Al's Top Rated Films: 2022
My favorites from 2022! I'll add more to the list as I see more movies. Cheers!
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- DirectorMartin McDonaghStarsColin FarrellBrendan GleesonKerry CondonTwo lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them.Outstanding dark comedy drama from Martin McDonagh set on remote island off the west coast of Ireland in 1923, while a civil war wages on in the main land. The story follows a simple man named Pádraic who goes to his old friend Colm's house so they can walk to the local pub together, which they do everyday at 2pm. However, Colm doesn't answer his knocks on the door or his window. Pádraic is dumbfounded by this, and heads off to the bar alone. Later he meets up with Colm, who informs Pádraic that he doesn't like him anymore, he wants to spend the rest of his later years to make music and write in peace, and doesn't want him to talk to him anymore. Pádraic can't believe his ears, and immediately falls into a deep depression over the ordeal. When he continues to try to make amends with Colm, Colm informs him that he'll cut off one of his own fingers each time Pádraic talks to him, until there's none left. The battle between the men causes great drama with Pádraic's sister and with others in the town, as it boils to a distressing conclusion. Fantastic drama all around, and the setting and cinematography was absolutely stunning. I'd have to say it's my favorite lead performances from both Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. They were excellent all around. Kerry Condon, Barry Keoghan, Pat Shortt, Gary Lydon, Jon Kenny, David Pearse, Aaron Monaghan, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJoseph KosinskiStarsTom CruiseJennifer ConnellyMiles TellerAfter thirty years, Maverick is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads TOP GUN's elite graduates on a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it.I was a huge fan of Top Gun (1986), so I was thrilled when I heard there would finally be a sequel. It's been reported that Tom Cruise refused to do a second Top Gun film unless the story was perfect, and that all the aviation had to be real in the most epic and top technological fashion—with the actors behind the controls. This film is everything I had hoped it would be. Fantastic story that follows Maverick 30 years later as he's still at the forefront of the best naval aviators in the world, and is given the treacherous task of being an instructor at Top Gun, and training past Top Gun graduates to push the envelope and be even better, as they face a seemingly impossible and deadly mission to bomb a foreign country's unsanctioned uranium enrichment plant. So much of the music came from the original film, and it was a great move; along with so many other well-done homages. I'd have to say it's my favorite lead performance of all-time from Tom Cruise. Miles Teller and Jennifer Connelly also had excellent co-starring roles. Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman, Jay Ellis, Greg Tarzan Davis, Danny Ramirez, Jack Schumacher, Manny Jacinto, Kara Wang, Jake Picking, Jon Hamm, Val Kilmer, Ed Harris, Lyliana Wray, and others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsBrendan FraserSadie SinkTy SimpkinsA reclusive, morbidly obese English teacher attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter.Powerful drama from Darren Aronofsky that follows troubled, withdrawn, and morbidly obese online college writing instructor. His only real support he gets his from his friend Liz, who helps take care of his day to day needs. When he finds out he may not have much more time to live, he attempts to reconnect with his estranged 17-year-old daughter that he hasn't seen in 8 years, which opens up painful wounds about their relationship, and also the devastating loss he suffered in the gay relationship that broke up their family. The story is amazingly realistic, as is the Oscar-winning achievement in makeup and the fat suit Brendan Fraser is wearing was incredible. Fraser's Oscar-winning performance was easily his most dramatic to date, and the best of his career in my opinion. The range of emotions he projected was superbly done. Sadie Sink also delivered a very complex emotion-filled performance, along with Hong Chau. Ty Simpkins, Samantha Morton, and Sathya Sridharan all had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorRon HowardStarsViggo MortensenColin FarrellJoel EdgertonA rescue mission is assembled in Thailand where a group of young boys and their soccer coach are trapped in a system of underground caves that are flooding.Incredible historical survival adventure from Ron Howard set in Thailand on June 23, 2018. The story follows a soccer team of 12 young boys and their coach as they go to explore the Tham Luang cave to celebrate a friends birthday. It wasn't raining before they entered the cave, but heavy monsoon-like rainfall immediately begins after they are inside, which quickly floods the cave behind them as they walk 2.5 miles deep into the cave. They are soon completely trapped and the chance of survival is slim. The story focuses much on British cave divers John Volanthen, Rick Stanton, and Dr. Richard Harris, who were instrumental in the planning the rescue mission. It's incredible story of sacrifice and urgency as over 10,000 people from 17 countries volunteer to help get these boys out alive. Excellently realistic film with fantastic cinematography, incredible action, and poignant drama. The casting was also fantastic. Viggo Mortensen and Colin Farrell both deliver excellent lead performances. Joel Edgerton, Tom Bateman, Paul Gleeson, and Sahajak Boonthanakit also had great starring roles. All the relatively unknown cast of kids and parents also delivered great supporting roles.
- DirectorEdward BergerStarsFelix KammererAlbrecht SchuchAaron HilmerA young German soldier's terrifying experiences and distress on the western front during World War I.Fantastic anti-war drama from Edward Berger and an excellent adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's classic 1929 novel. The story is set in 1914 Germany, and follows a young German named Paul Bäumer and a group of his classmates who are strongly persuaded by their teacher to join the German army and fight for the Fatherland. Feeling empowered by the speech, all the kids eagerly enlist in the army, and are forcibly thrusted into battle before they even reach the western front in Paris, France. The high spirits they once had are now covered in sheer terror. The conditions are extremely bleak on the German side. There is little to no food to keep soldiers healthy, and they're supplied with inferior weapons, armor, and medical care. As they are sent into horrific and deadly battles, each one of Paul's friends are killed one by one. As the months and years go by, their sense of hopelessness and hatred for the war increases until they are completely hollow inside. This isn't just a remake of Lewis Milestone's classic. It definitely changes up the story quite a bit (especially the beginning and the ending), and 2022 technology gives it a gorgeous production design, cinematography, and visual effects that make war films even more powerful. There's no wonder why it won 4 Oscars. Felix Kammerer and Albrecht Schuch both delivered excellent lead performances. Aaron Hilmer, Moritz Klaus, Adrian Grünewald, Daniel Brühl, Edin Hasanovic, Thibault de Montalembert, Devid Striesow, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorClay KaytisStarsPeter BillingsleyErinn HayesRiver DroscheFollows the now-adult Ralphie as he returns to the house on Cleveland Street to give his kids a magical Christmas like the one he had as a child, reconnecting with childhood friends, and reconciling the passing of his Old Man.My all-time favorite holiday film is A Christmas Story (1983), so I was thrilled to hear they were creating a proper remake to this holiday classic by gathering the original Ralphie Parker and many other original characters from the film. The results couldn't have been any better in my book, and fans of the original film will love all the nostalgic tributes involved. The story follows Ralphie returning home 33 years after the events of the first film with his wife, kids, baggage from his faltering writing career, and his struggles to pay tribute to his his old man who passed away just before the holidays. All the returning characters and storylines were superb, and the ending was perfect. Peter Billingsley (Ralphie) delivered a perfect lead performance, and still has a lot of great talent on the screen. Erinn Hayes also delivered the best performance I've seen from her yet as his wife Sandy. Julie Hagerty was also a major standout in the film. Her comedic timing was spot-on, and her dramatic parts were also excellent. While it would have been awesome to see Melinda Dillon reprise her classic role, I have zero complaints about Hagerty's excellent role. Scott Schwartz (Flick), R.D. Robb (Schwartz), Zack Ward (Scut Farkus), River Drosche, Julianna Layne, Henry Miller, and many others had excellent supporting roles.
- DirectorMark MylodStarsRalph FiennesAnya Taylor-JoyNicholas HoultA young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.Excellent dark comedy/psychological thriller from Mark Mylod that follows a young couple who travels to a privately owned island to dine at an elite restaurant named Hawthorn for a whopping $1,250 a head; which is owned and ran by celebrity chef Julian Slowik. Tyler is an obsessive chef and foodie himself, and this is the event of the decade for him; while his date Margot becomes less than thrilled with every passing moment. The courses come out in conceptual fashion for the 12 lucky guests that were privileged enough to get an invite to the dinner, and they quickly find that Slowik and his extremely dedicated staff know intimate and damaging details about each guest, and continue to play psychological mind games with them all as the dinner roles forward. Soon, those games quickly become a reality splattered with blood and horror. Fantastic story with some hilarious comedy, disturbing drama, and superb thrills. I couldn't imagine anyone playing Chef Slowik better than Ralph Fiennes. He delivered one of his best lead performances. Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult also had fantastic starring roles. Hong Chau, Janet McTeer, Paul Adelstein, John Leguizamo, Aimee Carrero, Judith Light, Rebecca Koon, Rob Yang, Arturo Castro, Mark St. Cyr, Christina Brucato, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsBrad PittMargot RobbieJean SmartA tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.Excellent historical comedy drama from Damien Chazelle set in 1926 Bel Air, Los Angeles, and follows a Mexican immigrant and film lover named Manuel "Manny" Torres who's tasked to transport an elephant to a wild party at Kinoscope Studios executive Don Wallach's mansion. The guest list is filled with Hollywood stars, and is overflowing with booze, drugs, sex, and jazz music. We get to know a few guests very well throughout the story. Manny quickly falls in love with an aspiring actress named Nellie LaRoy from New Jersey, who becomes an instant Hollywood star with her first upcoming film. Manny also befriends Hollywood superstar Jack Conrad, who instantly takes a liking to Manny, and hires him to be his assistant, which finds him diving deep into the glory and horrors of the film business. All in all, it's a fantastic story about the transitional era of silent films to the new era of talkies, and the silent legends that new Hollywood left behind in the process. Excellent story with gorgeous and extremely detailed production design and cinematography, that matched the era beautifully. Brad Pitt and Diego Calva both delivered excellent lead performances, and Margot Robbie arguably delivers her best starring role to date. Li Jun Li, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, Tobey Maguire, Samara Weaving, Olivia Hamilton, P.J. Byrne, Flea, Jeff Garlin, Eric Roberts, Olivia Wilde, Katherine Waterston, J.C. Currais, Ethan Suplee, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorMaria SchraderStarsZoe KazanCarey MulliganPatricia ClarksonJodi Kantor and Megan Twohey's quest to break the Harvey Weinstein scandal.Excellent historical drama set roughly from 1992–2016, and follows New York Times investigative reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor who break the horrific story of intimidation, sexual harassment, rape, and abuse of power by the incredibly wealthy and powerful Hollywood producer, Harvey Weinstein. As they dig deeper, they find its the system that has set rules in place to cover up and allow this sort of behavior to continue happening as far back as the 1980s. The impact of their story inspired other women to speak out on their dreadful experiences. Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan both delivered excellent and powerful lead performances, and had great chemistry together. Patricia Clarkson, Andre Braugher, Samantha Morton, Jennifer Ehle, Ashley Judd, Keilly McQuail, Adam Shapiro, Emma O'Connor, Dalya Knapp, Lola Petticrew, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJeremiah ZagarStarsAdam SandlerQueen LatifahJuancho HernangomezA basketball scout discovers a phenomenal street ball player while in Spain and sees the prospect as his opportunity to get back into the NBA.Excellent sports drama about a veteran basketball scout who discovers an outstanding street basketball player named Bo Cruz while searching for new talent in Spain. When his boss and the owner of the Philadelphia 76ers refuse to take a chance on Bo, he quits his job and works full time to get Bo into the NBA, while simultaneously creating an opportunity for himself to break back into NBA coaching. Adam Sandler delivered one of his best lead performances, and all the real-life basketball players really helped make the film shine. Easily one of the best films I've ever seen about basketball. Juancho Hernangomez also had an excellent lead performance. Ben Foster, Kenny Smith, Robert Duvall, Jordan Hull, and Queen Latifah all had nice roles among a solid supporting cast.
