Your favourite films of 2023
Beamafilm
|
16/12/2023
Buckle up for a rollercoaster ride through your favourite films of 2023 as we celebrate the movies, series and documentaries that stole our hearts and held Beamafilm's centre stage over the past year.
Topping the list of most popular movies is "Larry Crowne", where Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts join forces in a heartwarming tribute to second chances and the transformative power of education. Oscar Wilde's tumultuous final years are brought to life in "The Happy Prince" starring Rupert Everett as the legendary writer grappling with love, loss, and the consequences of his own choices. In "Ammonite" Kate Winslet plays the renowned palaeontologist Mary Anning and beautifully captures the complexities of a hidden romance against the backdrop of fossil hunting along the English coastline while "The Decoy Bride," unfolds on a picturesque Scottish island exploring the unexpected twists as a famous actress seeks refuge from the paparazzi by staging a fake wedding. "Book Club" sees a group of lifelong friends embarking on a new chapter of love and self-discovery inspired by their reading selections and the enduring power of friendship.
The Norwegian thriller "Furia" was our most popular series of 2023 combining heart-stopping action with a plot that twists and turns from the first episode. Mystery and breathtaking Icelandic landscapes also unfold in "The Cliff," where gripping storylines and unexpected twists make each episode a veritable cliffhanger. Royalty, drama and standout performances take centre stage in "Catherine the Great" where Helen Mirren brings the grandeur of a Russian Empress and a bygone era to life. Inspector Montalbano leads us on a captivating journey through crime and mystery set against the stunning landscapes of Sicily with intriguing cases that keep us guessing while our inner detective is unleashed with "The Sketch Artist", a French crime-solving series that combines artistry and investigation as mysteries are decoded through the skilful strokes of a pencil.
The art and history of Renaissance Florence proved most popular amongst documentaries this year with "Botticelli, Florence and the Medici" offering a captivating exploration of the life and works of the iconic painter Sandro Botticelli. "Ryuichi Sakamoto: CODA" follows the acclaimed Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto as he reflects on his career, creativity, and the profound impact of his art while "Older than Ireland" is a touching documentary that introduces viewers to a group of centenarians, sharing their incredible life stories and perspectives on a rapidly changing world. "The Prado Museum" provides an in-depth look at the iconic Prado Museum in Madrid, exploring its vast collection of masterpieces and unravelling the stories behind the artworks that have captivated audiences for centuries and Luit Bieringa's "Ans Westa" invites viewers into the world of a visionary photographic artist offering insight into the inspirations that drive artistic expression.
Join us as we celebrate the storytellers, creators, and performers behind the cinematic gems that kept us riveted in 2023 by streaming from our Favourites of 2023 watchlist, below. Here's to the joy of discovering new worlds, emotions, and narratives through the magic of great film and series as we prepare for a sensational year ahead with more stories that inspire, educate and entertain.
Watch for FREE with a participating library card or on a 30-day trial. Also, you can rent a film for 48 hours.
After losing his job, a middle-aged man reinvents himself by going back to college.
Director:
The untold story of the last days in the tragic times of Oscar Wilde, a person who observes his own failure with ironic distance and regards the difficulties that beset his life with detachment and humour.
Director:
1840s England, acclaimed but overlooked fossil hunter Mary Anning and a young woman sent to convalesce by the sea develop an intense relationship, altering both of their lives forever.
Director:
A local woman is hired to draw paparazzi away from a Hollywood actress who has come to Scotland to get married.
Director:
Four lifelong friends’ lives are turned upside down to hilarious ends when their book club tackles the infamous Fifty Shades of Grey.
Director:
Asgeir and Ragna get entangled in a web of radical right-wing groups and followers - sending them on a journey from the fjords of Norway to a Berlin preparing for Germany's election.
The Cliff is a dramatic mystery about a Crime Detective who is sent to a small community in Iceland to help a local policewoman investigate a suspicious accident.
Director:
Amid scandal, intrigue and conflict, Russian empress Catherine the Great develops a unique and devoted relationship with Grigory Potemkin overcoming their adversaries and serving as the architects of modern-day Russia.
Director:
Set in a fictitious Sicilian seaside town called Vigata, Inspector Montalbano is a series of feature length films based on the writings of Andrea Camilleri.
Director:
The Sketch Artist is a detective series mixing thriller and human drama that depicts Ève Garance, an exceptional sketch artist capable of "reading" people, and her three colleagues from the Investigation Unit of the Police Department.
Director:
A documentary on the art and culture of Florence in 15th century Tuscany and, in particular, the work of the early Renaissance painter, Sandro Botticelli (1445-1501).
Director:
Cast:
A portrait of genius music composer Ryuichi Sakamoto.
Director:
Directed by Alex Fegan, 'Older Than Ireland' is a landmark documentary that tells the story of a hundred years of a life as seen through the eyes of thirty Irish men and women aged 100 or over.
Director:
Actor Jeremy Irons takes viewers on a captivating exploration of the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain. Amidst the halls filled with timeless masterpieces, Irons unveils stories of rulers, common people, war, madness, peace, and happiness.
Director:
Cast:
This artful documentary turns the camera on photographer Ans Westra, a Dutch Emigree, who has captured New Zealand life in a series of iconic images.
Director: