Every year is different when it comes to not only film, but how I rate those top 10 of the year. Voting for the Chicago Film Critics Association and for the Critics Choice Association, I feel that it’s my duty to see as close to “everything” as I can and to make sure that I use my own voice when ranking the films. Frequently, I find that critics, including myself, get caught up in the buzz and allure of a film rather than finding a movie that truly speaks to you individually. Making a concerted effort to do just that, I have a unique list of movies that I proudly proclaim as my Top 10 Films of 2022.

1. The Good Nurse (now streaming on Netflix)
REVIEW
2. The Good Boss
3. She Said
REVIEW
4. Women Talking
5. Hustle (now streaming on Netflix)
REVIEW
6. Emily the Criminal (now streaming on Netflix)
7. The Menu
REVIEW
8. Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (now streaming on Hulu)
9. Not Okay (now streaming on Hulu)
10. Glass Onion (now streaming on Netflix)
REVIEW

Tied for 11th: Bardo, Everything Everywhere, All At Once, The Incredible Weight of Massive Talent, 13 Lives, Lucy and Desi (documentary), I Love My Dad, Vengeance, Living, Emergency

Richard Roye. You may not know that name now…but you will soon enough! Fitness and Mixed Martial Arts trainer turned stunt man and actor, Roye recently collaborated to create the award-winning 7-minute short film “Buyer’s Remorse” as a part of Chicago’s 48 Hour Film Festival. Tasked with using specific items, themes, and phrases, the group of 12 calling themselves the Stunt Muffins, wrote, directed, filmed, edited and starred in a hilarious movie about real estate open houses.

Talking with Roye via Zoom, he shared with me how serendipitous a window sticker could be as it changed the trajectory of his career life. Asked to move his car by another driver, the man who he later knew as Chris Nolte who trains stunt actors, noticed Roye’s MMA sticker and invited him to train. This paved the way for Roye to take his natural talents and re-create himself as a stunt man. Currently working to hone his knife throwing skills as well as dance moves, Roye learned about the 48 Hour Film Festival. Quickly gathering his eclectic group of talented stunt people, most of whom are of color, “Buyer’s Remorse” gathered steam as they wrote the script on Friday, shot the footage on Saturday, and edited on Sunday, with the premiere set in Chicago on a fall October evening.

The genre was “mockumentary” and a required line to be used was “let’s go back to the beginning.” What followed was a hilarious romp through a cast member’s house doubling as the open house for the story to unfold. Roye shared that after a few glitches on the opening night, the event was “surreal” with a “line outside” awaiting all of the short films to be shown. “Buyer’s Remorse” won for Best Choreography as the stunt actors were knocked off one by one in the story.

Delving more deeply into the making of this film, Roye shared that it “forced us to really step up … and see who’s down to work.” He continued, “I honestly could not have asked for a better group. Everyone there came ready to work. The actors that came to act were willing to hold lights, whatever needed to be done, everyone was willing to do it and that’s what made it run so smoothly.”

While these festivals take place all over the country, what makes Stunt Muffins so unique is that the majority of members are of color. Roye said, “Look at the faces and who they represent…film is very important because film can change certain narratives that are out there. Images are very powerful and what I hope to do as a person of color is to relay a better message than what’s out there.” This group organically developed out of a love of stunt work and film that will surely convene again to give us another entertaining film that leaves us yearning for more.

“Buyer’s Remorse” the director’s cut will be available to stream soon.

*Edits for space and clarity

FINALLY! The second installment of the “Knives Out Mystery” series can be seen on Netflix! “Glass Onion” is a stand alone film that nearly equals — and some say surpasses — its predecessor, “Knives Out” from 2019. As the mystery of how did Harlan Thrombey die and why did everything get left to his nurse is solved in “Knives Out,” the “predefinite” detective Benoit Blanc is bored. Sitting in his tub (again), playing an on-line version of the game of clue with none other than Angela Lansbury and Stephen Sondheim to name a couple, he needs a real mystery to solve, although Clue seems to elude his deductive reasoning skills. As luck would have it, there’s a knock on the door; a woman with a box and an invitation to the tech guru Miles Bron’s (Edward Norton) annual weekend get away on a secluded island in Greece.

Bron’s life-long friends and self-proclaimed “disruptors” are invited to an annual extravaganza at the millionaire’s home. Fashionista Birdie (Kate Hudson), Twitch social media star Duke (Dave Bautista), ex-business partner Andi (Janelle Monáe), Governor Claire Debella (Kathryn Hahn), scientist Lionel (Leslie Odom), and Whiskey (Madelyn Cline) all arrive at the island ready to have a weekend of merriment as they solve Bron’s “murder,” cleverly designed by the tech magnate himself (and oh, isn’t he proud). The game quickly devolves into something much more sinister as the real murder of one of the guests must now be solved. Who other than the southern—speaking sleuth to solve the murderous events!

