2022 and The End of COVID-19 (?)
Most major and small, independent film studios were still reeling from the aftershock of the disruptions and loss of income caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by the end of 2022. However, there were still a lot of blockbusters and significant releases throughout the year such as 'The Batman', 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' and 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery' so it is noteworthy to analyze this year in film.
Conditions:
1) The films will be listed according to my preference. If it is Number 1 it means it is my favourite and if it's in the last place then it means it is my least favourite. So if you are viewing this on IMDB's app please make sure that you sort my list according to my list order before viewing or otherwise the placement would not make sense.
2) A short description and review will be given to complement the inclusion of all of my choices. It's a personal list so please accept that this is based on my own personal opinion.
3) I must have watched the films. I will not include films I haven't watched in their entirety.
4) I will include films with an accepted release date of 2022. If there is any doubt as to a particular film's release date, the US release date will be used.
Conditions:
1) The films will be listed according to my preference. If it is Number 1 it means it is my favourite and if it's in the last place then it means it is my least favourite. So if you are viewing this on IMDB's app please make sure that you sort my list according to my list order before viewing or otherwise the placement would not make sense.
2) A short description and review will be given to complement the inclusion of all of my choices. It's a personal list so please accept that this is based on my own personal opinion.
3) I must have watched the films. I will not include films I haven't watched in their entirety.
4) I will include films with an accepted release date of 2022. If there is any doubt as to a particular film's release date, the US release date will be used.
List activity
251 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
200 titles
- DirectorJoel CrawfordJanuel MercadoStarsAntonio BanderasSalma HayekHarvey GuillénWhen Puss in Boots discovers that his passion for adventure has taken its toll and he has burned through eight of his nine lives, he launches an epic journey to restore them by finding the mythical Last Wish.This film defied all of my expectations and was even better than my wildest dreams with its spectacular animation, characters, style, and themes. This is by far one of the best animated films of all time, arguably better than 'Shrek' (2007).
- DirectorMatt ReevesStarsRobert PattinsonZoë KravitzJeffrey WrightWhen a sadistic serial killer begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, The Batman is forced to investigate the city's hidden corruption and question his family's involvement.*Watched at the cinema.
I love the Batman film franchise and I believe 'The Batman' with Robert Pattinson as The Caped Crusader is an exceptional addition with an emphasis on realism. - DirectorGeorge MillerStarsTilda SwintonIdris ElbaErdil YasarogluA lonely scholar, on a trip to Istanbul, discovers a Djinn who offers her three wishes in exchange for his freedom.I absolutely love this film and the fact it has a rating of only 6.7/10 (as of 22/01/2024) just shows how most people are averse to visionary content and original fantasies. And these are the same people who complain that Hollywood is out of ideas.
- DirectorDavid LeitchStarsBrad PittJoey KingAaron Taylor-JohnsonFive assassins aboard a swiftly-moving bullet train find out that their missions have something in common.There is something so inherently likeable and cool about this film by David Leitch that it is actually quite difficult to write down in a few words. What I can say is that this is, without a doubt, one of my favourite action films of all time.
- DirectorBaz LuhrmannStarsTom HanksAustin ButlerOlivia DeJongeThe life of American music icon Elvis Presley, from his childhood to becoming a rock and movie star in the 1950s while maintaining a complex relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.One of the best biopics ever made and a fitting tribute to the life of the King of Rock and Roll.
- DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsBrad PittMargot RobbieJean SmartA tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.An exceptional film by director and writer Damien Chazelle that is more about life than it is about the history and development of film in early Hollywood.
- DirectorMark MylodStarsRalph FiennesAnya Taylor-JoyNicholas HoultA young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.As someone who loves horror, Gordon Ramsay's shows, and Ralph Fiennes, I think that 'The Menu' was made for me. Despite some minor inconsistencies in the plot, I really enjoyed this superb film by Mark Mylod.
- DirectorMartin McDonaghStarsColin FarrellBrendan GleesonKerry CondonTwo lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them.Reminding me in parts of the exceptional 'The Secret of Roan Inish' (1994) due to the fact that both films intertwine elements of drama with elements of Irish mythology in a masterful manner, 'The Banshees of Inisherin' is one of the best dramas of 2022 with a lot of great themes such as that of the meaning of life, art, and friendship.
- DirectorRian JohnsonStarsDaniel CraigEdward NortonKate HudsonTech billionaire Miles Bron invites his friends for a getaway on his private Greek island. When someone turns up dead, Detective Benoit Blanc is put on the case.There is no doubt that the second film in the 'Knives Out' murder mysteries by Rian Johnson is nothing short of brilliant. Not perfect, but still brilliant.
- DirectorMarc ForsterStarsTom HanksMariana TreviñoRachel KellerOtto is a grump who's given up on life following the loss of his wife and wants to end it all. When a young family moves in nearby, he meets his match in quick-witted Marisol, leading to a friendship that will turn his world around.There is so much to say about this film so it would be impossible to say it all here. What I think is important is that this film, in my opinion, reaches the same cinematic heights as 'Forrest Gump' (1994) with its exceptional drama, outstanding performances and inspiring messages and themes.
- DirectorDaniel RoherStarsAlexei NavalnyYulia NavalnayaChristo GrozevFollows the man who survived an assassination attempt by poisoning with a lethal nerve agent in August 2020. During his months-long recovery he makes shocking discoveries about the attempt on his life and decides to return home.Following the death of Alexei Navalny under suspicious circumstances in a Russian prison, this fascinating documentary has received a lot of new popularity and interest. It is an important film about the beauty of freedom and the terror and evil of dictatorships and corrupt governments.
