My Favorites of 2023
My favorite movies and TV shows of 2023 along with books, music, and Atlanta restaurants I enjoyed this year.
The 2023 image above was created by ChatGPT's DALL-E via the prompt "Could you make a 1200x630 image for a best of 2023 list of movies, tv shows, bands, books and restaurants?", and I think it's pretty great!
The movie theaters still haven't gotten my full attention (the writers strike didn't help), so instead of listing only my favorite movies. I'm going a bit random: movies, TV shows, books, music and Atlanta restaurants.
Movies
I honestly didn't love any movie this year. Barbie and Oppenhemier got a lot of attention and were beautifully directed, but I was pretty "meh" on them overall. I did have fun watching these four movies. I wish there were more fun movies.
Asteroid City
June 23, 2023
Classic Wes Anderson movie (Royal Tenenbaums, The Grand Budapest Hotel, etc) where all the characters say exactly what they feel with as much deadpan as the camera can capture.
TV Shows
The streaming services pulling back their spending is rather evident when looking back on my favorites of this year. Three of the four aren't coming back and the fourth is a cheap docuseries.
Our Flag Means Death
on MAX
I missed the first season last year, but the second (and now final) season aired late in 2023. A rich nobleman forsakes his position in society to become a (rather terrible) pirate and eventually gets mentored by a bored Blackbeard played by Taika Waititi (director of some great comedies like Jojo Rabbit and What We Do in the Shadows).
Daisy Jones & The Six
on Amazon Prime
A documentary-style fiction flashes back to tell the story of a Janis Joplin or Fleetwood Mac like band. I was halfway through the series before I realized Riley Keough is Elvis' real-life granddaughter.
Books
I alternate between fiction and nonfiction throughout the year. My fictions aren't always sci-fi but my favorites usually are. Click the ChatGPT icon for a summary of the nonfiction books.
Good Arguments
An election year is a good time to seek guidance on making our arguments less painful and useless. The first step is agreeing on what you're arguing about and whether it's a fact, a judgement, or a course of action?
Leviathan Wakes
The first book in The Expanse series and the basis of a rather good TV series of the same name. It follows the politics and power struggle between Earth (old world power), Mars (militaristic outpost), and the Belt (industrial work horse) with a dash of sci-fi mystery to keep it from getting stale.
Mine!
Examines the suprisingly complicated and nuanced nature of ownership which (in my humble opinion) is one of the most critical questions for the 21st century. Is it even right for ChatGPT to give a summary of this book and tell its best examples of ownership (click the ChatGPT icon below)?
Death's End
The final book in the Three Body Problem trilogy, soon to be a Netflix series. It goes into almost obnoxious depth pursuing all types of strange (but possible?) applications of physics across thousands of years. It was also interesting reading a sci-fi from China. Political problem solving is presented as a group of highly educated experts solving a math-like equation ... not exactly how the west portrays government decision-making.
Bands
I don't go to many concerts anymore, but Spotify lets me know what I'm listening to the most.
Atlanta Restaurants
I love many restaurants around town, but these three were routinely at the top of my mind.
Roasters
I eat their chicken and veggie plate multiple times a month.
Kamayan ATL
Filipino spot and newly minted Michelin recommended restaurant. Chicken Adobo is great.
Hyderabad House
Casual Indian with an online menu so large it requires a search bar. Get the Gobi Manchurian.
Dan Cunning
Ruby on Rails contractor from Atlanta GA, focusing on simplicity and usability through solid design.