Top Ten Films, Video Games, and Music Albums Of 2022
It's time again to think of this all in what was a jam packed year of quality (with there
being at times almost 100 semi-finalists per category all of at least "solid"!). See below and as always if something obvious is missing I probably didn't have the chance to experience through / play it but happy to catch up or debate its absence wherever relevant.
Bring on the next one!
Top 10 Films Of 2022 Tier:
1. and Movie Of The Year.) Everything Everywhere All At Once. For being that sometimes the hype train is
truly true. For being truly and utterly unique art. Literally every feeling every genre every
coolness every epic-ness at once. Amazing kung fu/martial arts action, occasional surreal
majestic special effects and ever crisp, one of a kind dimensional ideas, fantastic acting
from the main trio (and mainstream return for Ke Huy Quan!), twists/turns/metaphors...and
through it all a human heart both emotionally personal and infinite philosophical. If only every
movie was this fresh, Hollywood would be alright!
2.) The Batman. For showing we can have an amazing Batman film again and being the first truly
"Detective Comics" take with amazing acting, ambiance, narrative, and action.
3.) Pinocchio (Del Toro's Netflix Claymation Remake). For being a true work of art with distinct
vision and touching themes.
4.) Glass Onion: A Knives Out (2) Mystery. For being as good or better than the first one with a
fresh new technocratic sunny version of itself with again smart (and smarter) commentary, hilarious jokes,
and distinct performances with narrative tricks along the way.
5.) The Banshees of Inisherin. For making a simple premise into something exactly what it is
as well as something so much more alongside great jokes and stellar performances with some surreal
elements and crisp direction.
6.) The Northman. For letting Eggers play with his distinctive atmosphere in the largest budget yet
to such a recreation of an era, brutal action, and crisp direction in what is truly a historical epic.
7.) The Menu. For surprising both in its narrative outcome and how good it is along with darkly
hilarious performances and ever unsettling tension.
8.) The Whale. For what WILL win the best acting Oscar in a career comeback for Brendan Fraser
along with just as good acting co-stars and some larger themes more about the world around this large
man than the man's largeness itself....sadness, kindness, and the occasional laugh and smile.
9.) Avatar (2): The Way Of Water. For finally coming out after almost a decade and being just as good
and potentially even better than the first equal parts immersively relaxing and epically exciting even if
long.
10.) The Fablemans. For coming for the Spielberg life story but staying for the nostalgic love
of movies and family drama dynamics with solid acting.
Honorable #'s 11-13's Notable Status Tier:
11. Terrifier 2. For being such a success story for an indie release within perspective and all
things considered. For its gore thats both shockingly horrible yet with a slight sense of commendable
dark humor and bizarre heart and deep within magical 80s synthing rocking elements that give it
that special touch.
12. Elvis. For being what SHOULD win the best acting Oscar for Austin Butler with a movie
that is ridiculous and beautiful looking around it.
13. Top Gun (2): Maverick. For being somehow the top grossing film of 2022 so far surely do to
taking something that was surely going to be decent or solid to REALLY solid and surpassing
the first with its heart and stunning action packed finale.
?!?!? Candidacy Tier (Usually don't count "Limited In Previous Fall Wide in Winter" Oscarbait
but in this case it truly only released in NYC in technically 2021 COVID times before wider
on Apple + in January..and great!):
NA / #14: The Tragedy of Macbeth (Joel Coen's Remake). For what wasn't already said in that
its dreary atmosphere and great leading duo / witch performances.
Top 10 Video Games Of 2022 Tier:
1 and Game Of The Year.) God Of War: Ragnarok (So Far). For pulling off the rare feat of living
up to another true GOTY and all time GOATs, meeting, and in some ways surpassing it..even if in some
ways its been done before or minor mistakes. Amazing visuals (especially PS5 just held back by
needing PS4 and "more of same"), exciting nonstop action, so many bosses, new combat layers,
story twists and turns and feels and Norse lore expansions, etc!
2.) High On Life (So Far). For being the ultimate playable Squanchy-tastic Rick and Morty Episode with AAA
quality! Shiny, funny, meta, Bioshock meets Halo meets jokes and surreal sci-fi.
3.) Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Completed). For being Super Mario Odyessy vibes and transforming
meets Super Mario 3D World / Galaxy linear fantastic level design..but it's Kirby for the first truly
3D time! Epically cinematic at times with a surprising hard post-game for its type as always.
4.) Bayonetta 3(So Far). For finally coming out after so long and delivering all the craziness one remembers! With a new
bigger than ever multiversal scope and constant set-pieces/gameplay changes/combat options.
5.) Splatoon 3 (So Far). For definitely having some solid multiplayer , technical performance / graphical improvements,
big lobby and salmon runs, music etc... For fusing Splatoon 2 Octo expansion challenges in with its main campaign in challenging
surreal ways and lil salmonid grenade drone buddy and as ever exciting bosses.
