Ditto! And who knows how my ballot would have been different if my guests last weekend had chosen “Armageddon Time” instead of “After Yang” for our post-dinner viewing.
I really wanted to love THE NORTHMAN. Great first half. Maybe the issue of a scrappy indie director (seen it with bands, also) given too much lease in the form of massive budget and perhaps little editorial oversight, then run amok. Felt it was stretched out and a bit listless in the final act. Still, a gorgeous film.
Overall, like the lists! Thanx for letting the people speak (also, feel bad I forgot to submit one)
I think the only problem with The Northman (#1 on my ballot) is that the edges feel a bit sanded down, unlike The Lighthouse, which is pure uncut mayhem. It feels like the love story with ATJ, as good as she is, was added as appeasement to those who need a conventional narrative to hold on to. I wish it was all just mushroom trips and nightmare shamans. But there is a lot of that, so still #1!
My top five are all here in either the top 10 or honourable mentions, and those five also happen to be the only five I've actually seen in the entire list. So who knows what my 2022 list will be like in ten years when I've finally gotten around to them all.
Maybe we should do a reader poll of 2012 in parallel.
Anyway, I wanted to again thank everyone who contributed to this poll, especially those who took the additional time to write their thoughts on the year in movies. I regret that I could not include everyone in the finished piece, but sometimes you have to make some hard cuts to keep things tight. I could not have been more pleased with the level of interest in participating in the poll and the quality of the writing on your end. I was also not surprised by it in the least. You all are the best!
Yay Aftersun!! A small film that not enough people have seen. I wish it got more than the Mescal Oscar nom, but I'm heartened to see it as #1 in the alternate scoring system. ↗️☀️
I didn't see enough new movies this year to contribute to the poll, but I wanted to point out something in Tar that non-musicians might not have noticed. For background: I sing in a major symphony chorus and have done Mahler 2 with the guy that the character who steals her score is based on (Gilbert Kaplan). The film gets SO MUCH right, but I particularly enjoyed the small touches like the Lully-gets-gangrene story that music history profs would always pull out to get a laugh.
Anyway, (SPOILERS for the ending of Tar incoming) there's a cool, subtle touch in the ending. She puts on headphones to conduct the video game concert. When you do one of those or a live film score or anything like that, the conductor is listening to a click track (at a minimum: they might also have a display in front of them giving cues and tempos). This keeps the music in time with what's on screen. Think back to the opening interview during which she talks about the importance of the "metronome" right hand and how the conductor controls time. In the end, she's lost her power over time.
I think I was caught up enough in everything else about the film (the benefits of seeing it in a theater where I couldn't get distracted during the slow bits) that any discrepancies didn't bother me. Off-stage brass isn't uncommon in Mahler and other works (like putting trumpets around the hall for the "last trumpet" part of the Verdi or Berlioz requiems), but I don't know whether the opening riff would have been off-stage. It's usually more for pastoral horn calls. What bugged me about the linebacker bit is wondering how she got backstage when she had to be on a persona not grata list. It might have worked better if she'd bought a ticket and started shouting from the house. Same commotion, but less Hollywood.
That scene and the brother with the on-the-nose dialogue about "you don't know where you belong" were the two false notes (haha) for me. Some of her gestures were too jabby, and they never would have chosen the opening piece that close to a performance, but there was so much else right that I could overlook things like that. It was impressive/gross how Tar managed to still be skeevy with a blind audition process. The way that the gender balance of symphony orchestras changed after blind auditions became the norm says a lot about the old boys' network, but horrible people will find a way to pervert anything.
That said, I've only seen it once, and I may well feel more nitpicky if I watch it again.
I am (pleasantly) surprised to see Turning Red be the best performing animated film here, since I was under the impression that GDT's Pinocchio, Marcel the Shell, and the new Puss in Boots were all generally much more beloved among cinephile circles. All good films, but as an Asian-Canadian myself, it may not be a surprise that it was Turning Red that snuck onto my personal ballot, haha.
#BabylonHive rise up! Thanks for including my thoughts on it -- I've been reading you guys' writing for over 15 years, so it's a dream to have my words alongside yours.
Side note: I didn't have to click the link to know which Chicago location is the Landmark of the Damned. The Landmark patrons there do not know how to watch a movie in silence! I am still annoyed by the constant talking during The Souvenir Part I. Did you know that the lady behind me had a cigarette case just like the one on screen?
It was really bananas to hear those axes hit the target all the way up on the top floor. Though I did enjoy the surreality of the situation, which suits the Century Centre vibe these days perfectly.
As a Chicago-area native, I have only been to this location once and barely remember anything about it, not even what I saw (actually, I looked it up and it was some political documentary being hosted by Jan Schakowsky, which has all of 11 reviews on Letterboxd), other than its atrocious layout. Having a Landmark in my suburb probably kept me from venturing into the city to patronize it...
