by Rosalie Kicks, Old Sport & Editor in Chief

Initially, when I started to compile my best of list I did not think it would end up being extraordinarily long. Welp, I was mistaken.

I was attempting to do a top thirteen, but inevitably found that I could not axe two of the flicks, so fifteen is where I landed. I’ve also elected not to rank my favorite films this year simply due to exhaustion. Therefore, I present them alphabetized. In being constantly bombarded with media, it is difficult to understand in the moment the vast amount of wonderful motion pictures that are witnessed until one takes a step back. Before Ryan Silberstein joined the fold of MovieJawn, I was never a big fan of end of year lists or listicles in general. Much like a fungus though, they have grown on me. I have come to appreciate this exercise, as it allows me appreciate the magic that people have created on the silverscreen. In looking at my final list, I feel hopeful about cinema’s future as there is not just one but three films from debut filmmakers. There is a lot of marvel in this world, we just need to walk into a cinema and open our eyes.

A Thousand and One
Directed by A. V. Rockwell
Now streaming on Prime

This is a stunning debut and I am in awe of the talent that is A. V. Rockwell. I love to watch stories about people that are unlike me with different backgrounds. The story of A Thousand and One opens the door to another world in which one can learn from and also gain an understanding.

When Inez (Teyana Taylor) is released from prison she finds herself constantly on the move. When she decides to kidnap her son Terry from foster care, she finds a purpose to get her life on track. This is a strong and impactful story that manages to show that some of the smallest of securities that many take for granted are so meaningful to those that struggle to obtain them.

All of Us Strangers
Directed by: Andrew Haigh
Opens in theaters December 22

Screenwriter Adam (Andrew Scott) is toiling away on his latest project and finds his typical routine interrupted by a curious neighbor named Harry (Paul Mescal). As Adam becomes closer to Harry, he is taken back to the past and starts to visit his childhood home. There he finds his late parents who have remained the age from the day they died. This is a one of those pictures that gave me all the feels. All of Us Strangers, is filled with excellent performances and a story told thoughtfully about love, loss, and grief. It definitely is a picture that would benefit from several re-watchings and I can’t wait to screen it again.

Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret
Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig
Now streaming on Starz

We should be speaking about director Kelly Fremon Craig. What a talent!

When eleven year old Margaret leaves the big apple for the suburbs she finds herself grappling with, not just a new landscape, but also a rapidly changing body. This coming of age story adapted from a Judy Blume book of the same title, is riddled with great performances and pulls at the heart strings. I am shocked that I made it through my adolescence without reading the words of Judy Blume. I found this particular story to be an accurate depiction of a teenage experience and Kelly Fremon Craig once again shows what that is like from a girl’s perspective. If you haven’t watched her previous flick, The Edge of Seventeen, I highly recommend. Can’t wait to see what Kelly does next.

Barbie
Directed by: Greta Gerwig
Now streaming on Max

Barbie is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Who knew that an eleven and half inch tall plastic doll could hold the power to make me laugh, cry, and have deep, meaningful thoughts about my overall existence. I should have expected this outcome though, given that I willingly placed my cinematic experience in the hands of Her Excellency and proficient filmmaker, Greta Gerwig.

Cobweb
Directed by: Samuel Bodin
Now streaming on Hulu

One never truly knows what is living in the walls.

When Peter (Woody Norman) attempts to uncover what and who is causing the sounds he is hearing from inside his bedroom walls, he finds that some secrets are best left locked up. It is hard to believe this is a debut feature film from Samuel Bodin. There was a lot to love about this one from the Halloween setting, creepy vibes, the exemplary production design, and stellar performances. Lizzy Caplan and Antony Starr play a pair of parents that only can be found in nightmares. However, it was the shadows à la Nosferatu, that truly sent chills down my spine.

Eileen
Directed by William Oldroyd
Now playing in theaters

Eileen is aces and a perfect example of how a thriller is done.

Set in 1960s Massachusetts, Eileen (Thomasin McKenzie) falls under the spell of her new coworker, Rebecca Saint John (Anne Hathaway). This allure takes Eileen down a path that inevitably changes the course of her life. The performances in this film are magnetic. I’ve been keeping an eye on Thomasin’s work since seeing her in the film Leave No Trace and, although her portrayal of Eileen left an impact, it was Anne Hathaway that stole the show. If you’re a fan of Hitchcockian suspense flicks, this is a must watch. I loved the film so much, I read Ottesa Moshfegh’s book that the screenplay was adapted from and found it to be a page-turner.

Fallen Leaves
Directed by: Aki Kaurismäki

Fallen Leaves is a beautiful film about the relationship between about two lonely souls looking for a sliver of happiness. Ansa (Alma Pöysti) a grocery store clerk and Holappa (Martti Suosalo) a construction worker in Helsinki have an encounter at a karaoke bar and, from there, take a windy road to finding their own version of love. This is a beautiful film, filled with exquisite moments that managed to stay with me long after the credits rolled.

Infinity Pool
Directed by Brandon Cronenberg
Now streaming on Hulu

Infinity Pool is a reminder that sometimes one requires a vacation after a vacation. Em (Cleopatra Coleman) and James Foster (Alexander Skarsgård) are on holiday at an all-inclusive, fictional beach resort known as La Tolqa. Despite this being a place of relaxation, they both instead appear tense. When Em and James befriend another couple at the resort they are taken on a journey that leaves them forever changed.

