My thoughts on every single movie I watched last year, starting with my Top Ten favorites

10. We Met in VR

This is the most fascinating movie I watched this year. But it is not physically easy to watch. Joe Hunting dives into the glitchy world of VRChat and explores the denizens of this world during the pandemic’s lockdown. He follows and interviews various avatars throughout this virtual world, whether they are getting drunk at house parties, giving their boyfriends lap dances at strip clubs, or teaching Sign Language classes to earnest students. The sheer diversity of this world is mind-blowing. A place where you can look like anyone or anything you want to. I think there’s a scene where I watched a hand-sized blue bunny rabbit, in a tie, adorably stumble over singing Vance Joy’s "Riptide". I think what I enjoyed most about this documentary was the director's lack of judgment. The creator didn't press them to meet in real life or try to interview them outside of VR. He just let these beautiful stories of connection play out by themselves, so we as the audience could land in our judgments however we do. And I found it beautiful.

9. The Fablemans

Yea, this movie was just as good as everyone said it would be. Steven Spielberg's latest film is a deeply personal coming-of-age story that's full of heart and dashes of humor. With a super talented cast (Michelle Williams is a standout) and a nostalgic sense of time and place, it's a love letter to the magic of movies and the power of family. This succeeded in making me romanticize and appreciate my own relationship with film. I mean "hell", I've written and cataloged my genuine thoughts on every single movie I've watched over the last 11 years (yeesh, I should be a better writer by now), and this film only fueled my passion to continue doing so. My favorite parts of this movie, however, were his cheeky little winks and nods, showcasing that no matter how accomplished and seasoned Speilberg may be, at his core, he’s still just a kid who loves his movies.

8. Not Okay

I absolutely loved this film, written and directed by Quinn Shepard and starring the incredible Zoey Deutch. It explores the dark underbelly of influencer culture through a likable character who is the most unlikeable shit. It’s brilliant how Quinn and Zoey tow that character line. They had me guffawing at times at the absurdity of the lengths she was willing to go for attention. A great supporting cast rounds out this really special 2022 flick; give it a chance if you can.

7. The Lost Daughter

This emotional drama is a powerful exploration of motherhood and identity, with a deep, resonating performance from Olivia Coleman. I was thinking about this film for weeks after seeing it. It sticks with you in a very special way. And I love the way it demystifies parenthood. I’ve grown up in a culture where you’re simply expected to have children, but when it comes down to it, that doesn't work for everybody. Director Maggie Gyllenhal explores that in a really special, no holds barred, way.

6. Matilda

Every part of this movie slaps. Manda, my wife, put it on in the background one night. After casually glancing at this for about five minutes, I said, "Oh no, no, this movie deserves my full attention. Can we start it over?". It’s simply incredible, from its visual palette that's bursting with color to its outstandingly crisp dance numbers to its main young actress, Aleisha Weir, who is sheer dynamite in this role. Every part of this film worked for me, and I highly suspect it will work for you too.

5. Elvis

This film knocked me on my ass. I loved it. Austin Butler is a force of nature in this film. Baz Luhrum somehow found a way for me to dislike Tom Hanks, which I didn't think was possible, but boom, here we are. I’m a lifelong Elvis fan. I remember going to Graceland when I was 8 years old and asking my mom to buy me a cassette of his greatest hits. I listened to both sides of that tape over and over all summer. I became a fan of Elvis that summer, not because of his fame or his flash... I was 8, but I simply loved his music. This movie didn't just deliver good impersonations of these larger-than-life characters; they encapsulated the entire energy of an era, and I can't help but take my hat off to that.

4. The Killing of Two Lovers

This emotionally charged drama is so raw and honest as it explores the complexities of love, marriage, and family. With powerful performances from the cast and a broody score, it's a film that hangs with you long after the credits. It’s one of the most emotional films I’ve seen this year. I think it even got a projected tear from me. A Sudden. Projective Tear. Like, it did not water in my eye or roll down my face. This movie made me flinch with such emotion that a single tear flew out of my damn eyeball. It was a first for me.

3. Babylon

Wow, wow, wow, wow. Did I see a movie? Or did I drop Ayahuasca and imagine this? The world may never know. What I DO know is that Manda and I left the theater with our nerves completely shot, our imaginations energized, and our cinematic appetites craving more. To be honest, I didn’t like this movie at first; I felt like it was trying way too hard. But I trust Damien Chazelle; his movies have been delighting and challenging me since Whiplash, and once the (incredibly bombastic and overly stimulating) first scene of Babylon wrapped up, I was fully invested in this rollercoaster of a film. The movie is essentially about the transition of Hollywood from silent to talking films, the players within them, and a culture that can both elevate and suffocate a person without remorse. It’s a beautiful film that left me multiple times saying, "Did I really just see that?" All the actors are phenomenal, but Margot Robbie is an absolute powerhouse in this; her ability to transform from a spitfire starlet to a tragic heroine is breathtaking. She’s fearless in this movie. This 3-hour-long flick is very divisive; about half of people enjoy it and the other half walk out of the theater. That being said, when my wife and I walked out of our theater, the first thing we said to each other was, "I could've watched three more hours of that."

2. Everything Everywhere All at Once

I saw this randomly in a theater in a San Antonio mall. I had no idea what it was about, but I knew I liked the title itself. By the end of the movie, I was out of my seat, cheering. This movie reminds me of that awestruck feeling I used to get when being introduced to groundbreaking classics. It was a feeling I had when seeing something so conceptually unique that I had no idea what to expect. I had this feeling for the first spaghetti western I saw (Once Upon a Time in the West), the first Japanese horror movie I’d seen (Ringu), and the first epic movie I’d watched (Ben-Hur). It’s that electric feeling of "I have no idea what’s going to happen next, but I’m loving this". Being such a fan of movies and seeing so many of them, it’s hard for me to get this feeling of freshness. Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, was nothing but fresh from start to finish.

1. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

Sometimes it's the quiet ones that win you over. I thought the bombastic "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once" was sure-fire going to be my favorite film of the year. But there's something about Marcel that continues to put a gentle smile on my face every time I think about it. I remember watching the original shorts of Marcel back in the early years of YouTube. It was silly, cute, and something I felt you could only do on the internet. I mean, a short film about a tiny anthropomorphic shell who drives a cockroach is not something I ever expected to see on the big screen. But here we are, and not only do these courageous filmmakers deliver this one-of-a-kind film to movie theaters, but they also deliver a very beautiful, heartwarming tale of ambition, scope, and belonging. Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer Camp might have made some silly videos about a talking shell over ten years ago, but now they've made my favorite movie of 2022.

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IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER (88 movies watched this year)

Title (Director, Production Studio) My Rating

A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby (John Schultz, Motion Picture Corporation of America)it’s okay I guess

Manda and I continue our quest to work our way through the entire Netflix Christmas universe. But listen, we've got rules: we only watch these movies between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we must watch them in release order. The problem with this is that we don't have time to fully catch up, and by the time we pick it back up the following year, two more movies get added to the list. All that being said, it's kind of delightful sitting down and watching the cheesiest holiday movies together; the actual content is secondary. This movie was like the first two Christmas Prince movies, but with a royal birthright twist. It was fine.

A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding (John Schultz, Motion Picture Corporation of America) it’s okay I guess

It was nice to see some character progression. This one deals with the roles of gender in a monarchy and progressive ideologies. While no, it didn't get too deep with any of that, it was fun, which is all we needed.

A Room with a View (James Ivory, Merchant Ivory Productions) its okay I guess

Fun fact I originally named this year’s list "2022: A Room with a Review", but I had never seen the movie. So I watched it. and I was so unimpressed, I had to change the title of my year-end list. The romance was antiquated, and the chemistry between Carter and Lewis was lacking,but that being said, Maggie Smith remains a beast. All in all, this movie left me feeling "blah". Oh well! I like my new title anyway..

The Adam Project (Shawn Levy, Skydance Media) it’s good, not great, but good!

Ryan Reynolds being Ryan Reynolds It’s a fine sci-fi romp. Great action, and yeah, if you’re not burned out on Reynolds doing his "self-aware, whispering, pop culture" thing, then you’re good. I, for one, was just in the right mood for it, so I had a great time. I think I got burned out on Ryan Reynolds in that movie he did with the Rock, "Red Notice". Woof. I only made it 25 minutes into that one before I was like, I’m tired of seeing both of you. goodnight!

Robin Hood (Wolfgang Reitherman, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)This is Great!

Manda and I watched this on Valentine's Day, and it was super sweet. I, for one, had never seen it, and it was one of Manda's favorite childhood movies. She’s also mentioned how she had a huge crush on Foxy Robin Hood. After seeing it, I get it.

Amy Schumer Present’s Parental Advisory (Amy Schumer, Netflix) it’s good, not great, but good!

A fun airplane watch: A bunch of seasoned comedians bring their hot takes on parenting or being parented. It was a very enjoyable show. Jaye McBride and Ron Funches really stood out for me.

Aziz Ansari Nightclub Comedian ( Aziz Ansari, Netflix) it’s good, not great, but good!

I’m not fully sure what’s going on with Aziz Ansari these days. A damning account of a date he had came out, he was canceled, then people read the account of the date and found it to be more embarrassing than damning, so he was "uncanceled"? I don’t know. But he’s here doing a chill, poignant, and funny standup on Netflix. He’s not going after marginalized groups to prove he can, which is saying a lot these days. And I really liked it. Seeing him kind of re-emerge like this brought a quiet rawness to his performance that felt very vulnerable, which only made the comedy more relatable.

Babylon (Damien Chazelle, Paramount Pictures) Stunning!

Wow, wow, wow, wow. Did I see a movie? Or did I drop Ayahuasca and imagine this? The world may never know. What I DO know is that Manda and I left the theater with our nerves completely shot, our imaginations energized, and our cinematic appetites craving more. To be honest, I didn’t like this movie at first; I felt like it was trying way too hard. But I trust Damien Chazelle; his movies have been delighting and challenging me since Whiplash, and once the (incredibly bombastic and overly stimulating) first scene of Babylon wrapped up, I was fully invested in this rollercoaster of a film. The movie is essentially about the transition of Hollywood from silent to talking films, the players within them, and a culture that can both elevate and suffocate a person without remorse. It’s a beautiful film that left me multiple times saying, "Did I really just see that?" All the actors are phenomenal, but Margot Robbie is an absolute powerhouse in this; her ability to transform from a spitfire starlet to a tragic heroine is breathtaking. She’s fearless in this movie. This 3-hour-long flick is very divisive; about half of people enjoy it and the other half walk out of the theater. That being said, when my wife and I walked out of our theater, the first thing we said to each other was, "I could've watched three more hours of that."

The Banshees of Inisherin (Martin McDonagh, Blueprint Pictures)Stunning!

A slow-burn comedy ramps up with such delightful intensity that you can’t help but watch this slow-motion train wreck through to its bloody end. Everyone is so likable in this film, which makes the conflict between Brendane Gleese and Colin Farrel all the more funny. A big shout out to Kerry Condon for being the beacon of sensibility in the film. It was her role that grounded the movie, giving us a relatable character to turn to when everyone else was losing their minds. Great film.

