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Review: 2022, A Wonderful Year for Movies

By Caleb Tiedemann

With the Oscars right around the corner, I am scrambling to try and watch each nominated movie to see if they are truly worthy of the categories they were nominated for. This year was terrific for movies that were not big-budget IP films. In this brief essay, I will discuss the various films I watched throughout the year, ones that were amazing and ones that flopped.

Firstly, Marvel and DC finally got knocked down a couple of steps from their pedestal as they released quite a few stinkers. The year started very strongly, with Marvel’s darker-themed thriller in “Moon Knight,” which truly showed the amazing acting range of Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke, as well as DC’s Matt Reeves’, directed, very darkly lit, almost horror-esque thriller; “The Batman.” “The Batman” was a wonderful return to the form of a dark detective adventure, showcasing Wayne’s early years as he brutally navigates an evil Gotham. “The Batman” emerges from 2022 as the best superhero movie. 

Unfortunately, as the year progressed, the superhero genre released quite a few stinkers. “Morbius,” though entertained as a hilarious internet meme for a while, was quite pathetic in terms of usage for a Marvel hero. “Doctor Strange” managed to be a fun movie but was brought down by studio interference pushing away Sam Raimi’s directorial style and replacing it with uneven pacing and a shortened runtime. This was followed up by the disaster that was “Thor: Love and Thunder,” which was a cheesy, disappointing, almost completely green-screened (and horribly) flop that disappointed nearly everyone that I have conversed with regarding the movie. I will not even mention “She-Hulk” as almost anyone who watched it would rather not ever discuss it again. It was then followed by DC’s “Black Adam,” which is essentially a “Shazam” ripoff with very few redeeming qualities. Our final movie from Marvel was “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” and though it was not anywhere as bad as the previously mentioned movies, it felt very bloated and long, with a plot that lacked substance. Still, it managed to be exciting and an honorable tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman. So maybe, there’s hope for Marvel in 2023?

Aside from superhero movies, we also got another big production in “Jurassic World: Dominion” which flopped horrendously, being a poorly written and directed film that neither honors the source material nor gives anyone anything meaningful in terms of character development or plot devices. We also got the release of “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” which I enjoyed quite a bit, but no one seems all that interested in since Johnny Depp was fired from his role, which, honestly, is completely understandable. 

But all these flops from big-budget  IPs gave time to the others to shine, and shine they did! I started off the year quite nicely with a hilarious Cage and Pascal-led comedy, “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,” a funny, self-aware film that pokes fun at its own substance and character, as well as provides good laughs and a surprisingly interesting plot. It was then followed by the AMAZING A24 film, “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” a supreme multiverse comedy/adventure that blows “Doctor Strange”’s multiverse concept completely out of the water. It tells the story of a divided family struggling to tolerate each other brought together by an evil threat from within. It’s a completely insane idea and ride that has brought me to tears in every viewing, with all the heart put in by the production teams. Ke Huy Quan gives an all-star performance, boosted by the rest of the movie’s stellar cast, and is the only answer to the winner of Best Supporting Actor! Jordan Peele also gave a very nice horror film in his unsettling, unique, alien film: “Nope,” a unique concept with a couple of scenes that genuinely terrified me in theaters. The final summer blockbuster that I thoroughly enjoyed was “Bullet Train.” The Brad Pitt-led action, the turn-your-brain-off film was a fun ride to just sit and enjoy and put me in the perfect place to begin my 2022 fall semester.

2022 managed to end off with quite a few triumphs. A24’s second movie, “The Whale,” brings the wonderful actor Brendan Fraser back to the screen after a long departure, and he gives a wonderful performance as the 600 lb recluse, who, when told will be dead within a week, attempts to reconnect with his estranged, rebellious teenage daughter. Fraser gives a painfully honest and heartfelt betrayal as his character goes through the motions of accepting his upcoming death and the mistakes he has made throughout his life. Fraser himself has been nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role and truly outperformed everyone else. Damien Chazelle also gave a completely crazy movie with “Babylon,” a movie about the turning point from silent films to talkies and the effect it had on actors and Hollywood itself. It boasts a talented cast and composer who is up for the Best Original Score award; one that I am hoping he wins. 

