A list of 2023 releases seen this year at theaters in SF and Sydney, and on VOD.

Initial tweet thread-reactions to the higher rated films included. In alphabetical order, by star rating…

– 5⭐ –

Anatomy of a Fall
The credits could’ve rolled after the first five minutes and I’d have left happy.

Inspired, instantly memorable use of 50 Cent’s P.I.M.P!

Justine Triet has directed and co-written a gem that surprises in and out of the courtroom. Sandra Hüller makes a clear case for why she’s up there as the best going around.

The Fabelmans
Spielberg takes his craft and applies it to the most personal of places, giving us a special ode to making and showing movies. Michelle Williams crushes it, delivering some real emotional daggers.

Joyland
It’s exceedingly rare for a film to be so generous with its heart and technically virtuoso at the same time. Flawless. Will go down as a monument of South Asian cinema.

Past Lives
Longing and acceptance are delicately played off against each other in this supremely assured *adult* love story that gets better with every turn.

Return to Seoul
Freddie is the coolest, saddest character you’ll meet all year. An immense performance from Ji-Min Park in her acting debut (WHAT⁉️). The screenplay handles identity delicately, with a singular confidence.

Skinamarink
It’s fine until it’s not! Four bone-chilling words and I was covering my eyes, cowering in my seat, sweating through the rest…and laughing at how brilliant the sound design, and precise and restrained the direction is. Haven’t seen anything scarier.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Frame after frame of astonishing cinema. The amount of craft, creativity, and soul put into this!!

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