My Top 5 Favorite Things in 2022

Entertainment

There’s so much garbage entertainment out there that it can be refreshing to talk about the things and artists that get it right. Two years ago, I made a top 5 list for 2020, but I chose not to do one for 2021 because I didn’t think there was enough noteworthy stuff to discuss. That was a mistake because it’s fun and, perhaps, psychologically necessary to revisit the best the year had to offer. As such, here are some of my favorite new things that came out in 2022. These can be TV shows, films, musical albums, etc. Please feel free to list some of your favorites (or least favorites) in the comments! 

5) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish 

I didn’t expect my favorite animated film of the year to come from DreamWorks, much less that it would be a sequel to Puss in Boots. I’ll try not to talk too much about movies I have full reviews of, but Puss in Boots: The Last Wish was infinitely better than I expected. The original Puss in Boots misunderstood what made the character so popular in the Shrek movies and failed to be very interesting in its own right, too. It was forgettable and did little to distinguish itself in a crowded animation industry. I was flabbergasted when a sequel was announced and even more shocked when the trailer looked good. The Last Wish is about mortality, treating life and death with respect, and making the most of the time we’re given. I can’t think of better themes to explore or messages to impart at the end of a year. This film does what its predecessor couldn’t or wouldn’t, challenging Puss as a character and meeting him where he is. The villains are genuine, intimidating threats, especially the Wolf. The antagonists have as much motivation as Puss; with one exception, they’re sympathetic in their own right. I anticipate several best animated awards for Puss because, frankly, he did not have a lot of competition this year. This movie is much better than it has any right to be, and any major competition fumbled. 

4) Three Thousand Years of Longing 

I didn’t know anything about Three Thousand Years of Longing going into it, and I’m glad I didn’t. As a result, I’ll spoil as little of it as possible for you. Idris Elba plays an ancient djinn who takes a regular woman (Tilda Swinton) on the journey of a lifetime. This movie is inventive, visually stunning, funny, emotional, and constantly surprising. I don’t usually care for the romance genre, but this film crafts interesting characters, and watching their relationship grow is only part of the adventure. 

3) Twelve Carat Toothache 

Post Malone‘s fourth studio album came out last June, just in time for my birthday. This was funny to me because I became a fan last year, thanks to my co-workers. Rap, RnB, and pop are genres I almost always avoid, but Post appeals to me because he gives off an air of not caring what others think. Additionally, his influences and idols come from all different musical genres and walks of life. I find that fascinating as well as admirable. It reminds me of Uncle Iroh’s speech in Avatar: The Last Airbender about taking wisdom from different sources. Twelve Carat Toothache is unique from Post’s other albums thanks to songs like “Lemon Tree” with its country twang and “Wasting Angels,” which has an ethereal, otherworldly vibe and sound to it. It isn’t my favorite of his albums, but it is my favorite album released in 2022. 

2) Andor

As I said with Puss, I’ll try not to ramble on too much since I reviewed Andor’s entire season. I can’t believe this was the best Star Wars show in 2022; I didn’t care for Rogue One or this character. I’m not a Boba Fett fan, but I expected more from that show as a Mandalorian follow-up, and in more capable hands, Obi-Wan Kenobi would have been a shoo-in. I don’t want to focus too much on Andor as a Star Wars show, though, because it was the best new TV series I saw in 2022, period. This was hardly a record year for great TV, but I think it’s always important to recognize the good in a situation. In the case of TV, that good came in the form of Andor, a gripping, gritty, intelligent, detail-oriented character study. Andor is the story of how good people can become morally compromised in the pursuit of justice and freedom. How far can one rightfully go for a good cause? How far is too far, and at a certain point, aren’t you just as bad as the people you’re fighting? Rogue One toyed with these ideas but struggled to juggle them with the “Rebellions are built on Hope” ideal. Likewise, the characters were that film’s greatest weakness while they’re at the heart of Andor, driving the story forward with every choice and word uttered. I scoffed at the notion of a 5-season Cassian Andor show, but now I’m genuinely disappointed that they’ve shortened it to two seasons. At least it can’t slowly fizzle out like Game of Thrones or so many other great shows.

1) Everything Everywhere All at Once 

Yet again, I have a full editorial (though not quite a review) of this film if you’re interested in my full thoughts. Everything Everywhere All at Once is funny, action-packed, and extremely thoughtful. The craziest part of this film (and that’s saying something) was watching thoughts I’ve had before played out on the screen. I don’t want to explain too much about what those thoughts were because I want you to see this movie! But even more than that, this movie is meant to be felt. Beyond the crazy costumes, time-and-space-bending mechanics, and inventive set pieces lies a story about a family that’s drifted apart. In Evelyn’s focus on herself and her business, she’s slowly lost her husband and daughter. She tells her father pretty lies to keep the peace rather than protecting her own child. Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan have won acting awards for this film, and I’ll let that speak for itself. I sat through plenty of bad and mediocre films this year, but it was worth it to experience something so honest, refreshing, and emotionally touching. This is, without a doubt, the film that most stuck with me throughout the year. 

Honorable Mentions:

Midnights 

Taylor Swift’s latest release was my second favorite album of the year. I especially like “Anti-Hero” because her exploration of self-loathing is extremely truthful and relatable. However, Twelve Carat Toothache beat it out because several Midnights tracks sound very similar. Taylor didn’t create multiple unique sounds the way Post did. That being said, “Snow on the Beach” is an absolute bop, and you can play that at my funeral. 

House of the Dragon 

I haven’t talked about the Game of Thrones prequel, but my colleague Jed has reviews of the whole season. Plenty has been said about this show, so I’ll keep it basic: the characters did it for me. I love King Viserys more than I remember caring for anyone on GoT. I want to like Rhaenyra and Daemon even though I know I probably shouldn’t. This is a testament to the writing and performances of a pitch-perfect cast. Rhys Ifans is perfectly detestable as Otto Hightower as well. House of the Dragon is the only high fantasy series I enjoyed this year, and I don’t enjoy saying that about one of my favorite genres. 

Amphibia 

I consider it cheating to include an ongoing series in a best-of-the-year list. However, were it not for that stipulation, Amphibia would have been on it. I have reviews for season 3, if you’re interested. 

The Bad Guys 

Puss in Boots was my favorite animated movie of the year, but DreamWorks came out of the gates punching with The Bad Guys. I love the style, humor, and characters in this movie. This is the kind of wacky, different movie Disney won’t do. 

Tales of the Jedi

I said Andor was the best Star Wars show this year, and I mean it, but Tales of the Jedi was a lot of fun. The Dooku episodes are more illuminating and consequential than Ahsoka’s, but I liked those too. You can’t go wrong with Clone Wars/Bad Batch style animation, and this show revealed more than I knew I needed to know about Count Dooku’s backstory and fall from grace. 

The Whale 

The Whale isn’t my favorite movie of 2022, but Brendan Fraser’s performance and the sheer emotion on display warrant an honorable mention. So glad our boy is back on the big screen. 

And that’s my list! What made your top 5, and would you like to see a dishonorable mentions list? Drop us a comment below! Here’s to a better 2023!