Anora is movie of the year, due to its exciting direction, fresh writing, and a story that highlights extreme inequality and the suffering that results. An example of such suffering is of those doing exotic dancing, which I have never seen portrayed with such a level of skill and realism.

The best script is that of The New Year That Never Came, which has excellent portrayal of different levels of societal domination, including where the character is both the dominator and the dominated (and here most visibly seen in the otherwise kindly furniture mover). The movie also has the best dialog, best portrayed in the scene where the actor visits her violent neighbor, to get some herself.

The greatest spectacle is A Quiet Place: Day One, complete with incredible creatures and settings. It is very entertaining, even though none of it is new.

Flow is the most enchanting movie, with a very touching and mesmerizing story of animals trying to survive some supernatural event, while also helping (and threatening) each other.

The best direction is that of Rumours, followed by Joker: Folie à Deux.

Similarly, the best performance is by Nikki Amuka-Bird in Rumours, followed by Joaquin Phoenix in Joker: Folie à Deux.

The best small performance is by Floriela Grapini in The New Year That Never Came, playing the victim of domestic abuse. It happens in just one scene.

My favorite performance is shared:

• Zsane Jhe, playing a less bad cop in Rebel Ridge, and also an unusual casting choice
• Lazare Minoungou, playing a formerly decorated soldier in No Chains No Masters

Rebel Ridge has the best action direction... such joy!