When a week before the ballot was due, it crossed my mind that what turned out to be my #1 for the year, A Night of Knowing Nothing, might actually be eligible for this 2022 ballot, I knew it didn't have much of a chance. But I put where I did anyway.
Very happy to see my comments made it! Tár rose a couple places once I saw it again but I probably would've left it the same just so that Resurrection gets more time in the sun. I wish i could shout out some other honorable mentions as well but alas, lists are lists.
Small correction: my last name is "Suber". Looking forward to doing this one again.
Love it. Great list and a solid representation of the year in cinema. Honored to have a bit of my writing included! Like you, I was positive on but not wowed by EEAAO. Let me tell you friends of mine who adored it were *not* happy to see it miss my top 20, and they made sure to let me know. Did either of you happen to catch The Cathedral? Seems I'm on an island for loving that film.
I haven't and I don't believe Keith has, either. I don't think you're on an island, though. I know that film has some strong support from those who have seen it.
Shout out to my fellow Pearlies! I'm subjecting myself to Infinity Pool tonight almost entirely because of Mia Goth's performance in X/Pearl, but I will probably watch half the movie from between my fingers.
Saw it last night! It was rly fun. Didn't like it nearly as much as Possessor but anything baby cronenberg comes up with will be appointment viewing for me!
It's quite funny right? Really interesting that all of these eat the rich films came out in the same year(ish) - pairs with triangle of sadness and the menu (and I guess glass onion too). All three take place on islands and honestly feel a little too on the nose for me to really get into but I liked infinity pool the most out of all of them - a lot more going on besides class wars. Which I love that films are taking on but I guess was left feeling a little hallow with triangle and menu.
Proud to be among the “Best Three Subscribers We Have” -- Saw Confess, Fletch on a flight home, and had the best time at the movies in a long while. Thanks for the recommendation!
Mad God fans represent! Who's my partner in crime out there?
I don't think this person would mind me outing him: Doug Dillaman.
Doug has a Substack, too, that's worth your time: https://dougdillaman.substack.com
Honored to be quoted! Thank you!
likewise, was pleasantly surprised to see my name in here :)
Ditto! And who knows how my ballot would have been different if my guests last weekend had chosen “Armageddon Time” instead of “After Yang” for our post-dinner viewing.
Same here, especially since none of my top 5 landed in the poll’s top 10! (four of my 6-10 were, however, go figure!)
I really wanted to love THE NORTHMAN. Great first half. Maybe the issue of a scrappy indie director (seen it with bands, also) given too much lease in the form of massive budget and perhaps little editorial oversight, then run amok. Felt it was stretched out and a bit listless in the final act. Still, a gorgeous film.
Overall, like the lists! Thanx for letting the people speak (also, feel bad I forgot to submit one)
I think the only problem with The Northman (#1 on my ballot) is that the edges feel a bit sanded down, unlike The Lighthouse, which is pure uncut mayhem. It feels like the love story with ATJ, as good as she is, was added as appeasement to those who need a conventional narrative to hold on to. I wish it was all just mushroom trips and nightmare shamans. But there is a lot of that, so still #1!
My top five are all here in either the top 10 or honourable mentions, and those five also happen to be the only five I've actually seen in the entire list. So who knows what my 2022 list will be like in ten years when I've finally gotten around to them all.
Maybe we should do a reader poll of 2012 in parallel.
Yes, let’s do more annual polls of bygone years! I live for lists!
Has to be 1922. Have a put a century between the lists. I like Nosferatu at #1.
I actually watched Häxan a week ago and it is great
Firsties!
Anyway, I wanted to again thank everyone who contributed to this poll, especially those who took the additional time to write their thoughts on the year in movies. I regret that I could not include everyone in the finished piece, but sometimes you have to make some hard cuts to keep things tight. I could not have been more pleased with the level of interest in participating in the poll and the quality of the writing on your end. I was also not surprised by it in the least. You all are the best!
Okay, fifthsies! Dammit!
Yay Aftersun!! A small film that not enough people have seen. I wish it got more than the Mescal Oscar nom, but I'm heartened to see it as #1 in the alternate scoring system. ↗️☀️
I didn't see enough new movies this year to contribute to the poll, but I wanted to point out something in Tar that non-musicians might not have noticed. For background: I sing in a major symphony chorus and have done Mahler 2 with the guy that the character who steals her score is based on (Gilbert Kaplan). The film gets SO MUCH right, but I particularly enjoyed the small touches like the Lully-gets-gangrene story that music history profs would always pull out to get a laugh.
Anyway, (SPOILERS for the ending of Tar incoming) there's a cool, subtle touch in the ending. She puts on headphones to conduct the video game concert. When you do one of those or a live film score or anything like that, the conductor is listening to a click track (at a minimum: they might also have a display in front of them giving cues and tempos). This keeps the music in time with what's on screen. Think back to the opening interview during which she talks about the importance of the "metronome" right hand and how the conductor controls time. In the end, she's lost her power over time.