- DirectorMatt ReevesStarsRobert PattinsonZoë KravitzJeffrey WrightWhen a sadistic serial killer begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, The Batman is forced to investigate the city's hidden corruption and question his family's involvement.Excellent action-packed crime drama from Matt Reeves and one of the finest films in the entire Batman franchise. We skip the origin story this time around, with the story set 2 years after the masked vigilante swore to protect the good people of Gotham. Crime is actually up in all respects, and has become a bigger problem than it ever has before. It gets a whole lot worse once a maniacal killer named "The Riddler" starts killing corrupt political figures who are the reason that Gotham has become the crime-ridden cesspool that it is. Batman is targeted with all of his mind-bending riddles as he works with police Lt. James Gordon and a mysterious masked vigilante named Selina Kyle to take him down and restore some sense of peace to Gotham. Robert Pattinson delivers his greatest lead performance as Batman, and I'm excited to see the forthcoming sequel. Paul Dano, Zoë Kravitz, and Jeffrey Wright also had great starring roles. Colin Farrell, John Turturro, Andy Serkis, Peter Sarsgaard, Jayme Lawson, Gil Perez-Abraham, Barry Keoghan, and several others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorGina Prince-BythewoodStarsViola DavisThuso MbeduLashana LynchA historical epic inspired by true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries.Excellent action-packed true historical drama set in the Kingdom of Dahomey, West Africa, 1823. The story follows the conflict between the extremely skilled and dedicated female-lead Agojie army, and the Oyo Empire who participates heavily in slave trades of their people and many other Africans to maintain their power. But when the Oyo pushes them too far, they retaliate and fight back against their brutality to secure their freedom and future. Fantastic story with a strong African-American female cast that was done beautifully in every way. Viola Davis delivers one one of her absolute best performances. Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, and John Boyega also had fantastic lead roles. Jordan Bolger, Masali Baduza, Jimmy Odukoya, Jayme Lawson, Adrienne Warren, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorMarc ForsterStarsTom HanksMariana TreviñoRachel KellerOtto is a grump who's given up on life following the loss of his wife and wants to end it all. When a young family moves in nearby, he meets his match in quick-witted Marisol, leading to a friendship that will turn his world around.Excellent comedy drama that follows an eccentric and impatient grump who suffers greatly from the passing of his wife. He keeps busy by overlooking the townhome complex he lives in, while criticizing the daily and life decisions of anybody in his path. After reaching his darkest moments, he attempts to commit suicide to rejoin his wife in heaven, when he's interrupted by a loud and needy family of neighbors who's moving in across the street from him. Over time, he finds reasons to live as he helps this family through hard times, while also homing a feral cat, making amends with his neighbors, and honoring his wife's life. Very touching story with great comedy that balances out much of the serious drama happening in the story. Tom Hanks and Mariana Treviño delivered excellent lead performances. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Rachel Keller, Mack Bayda, Cameron Britton, Juanita Jennings, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorOlivia NewmanStarsDaisy Edgar-JonesTaylor John SmithHarris DickinsonA woman who raised herself in the marshes of the Deep South becomes a suspect in the murder of a man with whom she was once involved.Excellent drama/mystery set in 1969, and follows a young woman and artist named Kya who raised herself in the marshes of North Carolina when every older member of her family left home after being terrorized and abused by her father. She learned to live life on her own with very few friends, and a town full of gossipers who dismissed her for being different. One day her life changes when she meets Tate. They fall in love, but those dreams are soon crushed when Tate decides to go to college and doesn't return when he says he will. She later meets a high school football start named Chase who she's taken with and considers marrying. Following a bout of troubling drama/trauma, Chase winds up dead, and Kya becomes the main suspect in his mysterious murder. Daisy Edgar-Jones delivered a fantastic lead performance as Kya. Taylor John Smith (Tate) and Harris Dickinson (Chase) were also excellent, along with David Strathairn as Kya's lawyer, Tom. Jojo Regina, Michael Hyatt, Sterling Macer Jr., Logan Macrae, and Garret Dillahunt also had great roles among the supporting cast.
