2022 On Film

I say it all the time: I love writing this column. I love movies and television and Broadway. I love the way well done visual art can literally move me to tears or laughter. The hard part of this job is knowing that what I love and find wonderful may not be for everyone, so, as 2023 begins, I want to give a blanket statement: please always investigate my, or anyone’s, recommendations.
Since I am writing this on January 1, 2023, I think it is fitting that I give you my list of the best films of 2022.

• 1. “Top Gun: Maverick” I love this movie for many reasons. I love the actor Miles Teller, and it’s a movie that families can see together. It also honors our military and sees value in our past.
• 2. “Devotion” This is based on the incredible true story of honor, pride in country and racism, with the Korean War as backdrop. A must-see for families in my opinion.
• 3. “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” My face hurt from smiling so much during this movie! It is simply the sweetest movie of the year and again, family friendly.
• 4. “NOPE” Don’t immediately start with “Nope, I’m not seeing it because it’s a horror movie.” There are a few jump scares but this is about family and what lengths we will go to to preserve our family and our family’s particular culture and values.
• 5. “The Fabelmans” This is the “semi-autobiographical” Steven Spielberg film. In a world with anti-semitism on the rise, this film feels a bit more weighty than I’m sure it did when Spielberg first wrote it. I loved this movie.
• 6. “Elvis” A study in what can so terribly wrong when your trust is put in the wrong person, this film boasts amazing performances and of course, music.
• 7. “Jerry and Marge Go Large” The true story of a couple figuring out the lottery to save the town they love, Annette Benning and Bryan Cranston are fabulous!
• 8. “Tár” I warn you that this film is almost two and a half hours long and moves slowly. However, I hope Cate Blanchett wins for best actress. She portrays a conductor who is a self described “U-haul lesbian” and has become a robot basically to succeed. This movie addresses sex and gender in a brilliant way, and features my favorite film quote of the year, “Don’t be so eager to be offended, the narcissism of small differences leads to the most boring conformity.”
• 9. “What is a Woman?” This documentary is compelling. Watch it just to see the University of Tennessee professor (whose salary you and I are paying) expound on how the word “truth” is triggering. I just have no words.

​All of the above movies are available for streaming for rental.

In theaters last month, I saw “Armageddon Day” and was so disappointed. It’s slow, and even Anthony Hopkins can’t save this film.

I think what is unsettling to me about the issue of “will the theaters survive” is a personal fact. For 16 years our family has seen a movie on Christmas Day in the theater. This year we stayed home and streamed “Matilda” on Netflix, which was a good call on our part.

Peacock
I’m listing Peacock first because if you do not have this streaming service, I highly recommend it.

• “NOPE” One of my favorite movies of the year. See notes above in my favorite movies of 2022.
• “Casey Anthony: Where Truth Lies” This three part docuseries did not change my mind about Anthony’s a role in her child’s death, but it gave me a lot to think about. It’s her first interview since her acquittal. She may not have physically killed Caylee, but I think she knows who did and participated in the cover-up.
• “Parks & Recreation” This series continues to bring me joy. I never watched it when it was on TV but I am loving streaming it.

Hulu

• “Fleishman is in Trouble” I actually do not know how to adequately describe and review this eight-part series. Claire Danes and Jesse Eisenberg star as a couple debating divorce and disappointment in their lives. I used the 15-second skip button often as there are sexual situations. The series follows Eisenberg and his two best friends (one female, one male) from college as they tread into middle age. Discussions on what is it like to be a mother; who really are our true friends; and what does postpartum depression and mental illness look and feel like, really affected me. Sometimes crying, I found myself needing to just sit and process. I’ve had postpartum depression and struggle with a mental illness similar to that of Clare Danes’ character, and there were times where I thought the writer had taken scripts from my brain to use as inspiration. This is not your feel good show, but it is one of the best. I hope Claire Danes and the excellent Lizzy Caplin (who portrays Eisenberg’s best friend) win every award possible.
• “Alaska Daily” Hillary Swank stars as a journalist seeking a fresh start in Alaska after losing her job and reputation at a large newspaper. She discovers an unsolved crime in Alaska and is determined to solve it.

Netflix

• “Matilda” Netflix wins the best original movie on streaming award for its slightly flawed, but still charming, adaptation of this musical. If you are not a rabid fan of musicals, as the Stroud clan is, you will not even notice the changes that bothered us. Also, the new song for the ending of the movie is exquisite.
• “Take Your Pills” This documentary about the addiction to Zanax and other anti-anxiety meds is fascinating.
• “Firefly Lane” I loved this book. I don’t love the adaptation, but I am sticking with it in hopes it will get to the heart of the novel.

HBO Max

• “Call me Miss Cleo” This fascinating documentary delves into the 80s phone psychic phenomenon and its shady characters.
• “The White Lotus” I should have read more about season 2 of this show. The 15-second button needed to be a 30-second button, but WOWZA!
• Live TV
• On live TV with the help of my DVR, I’m watching “The Good Doctor,” “Law and Order,” “Law and Order SVU” and “Yellowstone.” My husband, John, is tired of hearing about Beth Dutton.

So hoping our highs of 2023 include more popcorn passing at the theater!