10.) Jackass Forever
(Dir: Jeff Tremaine)
Even in their 50’s, these guys are still doing this shit and guess what? It’s still unapologetically funny as all hell. If you’re a fan of the ‘Jackass’ crew, then you’ll understand that the real charm of this crew is not the insanity of their antics, rather it's the sweet brotherly love they share for one another.
There is something utterly endearing about this ragtag group of misfits that is hard to deny. For as much pain as they’ll put one another through, it’s all done with absolute love. And when I say pain, believe me, even in their 50’s, these guys are still willing to put themselves through the most unimaginable shit for our amusement.
Especially testicular pain. And you thought the scenes of testicle mutilation in Lars Von Trier’s ‘Anti Christ’ were fucked up beyond belief? Just wait until you see ‘Jackass Forever’ and the length of pain Danger Ehren goes through, testing the vitality of an abdominal guard. Mind you, this is all played for laughs and somehow it works! God help me, it’s lowbrow and crass to the core, but it’s still fucking hilarious to me! They say with age comes wisdom. May wisdom never come to these guys.
9.) RRR
(Dir: S.S. Rajamouli)
In a time where I feel a lot of films are becoming increasingly too bloated for their own good, along comes an epic like ‘RRR’ to remind me how you can get the most out of every last minute put on screen. At an epic 187 minutes, I was never bored or left to check my watch, as every minute feels completely earned in this film.
‘RRR’ is a tale about two legendary revolutionaries and their journey away from home before they started fighting for their country in the 1920s. In a word? Epic. Epic as all fuck. Featuring some of the craziest choreographed fights filmed this side of ‘The Raid’, a metric ton of romance and an abundance of humor; it crafts an age-old tale of right versus wrong, legend and friendship. Well worth the 187 minute investment.
8.) Licorice Pizza
(Dir: P.T Anderson)
The simple charm of P.T Anderson’s ‘Licorice Pizza’ is that it’s a film where everyone is pretending to be an adult. The film is full of children who yearn to be treated as adults as they desperately try to act grown up. Meanwhile, the adults are children only pretending to be grown up. Basically confirming that everyone is just as lost as one another. That’s kind of comforting to this 30-something lost soul. ‘Licorice Pizza’ is all about that universal theme of trying to find one's place in the universe, telling an age-old story of finding love and self-discovery in California’s San Fernando Valley during the 70’s.
7.) The Northman
(Dir: Robert Eggers)
‘The Northman’ is best described as an action film filled with thrilling and suspenseful moments. It is also a gritty revenge tale filled with unsettling moments that will have viewers on the edge of their seats or perhaps even tensed up. The action here is brutal, dark, gritty and violent. Amleth decides revenge should be slow and toys with those who wronged him first, leading to many big reveals and showdowns along the way.
An epic film with a straightforward story and effective use of Norse mythology. Its intense rituals, powerful imagery, guttural and pounding music and display of culture in its authentic setting makes for an entertaining and memorable experience. Stunning scenery, brutal and bloody fight scenes and great acting performances, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
6.) Rageaholic
(Dir: Yoshiki Takahashi)
A lone, hard-boiled grizzled detective is pushed to the limits as he is faced with an all-too overbearing polite and fascist society. At first glance, you can’t help but notice the similarities to 'Demolition Man' in regards to the basic plot, but what really occupies ‘Rageaholic’s’ angry heart is a seething contempt for the overbearing politeness of Japanese society. First time Director Yoshiki Takahashi does well to satire a culture that is built on conformity and priority to the group over the individual. 'Rageaholic' is a gleefully violent, darkly hilarious and scathing satire.
5.) Vortex
(Dir: Gaspar Noe)
‘Vortex’ is a surprisingly sober affair from enfant terrible, Gaspar Noe. At least in terms of style and presentation, that is to say. There are no wild drug-addled camera tricks on display. Just a simple story of an elderly couple in their final days as they succumb to dementia. Despite the lack of that distinct Noe visual style, don’t be confused into thinking that he has lost his ability to provoke. Vortex is still a deeply affecting film as it showcases the true horrors of facing death. It’s not the fear of losing one's body, rather it’s the fear of losing the mind and the memories that come attached.