Barbarian (Zach Cregger, Hammerstone Studios) oh no, not for me

This started out so promising. A horror film, zeroing in on the undeserved amount of trust we put in AirBnB culture. We stay in a stranger’s house in a neighborhood we don't know, knowing that they have access to this house even while we stay there, but somehow magically push all the potential dangers aside to get a good night's rest. This film plays on the unsettling nature of that exchange, and I really enjoyed the tone it set from the outset. The film then enjoyably pivots, as it seemingly starts showing a brand new plot halfway through the film, making you wonder if you’re even watching the same movie. Unfortunately, the final third of the movie was abysmal for me. Cliche horror tropes bogged it all down. The amount of time the heroine could've survived but chose the most ridiculous reasons to put herself back in danger was frustrating. Making the end of the film feel incredibly forced or just lazy—I'm not sure—was a huge letdown after such a promising start. By the end of this film, I stopped caring about whether the characters survived the horror and was wondering how much longer the film was or whether I should even finish it.

The Batman (Matt Reeves, DC Studios)This is Great!

I can’t believe this came out in 2022. It felt like I had watched this years ago. Maybe that's because The Batman tapped into an old, childlike love for Batman I hadn't felt in a long time. At the start of the movie, I couldn't have cared less. I have saturated myself with so much Batman in my life that another movie about him is neither exciting nor boring; it just is. So when we sat down to watch this comic book epic, I was surprised to find myself once again becoming the biggest Batman fan, in the same way I was when watching the animated series in the 90s. I loved this movie. I loved every choice that was made in the dark scene, contrasted with bold colors, gritty costume designs, and casting; all of it worked for me. It was overly dramatic in the way a comic book is, and I loved it for that. Funny enough, the movie ended, and I expounded on how jazzed that movie got me for Batman... but after about an hour, I went right back to the land of Batman indifference. It wasn’t lasting. Still, that doesn't take away from this joyride down nostalgia that this Caped Crusader took me on.

Being the Ricardos (Aaron Sorkin, Amazon Studios)This is Great!

It was really nice getting to see the dramatization of Lucille O'Ball. To my shame, I had only watched her in I Love Lucy. I had no idea how ahead of her time she was both on and off screen. While the plot and performances didn't resonate too much for me, the sequence of events did, and I appreciated the peek into her life and the business she and Desi made together. After watching this, I went on a bender, watching as many interviews with Lucy as I could. The ones from later in her life are bombastically fun to watch. Chain smoking, giving hosts a piece of her mind, radiating this powerful boss energy—she’s a legend, and I’m glad this movie opened the door for me to see that more clearly.

Belle (Mamoru Hosoda, Toho Co., Ltd.) Stunning!

Anime fucking rocks. This movie opens with a singer belting out a pop ballad while riding a space whale with a mountain of speakers in its back. Every inch of this movie tickles your visual imagination in such a delightful way. It’s an anime-futuristic retelling of Beauty and the Beast, where avatars made in the metaverse reflect who you are on the inside. A talented yet extremely introverted teen girl logs into the VR world for the first time to find out her "inner avatar" is this pop diva superstar. She quickly goes viral with her music, taking the meta world by storm. The mystery revolves around an enigmatic "beastlike" avatar who seems to be raging against the VR machine. Given the Avatar’s ability to personify the "inner you", it made for a nice flip on the classic fairy tale story in a fresh way. The music in the movie is also wonderful and catchy. Even the more somber numbers still hit with a melody that sticks in your head for days. I do recommend watching it with the original Japanese audio. I like the songs in Japanese better than the English dubs; they just slap harder.

Big Fish (Tim Burton, Columbia Pictures)This is Great!

I remember watching this 19-year-old in the movie theater and falling deeply in love with its unconventional storytelling, its larger-than-life characters, and the vibrancy of the color palette presented. I’ve watched it maybe once more, when it came out on DVD, but not since. The power of its story still holds up well. The tale of a son’s journey to discover the truth about his larger-than-life father still resonates hard. The tale weaves in elements from Homer’s Odyssey, Swift's Gulliver's Travels, and even Groom’s Forrest Gump. It was also cool to see Tim Burton do a film with so much color; his style tends to be pretty gothic, and this was a pleasant departure from that.

Black Adam (Jaume Collet-Serra, DC Studios) it’s good, not great, but good!

Like with Ryan Reynolds, I have to be deliberate with how much of The Rock I watch so I don't burn out on him. Luckily, that didn't happen here. Manda and I had a rough day and wanted to see a big, dumb action movie to blow off some steam. So we got our tickets and were the only ones in the theater to see this DC smashfest. Was it great? Not so much. Was it as bad as critics made it out to be? Not at all. We had a great time seeing The Rock and Pierce Bronson cut a rug together. The lore of Black Adam was interesting enough, and the silliness of the side characters was good fun. In the end, we had no qualms with this flick. Bring on more.

Blade 2 (Guillermo del Toro, New Line Cinema) it’s okay, I guess

This used to be my favorite action movie. There was a time in the early 2000s when I would make sure to watch this film once a year. I absolutely adored it. After watching it this year, I’m left wondering, "Why did I like this? I think it just didn't age well. The visuals understandably don't hold up anymore (and that's okay), but neither does the "I’m gruff" angst humor. I thought if nothing else, the action would still be great, but no, not really. Wesley Snipes has moments where you go, "Ah, hell yeah!" but for the most part, the fight scenes just come off as cheesy. I went into this movie honestly thinking I would love it just as much as I did 20 years ago. Oh well, things change. I'm an old man now.

Blade 3 (David S. Goyer, New Line Cinema) its okay I guess

Just read all my thoughts from Blade 2 except I enjoyed this one less 20 years ago and even less now.

Bodies Bodies Bodies (Halina Reijn, 2AM, A24) This is Great!

This film was marketed as Gen Z’s horror movie. I was under the assumption that the movie was made by Gen Z film makers, and I was excited because I absolutely can’t wait to see what brilliant work the next generation comes up with. Now don’t get me wrong, this movie is drenched in Gen Z pop references and humor, but about a third of the way through, I got this feeling that they were outright making fun of Gen Z, spoofing that generation instead of being a voice for it. It then dawned on me—this movie wasn’t made by Gen Z creatives but by some late millennial fucks, like me, who just wanted to poke fun of the next generation. And I was right.

