2022 Favorites: Movies, Music, TV, Books, and more
When I think back on 2022 I will think of how I had a 5 month old that grew into a 17 month old over that time. My life has become mostly consumed by being a dad. My wife works a lot of hours and I usually stay home and take care of her. I’ve calculated, since I have a lot of time at home to do so, and found that I average somewhere around 8-12 hours a day for the year just being with my daughter. It rules. Some days I don’t feel like being a parent. Some days I miss her even when I’ve been with her for the first 8 hours of the day. Some of those hours are while she’s napping, or playing, or just being chill. But it can be both the best thing and exhausting. But never too much. I love her little face, hands, feet, noises, and choices so much. She just started walking backwards and is very proud of herself. I always wondered if I would get tired of this, but turns out the age of newborn to 1 year old is awesome. I know more challenges lay ahead, but I am so ready for them.
Now, this wasn’t supposed to be about my personal life. But that’s what entertainment and art is. It’s how we wind down or escape, engage ourselves, learn, and grow empathetically. It can be whatever we want it to be. Background noise, the only thing we pay attention to, or just something to have on while you look at your phone and be vacant for an hour. So this to say, having a baby turning into a toddler, which I have decided once they are walking they are a toddler and I won’t look up if that’s correct, makes it harder to watch, listen, and read more things. I used to just absorb everything I could. Now I have to pick my spots and choose wisely. I feel I am changing. Into what, I am not sure yet. But I’m different than I was just a couple years ago. And yet, I still stay the same in some ways. But taste and interests are always fluctuating. Enough preamble, time for the stuff that I am pretending you came here for.
If you want more in depth thoughts on the year with me talking to Dane Johns here that is
MOVIES
This is where my heart is. I used to go to the movie theater more than anywhere else. Now I don’t get to as much and I miss it. So I cherish when I get to. Even if I didn’t like the movie I am so glad I went and saw it. Here’s some honorable mentions and then my top 10. I’ll put where you can stream, if you can, under them. Just know you can rent or buy almost all of these if you want.
Somewhere Over the Chemtrails - A Czechia movie that gets at something happening in America as well. A dark comedy about what’s happening to our brains in this modern world of misinformation but told in a setting where there is barely internet and not many on looking at their phones. How the stupidity and ignorance and paranoia of racism and fascism can seep in when we aren’t expecting it to the kindest most well meaning people around us. It’s doing all that while being funny and silly and giving poignancy in a way usually only the best movies can do.
The Leech - A lo-fi dark comedy/horror that you might consider a “guests from hell” movie. A priest lets a guy stay with him out of kindness and things go wrong. It’s funny, odd, and I think very easy to lose yourself into it with good performances. So nice to see such a small budget movie be this good.
The Civil Dead- Clay Tatum and Whitmer Thomas, both comedians and filmmakers have crafted a rare movie that takes the Joe Swanberg aesthetic and adds more humor, kindness, and thoughtfulness behind it. Takes its time and rewards you for it. It is about a guy who starts seeing an old aquaintance who has passed away and what happens next. All these movies so far are funny but not trying too hard. And if you haven’t watched Whitmer Thomas’s special The Golden One on HBOMax I highly recommend that.
Kimi - Steven Soderbergh is one of the greatest living filmmakers and after he said he may retire he has churned out almost 2 movies a year for the last few. He’s made movies on iPhones, made TV series, and tried experimental ideas. Now he has released a fun, tense little thriller starring Zoe Kravitz as an agoraphobic Kimi (which is an Alexa stand in) command issue technician who thinks she hears a murder. Good modern reimagining of an old premise.
HBOMax
Hustle - Adam Sandler loves basketball and so do I. He made the first really good NBA scout movie. It’s a classic sports story in some ways, but uses a modern lens on how the NBA draft impacts these young kids all over the world. Overall, it’s just a great comeback sports story.
Netflix
Jackass Forever - I rented out a theater to watch this with some of my friends and it was a wonderful time. A real sense of something being over with this one. A sadness and a joy all in one. We are all getting older and our bodies will break down. It is nice to laugh at these idiot savants for 2 hours.
