It has been a truly remarkable year for film, with mostly independent and original ideas getting released. It also saw the year i signed up to ODEON Limitless and I saw 55 films on the big screen; some new releases and some older favourites, such as The Thing and Die Hard.I haven't seen everything and a few managed to escape me but I am sure I will add to my own favourites list as time goes on.
So, here is a list of my favourites of the year. I have a top 5 (in order they were released) then the rest of the list, in no discerning order.
The Batman (15)
(Action/ Crime/ Thriller)
Director: Matt Reeves. Starring: Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Colin Farrell, Jeffrey Wright, Paul Dano.
How do you go about rebooting a franchise that has seen some wonderful films?
You give the project to Matt Reeves.
Responsible for the American remake of Let the Right One In, Dawn of and War for the Planet of the Apes and Cloverfield. His vision was darker than anything we'd seen in live-action of The Caped Crusader and he chose to forego the backstory of the character and focus on Bruce in his second year, learning his craft.
The 3hr runtime allowed Reeves to make a proper detective story. Michael Giacchino created an almighty score to perfectly capture that darkness and magnitude.
How to watch: Available to buy/rent on Prime
Filmspotting score: 9/10
Top Gun: Maverick (15)
(Action/ Drama)
Director: Joseph Kosinski. Starring: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Val Kilmer, Glen Powell, Jon Hamm
Not being a fan of the original, I wasn't even going to watch this in 2022; even scoffing at the trailer when it came on in the cinema. Little did I know that I would be picking Top Gun: Maverick as one of my favourite films of the year.
The story is VERY simple and the final mission takes HEAVILY from Star Wars (ANH) but from the get go, Maverick just ticks all the boxes of a feelgood movie.
The practical effects made this one of the best cinema experiences of '22.
How to watch: Available to buy/rent on Prime, or stream on Paramount+
Filmspotting score: 8/10
Nope (15)
(Horror/ Thriller/ Sci-Fi)
Director: Jordan Peele. Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Brandon Perea, Steven Yeun, Michael Wincott, Keith David
Jordan Peele knocks it out of the park; creating something jaw-dropping and genre bending.
You think you have figured it out, then the film flips you and you start to question how this has never been done before.
I will keep it simple to avoid spoilers. A tremendous effort from every aspect of the film and a scene that will shake you to your very core. To paraphrase my friend, we will look at said scene in 40 years, the way we look at the elevators full of blood, from The Shining.
Again, a tremendous cinema experience and probably my best of 2022.
How to watch: Available to buy/rent on Prime
Filmspotting score: 9/10
The Innocents (15)
(Thriller/ Fantasy/ Horror)
Director: Eskil Vogt. Starring: Rakal Lenora Flottum, Alva Brynsmo Ramstad, Sam Ashraf, Mina Yasmin Bremseth, Asheim.
Norwegian director Eskil Vogt has tapped into the superhero genre and created a disturbing captivating look at children with powers. Don't think he has made a superhero film though; this is dark and not much hero goings on!
It is usually tough to find one child, let alone four, but the children do a tremendous job with holding the film together, but they all manage to do so.
I just wish this had been given a theatrical release.
How to watch: Available to buy/rent on Prime
Filmspotting score: 8/10
The Banshees of Inersherin (15)
(Comedy/ Drama)
Director: Martin McDonagh. Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, Barry Keoghan.
Creating a timeless classic isn't an easy feat, but McDonagh seems to know how to do so; In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths and Three Billboards are all superb classic films. Banshees hits the highs once again and it is my favourite film of the year.
A simple story, great locations and the superb main cast of Farrell, Gleeson, Condon and Keoghan (putting in the best performance of the year) push it from being a good film to being a great film.
How to watch: streaming on Disney+
Filmspotting score: 10/10
Now for the following 15, in no discerning order
Something in the Dirt (15)
(Sci-Fi/ Comedy)
Directors: Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson. Starring Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson
Made on an extremely small budget and shot with, among others, a $25 Amazon security camera, Something in the Dirt shows that you don't always need a major studio and millions of dollars to make a superb and original movie.
