50 Filmic Favorites of 2023
As with every year, there is no way I can seperate brand new films from films newly restored and reissued from tv series from short films. The experience of watching is always watching. This is an opportunity for me to be more casual just about my personal enjoyment. As always, my more in depth thoughts on films (rarely ever new ones though) are published at Grumpire. For a playlist of my favorite music from 2023, listen here. So here are my 50 favorite filmic works that got some form of a release in 2023, presented in alphabetical order.
Arnold (1973) / Some Guy Who Kills People (2011) [Reissued on blu ray by Vinegar Syndrome / Terror Vision]
Two films, made decades apart, that do something incredibly rare. Rather than aim for being Horror-Comedy in a slapstick sense, they do so in a witty ‘Clue’ (1985) manner. Nothing is laugh out load funny. Rather, the worlds they are in are just nice and cute like an episode of ‘Great British Bake Off’ where people happen to die. Some Guy Who Kills People would have worked with Adam Sandler in the lead, but Kevin Corrigan shines in the protagonist role with a range outside his usual casting.
Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham (2023) [New on blu ray & streaming]
Of all the recent Batman Elseworlds cartoons, this one abandons the tenets of the Batman mythology the most, bending them in wild ways to fit into a Lovecraftian lore. The results feel free and exciting and the twists are rewarding rather than incidental.
Blue Beetle (2023) / The Flash (2023) [New in theaters]
Superhero fatigue must be real because both these powerhouses bombed for no reason based on their entertainment value. The Flash, skirting any issues of multiverse boredom by being a clever twist on the Back To The Future (1985) model with a new twist of physics, serves as a rewarding end to the DCEU’s fascinating directors driven approach. Blue Beetle, one of the two afterwards to the DCEU is the pop culture sibling to this year’s ‘How To Blow Up A Pipeline’ (2022) making household terrorism into a loving term, again surprisingly with little criticism of taking matters into one’s own hands against capitalist warlords.
Breathless (1983) [Reissued on blu ray by Fun City]
It’s cool to be lame. But it’s still hard to be cool without being a dick. A depiction of the worse case scenario of being an awesome jerk in love. Puts a Kick Me sign on the back of the original.
Calvaire (2004) [Reissued on blu ray by Yellow Veil]
An outlier of French Extremism, those brutal elements are all here, but it is the song and dance number in the pup that makes this film great. Nothing ever like it before or afterwards. The type of thing to tell one’s grandkids about. One of the greatest moments in all of cinema history. The rest is pretty cool too.
Cobweb (2023) [New in theaters]
The first modern horror in a long while to truly understand that a key part of what makes The Shining scary is its lack of explanation for exactly what the supernatural element is and how it works. The mystery evokes a terror of never quite knowing what might happen next, rather than feeling like things are missing. It not an easy thing to pull off, but well worth risking over the tedium of exposition and lore building. Lore is for cowards.
Curucu, Beast of the Amazon (1956) [Reissued on blu ray by Vinegar Syndrome]
The protagonist smokes a cigarette while having his physical and the doctor concludes that he has never met a healthier man in his life. The rest of the movie is mostly this healthy man being a sexist to the female lead. Humans know what they’re doing. This is a satire, it is making fun of brutally stiff gender roles and the patriarchy. Enjoy laughing.
The Demon’s Baby (1998) / Ghost Nursing (1982) [Reissued on blu ray by Vinegar Syndrome]
80’s and 90’s Hong Kong creature feature gross out comedies feel like what kids thought was hidden in the horror section of mom and pop video stores, but never quite was. Yes, stupid and colorful, but also genuinely dangerous… or at least putting kids in danger of being grounded for watching them.
The Devil Conspiracy (2022) / The Pope’s Exorcist (2023) [New on streaming & blu ray / New in theaters]
The unofficial Dark Universe continues with more Big B style adventure horror. Being scared isn’t the only thrill to be had with spooky aesthetics. Both these dumb as nails masterpieces are full of popcorn throwing joy the way films meant for group viewing should be.
End of the Line (2007) [Reissued on blu ray by Terror Vision]
The first jump scare got me so bad I spilled my wine all over my body and had to pause it to clean up before finishing. It’s scary.
An Eternal Combat (1991) [Reissued on blu ray by Vinegar Syndrome]
This goofy time travel film postures itself as a martial arts piece, but those moments are so few its basically just a comedy that isn’t that funny. What is the genre that aims to be cute rather than funny? That is what this is. Nothing like a film such as House II in tone, but would be a great double bill with it for a night of just wacky supernatural adventure with a few kisses from ghosts.