6.) Multiversus (Post-Open Beta /"Full Release"). For proving that someone else besides Nintendo
can make smart tactical improvements to the Smash Bros formula and having a meme tastic roster that
could go so much further to heights yet unknown even if some F2P elements and that learning curve
holds it back from that first hype.
7.) Nintendo Switch Sports (Wii Sports 3). For finally bringing back an easy way to play Wii Bowling and Tennis
even if a couple mistakes especially in online progression and content. But it runs smoothly and plays well.
8.) Pokemon Legends: Arceus (So Far). For even if some plain overall design bringing true freshness to the Pokemon
formula with smooth performance and distinct aesthetic...truly fresh.
9.) Sports Story (So Far). For finally releasing at the last minute and bringing the same charm to
more sports.
10.) Pokemon Scarlet / Violet Versions (So Far). For so quickly going back to basics after fresh
experiments but a logical bigger than bigger next steps and tons of content even if drastic performance
hints and "same ol"...but sometimes same ol is fine.
Honorable #'s 11-13's Notable Status Tier:
11.) Vampire Survivors (Mainly Mobile But Seen Much PC). For being a great mobile format of an interesting
and simple PC game...both games being easy to learn and hard to master live, die, repeat roguelike
gameplay in addictively manageable increments
12.) Diablo Immortal (Mobile Full Release/ So Far). For people who have phones even if it's not
the big one that's wanted. Somewhere between Diablo 2, 3, 4 and sketchy F2P elements but maybe it can
improve. More reliable-ness alwayswelcome.
13.) PAC-MAN WORLD 1 Re-PAC "HD" (So Far). For being a sharply running bright version of a classic
platformer with a smoother gameplay touch or two
Top 10 Music Albums Of 2022 Tier:
1. and Album Of The Year.) Devin Townsend - Lightwork. For being A magnificent majestic dreamy prog metal achievement sounding like a culminiaton of the best of a career
so far with incredible productions, instrumentation, lyrics, ahhh, truly mind blowing!
Favorite song: "Dimensions"
2.) Djo (Stranger Things "Steve" Actor Joe Keery) - Decide. For making a new fan of this artist
and reminding of the best of electronic dreamy Daft Punk in a world without them. Favorite song:
"Climax"
3.) Steve Lacy - Gemini Rights. For being such a good solo LP debut even without "Bad Habit" (which is now
stuck in your head)...dreamy, relaxing, romantic, deep...bring on more. Favorite song : "Mercury"
4.) Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale And The Big Steppers. For being a great return to form up there with
the legends with timely relevant themes and great production. Favorite song: "Count Me Out"
5.) Muse - Will Of The People. For covering such a variety of genres with jams, feels, spooks,
epics, more. Favorite song: "We Are Fucking Fucked"
6.) The Weeknd - Dawn F.M.. For starting off the year incredibly strong with its vaporwave and
synthwave influences retro and dreamy experimentally. Favorite song: "Every Angel Is Terrifying" but
really as an interlude it's "Less Than Zero"
7.) King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard - Omnium Gatherum. For being truly the most genre covering of this list
and the best of their many, many releases...was tough not to crowd this list with just them!
Favorite song: "Presumptuous"
8.) Toro Y Moi - Mahal. For also offering some incredible dreamy prog alt indie with
so many tones and emotions. Favorite song: "Magazine"
9.) Oliver Tree - Cowboy Tears (Original Cut). For taking the unique sound in a new acoustic fusion direction
and if it's the end "not good at goodbyes". Favorite song: "Cigarettes"
10.) Willow Smith - <coping mechanism>. For even if she was the 2021 album of the year winner
not quite as impressive era shift as that in a darker more experimental heavier direction
but with some great feels and jams too. Favorite song: "Ur a <stranger>"
Honorable #'s 11-13/ Meme Or Notable Status Tier:
11.) Alice Glass - Prey//IV. For coming out at long last after a few years of independence from
Crystal Castles and the dark past..jamming and a Chicago Riotfest highlight. Favorite song:
"Fair Game"
12.) Black Eyed Peas - Elevation. For being a return to form after so many years of world music
experiments and lineup changes...and sampling Scatman! and Shakira on a track! 90s-00s
Avengers. Favorite song: "Bailar Contigo"
13.) Kanye West - DONDA 2 (Most Complete Stem Cut Most Songs/Pre-Edits and Takedown...). A tough
one to type after the Pete Davidson, custody battles, bi-polar insanity and Hitler worship...and
even its own launch show ruckus and being on Stem exclusive...but think back to that best cut. A more
experimental space-electronic influenced followup to the great Donda but short and unealized...
what could have been...and may or may not ever be. Favorite song: "Flowers".
#14 My Brother's Friend Meme Award Lol Tier:
14.) Sickardi -Sickardi Vol.1. For being a cool debut by my brother's friend and collaborators in a unique
fun good produced meme way...chill stuff. Favorite song quality: "Corner"... meme name/connection "Mr.Jones Cypher"
Onwards we go
