From the best movie or film of 2023 to the most overrated show on TV, Boardroom’s editorial staff dishes out its opinions as we enter award season.
When the calendar year turned to 2024, so did the attention of those in the movie and film industry to #AwardSZN.
The Golden Globes this weekend will kick off a slew of award shows to celebrate the best movies and films of 2023 — with the SAG Awards and Oscars to follow in February and March, respectively — and the staff at Boardroom took it upon itself to answer all the pressing questions ahead of the anticipated event.
What was the best movie of 2023? Most overrated of the year? How about on the television side?
Prepare for the 81st iteration of the Golden Globes, hosted by Jo Koy, with Boardroom’s logical conclusions, hot takes, and potentially out-there opinions regarding the film & TV industry in 2023.
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What was the best movie you saw this year and why?
SHLOMO SPRUNG: Poor Things took me to a delightfully unique, different world better than any movie this year. Yorgos Lanthimos’ set design, cinematography, and costumes were exquisite, and Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, and Willem Defoe all delivered award-winning-worthy performances.
So imaginative, so creative. A true masterpiece.
MICHELAI GRAHAM: I think this might be a tie between Nowhere and Leave the World Behind. Both are Netflix Originals with vastly different storylines, but I found myself locked in on both when watching. I know — everyone was pretty pissed about the ending of “Leave the World Behind,” but it didn’t bother me, and honestly, I think it set the perfect foundation for a sequel.
MEGHAN McKEIGHEN: I really enjoyed Air. It felt like it hit on every level for a comedy. The screenplay and storytelling were fantastic. I can see myself re-watching it soon.
VINCIANE NGOMSI: After reading the book, my anticipation for Killers of the Flower Moon only grew, and thankfully, I was not disappointed. It’s by no means an easy watch, but it’s incredibly informative and sheds light on the horrific murders of dozens of Osage Indians in Oklahoma a century ago. A Leonardo DiCaprio fan for decades, anything he does with Martin Scorcese is guaranteed to be riveting and packed with memorable scenery and dialogue.
It’s got some competition on the award front, but those two equally deserve respective Best Actor and Best Director wins. It’s a long one (3 hours and 26 minutes), but it’s headed to Apple TV+ next week, and I encourage everyone to watch.
Which Hollywood newcomer (nominated or not) do you think will become the next big star?
SPRUNG: If you haven’t heard of Lily Gladstone from Killers of the Flower Moon, Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan from Priscilla and Saltburn, Greta Lee and Teo Yoo from Past Lives, get ready to hear a whole lot more about them moving forward.
GRAHAM: Greta Lee. I absolutely love her in The Morning Show, and she’s up for a few awards with Past Lives and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse this year. She’s dynamic, and I look forward to seeing her in more roles. Also, her wardrobe in TMS is my ultimate style inspiration!
McKEIGHEN: Jeremy Allen White from The Bear is already starting to blow up after the success of the series’ first season. I think we’ll see him everywhere over the next couple of years.
NGOMSI: Lily Gladstone, and there’s no debate. For Killers of the Flower Moon to be her first major feature film is shocking. Anytime she was on the screen, I was completely locked in. Her chemistry with DiCaprio seems effortless, and being that Gladstone is of Piegan Blackfeet, Nez Perce, and European heritage, her connection to the story shines in her delivery.
The 37-year-old’s Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama made history as the first Indigenous woman to get nominated in this category, and she has the potential to make history this weekend with a win. I’m looking forward to following her career for years to come.
What box office hit do you think was overrated?
SPRUNG: Minus all the visuals and effects, Avatar: The Way of Water (which made most of its money in 2023 despite coming out in 2022) was not a good movie. The movie was too long, and the plot was too thin.
GRAHAM: Barbie. It was cute, but I don’t have the urge to rewatch it. And if I did, it would be for Issa Rae.
McKEIGHEN: Oppenheimer. It was beautiful cinematically, but the human story itself didn’t feel like something I would want to watch over and over again. It felt like a one-time thing.
NGOMSI: It’s not necessarily the film itself that made it overrated, but I still can’t fathom the magnitude of success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The plot was fun and enjoyable for all audiences, but I never expected it to record a worldwide total of $1.36 billion at the box office. Not to mention, it became the second-biggest animated film in history. Nonetheless, it’s certainly an accomplishment worth recognizing.
What’s the best TV show you saw this year and why?
SPRUNG: The Curse is one of the weirdest and most captivating shows I’ve ever seen. Led by Emma Stone (who had the best 2023 among actors, in my estimation), Nathan Fielder, and Benny Safdie, it makes me uncomfortable in the best way.
GRAHAM: The Last of Us! I’m still blown away. Every single episode had me on edge, and the cinematography is 10/10. I cannot wait for the next season.
McKEIGHEN: Succession. Dysfunctional, powerful families are always fun to watch. I think the show’s cadence and speed is what really draws you in. It’s not an Aaron Sorkin show, yet it feels like one with the writing and narrative. The characters are horrible, and you can’t help but love them.
NGOMSI: Easily Poker Face. Natasha Lyonne leads an all-star cast that includes Benjamin Bratt, Adrien Brody, Chloë Sevigny, and others, and the mystery-of-the-week format doesn’t force you to understand every character’s backstory. However, if you want to test your critical thinking skills, this is the perfect outlet. It forces you to pay attention to the story and has just enough humor mixed with silly theatrics. It’s streaming on Peacock and a quick 10-episode watch.
What was the most overhyped TV show?
SPRUNG: As someone who doesn’t get caught up in the hype of everything royal family-related, The Crown was a pass for me. I can respect it, but it’s just not my thing.
GRAHAM: The Idol. A part of me thinks there was so much drama surrounding the show’s making just to make press moments in the lead-up to its launch. It was all probably a cover-up for the fact that the show wasn’t as good as it was hyped up to be. And please, don’t get me started on The Weeknd’s slick back pony…
McKEIGHEN: Only Murders in the Building. I tried, and I just couldn’t get into the first episode.
NGOMSI: I couldn’t even get through the first episode of Velma without turning it off. I usually enjoy Mindy Kaling’s work, but this reboot of the lovable “Scooby Doo” character turned her into a soulless personality devoid of real emotion. It completely removes the charm and replaces it with a self-deprecating antagonist masking as the good guy — an all-around failure.
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