ve struggled with this for all of my professional writing career. This film reminds all writers that what we put out matters.
Now, I’m not always a big fan of musicals because I find it awkward when actors break into song during dramatic moments. However, this film does it right. From the great writing to the great acting to the awesome wardrobe down to great choreography. This remake of a Broadway musical based on a movie adapted from a novel will make you feel all the feels. You’ll feel happy when the characters experience joy. You’ll cry. You’ll even feel the presence of God. This phenomenal movie that was directed by Blitz Bazawule is mesmerizing and I encourage everyone who goes to the movies to see this film, at least, one time. The story, originally written by Alice Walker, has stood the test of time in relevance and speaks to women and men in the same way that Barbie speaks to us.
Honorable Mentions
There were a few films that were good, but didn’t make my list. Oppenheimer is a great film, but I’m not much of a fan of overly saturated cinematography. I also deducted some imaginary points from the film, because I saw it in true IMAX and I was disappointed that I went out of my way for a film that I could have watched in any theater’s version of IMAX. I also enjoyed Jamie Foxx in The Burial. The film has a lot of heart and Foxx does an amazing job. Lastly, I really enjoyed The Marvels. It’s campy and many fanboys cried about the mostly-female cast. But, it’s way better than Ant-Man: Quantumania and The Flash. The Marvels cast women of color in prominent roles and it’s just fun to watch.
If you haven’t seen the movies listed in this post, there’s still time to catch them in the theaters or stream at home. I encourage everyone to take some time to watch each of these films. You’ll be entertained. And, sharing is always entertainment.
You can read all of my 2023 film reviews in my Entertainment Blog.