It’s remarkably haunting and incredibly effective. In some ways, it’s Noe’s most mature film to date and perhaps his most personal given his own parents' experiences with dementia. Much like everything else Noe has done before, it’s a divisive film, but for those willing to take the journey, it’s a deeply moving and haunting film that will stick with you.
4.) The Menu
(Dir: Mark Mylod)
Have you ever found yourself as perplexed by foodie culture as I am? I’m talking about the types of people who photograph their meals for recognition or status on social media without ever really savoring the meal itself. If you’re as perplexed by this culture as I am, then 'The Menu' is probably going to be right up your alley. 'The Menu' is a deliciously wry skewering of foodie culture, social class and the excesses of entitlement.
It is a horror comedy that tells the story of a bunch of rich, obnoxious and fairly unlikable social elites who have been invited to eat at an exclusive high-class restaurant on a remote island where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, complete with some shocking surprises. I appreciated the claustrophobic nature of its setting. Ralph Fiennes delivers in spades as the deeply unhinged masterchef. Even though the satire isn’t always the most subtle, I still thoroughly enjoyed the film and its many jabs at those who take the service industry for granted.
3.) The Whale
(Dir: Darren Aronofsky)
Winning the prize for the most divisive film of the year, 'The Whale' is a deeply affecting film that tells the tale of a 600 pound recluse in his last days of life as he attempts to reconcile with his estranged daughter. I guess audiences will either fall into the camp of being entirely moved by this or enraged by it as they label it misery porn. Myself? I fall into the former camp. I was incredibly moved by its humanity.
Brendan Fraser’s Charlie is a beacon of light in a tide of misery. Perhaps the most frustrating thing about 'The Whale' is that, as compassionate as Charlie is at heart, he unfortunately can’t show himself that same compassion. But that is the nature of depression for which I applaud this film for so openly elevating to the forefront. Fraser deserves the praise he has received for this role and it is perhaps Aronofsky’s most humane film since 2009’s 'The Wrestler'. It’s by no means an easy film to digest as it is refreshingly honest with its cracked mirror reflection, but it is an important and incredibly moving film that finds what it is to be human…even if you are trapped in a 600 pound shell.
2.) Decision to Leave
(Dir: Park Chan-Wook)
Park Chan-Wook returns with a slightly different beat. This time out he gives us a Neo-Noir Romance. It's a slight change of pace for Park but I enjoyed the more low-key nature of this quite a bit. Tang Wei and Park Hae-ill are both incredible in this film. I found it to be an incredibly mesmerizing romantic murder mystery with an ending that lingered on my mind for days on end. It’s an intricate and emotional game of cat and mouse right up until the very end. While not quite as visceral as his earlier work, it is far more mature in its craftsmanship. For my money, it’s one of Park’s best works to date.
1.) Beavis and Butt-head Do The Universe
(Dir: Albert Calleros and John Rice)
It’s kind of fitting that we started this list with Jackass Forever and ended it with Beavis and Butt-head. Just as I will never tire of the Jackass crew, the same could be said for Beavis and Butt-head. Between this and the equally hilarious new season that aired on Paramount Plus, it was actually a terrific year for the dynamic idiot duo.
Initially, I wasn’t sure whether ‘Do The Universe’ could live up to the excellent ‘Do America.’ But lo and behold, it’s not only a terrific sequel, but also the sharpest satire of the year. Transporting the boys from the 90’s into modern day via Time Travel was a stroke of brilliance which gave way to some hilarious moments.
Be it the boys learning they can now pay for Nachos via phone or learning about the ills of white privilege on campus. Not to mention the surprisingly touching yet equally hilarious scene where Beavis pours his heart out to Siri as if she were a real person. And then you also have the addition of Smart Beavis and Butthead. Droll, very droll.
The world around them may have changed, but sadly, some things remain the same as Mike Judge and company continue to skewer the absurdities of society. At a time of increasing tension and unease, it’s good to have these guys back in form to remind us that it’s okay to laugh at the stupidity surrounding us.
Honorable Mentions -
- Smile (Dir: Parker Finn)
- Triangle of Sadness (Dir: Ruben Ostlund)
- Everything Everwhere All At Once (Dir: Daniels)
- X (Dir: Ti West)
- Belle (Dir: Mamoru Hosoda)
- Hustle (Dir: Jeremiah Zagar)
- Funny Pages (Dir: Owen Kline)
- Daniel M
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