Rian Johnson, writer and director of the fast-growing franchise of films, has created his own murder mystery kingdom. His panache for developing smart twists and turns, and unexpected ones at that, and placing uniquely vibrant characters together is unparalleled. We see the quirky, flakey Birdie misunderstanding so much of what is happening around her as the clear-minded and focused Claire worries about nothing but herself. Duke, the social media master and Whiskey, the gorgeous young woman who knows how to get things done, Lionel who systematically attempts to make sense of the situation along with Miles, the kind of guy we all love to hate, stir the proverbial pot until it is ready to boil over. But this is Andi’s story and as the secrets are revealed, the stakes quickly rise and we see each of these characters for who they really are. Of course, Blanc, sitting back and keenly observing everything and intermittently narrating what is quite obvious to him, is like having a physics professor lay out a new theory with the ease of a kindergarten teacher. His eloquence is engaging and humorous as he peels back each and every layer of that onion…the glass onion.

If you’re going to compare the two films, and you know you will, this new rendition has a different tone to it. While the laughs aren’t as continuous, it’s still quite comedic and you really can’t catch everything upon the first viewing. And that’s because the dialogue is smart, quick-witted, with edited with razor sharp precision. The solution to the mystery is evident earlier on in the film which does not take away the enjoyment of it, but adds to the fun. After several viewings of this movie, it just doesn’t get old. Johnson’s deft direction is key as is the talent of his cast all of whom are perfectly cast in their roles. As everyone in this small ensemble cast lifts their weight to tell this comedic tale, it is Monáe and Craig who are the stars of the story. Monáe steals every scene as does Craig and together they create a magical dynamic that you just don’t tire of.

Johnson (and Netflix) have a hit on their hands and lucky for us, there are two more in the pike. On a cold winter’s night, there’s nothing better to warm your heart than a good old-fashioned murder mystery filled with intrigue and laughter.

3 1/2 stars

Just in time for the holidays is the new romantic comedy “Something From Tiffany’s” starring Zoey Deutch and Kendrick Sampson. Based on the book by Melissa Hill, the story strikes all the familiar chords we have come to expect in a rom-com including a mix up, meeting Mr. Right when you’re with Mr. Wrong (and vice versa), and following your heart. While the notes of this rom-com are a familiar one, Deutch and Sampson make it memorable with their chemistry and authenticity.

Deutch portrays Rachel Meyer, a restaurateur and baker who is dating Gary (Ray Nicholson), a leech of a man who doesn’t value Rachel’s spunk, intelligence, and determination. Of course, we know she’s meant to be with someone else, and that someone else is Ethan (Sampson) who literally bumps into Gary at Tiffany’s and inadvertently exchanges that precious little blue signature bag filled with goodies for the holidays for their respective partners. As the mix up of gifts becomes apparent, Rachel says “yes!” to the equally shocked Gary and Vanessa (Shay Mitchell) finds some “cute” little earrings inside that blue box, Ethan and his daughter, the effervescent Daisy (Leah Jeffries) attempt to right this wrong. And in the messy process, something beautiful comes…Rachel and Ethan discover that they are a perfect match no matter how much they resist destiny’s course.

No rom-com is complete without best friends to guide our leads and in this case, Terri (Jojo T. Gibbs) plays the part of Rachel’s best friend with sincerity and insight. Ethan has a built-in bestie in his daughter Daisy whose innocence and heart shine through. Of course, the setting is as much of a character which contributes to the magic and New York City, reminiscent of the most iconic of all rom-coms “When Harry Met Sally” nails the role.

What makes a rom-com work isn’t its originality, it’s the stars and Deutch and Sampson have what it takes. Deutch always delivers her A-game as we’ve seen in this year’s “Not Okay” and “The Outfit,” or a favorite of mine, “Buffaloed,” and now with “Tiffany’s” it’s no different. Her delivery is as natural and authentic as real life, creating her vibrant character of Rachel. Deutch makes this character her own, adding humor and a splash of adorableness as Rachel intellectually and emotionally bounces between her current commitment and the gift that lies before her.

Sampson is equally as genuine as Ethan, a successful single dad who finds love when he least expects it. His eyes tell it all no matter his situation. We see the love Ethan has for his daughter and the pain of realization that Vanessa isn’t his perfect match. And as he gazes into Rachel’s eyes or helps her at her pop-up Christmas shop, the spark is undeniable. Together, Sampson and Deutch create the Christmas magic we all still hope exists.

“Something From Tiffany’s” is exactly what we need and want this time of year…a little bit of a mess resulting in something beautifully magical.

