John’s top 10 TV shows of 2023
2023 television: A couple of old-school network shows break into the streaming-dominated list of my favorite series of the year.
Romance
‘Strange Days’ (1995) rings in a future of untrustworthy institutions, virtual socializing
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): In terms of tech details, this Kathryn Bigelow-directed film might be James Cameron’s most prescient screenplay.
‘Dial M for Murder’ (1954) … or for masterpiece
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): This unusually stylish “filmed stage play” features one of the most twisty and compelling mystery plots ever devised.
Stupnitsky’s ‘No Hard Feelings’ is easy to like
Movie review: The director of “Good Boys” continues to make sweet-natured raunch-coms that straddle old and new sensibilities.
‘Love Actually’ (2003) hangs wide array of emotions on the Christmas tree
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Twenty years later, this incredibly cast film still boasts powerful moments illustrating every type of love.
‘Thin Man’ movie (1934) emphasizes stars, but I can’t blame it
Sleuthing Sunday (Movie review): Dashiell Hammett’s mystery is still there, but Powell and Loy steal the show. And that’s OK.
‘Insomnia’ (1994) is long but not sleep-inducing
Stephen King flashback (Book review): Although it reads like an important novel to King, it for some reason is not a popular target for adaptation.
‘Foreign Correspondent’ (1940) lauds journalists but isn’t about journalism
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): The film is also notable for an action-film structure that fans of the modern “Mission: Impossibles” will recognize.
‘Blue Beetle’ should’ve been given the ‘Batgirl’ treatment
Movie review: The DCEU’s latest entry suggests there’s a decent movie under its carapace, but regularly hits wrong notes (except in its soundtrack).
‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’ makes the end of the world thrilling
Movie review: It seems impossible, but the greatest action franchise of all time is still topping itself in its seventh film.