I reached out to the directors on Twitter and Aaron broke down how they made the film and equipment they used.
Their other projects include The Endless, Spring and Synchronic, as well as Moon Knight and Loki.
How to watch: Available to buy/rent on Prime
Filmspotting score: 7/10
The PEZ Outlaw
(Documentary)
Directors:Bryan Storkel, Amy Nadlien Storkel. Starring: Steve Glew, Kathy Glew
My friend recommended this to me and I was so glad I it was brought to my attention. I love an interesting documentary and The PEZ outlaw certainly certainly is a strange one.
PEZ is primarily an American thing, we have them over here in the UK, but they aren't a big deal. Seeing these PEZ's fetch ridiculous sums is hysterical, well more jaw-dropping, and the length Steve Glew went to, to make his fortune is incredible. Best doc of the year!
How to watch: Currently no sites in the UK have this
Filmspotting score: 8/10
Athena (15)(Drama/ Thriller)
Director: Romain Gavras. Starring: Dali Benssalah, Anthony Bajon, Alexis Manenti.
There have a couple of films recently that centre on riots; Stronghold and Shorta (on Netflix as Enforcement) and now there is the French Film 'Athena'.
I toyed with putting this into my top 5 for the 11 minute opening 'one-shot' alone.
The camera work and stunts in this film have been some of the best work i've seen and the cast (made up mostly of extras who live on the estate it was filmed) pull off something so intense, you can feel the raw power of their plight.
There is a making of feature on Netflix, too.
How to watch: streaming on Netflix
Filmspotting score: 9/10
Bones and All (18) (Horror/ Drama/ Romance)
Director: Luca Guadagino. Starring: Taylor Russell, Timothee Chalamet, Mark Rylance
Guadagino is making a name for himself as a director with films like Call Me by Your Name, the remake of Suspiria and is signed to direct the remake of Scarface.
His attention to his craft is terrific, his eye for a shot is stunning! This, for me, was storytelling, albeit gruesome storytelling. It isn't for the faint of heart; at all. Violence and gore with a romantic yarn, crossed with an American road movie. Chalamet is sublime and a super creepy Mark Rylance steals every scene he appears in.
How to watch: Currently yet to be released on streaming sites
Filmspotting score: 8/10
Bullet Train (15)(Action/ Comedy/ Thriller)
Director: David Leitch. Starring: Brad Pitt, Zazie Beetz, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Joey King, Brian Tyree Henry, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon.
This latest offering from the man who brought us Deadpool 2 John Wick and Atomic Blonde, does exactly what it says on the tin. Having seen the trailers and immediately comparing it to the much loved 'Smokin' Aces', I was sold. Gladly it did not disappoint!
Its got a stellar cast for starters, bright and vibrant Japanese culture everywhere, the comedy is brilliant and well-timed (quiet dark in places) and it is uber violent with much of said violence adding to the humour of the film.
Good turns from everyone, especially ATJ and BTH who need a spin-off off their characters Tangerine and Lemon (though we never got a Tremor Bros spin-off from Smokin' Aces) and more of the latter's references to Thomas the Tank Engine.
How to watch: Available to buy/rent on Prime
Filmspotting score: 8/10
Everything, Everywhere, All at Once (15)
(Action/ Adventure/ Comedy/ Sci-Fi/ Fantasy)
Directors: Dan Kwan, David Scheinert. Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jamie Lee Curtis, James Hong.
Starring one of the greatest martial arts actors ever, Michelle Yeoh, EEAaO is possibly the strangest film of the year, but in a good way; taking the theory of a multi-universe and turning it into a riotous, heart-warming, feel-good film that Yeoh pushes her acting chops to the max and shows she is more than just an action star.
