Unwrapped 2023: My Movie Year.

Analyzing the movies and series i saw and loved in 2023.

2019 was my music year. Before 2019 (Only my close friends and brothers will know this) most of what I listened to was Fela and a couple of random songs that ill like from time to time. Very few and far between.

Then I discovered Alte’. Once I did, I was taken back to the type of music that gave my soul wings. I discovered Lady Donli, BOJ, The Cavemen, Show Dem Camp, and Bani B, Odunsi, and Santi; Who has gone on to be my most listened-to artist since 2019. Before then, I had always said I wasn’t a music person. Musically, my ears were born that year.

The only explanation I have come up with slings back to what I truly enjoy; Retro, History, Something modern but has an old tail. It’s been what has defined my taste in entertainment. Sometimes I do think that I reincarnated, and I have not fully shaken off my old life because I indubitably love history, retro or vintage depending on what you call it.

But this is not a piece about music, it’s about its twin, Movies (Series et al). The preamble about music is important for context because 2023 has been my movie year. Unlike music, i and my brothers have always been movie buffs. However, this year I consumed most of what has come to be my favorite (Read as ONLY) genres. They are Biopics, War and Period Pieces, and of course -If you’re on my Instagram you know this already-Mob/Mafia Movies.

They say growing up is knowing yourself better and wasting less time on things that don’t interest or serve you. Being more self-aware spilled into many parts of my life this year and it was in what I consumed too.

I had noticed that if movies weren’t based on true life stories or true events they interested me less and less except they were masterly directed and thus classics, but even then it had to be good. This year I focused on movies I liked, loved. I had to research, curate watch lists, and read backstories sometimes before I settled on watching a movie, and for some, I had to read the books written about the actual stories before I saw the movies. The experience was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories and performances and it just showed me how great work is the best legacy you leave behind of yourself. I saw some classics I had not seen (and should have seen years before) and in summary, because of intention, typically enjoyed 2 of every 3 movies I saw.

To summarize, I will share the top 10 things (Series and Movies included) I watched this year and I’ll also share everything I saw plus my ratings for each. (PS: Most are old. even down to the 1980s). Also, don’t confuse this for my all-time list. Just what I saw this 2023.

10. SEINFELD (Sitcom - 9 seasons -1989-1998)

I’d always seen Seinfeld on my Netflix and I didn’t care for it much. then on one of my random searches, I saw two stats that caught my attention “George Costanza” - a character on Seinfeld- was rated the funniest character of all time in Sitcom history and Jerry Seinfeld had made $500M from Netflix ONLY. I paid attention.
The ratings didn’t lie. As the show calls itself, “it’s a show about Nothing”. Just Jerry Seinfeld and his 3 friends living day to day in the 90s. I am not one to laugh in sitcoms, I mostly just smile but not in Seinfeld. It was written mostly by 2 comedians- The Conversations, The Punchlines, Innuendos and Characters. It’s a classic and in 50 years, It would still be a classic. Timeless. The casting was perfect, absolutely perfect. PS: Jason Alexander who played “George” deserved an Oscar for this, 7 nominations and he didn’t win one. Tough.
Rating 8/10

9. City of God (Movie - 2002)

I mostly watch American-directed movies (It’s a ridiculous bias because my all time favorite series isn’t even in English and wasn’t directed by an American). Nevertheless, this movie is something you should dedicate a Saturday evening to. Set in Brazil, with a plot loosely based on real-life events, follows street life in Brazil and how violence, drugs, and bloodletting become so normal in the lives of kids. Follows the life of a kid photographer who tells the story of the streets through his camera and viewpoint. It is gory, and raw and was very hard to watch sometimes because it was very authentic in delivery. You can immediately tell that a lot of authenticity behind the actors is because most of them lived those lives. You never forget this type of movie. Excellent storytelling and brilliant directing. Four Academy Awards btw.
Rating 8.5/10

8. Raging Bull (Movie - 1980)

Raging Bull and Mean Streets were the last movies my favorite trifecta of Robert De Niro (Greatest Actor ITW), Joe Pesci, and Martin Scorsese (Greatest director ITW) had made that I haven’t seen. Most of their works, if not all I have followed meticulously and seen.

