11 Comments
User's avatar
Melinda Lim's avatar

So glad that Past Lives is super high on your list, Dave! I also adored that movie and I think it’ll be one I will come back to many more times. And I loved listening to you share your list on The Filmcast! Appreciate your work always!

Expand full comment
David Chen's avatar

awww thx

Expand full comment
Mike Aparicio's avatar

A lot of my favorites are listed above but one that a lot of people missed was Sanctuary. Watched it blind because I love Christopher Abbott and Margaret Qualley. Don’t want to say much more other than it’s a great double feature with Fair Play.

Expand full comment
Alec Rodriguez's avatar

Awesome list! Happy to see that "How to Blow Up a Pipeline" made it on there.

Do you have a movie list for your favorite first time discoveries in 2023?

Here are some of my 2023 faves:

Tótem

Return to Seoul

A Thousand and One

Rye Lane

Lakota Nation vs United States Perfect Days

They Cloned Tyrone

When Evil Lurks

Earth Mama

Huesera

No One Will Save You

Expand full comment
John Churchwell's avatar

Not a Barbie fan?

Expand full comment
David Chen's avatar

Fun movie! Didn’t love the ending. In fact, thought the last 20 mins wasn’t great overall.

Expand full comment
Nathan H's avatar

I loved Dream Scenario until it fell apart late in the third act. Other than not sticking the landing, it sure was a fun ride.

Surprised to not see They Cloned Tyrone on at least the honorable mentions list.

Now that old chestnut: Are these YOUR favorite films of the year? The most defensible pieces of "art" that you saw during the year? The films you most think other people "should" see? The films you most think other people will enjoy?

Expand full comment
David Chen's avatar

I disagree that it falls apart in the third act. In fact, I think the ending is beautiful.

Expand full comment
Nathan H's avatar

Fair enough! The movie is definitely rich enough to generate a variety of reactions, for sure.

I don't think I've read/heard your thoughts on that (probably because it would be a spoiler in a sense?).

Expand full comment
Steve's avatar

Great list. I’m surprised that The Zone of Interest isn’t mentioned.

Expand full comment
David Chen's avatar

I appreciated what the movie was trying to do but it’s not a film I found particularly revelatory.

Expand full comment