1. MOIRAINE -- If you have been talking to me (or had me chatter at you) for any period of time this year you know that the Wheel of Time series has absolutely obliterated my reading schedule for the year. Moiraine Damodred, you cold, manipulative lesbian, you swept away my heart and mind this year more thoroughly than any fictional character has in years if ever. Bravo, it was your year and we all just lived in it. Moiraine sweep 2023!!!!

2. THE GUY WHO GOT KILLED IN FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH: THE FINAL CHAPTER WHILE WATCHING VICTORIAN PORN -- Look. It's my list and I can make it as hyper specific as I want to. This man haunts me. I have spent hours of this year trying to determine whether or not the director understood the fact that making this guy lose his shit laughing at vintage pornography in the same way people would have enjoyed it during it's initial release was an intentionally clever joke or if it was just for shits and giggles. This man went out doing what he loved, being what we all should aspire to be: a dreamer with the heart of a poet.

3. SUNSETS -- Am I (spiritually) fifty now or was this year a banger year for the imposing beauty of the natural world? Thank u California, the ocean, and sun.

4. BABYLON (BUT MOSTLY THE SCENE WHERE THE DIRECTOR GETS MARGOT ROBBIE TO CRY REALLY SPECIFICALLY+THE SCENE WHERE A WOMAN SUCKS SNAKE VENOM OUT OF MARGOT ROBBIE'S NECK AND THEN MAKES OUT WITH HER) -- Makes the cut of ultimate movies that aren't as bad as the critical response might suggest. What doesn't work here really doesn't work and mileage will vary, but I fundamentally don't understand the people who say that the ending lacked emotion. The move to use Singing in the Rain as a tragedy Rosetta Stone took the floor out of my stomach, I don't know if I'll ever be able to move on from Manny sobbing his way through it. Historically accurate? No. Emotionally immature jokes/depictions of party culture and sex? Maybe. A very interesting, deeply pessimistic film that might end up with later critical reevaluation? Absolutely!!! No, I will not defend that montage at the ending please don't bring up the lame montage at the ending --

5. TÁR: All of it.

6. SEVERANCE: All of it+can't wait to see what Merritt Weaver gets up to next season.

7. APPLE TV SERIES OPENINGS: I feel that good television openings are a dying breed. No matter how good (Severance) or bad (Morning Show) the openings for Apple TV shows have kicked ass. Bad Sisters, Pachinko, the list goes on. Openings that have energy and vibe, often communicating the themes of the show thoroughly in an elegantly condensed sequence, sometimes even better than the shows themselves explore them (MORNING SHOW).

8. THE SOCAL SOUND: Twice now a host has said "okay now this one is my favorite" and it has, also, been MY favorite. Nice to listen to the radio and feel like an actual human being picked out the songs, special shout out to Grover's Holiday Hoedown. They are my best friends now and every time they play a song I like it's like we are holding hands across the airwaves.

9. FOUNTAIN PENS/STATIONARY/LETTER WRITING -- I love writing letters, I love the fact that I got some cool new tools to up my letter writing game this year. To me, writing a letter is the ultimate stop and smell the roses moment slamming into it's the thought that counts type gift. Hey bro I thought about you and it moved me enough to write something down on the spot and mail it to you I love you and also stamps!!! 2023 letter writing AND Moiraine sweep!!!!!

10. WHITE LOTUS SEASON 2 -- Didn't have all that much affection for season one/didn't think the first season was particularly politically interesting in it's themes but MAN did season 2 deliver. Very interesting season of television in terms of plot, with an even more interesting tone. Great performances, I don't know if I'll ever move on from THAT scene in the hotel room with the Essex boy and Portia. LOVED that Mia and Lucia got the last laff!!!! Worth your time for the same reasons as the previous season (aka great performances from character actors and ensemble cast generally) plus much richer commentary on The Society™©® we all live in.

11. LONG MATCHES -- I like to light the fire in my fire place with SUPER long matches it makes me feel like an old timey guy with a sleeping cap and also that way I don't have to worry about burning my fingers hehehe

Happy New Year!! May 2023 be fun and nice and cool and maybe a little surprising (POSITIVE).......Moiraine sweep 2023 though first and foremost!