Yesterday I kicked off my look back on the best performances of the 2022 movie year starting with the Supporting Actress category. Today we continue by looking at Supporting Actor. Much like the ladies, this is a category full of great performances from a variety of different movies. So lets get to it starting with a few honorbale mentions followed by my five favorites.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Brian Tyree Henry (“Causeway”), Ben Whishaw (“Women Talking”), Mark Rylance (“Bones & All”), Colin Farrell (“The Batman”), Adrien Brody (“Blonde”), Chris Pine (“Don’t Worry Darling”), Jason Isaacs (“Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris”), Miles Teller (“Top Gun: Maverick”)

#5 – Eddie Redmayne (“The Good Nurse”)

Among the several really good Netflix movies to fly under many radars was “The Good Nurse”. In it, Eddie Redmayne played Charles Cullen an unassuming nurse who was secretly a prolific New Jersey serial killer. Redmayne’s quiet restraint makes for a chilling character who hides his intentions as well as his emotions. The understated Redmayne is a scene-stealer and gives a performance that rivals (if not exceeds) his more award-winning work.

#4 – Don Cheadle (“White Noise”)

There’s not a lot of awards season chatter for Don Cheadle’s performance in “White Noise” but there should be. His wacky yet weirdly illuminating character pops up throughout Noah Baumbach’s off-beat adaptation of Don DeLillo’s wild 1985 novel. Cheadle has a blast waxing not-so-eloquently about a number of absurd topics. Yet there’s a sincerity and earnestness Cheadle brings that makes his character more than just comic relief.

#3 – Paul Dano (“The Fabelmans”)

I admit, it has taken me some time to warm up to Paul Dano as an actor. But lately I’ve started to see what others have been drawn to. He was terrific in “The Batman” from earlier in the year. But he really won me over as the well-meaning but linear-thinking father in Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans”. Dano is utterly convincing but also heartbreaking. I loved what he brought to his surprisingly layered character.

#2 – Barry Keoghan (“The Banshees of Inisherin”)

The 30-year-old Barry Keoghan opened a lot of eyes this year with his stunning performance in Martin McDonagh’s brilliant “The Banshees of Inisherin”. Even as someone who knew he had the chops, Keoghan blew me away playing the film’s funniest, saddest, most honest, and most tragic character. It’s a tricky role that could have gone a number of different directions. But Keoghan keeps Dominic grounded, and it’s hard not to love him.

#1 – Brendan Gleeson (“The Banshees of Inisherin”)

It’s the characters who drive “The Banshees of Inisherin”, and they’re brought to life through one of the best ensemble casts of the year. Brendan Gleeson is a key reason the movie works so well. He gives a darkly funny yet dolefully affecting performance that fits beautifully into Martin McDonagh’s dour yet hilarious Irish setting. Gleeson doesn’t always get his due. But he is one of the best working actors today, and “Banshees” is further proof of that.

There you have my Supporting Actor choices. What do you think? Come back tomorrow as we’ll be checking out the Lead Actress category.

And here we are once again, at that time of the year when us ritualistic film critics look back over the movie year that was and compile lists (it’s what we do). I recently shared my Top 10 movies of 2022 (check it out HERE), and now I want to hone in on some of the year’s very best performances. Over the next few days I’ll be sharing my favorites for each of the four major acting categories. So as I normally do, let’s kick it off with Supporting Actress.

Honorable Mentions: Jennifer Connelly (“Top Gun: Maverick”), Vanessa Kirby (“The Son”), Doona Bae (“Broker”), Elizabeth Olsen (“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”), Zoë Kravitz (“The Batman”), Niamh Algar (“The Wonder”), Evan Rachel Wood (“Weird”: the Al Yankovic Story”), Olivia DeJonge (“Elvis”), Mariana Treviño (“A Man Called Otto”)

#5 – Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”)

While I may have had some problems with “Wakanda Forever” as a whole, there was nothing problematic with Angela Bassett’s strong and powerful turn in the latest MCU installment. The always great screen veteran commanded every scene she was in, and brought a much-needed gravitas to the film.

#4 – Claire Foy (“Women Talking”)

In a movie filled to the brim with great performances, one of the best come from Claire Foy. She provides the angriest voice from a group of women who are fed up with the violent sexual abuse and overall oppression by the men of their small Mennonite community. Foy gets what are arguably the biggest scenes and she doesn’t disappoint, pouring out her soul and saying what so many of us were waiting for someone to say.

