Previous Rankings
#171-183
#151-170
#131-150
#111-130
#91-110
#71-90
#51-70
#31-50
Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal are perfect together in THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT (review), one of the year’s funniest movies. An ending you can see coming a mile away doesn’t detract at all from how much fun the rest of the movie is. Oh my goodness I loved BARBARIAN (review) so much. The tension, the jump scares, the humor (yes, some truly hilarious moments), all of it. If you haven’t been spoiled on anything yet keep it that way. See this one knowing as little as possible. That’s true for all movies, but it’s especially true here. THE NORTHMAN is more of a psychological thriller than I was expecting, but that’s not a bad thing. It also makes the action scenes we get that much better. It’s just a bad-ass movie; it rules so hard.
THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN is a super impressive blend of drama and dark comedy. It can be a hard tone to pull off, but Martin McDonagh’s script and Oscar-level performances all around help nail it down. PEARL was a surprise – and originally unplanned – sequel, which makes what Ti West did here even more impressive. Mia Goth delivers one of the standpoint performances of the year.
Speaking of impressive achievements, how about BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER (review)? Making even a competent movie after Chadwick Boseman’s tragic passing would have been a success. But to have it be nearly on the same level as the first? Incredible. Once again manages to hit on an emotional level that most Marvel movies aren’t able to match. PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH (review) is a terrific mix of themes for all ages. Add in stunning animation and humor that doesn’t miss, and you’ve got one of the best movies of the year. It’s so good to see an original animated movie like THE SEA BEAST (review). Fun, funny, adventurous, with truly thrilling sequences on the ocean.
DECISION TO LEAVE is a beautifully shot movie. It’s an engrossing blend of mystery, suspense, romance, drama. I finally joined the party after Parasite, but I have the same thought after seeing any new (or new to me) South Korean film: I need to watch more South Korean films. I love a good journalism movie, and SHE SAID scratches that itch. Hits all the familiar beats that I love about that genre, all while being an important depiction of a devastating true story.
DEVOTION is a great character-driven story. Though if you go in expecting a big-time war/action movie, check those expectations at the door. Those scenes are where the movie falters, but everything in between is terrific. THE OUTFIT (review) is maybe one or two twists too many from being a legitimately great movie. But it’s still quite a fun mystery that will keep you guessing. Also, Mark Rylance and Zoey Deutch. Remember what I said above about South Korean films? Copy and paste for BROKER. A really touching story about chosen family. If you’re looking for an emotionally rewarding story, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better one from last year than this (though you could say the same thing about another movie coming up in a few spots).
Ah TÁR. Many pundits and critics have this in their top 10 (or higher) for the year, but I’m not quite there. But it’s still an effective look into the harsher side of fame and power. And yes, Cate Blanchett is every bit as good as advertised, maybe even better. You don’t see many sex-positive stories about characters – especially women – Emma Thompsons, which makes GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE a refreshing change of scenery. But it’s more than just a sexual (re)awakening story, as it goes quite a bit more in depth than that. Thompson is as good as ever, and Daryl McCormack is every bit as good in this two-hander.
Without spoiling anything, the ending of BODIES BODIES BODIES could swing your final opinion quite a bit in either direction (I loved it, for what it’s worth). But regardless of how you feel about those final moments, it’s one of 2022’s best cast movies (shoutout Rachel Sennott!) with a (mostly) razor sharp, witty script. WEIRD: THE AL YANKOVIC STORY being a parody of other biopics is the only way Al Yankovic could tell his story. And it’s awesome, in discussion for 2022’s funniest movie. We saw Daniel Craig flash some comedic talents in The Lost City, and he’s absolutely on fire here as the iconic musician. I don’t care what you say, I still like WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING (review) and Daisy Edgar-Jones is great in the lead role.
MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON is impossibly cute and adorable. The only real drawback is that, even at only 88 minutes, it still feels a little long and drags at a few points. Small complaint though. This movie has massive heart and I defy anyone to watch it without being moved. BONES AND ALL is more than just “the cannibal love story movie.” That setup may make it hard for some viewers to get through, but for those that do, they’ll be rewarded with a surprisingly sweet and touching (and yes, at times brutal and grotesque) story about two young lovers trying to find their way in the world. And to boot, it’s led by two A+ performances by Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell, two of the best young actors working today.
