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Best and Worst Films from September 2023

Best Films from September 2023:

3. Blithe Spirit

This month I went on a summer vacation, which resulted in me watching fewer movies. Still however, I watched enough great movies to showcase on this list with the first one being Blithe Spirit, a wonderful 40s comedy that stood the test of time with flying colors. It’s a dark, witty and consistently entertaining comedy that was superbly acted and populated by well developed characters and impeccable dialogue.

2. Macario

This month I started my American Cinema Marathon, where I will watch one film from both American continents every day. The best one I saw this month is Macario, a Brazilian fantasy that functioned as a wonderful fable/fairy tale with stunning cinematography and score. The tonal diversity was another highlight here while the movie’s old-fashioned nature made for an absolutely delightful watch.

1. Past Lives

Yes, the best movie I saw this month is Past Lives, a recently released drama about a lost love and just how heartbreaking reminiscing about your first love can be. A film about lost opportunities and the complexities of the human condition, Past Lives was also superbly acted and directed while consistently being riveting in its sophisticated and thought-provoking dialogue. It’s one of the best movies of 2023.

Worst Films from September 2023:

3. Blue Beetle

I actually liked Blue Beetle, DCEU’s newest movie that ended up being a giant box office bomb. It had a particularly strong, wonderful emphasis on family and its lightweight tone was a delight. However, the mythology was horribly explained here and the overall script was terrible, resulting in another messy film for the studio.

2. Bad Day to Go Fishing

This Uruguayan drama has a strong premise, solid acting and a pretty good conclusion, but the first two acts made for a build up that was overly slow and lacking in momentum. The directing and characterization left a lot to be desired while the script should have been much stronger given its solid premise.

1. Red, White & Royal Blue

By far the worst movie I watched all month is this mediocre gay romance that was not just beyond clichéd, but also ridiculous in its stupidly conceived plot. It’ a politically biased, overly manipulative movie that is actually a guilty pleasure as it’s a lot of fun to watch, but it remains trashy cinema nonetheless.