If you’ve seen my annual wrap ups before, you know I’m often playing catch up. Case in point, Nope (2022), Jordan Peele’s brilliant homage to blockbuster creature features that holds up a mirror to society – it’s no coincidence a character dubs aliens ‘Viewers’. Nope has more in common with Peter Jackson’s King Kong remake than Jaws due to their shared interest in the exploitation of animals for entertainment, but a grizzled cinematographer’s straight-faced recitation of “The Purple People Eater” was a fun play on Quint’s Indianapolis monologue. While the mayor in Jaws wants to hide the carnage to avoid hurting business, Nope shows us carnage has become the main attraction. Consider viral fame seekers and mass consumption of real-life horrors. Peele really gave me a lot to chew on (I’m so sorry).
Dark comedy The Menu (2022) takes another approach to the excesses of consumerism (and not the one my husband anticipated) but it’s just as tense and horrific as Nope. There’s a saying if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life, but The Menu shows us the ways in which consumerism sucks the joy and sustenance out of the arts – breaking instead of making connections.
Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) has some serious heart, but never takes itself too seriously. It’s also one of the least predictable movies I’ve ever seen, but the pieces ultimately fall in a satisfying way that makes sense.
My favorite movie of 2023 that came out in 2023 is Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. I have vague memories of the cartoon in syndication and never played the game but I do play MMORPGs that owe a lot to D&D. Even if I didn’t have any familiarity, I would have enjoyed the fun characters, heartfelt story, and mix of animatronic (Jarnathon!) and CGI effects. Xenk was a 10, but he kept giving sensible emotionally intelligent advice.
I’ve already written about Barbie (2023) in the past, but I’ll give it an honorable mention for being a fun breezy romp with some moments of humor and insight. That said, I wish Greta Gerwig hadn’t pulled her punches since some people projected all sorts of unhinged interpretations anyway. I wanna see the movie her critics saw because it sounds amazing. Even the speech so many fans praise was just a watered down retread of the “Be a Lady” essay.
I felt so bored by music during the first half of 2023. My only “new” discovery was Lights, an indie pop artist who’s been around for over a decade. My summer jam “Okay Okay” came out in 2022. I like her Skin & Earth (2017) album in particular. It was even released by Warner Records. How did I miss it? What if I hadn’t been at the gym when someone requested “Okay Okay” on the music app? Who else am I missing out on?
My husband and I saw Metric in July. A newish artist Juliana Madrid opened for them. She won me over with “Madonna”, “Big Plans”, and a cover of “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac. I later fell for “Afterlife” and “Pixilated”. Beautiful voice, unique music, and interesting lyrics that make you think. As for Metric, “False Dichotomy” and “Go Ahead and Cry” are in regular rotation. Kicking myself for not checking out The Beaches until after they came in town for a summer festival. “Blame Brett” is so catchy. And they once collaborated with Lights. Go figure. My autumn jam was “Barely on My Mind” by The Regrettes (2022). “Sever the Blight” by Hemlocke Springs managed to feel new and retro all at once. Other up-and-comers Kiki Rockwell and Paris Paloma do not pull lyrical punches. Lola Blanc always delights, and “Trust Me” is no exception. She’s been making short films as well. Plus she writes and has a podcast about cults, with which she has personal experience.
Kind of a ‘meh’ year in television, but Not Dead Yet was a highlight. Like most network shows, it’s a little too formulaic but not as precious as Ghosts can be (still adore Rose McIver). One episode was a punch in the gut even though I should have seen it coming. Plus I loved this sly exchange – Roommate: “Autistic people hate tables.” MC: “really?” Roommate: “NO! Stop getting all your information from TikTok!” Network television hasn’t been the greatest at representation, either, so the joke was refreshing – and even relatable as ADHD TikTok can be similarly unhelpful. Season 3 of Only Murders in the Building had me a little nervous at first, but it not only improved upon season 2, I couldn’t get those crazy songs out of my head. Only halfway through season one of Poker Face from Rian Johnson, but I’m hooked.
In literature, Celia at 39 by Jason Pomerance was a departure from what I normally read but so fun and charming. Susan K. Hamilton took a break from urban fantasy to write the rocking Stone Heart, proving her range. Kaytalin Platt continued her Equitas series with twisty (and twisted) The Blood Key. I’m fairly new to graphic novels but Something Is Killing The Children is amazing. I hate “this meets that” comparisons, but think Stephen King’s It meets MTV’s The Maxx. It’s solidly its own thing, just a similar vibe.