Raging Bull was no different. It is a movie about the life of Jake La Motta, a troubled but talented Italian-American boxer. Tired of saying how brilliant De Niro is but when you pair him with Joe Pesci, you’re invoking perfection. Scorsese knew how timeless it was going to be and shot it in black and white. I say this a lot but I like forgetting I’m seeing a movie when I’m seeing a movie. It needs to always be a round story with round characters and real struggles. Raging Bull delivered perfectly (De Niro won his second and last Oscar yet, here). Again this is a movie that will always be relevant no matter the period. The delivery and directing were excellent and it’s a movie that makes you understand why Family is everything in the end.
2 Oscars (De Niro and Pesci). 24 Wins and 28 nominations in all. A Masterpiece.
8.7/10.

7. Hoffa (Movie - 1992)

   

   
   I know Jack Nicholson is a legend. But he’s not my favorite actor. I like him and like Al Pacino, I know they are in the same league with Robert De Niro (My Fav) vying for the greatest actors of this generation but I typically don’t go gaga for their movies.
   
   I went gaga for this.
   
   Jack Nicholson didn’t just play the role of Jimmy Hoffa, he brought him back to life. Jimmy Hoffa was an American Labour Union leader (Many argue the most powerful and charismatic. Many predicted he would have run for president and won. He was popular). Anyways, he went into business with the Mafia and disappeared in 1975 and to this day hasn’t been found. The movie was about his life (The Irishman, 2019 tells this same story from another perspective). It is an incredible story about Jimmy Hoffa, the mob, and how they infiltrated the Labor Unions.
   Back to Hoffa Movie, I respected Jack Nicholsons delivery and I see why he has won 3 Oscars (Highest in history, matching Daniel-Day Lewis). The storytelling was great but Jack Nicholson was Messi here. He was otherwordly. Kept me glued for almost 3 hours without moving.
   8.8/10.

6. Killers of the Flower Moon (Movie - 2023)

   

   By now my Scorsese bias should be clear, but he’s such a genius. Sometimes I’m sad De Niro and him are old. I’m always in awe when they work together, it’s usually magic. And so it was with this movie. Now add Leonardo Di Caprio to the mix and you can imagine how beautiful the acting turned out.
   The Cinematography and storytelling from the beginning take you back to the type of blockbusters of the 80’s and 90’s. The simple yet detailed chronology and even inserting other events that occurred around that period such Tulsa race massacre just makes you appreciate the detailing. Many predict another Oscar for De Niro here but I think Leonardo Di Caprio might be the one to take it. All in all, you’d surely learn so much about the post-war native American history and a lot about the Osage people. Lily Gladstone also had such a great showing. This was a rich movie and I enjoyed all 3hrs 26 minutes of the movie. A forever gem.
   8.9/10

5. Vice (Movie - 2018)

   

   Many times, I always tell my friends that I don’t know what movies I’m going to be watching when De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Scorsese retire. They are all above 75 today. Strange, but it’s a serious concern that worries me sometimes as they make up at least 50% of the top movies I’ve come to love.
   But then all hope is not lost. Because there’s Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and sometimes Ben Affleck.
   
   Bale was tremendous in Vice. It is a movie about the most powerful vice president in US history. His rise and “fall” in the corridors of power and how he also reacted to 9/11. The transformation Bale had to go to bring “Dick Cheney” to life is magical. all you have to do is watch an interview with the ex-vice president and watch Bale in Vice. It’s such a brilliant movie. Kept me glued and researching most scenes. Again here, the character is full, flawed, and authentic. Amy Adams also delivers a strong performance. It is a solid movie that will tell you about how Dick Cheney became so strong in the White House. Entertaining and Enlightening. Again, Christian Bale is such a master.
   8.9/10

4. BoardWalk Empire (Series, 5 seasons: 2010 - 2014)

I am a mob history aficionado so Boardwalk Empire is very close to my heart. Steve Buscemi delivered such a good performance. The story delved into the beginnings of the New York crime syndicates, Crime families, the Chicago Syndicate, the Philadelphia mob, and the Jersey mob history in Atlantic City. It was amazing to see how the interwoven story of the mob started from the murder of Big Jim Collisimo through the prohibition era to the creation of the Five Family Commission in New York City.

The story is told through Buscemi’s POV as Nucky Thompson, an Atlantic City Politician who controls the city with his fist and frolics with the mob.
I was shocked I hadn’t seen this series before this year. The story keeps the pace and the characters keep up with amazing performances. I had a special discovery of Kelly Macdonald; her Irish accent and acting were exhilarating. Solid. Cerebral.

