The Best and Worst Films of 2023 - Kermode and Mayo's Take

#MarkKermode #SimonMayo #FilmReviews

Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode reflect on the best and worst films of the year 2023

[DrSiddharthVerma]

Kermode's best list include

Mentions
Oppenheimer
Barbie
John wick
Spider verse
Mi dead reckoning
How to have sex
How to blow up a pipeline
Polite society
The beasts
Pearl
Close
Broker
Blue jean
E.o
Beau is afraid
Infinity pool
May December
Rye lane
Reality
Talk to me
Scrapper
Dream scenario
Saltburn
Women talking
Automate
Crimson king
Still-a mj fox movie
Godzilla minus one
Poor things
Zone of interest
Holdover

Top5
Anatomy of a fall
One fine morning
Past lives
Return to Seoul
Enys men

[gothamite]

It always gives me a strange sense of comfort when Mark is able to so enthusiastically assemble a long list of great films from a given year and I've never even heard of most of them. People are so quick to dismiss 'cinema' when 99% of the time, they're only really talking about Hollywood - there's an entire spectrum of other forms of cinema waiting for us to discover.

[Tangerinian]

When people say "they dont make good movies anymore" the problem is more to do with how accessible the good movies are. Marks trying to use his long list to prove that there are still great films being made, but almost none of them would have played at theatres anywhere near me. There not that long ago were great, artistic movies being made that would play at any cinema, and you could talk with people and they'd be aware of them, even if they weren't that into film. Now you have to search them out, and it's a much more niche thing.

[richnewman]

Dream Scenario was my favorite of the year. Just a breath of fresh air and a surprise of an interesting movie. Nicholas Cage reminding us he has real chops.

[AndulRazack]

Would always read Mark's year end list in The Observer. I'm glad he has continued it (along with Simon's) with the podcast.

[scottthomson]

Tár’s UK release was 13 Jan - it was screened fairly widely before then, but I am 100% putting it at the top of my list as best film of the year

[HowardsHaunt]

Watched Anatomy of a Fall and Past Lives back to back recently and both went directly to the top of my best of the year list. The performances in both were just so pure and authentic in both and both felt almost like watching a documentary and it was for that authenticity that they both hit me so hard. Past lives had me bawling in the final scene. Such a fantastic year.

[Diogenes]

Thank you for another year of excellent reviews. You guys saved me several hours of lifetime I did not have to waste on bad movies. Always a pleasure to listen to your comments.

[SprangBrake]

I love that Kermode liked Beau is Afraid, very few people get it, but if you suffer from anxiety it's a validation

[TigerMa]

Godzilla : Minus One was magnificent. Acting, story, cinematography. My runner up was Murder in Venice. As above and took Poirot in an interesting direction - loved it. Special mention to Puss in Boots - Last wish was great and let the character grow with his audience. A great film that I enjoyed watching with my teen son and he recommended it as one to watch together in the cinema. What’s better than that? Well, we ended the year watching Godzilla together- again, he recommended it and he was absolutely correct on both.

[robhines]

BarbieHeimer got me back into the cinema, so I got Odeon limitless, I've seen so many films had a great time.
My favourite film was Saltburn

[coecludd]

The Creator was my favourite film of 2023 (I'm a big sci-fi fan) - really enjoyed it 🙂

[consciencecuisine]

I’m the grandson of one of the 669 saved by Winton. I as well as my siblings, father, aunts and cousins, all owe our lives to Mr Winton. We were invited to a premiere of the film and recognized as a few of the roughly 6, 000 people on earth today who are alive because of the heroic actions the film depicts. I broke into tears at the end of the film because of the overwhelming gravity of the moment: I had just watched a film about a man whose actions, recognized and honored by that film, are the reason I am able to sit in my seat and watch that film. This once in a lifetime experience was one of if not the most emotionally impactful/resonant moment of my life. Thank you to everyone behind One Life.

[salomonligthelm]

10 - Across the Spider-verse
9 - The Iron Claw
8 - Killers of the Flowermoon
7 - Anatomy of A Fall
6 - Zone of Interest
5 - Godland
4 - Poor Things
3 - Maestro
2 - Past Lives
1 - Oppenheimer

[indac-channel]

1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
2. Nimona
3. The Boy and the Heron
4. Chicken Run - Rise of the Nugget
5. Robot Dreams

[michaelhein]

Yes, Past Lives is, dare I say, a PERFECT film! And Poor Things is a jaw-dropper, you two will be impressed. Cheers from Cincinnati, Ohio. Big fan of you both!

[MuckMan_Movies]

Although I've not seen it yet I'm very surprised Killers Of The Flower Moon didn't get a mention.
My Top 5 (so far):
5. Rye Lane
4. Spiderman Across The Multiverse
3. John Wick 4
2. Godzilla Minus One
1. Poor Things

[RobHGuitar]

Godzilla: Minus One would have to be my no. 1 of the year, cannot fault it at all

[ArthurKnight]

Mark is so right! There has never been a time when we get so much creative and amazing films as much as now! In the last few years post covid there have been great number of interesting films! People don't watch them and complain just by looking at some big names.

Even the award season movies are so much variety and diverse in every way! Just look at last year's Oscar noms, every movie is different from other and they are all so good! And numerous others which don't even make the final lists!

[RSimoes]

Good lists. For what it’s worth, my best 5: Anatomy of a Fall; Past Lives; The Eight Mountains; Foe; Return to Seul.