The final gem of 2022 has to be James Cameron’s long-awaited “Avatar: The Way of the Water.” Cameron truly delivered another unique and fun 200-minute spectacle that manages to fully encapsulate the attention of audiences by providing great action and a whole lot of fun. His dive back into the Avatar world should award him the Best Special Effects award at the Oscars, as the CG is flawless and the motion capture is on point. There are very few movies that can be completely CG and still be absolutely stunning. Avatar is one of them. The final gen of this year and my personal favorite is “Top Gun: Maverick,” a sequel that outshines the original in all the ways that count. It provided me with one of the most utterly mesmerizing theater experiences that hit every note in honoring the characters and “Top Gun” legacy. The use of practical effects and special tech to achieve an enthralling film experience was worth it and completely blew me out of the water when I saw it. It is up for Best Picture though I doubt it will win with the titans it has been pitted against it. My belief is that Best Picture will either go to “Avatar” or “Everything Everywhere.” 

In the end, I am so glad to be alive for an age of gorgeous movies and was very impressed with some of the original ideas that were put to screen this year. Of course, all of these opinions offered are my own, and if you agree; wonderful! If you don’t, even better! I am sure there are many controversial opinions offered and welcome any new ones. Overall, 2022 was a successful year dethroning the usual titans and allowing others to perform on their own. I look forward to the upcoming Oscars and films that will be released this year, too. ★

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Alien (1979): A Horror Classic

By Caleb Tiedemann

“I admire its purity.” – Science Officer Ash

Alien is just that. Purity. Through and through, it is perfect. At this time in film history, space was a relatively unexplored concept. Stanley Kubrick’s film 2001: A Space Odyssey and George Lucas’s Star Wars were the only predecessors in the space genre. Horror in space had not been done. However, in 1979 Ridley Scott delivered Alien.

Alien is a horror classic that follows the crew of the Nostromo when they intercept a distress signal from a planet of unknown origin. Ordered by their superiors, the crew lands and begins to explore. When one of the crew is attacked by an unknown creature, he is quickly rushed back to the ship, unaware of the impregnation of a parasite that will explode from his body and terrorize the rest of the crew. 

The plot follows the typical “last survivor” trope. To be fair, this is a trope of the 2000s and not really of the 70s, which leads me to wonder if Alien had a hand in kickstarting that. One of the complaints I’ve heard before is that the movie is slow, and I completely agree. But that’s where some of the mastery comes into play. The calm before the storm, so to speak, lets each character be established so you can gather their general personality. That being said, all of these actors are wonderfully handpicked, and each manages to bring personality and genuine humanity to their characters, no matter how long or short they are on screen. Each character is wonderfully alive, until they aren’t, of course, but their journey of survival is one that you latch onto with the hope that your favorite will come out on top. 

Another beautiful aspect is the costume for the alien known as the Xenomorph. A hulking black skeletal creature that skulks around silently, blending into the darkness before lunging out to kill you with its dangerous appendages. The cinematic aspects are enormous. The sets and scenery are absolutely perfect. A dark and cluttered ship offers the perfect environment for anything to hide. The clutter adds a paranoid claustrophobic element, as there is truly no escape from the horror. The use of lighting in this movie is amazing. Darkness completely covers the sets which work another fear in the movie, a silent terror in the darkness. 

The lack of computer-generated imagery (CGI) is also something to be praised. In a world where a movie without CGI is unthinkable, it is always refreshing to view classics and learn how filmmakers used special effects to achieve their desires. The alien costume is horrifying and looks far superior in live action, whereas the later alien movies used CGI for the Xenomorphs and therefore lost some of its distinctiveness. The space scenes use models just as George Lucas did for early Star Wars and honestly, in its own special way, it stands far superior to many movies that do not. The combination of these elements works tremendously well for the movie. 

The final aspect that sets the movie aside is the sound design. Combined with the factors above, the sounds of the ship are a whole new addition. All of your senses are preoccupied with sounds, sights, or lack thereof. The score is a horrifyingly eerie one that builds up tension. Sometimes it’s all for nothing, other times it doesn’t build up well enough until you see the Xenomorph take another victim. The movie does a great job of keeping you guessing whether or not you’re genuinely in for a scare. 

