Best (& Worst) Films and Series of 2022

[Snarf Zagyg]

I get the gimmick, im just not buying it. If it had ended already it might be a great series and exercise, but im afraid this thing is going to keep going into irrelevancy. Hardly a problem unique to Barry.

It certainly is no Barry. I do want to say I loved the Foster the People joke complete with metal cover at end of the episode. That kind of thing was far and few between sadly.

Differences of opinion and all that! I think people tend to be far too unforgiving of the fact that different people will have different reactions to things. And this can be for all sorts of reasons ... their own personal history. The particular mood they are in when they experience it. Their own preferences.

For example, I have gradually accumulated a searing hatred of laugh tracks since the 90s to the point that I cannot watch a show with a laugh track. Even classics that I used to love (like Seinfeld) are almost unbearable to me now. On the other hand, I have a high tolerance for (as they put it in Clockwork Orange) a bit of the old ultra-violence, so I have no issue with media like John Wick or Tarantino movies; but I have a good friend who can't stand it.

I think Barry is brilliant because it's been willing to go there (to explore the boundaries between comedy and darkness), but I can also understand that there are people who are uncomfortable with it; after all, the natural sympathy that is engendered by the relationship of the viewer and the protagonist of the show is central to what is being subverted over time ... which is why it can engender that feeling of misery. That discomfort can either be a source of anguish or a source of frisson as you dwell on it; neither reaction is wrong.

 

[payn]

Differences of opinion and all that! I think people tend to be far too unforgiving of the fact that different people will have different reactions to things. And this can be for all sorts of reasons ... their own personal history. The particular mood they are in when they experience it. Their own preferences.

For example, I have gradually accumulated a searing hatred of laugh tracks since the 90s to the point that I cannot watch a show with a laugh track. Even classics that I used to love (like Seinfeld) are almost unbearable to me now. On the other hand, I have a high tolerance for (as they put it in Clockwork Orange) a bit of the old ultra-violence, so I have no issue with media like John Wick or Tarantino movies; but I have a good friend who can't stand it.

I think Barry is brilliant because it's been willing to go there (to explore the boundaries between comedy and darkness), but I can also understand that there are people who are uncomfortable with it; after all, the natural sympathy that is engendered by the relationship of the viewer and the protagonist of the show is central to what is being subverted over time ... which is why it can engender that feeling of misery. That discomfort can either be a source of anguish or a source of frisson as you dwell on it; neither reaction is wrong.

Sure, these are strictly my opinions on the show. I appreciate where its coming from, even though I think the, hitman who has a new lease on life but cant move forward because of their past genre is about as stale as the police procedural. I cant help but think (for myself obviously) the exercise might have worked better in a different paradigm.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Sure, these are strictly my opinions on the show. I appreciate where its coming from, even though I think the, hitman who has a new lease on life but cant move forward because of their past genre is about as stale as the police procedural. I cant help but think (for myself obviously) the exercise might have worked better in a different paradigm.

But to me, that's the brilliance of using exactly that trope!

There are two manifestations of that trope in popular culture- first, is the serious approach. The heavy drama. We all know it (Road to Perdition is an example). The enforcer that wants to turn a new leaf, but can't. Heck, we might as well insert the meme, "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in."

The second is the comedic approach. We glide over the actuality of what was done, and instead laugh at the comic juxtaposition of the deadly enforcer who is dealing with situations that don't call for their unique skills (or, perhaps, their unique skills are used in other ways). This is also a hoary staple in films like Get Shorty and My Blue Heaven.

To me, it's using this paradigm and showing the uncomfortable fit between those two tropes that is the brilliance. YMMV.

 

[payn]

But to me, that's the brilliance of using exactly that trope!

There are two manifestations of that trope in popular culture- first, is the serious approach. The heavy drama. We all know it (Road to Perdition is an example). The enforcer that wants to turn a new leaf, but can't. Heck, we might as well insert the meme, "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in."

The second is the comedic approach. We glide over the actuality of what was done, and instead laugh at the comic juxtaposition of the deadly enforcer who is dealing with situations that don't call for their unique skills (or, perhaps, their unique skills are used in other ways). This is also a hoary staple in films like Get Shorty and My Blue Heaven.

To me, it's using this paradigm and showing the uncomfortable fit between those two tropes that is the brilliance. YMMV.

Sure, its just worn thin for me. To be fair to Barry, this is sort of a production/writing issue is across the board. Better Call Saul had at least 1 too many seasons and probably two. Ah, The Walking Dead... There is a Winkler jumping point where a show goes from being its own thing to being an audience thing. They wont quit it because its successful, but they also end up serving the fans to a point its not good anymore. Which is ironic for a show that is so meta about the apathy of the entertainment industry to begin with.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Sure, its just worn thin for me. To be fair to Barry, this is sort of a production/writing issue is across the board. Better Call Saul had at least 1 too many seasons and probably two. Ah, The Walking Dead... There is a Winkler jumping point where a show goes from being its own thing to being an audience thing. They wont quit it because its successful, but they also end up serving the fans to a point its not good anymore. Which is ironic for a show that is so meta about the apathy of the entertainment industry to begin with.

I disagree about Barry (so far) and Better Call Saul (which may have had a little filler, here and there, but largely justified each season).

