Best of 2022 - Films

 

In year that has seen big changes for DC and the formerly going out Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, we have had quite the number of films. From big budget blockbusters to quirky ones, its been a good year for films. Not every film (particularly from the major film studios) have played out well whether it behind the scenes or generally its just not very good. Here in no particular order, I will be listing the films that I have watched this year, have released this year (meaning no film that was released last year, but didn't make it to UK shores till this year, don't count) and of course, they are all films that I really enjoyed watching. Bear in mind that I haven't seen all the films that came out this year, but I have watched enough to say what I like and what I recommend you watch whether it's still in cinemas, via streaming or just buying it on DVD, Blu-ray and the like. So grab your film snacks and let's take a look:

See How They Run

Now most if not all the films I have listed here, I have reviewed previously so if you want a more in depth review of them, do go and find them on this blog. So we start the list with something a bit quirky. I'm a sucker for murder mysteries, and this year there were at least three that came out that I saw. Of those three, this one I would say is the best one. It's quirky, has its own style, looks like something staged and even takes a few stabs at breaking the fourth wall which, if played out well, is always a winner for me. I would say I liked Glass Onion too, and I would have added it to the list if there wasn't so much back tracking. But See How They Run is good and worth checking out if you have Disney+ or have the money to buy it on home media, which I understand is not happening here in the UK for some reason.

Bullet Train

Probably my pick for the "feel good" film of the year as it's a pretty crazy film. Very funny and bonkers and the sort of film most would happily watch again and again. Is it perfect? Far from it, but honestly, it beats Thor: Love and Thunder any day in the feel good area. All on a fast train with an all star cast and plenty of action and comedy. Even if things have to be a bit stupid on the way.

Nope

The latest film from Jordan Peele and despite the name, its more of a yes than a *ahem* nope. Basically his answer to the question of can cinemas survive with the rise of streaming and what he gives us, is something that is better being seen on a big screen. Aliens, blood, comedy and some pretty messed up stuff, makes this another winner for Peele and I hope he continues his streak of good films in the years to come.

Pinocchio (the stop-motion one on Netflix)

This year saw three attempts at doing the Pinocchio story. I haven't seen all three of them, but of the two I did see, this one is the best. It's very much Del Toro doing what he does best and his take is faithful to the original story, has a few life lessons, very dark in its content and themes and probably one of the best stop motion films I have seen in a long time. Very reminiscent of Wes Anderson's stop motion stuff and an absolute joy to watch. Disney should really take notes and go all out in their remakes rather than play it safe by doing a copy and paste of their original film for the sake of keeping it family friendly.

The Northman

The third film by Robert Eggers and this one is a bit different to what he gave us before. Both his previous films fall under the scary or madness genres while this one is more of an epic fantasy. A good one at that with great acting, good visuals and epic tale of love, betrayal and revenge. Also featuring some familiar faces from Eggers' previous works.

The Batman

We have had a lot of Batman films over the years. But pretty much all the film directors have each given them a unique style whether it be animated, live action or a mix of the two. This one to me, looks like a film made for cinema. A film which actually looks less blockbuster like and more cinema like. Its a great one that feels like a gangster film with corruption and all sorts of other things. Worth checking out for sure.

Wendell & Wild

The second stop motion film on this list is also one that comes from Jordan Peele's production company. The same one that helped make Nope and its pretty cool. Got its own unique style and explores the mature theme of loss. Very much in line with a majority of stop motion films which all aim to be dark, exploring certain themes and then some. Very good this one.

Chip N Dale: Rescue Rangers

I guess you could call this the new Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It's pretty much a love letter to animation fans with a large number of animated characters appearing and being referenced to throughout. Plus you could call it a satire as it also pokes fun at different Animation styles, CGI and loads more. Never thought I would get so much from a film that is kind of a reunion for Disney Channel fans, but disguised as a "animated characters co-exist with live action humans". Good fun though, but some styles are best left forgotten.

DC's League of Super-Pets

While the animation may not be perfect, it's nice to finally have a film that explores the pets of DC's heroes. It's a bundle of laughs, pokes fun at all the tropes that are tied to the heroes and it's surprisingly epic towards the end. If you love pets and want something a little different to say The Secret Life of Pets, check this out.

Scream (2022)

It's never easy for a big horror franchise to continue when the director of the first four films, passes away. Despite this, this fifth film, continues the franchise well with the acting, the comedy and even the themes of growing up and loss. Probably not as silly as the fourth film, but a welcome entry all the same.

