This list (after posters below) is highly subjective. Not only haven’t I seen every movie released last year, and very few foreign language films (in the U.S. most are released after the Oscars), but “Bests” are always a matter of personal taste. However, because I’m a filmmaker and film lover, my blogger friends seem to appreciate the suggestions.
The Fabelmans – One of Steven Spielberg’s best films—ever. And that’s saying a lot. Unlike the recent barrage of thrown-together post-pandemic features (I’m talkin’ to you Netflix and Amazon Prime), Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical love letter to moviemaking, was developed over many years. It’s beautifully directed, acted and, of course, filmed, and is my hands-down favorite movie of 2022.
Banshees of Inisherin – It will help your appreciation of this marvellous little tragi-comedy, if you understand it as a parable about Ireland itself, particularly during The Troubles of the mid-to-late 20th century.
The Woman King – Although two other very-well-done action-thrillers* have gotten more award season attention, The Woman King remains my favorite action film of 2022. Indeed, it’s one of my favorite movies of the year. Period.
TÁR – Apart from wildly diverse interpretations about what the movie is actually saying, TÁR is a riveting drama, anchored by Cate Blanchett’s brilliant performance.
Pinocchio – Months after Disney’s heavily-promoted live action version of its own animated classic yawned its way into our hearts and pocketbooks, Guillermo del Toro gave us a truly original animated version of the story. It faded rather quickly but will, in time I suspect, be discovered and loved by many.
1883 – Technically a limited series (in other words a multi-part movie), this tragic, moving, and surprisingly profound prequel to TV’s Yellowstone, features riveting performances by Sam Elliott and newcomer Isabel May.
Weird – Having written and produced a spoof myself, I loved the sheer cleverness of doing a parody of a “biopic” of the life of a musical parodist, Weird Al Yankovic.
Matilda the Musical – This adorable stage-to-screen adaptation is one thing Netflix did get right. It’s funny, tuneful, and downright lovable.
Living – A throwback, in the very best sense, to old-fashioned morality tales like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and The Last Holiday. With a perfect supporting cast surrounding the matchless Bill Nighy.
*More:
- Everything Everywhere All At Once is a bit overstuffed, but is wildly creative
- Top Gun: Maverick is formulaic but oh-so entertaining, and superior to the original
- Avatar: The Way of the Sequel – see it for the production values if nothing else
- Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is endearing. Megan is not. But both are very entertaining.
- Dueling fantasies: House of Dragons (HBO) and Rings of Power (Prime) had their flaws, but both satisfied our hunger for old-fashioned Hollywood epics. Andor (Disney+), Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+) and The Golden Age (Prime) helped fill that need, as well.
- Finally, two ongoing adaptions continue to address my far deeper need to see human values and truths explored in story form: All Creatures Great and Small (PBS/Channel 5-UK) and Angel Studios’ revolutionary The Chosen.
I guess I need to give Everything, Everywhere another chance. I couldn’t make it through that one. It just seemed dumb. Loved Glass Onion, maybe as good as Knives Out. I’m interested in Megan. Nope was strange but fun. I haven’t heard of TAR, but I’m a fan of Cate, so I’ll see if I can catch that one.
I’ve seen 9 of them, and marcel was my fav.
Thanks for the movie suggestions, Mitch. I”ll have to check out a few of them.
So, how uncomfortable would Everything Everywhere be to watch with my teenager? We both want to see it. Not necessarily together.
Not at all in my opinion. You will likely both love it!
It’s rated R, Todd, for the usual reasons.
I loved The Fabelmans and del Toro’s Pinocchio as well. I didn’t make it through Banshees but may give it another look. Top Gun: Maverick was great–just wish it were more representative of our current military state. Great post, Mitch! God bless!
Thanks, you too, Nancy!
I loved Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. Just fabulous. I haven’t seen any of the other ones you highlighted beyond Maverick though, which is kind of unusual for me, but hopefully I’ll catch up one of these days. Looking forward to watching the Oscars on Sunday night!
Thank you for this! I want to try a couple of these! Well, actually Fablemans, Del Torro’s Pinnochio, and the Irish movie!
I haven’t been to a movie theater going on three years and have leaned more on my PBS Passport for their excellent series like Miss Scarlet and All Creatures.
A parody of a parody? Very meta!
Exactly!
Mitch,
Great list. I have seen a number of them.
Thanks, Gary
Thanks, Gary.
Have you started The Last of Us yet?
Yes, we’re about five episodes in, I think.
I don’t watch a lot of movies, but have seen 5 of these. I definitely want to see The Fabelmans, but some of these also seem like ones I would enjoy. Nice list, Mitch.
Thanks, Carla.
” All Creatures Great and Small (PBS/Channel 5-UK) and Angel Studios’ revolutionary The Chosen.” I am all in on those two wonderful series.
Me too, Bob!
Mitch! How do you know about RRR. It’s a story between two best friends.
It’s on Netflix in the U.S., Ramani.
I rarely get time. But every month we go to theatre and watch movies by having popcorn 🍿 in hands
I saw 3 of these. Hulu has oscar nominated shorts avail through Sat so I’m trying to watch those.
Haven’t seen any of the shorts so far, but we do get Hulu, so maybe we’ll check them out.
I couldn’t find them on Hulu last night! I got a cheap subscription to Starz to watch a presentation of the Live Action shorts only to find out that they’re shown at set hours, always the middle of the night here, rather than on demand.
Frustrating! Paid supscriptions to networks like Hulu don’t generally include live streaming (there’s a different separate charge for that). We’re watching the Oscars on our computer tonight, because none of our subscription streamers has it.
I just remembered that they were listed as leaving Hulu on Mar 11.
It was only 4hrs ago that I learned that Banshees was about the Irish Civil War. It eould have helped a LOT to know that going in, cause I didn’t figure it out on my own.
I learned that after the fact too, Leenda, and it really connected the dots for me.
Thanks for sharing the list, Mitch! Great post!
Thanks, Harshi!
Here’s a very good one that was released last year: The Quiet Girl.
Just took a look at the trailer, Neil. I see it’s in Irish with subtitles, and seems quite intriguing.
Few films on this list I need to check out then I think.