There were
some clunkers, very mid Marvel movies, but a few standout blockbusters this
year. I haven’t seen too many of the Oscar hopefuls (just watched and wasn’t
impressed by The Banshees of Inisherin), so keep in mind that this list
can only contain the movies I actually watched. With the films that I already wrote a review for, if you'd like to read my full thoughts, I'll be including all of those links! I’m very thankful for this year
with the opportunity to watch all these movies as well as life outside of
films, but without further ado, let’s recap what I watched.
#5 The Batman
Sure, there’s some bias here being a
huge Batman fan to start off with. It will be interesting to see if Matt Reeves
and Robert Pattinson are in James Gunn’s mind for the new DCEU; regardless, the
only superhero film on this list deserves its spot. The world building is great
and fits in perfectly with the dark tone, Paul Dano and Colin Farrell are
standout villains as The Riddler and Penguin respectively, and figuring out the
riddles with the overarching corrupt political Gotham at the heart of the film
is engaging. And the upside down shot of Batman approaching in the rain with
the fire behind him is an all-time shot. Gritty, executed on every level, and
everything I could want in a Batman film.
#4 Nope
Jordan Peele has not missed yet in my
books. Nope is his biggest departure from the horror genre as a whole,
but it still keeps enough of those ingredients to satiate that quench. But what
you get as a whole is a film shot like no other—the villainous “monster”
lurking in plain view with well-lit nighttime shots. “Well-lit nighttime shots”
is not a sexy sounding sentence, but after so many films have wanted that dark
aesthetic but refuse to show anything going on, this feels like such a blessing,
and Peele knows exactly what to do with it.
I’d also like to take this time to say
that Daniel Kaluuya deserves an Oscar nom for Best Actor for this film. I’m
doubling down in my original review that it’s not going to get the awards buzz
because it’s not flashy, but he does such an incredible job of playing an
introverted ranch hand; one of the most difficult things to do is act subtly,
and Kaluuya does it brilliantly. If you’re looking for something more on the
sci-fi lines with some horror elements, Nope is solid through and
through.
#3 Barbarian
In what is typically not my favorite
genre overall, this is the 2nd horror movie to make my list this
year, and it’s the reason I couldn’t call Nope the best horror movie of
the year. Barbarian was more under the radar, but it’s definitely one of
those films that’s better the less you know going in. Star Georgina Campbell
has a mix up with her Airbnb, and instead of hopelessly looking for a hotel
that’s booked up, she reluctantly agrees to share the space and night with Bill
Skargard—who famously played the titular clown in It. It’s a creepy and
realistic nightmare scenario, and the plot only thickens from there. This was
some of the most fun I had at a theater, and that’s why Barbarian
deserves this spot on the list.
#2 Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On Review
Probably the biggest surprise for this
list, I think this family-friendly movie is incredible and should easily take
Best Animated Film. I’m still not sure how exactly, but there’s like a
combination of stop-motion, regular animation, and live-action shooting an
adorable 1-inch shell that lives in a comfy 2-story house. And it being an A24
studio film, you know the cinematography is going to be top-notch. Combine
family-friendly sensibilities with genuinely well-made material, and then top
it off with the most wholesome content I’ve seen in years, and that’s why this
movie not only makes the list but also is so far up. If you are in need of a
smile, watch this movie.
Un-honorable Mentions
Amsterdam
Sometimes I go into a movie with lower
expectations, but I’m not shaking in the knees to go dole out money and time
for a bad film. And this first film has got to be the biggest disappointment of
the year because I was a huge fan of almost everyone involved with this movie.
There’s too many subplots, the performances are all over the place, and at the
center of it all, this film wants to be a comedy and simply isn’t funny. The
built-in pauses for audiences to laugh gets excruciating, and the running gags
are worn out by the 7th punchline you’ve heard repeatedly in the
2-hour movie. I really wish Amsterdam was better, I truly do.
Jurassic World: Dominion
Jurassic World: Dominion Review
Now this was not a film I had
exceedingly high hopes for. I thought its predecessor was better than it’s
given credit for, but there’s no defending Dominion. I’m tired of
bringing back old cast members, the plot is essentially the exact same as every
Jurassic movie, and outside of a handful of moments, the CGI action
doesn’t cut it. Chris Pratt and all the producers were really just cashing
checks with this one.
The 355
Say what you will about the last two
movies above; there might even be some people that could make a few arguments
in their defense. But there is absolutely nothing you can do for The 355.
This takes the cake as worst film of the year by a mile. I like the cast
overall (Penelope Cruz being the only one here actually acting), but there is
zero plot and every frustrating element from a generic action film that has
come out in the past decade. That style of handheld quick edits that The
Bourne Ultimatum pulled off that really no other film has successfully
replicated? Yup, that’s exactly what you get here. Since my original review was
before I was handing out scores, all you need to know is this film is a 2/10.
Honorable Mentions
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Everything Everywhere All at Once Review
Before we get to the film of the year,
let’s add a bit more positivity with some well-deserved shout-outs. And
narrowing these honorable mentions to just three was a struggle itself. But
first on the honorable mentions is the most unique film of the year. Combining
the multiverse now made popular from Marvel, some of the best action
choreography, some of the most innovative jokes, and a thoughtful familial
story at its center, you get this movie. And there’s so much to enjoy and I
understand that some people might even be bewildered that this doesn’t claim a
spot in my top 5. I think some of its quirks get just a little too quirky for
my taste and play out a little too long. I also thoroughly enjoyed the story,
but it may not have fully impacted me the same it did for others. And that’s
okay! Joke as I may that my reviews are definitive, this is also just my own
opinion. This is a really good movie, just not something I need to revisit
soon.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent Review
If the title is unfamiliar, just know that this is
the most Nic Cage movie out there. And it’s a blast. Saw this at a film
festival a month before its theatrical release, and the vibe in the theater was
just great. Possibly the most I belly-laughed in a film this year, this super
meta film is better than a hot cocoa on a chilly winter night.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
It’s not quite as good as the
original, but I love Rian Johnson, I love the whodunnit genre, and I think he
successfully pulled off this sequel. It’s another highlight cast with colorful
characters (again, they’re not quite as much fun as before), and yet again, the
way you think the mystery will be played out is against expectations. One huge
gripe I have with mysteries whether in film or TV, is when they want the
audience to guess but don’t provide enough suspects or evidence throughout for
you to try thinking it through. And I did come to the conclusion before the
end. That doesn’t mean the mystery was too simple; it felt earned, and I felt
proud for figuring it out using the context clues provided. All in all it’s
still plenty of fun.
And the film of the year…
Top Gun: Maverick
There was only one movie I was
compelled to go back and see twice, and what else would you expect from me than
for it to be a Tom Cruise movie. You can read my full review of the film, but
what this film does correctly is make you feel attached to the characters, so
the stakes in the action scenes feel genuinely dangerous. And speaking of
genuinely dangerous, there’s minimal CGI, and yes, they are actually flying
planes. The way this film is shot is phenomenal and ground-breaking (because
it’s in the air ha), and that scene where Cruise runs the course to prove the
mission is impossible possible had me on the edge of my seat, palms
sweaty, and heart pounding. Top Gun: Maverick is why I enjoy going to
the cinema and why I will continue to go in the new year.
I’m always open to
suggestions on what to watch, and I hope you both enjoy reading my content and
find it useful in determining if you should watch a certain film as well. For
those that have reached out saying they’ve enjoyed these reviews, I have truly
appreciated it, and it helped make 2022 a highlight year. Thanks everyone.
No comments:
Post a Comment