This was not
a great year for film. I found myself watching films because they were part of
a franchise but quickly regretted wasting my time. I’m looking at you Marvel.
At least there was some original content this year. A big factor in my list
making is whether I would watch the movie again. So while some movies had a
high rating after my initial watch, they may appear lower on the list. I’m sure
some will not like the placement of some of my entries but that’s the fun of
lists: arguing with them. Here are mine:
TOP 10 FILMS OF 2022
1. TOP GUN: MAVERICK
Plot: Maverick teaches pilots
to push themselves on a dangerous mission.
Why: This was just a fun
time at the theatre. Tom Cruise knows how to make blockbusters. Against all
odds, the sequel trumps the original with the only thing lacking being the
comradery of Goose. There’s definitely nostalgia but there is also amazing aerial
scenes that blew me away. This big screen experience hooked me from the start, hence my top film.
MVP: Maverick (Tom Cruise)
– his charisma just can’t be denied
Highlight: Maverick
shows the pilots that the mission is not impossible.
Full Review: Click here
2. THE FABLEMANS
Plot: Sammy wants to be a
filmmaker but is sidetracked by a family secret.
Why: I’m a sucker for movies
about young people having a passion for film. Maybe it’s because I teach a film
class. This thinly disguised Spielberg autobiography is right up my alley. Loved
the 8mm films shot with friends. Could have made my number one if Michelle
Williams wasn’t in it.
MVP: Sammy
(Gabriel LaBelle) – a dead-ringer for Steven Spielberg
Highlight: The
montages of the western, the war film and his early horror.
Full Review: Click here
3. GLASS ONION
Plot: Benoit Blanc finds
himself involved in another murder mystery
Why: I love myself a good whodunit.
Loads of interesting characters and suspects in a sprawling island resort. I
had just as much fun trying to solve the case as I did watching it get solved
behind the scenes. Also appreciated the humour and cleverness of the script.
MVP: Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig)
– intelligent, humourous, quirky detective
Highlight: Blanc
solves the ‘game’ too quickly
Full Review: Click here
4. ELVIS
Plot: The life of Elvis told
by his questionable manager, Col. Parker.
Why: It would be so easy to just
have an Elvis impersonator ham it up on film but Austin Butler imbues Elvis
Presley with so much soul and emotion, you can’t take your eyes off him. Add in
Tom Hanks’ heavily accented and weighted dark turn as Parker and Baz Lurhmann’s
eccentric filming style and you’ve got pure gold.
MVP: Elvis (Austin Butler)
– he makes you feel for the King of Rock n Roll.
Highlight: The
reactions to Elvis’ first gyrating performance on stage
Full Review: Click here
5. THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT
Plot: Nicholas Cage attends a
birthday party but ends up with the CIA.
Why: I love it when an actor
doesn’t take himself too seriously. Nicholas Cage is at his crazy best playing
an even more heightened version of himself if that can be believed. There is
some fun action throughout but it is the meta comments, Pedro Pascal’s fawning
fanboy and Cage’s unhingedness that make this film such a treat to watch.
MVP: Nicholas Cage (Nicholas Cage)
– the younger crazy version
Highlight: Trying
to climb a wall
Full Review: Click here
6. RRR
Plot: Two revolutionaries
fight against English oppressors.
Why: The action sequences
alone are worth the watch. They are so insane and unbelievable you have smile
while watching them. They also have songs and amazing dance-off. This Indian
epic is a must see.
MVP: Raju (Ram Charan Teja) – a one man
wrecking machine
Highlight: The
wild animal sequence that lead to fire vs. water.
Full Review: Click here
7. THE MENU
Plot: A couple eat at an
exclusive restaurant with terror on the menu.
Why: I always feel uncomfortable
in ultra-fancy restaurants; this one would scare me to death. Not for it’s décor, mind you, but the lavish
thematic menu. Each course gets more disturbing which almost makes one want to
forgo dessert. This is a devilishly good thriller dripping with dark comedy.
