In The Shadows Top Ten Films Of 2022....Numbers 4-3-2

Getting so close to the end!!! Here I go! Thanks for coming along!!

At number 4.....

EMILY THE CRIMINAL

Emily (Aubrey Plaza) is in debt and she cannot get out of it. So she decides to start running credit card scams for a scamming underground organization.

I saw this in the theater. There is not much of a better feeling than walking out of a movie theater shocked by how good a film was, after not knowing much about it going in.

This film is so tense. Note Emily is not a good person, or, maybe a good person who is doing bad things out of desperation. Yet, we, the viewer, are cheering her on. Which tells you how great Aubrey Plaza is in this performance. She has us feeling for her. 

Also...note, one of the best job interview scenes in film. I felt like standing in the middle of the theater and clapping.

Along with Plaza there is another really good performance by Theo Rossi as Youcef Haddad. What side of the fence is he on?

This film is really good. I believe you can see it on Hulu or Netflix. Do not miss it. You will hold on tighter to your credit cards after watching how it's done lol.

Number 4  for the year 2022....Emily The Criminal.

3

A MAN CALLED OTTO

Otto..spelled O-TT-O (Tom Hanks) is your grumpy neighbor. Who slowly becomes softer after Marisol and her family moves in across the street.

I have to note, I read the book maybe a decade ago, which I liked. Saw the foreign version which I did not like at all. So, I did not have much hope for this film. This worked!!!!!!

The difference maker is Tom Hanks. Are we at the point to recognize Tom Hanks as the best actor ever? Discuss. 

Tom Hanks is spot on perfect, often funny, often cringe worthy. His son Truman Hanks, plays the younger Otto, this is where we learn why Otto is the way he is. My Heart!!!!

Surprisingly, new to our country on the big screen, Mariana Trevino who plays Marisol slips in and almost outshines Hanks. There is a scene, without giving away spoilers, when he knocks on her door and she with tears in her eyes gives him a "What For"..that is just fantastic. She is...just..a find. Credit to director Marc Forster.

Well anyway, coming in at number 3 A Man Called Otto...a must see.

2

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING

Abandoned as a little girl, Kya (Daisy Edgar Jones) raised herself in the marshlands of North Carolina. She opens herself up to two young men.. one is kind..the other not so much. When one young man is found dead the town folks believe it was her ( the Marsh Girl) and it was not an accident.

Part love story.

Part mystery.

Part adventure.

Part courtroom drama.

Now I did read the book, and the film does not follow the book precisely. Still the meat of the story is there with only a few changes. The film really does the wonderful book justice. With the twist at the end.

The highlight of the film are four performances:

 -Jones as Kya (by the way British with doing her best Carolina accent); just perfectly cast. She is known in Europe for the short series Normal People, but here yet to really get a juicy part until now and she pulls it off. She says so much without saying a word, heck, she is alone most of the time. She is just fantastic.

-David Strathairn as Tom Milton, a lawyer coming out of retirement to represent Kya. He plays the part so soft and wonderful, I kind of wish he was in the movie more.

J-ojo Regina as young Kya. Wow, she has some heartbreaking scenes which crush the soul and she pulls it off. By the way her first acting gig on the big screen. Just amazing!

-Sterling Macer Jr as Jumpin. He has a small part, but with this small part he owns the screen as Kyas surogat father in a world where black men are treated "less" like Kya is. If I had a complaint, and I understand the time restraints of taking a book and moving it to the big screen, still I wish Jumpin got his due at the end like in the book.

I watched this maybe 5 times ands each time I appreciate it more and spot little clues each time also. Thumbs up to director Olivia Newman who filmed this under tough conditions, in the swamps. Yet, she paid attention to the twists and beauty of the area.

Some say this film is too slow, which tells you a lot about the attention span of movie goers. This film is very good and can be seen I think on Netflix or Hulu.

Number 2 for the year 2022 ..Where The Crawdads Sing.

Now we are down to 1. Come on...you have to know what it is. It's too easy...

From the shadows as always thanks for your time.

In The Shadows Top Ten Films Of 2022.....7-6-5

As I give you 7-6-5, this is the area I noticed my list pulls away from snotty/I am smarter than you reviewers. Was I entertained? Did it deliver what the fans and or trailer promised? Or...did I learn something? If I answered yes to any of those questions I usually give the film a thumbs up. So yes..my top ten movies are different from most reviewers...in the shadows. Like you, I am just an average movie goer..

So now on to number 7...how exciting..settle down..