Overall, Alien is a classic horror movie that is essential for any horror lover. A 1979 classic that embodies all the essential emotions and fears of a horror movie, sucking you into this nightmare with the crew of the Nostromo. I truly believe this movie is “pure” in all the right ways and offers an experience that few movies can. 

Final Grade: 10/10 (A+) ★

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Review-Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

By Caleb Tiedemann

There is no doubt about it, Quentin Tarantino’s ninth film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is amazing! Typical of Tarantino, it’s a fun film full of heart and love. Of course, those interpretations are subjective if you know anything of his filmography. Tarantino is very much one to push the limit in movies, a fact that I admire and love about his work. His lack of care about what other people think of his films really just unleashes him to create the wildest movies ever. OUATIH is probably Tarantino’s most relaxed film, toned down in violence, it delivers wonderfully in ways completely unexpected from the director. However, it should be of no surprise that he would flip the script and surprise audiences with something so uncharacteristic of himself.

OUATIH is a simple film. There are no real convoluted plot points or anything out of the ordinary. The movie takes place in a day of the lives of actor Rick Dalton and his stunt double, Cliff Booth in late 1960’s Hollywood. Rick, played by the marvelous Leonardo DiCaprio, is an actor who has fallen out of the limelight after leaving the television show that made him famous to pursue his acting career in movies. As with any gamble, there is a chance it does not pay off and, in this case, it does not. By his side, is his stunt double/friend Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt who offers both support and understanding in his buddy’s time of hardship. As an aging television star, Dalton has to come to terms with the fact that he is not only older but also not as popular as he used to be. Being in the limelight for so long makes this transition incredibly hard for him, and DiCaprio plays the part of a struggling and insecure actor so unbelievably well. There’s irony in there somewhere. The situation is made worse for Dalton when, living next door to him is up-and-coming movie star Sharon Tate and her husband, big-name director Roman Polanski. In a world of shining and fading stars Rick struggles with where to take his career, often abusing alcohol as his vice. 

Meanwhile in the outskirts of Hollywood, trouble grows in the form of the Manson family cult. Charles Manson was a talented manipulator and white supremacist who feared an “apocalyptic race war.” He formed his cult in college by targeting those who were socially inept or emotionally insecure. Over the next couple of years, he formed a “family” of about twenty individuals; through LSD and “unconventional sexual practices,” he was able to turn them into his dedicated and devoted followers. For those of you who are unaware, this was a real cult. They were responsible for the deaths of seven individuals, namely actress Sharon Tate. Though the only events depicted in the movie are the attempted murders of Sharon Tate, it is nonetheless important to provide a backstory of history. Under the commands of Manson, he ordered his followers to “kill them as gruesomely as you can.” Later one of the murderers admitted that they killed Tate because, “we wanted to do a crime that would shock the world.” So, when watching this movie, I knew how it was going to end. Or I thought I knew. Tarantino often rewrites history in wonderful ways and this movie is no different. The end of OUATIH is one of the most absolutely insane things Tarantino has done. 

The acting in this movie is wonderful, DiCaprio and Pitt both manage to be loveable and relatable as they realize their place in a tumultuous movie industry is constantly changing. Meanwhile Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate is a wonderful depiction of the golden age of Hollywood, its beauty, elegance, and grace, all destroyed by a senseless act of violence. It was what truly changed movies forever. The setting is beautiful. Tarantino completely remodels all of Los Angeles to fit his 1960’s childhood dream. The scenery, the sets, the costumes, it’s all gorgeous. Getting a behind the scenes look at how movies are made is an interesting change of perspective. The score and soundtrack are also great; using classic songs that just helped me to fall in love with this movie. It is a completely unique experience that had me fascinated and intrigued all the way through.