I think I was caught up enough in everything else about the film (the benefits of seeing it in a theater where I couldn't get distracted during the slow bits) that any discrepancies didn't bother me. Off-stage brass isn't uncommon in Mahler and other works (like putting trumpets around the hall for the "last trumpet" part of the Verdi or Berlioz requiems), but I don't know whether the opening riff would have been off-stage. It's usually more for pastoral horn calls. What bugged me about the linebacker bit is wondering how she got backstage when she had to be on a persona not grata list. It might have worked better if she'd bought a ticket and started shouting from the house. Same commotion, but less Hollywood.
That scene and the brother with the on-the-nose dialogue about "you don't know where you belong" were the two false notes (haha) for me. Some of her gestures were too jabby, and they never would have chosen the opening piece that close to a performance, but there was so much else right that I could overlook things like that. It was impressive/gross how Tar managed to still be skeevy with a blind audition process. The way that the gender balance of symphony orchestras changed after blind auditions became the norm says a lot about the old boys' network, but horrible people will find a way to pervert anything.
That said, I've only seen it once, and I may well feel more nitpicky if I watch it again.
Thanks for this! I did not know how the live film score worked so I appreciate the additional context.
That’s a brilliant insight!
TAR the gift that keeps giving. Fantastic film. Going to rewatch now.
Thanks for the share!
I am (pleasantly) surprised to see Turning Red be the best performing animated film here, since I was under the impression that GDT's Pinocchio, Marcel the Shell, and the new Puss in Boots were all generally much more beloved among cinephile circles. All good films, but as an Asian-Canadian myself, it may not be a surprise that it was Turning Red that snuck onto my personal ballot, haha.
#BabylonHive rise up! Thanks for including my thoughts on it -- I've been reading you guys' writing for over 15 years, so it's a dream to have my words alongside yours.
Side note: I didn't have to click the link to know which Chicago location is the Landmark of the Damned. The Landmark patrons there do not know how to watch a movie in silence! I am still annoyed by the constant talking during The Souvenir Part I. Did you know that the lady behind me had a cigarette case just like the one on screen?
Is the creepy axe-throwing place still there in the murky depths of the well?
I believe so, though they did put a roof over it to muffle the sound of the axes hitting their target.
Ah, atmosphere.
I can confirm that Bad Axe it is still open (with roof muffler as Scott mentions!)
It was really bananas to hear those axes hit the target all the way up on the top floor. Though I did enjoy the surreality of the situation, which suits the Century Centre vibe these days perfectly.
As a Chicago-area native, I have only been to this location once and barely remember anything about it, not even what I saw (actually, I looked it up and it was some political documentary being hosted by Jan Schakowsky, which has all of 11 reviews on Letterboxd), other than its atrocious layout. Having a Landmark in my suburb probably kept me from venturing into the city to patronize it...
This is fantastic, cheers! Love reading the reader responses and humbled to be included.
My sense of time is still warped—for whatever reason it didn’t register to me The Northman was this year.
When a week before the ballot was due, it crossed my mind that what turned out to be my #1 for the year, A Night of Knowing Nothing, might actually be eligible for this 2022 ballot, I knew it didn't have much of a chance. But I put where I did anyway.
Very happy to see my comments made it! Tár rose a couple places once I saw it again but I probably would've left it the same just so that Resurrection gets more time in the sun. I wish i could shout out some other honorable mentions as well but alas, lists are lists.
Small correction: my last name is "Suber". Looking forward to doing this one again.
Love it. Great list and a solid representation of the year in cinema. Honored to have a bit of my writing included! Like you, I was positive on but not wowed by EEAAO. Let me tell you friends of mine who adored it were *not* happy to see it miss my top 20, and they made sure to let me know. Did either of you happen to catch The Cathedral? Seems I'm on an island for loving that film.
I haven't and I don't believe Keith has, either. I don't think you're on an island, though. I know that film has some strong support from those who have seen it.
Join the club with EEAAO
Shout out to my fellow Pearlies! I'm subjecting myself to Infinity Pool tonight almost entirely because of Mia Goth's performance in X/Pearl, but I will probably watch half the movie from between my fingers.
Saw it last night! It was rly fun. Didn't like it nearly as much as Possessor but anything baby cronenberg comes up with will be appointment viewing for me!
Same! I really enjoyed Possessor and thought Infinity Pool was a lot of fun--and it wasn’t nearly as upsetting as I had expected.
It's quite funny right? Really interesting that all of these eat the rich films came out in the same year(ish) - pairs with triangle of sadness and the menu (and I guess glass onion too). All three take place on islands and honestly feel a little too on the nose for me to really get into but I liked infinity pool the most out of all of them - a lot more going on besides class wars. Which I love that films are taking on but I guess was left feeling a little hallow with triangle and menu.
Proud to be among the “Best Three Subscribers We Have” -- Saw Confess, Fletch on a flight home, and had the best time at the movies in a long while. Thanks for the recommendation!
It's awesome