Zoë Rose Bryant has written 259 reviews for films during 2022.

  • All Quiet on the Western Front

    All Quiet on the Western Front

    ★★★★

    I’m not usually a fan of war films, but this was fucking FANTASTIC.

    I don’t think it’s necessarily saying anything “new” - we know war is hell - but it’s how the film spotlights this subject matter that makes it hit so hard. Edward Berger’s brutal, unrelenting direction brings us some of the most dire depictions of warfare that have ever been put to screen (and at least since Saving Private Ryan), and Felix Kammerer‘s deeply felt lead performance anchors…

  • I Wanna Dance with Somebody

    I Wanna Dance with Somebody

    ★★★

    Anthony McCarten has once again written the cinematic equivalent of a Wikipedia page, but at least Naomi Ackie ate

    2022 Ranked

  • Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

    Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

    ★★★★½

    This is so much better than it has any right to be and I need an ETA on that next Shrek sequel ASAP.

    2022 Ranked
    DreamWorks Ranked

  • The Firm

    The Firm

    ★★★½

    This was what we ended up watching for Christmas Eve because it was the first thing on my dad’s HBO Max watchlist LMFAO 😭

    Jeanne Tripplehorn and (the Oscar-nominated) Holly Hunter MVPs.

  • Avatar: The Way of Water

    Avatar: The Way of Water

    ★★★★★

    This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

    LET’S.
    GET.
    IT.
    DONE.

    I started sobbing as soon as Neteyam and Lo’ak go back to save Spider this time because I already knew what was coming and I didn’t stop crying on and off until after that gutpunch of a final scene (I’m 😭 just 😭 happy 😭 to 😭 see 😭 you 😭) so James Cameron will be sent my therapy bills for the foreseeable future.

    I love all the kids so much, and even more on every…

  • Glass Onion

    Glass Onion

    ★★★★½

    How the fuck is Janelle Monáe not a Best Supporting Actress frontrunner for this

    2022 Ranked

  • Babylon

    Babylon

    ★★★★½

    This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

    The Tobey Maguire subplot is literally the only thing keeping me from giving this a full 5/5, it ALWAYS drags but then Damien saves things with that psychotic final scene so I guess all’s well that ends well 😌

    2022 Ranked
    Damien Chazelle Ranked

  • The Whale

    The Whale

    ★½

  • Women Talking

    Women Talking

    ★★★★★

    Manages to move me to tears over and over again every time I watch it. An essential feminist text we’ll cherish for years.

    (And Jessie Buckley is doing brilliant, brilliant work here.)

    2022 Ranked
    Best Adapted Screenplay Winners Ranked

  • The Pale Blue Eye

    The Pale Blue Eye

    ★★★½

    The Pale Blue Eye is a genuinely gripping whodunit that also functions as an origin story of sorts for Edgar Allen Poe, played here to perfection by a mesmerizing Harry Melling, who holds his own against the commanding Christian Bale. At points, it can tread into predictable territory, but it’s saved by a terrific twist that contorts this seemingly straightforward murder mystery into something far more morally complex - and memorable, as a result.

    (Full review here.)

    2022 Ranked
    Scott Cooper Ranked

  • Babylon

    Babylon

    ★★★★½

    In time, I think we’ll view Damien Chazelle’s Babylon as a misunderstood masterpiece, so here’s my defense of the film, including why I think some of the major critiques miss the mark.

    2022 Ranked
    Damien Chazelle Ranked

  • Avatar: The Way of Water

    Avatar: The Way of Water

    ★★★★★

    This is a perfect movie to me.

    Favorites
    2022 Ranked
    James Cameron Ranked