3 Stars

Lady Chatterley’s Lover, a banned book for decades in the US, Canada, Australia and more as well as the subject of litigation due to its explicit and “obscene” nature, written by D.H. Lawrence, has been adapted (again) for the silver screen. While the subject of classism is certainly a theme found in many movies recently (“The Menu,” “Parasite,” “Us,” “Sorry to Bother You,”), “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” is just as poignant as it is risqué…and it is quite the latter. If you’re not familiar with the tale, it’s a love story from the early 1900’s as a newly wedded upper class woman to an aristocrat falls in love with her estate’s married gamekeeper. Of course, there’s more to it than meets the eye (and oh, do we ever get an eyeful), as screenwriter David Magee and Director Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre (“The Mustang” 2019) stay true to Lawrence’s tale of star-crossed lovers.

We meet the young couple, Connie (Emma Corrin) and Lord Clifford Chatterley (Matthew Duckett) on their wedding day. It’s also the day before Clifford is to go back to the front lines during WWI. His fear of what lies ahead becomes painfully true and while he does return, he does so in a wheelchair. Unable to produce an heir, he encourages his beautiful, vibrant young wife to find “an appropriate” match to father a child, of course keeping it a secret. Angered by this, Connie begins to see Clifford and all men in a different light. But it isn’t until her burning desire to be with a lowly estate worker Oliver (O’Connell), that she is emotionally, intellectually, and physically awakened.

Her disappearances into the woods for hours on end alarm the rest of the staff, all suspicious of her whereabouts until the situation comes to a head. Decisions must be made and, at a time when marriage was more of an arrangement for finances and status and not for love, it’s a difficult one to make.

The story takes place during a time when women didn’t talk about their needs, especially their physical ones, being met. This independent spirit and bold look at this aspect is still one that perhaps some will find taboo particularly as we watch Connie and Oliver dive deeply into one another. (Think “Outlander” here.)

Gorgeously shot, we feel the constraints that Connie experiences while wasting away inside the cold and ominous castle they call home. Drifting further and further away, Clifford lives like a bachelor, hanging out with his mates each night, drinking and ignoring his wife. Duckett plays his role as Clifford elegantly as we feel his anger about being in a wheelchair, unable to care for himself and unable to perform his husbandly duties. Slowly, we also begin to find him as a cad which helps us, the viewer, justify what Connie has chosen to do.

At the heart of the story is love versus obligation and with a deft hand, Clermont-Tonnerre elicits these two polar opposite tones with ease making it a relevant story for the 1920’s and the 2020’s. Of course, a story like this doesn’t work unless you’ve got chemistry between the main characters and the magnetism we feel between Oliver and Connie is palpable. Corrin is outstanding as Connie, walking the fine line between a proper aristocrat and an emotionally starved woman. She lets us in, allowing us to hear her voice as she struggles with her experiences.

The final product is searingly sexual as it takes its time to create a believable storyline about life, marriage, and the obstacles placed before us. While this may not be for everyone as the scenes are quite suggestive, it stays true to the original tale and speaks to equality on every level for a woman.

3 stars

Pam says:

The weight of the world falls on this young woman’s shoulders and in recent times, the weight has crushed her; sometimes from the inside out.  “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me” candidly explores Gomez’s youth through footage and clips as early as the age of seven from the “Barney” show and in recent tours and shows.  We meet childhood friends from the past and those who have stayed close, and we travel this journey of self-discovery with Gomez to honestly pull back the layers of her life.

The boldly open interviews with Gomez reveals powerfully troubling times that she has, of recent times, found answers to questions pertaining to both physical and mental health.  And it is with this openness that we not only understand this musical icon and actress better, but she opens the doors of communication and realization that mental health issues shouldn’t be something to be embarrassed about, but to be recognized and addressed…she may be accomplishing one of her most important and lofty goals; saving people.

On the surface, most of us think Gomez has it all…fame, fortune, the world at her feet.  But as the cameras reveal, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.  Obnoxious paparazzi bombarding her at every waking moment, journalists asking insipid questions (I hope I’m never one of them), and social media hounds attempting to devour her confidence.  There are two sides to the “fame coin” and Gomez invites us in to see them both.

Admittedly, as a film critic and someone to lives under a rock when it comes to music, I only knew Gomez as an actress and became quite impressed with her in the Hulu hit and award-winning series “Only Murders in the Building” which she also executive produced.  There’s so much more to this beautifully talented woman who dares to speak about what obstacles she has overcome and those she continues to address.  At the ripe old age of 30, Gomez has accomplished more than most do in a lifetime and now she needs and finds a new purpose for her next chapter…helping others.

3 Stars