This is that latest that I’ve ever published a Top 10.
Shoutout to the one person who noticed it hadn’t been published yet. You know who you are.
With that, here are my Top 10 Movies of 2023.
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30
Jan
10
Mar
It’s that time again!
The Matt, Ian, and Blake (or MIB) Awards have returned. Not be confused with the secret organization dedicated to monitoring extraterrestrial activity on Earth. Truth to be told, we weren’t sure we’d we back. But in the end, we couldn’t bring ourselves to disappoint Matt’s dad, Ian’s wife, and Morgan Johnson.
Since it’s been so long, a reminder of our mission here at the MIB Awards:
The awards never go to the right person, because there is no right person. This is important to remember as we approach the 94th Academy Awards (which for some god forsaken reason are scheduled to air the final Sunday of March). There is no mathematical equation to determine the “correct” winners. Voters cast their votes based on their own personal taste. So what is the point of predicting the winners? You’re just guessing which opinion the majority will hold. Instead, I’ve teamed up with two other close friends and cinephiles — aspiring actor and entertainer Ian Goldsmith and former Warner Bros. Studio tour guide Matt Bauerly — to name winners of our own.
31
Dec
Film critics have been sharing their own end-of-year “Best of” lists over the last couple weeks and I’ve been puzzled by some of the reactions. There’s been a lot of negativity if certain popular films don’t make the cut or if some (or many) of the choices are films outside the mainstream. Personally, I don’t get outraged or offended if someone’s “Best of” list doesn’t match my own. On the contrary, my hope is to find films that I may have missed or overlooked. If you’re reading this, I can only hope you share that sentiment. Because these may not necessarily be the “best” movies that hit theaters in the last year, but they were certainly the ones that I liked or connected with the most.
With that, here are my Top 14 Movies of 2022.
06
Mar
We’re back!
After a one-year hiatus, the Matt, Ian, and Blake (or MIB) Awards have returned. Not be confused with the secret organization dedicated to monitoring extraterrestrial activity on Earth. Truth to be told, we weren’t sure we’d we back. But in the end, we couldn’t bring ourselves to disappoint Matt’s dad, Ian’s fiancée, and Morgan Johnson.
Since it’s been so long, a reminder of our mission here at the MIB Awards:
The awards never go to the right person, because there is no right person. This is important to remember as we approach the 94th Academy Awards (which for some god forsaken reason are scheduled to air the final Sunday of March). There is no mathematical equation to determine the “correct” winners. Voters cast their votes based on their own personal taste. So what is the point of predicting the winners? You’re just guessing which opinion the majority will hold. Instead, I’ve teamed up with two other close friends and cinephiles — aspiring actor and entertainer Ian Goldsmith and former Warner Bros. Studio tour guide Matt Bauerly — to name winners of our own.
13
Feb
I know we’re already well into February, but aside from Scream — which I loved, by the way — the first couple months of the year have been quiet in terms of new releases. With The Batman opening the first weekend in March, the sparks will start flying and we’ll be in business. But what all is there to look forward to? So much more than you know, which is why I’ve cranked out another list of my most anticipated releases so you can start marking your calendar.
02
Jan
If you’re actually reading this introduction and haven’t already started scrolling through the list, know that I’m damn proud of you. Because this is where I offer the usual disclaimer: This is not a definitive list by any means. These may not necessarily be the “best” movies that hit theaters in the last year, but they were certainly the ones that I liked the most.
But enough preamble. Here are my Top 10 Movies of 2021.
29
May
I’m starting to see the signs. Recently, in the span of about 10 minutes, I bought tickets to three different movies screening at the Music Box Theatre here in Chicago. My wife has said to me on multiple occasions now, “You’ll be seeing that by yourself.” I’ve re-activated my AMC Stubs A-List subscription.
What does it all mean?
Movies are back.
Technically, movies never left, but I think we can all agree that the last year has not been anything but an ordinary year at the movies. Studios have delayed releasing their biggest films, box office totals have plummeted to all-time lows, and movie theaters have closed, some temporarily and others permanently. But now, with more 40% of the U.S. population fully vaccinated and 50% with at least one dose, the light is visible at the end of the tunnel. A Quiet Place, Part II has kicked off the summer movie season as studios and theaters are gearing up for a return to the movies.
To participate, all you have to do is follow two simple steps:
- Get vaccinated
- Go to the movies
And to help get you excited about the year of movies ahead, I’ve assembled a list of my Top 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2021. To be clear, there are a lot more movies being released this year than what I have listed here, but hopefully this will get your beak wet.
17
Jan
First, a plea: Support your local movie theaters.
I am not ignorant to the fact that I have been incredibly fortunate during one of the most difficult years in our country’s history. As the COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged the United States, amassing a domestic death toll of 335,000+ and leaving more than 10 million Americans unemployed, I have been healthy, employed, and able to work from home. I do not take that for granted. I have had my fair share of personal struggles related to the pandemic, but they pale in comparison to the dire circumstances facing others.
State and local governments have been forced to implement strict measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and that has had economic ramifications, with businesses struggling to keep their doors open and others forced to close them, either temporarily or permanently.
The theater industry is struggling. Due to public health guidelines advising against large gatherings in enclosed spaces, movie theaters have been forced to operate at reduced capacity or shut down completely. Distributors have largely opted against releasing major motion pictures until theaters are able to screen their films for full capacity audiences, fearing the loss of box office profits.
I understand there are those for whom the home viewing experience is more affordable or convenient, but personally, I don’t want to live in a world without movie theaters. The past year offered an unpleasant preview of what life would be like without the moviegoing experience, and I hated it. It was miserable. I miss settling into a seat in a darkened room with an overpriced bucket of popcorn in my lap, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to disconnect from the outside world for a couple hours and lose myself in the story about to be told on the big screen before me.
Some go to church every Sunday. I go to the movie theater. It is my cathedral.
So if you are able, please consider supporting your local movie theater. If you’re not comfortable going to the movie theater under the current conditions of the pandemic — and I can’t in good conscience encourage you to go as of this writing — I implore you to explore other ways to offer your financial support. Buy a gift card for future use. Purchase concessions to-go. Reach out to theater management and ask if there are other avenues to help keep their doors open, especially if they are an independent theater.
There, I’ve made my pitch. I’ve said my peace.
If you haven’t already skipped ahead, here are my Top 12 Movies of 2020.
06
Feb
We’re back!
Welcome to the sixth annual Matt, Ian, and Blake (or MIB) Awards! Not be confused with the secret organization dedicated to monitoring extraterrestrial activity on Earth.
The awards never go to the right person, because there is no right person. This is important to remember as we approach the 92nd Academy Awards, airing on Sunday. There is no mathematical equation to determine the “correct” winners. Voters cast their votes based on their own personal taste. So what is the point of predicting the winners? You’re just guessing which opinion the majority will hold. Instead, I’ve teamed up with two other close friends and cinephiles — aspiring actor Ian Goldsmith and former Warner Bros. Studio tour guide Matt Bauerly — to name winners of our own.
07
Jan
Well, here I am, back to 15. It was that kind of year for movies. Ten didn’t seem like enough.
Here is where I offer the usual caveat: This is not a definitive list by any means. These may not necessarily be the “best” movies that hit theaters in the last year, but they were certainly the ones that I liked the most. For example, Greta Gerwig’s Little Women is a great film and I think you should go see it. But there were other films I connected with more. In conclusion, go see Little Women.
If you’re still reading by now, here are my Top 15 Movies of 2019: