Top & Bottom Films of 2022

justacinephile – Alexander Wiley – 9 January 2023

This year of watching film took a different turn for me because I stepped behind the camera as a cinematographer on a feature-film set of a western film. This forever changed how I view films because now I’m more intrigued with how a shot is made, the composition of actors on screen, and why an audience reacts to a shot or series of shots. Combined with weddings, music videos, proposals, sports, and small business filming, my appreciation of filming grew and grew.

The most important aspect of visual storytelling is audio – something we often take for granted. When I watch films, I soak in the sound design and sound editing whether it is a jet engine roaring, a knife unsheathing, the purr of an animal, the wind in a field, or the ramping up of the soundtrack in an intense scene. I have a new appreciation of filmmakers, cinematographers, sound editors, makeup, and many more.

Top 10 Films of 2022

These are my favorite ten films of 2022 because of a wide range of reasons including acting, specific scenes, intense storytelling throughout the film, special/visual effects, crazy stunts, the meaning behind a scene, brilliant style, and creative direction.

10. The Black Phone (USA) Dir: Scott Derrickson, Str: Mason Thames. The strength of this horror story is rooted in the acting and believable connection between Thames and Madeleine McGraw; these two actors pull the audience in and never let go until the credits roll; it is special to see performances like these in a film.

9. Top Gun: Maverick (USA) Dir: Joseph Kosinski, Str: Tom Cruise. In a splendid tribute to the original, it is phenomenal the boundaries of practical effects and aerial stunts are pushed beyond imagination in this touching story with cool style.

8. The Territory (Brazil) Dir: Alex Pritz. Documentarian Fritz unwaveringly showcases a close network of Brazilian farmers fighting for their protected land using modern technology through visceral storytelling, crazy moments, and compelling heart.

7. The Banshees of Inisherin (Ireland) Dir: Martin McDonagh, Str: Colin Farrell. While Farrell’s and Gleeson’s performances are striking, the soul of this feel-bad-yet-really-good fable is the supporting roles of Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan who showcase depth and intrigue to their performances.

6. RRR (India) Dir: S.S. Rajamouli, Str: N.T. Rama Rao Jr. This is Bollywood at its finest colorful style, unhinged creativity, and wild storytelling. RRR is fully aware of its ferocious grandeur, and it enchants the audience through spectacular entertainment.

5. X (USA/New Zealand) Ti West, Mia Goth. This celebrates one of the greatest eras of film – the 1970s where it showcases slasher flicks with an utterly twisted and sickeningly strange story about regret, jealousy, and senescence. Mia Goth, Kid Kudi, Jenna Ortega, Brittany Snow, and Martin Henderson all shine.

4. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (USA) Dir: Dean Fleischer-Camp, Str: Jenny Slate. This is a creative take on the feel-good film where stop-motion and live-action are seamlessly blended. While it tugs at the heartstrings, Marcel is deep, poignant, and contemplative.

3. Prey (USA) Dir: Dan Trachtenberg, Str: Amber Midthunder. A wonderful celebration of the iconic Predator is brought to life through Trachtenberg by keeping the story tight and focused. Midthunder proves herself as an upcoming movie star through a believable and layered performance.

2. Everything Everywhere All At Once (USA) Dir: Daniels, Str: Michelle Yeoh. In a compelling film about family and familial connections, the Daniels flex their creativity through a clever and wild ride through the multiverse of rage, action, imagination, and beyond.

1. Pearl (USA/New Zealand) Dir: Ti West, Str: Mia Goth. In an oozingly complex film made by West, Mia Goth delivers Pearl through an unhinged, brilliantly expressed, and thoroughly commanding show. One of the highlights of the film is her terrifying monologue that is both disgusting and immensely sad.

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"Interceptor"

Bottom 5 Films of 2022

Don’t waste your time with these monstrosities.

5. The Tiger Rising (USA) Dir: Ray Giarratana, Str: Dennis Quaid. This attempt at being cheesy makes this film more and more confusing. It’s too bad Quaid and Latifah were involved in this mess.

4. Morbius (USA) Dir: Daniel Espinosa, Str: Jared Leto. Not sure why this was green lit and how Jared Leto allowed himself to be associated with this mess.

3. Interceptor (USA) Dir: Matthew Reilly, Str: Elsa Pataky. I’m all for female-led action films, but this is a step backwards; thankfully not many people saw it.

2. Scream (USA) Dir: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Str: Melissa Barrera. I’m not on the bandwagon of remaking and extending these horror franchises.

1. Redeeming Love (USA) Dir: D.J. Caruso, Str: Abigail Cowen. Nothing redeeming about this insensitive and appalling approach to sexual trauma and assault.

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"Stalker"

Films That Stood Out (released before 2007)

Films released before 2007 I had not seen before; they were thought provoking, classics, entertaining or just piqued my interest. They are in order of when I saw them in 2022.

The Last Days (1998) Dir: James Moll

Paris, Texas (1984) Dir: Wim Wenders, Str: Harry Dean Stanton

Memories of Murder (2003) Dir: Bong Joon Ho, Str: Kang-ho Song

The Shootist (1976) Dir: Don Siegel, Str: John Wayne

After Hours (1985) Dir: Martin Scorsese, Str: Griffin Dunne

Stalker (1979) Dir: Andrey Tarkovsky, Str: Aleksandr Kaydanovskiy

Safety Last! (1923) Dir: Fred C. Newmeyer, Str: Harold Lloyd

Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1995) Dir: Mick Johnson, Str: James Woods

The Big Sleep (1946) Dir: Howard Hawks, Str: Humphrey Bogart

Tampopo (1985) Dir: Juzo Itami, Str: Ken Watanabe

Westworld (1973) Dir: Michael Crichton, Str: Yul Brynner

The Horror of Dracula (1958) Dir: Terence Fisher, Str: Christopher Lee

Diabolique (1955) Dir: Henri-Georges Clouzot, Str: Simone Signoret

Vampyr (1932) Dir: Carl Theodor Dreyer, Str: Julian West

The Women (1939) Dir: George Cukor, Str: Norma Shearer

The Asphalt Jungle (1950) Dir: John Huston, Str: Sterling Hayden

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*the links are for trailers on YouTube

"Pearl"