How to watch: Streaming for free with Prime
Filmspotting score: 8/10
Gwledd (aka The Feast) (15)
(Horror/Drama/ Thriller)
Director: Lee Haven Jones. Starring: Annes Elwy, Nia Roberts, Julian Lewis Jones, Seffan Cennydd
In 2022, I managed to see a Welsh language film in the cinema; what a joy! Sadly, I cannot speak my native tongue, so subtitles were a blessing.
Now I am biased for obvious reasons, but I really enjoyed this. The film really put me in an uneasy mode and it creeped me out, but that is what I like from horror films. I don't go in for cheap jump scares and linear, cliched film-making. This is all about psyching out its audience.
Beautiful locations and a universal powerful story, about how man continues to destroy the environment, make Gwledd one of the most interesting horror films of the year.
How to watch: Not currently on any streaming platforms
Filmspotting score: 8/10
(Drama/ Thriller/ Horror)
Director: Mark Mylod. Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Holt, John Leguizamo
A highly underrated film, with some great performances throughout but one that Nicholas Holt seemed to take his character and go to town with it. Not only does Holt steal every scene he is featured in but really plays it up in background scenes too.
A great premise for the modern day of self indulgence, The Menu is wonderfully shot and features some witty dialogue and characters based on people of the elite world (one or two are actually based on real people).
Giving you the feeling that something isn't quite right with the restaurant, Mylod teases the audience until the moment comes when the big reveal is laid out and you aren't sure who to root for.
How to watch: Coming to Disney+ Jan 4th
Filmspotting score: 8/10
(Fantasy/ Crime/ Thriller)
Director: Guillermo del Toro. Starring: Bradley Cooper, Rooney Mara, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collett, Richard Jenkins, Willem Defoe, David Strathairn, Ron Perlman
Remaking the 1947 classic is a perfect project for del Toro's flair for storytelling, especially adding the background of circus performers.
His version expands further on the story, adding more back story to Stan's character and GdT has made a truly remarkable and perfect film. Dialogue is sharp and critical, something the director is also famed for, not wasting a single line to something with no meaning.
How to watch: Streaming on Disney+
Filmspotting score: 10/10
The Pantom of the Open (12)
(Comedy/ Drama/ Sport)
Director: Craig Roberts. Starring: Mark Rylance, Sally Hawkins, Rhys Ifans.
A remarkable true story of one man unwittingly exploiting a loophole in the rules to end up playing in one of golf's most prestigious events; leading to something that makes for a great, funny film starring one of the best character actors working today.
An easy to watch film with much hilarity, The Phantom of the Open is charming and one for the whole family. Some may even remember the feature on morning television back when the events in the film happened.
How to watch: Currently yet to be released on streaming sites
Filmspotting score: 8/10
The Outfit (15)
(Drama/ Crime/ Mystery/ Thriller)
Director: Graham Moore. Starring: Mark Rylance, Zoey Deutch, Johnny Flynn, Dylan O'Brien
A highly underrated debut from Moore, utilising the one location and limited cast format. Done right, these can turn out incredible; done wrong, can ruin a film. Moore's efforts are the former and once again Rylance knocks it out of the park, holding the entire film on his performance.
A simple story, great dialogue, lighting and costumes, Moore should have secured himself as a director to watch out for and hopefully will be reaping the rewards from 'The Outfit'.
How to watch: Available to buy on Prime
Filmspotting score: 8/10
Prey (18)
(Action/ Sci-Fi/ Horror)
Director: Dan Trachtenberg. Starring: Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Michelle Thrush, Stormee KippDa DiLiegro
Prey is the Predator movie we have needed since Predator 2 (1990). Trachtenberg has stripped what became of the franchise and gone back to basics.
Great performance from Midthunder, who plays Naru, a comanche woman who is neglected as a hunter in her tribe. The movie has some fun, well thought out fight sequences with good visual effects and some straight up violent and gruesome scenes with the creature despatching members of the tribe before going toe-to-toe with Naru.
