As the credits rolled on my 27th movie of the year, I couldn't help but admire the variety of films that came to theaters this year. It was a great year for cinema, with each movie offering a unique experience. Instead of opting for a traditional year-end review format, rehashing the 17 movie reviews I did this year (which, by the way, I'm super proud about the number,) I decided to take a different approach. I thought about covering my top 5 favorites and top 5 least favorites, but that still left 17 movies out, which seemed like a huge chunk left out to me. This blog post will delve into the best performances, the coolest concepts, the biggest surprises, and even more that this cinematic year had to offer.

Best Performances:

In a year filled with remarkable acting, a few performances truly stood out. Alexander Skarsgard's portrayal in "Infinity Pool” was insane. This movie was one of my favorites from the year, and Skarsgard’s performance in this film was incredible.  Sophie Wilde's compelling role in "Talk to Me” really showed off her talents in this incredible horror film. Everyone knows that Jennifer Lawrence is great, and her performance in "No Hard Feelings" really showed that that woman can do anything. 

Craziest Film: Dream Scenario

If there's one film that took me on a rollercoaster ride of the imagination, it's "Dream Scenario." This mind-bending A24 masterpiece was incredible, but I expect nothing less from my favorite film studio. The creativity and unpredictability of this movie’s story left me in awe.

Coolest Concept: Missing

In the category of the coolest concept, "Missing" takes the spotlight. This film not only kept me on the edge of my seat but had a great narrative and such a unique movie format that kept me interested and guessing until the very end. I feel as if a good film hasn’t been done like this since the “Unfriended” movie back in 2014.

Surprisingly Great: Strays

Sometimes, a film surprises you with its greatness, and for me, that film was "Strays." It might not have been on my initial radar, but its fun story and hilarious performances elevated it to a higher place on my list than I thought it would.

Surprisingly Bad: The Exorcist: Believer

On the flip side, there's always a film that falls short of expectations. "The Exorcist: Believer" had promising elements and a major franchise precedence to live up to, but unfortunately, it ended up being my unexpected disappointment of the year.

Best Superhero Movies:

In a year that saw the continuation of beloved superhero franchises, "Guardians of the Galaxy 3" and "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" stood tall as the best superhero movies. Their amazing narratives, stunning visuals, and well-executed action sequences solidified their places in the world of superhero cinema.

Worst Superhero Movie: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Not every superhero film hit the mark, and "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" fell short of expectations. Despite my anticipation for the film and the fact that I saw it in 3D, it failed to deliver the excitement and depth that I was hoping for.

Top 5 Horror Films:

As a horror enthusiast, 2023 offered a thrilling lineup of spine-chilling films. In this order, I feel that "Dream Scenario," "Saw X," "Infinity Pool," "Talk to Me," and "Evil Dead Rise" took the genre to great heights, delivering scares and surprises that lingered long after the credits rolled.

Looking back, 2023 was a monumental year for cinema, overcoming challenges such as SAG-AFTRA strikes and other unforeseen obstacles. To me, it felt like a return to normalcy for the film industry, reminding me of what it was like to go to the movies before the pandemic. As we bid farewell to this year, I can't help but be excited about what 2024 has in store. Here's to another year of captivating stories, outstanding performances, and the magic of the silver screen.