The Bluff Council Podcast

The title kind of says it all, doesn't it? While 2023 will likely be remembered as a particularly strong year for cinema, they all can't be winners. In this episode, Keith and Ev each pick their five least favorite films of the year, which include a number of major box office successes. We're sure everyone's responses to our insulting the films they love will be measured and thoughtful, though.

It's that time of the year again! Actually, we're a little behind. But that's what makes us COOL, ok, guys? We march to the beat of our own drummer. And he's always a little behind. But it's COOL. Anyways... you're wondering: "What are the best films of 2023? What movies were the best in 2023? Best movies list 2023?" Because you always wonder things in ideal SEO phrases, and thank you for that.

The Bluff Council is turning 100 and just as you would expect, we are confused, cranky, and constantly screaming our thoughts into the void. In celebration of this momentous event, we are doing something special: two films in one episode! And what a natural pairing: "On Golden Pond," the 1981 classic starring Henry Fonda, Katherine Hepburn, and Jane Fonda, and that focuses on the challenges of aging, complex family dynamics, and a genuine fear of mortality, and "There's Something About Mary," the 1998 movie where Cameron Diaz smears c** in her hair. Oh, but it is so much more than just that, isn't it...?

"Crash" (2004) is famously one of the most polarizing films of all time. It was released to wide acclaim and went on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, defeating "Brokeback Mountain" in one of the great upsets in Oscars history. Is it as bad as everyone says it is? Does it deserve all the hate? In this segment of our larger episode on the film, we discuss some of our complaints.

Merry Christmas? Bah, humbug! "Elf" is widely beloved, and considered by many to be a modern Christmas classic, but Ev doesn't get the hype, and thinks that it's actually... *gulp* a BAD movie. Scoop yourself up a large serving of figgy pudding and let's get into Jon Favreau's "Elf," the 2003 Christmas comedy starring Will Ferrell, James Caan, Ed Asner, Mary Steenburgen, and Zooey Deschanel.

"Casablanca" is at or near the top of most "Best Films of All Time" Lists, but is it REALLY that good!? Yes. Yes it is. Made in 1942 and starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, the film sets a high bar with a timeless script, excellent performances, and beautiful black and white cinematography.

It was a resounding commercial success when it was released in 1994, and it launched Jim Carrey to superstardom. It sparked a sequel, a cartoon series, a spinoff TV movie, and COUNTLESS teenage boys saying "Allllllllll righty then". But now, almost thirty years later, has any 90's comedy aged as poorly as "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective?"

For millennials of a certain age, "Hook" is a beloved favorite. It's got stars (Robin Williams! Dustin Hoffman! Julia Roberts!), it's got production value, it's got the beloved Peter Pan IP, and it's got the most famous film director of all time. Only problem is... Spielberg hates it! Most of the stars didn't enjoy it! It was largely savaged by critics and was considered a commercial flop upon its release! How on God's green earth did this film miss!?

In 2009, we were introduced to Zack Snyder's vision of "Watchmen," the heralded graphic novel from the 1980s. It was immediately an incredibly polarizing film, with some deeming it a brilliant, ahead-of-its-time adaptation, and others infuriated by what they viewed as a bastardization of the beloved source material. After this decade-plus of superhero films... we look back and talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of "Watchmen."

Come on Barbie, let's go party! You know that movie that EVERYONE is talking about!? The "Barbie" movie written and directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling!? The one where you either love it or you hate it or you're a rotten bigot or a crazed leftist!? Yeah, THAT one! We sit and try to have a normal, nuanced conversation about the film and its pros and cons (there are a lot of both!). Ready for everyone to hate us, universally and equally... LET'S DO IT.