Paramount+
Emily the Criminal - a good old fashioned thriller about the gig economy and how desperate some are to make money in 2022. Aubrey Plaza is fantastic here and having an amazing year. She has become one of the most reliable actors working today.
Netflix
Thirteen Lives - Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, Joel Edgerton in a true story thriller about the Thai soccer team stuck in a cave during a monsoon and how they got them out. It’s a sturdy movie directed by Ron Howard that was dumped on Prime in August but I think is one of the best 20-30 movies I saw this year.
Amazon Prime
On the Count of Three - Jerod Carmichael made his debut as a writer/director/star at Sundance with this dark comedy about what your last day on earth could be like, but the stand out is Christopher Abbott. Won’t be for everyone but if you have ever struggled with depression or enjoy jokes about listening to Papa Roach check this out.
Hulu
TOP 20
Barbarian - Zach Cregger, who I always considered the 2nd lead of the Whitest Kids U Know sketch group, has made the Jordan Peele jump from sketch comedy to horror movies. Not to the same success as Get Out, but he has already made a cult classic in his first try. Upending the expected story structure and ideas about what horror movies do and making one of the funniest sequences in movies all in one. Really impressed and I am excited to see what he does next. Watch this with your lights off late at night.
HBOMax
Pearl - Ti West made a more acclaimed film called X that came out earlier this year that I didn’t like near as much as this cheap prequel made right after production wrapped on that one. Mia Goth plays a frustrated and troubled woman living on her family farm taking care of things but then gets seduced by the idea of being a star and leaving town. Some people can handle this idea. Some can’t. A funny, weird, and classic feeling movie makes you fall in love with someone you shouldn’t. I recommend watching this over X.
Available soon
Nope - Jordan Peele was just mentioned and here is his 3rd film after Get Out and Us. He nails the movie titles in simplicity and meaning. This one I think got away from him by the end, but I loved the first 100 minutes or so. His movies have now all had moments that removed tension for me but he is a great creator of images and atmosphere. I am so glad we have him making movies every few years. Daniel Kaluuya is one of greatest actors.
Peacock
Ambulance - Michael Bay has mostly made shit his whole career. The man behind the incredible Bad Boys movies, The Rock, Pain & Gain, has also made the Transformers franchise, the Benghazi movie, and other bad movies. But when I saw the trailer for Ambulance, simple title and idea, i was intrigued. I didn’t realize I would have so much fun and enjoy the ambition on display here. Just sweeping all over LA blowing things up and using the Drone flying champion of the world to fly a camera in places you’ve never seen. Jake Gyllenhaal is on 11 here and I hope you watch this loud and on as big a TV as you can.
Amazon Prime
Fire of Love - Narrated by Miranda July and with the feeling of a Wes Anderson movie and a Werner Herzog documentary had a kid and made this documentary about love in a dangerous place. I loved it and I recommend it to anyone.
Disney+
The Batman - Matt Reeves had the tough job of following Christopher Nolan’s batman trilogy and making people try and forget Zack Snyder’s version. I don’t know how much staying power this will have, but he made a good movie with a great cast that is effective in almost all ways it attempts to be. Robert Pattinson is who you want leading your movie, and having Zoe Kravitz, Paul Dano, Colin Farrell, and many more anchoring it makes it work. Very dark and gritty but feels earned and looks nice. I was surprised how much I liked it.
HBOMax
BROS - A movie that feels like it came and went too fast but I thought was hilarious and a nice imitation of a 90’s/00’s rom com. I am a sucker for Billy Eichner so if you don’t like Billy on the Street or rom com’s then this probably isn’t for you. But I had a great time.
Peacock
After Yang - Kogonada started as a video essay maker showing how framing and blocking in scenes could tell a story. He has now made two films that do just that. While this doesn’t nail it like Columbus did for me, it is a somber quiet story about growing up in a world that isn’t yours and how the love of a family, whatever that means to you, is why we are here. Colin Farrell is here for the third time and not the last on my list.
Showtime
Men - Alex Garland is one of my favorite writer/directors working and he seems to have found a style after 3 films and a TV show. He loves nightmares that feel like reality but everything is just a click off from normal. This one heightens that to a degree that turns some off, but I found fascinating and made me think about things long after it was over. And think about much more than what it’s capital A about. Jessie Buckley has become one of my favorite actors, and I hope this movie gets reclaimed in years to come and shows at late night theaters. Big weird mouth dropping energy here.
Athena - A one take gimmick is so hard to do. Watching this new French film on Netflix made me wonder how they did all this. The drama of what is happening takes a slight backseat to the spectacle but that’s sometimes what good movies do. I was enraptured in every movement and big scene. I highly recommend watching this for nothing else than the opening sequence.
Netflix
TOP 10
10. CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH
Cooper Raiff really nails the nice guy momma’s boy energy. That may be cloying for some, but to me I relate as a former nice guy momma’s boy. He has written, directed, and starred in two good coming of age movies in recent years as a very young man and I am impressed. He’s like if Jason Segal never played sports or got beat up a lot. Dakota Johnson is good here, and I laughed and teared up. Not requirements, but things that help you make it this high on my list.
AppleTV+
9. TRIANGLE OF SADNESS
We all want to eat the rich, or at least be eaten, but what about pooping or vomiting on them? That’s the sophisticated take from the award winning director of Force Majeure and The Square. It’s pretty funny, and although once you get the first joke you’ll get the rest, I think this is fun and weird enough to earn it. If you want to see the most eclectic mix of art house film and gross out comedy.
8. SUNDOWN
Hard to talk about this movie without giving away whats going on. But, Tim Roth making his first but not last appearance on my list in a movie that is 80 minutes and never reveals what is going on for most of that run time. It’s no big twist or sneaky movie. It’s just taking the long way to fascinating destination that I laughed at until I didn’t anymore. I think you should watch this movie in a contemplative mood and see how you feel. It hit my wife and I perfectly one night and I am very impressed by it.
Hulu
7. BONES AND ALL
Timothee Chalamet uses his clout to get weird stuff made sometimes and I appreciate it very much. He’s the story, but the real winner here is Taylor Russell. The lead of the movie, and one of the young actors I have stock in as one of the best of her generation. She will have an Oscar one day because she is too good not to. A movie that features cannibalism and young love not being capital A about what those movies are usually about was so refreshing. Director Luca Guadagnino, of Call Me By Your Name fame, crafts a wonderful movie of fringe of society weirdos that feels like it could’ve easily been an X-Men movie, but never takes the easy route. Gives you so much to chew on (sorry) and while I didn’t fully connect with it on an emotional level I was completely into all of it and think it’s one of Luca & Timmy’s best movies of their careers.
6. KLONDIKE
Premiered at Sundance almost a year ago and still has yet to get a full release in the states but it deserves it. Timely with it taking place on the Russian/Ukraine border, but never trying to be manipulating and just gives a good story, movie, and so well made that you will feel everything these people feel. While understanding how fortunate you are as well. One of the best looking movies of the year and should be more well known than it is.
5. CRIMES OF THE FUTURE
David Cronenberg is back after 8 years with one of my favorite movies he’s made yet in his long and successful career. Viggo Mortensen, Lea Seydoux, and Kristen Stewart all give good performances, and this dark, brutalist, crumbling world where the new art form is surgery and bodily manipulation and how artists and bureaucracy navigate a constantly changing world where things feel worse than they ever have. It isn’t too serious, but always treats every decision with respect needed to sell this story. I think it is ultimately a movie about how creating anything for consumption or viewing takes a part of yourself and makes you weaker each time unless you have someone to share it with. Good movie.
Hulu
4. THE FABELMAN’S
The best of the “director looks back on his life” movies in recent years. I don’t count Licorice Pizza in that group since that’s not really about PTA, just about a time period he loved. This movie is deeply personal for Steven Spielberg. In fact, he waited until his parents were dead to make it. Knowing that made the movie even stronger and special. Then, you add in the humor, weirdness, acting, and fun to be had in a story that could’ve been stodgy and boring but is instead delightful. It’s not as romantic about movies as you think. It’s actually more of a psychological issue than a romance one. I loved it, and I think it’s a top 5 favorite Spielberg movie. Hope you’ll seek it out.
