Like most podcasts, the Fake Nerd Podcast starts the new year off with a list of their favorite things from the previous year. Since 2022 was a particularly exciting year for us, we expanded the list from 10 to 15. So here is my top 15 list that appeared in the 309th episode of the Fake Nerd Podcast. To listen to my thoughts, watch the episode here.
TL/DR Section
Non-2022 Top 5
We did these for the Christmas special and I just wanted to include them. This is just a little top five of media I consumed not from 2022.
– Honorable Mention
- Big Finish 8th Doctor Adventure
– Hilda: The Mountain King
– 1883
– Kill la Kill
– Arcane
– Promare
Honorable Mentions
– Inferno
– Rogue Sun
– Sonic The Hedgehog 2
– Avatar: The Way of Water
– 5cream
15) Cobra Kai Season 5
14) Spirited
13) The Batman
12) God of War: Ragnarok
11) Werewolf By Night
10) Slumberland
9) Prey
8) Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
7) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
6) Peacemaker
5) RRR
4) Top Gun: Maverick
3) Star Wars: Andor
2) Glass Onion
1) Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Expanded Thoughts
Honorable Mentions
Inferno – I have been very far behind on my comics and only recently started catching up. I began with X-Men and blew through titles like Hellions and Trials of Magneto. But Inferno was excellent. While it began in 2021, it ended in 2022 and it was so nice to read Hickman writing the X-Men one last time.
Rogue Sun – The second MassiveVerse title, Rogue Sun, was everything I wanted it to be. It’s part Batman Beyond and part its own thing and I love the world it’s built. The art is excellent and every villain is one of the coolest concepts I’ve ever seen.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 – This almost made it to my top but was edged out at the last minute. I really love this movie, it’s exactly the kind of movie that could get me into Sonic full-time. The action is great and Jim Carry is incredible as Robotnick.
Avatar: The Way of Water – Another that almost made it to the top. I love this movie more than every other member of the show. It’s exactly the movie I wanted, with incredible visuals and weird Na’Vi mysticism. Can’t wait for the next 3!
5cream – A movie that’s one big defense of The Last Jedi is something that was always going to work for me. It’s honestly my favorite Scream film and I love the story they developed for Dewey. The commentary on Legacy sequels and the toxic fandom around them was pitch-perfect to me.
15) Cobra Kai: Season 5
I’ve been pretty critical of Cobra Kai in the past. It’s a stupid little show that accidentally became pro-bullying by the very nature of its protagonist. While it was confused in the beginning, they very much found their way and made the most compelling season so far. Season 5 had me on the edge of my seat and Terry Silver was an incredible villain. All the stupid subplots that were weighing the showdown came to an end and they just focused on a cool karate show. Well done Cobra Kai, you finally did it.
14) Spirited
Good afternoon! Spirited was such a surprise. The music is wonderful and catchy and there are some excellent dance numbers. Ryan Reynolds was very confident for his first musical and he and Will Ferrell had great chemistry. If you haven’t seen the film, then you should.
13) The Batman
This is an easy one: It’s my favorite Batman movie ever made. It’s everything I’ve wanted from a Batman movie. Finally, a Batman that feels like a detective!
12) God of War: Ragnarok
While not as good as the 2018 game, God of War: Ragnarok still packed an emotional punch that I related to. I loved seeing all of the interpretations of the Norse myths and some of the acting was incredible. Christopher Judge and Richard Schiff were the standouts for me.
11) Werewolf By Night
Finally, a Marvel film that actually felt different and unlike anything that ever came before. There’s such confidence in Michael Giacchino’s directing and it’s probably my favorite Phase 4 project. But stay tuned for that ranking.
10) Slumberland
No film left me more of an emotional wreck than Slumberland. Just an incredible film that hit all the right buttons. It’s the very rare time that I felt the critics were entirely wrong on this one.
9) Prey
For sure my favorite Predator film. I think there’s so much potential in the Predator franchise and the films have barely scratched the surface. Thankfully this was the kind of fresh air that the franchise needed. More of these, please.
8) Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
I liked this one more than my co-hosts which kind of surprised me. But I really had a blast with this. The animation is stunning and it’s laugh-out-loud funny. The fact that there was a film dedicated to Piccolo is incredible and it was exactly the film I needed it to be.
7) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
This might have needed to be higher but I was worried I had a recency bias toward it. But it’s the best Shrek film and the animation is absolutely incredible. One of, if not the best-animated movies of the year. It’s got an incredible villain with Wolf, who’s one of the best villains Dreamworks has ever created. The voice acting is top notch and the story is beautiful. Just a triumph all around.
6) Peacemaker
One of the biggest surprises of the year. To put it frankly, I believe it to be James Gunn’s masterpiece at this point in his career.
5) RRR
Such an incredible movie. I’m not sure I can explain it accurately but it’s insane and wonderful. One of the best movies about friendship ever made.
4) Top Gun: Maverick
It’s so rare to see a sequel surpass the original in almost every way. One of the best legacy sequels for sure and it is such a great performance from Tom Cruise. He’s in top form in this film. It made me believe in movie magic again.
3) Star Wars: Andor
Another big surprise from the year. Like holy shit, how could this show be so damn good? It’s for sure the best live-action Star Wars show and it could very well become my favorite Star Wars show ever. It’s the one I’ve always wanted to see.
2) Glass Onion
I personally liked this film more than I liked Knives Out and I loved Knives Out. I just love that in the world of Benoit Blanc, the good people actually win. Murder Mysteries are hard to make rewatchable and yet Rian Johnson has done it twice.
1) Star Trek: Strange New World
The best Star Trek show since Deep Space Nine. It was everything I wanted it to be. Every episode was better than the last. The cast was amazing and I loved every character. It made me like a character from the original series who I absolutely hated. Just can’t believe it’s a real show. So happy to have it.-