As the year is coming to an end, it makes a lot of sense to me to look back on the year that is coming to a close. Although it isn’t yet time for me to announce my 2022 year-end lists and awards winners (they’ll be released in January and February 2023), this is the right time to take a look at the ten most-read articles and reviews that I wrote this year. Let’s have a look at what caught your eye this last year.
#1 – REVIEW: Kærlighed for Voksne (2022)
From my review:
“One day, there may very well be a great Danish Netflix film. I really hope so. But unfortunately, it isn’t today. It pains me to say that Barbara Rothenborg’s Kærlighed for Voksne is a cliched erotic thriller — which feels like a knockoff of better films in the genre — that I cannot recommend.”
#2 – REVIEW: Toscana (2022)
From my review:
“I don’t have a lot of good things to say about this one. Frustratingly, there’s nothing new under the Tuscan sun here. The first Danish Netflix Original film, Mehdi Avaz’s Toscana, is a well-meaning and harmless but cliche-ridden and forgettable snooze led by a miscast Anders Matthesen.”
#3 – REVIEW: Borgen – Power and Glory (2022)
From my review:
“I think the Birgitte Nyborg section of the show worked really well. They’ve done a good job of communicating how she has to adapt to a new role in politics, communication, and at home, and the show has also showcased that she may lose sight of her own politics in the daily struggle to stay on top. I think most of it really works and is compelling. On the other side of the show, however, it didn’t always feel like Katrine Fønsmark’s arc, which is focused on her micro-managing her team at TV1, worked. More generally, I must also admit that I thought the concluding events in the season felt a little bit too easy, dishonest, or contrived. That said, it was still a solid season of political drama that I would recommend to fans of the genre, but I don’t think it is must-see TV.”
#4 – Bite-Sized Reviews: First Half of 2022 – Must-See TV?
From the introduction to the Bite-Sized Reviews:
“In this edition of my recurring movie and television catch-up article series titled ‘Additional Bite-Sized Reviews,’ I take a look back at the first half of the year to discuss some of the new shows that I’ve really enjoyed this year, but that I didn’t have the time to review. I think all of the shows in this article are good, but which of these shows do you absolutely have to put on your watchlist? Well, let’s have a look.”
#5 – REVIEW: Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)
From my review:
“I, ultimately, thought Obi-Wan Kenobi was a hugely satisfying addition to the Star Wars mythology and the franchise as a whole. The show managed to enrich character lore in ways that I didn’t see coming (mostly with young Leia but also with the titular character), and I thought the entire show carried a surprising but, honestly, quite moving theme of absolution, or self-forgiveness, which should make us understand the titular character better. Obi-Wan Kenobi is a good reminder of what worked in the Prequel era, as well as a satisfying, albeit not entirely necessary, bridge between that era and the Original trilogy, even though it has some noticeable issues and is a relatively safe show.”
#6 – REVIEW: ANDOR – Season One (2022)
From my review:
“In that regard, it isn’t the safe cookie-cutter show with its edges sanded off that you may have imagined. Rather it is a smartly written (by Tony Gilroy but also Nightcrawler’s Dan Gilroy, The Americans’ Stephen Schiff, and House of Cards’ Beau Willimon) and brilliantly scored (by Nicholas Brittell, who has even made a Miami Vice-esque Star Wars theme) series that reminds you exactly how powerful Star Wars storytelling can be. It is exactly what Star Wars needs right now, and it features some of the best storytelling we’ve gotten for this franchise in years, if not decades.”
#7 – Did Showtime’s Revival Actually Fix the Controversial ‘Dexter’ Ending? | Review
From my review:
“So, while I, on paper, think this new ending kind of works, I also don’t think it is the ending fans wanted, and it isn’t a particularly satisfying episode, in general. But it is a better ending than the infamous original Dexter ending. Now, admittedly, that is a low bar to have to clear, but it did, in fact, clear it. The question now remains whether or not this new ending fixes the original ending? Frankly, I’m not sure it ever could’ve. It’ll always be remembered for how illogical and strange it was. However, in spite of my problems with this ‘new ending,’ I really do think that the revival significantly improved upon my own memory of the original show. It really did remind me of just how much I once enjoyed it.”
#8 – REVIEW: For All Mankind – Season Three (2022)
From my review:
“Once again, For All Mankind didn’t disappoint. It continues to be one of the best streaming shows out there and is arguably the best show on Apple TV+. It deserves so much more attention than it is getting. Admittedly, it must be said that it has carried over my issue with season two to season three, but, at the same time, it is still an epic, suspenseful, and ambitious show about space travel and the people – at home and in space – who can make it happen. If you like science fiction, space, or alternate history stories, then this is still a must-see show.”
#9 – REVIEW: Speak No Evil (2022)
From my review:
“With his third feature as a director – Speak No Evil – I think that Christian Tafdrup has successfully made his best film yet. It is a disturbing and thought-provoking thriller with a lot on its mind, such as manners, conflict avoidance, and the impotence of the modern man. I wouldn’t call it unique but it really works, and it’s clear that, in flirting with both horror and social satire here, he is inspired by filmmakers like Michael Haneke, Lars Von Trier, and Ruben Östlund (though it also, at times, reminded me of Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals). Time will tell if the Danish actor-turned-filmmaker will ultimately become as influential as those European filmmakers, but, in any case, this is a strong next step for Christian Tafdrup.”
#10 – REVIEW: The Book of Boba Fett (2021-2022)
From my review:
“While there are some solid and memorable Boba Fett moments in this series, it is undeniable that the best thing about this show is the fact that it becomes a different show all of a sudden. I loved the fifth and the sixth episodes, but it wasn’t really The Book of Boba Fett so it feels a little bit like a cheat. So, although the show did have a lot of moments that I will want to rewatch over and over again, as a show about Boba Fett I think it is very hit or miss. It is a roughly structured, weirdly paced, and uneven series, albeit with a lot of highlights that still made me excited when the show picked up steam (essentially when the show became The Mandalorian: Season 2.5). The elements of the series that were inherently related to Boba Fett just didn’t work as well, which I think is a huge problem for this spin-off. It’s the kind of show that is, on the whole, probably just okay, but which features some absolutely incredible episodes with some lovely and unforgettable true Star Wars moments.”
There are some noticeable patterns up there. Four of the ten are reviews of Danish films or shows, and three of the ten are reviews of Star Wars spin-offs. I am so grateful for every view that I get. And it means so much to me that you have chosen my articles this year. I desperately hope that the written word stays around, and the people that decide to check out my writing help to make me believe that some people still appreciate the written word and what I bring to the table. So, thank you, and please stick around next year. I’m not going anywhere.
– All Articles and Reviews Are Written by Jeffrey Rex Bertelsen.
I'm Jeffrey Rex 