7

DOWNTON ABBEY A NEW ERA

The Crawley family is back!! This time...traveling to the South Of France. While Hollywood has come to Downton.

Why is this in my top ten? It delivers exactly what fans of Downton wanted.

Each character had moments to shine.

The storyline was fun.

It was a beautiful looking film.

You laughed often; and left the theater with tears, you felt something.

It had many wonderful performances..I will highlight a couple:

Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley)..plays the change in his character perfectly. He has to release his pride to give up a little bit of control. However what is up with the tan..lol.

Laura Haddock, as film star Myrna Dawgleish. A newcomer to Downton. She plays the part kinda funny, yet she is a bit sad. She knows with talkies coming her career may be over. She plays the part perfectly. I have to wonder how the other actors in her scenes kept a straight face.

The best performance of them all...and never gets enough credit..Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary. She plays Lady Mary in this new era with class and dignity, and also a bit modern knowing all the weight is on this woman's shoulder to keep Downton running, and to not let everyone see her sweat by adding humor. Dockery is the star of this series for sure.

After the really bad last Downton movie, this is a wonderful comeback. There is never a wasted moment, this film shines.

Number 7 for 2022 ....Downton Abbey A New Era.

6

MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON

Marcel is a 1 inch shell who lives with his grandmother in a VRBO house. However when a documentary filmmaker discovers them, and starts interviewing Marcel, well, wonderful things happen.

Without a doubt the sweetest film of the year. 

Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, he was also the screenwriter with help from Jenny Slate (voice of Marcel) and Nick Paley.

Not going to spoil too much here but...

Using stop/go animation, this film is brilliant. This film is for adults, and it is sometimes laugh out loud funny (Like the tick tick tick of the show 60 minutes) for the quick wit. Yes funny, but sometimes sad. Again I will not spoil it. The screenplay is so different from what we have seen before.

Also the voice work is spot on ...Jenny Slate as Marcel and Isabella Rossellini (yes you read that right) as Connie. How did they get Rossellini????!!

Just a wonderful little film coming in at number 6... Marcel The Shell With Shoes On.

5

THE FABELMANS

Post World War 2, in Arizona, young Sammy Fabelman wants to be a filmmaker. He soon discovers, through his camera lens, family secrets that could alter his path and his dreams.

Well you all know this film directed by Steven Spielberg is his story brought to the screen.

This film has a slow burn that worked for me. Many do not like the slow burn, but for me, a person who loves film, it was a joy.

Spielberg is a great director we all know, but he does not get enough credit for his casting. Every single person in this film is perfect in their parts:

-Michelle Williams as Mizi Fabelman, a tough role to handle but she is perfect...but when is she not.

-Paul Dano as Burt Fabelman. How? How? How did he not get an Oscar nomination here as the father? He is being a dad who is being left in the dust. Kind of heartbreaking. Yet he plays him stoic to the end.

-Introducing us to Gabriel LaBelle as Sammy the dreamer. I mean, how does Spielberg find these young newcomers (Rachel Zegler In West Side Story)?! LaBelle plays Sammy(aka Spielberg) spot on. It is a tough part playing a young man in a house which is oddly broken; still chasing his dreams; also lets not forget growing up Jewish in that time period. Not an easy part to play and he is really good.

I am not mentioning Judd Hirsh as Uncle Boris here, I do not get the love. He was in the film for 5 minutes. I do not get it. In fact I think Seth Rogan was better in this film as Uncle Benny, but he is getting no love.

If I had a problem with the film it would be the abrupt ending, which kind of dropped it out of the top 3 for me. Still, coming in at number 5.. The Fabelmans.

So..2-3-4 still too come!!!

From the shadows as always thanks for your time

TOP TEN FILMS OF 2022......10-9-8

Well...so it begins..my top ten films of 2022. 

10

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT

The viewer follows a young German Soldier (Paul) and his terrifying experiences during World War 1.

I debated if I wanted this on my top ten, I usually put movies in my top ten that I want to see again. This film, I am okay not seeing this again. It is just a very hard watch. 2 hours and 45 minutes of war violence. Still...this movie..stays with you. It is filled with tension. It delivers what it intends the viewer to feel.

-The film has a wonderful performance by Felix Kammerer as Paul, often acting without saying a word with close ups of his face.

-Director Edward Berger takes the  Remarque novel and puts you right in the middle of war, reminding you of the film Platoon. It is a wake up call, of how violent war is. He also shows you the higher ups in government/army leaders eating wonderful food off fine china, while soldiers are being burned to death. An interesting dichotomy. He really does not hold back.