MVP: Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes)
– his chef commands your attention
Highlight: The
tortillas.
Full Review: Click here
8. THE BATMAN
Plot: Batman investigates
political murders orchestrated by The Riddler.
Why: The film-noir-ish
detective story drew me in as did the Zodiac-Jigsaw inspired Riddler. Robert
Pattinson pulls off a good Batman (but terrible Bruce Wayne). There is an epic
quality that is fitting in theory but goes too far, especially with too many
characters to keep track of. They also put the dark in Dark Knight with it’s
low lighting and lots of rain.
MVP: Riddler (Paul Dano) – so creepy
and non-Jim Carrey-like
Highlight: Batman
and Riddler conversation in jail.
Full Review: Click here
9. MATILDA: THE MUSICAL
Plot: An extraordinary girl
takes a stand against a bully administrator.
Why: While I prefer the
stage production, the film does a amazing job of giving a full scale interpretation
of some of the classic musical scenes. A schoolyard filled with dancing
students is impressive as are the many fantastical moments. I’m glad more
people will see this fun musical now.
MVP: Agatha Trunchbull (Emma Thompson)
– a grotesque bully of a teacher
Highlight: “School
Song”
Full Review: Click here
10. WEIRD: THE AL YANKOVIC STORY
Plot: A bizarre, sometimes
true, bio of the most popular lyrical parody-ist.
Why: I am a huge Weird Al
Yankovic fan so I’m completely bias on this one. I love how they try mix emotional
drama with bouts of sheer lunacy without winking to the camera. This film is
not for everyone, only those willing to embrace the weirdness.
MVP: Weird Al (Daniel Radcliffe)
– plays it straight and makes it even funnier
Highlight: Al’s
first school party.
Full Review: Click here
It was hard to extend this list as there was not much to choose from unlike some previous years. But there are a few honorable mentions:
IF THIS WAS A TOP 15 LIST
11. THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN
A well-acted and tight story mixed with moments
of humour and heartbreak. Martin McDonagh knows how to tell a story.
Full
Review: Click here
12. EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE,
ALL AT ONCE
Visually captivating with its use of the
multi-verse. The mother-daughter story has its moments but doesn’t compare with
the special effects.
Full
Review: Click here
13. BABYLON
An eye-opening epic of early Hollywood with its the rise and falls. Unfortunately, it’s
sandwiched in between utter debauchery.
Full
Review: Click here
14. SCREAM
I’m a big fan of the franchise and love the
playfulness and meta humour. A little too much suspension of disbelief at times
though in this round.
Full
Review: Click here
15. CONFESS, FLETCH
Jon Hamm does great taking over the role from
Chevy Chase. The 80's movie style doesn’t quite fit today despite the fun script.
Full
Review: Click here
Again,
network television took a back seat to streamers this year. When making my list
of top television shows, I often think about how eager I was to watch the next
episode. While some shows you watch because they are on and convenient, others
make you want to keep pressing ‘next episode’ or counting down the days until
the next episode is released. These are the shows that kept me wanting more
this year:
TOP 10 TELEVISION SHOWS OF 2022
1. BETTER CALL SAUL (AMC)
Why: Vince Gilligan & Peter Gould know how to end a series. This season did a great job of
wrapping things up while keeping you on your toes.
MVP: Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn) – the moral
compass with some sharp edges
Best Episode of 2022: Saul Gone (S06E13)
Saul/Jimmy
represents himself as his world crashes down around him
2. HOUSE OF THE DRAGON (HBO)
Why: This prequel series
seems less expansive as Game of Thrones. The family dynamics are dark and
treasonous and kept me interested.
MVP: Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) – the
jealous brother who takes charge
Best Episode of 2022: Driftmark (S01E07)
A
funeral brings the families together but a stolen dragon leads to treason
3. PEACEMAKER (HBO)
Why: From awesome opening
titles to an action-packed conclusion, this season was loaded with James Gunn’s
quirky humour and style.
