R | 114 min | Comedy, Drama

Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them.

Director: Martin McDonagh | Stars: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, Barry Keoghan

  • “The Glass Onion”

    Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (L-R) Edward Norton, Madelyn Cline, Kathryn Hahn, Dave Bautista, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Kate Hudson, Janelle Monae, and Daniel Craig. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix © 2022.

Great dark comedy movie about friendship and division through the boredom of day to day existence on an island. Deeper than you’d expect.

 

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)

PG-13 | 140 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama

 

Famed Southern detective Benoit Blanc travels to Greece for his latest case.

Director: Rian Johnson | Stars: Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista

PG-13 | 159 min | Biography, Drama, Music

The 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.

Director: Baz Luhrmann | Stars: Tom Hanks, Austin Butler, Olivia DeJonge, Helen Thomson

 

PG-13 | 130 min | Action, Drama

After 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.

Director: Joseph Kosinski | Stars: Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, Val Kilmer

 

.5)   Nope (2022)

R | 130 min | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi

The residents of a lonely gulch in inland California bear witness to an uncanny and chilling effect.

 

6) (2022) “The Whale”

The Whale

R | 117 min | Drama

A reclusive English teacher attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter.

Director: Darren Aronofsky | Stars: Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Ty Simpkins, Hong Chau

 

 7)  Inside Man (II) (2022)

TV-MA | 240 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

A prisoner on death row in the US and a woman trapped in a cellar under an English vicarage, cross paths in the most unexpected way.

Stars: David Tennant, Stanley Tucci, Dolly Wells, Lydia West

 

8)  The Fabelmans (2022)

PG-13 | 151 min | Drama

Growing up in post-World War II era Arizona, young Sammy Fabelman aspires to become a filmmaker as he reaches adolescence, but soon discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of films can help him see the truth.

Director: Steven Spielberg | Stars: Michelle Williams, Gabriel LaBelle, Paul Dano, Judd Hirsch

 

9)  The Good Nurse (2022)

R | 121 min | Biography, Crime, Drama

 

An infamous caregiver is implicated in the deaths of hundreds of hospital patients.

Director: Tobias Lindholm | Stars: Eddie Redmayne, Jessica Chastain, Denise Pillott, Dartel McRae

. 

10) Tár (2022)

R | 158 min | Drama, Music

Set in the international world of Western classical music, the film centers on Lydia Tár, widely considered one of the greatest living composer-conductors and first-ever female music director of a major German orchestra. Seems like it is based on this woman whose documentary I reviewed previously:

Director: Todd Field |  Cat”http://www.weeklywilson.com/the-conductor-about-1st-female-conductor-screens-at-denver-international-film-festival/Vengeance,”

Cate Blanchett, Noémie Merlant, Nina Hoss, Sophie Kauer

 11) My Policeman (2022)

R | 113 min | Drama, Romance

The arrival of Patrick into Marion and Tom’s home triggers the exploration of seismic events from 40 years previously.

Director: Michael Grandage | Stars: Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, Gina McKee, Linus Roache

 

Others: “The Menu,” 

“Avatar,”

“The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,”

“Empire of Light,”

“The Lost King,”

“She Said”

“Raymond and Ray”

The 18 films mentioned above (in no particular order) represent some of the best and/or most-promising of those released from January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. Since it is only November 27th, there are obviously some that have yet to screen, and I’ve missed a few, like “Till” or Viola Davis’ outing as a female warrior in “The Woman King.”

I’ve not seen “Avatar” (has anyone ?) and “She Said” is next on my list of films that are screening just up the street. (I polished off “The Fabelmans” yesterday).

Still, I’ve probably seen more of this year’s new offerings than most, as I’ve covered the Nashville, Denver, Chicago and Austin film festivals, so far, with Sun Dance and SXSW upcoming.

Of the ones above, all of which I have seen, I will give you some candid impressions, in order.

  • “The Banshees of Inisherin” – This one was a weird one, but it represents 2 excellent performances, which I think might earn Colin Farrell a nomination as Best Actor of the Year, with Brendan Gleeson earning Best Supporting Actor accolades. The title has relatively little to do with the film, as it is simply the title of a song that Brendan Gleeson is working on. This film from the “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” director is either going to amuse you in a horrific way or completely repulse you. Look for the female lead portraying Colin Farrell’s sister, Kerry Condon, to earn a Best Supporting Actress nomination.”

 

  • Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” – An excellent cast, but, to me, seemed to be all style and not much substance. Janaelle Monae was the standout of the many famous cast members.

 

  • “Elvis” – Austin Butler’s portrayal of Elvis—although somewhat cleaned up from reality—is nothing short of astonishing. The Baz Luhrmann movie bites off a bit more than it can comfortably chew, but it is exciting whenever Austin Butler is center stage.

 

  • “Top Gun: Maverick” – Is this the movie that will earn Tom Cruise an Oscar? Think about it, when viewed in the light of his long career. The visual stunts worked and Mils Teller was a welcome addition to the cast.

 

  • “Nope” – one of the most layered films of the year, and one of my favorites. See my review here:http://www.weeklywilson.com/nope-is-jordan-peeles-summer-movie-here-are-some-helpful-explanations/

 

  • The Whale” – Brendan Fraser is outstanding in this much-lauded Cannes standout, but it’s all set in one room and is Major League depressing. Look for Fraser to snag an Oscar nomination and the film to make the Best Pictures of the Year list.

 

  • “Inside Man” – There are numerous plot holes in this one, but it’s a good evening’s entertainment.

 

  • “The Fabelmans” – See review here: Steven Spielberg’s memoir to his family of origin.http://www.weeklywilson.com/the-fabelmans-is-steven-spielbergs-memoir-moment/

 

  • “The Good Nurse” – Hard to beat Eddie Redmayne and Jessica Chastain. I still want to know why the good nurse murdered so many people, however.

 

  • “Tar” – Cate Blanchett was good and will probably get a nomination, but the movie, itself, was not as good as the documentary on the first female director that I reviewed here:http://www.weeklywilson.com/the-conductor-about-1st-female-conductor-screens-at-denver-international-film-festival/

 

  • “My Policeman” – This is the third film with Harry Styles that I’ve seen. It’s worth seeing for that, alone. A star is born?