The lights dimmed and the audience took their seats, anticipation rose in the air like a tangible force. The stage was set with a grandness never before seen at any award show.
The trophies gleamed under the spotlights, each one made of pure Jade, dipped in solid gold, and personally kissed by Nicholas Cage himself while wearing his signature cool guy jacket.
This was no ordinary award show. This was the Golden Cagey Awards, known for its lavishness and exclusivity. And this year’s ceremony promised to surpass all previous ones, which was only one, but this will be the best!
The list of films nominated was unparalleled, making it nearly impossible to choose a clear winner. But that was the beauty of the Golden Cagey Awards – they honored only one thing this year: movies.
In past years, there had been attempts to include other forms of entertainment such as video games and television shows. But this year, it was made clear that the focus would solely be on films.
Specifically, films starring Nic Cage.
And what luck, for one of his movies had made it onto the coveted list of nominees. It was truly a blessing from the mighty Cage himself.
Without further ado, on to-
TOP 10 BEST FILMS OF 2023
The Nominees are…
Cobweb: An eight-year-old boy tries to investigate the mysterious knocking sounds that are coming from inside the walls of his house, unveiling a dark secret that his sinister parents have kept hidden from him.
Dream Scenario: A hapless family man finds his life turned upside down when millions of strangers suddenly start seeing him in their dreams. When his nighttime appearances take a nightmarish turn, Paul is forced to navigate his newfound stardom.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers embark on an epic quest to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: Still reeling from the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill rallies his team to defend the universe and one of their own – a mission that could mean the end of the Guardians if not successful.
The Holdovers: A cranky history teacher at a remote prep school is forced to remain on campus over the holidays with a troubled student who has no place to go.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes: Coriolanus Snow mentors and develops feelings for the female District 12 tribute during the 10th Hunger Games.
John Wick: Chapter 4: John Wick uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.
Killers of the Flower Moon: When oil is discovered in 1920s Oklahoma under Osage Nation land, the Osage people are murdered one by one – until the FBI steps in to unravel the mystery.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One: Ethan Hunt and his IMF team must track down a dangerous weapon before it falls into the wrong hands.
Oppenheimer: The story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.
And the Cagey goes to…
Dream Scenario: Nic Cage gives a captivating and unforgettable performance in this genre-defying movie. From the beginning, I was entranced by the story that seamlessly blended elements of comedy, satire, horror, drama, and sci-fi. Nic Cage’s portrayal of the main character is a masterclass in acting, with subtle mannerisms and ticks that bring his character to life. The concept of an average man suddenly appearing in everyone’s dreams, is intriguing and thought-provoking. As his fame and popularity skyrocket, we witness cancel culture and how easily people can turn against someone without any valid reason. The film also takes a clever jab at society’s obsession with fame and targeted advertising. While it is undeniably funny at times, it does not shy away from graphic violence and disturbing scenes, like Cage bashing a man’s head in repeatedly with a hammer. I also challenge anyone not to burst out laughing during the scene where Nic Cage’s character receives a handjob from a fan but can’t stop nervously farting. As much as I loved this movie, the third act introduces a sci-fi element that feels unnecessary and could have been left out entirely. Despite this minor misstep I still believe this is one of the top films I have seen all of 2023 and highly recommend it for viewers in 2024.
2) The Holdovers – This cinematic masterpiece is a tribute to the art of acting and the development of complex characters. Paul Giamatti’s performance is nothing short of perfection; he effortlessly embodies the role, making it seem as if it was tailor-made for him. In contrast, Bradley Cooper’s performance in Maestro appears strained, almost as if he is struggling to maintain the act. The heart of this film lies in its characters – ones that may take time for you to warm up to, but once you do, you feel as if you are part of their inner circle, wishing their journey would never end. Giamatti portrays a grumpy school professor despised by every student, with a glandular issue that causes him to emit a fish-like odor. As if that wasn’t enough, he also battles with alcoholism and has a wonky eye to boot. It’s safe to say that this character has been dealt an unlucky hand in life. However, his unlikely friendship with a stranded student on the holidays and the grieving school cook who lost her son in Vietnam will leave you yearning for more than just the 2 hours and 13 minutes we get to spend with them. This exceptional film is not one to miss; its brilliant writing paired with an outstanding cast makes it one of the top movies of 2023.
3) Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One: As the credits rolled, I couldn’t help but think that this might just be the best Mission Impossible film yet. I’ll admit, I wasn’t overly excited for this one at first, as I am sick and tired of the endless string of “half a movie” releases like Dune, Rebel Moon, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and Fast X, most all from 2023, the year of the half movie. I found myself fully invested in this newest installment of the MI franchise. And with so much happening on screen, it made sense to split the film into two parts, giving audiences a much-needed break in between. Despite not performing as well as its predecessors, I have no doubt that this film has reinvigorated my excitement for what’s to come. If anything, I’m eagerly anticipating the next installment with high hopes that it will surpass even this one.
4) John Wick: Chapter 4 – I admit, the only reason this film sits at number 4 on my list is to make the joke that John Wick 4 is number 4. But let me tell you, this movie could easily have been much higher. It’s absolutely bonkers and I loved every second of it. However, as a sendoff to our beloved character, I do believe it fell short. While it does a lot to introduce us to new characters in this world of assassins – a sexy yakuza lady seeking revenge, a skilled blind swordsman, a mysterious war veteran and his loyal dog – without John Wick at the center of it, I fear many viewers may not care as much about their stories. The prequel series streaming on Peacock serves as a prime example of how little interest there is without the iconic John Wick leading the charge. But let’s not forget, like all the other films in this franchise, this one delivers some truly jaw-dropping action sequences and heart-pumping moments – such as having to race against time for a high-stakes duel while also having to climb an endless flight of stairs swarming with enemies. With each setback John Wick faces, we feel it just as intensely. Overall, a fantastic film that simply needed a stronger conclusion to truly satisfy its audience, so at 4 it sits.
