1. Dream Scenario
Why? Using art to call out 'Call Out' culture, and fantasy to call out 'reality'. Genius.
2. Priscilla
Why? Directed by an extraordinary woman, executively produced by an extraordinary woman who happens to be the same extraordinary woman the film is about, it challenges us all to watch without judging. If you can get to the end without making a judgement, you'll have stepped into the director's shoes. Genius Coppola.
3. Maestro
Why? Standing on the shoulders of Mahler and Spielberg, this transcends any expectations one might have of a conventional biopic with the central character being a vehicle for bigger themes. Unconditional love, unbalanced love and unfair love all explored under the umbrella of 'true' love. A moving historical document.
4. Killers Of The Flower Moon
Why? Historical, factual male white privilege flexing it’s muscles, directed by one of the greatest film makers who ever lived. If it becomes a career swan song, it's the most poignant, loving and vital gift ever bestowed on the Native American community. An area largely uncharted in popular culture, finally committed to the big screen.
5. May December
Why? Because no other film demonstrates how much pop has really eaten itself.
6. The Holdovers
Why? Like a hybrid of The Breakfast Club and Dead Poet's Society. If you were born in the 70's, this is a home fire for the soul.
7. All The Light We Cannot See
Why? Apart from my first music release this year, Start With The Sound, it's the only other work I've seen (that I can think if) that is concerned with the value of sound over vision. Hearing over seeing. I love seeing someone's heart come to life simply because they can suddenly hear someone's voice on the radio. Magical.
8. L'Imensita
Why? Big issues in small families. An ancient but current topic which the film proves wasn’t invented recently. The truth in the story cracks the media's mirror image of it.
9. Indiana Jones And The Dial of Destiny
Why? Retro-causation and precognitive dreaming (See Eric Wargo’s Time loops). It's literally like finding the Holy Grail in your local supermarket.
10. Squaring The Circle
Why? It reminds us what data capitalism has taught us to forget: that the message IS actually more important than the delivery system being used to send the message.
11. Wham!
Why? The power of friendship! And George Michael making it okay for songwriters to acknowledge when they've written a great song, whether others acknowledge it or not.
12. The Eternal Memory
If you've cared for someone with Alzheimer's, this will resonate and likely move you to an ocean of tears. But even if you have been lucky enough not to lose a loved one to this terrible disease, this film will reframe and refocus how much we are all capable of giving and receiving love, even when are hearts are breaking. Devastatingly beautiful.
Read my best music of 2023.