2023 was an interesting year in some ways and not all that fresh or original in others.  This was one of those years where only a few things really stuck and where great comfort was found in known quantities.  Here’s a rundown of my personal highlights in movies and television.

Movies in 2023

Perhaps my favorite movie-going experience was getting to see the extended version of Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King back in April.  It was the only extended edition of the trilogy that never got a theatrical release, so it was cool bringing that circle to a close.  It’s still not my favorite of the three (true for the books and the movies), but any chance to revisit Tolkien’s world is usually a gift.

While I was more consistent with movie-going in 2023 (with most of them being seen at Dole Cannery), things still haven’t returned to pre-Covidtide viewing for me.  My sense is that is true for most people.  Having said that, here are a few more high points:

A Good Person, Zach Braff’s third feature film, was gut-wrenching with powerful acting by Florence Pugh.  It’s a story of loss and recovery that I wasn’t quite expecting from Braff (and a complete turn from Wish I Was Here, which I also loved).

Two suspenseful movies that were thoughtful and challenging (and in many ways quite similar) were Knock at the Cabin and Leave the World Behind.  Knock, Shyamalan’s most recent film adaptation, was difficult to watch but interesting to pick apart.  I even read the source-material novel (and discovered a novel a good bit darker than the movie).  In many ways, Leave the World Behind is like Knock without the supernatural thread.  Both were riveting, uneasy viewing.

Lots of good comic book movies this year (though only Guardians 3 and Spider-Verse 2 ultimately stand out).  The only other “tentpole” movie that I really enjoyed was the latest Mission: Impossible, which told as smart, timely story using a great cast.

Finally, there’s The Holdovers, which I saw up in Victoria.  It’s a solid movie with real heart that could become regular holiday viewing for many.

Television in 2023

Three new shows really caught my attention this year.  PokerFace became neighborhood viewing for a couple of weeks.  Just when you think you’re getting tired of the formula, things get better.  Hijack was an intense 24-like story of a plane hijacking that plays out from multiple perspectives and makes you appreciate the small things when it comes to flying.  And then Ahsoka, which continues threads from The Mandalorian but is more of a sequel to Star Wars: Rebels, was amazing to watch.  It was great to finally go to a galaxy “far, far away,” even if it was kind of bleak.

Beyond that, the comfortable and classic were fun to watch.  The Bear season two moved things in a direction both new and (quite honestly) beautiful.  The same could be said for the final season of Ted Lasso.  Both shows had some great episodes with some magical moments.  PBS kept up a great streak (at least early in 2023) with the latest seasons of All Creatures Great and Small and Miss Scarlet and the Duke.  I am glad that both return in a couple of Sundays.  Funny enough, it’s been Survivor and The Amazing Race that have brought a lot of fun to television this year, particularly with their fall cycles (which brought us 90 minute episodes each week).  I’ve mostly made peace with the “gamified” Survivor.  But even good game depends on the right kinds of players, which we saw in spades in 2023.  The same is true for The Amazing Race.  The other thing that helped The Amazing Race return to such a great spot has been the return of public transportation and booking flights, two things that Covidtide mostly did away with.