5) The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes – The excitement for this movie was almost nonexistent for me. The trailer did not interest me and the idea of a prequel to The Hunger Games seemed unnecessary. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only is this movie good. This film is fantastic! Like oh my god is this a good movie. Sorry. My inner teen girl just slipped out there. But in all seriousness, this movie is shockingly well-done. Maybe I’m completely alone in thinking this, but it was like a twisted retelling of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, where Charlie turns evil at the end. Viola Davis gives a stellar performance as a gender-bent Willy Wonka, and the “chocolate factory” in this story is the brutal hunger games themselves. As we watch Charlie, or rather Snow, transform into the ruthless dictator we know him as in the original movies, it’s hard not to be captivated by his journey. While it may have been better suited for a TV series due to its length and storytelling style, it still manages to keep viewers engaged throughout. If you’re unsure about giving this one a chance, trust me – it’s worth it.
6) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – They really focused more on Rocket this time around, when maybe for the last movie it should have dealt more with Starlord, But James Gunn knew exactly how to manipulate his audience, and there is no emotional trigger stronger than seeing animals in danger. And boy did it get me – it hit me hard. The heartbreaking story of Rocket and his fellow science experiments is sure to leave a lasting impression. You’ll be hard-pressed not to choke up during the poignant flashback scenes. Despite this, I struggle to recall many details about the plot itself. It seems that there were missed opportunities throughout, such as exploring the overlooked connection between Peter Quill and Nebula, as well as the underutilized C plot involving Adam Warlock. It feels like too much was attempted in one movie, resulting in unfinished story lines or ideas cast aside along the way. Even as a finale, it left me with a sense of incompleteness – a common issue with Marvel films. But perhaps this is inevitable since these characters will surely make future appearances. Why bother trying to give them a proper send off then? Nevertheless, I begrudgingly admit that this film may be the last of its kind – a truly good superhero movie that hits all the right emotional notes.
7) Cobweb – Out of all the horror movies released in 2023, this one stood out as the best. Some others came close, like When Evil Lurks, which had everything going for it until they fumbled the ending. But Cobweb? This movie does everything right. It leaves you questioning everything. Is the kid really hearing a voice behind his bedroom wall? Are his seemingly loving parents hiding some nefarious secret? And let’s talk about that trailer – incredibly misleading. It teases a dream sequence that we are led to believe is real, giving the movie a completely different plot and making it seem like the kid’s parents have become possessed. But that’s not the plot at all. The movie is also dripping with Halloween vibes, making it the perfect film to watch in October. Just like Malignant, the ending takes a wild turn and throws so much craziness at you that you just have to go along with it and suspend your disbelief. Trying to apply logic here will only lead to frustration because a lot of things just don’t make sense if you think too hard about them. However, one thing that is undeniably impressive is how well-crafted and beautifully shot this film is, with clever use of shadows and lighting to set the perfect eerie mood for this fantastic cinematic experience.
8) Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves – To be completely honest, I was caught off guard by this film. Initially, the trailers did not impress me and as someone who is not a Dungeons and Dragons fan, I had low expectations. The early 2000’s film with Jeremy Irons and Marlon Wayans left such a bad impression on me that its effects still linger to this day. But this 2023 version sets out to redeem the franchise and let me tell you, it succeeds and then some. It’s essentially a thrilling heist film, but set in the fantastical world of D&D. The humor is clever and the characters are incredibly fun and likable, making for some truly memorable moments. And while there were nods to elements that only true fans of Dungeons and Dragons would catch, it never felt forced or pandering. One particular scene stands out, where our heroes use a magic mirror to pull off a daring heist from a moving carriage – the execution is so brilliantly crafted that it alone is worth seeing this film for.
9) Oppenheimer – As I watched, I found myself grappling with the unconventional story structure. It was like a chaotic dance of atoms smashing and colliding, merging in unexpected ways. The lack of a cohesive structure initially threw me off, but eventually, the film settled into a more steady pace. The acting was superb, with Robert Downey Jr. shining among the impressive ensemble cast. While not Christopher Nolan’s strongest work, it still stands out among the films released in 2023, cementing its place as a noteworthy addition to his repertoire.
10) Killers of the Flower Moon – From the hands of a legacy director, this film bears the mark of a master craftsman, though it may not be his finest work. The plot, while gripping, was somewhat misleading as I initially believed it to be a tale of random murders within the Indian community. That isn’t exactly right, as this is more like what you’d see from a Martin Scorsese film. Organized crime. I won’t really get into the plot or any spoilers, but the acting is fantastic. Robert De Niro plays a real scumbag and Leonardo DiCaprio brings his usual brilliance to the screen. But it is Lily Gladstone who truly steals the show as she portrays the wife of DiCaprio’s character with such depth and emotion. The film is a visual feast, with expansive shots reminiscent of Heaven’s Gate. Which is a complement as that film was a visual spectacle at times. Yet at times, it also brings to mind the not-so-good aspects of Heaven’s Gate, particularly in its lengthy runtime. I really saw nothing in this that warranted 3 and a half hours, almost exactly what Heaven’s Gate was. There’s also so much that could have been trimmed or cut out completely. Drunk guy dancing? Let’s maybe not spend an extra 50 seconds watching that like the roller skate scene from Heaven’s Gate. And then there is the ending, told through a radio show, reenacted to basically sum up everything that happened after the trial. It felt so unnecessary. But despite its flaws, this is still a movie made by a renowned director with a stellar cast, making my top 10 list of some of the best 2023 had to offer us.
That concludes another great ceremony! Until next year!