At the heart of this menacing yarn is the evilness of humanity. It showcases the lengths someone will go not just for entertainment but appeasement in their life. This can be said most particularly of those of the affluent persuasion. They are able to conduct themselves without the fear of consequence for their actions. Their wealth not only affords them power but encourages them to be reckless. For them, rules do not apply. This privilege allows them to act without remorse.

The Iron Claw
Directed by: Sean Durkin
Opens in theaters December 22

As a fan of pro wrestling, I can’t recommend this picture enough. I have a full review coming to MovieJawn.com this week in which I will do a deeper dive. However, for those that are unfamiliar with the Von Erich family, you’re in for quite the ride.

I went into this film totally blind on the backstory and will say was that I not prepared for the somber tone of much of the picture. With that said, even with the various tragedies faced by this family, in the end it managed to leave me filled with hope. The filmmaker, Sean Durkin does a great job of telling a story from a vast timeline and this is backed by great performances from Zac Efron, Harris Dickinson, and Jeremy Allen White. However, it was Maura Tierney that really blew me away as their mother, Doris Von Erich. She did not have a ton of screen time but managed to leave a lasting impression.

May December
Directed by Todd Haynes
Now streaming on Netflix

Todd Haynes is a master.

I knew nothing about this story and went in totally blind. The tale takes place twenty years after a scandalous romance between Gracie (Julianne Moore) and a young man, Joe Yoo (Charles Melton) that is twenty three years her junior. The couple, now “happily” married, invite an actor, Elizabeth (Natalie Portman) into their lives as she is conducting research for a future film adaptation of their lives.

This story grips the viewer and by the time it all unravels one finds themselves on the edge of their seat. Of course, with a cast consisting of Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, it is expected their work will be a standout. And I confirm that it most certainly is. However, the role that will leave the town talkin’ is that of Charles Melton. He is incredible and proves that he has something to offer. I also have to give a shout out to the unhinged performance from Cory Michael Smith. Can we please see Cory in more flicks, please and thank you.

Past Lives
Directed by: Celine Song
Now playing on demand and digital

I don’t say this lightly: Past Lives is a perfect film.

Nora (Greta Lee) and Teo Yoo (Hae Sung) are childhood friends who find themselves separated by distance. When Nora was a young child, her family decided to emigrate to the United States from South Korea which causes her to lose touch with her best friend, Teo Yoo. Eventually, through the power of the internet, they reconnect and after twenty years later they reunite in New York, where Nora is living as a playwright. Upon having their reunion, the pair are set on an emotional rollercoaster and are confronted with the paths they each have taken.

This is a film that I’ll carry around in my pocket, simply so I can pull it out every now and again to ruminate in all the feels it gives me. It’s incredible to think that this is a debut feature from Celine Song, can’t wait to see what she blesses us with next. We are all so fortunate to be living in the same era as her.

Poor Things
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
Now playing in theaters

Poor Things is the monster movie I’ve been waiting for.

Similar to everyone on planet Earth, Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) did not ask to be made. Unlike the rest of us though, Bella’s journey into this world was unlike any expedition ever taken. Her bone-filled flesh vessel is not the one she was meant to inhabit. As the saying goes, with death comes new life.

The production design and costuming within this film are a feast for the eyes. I could not help the feeling of wanting to crawl into this picture so that I would be able to explore it further. The performances are memorable in the best way possible. There is not a deadbeat in the cast.

Robot Dreams
Directed by Pablo Berger

A lonely pup named Dog is tired of being alone and places an order for a Robot companion. The two become fast friends and when they find one another in extraordinary predicament they become separated. This picture basically held my hand, ripped my heart out, picked it up off the ground, dusted it off and gave it a tiny hug. I was nowhere near prepared for the onslaught of feelings that I would experience from a movie in which the title characters are named: Dog and Robot. So be forewarned, you will want to have tissues at the ready for this one.

Slotherhouse
Directed by Matthew Goodhue
Now streaming on Hulu and Hoopla

When the most adorable slasher-sloth is toted into a sorority house, it leads to some of the most incredibly spectacular things ever to grace the silver screen. In a mere sixteen minutes, the sloth who becomes to be known as Alpha makes her first kill. Slotherhouse is anything but a slog as it manages to keep the viewer more than entertained with its flat out ridiculousness.

Often titles such as Slotherhouse are utilized like a carny trick to lure the viewer into watching, only to be disappointed by the product. Slotherhouse manages to live up to the absurdity of its title and even showcase a bigger horror than a sloth that kills… that influencers will be the death of us all.

The Zone of Interest
Directed by Jonathan Glazer

This is not a happy tale despite it showing a family living their best life.

Set during The Holocaust, the film shows the perspective of the Höss family. Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel) is a German Nazi commander at the Auschwitz genocide camp while his family live a picturesque life directly next door. This is an exceptionally well crafted film that depicts an absolutely deplorable tale. Although this is not a picture that I will be itching to watch again anytime soon, I feel it is one that everyone should watch. The way in which these people normalize the hatred and atrocity happening literally right under their nose is terrifying. This film will haunt me for years to come. The actors portray these despicable beings impeccably, and Sandra Hüller as Rudolf’s wife aka “Queen of Auschwitz”, Hedwig proves that she is actor that demands our attention.