2023 Roundup: Best and Most Disappointing
Let's pretend this came out on time.
It’s the end of the year. The new year is right around the corner. Everywhere is doing lists like this. Mine will differ in two ways: (1) I’m not doing a worst list. If you want that, let me know. I think it’s more interesting to talk about stuff I had high hopes for that didn’t quite reach those heights. (2) Not everything will be from this year. I watch/read things whenever I feel like it. This is more a reflection on my year in media than on 2023 media writ large. With that being said, let’s get into it.
Best Movies I Watched in 2023
Not in any particular order! At time of writing, I’ve seen 200 movies this year, so I’m picking from that crop.
Crimes of the Future (2022)
If you know me, you know I love a movie with crazy psychosexual implications. This latest David Cronenberg flick imagines if surgery was the new sex. Watch it if you’re a freak!
My Cousin Vinny (1992)
Can’t believe it took me this long to watch this classic. I will give credit to a runner-up for this list, Fire Island1, for giving me the kick in the ass necessary to sit down and be entertained by the comedic masterclass that is Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei.
The Stroll (2023)
I really love when sex workers tell their own stories, especially if they’re Black and especially if they’re trans. I saw this as a part of Sundance at Spelman, and it really affected me.
Infinity Pool (2023)
I went into this film not knowing much about it and seeing like four different bodily fluids in the first fifteen minutes. This one is from Brandon Cronenberg, son of David, and it seems like the freak gene can in fact be passed on.
Paradise Now (2005)
This is a perfect film to watch right now. It’s about two Palestinian men preparing for a suicide bombing mission in Israel. It’s nothing like the Islamophobic depictions of this kind of subject that you’d see in the US. It really makes you think about what conditions would push a person to take such drastic measures to resist.
Clue (1985)
CAMP CLASSIC. Gay people, watch this immediately and thank me later.
Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse (2023)
This movie gave me my husband Hobie Brown, and for that I will forever be grateful. Hopefully they treat the animators better.2
Nimona (2023)
To know me is to know that I have a deep affection for anything ND Stevenson touches. A cartoon with a nonbinary shapeshifter? So up my alley that I wrote my thesis on one!
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
This is a film with heart. I cry every time I watch it. The first Spiderverse movie opened so many doors for stylistic animation. I hope we never go back.
Bones and All (2022)
Bring cannibalism cinema back! *insert Mark Ruffalo gif here*3 Little Timmy Tim is a no go for me ever since his SNL stint4, but I watched this before that happened and I loved it! Besides, Taylor Russell is the best part of this movie anyway. Makes me want to tap into more Luca Guadagnino films (I’m never watching Call Me by Your Name).
Sanctuary (2022)
This is the 2020s response to Pretty Woman. It feels like a play, and it’s so intense and fun. I love it!
No One Will Save You (2023)
This movie about an alien invasion has like one line of dialogue, but it’s so emotional and thrilling. I love filmmakers playing with the medium.
The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Hayao Miyazaki needs to live in perpetuity. I watched the dub, and Ghibli dubs always hit more than regular anime dubs. This film brought me to tears and also left me in awe of its beauty. Many rewatches are in my future.
Gaza Fights for Freedom (2019)
I felt such fury watching this. Palestine has been under an oppressive regime for decades, and it is our responsibility to constantly push back against Israeli lies and propaganda. Watch this, feel all the feelings, then act.
Stoker (2013)
Park Chan-wook makes films just for me. I read Bram Stoker’s Dracula last year, so I was intrigued. This will take you on a wild ride of feminine rage. Highly recommend!
12 Pups of Christmas (2019)
You might be thinking “What is this low-budget Christmas romance movie doing on this list?” Well, I’ll tell you. This is the worst movie I watched this year, but it crosses so far into the “so bad it’s good” territory that it’s a masterpiece. Everyone is making the wildest choices ever. Watch this in a group and laugh your asses off.
Most Disappointing Movies I Watched in 2023
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)
For a movie that’s been redone to death, I thought it would be more progressive or interesting than it is. Justice for Matilda “Tillie” Brine.
Cocaine Bear (2023)
A compelling argument for why straight people should never attempt to make camp movies. You tell me I’m going to see a funny movie about a bear on cocaine, I’m on your side. So tell me why the movie was neither funny nor really about the bear on cocaine.
All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
If you’re going to make a movie that’s over 2 hours long, it has to say more than “War bad.”
Triangle of Sadness (2022)
I love eat the rich movies! This was aspiring to class analysis that it never truly reaches. It’s toothless and uninteresting, which is too major sins for a film of this kind.
Monster’s Ball (2001)
THIS is what got Halle Berry the Oscar?!?! I am offended. I am disgusted. This movie is so brave to say “Pussy so good it cured racism.” Everyone involved needs to be put under the jail!
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
It is an insult to my intelligence to try to gaslight me into thinking Ewan McGregor can sing.
Barbie (2023)
No, I don’t hate fun. No, I don’t hate women. I liked aspects of this movie, but overall it was a miss. I was left depressed that our cultural imagination has not moved past 2010s white girl boss feminism. I could rant and rave about that speech America Ferrera gives that enlightened so many grown woman and has y’all thinking she should get an Oscar???? The quiet moments are where this movie shines. I could write so much about why this movie is a disappointment (let me know if y’all want that!).
Bottoms (2023)
Okay, I love female degenerates, lesbians, and weird shit. Even so, this movie was a swing and a miss for me. I feel like the script never comes together, it wasn’t that funny, and it rests too much on the shoulders of its actors. Ayo and Havana, I still love you.
Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)
This was boring :(. I really wanted to like it, too. Josh Hutcherson, you’re still my scream queen.
Saltburn (2023)
Okay, this was hyped up as so gross and disgusting. There are two scenes that are weird, but this film still doesn’t crack my top 5 craziest movies (Infinity Pool is probably in that list). Also, the class analysis doesn’t quite know what it’s saying and is just shy of something interesting. Regardless, Barry Keoghan, you are an absolute freak, and I love it!
Best Books I Read in 2023
Refusing Compulsory Sexuality: A Black Asexual Lens on Our Sex-Obsessed Culture by Sherronda J. Brown
This taught me so much about asexuality and its relationship with queerness. I’m always trying to expand my perspective beyond what affects me, and this did that. If you’re asexual, read to be affirmed. If you’re allosexual, read to learn.
Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola
Bolu Babalola is a master of romance and Twitter. I think the most succinct review I can give for this book is as follows: while reading, I sobbed and said "I love female empowerment."
100 Boyfriends by Bronze Purnell
If you want a book not afraid to be camp, real, ugly, and sexy, this is for you.
Open Throat by Henry Hoke
This is a novel from the point of view of a queer mountain lion. If that doesn’t grab your attention, I don’t know what will.
Working It: Sex Workers on the Work of Sex edited by Matilda Bickers with peech breshears and Janis Luna
I backed this on Kickstarter and couldn’t' be happier with that decision. I always learn so much from sex workers, and I think you should too! Sex work is work, and sex workers are workers!
Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda
I love vampirism as a metaphor! This is a really fast and enjoyable read and Kohda’s debut novel.
Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White
A trans boy MC and an autistic boy LI set in an apocalyptic future? Count me in! I don’t read much YA nowadays, but this really caught my attention. If you have religious trauma, read with a tissue box nearby.
The Transgender Issue: Trans Justice Is Justice for All by Shon Faye
As a nonbinary person, I am endlessly fascinated by other trans perspectives and research. This is mostly focused on the UK, but the parallels to the US are chilling.
Biography of X by Catherine Lacey
Honestly, I think the less you know the better. Just know that this is probably top 2 books I read this year. An absolute masterclass in fiction craft and world building.
Babel by R. F. Kuang
This is another top 2 book I read this year. I sobbed at the end. If you love words and hate imperialism, this is for you.
We Too: Essays on Sex Work and Survival edited by Natalie West with Tina Horn
Since sex work is work, it makes sense that it would have downsides like any other area of work. Sex workers are frank about what that is and also what it’s like to be a sex worker in a world driven by profit instead of people.
The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde
When I feel deep spiritual disturbance, I turn to poetry. This collection held me and inspired me for my writing craft. Audre Lorde was such a genius; her light still walks among us.
Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire edited by Jehad Abusalim, Jennifer Bing, and Mike Merryman-Lotze
This is a diverse set of perspectives on what Gaza has endured for years. Dr. Refaat Alareer’s opening chapter (may he rest in peace) brought tears to my eyes. The people of Palestine deserve so much more.
Couplets by Maggie Millner
This is a novel written in couplets about a woman coming into her queerness and herself. It’s beautiful and messy and relatable. I love it!