3. TÁR
A movie so well done and lived in that multiple people who review movies for a living, and my intelligent wife, all thought it was based on a real person. Not so, but writer/director Todd Field certainly provides you enough evidence in the movie to feel that way. Cate Blanchett puts in the best big performance of the year, but there is a good reason for that bigness. Field gets called an acolyte of Stanley Kubrick, and I can feel that and see it, but the person I thought of watching this was Lynne Ramsay. A structurally perfect film with a fully formed character that will do things you won’t agree with or like but will understand and think about for a long time after. The entire cast is good, and making me feel like I understand the world of conducting and orchestration is a feat unrivaled by any world building this year.
2. RESURRECTION
Rebecca Hall currently has my Best Actor Working title right now. She is always good, but what she’s done for small horror films in recent years has been incredible. She did a small creative movie last year called The Night House, where the movie doesn’t fully earn her performance, but she delivers what I thought was the best acting I saw all year. She runs the gamut of emotions and does so in believable ways but also knows when to chew the scenery to make the movie better. This year, with Andrew Seman’s Resurrection, Hall has made her weirdo masterpiece. From the first frame of her walking with purpose she gives you so much. Her posture, face, and attitude make you think this will be one thing and then it slowly unveils itself to be something else. A high wire act of getting you to buy into a world that is all this character’s and I think succeeding. A smart movie that if you meet it where it is, you’ll be rewarded. My favorite acting of the year two years in a row belongs to Rebecca Hall. I hope she keeps making joyfully odd inspired choices for years to come.
Prime, AMC+/Shudder
1. THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN
Colin Farrell makes his last appearance on my list, and his 4th total. Writer/Director Martin McDonagh is a playwright first and foremost. That’s always on display in his work but never more than here. Taking the small community of 1920’s Ireland and using that setting to communicate the issues that faced the Irish 100 years ago are still here today. Now, the movie isn’t throwing that in your face the way some end of the year movies do. This is just good enough to be a great movie and get you thinking about those things. Colin Farrell puts in great work and should win his Oscar. Brendan Gleeson is perfect and deeply unsettling while also somewhat relatable? Kerry Condon will be the overlooked MVP of the movie. And the boy wonder Barry Keoghan from Killing of a Sacred Deer, and now the new Joker (?), shows up to steal any scene he’s in. I loved this deeply felt emotional, and very funny journey into thinking about death, being nice, revenge, and how you want to spend your life.
HBOMax
TELEVISION
The place I have slowed down most is my TV intake. I will include some honorable mentions and then my countdown.
HM’s- The Bear, The Patient, 5 Days at Memorial, Billions, Barry, Irma Vep
10. Better Things - Pamela Adlon, aka Bobby Hill, sent off her wonderful show perfectly this year. I loved spending time with this group and seeing things on TV that I haven’t seen represented anywhere else the same. 5 Seasons of light comedy and the occasional gut punch. She created a soft, intimate, funny and emotional in equal measure triumph of family and all that comes with that. Her three daughters played wonderfully by actresses she never replaced and let them age normally and grow and be impressive as actors. So many comedians and good actors show up and this show will sneak up on you. Like a small indie film that just goes along and then hits you when you aren't expecting it. Great show and I will miss watching it each year.
9. The Righteous Gemstones - I love spending time with this mega church asshole family and just any universe that Danny McBride is the center. Edi Patterson is the MVP, and as long as Walton Goggins is still kicking I will be trying to watch anything he is in.
8. Atlanta (season 3 & 4) - While season three was ambitious it felt like it was responding to the moment more than being a good show. Or they valued a good bit or idea over making great TV. But season 4 got closer to what seasons 1-2 did. A slight disappointment but overall a better time spent than most shows you could watch.
7. We Own This City - Great limited series from the creator of The Wire with a dynamite Jon Bernthal performance. Police corruption and how the city works around it was fascinating to watch. I really can’t say enough about this show and how it makes the simplest scene almost vibrate with tension.
6. Documentary Now! - The silliest show on this list and I loved every episode. John Mulaney, Seth Meyers, Bill Hader, and Fred Armisen have created something that truly never has to end. The level of craft put forth to make these little faux documentaries are incredible then you add in they are funny and occasionally emotional. Easy watch getting all that a documentary does in less than 30 minutes.
