Brandon’s Top 15 of 2023 + More
Like most podcasts, the Fake Nerd Podcast starts the new year off with a list of their favorite things from the previous year. This year’s Top 15 of 2023 was particularly bittersweet. Not only did we have to say goodbye to 2023 but also the podcast as a whole. Here is my top 15 list that appeared in the final episode of the podcast, episode 350. To listen to my thoughts, watch the episode here.
TL/DR Section
Non-2023 Top 5
We did these for the Christmas special and I just wanted to include them. This is just a little top four of media I consumed not from 2023
– Transformers: Shattered Glass
– Doctor Who Season’s 8-10
The Peter Capaldi Years
– Your Name
- Dimension 20
Honorable Mentions
– The Last Voyage of the Demeter
– Hilda Season 3
– Nimona
– DnDark
– My Adventures of Superman
- Evil Dead Rise
- Blue Eye Samurai
- Hellaween
- Poker Face
- Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
- The Marvels
- Skull Island
15) Exterminators
14) Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning: Part Two
13) 1923
12) Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder
11) The Legend of Vox Machina
10) Star Trek: Picard Season 3
9) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
8) Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
7) Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4
6) Oppenheimer
5) Willow
4) Blue Beetle
3) Suzume
2) Godzilla: Minus One
1) Adventure Time: Fiona and Cake
Expanded Thoughts
Honorable Mentions
(The Honorable Mentions are large this year due to there being no guarantee this will happen again and I wanted the opportunity to shout out various projects I didn’t get the chance to)
The Last Voyage of the Demeter – I’ve been excited about this project since I first heard of it. A feature-length film based on a chapter of a horror classic shouldn’t be able to work, but personally, it worked really well. The creature design rules and the kills are fun. Importantly, there are many characters you care about even though you know there were no survivors. Such a blast and a true successor to classic monster films.
Hilda Season 3 – Hilda is an animated show I’ve been watching for many years now. It’s come to an end with its third season and it ended up being a very solid and emotional ending. The film that was released in 2021 felt like a good ending to the series and season 3 felt like a solid epilogue. I wish it got another season to expand and have more characters shine. I’ll truly miss this show.
Nimona – This was a tough cut this year. Nimona is such a wonderful and inventive animated film. Sharp writing and beautifully unique animation put this in conversation with the likes of Across the Spider-Verse and Mutant Mayhem. I’m glad this wonderfully queer fantasy film exists.
My Adventures of Superman – With what they’re setting up with season 2, I think this could be in my top next year. But I loved this show. A great interpretation of all the characters involved. The animation is great and the writing is sharp with solid voice acting.
Evil Dead Rise – There’s not a bad Evil Dead film. It’s such a mean and nasty film that stays true to the core of the franchise I’ve loved since I was a child.
Blue Eye Samurai - The only reason why it’s not in my Top is because I’ve only seen five episodes. They’re great episodes so I can’t wait to finish it.
Hellaween - Written and drawn by the wonderful Moss Lawton, this book spoke to me! It is such a wonderful story with beautifully energetic artwork.
Poker Face - I’m not sure what to say about this one. It’s a really inventive murder mystery series that goes to some really unexpected places. I love Ryan Johnson and this is just as good as any of his films.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom - It’s not as good as the first film. But it still showcases everything I loved from the first film. There is so much cool shit in this movie. I’m sad we didn’t get to review it on the show.
The Marvels - Honestly, fuck the haters. This movie rules. It was so much fun and had everything I wanted to see from a film like this. Sometimes, fun is enough.
DnDark - This is not because one of my best friends is on the cast but because I got obsessed with Dnd this year and this is a very good DnD podcast. They are able to create such a love letter to the universal monster movies that should make fans excited. I really like this show, genuinely.
Skull Island - While Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has rightfully taken the top spot on many people’s lists, Skull Island has largely been forgotten. In truth, it’s a great entry in the MonsterVerse that introduces fun new characters and deepens Kong’s role in the franchise. I hope people go to it since it deserves to thrive.
15) X-Terminators
W: Leah Williams/A: Carlos Gomez
I’ve started to fall out of love with the Krakoa era of X-Men since Hickman left. There’s been very little that has excited me in the same way that those early books did. But X-Terminators reminded me exactly why I fell in love with the run in the first place. It’s unbelievable fun and showcases everything I loved about this run of X-Men.
14) Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning: Part One
D: Christopher McQuarrie/W: Bruce Geller, Christopher McQuarrie, Erik Jendresen
This probably wouldn’t have made it if I had done more this year, but I loved it. McQuarrie is a godsend to the Mission: Impossible franchise. It’s not my favorite in the franchise but I think about it all the time. It’s exciting and Tom Cruise continues to shine. But Hayley Atwell is a revelation in this one. I love her normally but she’s s fresh here. I can’t wait for Part Two.
13) 1923
Creator: Taylor Sheridan
I lost my dad at the tail end of 2022 and he was super excited for this series. He would talk about it all the time. I loved 1883 but I loved 1923. Harrison Ford is in top form but the love story between Alex and Spencer is the one that got me super invested. I’m looking forward to the second season more than I was ever interested in the rest of the Yellowstone universe.
12) Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder
D: Tom Kingsley/W: Russel T. Davies
I’ve gotten really into Doctor Who again. From listening to the Big Finish audio adventures to catching up on the Peter Capaldi and Jodie Witicker years that all culminated in watching the series live again. Of the four specials, Wild Blue Yonder was by far the best. I have issues with some of the other specials, but I loved everything about this one. There’s some truly great writing and acting happening in this episode.
11) The Legend of Vox Machina Season 2
Creators: Critical Role
Part of my interest in DnD this year came from binging both seasons of The Legend of Vox Machina. I will watch Critical Role but this floored me. I loved the story and the animation. The cast is obviously great because they’ve lived in these characters for ages. I just couldn’t get enough of this show and I’m sad we don’t know when season 3 is coming.
10) Star Trek: Picard Season 3
Showrunner: Terry Matalas
More than anything, I was excited to see Will Riker again and this season was exactly the show it needed to be. The returning cast was in top form here. Some elements didn’t work like the change of villain at the end of the season but I’d be lying if the show didn’t work for me. I’m a sucker for nostalgia. This is the only change from the original list that I’ll make by the way.
9) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
W/D: James Gunn
You know, I wish I could have rewatched this. I don’t love the story with Gamora and it’s not as good as the second or first film. But I love Rocket, and this is the kind of film I’ve wanted to see from the Guardians since the first film. The Guardians are my favorite corner of the MCU and I’m happy that the ending was as strong as it is.
8) Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
Creators: Jeffrey M. Howard, Kate Kondell, Steve Loter
What a delightful series. It’s such a surprise to see this one. The animation and writing are some of the best that have ever come from Disney Animation. Every episode is engaging fun and unique and has some great music.
7) Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4
Creator: Mike McMahan
Star Trek: Lower Decks continues to be the biggest surprise in the Star Trek franchise. I loved this season. It’s the strongest season so far. Mariner dissecting how Starfleet has changed since the Dominion War and how that affects her outlook on serving in Starfleet was everything I needed. Watching the series grow has been such a delight.
6) Oppenheimer
D: Christopher Nolan/W: Christopher Nolan, Kai Bird, Martin Sherwin
I have not stopped thinking about Oppenheimer since I saw it. Such an amazing look at the beginning of the Atomic Age. It’s haunting and might be the scariest film of the year.
5) Willow
Creator: Jonathan Kasdan
This show was made for me. It’s queer, it’s fun, it’s legacy, it’s fantasy and so on and so on. I loved coming back into Willow’s world in this way. The cast is great together and there’s so much passion put into this wonderfully unique fantasy world. Disney’s decision to erase this show from existence was just plain evil and I will never forgive them.
4) Blue Beetle
D: Angel Manuel Soto/W: Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer
I adore this film. This might be my favorite DC film to date. I’m so pissed that WB put all their eggs in The Flash basket and not at a film that is filled with heart and passion the likes of which we dream to see from a superhero movie. Xolo Maridueña is a star in Cobra Kai and is a star here.
3) Suzume
D/W: Makoto Shinkai
This is the first time I’ve seen one of Makoto Shinkai’s films and I’ve now seen so many. Suzume was so good. Honestly, I’ve talked about it online in every single format I can find since I saw it. A wonderful film that I think about constantly.
2) Godzilla: Minue One
D/W: Takashi Yamazaki
I have loved Godzilla for decades and this is one of the best films. I adored it and even adored talking about it. There’s so much I love diving into with this one. Maybe I’ll just link the review.
1) Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake
Creator: Adam Muto
I love the Adventure Time franchise so much. I didn’t know that they could keep pulling off some of the best-animated storytelling going into their third show. It’s so inventive and Simon’s arc is fully realized wonderfully. I wish I could say more but it would be spoilers.