Most Disappointing Books I Read in 2023
Other Terrors: An Inclusive Anthology edited by Vince A. Linguano and Rena Mason
I thought this would be marginalized people reclaiming horror, but there were too many white cishet people writing from other perspectives (and they were terrible at it). S.A. Cosby and Tananarive Due were the best part, though.
How We Fight for Our Lives by Saeed Jones
I feel like I heard so much about this book for years, so I hyped it up in my head. When I read it, it was good but probably not for me. If I read this when I was younger, I probably would have liked it more.
The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love by Sonya Renee Taylor
Again, if I had read this book when I was younger, I think it would have hit harder. A lot of the concepts were familiar to me because I do a lot of reading on this kind of subject. However, this book still drew an emotional reaction from me.
Best Shows I Watched in 2023
South Side (2019-2022)
This surreal comedy set in Chicago just kept getting better with every episode.5 I will never forgive y’all for not watching!
I’m a Virgo (2023-)
If you were in my presence after this came out, you may be entitled to a settlement due to me forcing you to watch this. I’m really obsessed. Boots Riley makes stuff that tickles my brain.
Jury Duty (2023)
Psychological experiment dressed up as a sitcom. Everyone except one guy is an actor, and they put him in the most ridiculous situations (including facilitating a soaking session for a Mormon man). Watch it and regain faith in humanity!
Castlevania: Nocturne (2023-)
Any show that gives me Drolta6 is automatically a home run (also, y’all know I love vampires).
The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)
I love all of Mike Flanagan’s work, so I already had high expectations. He blew them out of the water. Bonus points if you’re an Edgar Allan Poe nerd.
Fright Krewe (2023-)
Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated but Blacker and set in New Orleans? Yeah, I’m in. Y’all better watch season 2, so I can get more of this show.
Most Disappointing Shows I Watched in 2023
Japanese Tales of the Macabre (2023)
Maybe we should leave Junji Ito on the page.
Swarm (2023)
There was a tweet earlier this year asking why people hate Donald Glover. My favorite QT said “He hated me first.”
Best Albums I Listened to in 2023
Fountain Baby by Amaarae
God, I love this album. It never gets old. Queer Black women rarely lead me astray.
My 21st Century Blues by Raye
Like every iPad kid, I found Raye through her viral song “Escapism.” After listening to the whole album, I know that Raye is immensely talented, and I can’t wait to see what else she does free of her old label.
Dirt Femme by Tove Lo
Unreal Unearth by Hozier
Hozier makes the cycle of love and heartbreak as beautiful as can be.
Silence Between Songs by Madison Beer
I’ve been a Madison Beer truther since K/DA. She’s really good at sad girl pop, and Lana Del Rey pisses me off now so Madison is my new Supreme.
Jaguar II by Victoria Monet
MOTHER. Seeing her live at SpelHouse homecoming actually changed the trajectory of my life for the better. The long awaited followup to Jaguar did not disappoint.
Electric Dusk by Leon Thomas
I listen to like 3 men on a regular basis, and Leon Thomas is now one of them. His voice is just so pleasing, and his talent shines on every track.
Nonante-Cinq by Angèle
I’m trying to listen to more Francophone music, and Angèle makes great pop music, period. Her music makes me feel nostalgic.
The Age of Pleasure by Janelle Monáe
I saw them do the concert for this album in Brooklyn, and it was a religious experience. Monáe pulled together so many people for this album; my only wish is that it was longer.
Most Disappointing Albums I Listened to in 2023
Where the Flowers Don’t Die by Monaleo
I really like Monaleo, but this album didn’t work for me. I enjoyed “Ridgemont Baby” when she pushed it as a single, but the other emotional tracks on the album didn’t hit. I respect her venturing into singing, but that also wasn’t for me. :(
Like..? by Ice Spice
I’m not a hater! I gave it a shot, but I don’t think I would ever listen to a full Ice Spice project again.
BB/ANG3L by Tinashe
Girl, what am I supposed to do with an “album” that’s only 20 minutes long?! (Loved every track though.)
In Pieces by Chlöe
From having an abuser on a track to okay lyrics, this was a miss for me. Still love her voice!
And there we go! What are some of your best and most disappointing of the year? If you want to know what I watch/read throughout the year, follow me on Letterboxd and Goodreads/Storygraph.