All that being said, this movie freaking rocks.

Once I got in on the joke, the whole movie exploded in hilarity for me. The mostly Gen Z cast absolutely killed it. Special shoutouts to Rachel Sennot for her matter-of-fact razor-quick comedic deliveries, once again proving that she should be the next big name in Hollywood, and to Lee Pace for, well, just being his amazing self. It's a dizzying ride, right up to its climatic ending, and I couldn't have been happier with my time in the theater watching it.

Bullet Train (David Leitch, 87North Productions)This is Great!

Yo Bad Bunny fights Brad Pitt. That's great by itself. This film is like Murder on the Orient Express, except instead of trying to solve a murder, Everyone is trying to murder each other. It’s a delightfully fun movie.

Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers (Akiva Schaffer, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) Stunning!

It was a lazy Thursday night. We were tired, but it was too early to go to sleep. So I was randomly hopping through streaming services when I saw this Chip & Dale movie. Being a fan as a child and wanting something dumb to put on to set me up for sleep,I pressed play. Boy, was I glad I did. My wife and I were both transported to a whole new world that seemed specifically built for our demographic. By playing with the idea that Chip and Dale were "Toon Actors" in the 90s, it allowed not only for a wonderful tale of reunion but also opened the world up to the idea that Toons live and work amongst us, ala Roger Rabbit style. While you could criticize the movie for having too many deep 90s pop culture references, I would argue for you to "shut up and let me have my dumb, shameless 90s fan service!" Anyway, this movie not only delivered on all those "feel-good" memories of old cartoons, but surprisingly, it also provided cutting commentary on illegal media piracy and the predatory culture around it. Hmm.

The Circus (Charlie Chaplin, United Artists) This is Great!

It dawned on me that I haven't seen enough Chaplin movies, so I popped this one in. It’s as great as you’d expect. Chaplin is a master at his shit.

Coda (Sian Heder, Vendôme Pictures) Stunning!

I saw this the week before the Oscars: 2022. At first, I was really impressed by the commitment to use ASL as its main language, and then I was floored by how connected I became to the language through the performances. I cried my eyes out in that one scene with her dad outside the house. I loved this movie from top to bottom.

Dark Shadows (Tim Burton, Village Roadshow Productions) it’s okay I guess

Another Tim Burton feature. I had missed this in the theaters, so it was nice to catch up on it now. While it was a pleasant splash of fun, I can understand why it was originally a tv show. I think it's better off as one. Also Chloe Grace Moretz is really funny in this.

Day Shift (J.J Perry, 87North Productions) its okay I guess

The draw for this film was not its campy daytime vampire bounty hunter premise; it was the fact that the fight team from the John Wick series was behind the action of this film. And yes. The action is good. You can’t help but applaud the creatively visceral moments of vampire carnage in this film. The rest of the flick is a big yawn fest. Jamie Foxx and Dave Franco have friendly enough banter, but all of Fox’s quips and jabs are all "out-dated machismo tough guy humor", which gets "eye rolly" real quick. The good news, however, is that Snoop Dogg gets a cameo as a legendary bounty hunter, so I can’t be too hard on this movie. Check it out on Netflix.

Death on the Nile (Kenneth Branagh, Kinberg Genre) This is Great!

Kenneth Branagh, Kenneth Branagh, Kenneth Branagh, Kenneth Branagh! I cannot convey how ‘effin delightful this man is in this movie. As detective Hercule Poirot, he’s just a fountain of quirk and heart that is worth the price of admission alone. The diverse cast is also wonderful and electric; however, the twists and reveals of this murder mystery didn't quite land for me. But who am I to freaking critique Agatha Christie? The films had a great time.

Doctor Strange and the Multitude of Madness (Sam Raimi, Marvel Studios) it’s good, not great, but good!

I was really not enjoying this film. The tone seemed immature, the beats felt rushed and slapdash, and I simply felt confused—by the filmmaking, not the plot. And then I saw Bruce Campell show up as a cameo and thought, "Holy shit, is this being directed by Sam Raimi?" Instantly, what I saw as immature became "delightful camp" and what I felt was "disjointed" now felt "intentional". When I felt confused, I now thought in a cute voice, "Oh, that’s so Raimi!" What a difference context makes! By enjoying the sum of the body of his work versus looking at this film by itself, I turned an unenjoyable experience into a fun night at the theater! One thing that Manda and I really disliked, however, about this movie is how they really curb-stomped all the good character work they developed for Wanda from the stellar 2020 series WandaVision. They really reduced her to a two-note villain archetype, and it just made us sigh at the loss of nuance. On top of that, they really missed the chance to build on the themes from the first Doctor Strange movie, especially the ones that explore him learning that "not everything is about him". He goes back on that lesson by repeatedly coming to the conclusion that the solution to everything is... himself.

Don’t Worry Darling (Olivia Wilde, New Line Cinema) Stunning!

I found this movie thrilling as hell. A lot of that is due to the fact that Florence Pugh is a beast. This movie is just more confirmation that I need to see everything she’s in. With a movie that builds its societal claustrophobia slowly over time, it pays to have a performer who can convey this mania in such a heartbreakingly relatable way. Because when the tension finally snaps, it snaps hard. Seeing the deterioration of a woman, gaslit and not taken seriously, is tragic and resonates with today's systemic shortcomings in a sobering way.

Drive My Car (Ryusuke Hamaguchi, C&I Entertainment)it’s good, not great, but good!

A beautifully crafted film that explores themes of grief, loss, and human connection in a nuanced and poetic way The cinematography is stunning. But yeah, it’s a slow-burn kind of movie that just didn't ignite anything for me. Perhaps because it centers around the rehearsal for a play and depicts that exceptionally well, it made me feel like I was at work. I kind of lost interest.