The film is a hard watch, yet should be seen as a reminder of how harsh war can be or was.

My number 10 film of 2022...All Quiet On The Western Front. 

9

GLASS ONION

Benoit Blanc is back!!! This time he is traveling to Greece for his latest case.

This plot is not as tight as Knives Out. However this film offered many wonderful performances including Ed Norton; Kate Hudson (is Back!); Janelle Monet (Steals the movie); Kathryn Hann; and of course Daniel Craig. They make this work. These actors make this watchable.

Rian Johnson is back in the director chair (and Screenplay) he adds a bit more humor to this 2nd Blanc film, and that humor does not take away from the film. He also throws in many cameos (did you catch Ethan Hawke or did you miss him?).

Well anyway the twist in the middle worked. The ending worked. The film just worked and it was fun.

I was lucky enough to see this at a screening a month before it came out to Netflix, it was so hard to not tell people about it...

My number 9 film of 2022 is..Glass Onion!!

7

WOMEN TALKING

Do Nothing

Stay And Fight

Leave

The three choices these women, in this isolated religious community, have to vote on, as they grapple with abuse and faith.

I did not want to see it. I get tired of going to movies and watching, A=Men are bad and B=Women are better than men making all men idiots and evil. The plot point gets old. However this film oddly had me on the edge of my seat. Smart direction by Sarah Polley. Smartly written by Sarah Polley. 

The wonderful performances by everyone keeps you glued to the story and hoping and praying for them. Highlighted by Rooney Mara as Ona, giving a different kind of performance we usually do not see in her. She is usually playing quirky, here, her character is straight out brave and convincing yet almost quietly in the middle,if that makes sense. There is also a good performance by the only man Ben Whishaw. Ben plays August the note taker. Why the note taker? He is the only one who can read. He wants to put in input on the decision but it is not his place, you can see his care for the women (because of his history), and his love for Ona.

If you are on the fence about this move, please see it. The film stays with you, with the knowledge this decision is being made in the real world all the time outside these communities.

Well there is the start. 10..9..and 8

More to come!!

From the shadows as always thanks for your time.

THE FIVE WORST MOVIES OF 2022!!!

Well..I have been so busy...this year..just could not stop to review anything..but..I have seen about 90 films.

So as we close in on Oscar Sunday I have to give you my annual:

5 worst

10 best

Shadow awards

And The Oscar picks

So here we go with my lousy 5!!!!!!

5

Blacklight

Liam Neeson needs to fire his agency. This is his worst film to date ( his newest Marlowe is ..well not good but not as bad as this). Here he plays a Government operative, who wants out but they pull him back in. The plot is awful. The acting is stiff by everyone involved. The script by THREE, THREE writers..did I say THREE..is boring, flat, nonsensical. However we do see Aidan Quinn (WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!).

Well Blacklight is bad.

4

STRANGE WORLD

Oh boy.

What happened???

There is barely a story here. Except a father who left his family to save...the environment ..I THINK???!!

I could not figure out what age group this is for:

Too complex for youngsters

Storyline is too muddled for adults to care.

Disney, has to find a way to get away from the STRAINED RELATIONSHIP WITH FATHER OR MOTHER, it has become an overused plot point. 

If there is a positive..the film looked good.

3

MACK AND RITA

A 30 year old writer ends up in the body of a 70 year old.

I have never seen so many jokes fall flat. Then there is a creepy relationship between Keaton and Dustin Milligan. Now I should keep an open mind about the age difference..however the lack of chemistry between them is cringeworthy.

There is a good performance to note from Elizabeth Lail as Mack, sadly she is barely in the movie because she becomes Rita.

We have seen this script before, this version lacks humor, but adds creepiness.

Oh Diane Keaton..oh Diane, you deserve better.

2

BLACK ADAM

Oh DC..Why?

I do not blame this on Dwayne Johnson, he did all he could do. His character was the least interesting of all the characters, and he is the lead.

The story line was rushed, I wanted more on the Justice Society Of America especially Hawkman played wonderfully by Aldis Hodge. This was a waste of time, it was just forgettable. So forgettable I had to go back to see the plot again. This was embarrassing, a waste. Good news..James Gunn is now taking over DC Movies.

But wait..there is one more that is worse!!!

1

THE WORST FILM OF 2022....

EASTER SUNDAY

Based around Jo Koy's real life and his stand up.