When I first saw this movie, I was kind of disappointed; this was the guy who gave us Pulp Fiction, Inglourious Basterds, and Django Unchained, where did it all go wrong? Yet at the same time I was completely smitten with this world he built, and I had no idea why. It was not his style, but at the same time it was, it felt different and that’s why I loved it so much. Throughout it completely subverts your expectations and builds up tension in an amazing way with fun characters and a real story. It’s magnificent. This movie has since become a comfort movie to me, one that is relaxing and fun until the final act of mayhem. Ultimately it is a movie I enjoy completely and sometimes competes with Pulp Fiction in my mind for the best Tarantino movie. It offers everything I want and amazes me with every watch. I strongly recommend this movie. ★

Final Grade: 10/10 (A+)

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Spider Man: No Way Home (2021)

By Caleb Tiedemann

MAJOR SPOILER WARNING!

Spider-Man: No Way Home was one of the most hyped-up and anticipated Marvel movies to come out this year. All of this was primarily thanks to the rumors and the advertisements that Marvel practically forced down your throat until you could not go anywhere without hearing or seeing it. After a year of average Marvel, I was starting to feel burnt out and hoping the future would be b6etter. Little did I know that Jon Watts was going to drop one of the best Marvel films of all time right into my lap, to cap off 2021. I arrived home for Christmas break and caught church and breakfast with my friends. Then we went to the mall and mentally prepared ourselves for better or worse. Two and a half hours later, we all came to the same conclusion, “WOW!” I do not think it is too far to claim that Spider-Man: No Way Home is nothing short of a masterpiece.

No Way Home picks up right where Far From Home left off: Mysterio revealing Spider-Man’s identity to the world. With Spider-Man/Peter Parker’s (Tom Holland) friends and family at risk, he seeks help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch). When Strange tries to cast a spell that makes the world forget Peter Parker is Spider-Man things go horribly wrong and dangerous foes from alternate dimensions appear to put him to the test. In the end, Peter learns the true cost of what it means to be Spider-Man. 

Similar to the other movies I review, there are many amazing details to go over. Let’s start with the elephant, or elephants in the room, the names that everyone wants to hear. The appearances that made the people in my theater scream, clap, cry and shout: Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. The appearance of these characters sent me into an insane frenzy of love and joy. Being one of those 2000s kids, I grew up with Maguire and Garfield, and seeing them back in their titular roles was jaw-dropping and nostalgic. Their intro was not superb but I loved it way too much to be annoyed. Tears and shouts of joy filled the theater on that day. A moment and feeling that cannot be matched. I felt young again, I felt nothing but joy to see them back in action.

You could tell that Maguire and Garfield were both thrilled to return to their roles as they both acted with all their heart, making it seem as if they never left. Tom Holland gives his ultimate performance in this film as Peter is driven to the edge of his sanity, broken and beaten, by trying so hard to be the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Alfred Molina’s return as Doc Ock is another smile-inducing moment. When he is turned good, he is so wholesome and happy, being able to truly be Alfred Molina instead of Ock. Then there’s the other villains: Rhys Ifans’ Lizard, and Thomas Haden Church’s Sandman. Both get further personality development and fun moments as classic villains. Jamie Foxx’s Electro also stood out as an awesome performance. Despite not being blue or balding, Foxx was given a great opportunity to make amends for the previous butchering of Electro. 

Now, we get to talk about the MVP- Green Goblin. Willem Dafoe returns as the titular Spider-Man villain, the one who started it all. Dafoe’s performance was nothing short of legendary. He truly brought his crazy back without a second thought. I personally loved him so much more through this movie as he adopts a very similar personality to that of Heath Ledger’s Joker. The way Goblin tanks punches all while smiling and laughing is one of the most bone-chilling scenes. It gives off the Batman/Joker interrogation scene vibes from the Dark Knight. Instead of having an ulterior motive, the Goblin just wants to break Spider-Man in any way he can, and he almost does. He kills one of the people closest to Peter, driving him nearly mad with grief and instilling vengeance within him. Similar to how Maguire and Garfield had to learn to deal with the grief of losing Uncle Ben and Gwen, so must Holland. Due to the Goblin, Peter is brought to the edge of his sanity, almost losing who he truly is along the way. This was one of the most heartbreaking, surprising, and emotionally well-done things in this movie.