Elvis (Baz Luhrmann, Bazmark Films) Stunning!

This film knocked me on my ass. I loved it. Austin Butler is a force of nature in this film. Baz Luhrum somehow found a way for me to dislike Tom Hanks, which I didn't think was possible, but boom, here we are. I’m a lifelong Elvis fan. I remember going to Graceland when I was 8 years old and asking my mom to buy me a cassette of his greatest hits. I listened to both sides of that tape over and over all summer. I became a fan of Elvis that summer, not because of his fame or his flash... I was 8, but I simply loved his music. This movie didn't just deliver good impersonations of these larger-than-life characters; they encapsulated the entire energy of an era, and I can't help but take my hat off to that.

Entergalactic (Fletcher Moules, Khalabo Ink Society) Stunning!

This animated film from the mind of musician Kid Cudi is a trippy and visually stunning ride. It's a unique take on the space opera genre, with plenty of humor and heart to go along with the mind-bending visuals. And don’t get me started on what is hands-down the best movie soundtrack of the year. The best part of the film is that it is simply a good love story. And that’s all I needed.

Everything Everywhere All at Once ( The Daniels, Ley Line Entertainment, A24) Stunning!

I saw this randomly in a theater in a San Antonio mall. I had no idea what it was about, but I knew I liked the title itself. By the end of the movie, I was out of my seat, cheering. This movie reminds me of that awestruck feeling I used to get when being introduced to groundbreaking classics. It was a feeling I had when seeing something so conceptually unique that I had no idea what to expect. I had this feeling for the first spaghetti western I saw (Once Upon a Time in the West), the first Japanese horror movie I’d seen (Ringu), and the first epic movie I’d watched (Ben-Hur). It’s that electric feeling of "I have no idea what’s going to happen next, but I’m loving this". Being such a fan of movies and seeing so many of them, it’s hard for me to get this feeling of freshness. Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, was nothing but fresh from start to finish.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye (Michael Showalter, TSG Entertainment) Stunning!

Jessica Chastain delivers a powerful performance as Tammy Faye Bakker in this biopic that explores her rise to fame, fall from grace, and eventual redemption. It's a fascinating look at a complicated figure and the media landscape of the time. It made me really dig into the history of Tammy Faye and her show in the 1970s. Her advocacy for gay rights, in spite of her Christian colleagues' protests, was pretty groundbreaking for her time and something she continued to advocate for with her platform as she grew older.

The Fabelmans (Steven Spielberg, Amblin Entertainment) Stunning!

Yea, this movie was just as good as everyone said it would be. Steven Spielberg's latest film is a deeply personal coming-of-age story that's full of heart and dashes of humor. With a super talented cast (Michelle Williams is a standout) and a nostalgic sense of time and place, it's a love letter to the magic of movies and the power of family. This succeeded in making me romanticize and appreciate my own relationship with film. I mean "hell", I've written and cataloged my genuine thoughts on every single movie I've watched over the last 11 years (yeesh, I should be a better writer by now), and this film only fueled my passion to continue doing so. My favorite parts of this movie, however, were his cheeky little winks and nods, showcasing that no matter how accomplished and seasoned Speilberg may be, at his core, he’s still just a kid who loves his movies.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (David Yates, Heyday Films) oh no, not for me

Oh gosh, this was really bad... I, uh, like Mads Mikkleson’s Grindelwald, but overall... I just don’t care about this Fantastic Beasts franchise anymore.

The Forever Purge (Everardo Valerio Gout, Production World Pictures) its okay I guess

Sometime during the 2020 lockdown, I got really into the purge... I know—a little on the nose. That being said, I don't find them to be my favorite movies, but gosh darn, I can’t help watching every single one of them. The latest installment in the Purge series actually explores themes of racism and class warfare. It’s got some impressive action sequences and a strong lead performance from Ana de la Reguera.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (Rian Johnson, T-Street Productions ) This is Great!

Daniel Craig is lovely; Ed Norton is hilarious; Batista is a gem; and I’m a diehard fan of Kathryn Haahn. Murder mysteries need a dynamic cast and some super fun twists, and this one’s got both in a super fun, campy way.

The Good Nurse (Tobias Lindholm, Protozoa Pictures) This is Great!

The scariest part of this thriller is that it's true. After watching the film, I looked up documents and interviews from the real story. While perhaps some of the in-between scenes are inferred, the basic plot points of this film actually happened, and that is horrifying. I love how instead of just painting the villain as Eddie Redmayne’s character, it dutifully calls out the medical-for-profit business shadiness. Profit over people What the actual fuck.

Gravity (Alfonso Caurón, Heyday Films)it’s good, not great, but good!

I don’t think it aged too well. The premise is still solid, and Bullock is still a rockstar; however, the frequency of "stuff going wrong" went from interesting and suspenseful to overused and comical. Halfway through, I was cracking up at the unintentional clowning of it all. "Reach for floating wrenches. Wench moves. Reach further. Oops, you reached too far; a wrench knocks out your oxygen tank." In the end, I had fun... It wasn't thrilling, but I had fun.

The Gray Man ( The Russo Brothers. AGBO) it’s good, not great, but good!

Brought to you by the Russo Brothers, come watch Chris Evans chew on scenery while fighting a very robotic Ryan Gosling. It was a fine action movie. nothing to write home about. I do want Chris Evans to be able to step beyond the shadow of Captain America's notoriety. I think he’s super talented. This movie, however, where he plays this sociopathic villain, felt like they were trying too hard to change his image; it came out very disingenuous and therefore too silly. There are superb fight sequences, though, in this movie.

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (James Gunn, Marvel Studios) This is Great!

This festive spin-off with our favorite space misfits is a great holiday party. The special starts with them kidnapping Kevin Bacon—the actual Kevin Bacon. And that's how it starts! Fun universe.

The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society (Mike Newell, Blueprint Pictures) This is Great!