This film lacks everything

Humor

Acting

A coherent script

This was released in the summer, a film about Easter Sunday. They even got that wrong.

I can't figure out why this made it, or how it made it to the big screen. Why not just Netflix or Hulu or Amazon or a garbage pail. Someone said "Jo Koy is in it, put it in theaters!". That person should be fired. Jo Koy should never be a lead in a film ever again.

So taking the losers trophy from last year's winner DON'T BREATHE 2, is EASTER SUNDAY!!!

As always from the shadows thanks for your time!

Oscar Week!! Who Will Win?! Who Should Win?! Who Got Snubbed?!!

Oscars..Who Will Win..Should Win...Who Got Snubbed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well here I go I will now give you my picks for this weekends Oscar Ceremonies!

This year there are so many tight races, it is like shooting fish in a barrel...but I will give it my best shot.

BEST ACTOR

JAVIER BARDEM

Being the Ricardos

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH

The Power of the Dog

ANDREW GARFIELD

tick, tick...BOOM!

WILL SMITH

King Richard

DENZEL WASHINGTON

The Tragedy of Macbeth

Who Will Win; And Should Win:

WILL SMITH

This category is the closest  to a lock at this years Oscars.

Smith is sooo good even in his mannerisms as Richard Williams in the overrated fluff piece of King Richard. I think the other performances do not come close to his performance.

Snubbed:

I really do not have a snubbed in this category. I think it has been a very weak year for men. So I would keep everyone there.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

CIARÁN HINDS

Belfast

TROY KOTSUR

CODA

JESSE PLEMONS

The Power of the Dog

J.K. SIMMONS

Being the Ricardos

KODI SMIT-MCPHEE

The Power of the Dog

Will Win:

TROY KOTSUR

This is an amazingly tight race to the end. I think it is between Kotsur; Smit-McPhee; and Hinds.

Any of the three could win, however I think Kotsur for his loving yet testy role as Frank Rossi in Coda is getting the slight edge recently in this tight race. Well deserved for sure. 

Should Win:

CIRAN HINDS

I think he should win just because his role in Belfast as Pop is meatier. So I would say he should win. He is so good as Pop, it was almost like he was born for this role.

SNUBBED

MIKE FAIST

Mike Faist as Riff in West Side Story is freaking fantastic!! Acting; Singing; Dancing...a triple threat. I would replace JK Simmons with him in a heartbeat. 

BEST ACTRESS

JESSICA CHASTAIN

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

OLIVIA COLMAN

The Lost Daughter

PENÉLOPE CRUZ

Parallel Mothers

NICOLE KIDMAN

Being the Ricardos

KRISTEN STEWART

Spencer

Who Will Win/Should Win

JESSICA CHASTAIN

Olivia Colman was an early front runner. I think once everyone saw the borefest of the film she and the film Lost Daughter started falling by the wayside. Chastain and Kidman have jumped past Coleman. I am kind of surprised that people even remembered the Tammy Faye movie but they did and I think the movie surging by streaming has helped her. Plus she has yet to win which Kidman and Coleman has. So I think Chastain should and will win for her role as Tammy Faye.

Snubbed

ALANA HAIM and RACHEL ZEGLER

Yes I have two!!

Alana Haim is a find!! In Licorice Pizza she owns the screen and she is in almost every scene as Alana going through many ranges of emotion!

Rachael Zegler Singing and dancing and acting coming right out of high school. She does not get a nomination??!! She has the face of a movie star!! They forget to even invite her to the Oscars! Really? Really? That is on Disney, in fact not getting nominated is on Disney, who is notoriously bad during ballot times for not promoting their own films. Then forgetting to send the star of their Oscar Nominated film!! 

Well I would replace Stewart, you know I love her as an actress but not here. I would also replace Cruz, I swear I have seen her in the same type of role before.. so she would go also. They both would be replaced by Haim and Zegler.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

JESSIE BUCKLEY

The Lost Daughter

ARIANA DEBOSE

West Side Story

JUDI DENCH

Belfast

KIRSTEN DUNST

The Power of the Dog

AUNJANUE ELLIS

King Richard

Will And Should Win:

ARIANA DEBOSE

As Anita, DeBose is the definition of an actress who attacked her role. She has become the front runner for the last couple months but even more so since more people have seen West Side Story on Disney+. The only person who may have a chance at beating her here is Judi Dench, because she is well Judi Dench. I am not putting down the others..I am so happy Buckley was nominated for The Lost Daughter, and Dunst is fantastic in a soft almost non-verbal role in Power Of The Dog. Still no one comes close to DeBose.