- DirectorJordan PeeleStarsDaniel KaluuyaKeke PalmerBrandon PereaThe residents of a lonely gulch in inland California bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.Excellent sci-fi horror/mystery from Jordan Peele that follows the Haywood family of the Hollywood Horses horse-handling business. When the father of the family is struck and killed by mysterious falling objects from the sky around their secluded California ranch, OJ and his sister Emerald are left to run the business. One day when the power goes out, OJ sees what he believes to be a UFO or flying saucer in the sky, and they decide to attempt capturing it on film to earn fortune and fame. As they move along with their plans with help from some interested parties, they find that they underestimate the horrors of the mystery in the sky, which turns out to be far more horrifying than they expected. What started as a fairly typical sci-fi mystery really amps up to an original story and film all around. The ending sequence was incredible and really pays off. Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer both had excellent lead performances. Brandon Perea, Michael Wincott, Steven Yeun, Wrenn Schmidt, Keith David, Devon Graye, and many others had also had excellent supporting roles.
- DirectorDavid LeitchStarsBrad PittJoey KingAaron Taylor-JohnsonFive assassins aboard a swiftly-moving bullet train find out that their missions have something in common.Hilarious action-packed crime thriller from David Leitch that follows an experienced and unlucky assassin named Ladybug that hops aboard a bullet train in Tokyo to complete a simple mission—find and steal a specific aluminum briefcase containing $10 million, and get off the train. However, there are also 4 other assassins aboard the train, with unique back stories who are also there to collect the briefcase, that leads to a nice plot-twisting climax. Brad Pitt delivers an excellent lead performance as he usually does. Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Bad Bunny, Sandra Bullock, Zazie Beetz, Logan Lerman, Masi Oka, and many others had excellent supporting roles.
- DirectorRyan CooglerStarsLetitia WrightLupita Nyong'oDanai GuriraThe people of Wakanda fight to protect their home from intervening world powers as they mourn the death of King T'Challa.Excellent sequel to the supremely popular first Black Panther (2018) film, which follows the sad and unfortunate death of the young Black Panther star, Chadwick Boseman. The story follows Shuri mourning the death of T'Challa with her mother Queen Ramonda and the rest of Wakanda. Their world comes under attack once again when Americans discover vibranium outside of Wakanda in the Atlantic ocean, which finds an underwater vibranium-filled society know as Talokan—ran by a brutal mutated leader named Namor—that destroys the ship and kills everyone on board in order to keep the secret of their society safe. Wakanda is soon blamed for destroying the ship, while war may soon be on the horizon between the Talokans and Wakandans if Namor doesn't get what he demands. The story was amazingly well-done even with the omission of Chadwick Boseman. Letitia Wright delivered an excellent lead performance as the new Black Panther. Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, and Tenoch Huerta also had excellent starring roles. Winston Duke, Martin Freeman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Dominique Thorne, Florence Kasumba, Michaela Coel, Alex Livinalli, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorTodd FieldStarsCate BlanchettNoémie MerlantNina HossSet in the international world of Western classical music, the film centers on Lydia Tár, widely considered one of the greatest living composer-conductors and the very first female director of a major German orchestra.Excellent music drama on the fictional life of Lydia Tár—a world-renowned composer/conductor, the first female director of a major German orchestra, and also a EGOT victor (winner of the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards). It displays her dominating personality among a male-dominated industry as she shapes and molds her musicians to fit her interpretation of the music. Meanwhile, trouble is brewing in the background after one of her ex-students