2022 had some great movies, there are others, but maybe not able to make it to a top ten list. Here are some favorite films and why! Share your favorites (probably some movies not here) so we can have a guide to watch films we may have missed or watch again!
1. Everything, Everywhere, All at Once - it's a film that defies a simple summary except its title. I like that in all of the chaotic, crazy, beautiful images you can piece them all together, not be overwhelmed. it boils down to a family and relatable since it is not just their story, it's your story, a masterpiece by The Daniels; Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. The movie is a defining part for Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Wang. Also, for Ke Huy Quan, a welcome return to the screen as Waymond Wang. Then, add Jamie Lee Curtis as Deidre and so many of the cast are perfect. The visual effects unparalleled because they all mean something, only five people worked on the effects compared to the legions of effects people and millions of dollars for something like Avatar 2, still the effects create an absurd and beautiful world.
2. RRR - this movie is almost the same as Everything, the scenes are the "I can't believe I'm seeing what I'm seeing!", but leaning into the buddy action film dynamic. Crafted by director, S.S. Rajamouli, it has a relentless pace, a kinda historical story with a kinda mythological, kinda superhero combo. This movie is a phenomenon crossing the world with larger than life visuals that demand the big screen! We have two powerful, charismatic actors in N.T. Rama Rao Jr. as the jungle warrior turned stranger in a strange, city run by the British, Bheem, and Ram Charan plays Ram, a British officer who has ferocity to take on hundreds, opposites, friends, involved in a revolution against the brutual Governor Buxton (Ray Stevenson). It also includes a bit of a romance with Olivia Morris as Jenny, “Naatu Naatu” is the best song, dance, and one of the highlights of the film. I love the last scene which has you ready to dance!
3. Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio - del Toro mentioned it belongs with his two other films; The Devil's Backbone and Pan's Labyrinth (my other favorite), fascism in common with all of them, but del Toro pushes himself as a storyteller adding some mature themes with a perfect character in Pinocchio (Gregory Mann), the freak who has the true heart, del Toro pointed out that he doesn't change, he changes people. Gregory Mann as the eternally cheerful lead plus some memorable songs. Stop motion is a perfect medium for del Toro, a heightened reality, and there are the strange creatures that fit into del Toro’s menagerie. Plus the voice acting is incredible, David Bradley as the flawed Geppetto, and Ewan McGregor as Sebastian J. Cricket!
4. The Woman King - I kinda knew about the Agojie from reading up about the Dora Milaje in Black Panther. This is almost history, so I don't care about strict accuracy, it is not a documentary, if you need facts do the research. Director Gina Prince-Bythewood ramps up the action, a little shakey cam in some of the fighting, but also balances the drama. Viola Davis turns in a noteworthy performance as Nanisca, a leader, but with a dark flaw. I was surprised by Thuso Mbedu who plays new recruit Nawi, gotta catch her next project. Also, second in command, Amenza played by Sheila Atim, and Izogie (Lashana Lynch), actors to follow.
5. Elvis - this is a return of Baz Luhrmann to the form he had in the Red Curtain Trilogy, it has the original music, but also injected with current singers and styles, it feels like all that I understand about Elvis Presley and a great tribute to him as an entertainer and person, then we have Austin Butler, who just makes a career defining role in the early part of his career, fully singing and performing as Elvis!, we know Tom Hanks as Colonel Parker is not a reliable narrator, so it is easy to break away from any facts, the set design recreating the various time periods and places like Graceland and the concerts to the costumes that capture the iconic styles, gives a snapshot into watching Elvis on stage.
6. Brahmanstra: Part One - Shiva - I was intrigued by the writer and director, Ayan Mukerji's description of the Astras, I'm ready for the next installments, they are mystical, but basically super powers, the hero Shiva, Ranbir Kapoor, is regular guy, it just makes sense that he falls for Isha, Alia Bhatt (who also was in RRR). I like the mythical tied to the modern day. The rejection and acceptance of Shiva's power. Shiva being thrown into an ancient conflict that he doesn't understand, classic mythology and superhero origin. It features Bollywood legends; Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, mentors, it really felt like this is how superhero movies should be made, a really human quality, plus action, songs, dancing, a really good show! I'm ready to fall again and again into the Astraverse!
7. Top Gun: Maverick - spectacle is plussed with the great camerawork, the flying scenes are just impressive, and even hitting the flight ceiling is that there is actually a character arc and plot for the sequel. Director Joseph Kosinski sets the afterburners respecting the original, updates the characters, and gives the pilots a reason to train and undergo an impossible mission (nod to the other franchise). Maverick (Tom Cruise) losing his hot shot pilot status, training the new pilots, and putting his life on the line for them, love it! It is the same with this romance with Penny Benjamin (Jennifer Connelly), even more is seeing Phoenix (Monica Barbaro) as a female fighter jet pilot who is more than a match for the others, I also like the diversity of the cast, and then to top them all is the surprise cameo!
8. The Batman - one of the best superhero movies this year really because of the character’s arc. Matt Reeves is able to create yet another vision of Gotham City and dramatic characters in the Batman universe. Bruce (Robert Pattinson) doesn’t just become Batman and that’s it. He understands that he needs to change who he is and how he is fighting crime to better help the Gotham citizens. Pattinson works not only in his depiction of Batman, but that he stands over the villains, a great performance as Paul Dano as The Riddler, and also Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot. Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle is one of the best realization of the character, very like the comic, Batman: Year One. The cinematography and the driving theme music help to create a noir-ish world, but not trapped at night. I'm looking to the silver screen to see the Bat signal again.
9 Prey - this sequel has the feel of the first Predator (1987) and really exceeds it because we feel more for the characters and their jeopardy, then we have the stunning performance of Amber Midthunder, finding her own way as Naru, warrior and healer, I love the dynamic. I had the question of how is a girl with a bow and arrow be able to face a technologically advanced alien warrior with skull-like mask and new weaponry kinda cool, her older brother, Taabe (Dakota Beavers) is also a great character, I would like to see more films by these cast members and by director Dan Trachtenberg.
10 Turning Red - this is a standout Disney animated film, gotta see the next project by writer and director, Domee Shi! It really uses the form to relate the complications of growing up and then tying it to the specialness of a person, all magical, brilliant! It brings the funny and also a deeply personal story with Meilin (Rosalie Chiang) and her trio of friends are the best pals; Miriam (Ava Morse), Priya (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), and especially the wildness of Abby (Heyin Park), plus the music of 4*Town, a fantastic piece of entertainment!
Strangely, what #1 and #10 have in common, James Hong! What a year! Hopefully, these filmmakers will walk away with armloads of awards! Next year’s promising films are listed in a revised article here: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2022/12/2023s-most-expected-films.html.
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