Mike’s Top Ten of 2023
2023 is a fascinating year. On the one hand, interesting theatrical movies for people who want more than the usual ‘franchise and remake’ fare returned in a big way. The Barbenheimer phenomenon was truly something to behold and actually brought people back to theaters in a legitimate manner for the first time in three years. The part that went understated about those two is how both were (ostensibly) original and unique films. Sure, one is based on a doll, but everything about that movie is more unique than almost anything else that came out the rest of the year. And I love that, especially because the past few years were rough for theatrical films in wide release that appealed to people who wanted something more than just mindless entertainment.
On the other hand, I look at 2023 and think, “What a terrible year for movies.” Part of that is because of the strike that happened. So many films got pushed out of the year, either because they couldn’t get finished or couldn’t be promoted (plus there’s always a handful of films that shoot throughout the year that come out at the end, and those didn’t happen like they usually do). And so what we were left with — at least from my perspective — was a year that was so thin I almost couldn’t fill out a Top Ten list. Every year, I can get to 80 movies easily. This year, I struggled. I barely got to my quota (and that was after watching the stuff that would normally be icing on the cake for me — the shortlisted foreign films and documentaries). Even getting past 10 was tough. Figuring out 11-20 was the hardest I’ve ever had for a current year ever. It was rough.
And I understand it, but it’s weird to have that dichotomy. There doesn’t feel like there’s a middle class this year. I’m so curious how 2023 will age for me. Though I guess I feel the same way about 2020, 2021 and 2022 as well. So I guess we’ll see. (more…)
Pic of the Day: “If wearing hair up means becoming a lady, I’ll wear it down until I’m 100 years old.” (90th Anniversary)
Pic of the Day: “Number 25 is my best ever, the quintessence of life, I think. I trust you’ll get it where it needs to go, you always do.” (10th Anniversary)
Pic of the Day: “What did we learn, Palmer?” “I don’t know, sir.” “I don’t fuckin’ know either. I guess we learned not to do it again.” “Yes, sir.” “I’m fucked if I know what we did.” “Yes, sir, it’s, uh, hard to say” “Jesus Fucking Christ.” (15th Anniversary)
Pic of the Day: “I gotta be going on.” “Why, Shane?” “A man has to be what he is, Joey. Can’t break the mould. I tried it and it didn’t work for me.” “We want you, Shane.” “Joey, there’s no living with… with a killing. There’s no going back from one. Right or wrong, it’s a brand. A brand sticks. There’s no going back. Now you run on home to your mother, and tell her… tell her everything’s all right. And there aren’t any more guns in the valley.” (70th Anniversary)
Pic of the Day: “How could you do this to us after everything we’ve done for you?” “Oh, see, I made Louis a bet here. See, Louis bet me that we couldn’t both get rich and put y’all in the poor house at the same time. He didn’t think we could do it. I won.” (35th Anniversary)
Pic of the Day: “I’ve been to New York thousands of times.” “Really?” “Mm-hmm.” “What’s it like?” “Well, there are some things you should know. First off, you see gum on the street, leave it there. It isn’t free candy.” “Oh.” “Second, there are, like, thirty Ray’s Pizzas. They all claim to be the original. But the real one’s on 11th. And if you see a sign that says “Peep Show”, that doesn’t mean that they’re letting you look at presents before Christmas.” (20th Anniversary)
Pic of the Day: “What are their names?” “Who?” “The Elves.” “Shit, I can’t remember, I think one of them is Sneezy and there’s a Dopey…” “That’s the seven dwarfs!” “You’re shittin’ me? I thought… I was thinking there was a… I don’t know! Fuck, kid. I just call them you know Bub, I call them… I say hey Bub or Chief or whatever the fuck, I tell them to make the god dammed toys. What the FUCK is wrong with you? I can’t remember this shit. Does everything with you have to be a fucking test?” “How old are they?” (20th Anniversary)
Pic of the Day: “Why do I always think gettin’ you home for Life Day is gonna be easy?” (45th Anniversary)
Pic of the Day: ” Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum / A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum / Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum / To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum / Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum.” (55th Anniversary)
Pic of the Day: “Sounds like you had quite the night.” “Uh… it was a bit more hectic than usual. But I did get to speak a lot of English last night!” “Oh! I heard! The whole village is buzzing. Something about a… car chase and a… jailbreak?” (5th Anniversary)
Pic of the Day: “You know you don’t have to obey this man, Lawrence.” “Well, I’m the liaison officer, so I’m liaising.” (40th Anniversary)
Pic of the Day: “Spirit, whose lonely grave is this?” “Why yours, Ebenezer. The richest man in the cemetery!” (40th Anniversary)
Pic of the Day: ♫ “That Arizona sky burning in your eyes / You look at me and, babe, I wanna catch on fire / It’s buried in my soul like California gold / You found the light in me that I couldn’t find / So when I’m all choked up / But I can’t find the words / Every time we say goodbye / Baby, it hurts / When the sun goes down / And the band won’t play / I’ll always remember us this way.” ♫ (5th Anniversary)
Pic of the Day: “There are times when I think what a terrible mistake I’ve made with my life.” “Yes. I’m sure we all have these thoughts, from time to time.” (30th Anniversary)
Pic of the Day: “I’m sorry about my brother, Ken. I know he’s insensitive. He’s had a hard life. Dad used to beat him up.” “Good.” (35th Anniversary)
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