| | | | What was news: As we hurtle towards the end of the year, there is a strong temptation to forget 2022 and all the chaos and misery it brought. But it wasn't all bad! Honest guv! Today's newsletter celebrates the best of this year — so there's no Will and Chris, no Don't Worry Darling and definitely no Elon and Kanye. — Abid Rahman |
THR's Review of '22: Part 1 ►Over the last 12 months, THR has published stories that have led the conversation in Hollywood — below are some of the highlights.
—Lena Dunham on Her First Film in a Decade, Youthful Blind Spots and Hope to Reboot Girls. In January, THR's Seth Abramovitch spoke to polarizing auteur Lena Dunham about surviving all the hate, sickness and addiction as well as her artistic rebirth. The profile.
—THR’s Blackfamous Roundtable. In February, THR editorial director Nekesa Mumbi Moody spoke to Loretta Devine, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Larenz Tate and Lynn Whitfield about the power and privilege of being legends among Black fans and the new Hollywood landscape. The roundtable.
—The Real Mission Impossible: Saying “No” to Tom Cruise. In March, THR's editor-at-large Kim Masters revealed that COVID delays and spiraling inflation led to a lawyered-up Tom Cruise out-gunning Paramount execs over costs related to Mission: Impossible 7. The story.
—Michelle Pfeiffer Is Definitely Done Second-Guessing Herself (Probably!). In April, THR's Lacey Rose profiled Michelle Pfeiffer who opened up about moving beyond the self-doubt that has come with being one of the most effortlessly cool stars of our time. The profile.
—The Paradox of Léa Seydoux. In May, THR's Mia Galuppo profiled French star Léa Seydoux, the unofficial queen of Cannes, who spoke about the terror and joy of working with auteurs and the unreal expectations Hollywood puts on actresses. The profile.
—Maya Rudolph Is Hiding in Plain Sight. In June, Lacey Rose profiled Loot star Maya Rudolph, who opened up on love, loss and using her larger-than-life characters as a shield. The profile. |
THR's Review of '22: Part 2 —Inside House of the Dragon: The Epic Mission to Make the Next Game of Thrones. In July, James Hibberd's fascinating two-parter chronicled the behind-the-scenes moves of HBO’s years-long campaign to franchise its biggest hit of all time. Part I and Part II.
—Steve Martin on His Late Career Surge and Contemplating Retirement. In August, THR's Mikey O'Connell spoke to living legend Steve Martin about the success of Only Murders in the Building and why, after more than 60 years in the business, he is busier than he's ever been. The profile.
—The Documentary Cash Grab. In September, THR's Mia Galuppo and Katie Kilkenny spoke to Alex Gibney, Ken Burns and other documentary filmmakers about rising costs, ethical lapses and the very soul of their profession. The story.
—#MeToo, Five Years Later: Why Time’s Up Imploded. In October, THR's Rebecca Keegan looked at why the advocacy group Time’s Up collapsed amid conflicts of interest (and straight-up conflicts), and what might emerge to supplant it. The story.
—Inside the Disney Board’s Decision to Swap Bobs. In November, Kim Masters took us inside Disney's shock decision to unceremoniously dispatch Bob Chapek as CEO and bring back Bob Iger. The story.
—THR’s Actress Roundtable. In December, as part of THR's Roundtable series, we published the must-read/must-see conversation between awards contenders Emma Corrin, Danielle Deadwyler, Claire Foy, Jennifer Lawrence, Michelle Williams and Michelle Yeoh. The roundtable. |
Best of the Small Screen ►Dan's 10 Best TV Shows. A risk-taking Disney series, two urgently relevant docs, an epic literary adaptation and a trio of first-rate final seasons were among THR chief TV critic Dan Fienberg's picks for the year. Dan's list.
—Angie's 10 Best TV Shows. THR TV critic Angie Han picks for the year's best television include a searing British medical drama, a poignant Canadian coming-of-ager, an unclassifiable HBO experiment and the latest creation from Issa Rae. Angie's list.
—Best Episodes. Dan and Angie choose their standout episodes, including installments from The White Lotus, The Bear, The Crown, A League of Their Own and more. The list.
—Best International Shows. The German answer to Killing Eve, a twisty murder mystery out of India and a pulsating look at '80s French hip-hop are among the televisions shows that make Scott Roxborough's list of the best of global TV in 2022. The selection.
—Small-Screen Superlatives. Dan and Angie wrap up a year of television with honors celebrating specifics from most valuable voiceover to best opening credits sequence and beyond. The list. |
Best of the Rest ►Best Albums. Beyoncé’s dazzling celebration of house music, SZA’s long-awaited and just-released sophomore record and Kendrick Lamar’s confessional concept album all made THR music editor Mesfin Fekadu's 10 best albums list. The selection.
—Best Songs. Tunes that hit the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, album cuts that were better than the promoted singles and a piano ballad that'll have you in your feelings were among Mesfin's highlights. The selection.
—Arts and Culture Favorites. In a year marked by lethargy, Lovia Gyarkye was drawn to energizing work, including a poignant voting rights documentary, an introspective comedy special and a legendary Broadway revival. The selection.
—Best Books. Literary debuts, long-awaited sequels (of sorts) and a friendship novel about video game designers top Seija Rankin's list of must-reads. The selection.
—Red Carpet Looks. As in-person events came roaring back, so did boundary-breaking style, including Timothée Chalamet’s backless jumpsuit, Rihanna’s baby-bump-baring fit, and Bella Hadid’s emperor’s-new-clothes stunt. The selection.
—British and Irish Breakouts. Groundbreaking directorial debuts, head-turning duos, a brand-new princess, major roles for one of the biggest names in pop and a hoofed mammal make up Alex Ritman's picks for the year's top rising talent from across the Atlantic. The selection.
Abid's top non-THR stories of 2022 (that he can remember)...
—"Concerns About Bruce Willis’ Declining Cognitive State Swirled Around Sets in Recent Years" by Meg James, Amy Kaufman [LAT]
—"The Undoing of Joss Whedon" by Lila Shapiro [Vulture]
—"From Wordle’s Welsh Beginnings to The New York Times" by Steven Morris [Guardian]
—"The Unravelling of an Expert on Serial Killers" by Lauren Collins [New Yorker]
—"Stone Skipping is a Lost Art. Kurt Steiner Wants the World to Find it" by Sean Williams [Outside]
Today...
...in 2006, after a premiere at the Cannes Film Festival earlier in the year, Guillermo Del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth hit theaters in limited release. The film went on to claim three Oscars at the 79th Academy Awards, for art direction, makeup and cinematography. The original review.
Today's birthdays: Jude Law (50), Lilly Wachowski (55), Jon Voight (84), Patricia Clarkson (63), Diego Luna (43), Alison Brie (40), Ted Danson (75), Jennifer Ehle (53), Charlotte Riley (41), Dylan Minnette (26), Tori Anderson (34), Danny McBride (46), Kate Moennig (45), Nathaniel Curtis (32), Shawn Hatosy (47), Michael Cudlitz (58), Patrick Fischler (53), Mekhi Phifer (48), Ally Maki (36), Maria Dizzia (48), Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (38) |
Do you have THR's next big story? Confidentially share tips with us at tips@thr.com. |
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