2022: ANOTHER YEAR OF MOVIES

Another year has passed, and that means another year of movies. So much has been said about the state of cinema during the past twelve months, but I must say that, all things considered, I am feeling very positive. Perhaps, I am too much of an optimist, or maybe, I am the type of person who goes with the flow. Nevertheless, I have seen a lot of great movies this year.

There has been a lot of criticism regarding the dominance of comic book-inspired/superhero fare in recent times, but that genre is not the only one that remains and prevails in our world. In fact, 2022 was a wonderful year for the genre of horror. With movies such as Bones and All, Barbarian, Pearl, and so many others, I feel like so many of the naysayers and complainers are so short-sighted in their vision of what is cinema. We most definitely have to consider that we are still recovering from a world-wide pandemic which has altered so many facets of our lives.

The great thing is that there have been several reasons to return to theaters last year, but in addition to those offerings, people have had some impactful and delightful reasons to watch movies at home. Cinema is certainly in a state of flux, and I hope that the theatrical experience never escapes us. However, I do acknowledge that there are certain movies that will play just as well at home. While I often rate a film, based on its worthiness in a theater, perhaps, I need to adjust with the changes as well.

But, that will probably be my approach to film in 2023. As far as what I experienced and enjoyed in 2022, I still think that cinema is mostly alive and well, as indicated by all that this year delivered. I do acknowledge that I have an advantage in being a film critic, but people, cinema is there. One simply has to seek it out, whether it’s in the cineplex, or on a streaming platform.

Here are my top ten movies of 2022, along with my choices in some particular categories.

Best Directors: Daniels/Everything Everywhere All at Once

Best Male Actor: Brendan Frasier/The Whale

Best Female Actor: Cate Blanchett/Tar

Best Supporting Male Actor: Ke Huy Quan/Everything Everywhere All at Once

Best Supporting Female Actor: Janelle Monae/Glass Onion

Best Ensemble Cast: Women Talking

Best Cinematography: Mathias Boucard/Athena

Best Editing: Top Gun: Maverick

Best International Film: Decision to Leave

Best Documentary Feature Film: Moonage Daydream

Best Animated Feature Film: Marcel the Shell With Shoes On

My Top Ten Films of 2022:

  1. Everything Everywhere All at Once
  2. Decision to Leave
  3. The Banshees of Inisherin
  4. The Fabelmans
  5. Moonage Daydream
  6. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
  7. Bones and All
  8. Guillermo de Toro’s Pinocchio
  9. Fire of Love
  10. The Northman

Honorable Mentions: RRR, Women Talking, Barbarian, Glass Onion, Top Gun: Maverick

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