MVP: John Economos (Steve Agee) –
Guy in the
chair with a non-dyed beard
Best Episode of 2022: It’s Cow or Never (S01E08)
The
team has to come together to kill the cow no thanks to Justice League.
4. SEVERENCE (APPLE TV+)
Why: While the pacing was a
tad slow at times, I was constantly intrigued and still want to know more after
a very satisfying season finale
MVP: Dylan (Zach Cherry) –
A worker
who lives for rewards
Best Episode of 2022: The We We Are (S01E09)
The
workers learn some troubling revelations about themselves.
5. STRANGER THINGS (NETFLIX)
Why: Creepy body manipulations
aside, this was an dark but entertaining season full of humour, gore, Russians
and that Kate Bush song.
MVP: Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) – she was
the heart of this season
Best Episode of 2022: Dear Billy (S04E04)
A
Penhurst break-in, Mike and co. escape, Max is in grave danger.
6. WEDNESDAY (NETFLIX)
Why: Jenna Ortega nails the
role of Wednesday Addams while unlocking a wonderfully drawn out mystery in
this Tim Burton-directed series.
MVP: Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers) –
the bubbly
opposite roommate
Best Episode of 2022: A Murder of Woes (S01E08)
Wednesday
is expelled but needs to save the school with help from friends.
7. THE OFFER (PARAMOUNT+)
Why: I enjoyed the
alternative reality behind the making of The Godfather. If only a part of this is accurate, it’s still crazy. Wish more people saw this.
MVP: Robert Evans (Matthew Goode) –
the outrageous drugged-up producer
Best Episode of 2022: Mr. Producer (S01E07)
Barry
doesn’t like the footage as Ruddy tries to save Coppola and Pacino.
8. BARRY (HBO)
Why: A slower season but
thing got delightfully messier as it progressed. A recorded police takedown and
bomb support were some highlights.
MVP: Barry Berkman (Bill Hader) –
depressed
but still employable hitman
Best Episode of 2022: crazytimesh*tshow (S03E05)
The
police takedown and Barry explains how to mess with someone
9. ABBOTT ELEMENTARY (ABC)
Why: I highly enjoyed the
antics of this underprivileged school with some really relatable content. Glad
I’m better funded at my school though.
MVP: Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams) –
the Jim
Halpert-ish reactions alone
Best Episode of 2022: Candy Zombies (S02E06)
A
student steals a bag of candy which affects the rest of the school day
10. THE AFTERPARTY (APPLE TV+)
Why: I like a good Rashomon-style murder mystery. Each
perspective had a different style but gave new clues which I enjoyed. Fun
times.
MVP: Yasper (Ben Schwartz) –
the over-the-top
best friend with sing-song voice
Best Episodes of 2022: Yasper (S01E03)
Yasper
does musical story-telling to explain how Xavier helped his career.
IF THIS WAS A TOP 15 LIST
11. ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING (DISNEY+)
The second season was not as sharp as the
first but I enjoyed the increasing cast of characters. The building has a lot of
secret passageways apparently. I enjoyed Oliver’s increasing obsession with
dips.
12. RINGS OF POWER (AMAZON)
Lots of money has been thrown into this
series. While some of the storylines are awesome like the dwarf/elf
relationship, others are slow going with not as much payoff as I would like.
Want season two though.
13. ANDOR (DISNEY+)
It’s a more adult Star Wars show that is free
of cute marketing toys. The storylines are a slow burn but the payoffs are
worth it each time. The heist and jailbreak are fantastic episodes that rival Mandalorian content.
14. SHE-HULK (DISNEY+)
I don’t care what critics and fans say, I
really enjoyed this comedic take on the Marvel universe. Maybe a little too
meta at times, it was fun to let loose with breaking the fourth wall and
allowing Daredevil to let loose a bit.
15. OZARK (NETFLIX)
It was a dark ride with lots of backstabbing,
threating and poor decision making but it ended pretty satisfyingly. I will say
that Wendy is maybe one of the worst mothers ever. Happy to done with this
family.
So what’s in your Top 10 for 2022?
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