The Batman (2022)

The plot and politics are a bit ? (the climactic jail confrontation could’ve been unpacked more) but everything else is !–the tunes (Nirvana and also the emotive, ever-present score), the turns, and especially the unique tone, with its sly layer of superhero cheese underneath the super-serious noir (see the heavy exposition between Batman and Gordon) and moody character study (see the bookending voiceovers). Great ending (see the rethinking of “I’m vengeance” and then the silent ride together).

8

The Devil All the Time (2020)

Well-made, not just in its technical elements but in the way it deftly ties its many characters and generation-long plot threads together in such a satisfying (and ultimately surprisingly positive, as suspicion and violence give way to trust and sleep) manner, making for a powerfully morbid epic on the dangers of religion. That said, it’s done through a distanced, fairy tale-like approach that prevents it from ever reaching emotional dramatic excellence despite solid turns by the whole cast.

7

Tenet (2020)

Couldn’t hear half the dialogue and only understood half of the rest, but it’s a testament to Nolan’s ambitious and undeniably exciting brand of filmmaking that I was on the edge of my seat throughout regardless: the espionage plot and sci-fi concept are both confusing but compelling, the action is brilliant, the technical aspects top notch. It’s a shame the only emotion is found in yet another Russian villain and a simply modernized damsel-in-distress (Debicki’s turn remains excellent though).

7

The Lighthouse (2019)

Superhero movies are a treat to watch in the theatre to be sure, but this movie was a true feast (no need to call upon Triton, Eggers, I loved your cooking). Every shot is a marvel, matched by the exquisite sound design and fantastic dialogue as together they capture all the madness, mystery, dark humour, and weathered nature of the two memorable leads and the wild setting they occupy. The cyclical story starts to feel a little soggy 2/3s of the way in, but the searing climax makes up for it.

9

Good Time (2017)

After a heist goes awry, a bank robber spends a night trying to free his mentally handicapped brother from being sent to Riker’s Island prison. (IMDb)

Claustrophobic, anxiety-provoking, and just generally discomforting: All negative descriptors, but in this case they’re just a testament to the gripping atmosphere created by the well-crafted gritty thriller script (Ray’s tangential story was the one hiccup), memorable turns and score, and bold camerawork (see the glut of shaky close-ups, birds-eye car shots). All of this is brilliantly bookended by two tear-jerking scenes of innocence that stand in sharp contrast to the grime in the middle.

9/10 (Amazing)

– #5 on my Top 10 Most Underrated Films list