This charming and heartwarming period drama is delightful. My wife thought I’d like this film, and she was spot on. It’s silly and cute, but never too saccharine. Which leaves you genuinely rooting for each endearing character. Lily James continues to be a top-notch performer, as she always is.

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary return to Hogwarts (HBO)it’s good, not great, but good!

It's a nostalgic trip down memory lane and a celebration of when I didn't feel conflicted about enjoying this fiction.

Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard (Patrick Hughes, Lionsgate Films) it’s good, not great, but good!

Ryan Reynolds doing Ryan stuff, Samuel L. Jackson doing Sammy stuff, and Salma Hayek... well, actually, I feel like she’s broken out of her stereotypical roles. She’s just having fun in this one. Perfect airplane movie if you get the chance.

Hocus Pocus (Kenny Ortega, Walt Disney Pictures) This is Great!

I wanted to rewatch this before the new movie came out. It was really delightful; Bette Midler is on a whole other level.

Hocus Pocus 2 (Anne Fletcher, Walt Disney Pictures) it’s good, not great, but good!

Bette Midler… still on a whole other level. I liked how this movie modernized the current spirituality-empowering witchy movement happening in our culture. I was into them breaking some stereotypes in that way. All in all, it was quite delightful. However, music-wise, it's hard to improve on the jams from the previous movie.

The Emperor's New Groove (Mark Dindal, Walt Disney Pictures) This Is Great!

We decided to introduce our nieces to this movie. Their conclusive thoughts transpired like this: Me: "So what’d you think?" Them: "Um, you and Aunt Mandy sure laughed a lot."

John Carter (Andrew Stanton, Walt Disney Pictures) it's okay I guess

Watched it with friends. It's a fun fantasy flick. Nothing more, nor does it need to be.

The Killing of Two Lovers (Robert Machoian, Back 40 Pictures) Stunning!

This emotionally charged drama is so raw and honest as it explores the complexities of love, marriage, and family. With powerful performances from the cast and a broody score, it's a film that hangs with you long after the credits. It’s one of the most emotional films I’ve seen this year. I think it even got a projected tear from me. A Sudden. Projective Tear. Like, it did not “water in my eye” or “roll down my face”. This movie made me flinch with such emotion that a single tear suddenly flew out of my damn eyeball. It was a first for me.

Kimi (Steven Soderberhg, New Line Cinema) oh no, not for me

This movie truly disappointed me, not because I thought it was bad, but because I was truly loving it until the poor final act. Zoe Kravitz crafts this brilliant, eccentric character who is still mentally trapped in her home after COVID lockdown. She’s a tech who listens to and reports glitches made by the movie’s fictionalized version of Amazon’s Alexa. This all goes awry when she hears a violent crime through the AI. The flick then turns into this fun mystery where the detective can’t emotionally or mentally leave their house. Super original and smart, I thought, until the ending gave in to every basic movie cliche in the book, betraying all the good work it had set up. I was viscerally angry as I watched all of this great vulnerability, relatability, and suspense turn into a rushed madcap scene from Home Alone (and not in a fun way). It is a shame.

The Knight Before Christmas (Monika Mitchell, Motion Picture Corporation of America) it's okay I guess

It’s cute, what more do you want from the Netflix Christmas Cinematic Universe?

The Last Duel (Ridley Scott, 20th Century Studios) This is Great!

A tense and powerful exploration of gender, power, and justice in medieval France. Matt Damon brings a sincere density to his intensity; Adam Driver is scary as fuck; and Jodie Comer knocks it out of the park with her sincerity and vulnerability in the role. It's a thought-provoking and relevant film that definitely sparked some conversation around the house.

Lightyear (Angus MacLane, Pixar Studios) Stunning!

It was like Inerstellar meets, well, Toy Story. They didn't have to make a thought-provoking, abstract blockbuster action movie, but hey, it's Pixar, and Pixar continues its commitment to deliver beautiful, challenging films.

The Lost Daughter (Maggie Gyllenhaal, Endeavor Content) Stunning!

This emotional drama is a powerful exploration of motherhood and identity, with a deep, resonating performance from Olivia Coleman. I was thinking about this film for weeks after seeing it. It sticks with you in a very special way. And I love the way it demystifies parenthood. I’ve grown up in a culture where you’re simply expected to have children, but when it comes down to it, that doesn't work for everybody. Director Maggie Gyllenhal explores that in a really special, no holds barred, way.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (Dean Fleischer Camp, A24) Stunning!

Sometimes it's the quiet ones that win you over. I thought the bombastic "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once" was sure-fire going to be my favorite film of the year. But there's something about Marcel that continues to put a gentle smile on my face every time I think about it. I remember watching the original shorts of Marcel back in the early years of YouTube. It was silly, cute, and something I felt you could only do on the internet. I mean, a short film about a tiny anthropomorphic shell who drives a cockroach is not something I ever expected to see on the big screen. But here we are, and not only do these courageous filmmakers deliver this one-of-a-kind film to movie theaters, but they also deliver a very beautiful, heartwarming tale of ambition, scope, and belonging. Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer Camp might have made some silly videos about a talking shell over ten years ago, but now they've made my favorite movie of 2022.

Matilda (Matthew Warchus, TriStar Pictures) Stunning!

Every part of this movie slaps. Manda, my wife, put it on in the background one night. After casually glancing at this for about five minutes, I said, "Oh no, no, this movie deserves my full attention. Can we start it over?". It’s simply incredible, from its visual palette that's bursting with color to its outstandingly crisp dance numbers to its main young actress, Aleisha Weir, who is sheer dynamite in this role. Every part of this film worked for me, and I highly suspect it will work for you too

The Matrix (The Wachowskis, Village Roadshow Pictures)This is Great!

A nice rewatch, I don't know what to say. I've seen these movies countless times growing up. I'm kind of numb to it. It's still fun to watch, though.