5. This is Going to Hurt - A quick witted British dark comedy true story written by the guy who wrote the novel. Ben Whishaw plays a smartass doctor who is starting to question where he is in life and talks to the camera Fleabag style. If you liked that or House or any good british show I recommend it.
4. Fleishman is in Trouble - Incredible cast, but the main thing here is the writing. This one is also written by the same person who wrote the novel and I think more places should let them do that. The rewards here are endless. I find myself completely locked into every relationship onscreen, laughing, wondering what will come next, and just so happy to spend time with this world. Lizzy Caplan MVP.
3. Severance - A true miracle of a show helmed by Ben Stiller and starring Adam Scott. Pulling off this mystery Sci-Fi style of a show at this level should be lauded. I was totally invested and then they also have great jokes. If you miss the feeling Lost gave you I recommend this.
2. Better Call Saul - Fantastic show full of heart, humor, a the largest well of great acting on TV. Making a spin off to Breaking Bad on the goofy lawyer was a huge swing and they hit a home run.
The Rehearsal - There’s more interesting thoughts to be read in other places but I just find this to be the most inspired and exciting TV I’ve seen in years. It’s weird, dark, hilarious, and does my favorite thing to the maximum by committing to the bit. Nathan Fielder is the best at that.
MUSIC
Albums I liked but not enough to make my favorites.
More Black Superheroes by WESTSIDE BOOGIE, Lady for Sale by Lola Kirke, I’m Scared That’s All There Is by Ben Quad, Things are Great by Band of Horses, Lucifer on the Sofa by Spoon, The Unraveling of PUPTHEBAND by PUP, Wild Lonliness by Superchunk, Sometimes Forever by Soccer Mommy, 40 oz to Fresno by Joyce Manor, Expert in a Dying Field by The Beths
Honorable mentions that almost made it.
Ramona Park Broke My Heart by Vince Staples
Chloe and the Next 20th Century by Father John Misty
Chopper by Kiwi Jr
High School by Tim Heidecker
Running with the Hurricane by Camp Cope
Asphalt Meadows by Death Cab for Cutie
TOP 11
11. It’s Almost Dry by PUSHA T
10. Bummer Year by Good Looks
9. Nothings Real, So Nothings Wrong by Kevin Devine
8. Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You by Big Thief
7. Blue Rev by Alvvays
6. Quitters by Christian Lee Hutson
5. Pre Pleasure by Julia Jacklin
4. When the Wind Forgets Your Name by Built to Spill
3. Bleed Out by The Mountain Goats
2. Havasu by Pedro the Lion
Cruel Country by Wilco
BOOKS (i read this year)
Special shoutout to my good friend Dane Johns on publishing his first novel The Futile this year. He has crafted a huge, fun, emotional journey with characters anyone can understand or relate to. If you haven’t sought it out do that NOW.
10. No One is Talking About This by
9. Civilwarland in Bad Decline by George Saunders
8. The Twilight World by Werner Herzog
7. Franny & Zooey by JD Salinger
6. After Dark, My Sweet by Jim Thompson
5. Revival by Stephen King
4. Heat 2 by Meg Gardnier & Michael Mann
3. Hug Chickenpenny by S. Craig Zahler
2. Devil House by John Darnielle
A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney
Favorite events were
Taking my daughter to St. Louis for her first birthday
Seeing The National, Wilco, Band of Horses & more in Omaha, Nebraska at Outlandia festival
Going to New York for the NY Film Festival and spending time with my wife for her birthday there
Going to Chicago to see the SIU football team beat Northwestern
Overall, this was the busiest year of my life. Taking care of a little kid turns out to be very time consuming. I feel so full of love everyday but also am more tired than ever. I’m more present but that present feeling isn’t about myself. I turned 30 this year and can feel myself turning into someone different all the time. I am so happy I get to see a little child grow up who loves me. I will try to keep it that way. One thing I look forward to everyday is getting to show her some of my favorite things. And then she will tell me what her favorites were. Until her top 10 list comes out, I’ll keep you posted. Have a great 2023. Sorry this wasn’t as in depth or as well written in years past. Being a parent and the covid years have me feeling fried sometimes. If you made it to the end Xenu bless you, and I appreciate it. Talk to me about what you are watching or listening to if you ever get the chance. I would love to have a conversation about it. So long.