How to watch: Streaming on Disney+
Filmspotting score: 8/10
All Quiet on the Western Front (15)
(War/ Drama)
Director: Edward Berger. Starring: Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Aaron Hilmer, Moritz Klaus, Daniel Bruhl
A film so harrowing, it will leave an everlasting effect on you. Taking the old story and remaking it for a new generation which sees the war from a German perspective and how the niavity of young boys, cheering and getting excited to serve, get stripped of their innocence and become servants of death and destruction.
I dont hand out full marks but AQotWF fully deserves every single star of the rating system. The cinematography is stunning, the performance by Kammerer is one of the best of the year, the costumes are second to none, effects are incredible, utilizing practical over visual effects where possible.
There are three sequences next to each other that stand out involving the front line of fighting, featuring the soldiers seeing tanks for the first time and a hand to hand battle that will leave you absolute floored. The whole film will leave you emotionally drained.
This was really hard to leave out of my top 5, but this is a list of favourites. Had it been best, this would have been joint 1st with Banshees.
How to watch: Streaming on Netflix
Filmspotting score: 8/10
The woman King (15)
(War/ Drama/ Biography)
Director: GinaPrince-Bythewood. Starring: Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, John Boyega
I had no idea, as i am sure many didn't, about these incredible warrior women of The Kingdom of Dahomey, in Africa in the 18th and 19th century.
Very loosely based on events, The Woman King sees the incredible Viola Davis as Nanisca, the head of The Dahomey Mino, an all-female military regiment who were the personal guards to the king.
Beautiful locations, great acting and superb, well choreographed and filmed fight sequences. However, it is Davis who owns the film. She embodies her character and is one of, if not, her greatest roles.
How to watch: Currently yet to be released on streaming sites
Filmspotting score: 8/10
Licorice Pizza (15)
(Drama/ Comedy/ Romance)
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson. Starring: Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Bradley Cooper
Not really sure how to sell Licorice Pizza other than it being a fun film to watch; set in 1973 and focusing on Gary Valentine, played by Cooper Hoffman (son of Philip Seymore Hoffman) and his first love for Alana, played brilliantly by Alana Haim (of the group Haim).
Gary has plans of amking his fortune and sweeping Alana off her feet, even though he is a fair bit younger than her. Typical for a PTA film, its all about the dialogue and acting and the setting, something that is all top notch.
How to watch: Currently yet to be released on streaming sites
Filmspotting score: 8/10
Aftersun (12A)
(Drama)
Director: Charlotte Wells. Starring: Paul Mescal, Frankie Corio, Celia Rowlson-Hall
The last new film I watched in 2022 and what a superb, beautiful film is was. I doubt it will get much attention by the masses as it is hard to marketas it seems to be a very simple film with nothing other than a Father and Daughter on holiday.
The leads of Mescal and a great debut from Corio, play out as a very believable pairing, enjoying their time together in Turkey. There are cracks in what we see and beneath these cracks are a Father dealing with mental health issues.
Quite a powerful film and a fairly unusual one for the Dads out there.
How to watch: Currently yet to be released on streaming sites
Filmspotting score: 8/10
Bodies Bodies Bodies (15)
(Horror/ComedyThriller)
Director: Halina Reijn. Starring: Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Rachel Sennott, Chase Sui Wonders, Pete Davidson
My final pick for favourites was another I didn't expect to be picking but i was pleasantly surprised. Bodies Bodies Bodies was smart, witty, with clever dialogue and very entertaining. A horror comedy with a mostly female cast of Gen Z'ers, making passive-aggressive remarks at each other, refusing to take any self criticism, leaving the audience wonder who the killer in the mansion is.
Davidson proved he has screen presence with 'The King of Staten Island' and continues attraction here.
How to watch: Avialable to buy/rent on Prime
Filmspotting score: 8/10
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