8.9/10

3. Gotti (Movie 1996)

   

   Nobody could have delivered a character like Gotti better than Armand Assante. This movie sneaked not just into this list but my all-time list. From his stubborn mien to his Neapolitan accent (different from Sicilian) very similar to the way the actual Gotti spoke, Armand should have won an Oscar here. Or at least a nomination. He won an Emmy for this but he should have gotten more.
   
   Gotti is the movie about the last “Real” Don of the biggest New York crime family; The Gambinos. The movie depicts his life from being a capo to protecting his crew, being loyal to his mentor, Niel Dellacroe to whacking his predecessor Big Paul Castellano. it is a popular story about the most popular Don in Mafia history who even made the cover of Time Magazine; Armand Assante delivers Gotti and it has to be an all-timer in the list of the most amazing mob Biopics.
   
   I loved this movie and I still catch myself repeating some phrases sometimes. I was excited to watch this and didn’t want the movie to end. It also made me do a lot of research into the Gambinos which drove me to read the Book- Murder Machine, a killer crew of five men under the Gambino family that killed almost 200 people. Even the dangerous John Gotti was afraid of the crew. A Brilliant Brilliant movie.
   9.5/10

2. The Sopranos (Final Season: 2007)
   

   

   I had a peculiar habit of not watching the final season of most of my favorite TV series. Instead, I save them for an unspecified time in the future. I have often questioned why I do this, but there's no clear answer. The closest I have come to understanding why is that I genuinely don't want them to end because it takes me so long to find a show that I love.
   
   For instance, I had watched the first five seasons of The Sopranos years ago and had saved the last season until this year. James Gandolfini, who portrayed the New Jersey Crime Boss, Tony Soprano, won three Emmys, but I don't think that was enough. The Sopranos is one of the greatest shows that will ever hit television for a myriad of reasons. The themes around family, Italian-American communities, a struggling crime Don who battled depression and balancing family life, and, that ending. David Chase created a unicorn.
   
   As I watched the final episode, one thing struck me: the world had lost such a great actor in James Gandolfini. Like the movie that holds my number 1 spot, The Sopranos doesn't just feel like a movie; it feels like a journey, and you become more than immersed in the story arc of all the amazing characters.
   Solid 10/10

   NOWWWWW, NUMERO UNO

   1. The Wire (Series, 5 seasons: 2002 - 2008)

   

   I have a unique perspective on movies, which may not be the popular opinion. To me, the ultimate test of a movie's genius is when I forget that I'm watching a movie and not the lives of real people.
   
   The Wire is not just a great series; it is a masterpiece that would be hard to replicate. The character arcs were brilliant, and the Baltimore Police Department was viewed from various angles in every season. Often, I had to put down my iPad and just take it all in. I was dreading finishing the series.
   

   The story was simple - how the Baltimore Police Department navigates the intrigues around politics, social systems, and crime gangs. The series had all the characters dropping a 10, which catapulted their rise in Hollywood. So many actors caught their break from The Wire, such as Idris Elba, Michael Williams, and Dominic West. After watching The Wire, I didn't want to see anything else for weeks. It's a shame that it didn't receive more awards, but the creators of this series should know that in all-time conversations, The Wire will always feature. Everyone involved should know that it will always be one of the very best series made for television.

   Genius. 10/10

   
   
   
   Special Mentions; Now these didn’t make the Top 10 cut but they deserve a shout and are brilliant as well

   • Godfather of Harlem (2019)- It’s about Bumpy Johnson, the black Don who worked with the Five Families in the 60’s. Forest Whittaker never disappoints. Does he? (7.7/10)

   • All the Way (2016)- His delivery in Breaking Bad, already speaks for him but Bryan Cranston depicted Former American President Lyndon B. Johnson so well. The movie depicts his time in office, taking over after President JFK was murdered, up to when he refused to contest a second term (7.5/10).

   • American Hustle (2013) - I hardly do Rewatchs but What can I say? Christain Bale again with De Niro, Amy Adams (3 of my fav), and Bradley Cooper; They were always going to cook. Masterful deliveries from everyone (7.999/10).
     
     That sums up my 2023. It’ll be hard to top this year for a long time for me. I needed to document it especially because I didn’t document my 2019 music year.
     
     This is my curated list - I add things worth a look Here
     
     Hope you had a great movie year yourself.