#3 – Lashana Lynch (“The Woman King”)

“The Woman King” had its issues. But when it stayed focused on its characters it was pretty special. Tops among them was Izogie, played with such unbridled strength and passion by Lashana Lynch. There’s so much heart in her performance, but she’s also a fierce warrior which really comes out in the action scenes. Lynch has it all and delivers in spades.

#2 – Greta Gerwig (“White Noise”)

I love Greta Gerwig, whether she’s starring in a film or behind the camera. She certainly didn’t disappoint in “White Noise”. It’s a quirky role for sure, and a challenging one. But Gerwig has always had a way of bringing humor, charm, and often a dramatic weight to her characters. She does that here, tapping into the film’s wacky rhythm with ease. I love this performance.

#1 – Kerry Condon (“The Banshees of Inisherin”)

Obviously I love every performance on this list. But Kerry Condon’s turn in “The Banshees of Inisherin” was a pretty easy choice for my #1 spot. She swept me away in a movie chock full of incredible performances. She nails every facet of her character, delivering some big laughs, but also warmth and a real sense of longing. It’s such a well-played role, and Condon should be a lock for an Oscar nomination (but I also thought the same last year about Caitríona Balfe).

And those are my Supporting actress picks. Let me know what you think, and be sure to check back tomorrow as we look at the Supporting Actor category.

Boy here’s a weird one. Today Universal Pictures dropped the first trailer for their upcoming action horror comedy “Renfield”. It comes from director Chris McKay and screenwriter Ryan Ridley and is based on a character that first appeared in Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel “Dracula”. The trailer looks insanely wacky (and I say that as a compliment). And if you needed another reason to be excited – Dracula is played by none other than Nicolas Cage. Like I said….wacky.

The title character, Renfield, is played by Nicholas Hoult. He’s the manservant of the one and only Count Dracula, but he’s ready to find a new life all his own. But it’s not so easy when you have vampiric powers and Dracula himself breathing down your neck. The film also stars Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Adrian Martinez, Shohreh Aghdashloo, and Bess Rous. This looks goofy beyond measure, and that’s exactly what I hope it turns out to be.

“Renfield” hits theaters April 14th. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

Those of us who grew up on the movies of the 1980s probably remember the wave of Vietnam War related films. Some were more serious minded like “Platoon”, “Full Metal Jacket”, and “Hamburger Hill”. Others were action-packed B-movies that found a home in VHS rental stores. Somewhere in between the two where Chuck Norris’ three “Missing in Action” films. Now thanks to Kino Lorber, fans can own the complete trilogy on Blu-ray later this month.

This new Blu-ray box set of the “Missing in Action” trilogy hits shelves January 17, 2023. See below for a full synopsis and breakdown of the bonus features.

“Missing in Action”

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

Year: 1984

Rating: R

Runtime: 101 Minutes

Director: Joseph Zito

Starring: Chuck Norris, M. Emmit Walsh, Lenore Kasdorf, David Tress, James Hong, Ernie Ortega, E. Erich Anderson, Pierrino Mascarino, Joseph Carberry, Bella Flores, Willie Williams, Jean-Claude Van Damme (uncredited).

Missing in Action (1984) – American servicemen are still being held captive in Vietnam—and it’s up to one man to bring them home in this blistering, fast-paced action/adventure. Following a daring escape from a Vietnamese POW camp, Special Forces Colonel James Braddock (Norris) is on a mission to locate and save remaining MIAs. Aided by a beautiful State Department official (Lenore Kasdorf, L.A. Bounty) and a former Army buddy (M. Emmet Walsh, Blood Simple), Braddock amasses top-secret information and state-of-the-art weaponry. Now this one-man army is prepared to blast his way into Vietnam…but will he be able to blast his way back out? Directed by Joseph Zito (Invasion U.S.A.) and featuring James Hong (The Perfect Weapon) and David Tress (Stone Cold).

“Missing in Action 2: The Beginning “

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

Year: 1985

Rating: R

Runtime: 95 Minutes

Director: Lance Hool

Starring: Chuck Norris, Soon-Tek Oh, Steven Williams, Bennett Ohta, Cosie Costa, John Michael Terry, Christopher Carey, John Wesley, David Chung, Professor Toru Tanaka, Dean Raphael Ferrandini, Pierre Issot, Mischa Hausserman

Missing in Action 2: The Beginning (1985) – Chuck Norris returns as Colonel James Braddock in this intense, action-packed prequel to the original runaway hit. Captured during a daring mid-air rescue operation, Braddock and his men are imprisoned by the insane Colonel Yin (Soon-Tek Oh, Good Guys Wear Black), who stops at nothing to break their spirits. Held captive in a godforsaken jungle, death seems the only escape. But like a cunning tiger waiting for the right time to pounce on his prey, Braddock seizes the opportunity to spring into action…and becomes a one-man fighting machine dead-set on freeing his men at any cost. Directed by Lance Hool (Steel Dawn) and featuring Steven Williams (Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday) and Professor Toru Tanaka (Catch the Heat).