Metal Lords (Peter Sollett, Bighead, Littlehead) it’s good, not great, but good!

Joe Manganiello told me to watch his film, so I did. Good soundtrack; it has a "freaks and geeks-esque" cast; it's a film that celebrates the 90s era of misfit movies, and that's nice.

Moonshot (Christopher Winterbaur, Warner Bros.) it’s good, not great, but good!

It is a pretty sweet sci-fi rom-com. Which got pulled from HBO, so you couldn’t even watch this film if you tried. Which is sad because Lana Condor from "To All the Boys I’ve Loved" fame is really lovely here.

Morbius (Daniel Espinosa, Columbia Pictures) oh no, not for me

Oh boy, this is bad. The only saving grace is Matt Smith’s wild ass. In kinship with Jeremy Irons in D&D (2000) or Alan Rickman in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), sometimes actors are put into these types of films and told to just "do whatever they want," and these gentlemen do not disappoint.

Nightmare Alley (Guillermo del Toro, Searchlight Pictures) it’s good, not great, but good!

Guiellermo Del Toro gets to flex his prowess by creating his take on "Freak shows' '. An homage to Tod Browning’s Freaks (1932). This film, thankfully, allows itself to get good and weird. I do feel like the plot gets a little lost in sauce towards the end, as I stopped caring about the "who’s pulling one on who" game of tug of war between Cooper and Blanchett. A movie that really wowed me up front, then bored me by the end.

Nope (Jordan Peele, Monkeypaw Productions) This is Great!

This mysterious and intriguing film from Jordan Peele is laced with thought-provoking explorations of societal fears and anxieties. Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer are so much fun to watch. What starts as an uneasy horror film turns into this camp action caper. Always try to see his movies on the big screen if you can, and with a packed audience if possible.

Not Okay (Quinn Shepard, Searchlight Pictures) Stunning!

I absolutely loved this film, written and directed by Quinn Shepard and starring the incredible Zoey Deutch. It explores the dark underbelly of influencer culture through a likable character who is the most unlikeable shit. It’s brilliant how Quinn and Zoey tow that character line. They had me guffawing at times at the absurdity of the lengths she was willing to go for attention. A great supporting cast rounds out this really special 2022 flick; give it a chance if you can.

Our Father (Lucie Jourdan, Netflix) Scary

Fucking scary. This Netflix documentary shows how a wacko dude artificially inseminated 100+ women with his own junk without their knowledge at his fertility clinic. I hate it. All of these 40-somethings within a radius of this creepy office start finding out they’re all sisters or brothers. It is troubling in such a shocking way, and the story is still unfolding. I want this guy to answer for his crimes.

Paddington (Paul King, StudioCanal) Stunning!

The perfect movie.

Paddington 2 (Paul King, Studio Canal) Stunning!

I stand corrected. THIS is the perfect movie.

Pray Away (Kristine Stolakis, Netflix) Sad

This powerful and eye-opening documentary explores the controversial practice of conversion therapy and the harm it has caused countless LGBTQ individuals. With emotional interviews and a compelling narrative, it's a film that sheds light on an important issue.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (Burr Steers, Lionsgate) This is Great!

I'm so glad I finally got to watch this. I’ve only recently started watching the Jane Austin movies, so I feel like I've finally earned the right to watch this zombie flick. Once again, Lily James slays, as she always does in her roles. The romance is super fun, and the combat is freaking cool. Real good stuff.

The Princess Switch (Michael Rohl, Motion Picture Corporation of America) it’s good, not great, but good!

OK Now we're getting to some of the more famous Netflix Christmas movies. This is honestly wonderful. I found Vanessa Hudgens to be super charming. I bought in and had a good time.

RRR (S.S. Rajamouli, DVV Entertainments) Stunning!

This movie starts with one man fighting a whole army with his bare fists and another man suplexing a tiger in the jungle. It only gets more wild from there. Director SS Rajamouli joins legendary Telugu cinema actors N.T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan. I didn't realize how special this movie was until I started watching audience reaction videos from around the world. This film is a big deal, and you bet I will be in a theater for the next flick any one of these guys makes. Also, every couple of weeks, I have to listen to Naatu Naatu. Not even a choice.

The School of Good and Evil (Paul Feig, Roth/Kirschenbaum Films) oh no, not for me

Great world setting, great cast. However, the plot never hooked me. I couldn’t care less about these teenagers. Probably because I found their problems pretty superficial. It was difficult for me to rally and root for them to succeed. Instead, I took a very passive seat and just enjoyed the visuals and silly moments.

The Sea Beast (Chris Williams, Netflix Animation) This is Great!

Yo. Why was this so good? Total sleeper hit. This may be the most beautiful-looking movie I’ve seen this year. The sea monster's visuals are just as incredible as its action. I dug it.

Sing 2 (Garth Jennings, Illumination Entertainment) This is Great!

With its uplifting message and feel-good vibe, it was fun to watch with my niece.

Stutz (Jonah Hill, Netflix) This is Great!

Jonah Hill makes a documentary about his therapist, the titular Phil Stutz. Off the bat, that screams "ethical nightmare". About a quarter into this film, he addresses that quandary head-on in a sequence that even challenges what is real in this documentary and what is fake movie editing technique. From that point on, Hill invites you to either believe what you see or write it off as complete bullshit. This allows you to listen to his therapist as he doles out nugget after nugget of self-help advice, and you don’t feel like you have to take any of it. For me, it was 50/50. Some of the advice I found was relatable or something wonderful to ruminate on. The other half got into weird, uncomfortable, cult-like territory for me, not in the core advice Stutz gave but more in how Jonah Hill would take his therapist's clever memory devices and recite them like mantras or holy texts. What’s not in dispute, however, is that Stutz is a fascinating human with a wonderful story, and Jonah Hill impressively showcases that by putting himself in very vulnerable situations throughout this beautifully messy film.

