The year 2022 was dominated by trends, new aesthetics, but most importantly- movies. “Batman,” “The Menu,” “Top Gun Maverick,” “Black panther: Wakanda forever,”…these are just a few notable films that destroyed box office ticket sales and dominated theater screens for weeks. As we say “Goodbye” to 2022 and “Hello” to 2023, let’s take a moment for a review of a few of the films that stood out in the past year.

Everything Everywhere All At Once
Ratings: 8.1/10 (IMDB) 3.5/5
Review: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is exactly that. Everything. Everywhere. All at once. It’s emotional, it’s chaotic, it’s odd, it’s heartwarming. The film directed by Daniel Scheinert has captivated audiences all over the world with its intense and fun storyline. When the main character, Evelyn, is faced with saving the universe, she finds that she must make all the right choices to save what matters most to her. Often when watching this film, one might find themselves not paying attention to the dialogue as the marvel of cinematography is captivating. As Evelyn jumps from universe to universe, we are met with fast-paced, quick cut, captivating scenes. Talented actors Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan were outstanding in this film and helped create a story that audiences can get lost into. Some parts of the film feel a little repetitive, but it does not tarnish the film in any way. If you are into fast-paced, colorful, and fun films, check out Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Nope
Ratings: 6.9/10 (IMDB) 4/5
Review: “Nope” is a science fiction/horror movie created by Jordan Peele. This movie does a wonderful job at establishing an eerie atmosphere through its use of dark and distorted sounds combined with its suffocating imagery. The film explores society’s obsession with fame and spectacle, displayed through its many expertly crafted characters, specifically the two main characters OJ and Emerald Haywood. However, the movie does feel unnecessarily long and drawn out at times. All in all, this movie is not without its flaws, but it is still very much worth your time.

The Whale
Ratings: 8/10 (IMDB) 2.5/5
Review: The Whale follows our main character Charlie, a 600-pound man coming to terms with the end of his life. One thing I can say for this film is that it was not a happy film to watch. You become collapsed in by the four walls of the same scenery, since the set of the film does not change, and the heart-wrenching themes. After watching this movie, one might walk out of the movie theater feeling gloomy, and not because of the January weather. Many reviewers have called this movie fatphobic because of the stereotypes it portrays. Others say this movie is a
work of genius. This film is very hit or miss with audiences, but one consensus that I, too, can agree on is that Brendan Fraser’s acting was entrancing. He was really able to bring the character to life. But, even with the fantastic performances in this film, I did not enjoy this movie. I felt the ending was spelled out for me in the beginning. It was just 117 minutes of pure suffering.

The Fabelmans
Ratings: 7.7/10 (IMDB) 4.5/5
Review: “The Fabelmans” is a coming-of-age drama loosely based on the life of director Steven Spielberg. The movie focuses on Sammy and his love for movies and directing. This film
features amazing camerawork, with some of the most interesting and unique shots we’ve ever seen. The story is well-paced, dramatic, and entertaining, but I found myself thinking several times that it was very predictable. The characters have many different layers to them that get brought to life through the actors, with a standout performance from Michelle Williams. This movie was very enjoyable, and I think it’s definitely worth a watch.