I completely agree with The Walking Dead. Arguably, everything after Season 1 was superfluous at worst, and stretched out at best. And I find it hard to understand how it made it past season 4.

 

[payn]

I disagree about Barry (so far) and Better Call Saul (which may have had a little filler, here and there, but largely justified each season).

I completely agree with The Walking Dead. Arguably, everything after Season 1 was superfluous at worst, and stretched out at best. And I find it hard to understand how it made it past season 4.

TWD is an egregious example. I think its many poor seasons have tarnished its rep. I mean, at one point it was Game of Thrones level water cooler, but that has long long passed. Nobody really remembers it that way.

Everybody likely has their own too far point. I seem to be reaching mine sooner than later these days. YMMV.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

TWD is an egregious example. I think its many poor seasons have tarnished its rep. I mean, at one point it was Game of Thrones level water cooler, but that has long long passed. Nobody really remembers it that way.

Everybody likely has their own too far point. I seem to be reaching mine sooner than later these days. YMMV.

I respect that. I'm at the point where I don't even buy green bananas anymore.

 

[Zaukrie]

2022 Movie Reviews - Mike's Thoughts

After I watch a movie, I review it on Facebook. These are spur of the moment, and short. I’ve sorted them into categories based on how likely it is you like it. Movies I am pretty sure you will like Glass OnionReally good. The big guy is a really good actor. I mean, they all … 2022 Movie Reviews...

mikesixel.com

I really liked ST Discovery, though the last year was not what I'd have done.

I enjoyed both LotR and WoT much more than many did. I don't care about faithfulness to books....

While I liked The Bear, I didn't love it as much as most of my friends did.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I'm with @Snarf Zagyg on Barry - it was excellent, and the very dark last season was the unexpected icing on the cake. For once a show acknowledged that its premise wasn't as funny as it seemed on the surface.

 

[Gradine]

Trying to think of things I watched in 2022 that are from 2022. The list isn't super long, I guess.

TV Shows:
Great
Secrets of Sulphur Springs (S2) - Easily the second best live-action show on Disney+ not already associated with a major franchise. Acting and writing are way better than it has any right to be.
The Mysterious Benedict Society (S2) - Easily the best live-action show on Disney+ not already associated with a major franchise. And maybe without. Tony Hale is putting on a clinic, the kids are all excellent. Seriously, do not sleep on Disney's Middle Adult content, it's pretty good.
Owl House (S2/3) - Despite being absolutely screwed by the Network, this is the best animated family show period. Yes, better than She-ra. And Avatar. And the Duck Tales reboot.
Wheel of Time (S1) - I don't get it fam, I really don't. This was really good. My partner and I watched it, read Eye of the World, then re-watched it, and it was even better. Just excellent.
Sandman - Struggled early on but turned into one of the best shows of 2022.

Good
Midnight Club - Definitely the weakest entry in Mike Flannigan's annual Netflix spooky show ouvre, but that's honestly not saying much. A bunch of really excellent young actors and stories let down by a muddied overarching story banking on a second season that will never come. Every one of these kids should be in more things, immediately.
Ms. Marvel - Probably the best of the Marvel TV shows without Hailee Steinfield and Florence Pugh, even if it has the incredibly weird Marvel TV show pacing.
Obi-Wan - It was neat. Really nice to see Hayden get a chance to actually act well. Baby Leia was sufficiently sassy. Flea was born to play a rando Star Wars bounty hunter.
Vampire Academy - Didn't quite get to where it needed to be, but had incredibly potential. Too bad streaming hates shows like this so we won't get to see how it goes. Great to see J. August Richards killing it in meaty roles still.

Okay
She-Hulk - Wanted it to be better than it was. Still not terrible though.
Vox Machina (S1) - The world needs fewer horny bards. Otherwise, it was pretty fun.

Bad
Moon Knight - Meh

Movies: Haven't watched many, but they were all pretty great

Great
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish - Look, you just can't underestimate Shrek franchise sequels, okay? Excellent use of Florence Pugh, as well.
Glass Onion - Excellent followup to an excellent movie. More like this, please
Nope - Yep
Werewolf by Night - Saw this on a "movie" list so I guess I'm putting it here. It was quite fun though.
Dr. Strange Multiverse of Madness - I actually had a lot of fun with this one.
The Batman - Should've been called The (Best) Batman (Movie). Don't @ me. "Thumb drive" had me rolling on the floor.
Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special - God damnit Marvel stop making me feel feelings for a Chris Pratt character.
Sonic 2 - Was the first Sonic movie way better than it had any right to be? Yes, absolutely. Was the follow-up just as good? Somehow, yes. Is James Marsden continuing to run circles around literally any other actor in the "emote at tennis balls that will be CG" genre? Hell yeah he is. Wait, is that Shemar Moore? Yeah, that's Shemar Moore. Huh.

Okay
League of Superpets - Daughter insisted on taking me to this. Was it better than I was expecting? Yes. Was that an incredibly low bar? Yes. Is it hard to make the Rock and Kevin Hart riffing not fun? Yes. Excellent use of Natasha Lyonne, by the by.
The Sea Beast - This was cute. Not really something that'll stick with you, though.