- DirectorJalmari HelanderStarsJorma TommilaAksel HennieJack DoolanWhen an ex-soldier who discovers gold in the Lapland wilderness tries to take the loot into the city, German soldiers led by a brutal SS officer battle him.This short review by Hideo Kojima, legendary creator of the 'Metal Gear' videogame series, expresses some of my thoughts on this film so I decided to share this instead:
"This is no longer a war movie. It is a MAD grind of a battle between terribly cool men. A lot of fight ideas that surpass Rambo, the immortal old man." - DirectorTom GormicanStarsNicolas CagePedro PascalTiffany HaddishMoviestar Nick Cage is channeling his iconic characters as he's caught between a superfan and a CIA agent.This film is a great contribution to 'metacinema' and is one of Nicholas Cage's best films in some time.
- DirectorDan TrachtenbergStarsAmber MidthunderDakota BeaversDane DiLiegroNaru, a skilled warrior of the Comanche Nation, fights to protect her tribe against one of the first highly-evolved Predators to land on Earth.Another excellent addition to the 'Predator' franchise. While I still prefer the 1987 original starring Schwarzenegger (no real surprise here considering that it is one of my favourite films of all time), 'Prey' is an unmissable action film in its own right.
- DirectorJared SternSam J. LevineStarsDwayne JohnsonKevin HartKate McKinnonKrypto the Super-Dog and Superman are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime side by side in Metropolis. However, Krypto must master his own powers for a rescue mission when Superman is kidnapped.To be honest, I did not really have a lot of expectations for this film before I had watched it but I was pleasantly surprised at how well made and entertaining it is. 'DC League of Super-Pets' is a superb animated and family film.
- DirectorDomee ShiStarsRosalie ChiangSandra OhAva MorseA thirteen-year-old girl named Mei Lee is torn between staying her mother's dutiful daughter and the changes of adolescence. And as if the challenges were not enough, whenever she gets overly excited she transforms into a giant red panda.Another undisputed masterpiece from Disney/Pixar about all the embarrassment and turmoil of growing up with all that Disney/Pixar magic.
- DirectorPierre PerifelStarsSam RockwellMarc MaronAwkwafinaTo avoid prison, a gang of notorious animal criminals pretends to seek being rehabilitated, only for their leader to realize that he genuinely wants to change his ways.There is something about this film which I really love and which makes me forget or ignore the minor little plot inconsistencies which would normally tarnish my experience. From the stylish animation to the hilarious characters, this is one of my favourite animated films of 2022 in a year full of outstanding animated films.
- DirectorMatthew WarchusStarsAlisha WeirEmma ThompsonLashana LynchAn adaptation of the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical. Matilda tells the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a sharp mind and a vivid imagination, dares to take a stand to change her story with miraculous results.While this recent adaptation of 'Matilda' might irritate fans of the 1996 film version or Dahl purists, this musical adaptation is nothing short of outstanding with fantastic acting and inspired moments.
- DirectorAkiva SchafferStarsAndy SambergJohn MulaneyKiKi LayneThirty years after their popular television show ended, chipmunks Chip and Dale live very different lives. When a cast member from the original series mysteriously disappears, the pair must reunite to save their friend.I really loved this modern and imaginative Chip 'n Dale reboot. There are a lot of enjoyable references which I understood and appreciated (but I guess those who don't get them would view this film differently) and was entertained throughout.
- DirectorDong-hoon ChoiStarsYoon Byung-heeKim Chan-hyungKim Dae-myungThe door of time opens between the swordsman who wants to seize the legendary divine sword at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty and those who chase after an alien prisoner imprisoned in a human body in 2022.What a refreshingly creative film this has turned out to be from Korean director Dong-hoon Choi. While the fantastical style of this film might not be to everyone's taste, I, for one, absolutely love it!
- DirectorDanny PhilippouMichael PhilippouStarsAri McCarthyHamish PhillipsKit Erhart-BruceWhen a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.'Talk to Me' is truly an outstanding horror film from the land down under that is as original as it is well-written and well-researched on the subject of the occult on which it is based on.
- DirectorParker FinnStarsSosie BaconJessie T. UsherKyle GallnerAfter witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, a psychiatrist becomes increasingly convinced she is being threatened by an uncanny entity.I believe that this is a memorable horror film with a great ending (do not expect a happy one) and original story, certainly one of the best horror films of 2022.
- DirectorJordan PeeleStarsDaniel KaluuyaKeke PalmerBrandon PereaThe residents of a lonely gulch in inland California bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.While 'Nope' might not be as great as Jordan Peele's other masterpieces such as 'Us', it is still a great film with a lot of allegorical and symbolical resonance.
- DirectorScott MannStarsGrace Caroline CurreyVirginia GardnerMason GoodingWhen a high-rise climb goes wrong, best friends Becky and Hunter find themselves stuck at the top of a 2,000-foot TV tower.This has to be one of my favourite films and surprises of 2022, hands down. As someone who suffers from vertigo, the story was very frightening and I love the plot twist near the end.
- DirectorSophie KargmanStarsKiersey ClemonsAlex WolffJim GaffiganAn awkward college student who seizes the opportunity to bolster her popularity and her under-the-radar true-crime podcast by solving the disappearance of a classmate.I personally really enjoyed this little gem of a mystery film. In a lot of ways it is similar to 'The Talented Mr Ripley' (1999) but the difference is that 'Susie Searches' is adapted for these modern times and is more family-oriented.