“Braddock: Missing in Action 3”

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

Year: 1988

Rating: R

Runtime: 103 Minutes

Director: Aaron Norris

Starring: Chuck Norris, Aki Aleong, Roland Harrah III, Yehuda Efroni, Floyd Levine, Miki Kim, Ron Barker, Jack Rader, Keith David

Braddock: Missing in Action III (1988) – When Colonel James Braddock (Norris) is told that his wife and 12-year-old son are still alive in Communist Vietnam, he mounts a one-man assault to free them. Armed with the latest high-tech firepower, Braddock fights his way into the heart of the country and ends up battling his way out with several dozen abused children in tow. Struggling to protect the kids while outmaneuvering the sadistic Vietnamese officer General Quoc (Aki Aleong, V: The Series), Braddock ignites the jungles in a blazing race for freedom. This is the final chapter in the slam-bang Missing in Action trilogy, featuring Keith David (They Live) and directed by Chuck’s stunt coordinator and brother, Aaron Norris (Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection).

Bonus Features

Newly Remastered in 4K and 2K | Audio Commentary for MISSING IN ACTION by Director Joseph Zito, Moderated by Filmmaker Michael Felsher | Interview with MISSING IN ACTION Screenwriter James Bruner| NEW Audio Commentary for MISSING ACTION 2 by Director Lance Hool, Moderated by Historian/Filmmaker Daniel Kremer | NEW Audio Commentary for BRADDOCK: MISSING IN ACTION III by Action Film Historians Mike Leeder and Arne Venema | Theatrical Trailers for all Three MISSING IN ACTION Films | Optional English Subtitles

1981’s “The Evil Dead” remains one of my favorite horror films of all-time. Not only do I love the movie and find it a legitimately creepy horror flick, but I also love the story behind it and how it was made. And it introduced the world to Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell. After three movies and one standalone 2013 “remake”, the franchise is getting a new installment called “Evil Dead Rise”. Produced by Raimi’s Ghost House Pictures, the film certainly has the look and chill of past entries.

The new trailer for “Evil Dead Rise” is out and gleefully teases a grisly, blood-drenched horror romp that looks to be exactly what fans will be looking for. Written and directed by Lee Cronin, the story follows the reunion of two sisters who discover a mysterious book that unleashes a malevolent possessing spirit. Alyssa Sutherland, Lily Sullivan Gabrielle Echols, Morgan Davies, and Nell Fisher star in a feature that’s clearly not for the squeamish. Me? I’ll be there day one.

“Evil Dead Rise” hits theaters April 21st. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

I know I’m late getting this out, but I just wanted to wish all the readers of this little old website a very Happy New Year. It’s hard for me to put into words just how much I appreciate all of you who visit, read, and/or comment on my reviews, commentaries, or features. It means a lot. It’s a great encouragement knowing people are finding some enjoyment here. It’s also a lot of fun talking movies with the many people I’ve e-met here over the years.

2022 was a pretty wild year for me in terms of reviewing movies professionally and exposure. I’m hoping 2023 sees even more growth. And while some exciting critic opportunities opened up for me outside of this website, Keith & the Movies remains an important and beloved outlet for me. So I have no plans of shutting it down any time soon. In fact, I can’t wait to see where it goes from here, in large part thanks to all of you.

I do have a few goals in mind for 2023.

• Last year I watched and reviewed over 220 new movies. That takes a lot time. I’m not planning on slowing down, but going forward some reviews may be a bit more concise and slightly less exhaustive.
• I’m hoping to squeeze in a few more Retro Reviews. I’ve had a ton of fun revisiting and reviewing older movies that for one reason or another haven’t been added to my movie review archive. I’d love to do more of them.
• I’m also hoping to add a couple more features. Some may be new. I may revive some older ones. I have some ideas, but it will all come down to time.

Anyway, those are just some of the things I’m thinking about doing in the year to come. I hope you’ll be here and enjoy them. And again, I appreciate all the contributions you all have made on this site in 2022. Simply visiting and reading means so much. So thank you and a very Happy New Year to you and yours. Here’s to a amazing 2023.