Belated Year-End Film and TV Summary - What I've Been Watching in 2022
What I've Watched#
In 2022, I marked only 76 films, which is half of what I watched in 2021. I may have had more free time this year, but I estimate that about one-third of my time was spent on gaming. I watched fewer cult films (probably because I've seen most of the ones I'm interested in), and my viewing became more diverse.
The following are the films and TV shows I watched in 2022, spanning over half a century in terms of their creation time. I omitted films like "Edge Runner" that gained popularity in the year. Let's focus on the ones released in 2022; I'm already satisfied with the appearance of these works in this year.
Upvoted#
David Cronenberg#
Because of Professor Leigh and some overlapping elements, I watched some of David Cronenberg's representative works this year and briefly learned about his works. He has been persistently exploring the concept of "biological transcendence" for decades and continuously pushing its boundaries. I watched his works from "Videodrome" (where dreams begin) all the way to the highly anticipated "Crimes of the Future" in 2022, and also watched some spin-off works like "Butterfly Boy."
"Crimes of the Future"#
For Professor Leigh, it's a bit like "French Dispatch," and for David Cronenberg, it's a bit like "Inception." This is my favorite and most recommended cult film of the year. No one is committing crimes, just as everyone is committing crimes.
Star Wars Universe#
Disney's Star Wars continued to receive high praise this year, with "The Book of Boba Fett" and "Obi-Wan" being works that I highly praised. Of course, these two works are clearly aimed at fans, so there may be a certain threshold for enjoyment.
"The Book of Boba Fett"#
What is Boba Fett doing? Quoted from pyq's short review:
Part 1#
"The Book of Boba Fett" is actually a "postscript" to the legendary character Boba Fett. Tatooine, as the beginning of the first phase of the Star Wars nine-part series, once again gives birth to more stories in the second phase.
Boba Fett can be said to be the most popular spin-off character, serving as a key figure linking the epic films of the first phase of Star Wars and multiple independent biographical series of the second phase. In the first half of his life, he witnessed the ups and downs under the Galactic Empire, and now he is fighting for survival on a desert planet.
Perhaps because "The Mandalorian" set the bar too high, this series feels a bit regretful. But if you treat it as a standalone space opera, it is still one of the best. When the flashback at the beginning of the fourth episode and the ending music played, it instantly brought the thrilling feeling of Akira Kurosawa's "Rashomon" in "The Mandalorian."
Part 2#
"The Mandalorian" in "The Book of Boba Fett" has actually obtained a black lightsaber!
The fifth episode boldly focuses solely on the story of the Mandalorian. Whether it can be handled well will depend on the final three episodes. Before this episode, my view of the second phase of Star Wars was just a collection of individual biographies. This episode opened up a whole new perspective, showing the potential for an epic. Isn't an epic made up of the convergence of each legend?
The final new starfighter and the suspense of the droids ports. Who will be sitting in the ports in the end? Is it a Jedi baby or a lost BB?
Part 3#
After watching the sixth episode of "The Book of Boba Fett," I feel that it is moving further away from the direction of "no turning back." I hope the last two episodes will finally tell the story of the spice war that has been prepared for recruiting soldiers and horses. If the spice war is not mentioned until the second season, it will be a disappointment.
This episode includes some abrupt scenes to pave the way for the attack of the Pykes, including the sheriff's American-style iaido and the Pykes' exploding tavern. Boba Fett, the protagonist, only has a few seconds of screen time.
The most stunning part of this episode is the obvious use of live-action footage. You can even see the difference in frame rates between Grogu's training and the background. In the part that focuses on Luke's training of Grogu, you can even see that they used the kind of lens used in old-fashioned film cameras (isn't panning and bamboo forest a perfect match?).
This episode is titled "Stranger in the Desert," which may imply that this season may only deal with the minor boss Cad Bane. I even have a wild idea that what Grogu saw was not a memory, but the future.
Part 4#
"The Book of Boba Fett" has reached its grand finale! The biggest highlight of this episode is the appearance of two heavyweight reinforcements. The screenwriter did not take away Grogu's usual childishness, nor did he give him more stunning abilities. The final scene with the giant beast is a perfect ending to this series. Like "The Mandalorian," its brilliance lies in its "convergence."
Boba Fett finally picks up the Tusken Raider's staff and kills Cad Bane. In fact, this series is clearly divided into three distinct parts, which are a bit disjointed. Although this episode seamlessly connects them.
Personally, I think the best part is actually the first three episodes about the Tusken Raiders, which mainly showcase the character of Boba Fett. In previous episodes, the Tusken Raiders seemed stubborn and backward, poor and underdeveloped. Through "The Book of Boba Fett," we see the greatness behind them. Like "The Mandalorian," they have been adhering to their own path (just like the desert tribes in "Dune").
The intermittent return of the Mandalorian is a bit abrupt, but it also shows us many details of the "post-epic era" of the Star Wars universe. There are still Jedi academies and Skywalkers, and a brief prosperity after the war.
Next up, "Obi-Wan"! Disney+ is really delivering.
"Obi-Wan"#
Two people's redemption. A slow-paced series that can be considered a movie.