Evil Dead Rise (2023) [New in theaters]
It’s scary, fast paced, and doesn’t understand how record players work. What else could anyone want? For those who immediately blurt out BRUCE, there are some films and a tv series you should check out if you haven’t already.
Falcon Lake (2022) [New on blu ray by Yellow Veil]
Such a slow ghost story that it’s not a ghost story at all. But it is a coming of age piece that captures the magic and sadness of entering teen-dom perfectly. The soundtrack is a competitor for best of the year. Then at the end it suddenly asks the viewer “Was this a ghost story?”
The Fall of the House of Usher (2023) [New on streaming]
Not nearly as brutal a take down of Capitalist warlords as ‘How To Blow Up a Pipeline’ (2022) or ‘Blue Beetle’ (2023), but it has its heart in the right place and is a nice ending to Flanagan’s run with Netflix, which publicly ended in his real life anger towards their corporate tyranny. The usual stable of Flanagan actors are at their peak and the major fault of the series is highlighted both at the start and ending of things with the use of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” as a theme song for Poe’s ‘The Cask of Amontillado’. In other words, it has taste issues.
Fast X (2023) [New in theaters]
Without Paul Walker, the franchise still seems unable to tune in the characters who have endearing relationships with each other; the type of relationships that evoke the theme of Family in the viewers’ hearts. It is there though, between Vin Diesel and Helen Mirren. Such a loving and charming relationship that seems to spill from real life right onto the screen. That said, there is more than enough of the important absurdity to carry this film onto another installment, but if they know what’s right they’ll make it mostly a Vin and Helen team up in the next one.
Future Kick (1991) [Reissued on blu ray by Scream Factory]
The quasi-VR themed DTV trash of the 90s is slowly making its way to blu ray and this is about as good as they get. Which means most will hate it. Dead in tone. Never quite going the extra mile. Filled with the cyberpunk motifs your heart truly needs. You’ve seen kicking in action movies before, but this is how people kick in the future. You aren’t ready.
Guest House Paradiso (1999) [Reissued on blu ray Vinegar Syndrome]
It’s never a good time to puke, and that’s all this movie wants the audience to do. Slapstick comedy of the grossest sort that goes so far beyond decency it is hard not to love it. The first act is relentless and feels like the nauseating horror will never end. Impressive in how much you’ll never want to see this again but also want to force everyone you know to drink from the spoiled milk.
Heat (1986) [Reissued on blu ray by Kino Lorber]
The OG ‘Heat’ starring Burt Reynolds deserves to be up there with films like ‘Walking The Edge’ (1985) and ‘Streetwalkin’’ (1985) as a masterful example of light hearted grittiness. Burt is as charming as ever, smart, tough and flawed, but never despicable. Some of the most well written “getting out of a jam” scenes and the ending is makes it a feel-good Christmas classic.
The Hourglass Sanatorium (1973) [Reissued on blu ray by Yellow Veil]
Polish apocalypse art films are finally making their way to Blu Ray in droves lately. They all look great, but 2 hours of a person wandering around through nonsense Alice In Wonderland Hell does get old fast as they lack any sort of sense of suspense, relying instead upon a long string of cool things happening, which given the dour demeanor of this movement often falls flat. The Hourglass Sanatorium goes the extra mile though with some truly bonkers set design and cartoonish characters. Still could easily be a sleeper for most, but if that style appeals to you, this is the cream of the crop.
How To Blow Up A Pipeline (2022) [New in theaters]
A shockingly adept combination of true thriller suspense and a true anarchist call for literal war against corporations and governments murdering the entire world. No half-ass punches pulled like with Disney’s treatment of rebellion in ‘Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ that punishes those trying to make change with a shame-shame wag of the finger “not like that though”. Few films pull off having straight forward ethics and high entertainment value at the same time. A masterpiece of craft and philosophy.
The Inferno (1979) [Reissued on blu ray by Mondo Macabro]
A Japanese movie that says everyone goes to Hell. Sounds about accurate for the meaning of missionary work even if this film doesn’t directly address how Christianity came to Japan. It takes a while to get to the lavish depictions of Satan’s realm of punishment, but the wait is filled with lots of naughtiness that the viewer is enticed to enjoy despite being cruel and unethical. A bit like forcing the viewer into the killer’s gaze in a Slasher, but here the viewer is then forced to contemplate an eternity of suffering for such petty joys.