Snubbed

Caitriona Balfe

This was stunning that she did not get nominated for playing Ma in Belfast. She was the heart and soul of the film. I would replace Dench who was barely in the film with Balfe in a heartbeat.

BEST ANIMATED FILM

ENCANTO

Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer

FLEE

Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Monica Hellström, Signe Byrge Sørensen and Charlotte De La Gournerie

LUCA

Enrico Casarosa and Andrea Warren

THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES

Mike Rianda, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Kurt Albrecht

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada, Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho

Will Win

ENCANTO

It just has so much attention due to the Bruno song and the popularity on DISNEY+. There is a faction out there who love the Netflix film Mitchell vs The Machine. However not enough votes to pass Encanto.

Should win

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

I really think Raya was better than Encanto. I think Encanto is just odd and the music, which is good, does not flow into the story very well. In fact it breaks up the storyline. Where Raya, is filled with action and humor, and love. 

I do not see any snubs in this category.

BEST DIRECTOR

BELFAST

Kenneth Branagh

DRIVE MY CAR

Ryusuke Hamaguchi

LICORICE PIZZA

Paul Thomas Anderson

THE POWER OF THE DOG

Jane Campion

WEST SIDE STORY

Steven Spielberg

Will Win

JANE CAMPION

There is a large faction in Hollywood who want her to win. She is very popular. There are only two directors who could upset her ,Branagh and Spielberg. If they did come close I think they would cancel themselves out and again that leads to Campion.

Should win

KENNETH BRANAGH

I just think Spielberg did a great job making West Side Story modern yet old at the same time, however I can't get past he already had the source from the musical and the original film in front of him. So I think that knocks him out for me. Branagh's Belfast I just love the look and feel he brought to Belfast. Using a grayscale, black and white. Great score. He brought in a great cast. You can tell this movie was personal to him. It bleeds from the screen. I just don't think Campion did anything challenging or different to win the Oscar.

Before I get to best picture let me throw in some winners for the lesser popular categories:

Dune will be the big winner with most nominations:

Best Editing

Best Score

Best Production Design

Best Sound

Best Visual Effects

Best Cinematography West Side Story

Best Costume Design Cruella

Best Documentary Summer Of Soul...will win but poorly put together, yes music was great, but sloppy with editing of the music. Then Rescue is the best Documentary hands down.

Best International Feature Drive My Car will win But worst Person In The World is so much better.

Best Makeup Hairstyling Cruella

Best Song No Time To Die.. oh where have gone Bruno

Adapted Screenplay Coda

Original Screenplay Belfast

NOW BEST PICTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BELFAST

Laura Berwick, Kenneth Branagh, Becca Kovacik and Tamar Thomas, Producers

CODA

Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger, Producers

DON'T LOOK UP

Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers

DRIVE MY CAR

Teruhisa Yamamoto, Producer

DUNE

Mary Parent, Denis Villeneuve and Cale Boyter, Producers

KING RICHARD

Tim White, Trevor White and Will Smith, Producers

LICORICE PIZZA

Sara Murphy, Adam Somner and Paul Thomas Anderson, Producers

NIGHTMARE ALLEY

Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale and Bradley Cooper, Producers

THE POWER OF THE DOG

Jane Campion, Tanya Seghatchian, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning and Roger Frappier, Producers

WEST SIDE STORY

Steven Spielberg and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers

Will Win and Should Win

CODA

This could go anywhere. I think CODA should win. Will it? It is a battle between Coda; Belfast; and Power Of The Dog. It could go to any of those three, however CODA has momentum. It is kind of a shocker we are even thinking that Coda can win. It gives you the feels and critics and Hollywood usually do not award those films. They like sad depressing like Power. I do think Belfast has came on strong in last month, but Coda I feel will hold on.

Snubbed

I really have no snubbed but I can say 10 films are way too much;

I would get rid of:

Dune...You have to keep stopping the story and explain things....never a good sign

Drive My Car..Not even the best foreign film The Worst Person In The World was.

King Richard..Great performance by Smith but let's be honest it's a dishonest fluff piece

Nightmare Alley..needed a editor

Don't Look Up...Come on! Its a TV film never really out in theaters

So the 5 should be...

West Side Story

Power Of The Dog

Licorice Pizza

Belfast

Coda

5 is all that is needed

Well there you go..closing up Oscar week with my picks..

From the shadows as always thanks for your time.