What's particularly interesting is that it's evident that, just like "The Mandalorian" and "The Book of Boba Fett," it uses some classical shots. The combination of cutting-edge digital technology and authentic retro filters seems to be the unique style of Star Wars stage plays in the post-epic era.
Next up is "Andor" in two months, but personally, I'm most looking forward to "Ahsoka" (it seems that Ahsoka is in danger...).
Post-Alien Era#
It's such a pity that "Alien: Awakening" was canceled! Denis Villeneuve is absolutely worth it.
This is obscure and very hardcore science fiction, and friends who like Prometheus-style science fiction will definitely love it. It mainly focuses on human relationships, religion, and shocking world-building that gradually unfolds. It's the kind of show that you'll want to watch again and again, analyzing it after the first watch, realizing how amazing the story is after the second watch, and becoming a devotee after the third watch.
Also, "Westworld" is such a pity, really, it was making a comeback in the fourth season.
Soft Sci-Fi#
"Life Cutter"#
The most anticipated sequel of the year. Apart from the perplexing slow pace caused by long shots, everything else is perfect.
What impresses me the most about this series is its costume and makeup. This is my idea of a perfect "retro-futuristic" sci-fi, not as exaggerated as in "Loki." Everything is so restrained, maybe in preparation for the climax of the second season.
Love, Death & Robots#
Highly recommended! The content may be a bit uneven, but the final episode is mind-blowing. Please bring us more of this kind of content. The first season was a phenomenal success, the second season blossomed with multiple storylines, slowly returning to cyberpunk cult, and the third season may have been killed by the stream of consciousness and shallow storytelling, but the final episode is truly stunning. It deserves all five stars. I've probably watched the final episode ten times.
The acceptance of cyberpunk cult is not high, and there are even fewer works that can be enjoyed by most people (like "Cyberpunk: Edge Runner"). So I actually think that the third season is not as good as the second season as a whole.
Surprises#
"Squid Game"#
It's hard to believe that this is Lee Jung-jae's directorial debut (could it be his peak right after his debut?)!
A profound spy thriller. Everyone is going through it, and perhaps what they are experiencing is completely different from what the country and history are going through, but there are always people fighting for their dominance. I think this is a successful transition after transformation, and you can even see the darkness of individuals and the deep history in the style. Some scenes are extraordinary. The only regret is that the plot is a bit too tightly arranged. But after all, this is a subject matter that we cannot shoot and content that we cannot find someone to shoot.
"1899"#
This is the series I've been most looking forward to this year and the one I highly recommend! If you've seen "Dark," don't miss it! Volume technology + the writers of "Dark" are invincible! The following is quoted from pyq's review without spoilers.
Part 1#
The only highly recommended series this year. I very much agree with the comment that its core is the same as "Dark." Below is a spoiler-free review.
Together with the "Separation Layer" in the first half of the year, they are the most interesting sci-fi settings of the year. This series should not have a sequel in terms of design. If there is one, it must be polished to perfection.
A ship is like a matrix in "The Cube," and the ending is as chilling as in "The Cube." You won't understand the connection between the different levels without watching it multiple times.
Films like "Dark" are more like writing system software. The script is designed as a whole, so that it is internally consistent and can explain each other. This is what I admire most about this type of series.
Ships, which are inherently limited spaces, are more conducive to creating tension and a sense of horror. They also allow for tight interaction within a limited budget.
Some dialogues provide information too abruptly, without giving the audience time to think without pausing. Only this kind of series is willing to take such a gamble, and the creative team must be proud of its setting to do so. In fact, it is true. The analysis, which is longer than the actual episode, has already been released.
I'm really curious about how some shots were taken. The behind-the-scenes footage must be fascinating. Another hidden highlight is the significant use of different languages in this series, and when the actors speak their own languages, it sounds very natural. Unlike some movies with forced Chinese dubbing, the Cantonese dialogues in this series are very authentic, and the main actors switch between English, French, and German very smoothly. They must have put a lot of effort into it. They are indeed the team behind "Dark."
The length of "Dark" filtered out most people, but the final score was indeed very high. The threshold for "1899" is much lower, and many people have difficulty accepting the symbols of mysticism and semiotics themselves, so the score has dropped from the initial 9 given by the die-hard fans to this point. But time will prove everything.
Part 2#
"1899" released an official making-of featurette (Netflix, 50-minute version):
- It was actually filmed while wearing masks, right when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.
- It specifically discusses the efforts and importance of the international cast speaking their own languages.
- I have seen a lot of behind-the-scenes footage of volume technology, but some scenes shown here are still very shocking. It's so real.
- The stage used is the same one where "Metropolis" was filmed!
- The control center of the engine room is actually a manually crafted steampunk set!
- The actors talk about the incredible and mind-boggling ideas of the creators, and even they themselves feel confused, which allows them to act more accurately with such doubts.
- Is it an official confirmation? The second season is confirmed to have a space background.
"Money Heist" (Korean Version)#
It's actually a political drama disguised as an action series!
Here, I need to correct something on Douban. According to the official division, the first twelve episodes are all considered the first season.
"First Love"#
Don't watch it in winter.
2023#
I've been waiting for ____ for too long! Finally, things are returning to "normal"!
In 2023, please bring us more post-pandemic films, more horror films, more "Menu," more planned sequels (mentioning "Dune"); most importantly, bring us more films and series of any genre!