Visually, this movie is stunning. The CG is believable and works well. The Doctor Strange fight is beautiful. Getting tossed back into the mirror dimension is always a visual treat. The cinematography is jaw-dropping. The humor was also fantastic. The interactions between the villains are funny, and the interactions between the three Spider-Men are hilarious. The movie does an excellent job of balancing humor with heart. The humor never feels out of place and never overstays its welcome. Small little details can be revealed in the shortest of sentences. They even got Willem Dafoe to say, “I’m something of a scientist myself,” again. I mean, come on, how could you not like this movie?
Now, for the plot. Previously, the Spider-Man movies have been nothing but fun and adventure, with no real stakes and no real character.  . This does not mean they are bad by any means, but it makes them lesser than, especially if Peter is the exact same after six movies. In this movie, there are stakes and so much development, and not just development for Peter, development for a whole cast of characters from the last twenty years! For once, Spider-Man can’t just get out of trouble by swinging away and making a quip. He is stuck, trying to help everyone and balancing the weight of the world on his shoulders. In the end, he has to make the ultimate sacrifice and let everyone forget he is Spider-Man to save the universe. The ultimate sacrifice that really cemented his reign as a legendary hero. 

Grade: A+

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Movie Review: The Suicide Squad (2021)

The Suicide Squad is a movie that I fell deeply in love with. Similar to Free Guy, this was a movie that I watched multiple times before coming to college. Because of its timely release, it became a comfort movie to me. Within the first month of release, I had watched the movie, in its entirety, five times. In 2018, Guardians of the Galaxy director, James Gunn, was fired from Marvel for some decade-old raunchy and offensive tweets. Due to the failing efforts from DC Comics and Warner Bros. in kickstarting their own superhero universe, they were eager to employ the talents of someone who had experience and knowledge on the subject. They hired Gunn to direct the film, and I gained one of my favorite DCEU films in recent memory and possibly my favorite movie of this year.

The 2021 film was a pleasant surprise for me. The plot centers around the multiple supervillains of the DCEU universe that make up the Suicide Squad. Despite there being a lot of contenders, only a couple of villains get fleshed out enough to be considered main characters. Those being, Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Bloodsport (Idris Elba), Peacemaker (John Cena), Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior), Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman), Polka-Dot Man (David Dastmalchian), and King Shark (Sylvester Stallone). This group is tasked by Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) to infiltrate the enemy-ridden island of Corto Maltese and find The Thinker (Peter Capaldi), the evil scientist in charge of the mysterious “Project Starfish.”

There are a lot of amazing details to go over in this movie. Namely, the characters. The ones that survive get backstory and development that gets tied up into a nice character arc. It does not matter if this is their first on-screen adaptation/appearance or if they have been witnessed by an audience before. Each of these characters gets time to shine and be amazing. Gunn goes as far as to humanize each and every villain, too. He does not let you see these characters for their bad deeds but how the bad deeds of others or loved ones caused them to become what they are today. Some have never known anything different than this criminal life. I believe a movie is only as good as its characters and because I love these characters, I believe that should testify to the skill of Gunn’s writing. 

One of the staples of director James Gunn is his soundtrack musical choices, and the wild humor implemented into his superhero films. With that said, the jokes in this movie are genuinely hilarious. Gunn’s sass and unique charm shine through each and every character and situation. It’s because of this humor that the movie does not take itself seriously. It fully acknowledges its comic-book origins and takes it to heart, going wild with deaths, violence, gore, characters, and situations. As mentioned, the soundtrack is remarkable! Each song fits so perfectly in the scene where they are used. From Grandson’s Rain to K.Flay’s Can’t Sleep, this movie can boast an amazing soundtrack. 

In terms of personal favorites, Ratcatcher 2 was amazing. Also, Rick Flag, whose character was made so much better throughout this film. Having Starro as the main villain was a plot point that I thought was extremely stupid, but just silly enough for Gunn to pull off. Fortunately, he did it magnificently. I absolutely loved the opening and final battle scenes. Once I got over the shock of the opening, it helped me mentally prepare for this cinematic rollercoaster.

David Ayer’s 2016 Suicide Squad was quite the flop since the movie was hastily written, causing it to be disjointed, and had terrible special effects and one-dimensional characters. Luckily, this new movie pushes that degradation far from our minds by giving us a soft reboot and introducing better characters and stories to the DCEU. I highly recommend this movie, despite its odd appearance. It has a heart and should provide everyone with a good time.

Final Grade: A