2022 Favorites
I cannot believe I'm writing this, but 2022 is almost over. While we mentally wrap our heads around the changing of the calendars, it's time to look back on the best new releases of 2022. Here are my favorites!
TV SHOWS
Abbott Elementary: Created by and starring Quinta Brunson, this ABC, mockumentary-style sitcom stands out from pretty much everything else on network TV right now. The jokes are sharp. The cast chemistry (in friendship and slow-burn romance) is outstanding. In addition to its character beats and jokes, the show peppers in important commentary about inequities in the public school system. Watching this ensemble comedy always brightens my day.
Heartstopper: This Netflix series follows the friendship turned romance between Nick and Charlie, as they navigate high school, sexual identity, bullying, changing friend groups and more. It's moving and sweet and perfectly captures the exhilaration of having a crush.
Never Have I Ever (season three): The latest season of Mindy Kaling's teen comedy is its best yet. Unlike Kaling's sloppily paced HBO series (The Sex Lives of College Girls), Never Have I Ever artfully builds Devi's character arc. When we meet her in season three, she's still the same chaotic and messy girl we know, but you can visibly see how she's changed from seasons one and two.
MOVIES
Cha Cha Real Smooth: Has anyone seen this movie?? Unfortunately it feels like one of those Apple TV releases that came and went without anyone realizing, but Cha Cha Real Smooth remains my favorite new movie of 2022. Written by, directed by and starring the very charming Cooper Raiff, this coming of age story follows a 12-year-old, 22-year-old and 32-year-old through the different challenges they're facing at their respective ages. It features wonderful performances from Dakota Johnson and Leslie Mann. I really cannot recommend it enough!
The Lost City: It's nice to see Sandra Bullock in a romcom that knows how to write to her many, many strengths! They've got her running around a jungle in a sparkly jumpsuit doing physical comedy that will make you laugh out loud. Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe, Brad Pitt, Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Oscar Nuñez are also excellent in this genuinely funny, romantic story.
Top Gun: Maverick: The movie I never predicted would make it on my year-end list! I had the absolute best time watching Top Gun: Maverick. I've never seen the original, but the sequel did an excellent job of blending the old and the new so that audiences of all kind could easily dive into the story. It's fun to watch newbies Miles Teller and Glen Powell join Tom Cruise for this exciting ride.
Fire Island: Written by and starring Joel Kim Booster, Fire Island tells the story of a group of friends on their annual summer vacation through the story beats of Pride and Prejudice. Unlike the truly awful adaptation of Persuasion that also came out this year, Fire Island is a well done, truly unique and modern take on a classic Austen romance.
MUSIC
Harry's House (Harry Styles): Harry Styles' album came out in May, and I haven't stopped listening to it since. From hit single As It Was to my personal favorite Satellite to the emotional Matilda, every single song is memorable. And, not to brag too much, but seeing him perform it live in concert was just incredible and further cemented Harry's House in my heart.
Being Funny in a Foreign Language (The 1975): Speaking of no skips... I love The 1975's new album, which came out in October. Sure, I missed it for a few weeks because I was in a Midnights listening bubble (more on that later), but Being Funny in a Foreign Language is an all-around great listen. My favorite songs are Happiness, the sharp social critiques in Looking for Somebody (To Love) and The 1975, I'm in Love With You, About You, Wintering... whoops I almost listed the entire album.
Midnights (Taylor Swift): In her most experimental album yet, Taylor Swift makes such interesting music and lyric choices that every time I listen to Midnights, I catch something new. My personal favorite, Midnight Rain, illustrates this case perfectly, opening unlike any song she's done before.
BOOKS + PODCASTS
Book Lovers by Emily Henry: With her third and most ambitious romance novel yet, Emily Henry dives into the lives of self-proclaimed city people and "enemies," Nora Stephens (book agent) and Charlie Lastra (book editor), who are forced (for different reasons) to spend their summer in a small town in North Carolina.
Left on Tenth by Delia Ephron: Do you ever read a book that makes you want to write exactly like the author does? That's how I felt while reading Delia Ephron's moving memoir. I absolutely adore her storytelling style, and that's no surprise because she co-wrote one of my all-time favorite movies, You've Got Mail, with her sister. It's an emotional book - she's writing about the magic of falling in love, while also tackling her cancer diagnosis and reflecting on the cancer diagnoses of her late husband and sister (Nora).
Pod Meets World: It's rare to get a truly honest assessment of the highs and lows of working on a hit TV show. But Rider Strong, Will Friedle and Danielle Fishel are willing to do just that as they go episode by episode through Boy Meets World. They provide interesting behind the scenes commentary by calling out some of their negative experiences on the TV set, while thoughtfully and thoroughly talking through each episode.