Some Kind of Heaven (Lance Oppenheim, Magnolia Pictures) Stunning!

Incredible documentary about The Villages, here in Florida. What you see in this documentary feels like it's happening on another plane of existence. I watched this film with my jaw dropped the entire time, entranced by the uncanny valley reality of this place. The stories and humanity you witness are sad, powerful, and complex, and yet you see this realness bubbling underneath the manufactured exterior. It makes for a very compelling watch.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022 (David Blue Garcia, Legendary Pictures) oh no, not for me

Seriously disappointing. Not worth a watch at all.

Thor Love and Thunder (Taika Waititi, Marvel Studios) This is Great!

Either you're into the screaming goat gag, or you’re not. These days, Taika Waititi is, metaphorically, a screaming goat gag himself, and I love him for it. I hear the critics of people not feeling his style anymore, but I for one am still down. Bring on more silly, campy, Thor. I’m here for it.

The Tragedy of Macbeth (Joel Coen, A24) Stunning!

Joel Coen, Denzel, and Frances bring this Shakespearean house down. A24 breaking into the Bard’s works? I want more.

Turning Red (Domee Shi, Pixar Animation Studios) Stunning!

A movie about a Chinese-Canadian boy band-crazed teenager from 2002? Hell yea. I love that I’m reaching the film era where people my age are making more films. I get to see a bit of myself reflected in their work. I also liked how this movie didn't skirt around menstruation being part of a teenager's life, and I also liked its "on the nose" commentary on generational trauma. Great movie.

Uncanny: A X-Universe Fan Film (Kaitlin Cornell Krusoe) This is Great!

Small fan film with someone I once did a show with many years ago. It’s a really sweet little Rogue/Gambit love story.

Uncharted (Rueben Fleisher, Columbia Pictures) it’s okay I guess

Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg jump around a bunch. I mean, that’s pretty much all that happens in those first games anyway. Toss in some gunplay and some eye-rolling plot twists, and you pretty much have this film pegged. In the end, I was left feeling rather "meh" about it. Nice cameo by Nolan North, the original Nathan Drake, though.

The Velocipastor (Brendan Steere, Wild Eye Releasing) its okay I guess

It’s a Pastor..who turns into a raptor. I don’t think anything else needs to be said.

Vivo (Kirk DeMicco, Columbia Pictures) it’s good, not great, but good!

Yes. A Cuban animated movie. It was really nice to share this journey with my niece. A few choices felt like they were minimizing the plight of Cuban refugees, but all in all, I found it to be a delightfully sad love story.

Wakanda Forever (Ryan Coogler, Marvel Studios)Stunning!

Making a highly anticipated sequel that has to be a bombastic blockbuster spectacle while also paying a heartfelt tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman should be impossible. Somehow, Coogler pulls it off. This film is so unique in that it's able to incorporate the death of its main star into the fiction of the world. It allowed us to grieve alongside the characters, whose actors were also grieving. It's astounding to be able to do that while also delivering humor, action, new villains, and furthering the Black Panther legacy. Seeing Shuri, unsure if she can fill the Black Panther's place, only mirrors Letitia Wright’s journey as she fills the role of Chadwick Boseman. It’s beautiful to watch. Also, they had that guy with foot wings who parkoured the freaking sky!

We Feed People (Ron Howard, Imagine Entertainment) Stunning!

This documentary explores the important role of food in our society and the efforts of Jose Andres and his chefs as they travel into areas of crisis to feed people. It's inspiring work, and it's worth seeing how these folks operate to pull off this amazing act of humanitarianism.

We Met in Virtual Reality (Joe Hunting, Field of Vision) Stunning!

This is the most fascinating movie I watched this year. But it is not physically easy to watch. Joe Hunting dives into the glitchy world of VRChat and explores the denizens of this world during the pandemic’s lockdown. He follows and interviews various avatars throughout this virtual world, whether they are getting drunk at house parties, giving their boyfriends lap dances at strip clubs, or teaching Sign Language classes to earnest students. The sheer diversity of this world is mind-blowing. A place where you can look like anyone or anything you want to. I think there’s a scene where I watched a hand-sized blue bunny rabbit, in a tie, adorably stumble over singing Vance Joy’s "Riptide". I think what I enjoyed most about this documentary was the director's lack of judgment. The creator didn't press them to meet in real life or try to interview them outside of VR. He just let these beautiful stories of connection play out by themselves, so we as the audience could land in our judgments however we do. And I found it beautiful.

West Side Story (Steven Speilberg, Amblin Entertainment) This is Great!

The people in this film look good, sound good, and dance great. Didn't do anything new for me, but really, what more could I want?

Wolfwalkers (Tomm Moore, Cartoon Saloon) Stunning!

This beautifully animated film is a magical and enchanting adventure with great visuals and a heartfelt story.

The Woman King (Gina Prince-Bythewood, Tristar Pictures) This is Great!

Viola Davis. Thuso Mbedu. Lashana Lynch. These women are on a whole other fucking level as the all-female military force known as the "Agojie" in this war movie. As an epic action film, it delivers on all fronts: visceral combat, tense espionage, political intrigue, and even a few stellar rallying speeches sprinkled throughout. On top of this are the beauty, dance, and art of the African Kingdom of Dahomey. But while they do touch on the part this kingdom played in supplying slaves to the Atlantic slave trade and infer how they wanted to end that practice, it's hard to gloss over the thousands of slaves this tribe had massacred. Lupita Nyong'o respectfully walked away from a role in this film. Her ancestors were victims of this kingdom that the movie is based on. In the end, a movie that inspires you to do your own research and learn more about history is a movie worth watching.

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Thanks for reading here are links to Reviews for Every Game and Tv Show I saw this year:

2022 TV Series: We Happy REVIEW!

2022 Games: We Happy REVIEW!