In the Line of Duty 3 (1988) / Royal Warriors (1986) [Reissued on blu ray by 88 Films]
The 80’s new wave never feels cooler than in Hong Kong films, and parts one and three of this series are some of the best examples of that fashion on display. The break neck pacing and doesn’t-matter story with no real stakes only aids in making these such classics of the shallow style over substance era. The meat is all in the visuals, music, and fights which are top notch. Almost like a Saturday morning cartoon come to life, but just slightly inappropriate for a child.
It’s A Wonderful Knife (2023) [New on streaming]
The road from the classy bubblegum of ‘Happy Death Day’ (2017), ‘Freaky’ (2020), and the ‘Fear Street’ trilogy (2021) to the trashy bubblegum of ‘It’s A Wonderful Knife’ has been quick. This film has so many construction problems, it almost seems like the money or time ran out before everything storyboarded was filmed. But no reason to ever make presumptions about those things; the result is the same regardless. And yet, despite that, this movie is fun and festive. If this bubblegum slasher moment is a throw back to the 80’s disposable DTV slasher, then the clumsiness only helps with authenticity.
The Last Match (1990) [Reissued on blu ray by Cauldron]
Brotherly shove, the movie. The best definition of being a team player ever; fight covert operations in 3rd world countries with your buds. It’s only right and natural.
Little Dragon Maiden (1983) [Reissued on blu ray by Shout Factory]
‘The Brave Archer’ series is beautiful all the way through, in a way reminiscent of the set heavy style of ‘Kawaidan’ (1964). The stories tend to be very light and even a little confusing in how nebulous they are, but Little Dragon Maiden locks things in the most making it the stand out of the series. A good one for disappearing into or even just having on while cleaning the house.
Lover’s Lane (1999) [Reissued on blu ray by Arrow]
Post-’Scream’ (1996) multiple killer style slasher that feels like regional 80s drive in filler for that 2pm hour of having sex in the back seat and ignoring the movie. Sometimes if you love a movie, you got to call it a piece of garbage to its face.
May December (2023) [New on streaming]
Netflix in particular seems to love having the image of letting directors make real cinema again, and this typically means actors talking a bunch. May December is that, but its also an anxiety inducing social horror akin to the first act of Eli Roth’s ‘Knock Knock’ with comically serious musical cues that feel like Howard Shore composed them, all adding up to the sequel in spirit to Tough Guys Don’t Dance: Lady’s Night.
Midnite Spares (1983) [Reissued on blu ray by Umbrella]
80's Australian cinema feels like it has so much love for 70’s New York gritty story telling. Despite the lack of urban environments, the style translates so well to post-cowboy story telling like ‘Mad Max’ (1979) and ‘Fair Game’ (1986). Midnight Spares goes a more light hearted direction, but with a story of car theft rings and revenge that still makes it feel raw and modern.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always (2023) [New on streaming]
Loving the brilliant format of short films for streaming, this one is absolutely twisted. In a beautiful way. A narrative about the death of the original Yellow Ranger that serves as a loving tribute to the untimely death of the actor. The original villain Rita is graduated from buffoon to murderer, and now sets her sights on the murder of more including the deceased Yellow Ranger’s daughter. Don’t show this to kids.
Mother’s Day (1980) [Reissued on blu ray by Vinegar Syndrome]
Mixing together both House of Horrors and Rape Revenge genres, all sitting in an 80’s new wave grime, this could easily go all sorts of wrong. But the script and editing remains so compelling it’s surprising what a well-crafted work this is. Maybe an indictment of the self-empowerment guru movement, but who knows. A surprising one too, when it comes to who lives and who dies.
Night of Fear (1973) [Reissued on blu ray by Umbrella]
This would seem like a ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ (1974) cash grab but came out a year earlier. Even compared to the brilliant economy of TCM is so lean and efficient that it feels like just pure meanness. This cruelty creates a constant suspense, wondering just how awful things can turn out. Much like TCM, it is a sort of ‘Psycho’-style (1960) sleight of hand where the fear is so intense it seems more graphic and violent than it actually is. That is called craft; true art.
Night Screams (1987) [Reissued on blu ray by Vinegar Syndrome]
About as good as it gets for generic 80’s slashers that are anything but. A cliche set up and setting filled with eyebrow raising plot points, in particular two killers that cross paths and have some of the strangest social interactions ever while hiding out in the same basement waiting to murder. Almost could be a smart satire of the slasher, but is so earnest that it simply is a unique offering in the golden age of the genre back when no one expected the format to offer anything post-Scream smart.