Turning Red

Now onto a Pixar film. Most Pixar films now have abandoned many of the hidden Easter eggs that they usually use. But that should not be a bad thing as long as the film still looks as Pixar as you can get. This one definitely sits up there as being the most expressive Pixar film out there, one that is coming of age and definitely one that manages to mimick the look and feel of anime really well. Pretty good from Pixar and a lot more fun than their second attempt at a Buzz Lightyear film.

The Bad Guys

So been a while since I last saw a DreamWorks film and I got to say, really love the style of this one. Which I'm happy to say is going to be their norm for a while which is a good thing. The idea of having animals that are usually bad, is a good concept that DreamWorks really picked up on when they gained the rights to the book series and made this film. With a bit of a twist too.

Men

Very rarely now do we get horrors that are more atmospheric horrors than just generally scary. This third film from Alex Garland really demonstrates how very little you need to make a film scary. Plus it's also interesting to see one actor, playing multiple roles which previously, had been used solely on comedy. But now we have it here and I kind of like it despite the really f**ked up ending at the end.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Now time for a Marvel film. Marvel's Phase 4 offerings have not gone down as well as when the Infinity Saga was I  full swing. But there have been a few stand out films of theirs here including this one which has Sam Raimi at the helm. You get all his usual stuff and despite set on a different Earth, this film kind of confirms a few things to us fans about the Marvel films that Fox did prior to Disney's purchase of their entertainment assets. Its a fun film though and one that is pretty dark and a wee bit scary too. But not enough to warrant an age rating that's typical for a horror film.

Prey

For ages, we have all been wanting a good Predator film to come from the first one and well, I'd say this is it. The first prequel to the series and its a return to form for the franchise and just a blast to watch. Especially as its set in our early history as human beings.

The Menu

Let's see how a bunch of actors, do food at a restaurant. But not your typical one. Oh no. One where the chef is none other than Voldemort himself, Ralph Fiennes who has lost his passion. Its funny in the twisted kind of way and has its own style too with the film being spread out in courses as if it was its own kind of meal in a way. May put you off from eating again, but who knows.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

We all knew that this film would be a difficult watch for many of us. But fortunately, unlike Star Wars, the film flowed well, had a lot of dramatic moments and is just one big tribute to both Chadwick Boseman and his Back Panther. And if Marvel can handle the sudden passing of one of their own well, then so can everybody else. Just need to play your cards right.

Elvis

I like biopics as much as the next person, and I really did enjoy this one about the King of Rock. It's quite a powerful film with its own style that makes it stand out from other biopics in that the editing and transition between scenes is done in a certain way. The acting of both Austin Butler and Tom Hanks is excellent and I enjoyed how dark the story quickly got. Rapping music however in a film about someone who isn't a rapper, feels a bit out of place. But fortunately does take up the whole of this excellent, but not perfect film.

And that's the films I have watched and liked this year. But as always, before we depart, let's take a look back at some of the people in the film industry that we sadly lost this year:

Meat Loaf - Yes he was a singer, but he has made appearances in films with the most well known being The Rocky Horror Picture Show and I hear the musical Bat Out of Hell which was named after one of his singles, is being turned into a film at some point (at least from what rumours say)

Ivan Reitman - Best known as the guy who started the Ghostbusters franchise with the first two films. His son would continue it with Afterlife which was released last year.

Estelle Harris - You may not know the name well, but you will recognise her voice as she was the voice of Mrs. Potato Head in the Toy Story films.

Gilbert Gottfried - This was the guy who voiced Iago the parrot in Disney's Aladdin franchise. Such an iconic voice he had too.

Ray Liotta - Actor known for his roles in Goodfellas and more. But mainly that one for me.

James Caan - Actor known for being in The Godfather films and for the family movie viewers out there, Elf.

Monty Norman - You won't know the name, but this guy composed the iconic theme tune for the James Bond films.

David Warner - No he wasn't associated with Warner Brothers, but this guy had appeared in a few films you will know such as Titanic and a few Star Trek films too.

Olivia Newton-John - Yep Sandy herself from Grease, sadly passed this year too.

Sacheen Littlefeather - Not someone known in the film industry, but one that was the voice of a protest regarding the portrayl of native Americans in film

Angela Lansbury - An actress who had appeared in so many films and TV shows, but most notably for films, Bedknobs and Brooksticks.

Robbie Coltrane - Hagrid himself. He may be gone, but his character will live on in the Wizarding World.

Leslie Phillips - You won't know the name, but this guy was the voice of the Sorting Hat in the first two Harry Potter films.