accuses her of sexually grooming students to advance placement in her orchestra, while her personal and professional relations simultaneously crumble. Cate Blanchett delivered one of her all-time best lead performances. She nailed every part of her role. Nina Hoss, Sophie Kauer, Noémie Merlant, Allan Corduner, Mark Strong, Zethphan D. Smith-Gneist, Julian Glover, and others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorSarah PolleyStarsRooney MaraClaire FoyJessie BuckleyDo nothing, stay and fight, or leave. In 2010, the women of an isolated religious community grapple with reconciling a brutal reality with their faith.Powerful drama from Sarah Polley set in 2010 and follows the women of an extremely isolated religious-based Mennonite colony. All the women have historically been raped and beaten by the men on a regular basis without real punishment. If the women do not forgive their attackers, they are excommunicated from the colony, and believe they will lose their place in heaven. But the tension has finally reached its boiling point, and the women meet to decide they need to take one of three actions. Do nothing: allow the raping and beatings to continue and fear for their lives and that of their children. Or fight: which goes against their religious and peaceful ways. Or leave the community: taking their children and abandoning the community to start new free lives of their own. Great story with excellent dialogue and acting all around. Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, Ben Whishaw, and Kate Hallett all had excellent lead performances. Liv McNeil, Sheila McCarthy, Michelle McLeod, Frances McDormand, and others were also great among the supporting cast.
- DirectorTommy WirkolaStarsDavid HarbourJohn LeguizamoBeverly D'AngeloAn elite team of mercenaries breaks into a family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone hostage. However, they aren't prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus is on the grounds, and he's about to show why this Nick is no saint.Hilarious action-packed comedy thriller that follows a drunk and demoralized Santa Clause who feels 2022 may be his last Christmas. Nearing the end of his work night, he makes a stop at a wealthy family's mansion to deliver gifts when a team of mercenaries takes everyone hostage in order to steal $300 million that's stored in a home vault. While Santa doesn't want to get involved, he comes in contact with 7-year-old Trudy, who is being held hostage. She is on the nice list, and begins to remind him what Christmas is all about. With that inspiration, he vows to save the family, and bring justice to those on the naughty list. David Harbour was the perfect star for this film. He handled all the comical and heartfelt moments perfectly, as well has the brutally intense fight scenes. John Leguizamo, Beverly D'Angelo, Leah Brady, Alex Hassell, Alexis Louder, Edi Patterson, Cam Gigandet, André Eriksen, Brendan Fletcher, Mike Dopud, Alexander Elliot, Mitra Suri, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorBaz LuhrmannStarsTom HanksAustin ButlerOlivia DeJongeThe life of American music icon Elvis Presley, from his childhood to becoming a rock and movie star in the 1950s while maintaining a complex relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.Powerful and uniquely made biopic about the "King of Rock and Roll"—Elvis Presley. It also tells the story of his greedy and controlling manager, Colonel Tom Parker—who helped launch Elvis too superstardom, but ultimately kept him playing the venues he wanted, keeping him out of international tours, and getting extremely rich off his brand of entertainment. Austin Butler was absolutely amazing as Elvis. The music renditions, the dancing, and the interaction with the women was spot on. Tom Hanks also delivered a complex and great performance. Olivia DeJonge, Helen Thomson, Richard Roxburgh, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and many others had nice supporting roles. My only big criticism of this film is the soundtrack/score. There are too many modern hip-hop and pop songs mixed into a film that should have more period music, or at least more throwback renditions of classics by modern artists. The background music could have been much better.
