As the tumultuous 2023 coming to an end, I looked back at the things that I’ve saw, read, played and compiled this list. I hope this list gives you an idea of what my preferences are, as well as an opportunity to check them out in year 2024.
Favorite Films of 2023
Athena - The unrivaled visual energy captured by a camera.
Ferrari - The best Penelope Cruz outside of the Almodóvar films.
May December - Charles was in charge, against two amazing actresses.
Past Lives - I saw myself in this movie.
Killers of the Flower Moon - Marty should make TV series.
Barbie - She stuck the landing so hard that the whole cultural landscape shifted.
Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves - Dungeon Masters killed it in 2023.
Asteroid City - You do you, Wes.
Nam June Paik: Moon is the Oldest TV - My bro LOVES this doc, and so do I.
RRR - The crowdpleaser of the year.
All That Breathes - This movie sprouts wings.
Tár - Cate Blanchett was here.
Avatar: the Way of Water - 3D is back, baby!
My Favorite Animations of 2023
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - Every frame of this film is art, period.
Elemental - There’s fire in my heart, and water in my eyes.
The Super Mario Bros Movie - Mario recognized.
Suzume すずめの戸締まり - Director Shinkai can’t do no wrong.
TMNT: Mutant Mayhem - The most fun I had in the theater.
Puss in Boots: the Last Wish - The most laughs I had in the theater.
Favorite Games of 2023
Baldur’s Gate 3 - Although I’ve played CRPG for many years, I never got D&D. Finally this game made me understand why D&D is so engrossing and popular. I only needed superb writing, excellent voice acting, and unrivaled freedom in game mechanics to get it.
Hi-Fi Rush - Make rhythm games great again!
Pentiment - Umberto Eco would’ve love this game.
Disco Elysium - Crime novels, eat your heart out.
Metroid Dread - I hope Samus gets her own feature animation soon.
Spider-Man 2 - Only the animations can rival this game.
Resident Evil 4 - A perfect game doesn’t exist…
Dead Space Remake - It’s so crunchy that I love every stump of it.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom - Nintendo toy box at its finest.
My Favorite TV Shows of 2023
The Bear
The Last of Us
Severance
Beef
Succession
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
D.P.
Only Murders in the Building
Yellowjacket
My Favorite Books of 2023
Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet
The Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness
Like, Comment, Subscribe: Inside YouTube's Chaotic Rise to World Domination
It’s Not TV: The Spectacular Rise, Revolution, and Future of HBO
Tinderbox: HBO's Ruthless Pursuit of New Frontiers - The future of Netflix is the past of HBO
Doom Guy: Life in First Person
남의나라 흑역사
鋼の錬金術師 (Fullmetal Alchemist)
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