Greetings again from the darkness. Apologies for getting my list completed a bit late this year, but at least it’s still January (barely!). Rather than a “Top 10”, this year’s list is a “Top 12” as that’s just how things worked out. You’ll find my favorite movie of the year, followed by eleven more that were just a notch behind.
As always, in the ‘Best of the Rest’, I’ve included a few others (from the 216 movies that I watched and reviewed last year) that you might want to give a shot. You just never know when a particular movie is going to strike a chord, inspire reflection, or simply provide welcome entertainment. Feel free to comment with your favorites for 2022 or with any thoughts on the list.
My favorite movies of 2022:
THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN
This was easily my favorite movie of the year, with a terrific script from Martin McDonagh and his brilliant move to reunite his IN BRUGES co-stars Collin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, while adding Kerry Condon, Barry Keoghan, and Jenny the pet donkey.
https://redcarpetcrash.com/movie-review-the-banshees-of-inisherin/
DECISION TO LEAVE
A dramatic gem from South Korea
https://redcarpetcrash.com/movie-review-decision-to-leave-south-korea-movie/
WOMEN TALKING
Do nothing. Stay and fight. Leave. Women find their voice
GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO
Spectacular visual interpretation of the classic
https://redcarpetcrash.com/movie-review-guillermo-del-toros-pinocchio/
ELVIS
For fans, old and new. This one takes care of business.
https://redcarpetcrash.com/movie-review-elvis/
TAR
Cate Blanchett in a ferocious turn as a conductor
https://redcarpetcrash.com/movie-review-tar-2/
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
Zany fun, with martial arts, hot dog fingers, a laundromat, and the IRS
https://redcarpetcrash.com/movie-review-everything-everywhere-all-at-once/
CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH
A sweet look at being nice
https://redcarpetcrash.com/sxsw-movie-review-cha-cha-real-smooth/
TOP GUN: MAVERICK
Sequel to the classic, 35 years later. Thrilling photography
https://redcarpetcrash.com/movie-review-top-gun-maverick/
THE FABELMANS
Spielberg’s look back at his own childhood
https://redcarpetcrash.com/movie-review-the-fabelmans/
AFTERSUN
Bittersweet look back at a childhood vacation with dad
https://redcarpetcrash.com/movie-review-aftersun/
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER
Sequel with stunning and beautiful underwater effects
https://redcarpetcrash.com/movie-review-avatar-the-way-of-water/
BEST OF THE REST
Below are a few that might have slipped below your movie radar, yet could be worth giving a shot at some point this year. You’ll find a mixture of many genres listed in alphabetical order:
ALL THAT BREATHES (doc) – good amongst the bad in Delhi
BARBARIAN – pretty decent horror film
BARDO: FALSE CHRONICLE OF A HANDFUL OF TRUTHS (Mexico)
CRIMES OF THE FUTURE – the year’s strangest film
EMILY THE CRIMINAL – thriller with Aubrey Plaza
EMPIRE OF LIGHT – Olivia Colman learns the magic of movies
FACING NOLAN (doc) – a look at Nolan Ryan’s success
GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT ADVENTURE – whodunnit sequel
GOOD NIGHT OPPY (doc) – the Mars Rover team
HALLELULJAH: LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG (doc) – a poet’s poem
LIVING – Bill Nighy shines
MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON – offbeat feature inspired by the vids
MEN – creepy A24 sure to confound you
MRS HARRIS GOES TO PARIS – fashion charmer with Lesley Manville
NITRAM – lead up to a true tragedy
OFFICIAL COMPETITION – satire from Spain
THE NORTHMAN – the brutal adventure of a Viking prince
THE OUTFIT – quiet crime drama with Mark Rylance
THE WHALE – stunning performance from Brendan Fraser
THIRTEEN LIVES – thrilling true rescue story
TO LESLIE – searing tale of a woman who just can’t get it together
VIOLENT NIGHT – a new Christmas fav with violence
WHITE NOISE – chaos straight from the novel
Twitter: @fergusontx
site: http://moviereviewsfromthedark.com/
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