- DirectorKevin SmithStarsBrian O'HalloranJeff AndersonVincent PereiraDante, Elias, and Jay and Silent Bob are enlisted by Randal after a heart attack to make a movie about the convenience store that started it all.Excellent comedy drama from Kevin Smith and a great way to cap off the Clerks trilogy, which has been brewing since 1994. The story takes place 15 years after Dante and Randal bought the Quick Stop convenience store, and they're still living the same lives. When Randal has a heart attack and almost dies, he realizes he must do something constructive with his life, and decides to make a biographical film in the Quick Stop that shows the history of his life working there. Tension comes into play when Randal's ego gets in the way, which ruffles Dante's feathers about a past tragedy. While the story is a bit spotty and not every joke lands, it's the best movie Kevin Smith has made since Clerks II (2006) in my book. While it is a comedy, this is much more of a drama than the first two Clerks films. It works because Brian O'Halloran (Dante) and Jeff Anderson (Randal) have been playing these characters their entire careers and can really act and carry a dramatic storyline. They both delivered excellent lead performances. Trevor Fehrman, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Rosario Dawson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Justin Long, Amy Sedaris, Ben Affleck, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJaume Collet-SerraStarsDwayne JohnsonAldis HodgePierce BrosnanNearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the Egyptian gods--and imprisoned just as quickly--Black Adam is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.Excellent action sci-fi adventure set in the city of Kahndaq, and follows a man named Teth-Adam that was given super powers of the Egyptian gods 5,000 years ago, and quickly imprisoned afterward to contain his powers. Now it is present day, and many are searching for the Crown of Sabbac, which is located in the same spot as Teth-Adam's tomb, and he is awakened to the modern world which creates conflict with the Justice Society of America, while the people need a hero like Teth-Adam to set them free of the tyrannical police state they are living in. I liked how they made Teth-Adam a complex anti-hero killer who learns about himself along the way. It was just unique enough to set itself apart from most superhero films. Dwayne Johnson delivered an excellent lead performance. Aldis Hodge, Pierce Brosnan, Noah Centineo, Sarah Shahi, Quintessa Swindell, Marwan Kenzari, Bodhi Sabongui, Mohammed Amer, James Cusati-Moyer, Jalon Christian, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorEric AppelStarsDiedrich BaderDaniel RadcliffeLin-Manuel MirandaExplores every facet of Yankovic's life, from his meteoric rise to fame with early hits like 'Eat It' and 'Like a Surgeon' to his torrid celebrity love affairs and famously depraved lifestyle.Hilarious music-inspired comedy that appears to be a be a biography of music-comedian extraordinaire 'Weird Al' Yankovic; when it's actual exactly what we should expect from Al—a hilarious spoof on your typical star biopic, that runs a completely fictional storyline. I certainly wasn't expecting that direction, but it succeeded beautifully. The story and acting was great throughout. Daniel Radcliffe delivered a great lead performance as Weird Al. Rainn Wilson, Evan Rachel Wood, Julianne Nicholson, Richard Aaron Anderson, Toby Huss, Tommy O'Brien, Jack Black, 'Weird Al' Yankovic himself, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorColin TrevorrowStarsChris PrattBryce Dallas HowardLaura DernFour years after the destruction of Isla Nublar, Biosyn operatives attempt to track down Maisie Lockwood, while Dr Ellie Sattler investigates a genetically engineered swarm of giant insects.Solid finale to cap off the Jurassic World trilogy. It takes place in a time when dinosaurs have now spread throughout every continent of the world, and humans are forced with questions to exterminate them, keep them in captivity, or coexist together. When a human is created the same way the dinosaurs are created is kidnapped, her guardians Owen and Claire work to get her back from ruthless poachers and a powerful and corrupt corporate conglomerate, while Ellie and Alan return to investigate a giant locust infestation that's destroying the world's crops. It's an epic story that combines characters from both the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World franchises. While the story isn't the best, and it's definitely a bit too long, I thoroughly enjoyed it like I have most Jurassic sequels. Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Isabella Sermon, Laura Dern, and Sam Neill all deliver great lead performances. Jeff Goldblum, DeWanda Wise, Mamoudou Athie, Campbell Scott, BD Wong, Omar Sy, and others had very nice supporting roles.