No One Will Save You (2023) [New on streaming]
Considered too cornball by many, its interesting it came out the same year as Barbie which soared with a similar balance of being a fun ride and looking cool while having eyebrow raising mixed messaging. That said, the hammy Etsy polycule ending barely glazed over the truly despicable moral that the best thing someone with trauma can do is become an abuser is the sort of WTF nastiness one can never forget. Not all films have to preach to the choir, we’re all adults here.
Purana Mandir (1984) / Veerana (1988) [Reissued on blu ray by Mondo Macabro]
Clearly three hour long Bollywood films are meant to be watched in a rowdy theater, taking advantage of the intermission to get even rowdier. Sitting and watching quietly at home is a bit alien, but that can’t diminish by how much fun horror in this format is. These are two of the stand outs from Mondo Macabro’s boxset, but if you got a group that loves to get drunk and watch a movie, any of them would make the night go nuts.
Sidekicks (1992) [Reissued on blu ray by Vinegar Syndrome]
Nothing can be better than Walker Texas Ranger, but if you’re a fan of that shows Christmas Karate episode, this is the movie for you. A Karate Kid rip off by people who have never seen Karate Kid. He’s a silly heart, a dreamer. A black belt, apparently.
Sinfidelity (2020) / Suburban Swingers Club (2029) [Reissued on DVD]
From a Walmart exclusive 10 film boxset of Lifetime films, these two stand out as the two most head shaking of the bunch. Which, for Lifetime movies, is saying a lot. The true home of contemporary exploitation film making, they combine the tone of a Hallmark female empowerment vibe with the irredeemable morality of a grindhouse picture. Title cards within 2 seconds of the movies starting and credits rolling instantly upon any resolution. Nothing should be feared more than the status quo of middle class life.
The Skeleton Key (2005) [Reissued on blu ray by Imprint]
The dead zone of 00’s horror has finally entered the boutique blu ray phase, in large part to Imprint this year. Skelton Key isn’t just one of the best from the time, but also is one of the best haunted house films ever going the rare route of not a total slow burn. Gets bonkers by the end and the Southern Gothic charm is oozing from every camera set up.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) [New in theaters]
They wrote the hell out of this script. Say it twice. Both look really cool too but that would mean nothing without the first part.
The Tale of Tsar Saltan (1966) [Reissued on blu ray by Deaf Crocodile]
Every Slavic fantasy epic reissued by Deaf Crocodile is a testimony to how Communism works. At least if the goal is making amazing movies. These films are as big as a Marvel movie without any CGI effects with an absolute sea of extras clad in breathtaking costumes. A true testimony to the glory of cooperation.
Ted Bundy (2002) [Reissued on blu ray by Vinegar Syndrome]
If you’re only going to direct four films, they should all be perfect. And Matthew Bright’s are. Long before the slews of serial killer docs on streaming that all act serious but really just want to appeal to horniness, Bright’s take on Bundy is exploitation trash, a sort of before its time call out to the real trash of the true crime era.
Undeclared War (1990) [Reissued on blu ray by Vinegar Syndrome]
One of the most ambitious martial arts movies ever made, filmed all over the globe with actors speaking in a handful of languages, all to give an impressive grounding to the international conspiracy theme of the narrative. Meanwhile, the stunts and explosions are still wildly over the top giving the best of both a serious paranoia thriller and pure visceral jaw dropping action.
Vacations of Terror 2: Diabolical Birthday (1991) [Reissued on blu ray by Vinegar Syndrome]
Don’t worry about the first film, even though this one slightly continues story from it. It doesn’t matter and the first is a chore to get through. For those ever seeking more lost 80’s sugary pop horror to fit in with ‘The Gate’ (1987), ‘Waxwork’ (1988), ‘Ghoulies II’ (1987), ‘Don’t Panic’ (1988), etc etc this will give you your fix for another day.
The Velveteen Rabbit (2023) [New on streaming]
Again, as with ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always’ (2023), the short films made exclusive for streaming services feel more exciting these days than the deluge of 13 hour limited series that have increasingly been unable to maintain attention spans in the post-binge era. Last years collection of Lovecraft shorts in ‘Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities’ (2022) showed that horror still is the perfect fit for brief formats, but this year pure sadness takes the prize with a reminder that, eventually for everyone, Christmas is primarily when tears are shed for those no longer with us. Even if they are a stuffed rabbit. In a way, this is still horror as a sort of ghost story in the end, so perhaps horror still rules all.
