Well, they are finally here, folks. We saw a lot of movies last year, and after all the hours of watching, note-taking, and close analysis, these movies rank high on our list as the standout films of 2022! Some you may have seen, while others you may have missed. Let’s remind ourselves of the Top Ten Best Movies of 2022!
1. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Glass Onion taught me how to have fun at the movies again after so many years of isolation from covid. The characters were a blast, and the mystery was a blast, if not somewhat superficial, as the title implies. If you want a fun murder-mystery adventure, check out this film. – Zach Pardue
The Glass Onion was one of the most enjoyable films I’ve watched this year. I loved Knives Out and think Rian Johnson did a great job separating the two stories but still keeping with the fantastic mystery story. I love the twists of both films, but GO did a good job of showing Helen playing her sister the whole time. The ending made it seem like if there were to be a future third film, Janelle Monae’s character would be helping Daniel Craigs. I loved seeing Kate Hudson again; I had just rewatched How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days before I watched GO, so it was awesome seeing her growth as an actor. -Nikki Sermak
I really enjoyed Knives Out, and though this didn’t quite top it for me, I thought it was a creative storyline. At times it got a little difficult to follow along, but I think there is some fun. It was filmed beautifully, and the cast was amazing to watch. – Nicole Partis
Rian Johnson takes another enjoyable stab at his plucky, complex murder mystery universe with Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. Daniel Craig returns as Benoit Blanc, this franchise’s version of Hercule Poirot, and basically bites through the scenery in every moment of the movie. There’s a stellar cast, including Kathryn Hahn, Edward Norton, Dave Bautista, Janelle Monae, and more, but Craig will bring you in and have you loving this movie. – Raymond Flotat
2. Don’t Worry Darling
Don’t Worry Darling had a lot of drama leading up to the release, so I was intrigued in that sense, but I adore Florence Pugh and everything she’s in, so I wanted to watch it for her and, of course, Harry Styles. I really enjoyed the modern take of Stepford Wives with this film. The ending left the audience thinking, “did she escape her bounds?” “how is she going to recover from this?” “Will she ever see these people in person she’s grown to know so well?” Oliva Wilde has had quite a dramatic year, but I loved Booksmart, so I was optimistic about how she would pull off a non-comedic film. I’m a little upset that Pugh wasn’t nominated for this role. She definitely deserves an Oscar at this point in her career. – Nikki Sermak
My number one choice was Don’t Worry Darling directed by Olivia Wilde. I’ve always leaned towards women in film, specifically directors. When I first heard about the film, I didn’t know what to expect from Wilde, being this her first major feature film aside from Booksmart. When I watched Don’t Worry Darling for the first time, I was stunned by the way Wilde incorporated the idea of Inception and The Truman Show. Throughout the whole movie, I felt desperate to know if everything was true or just a lie. – Ariana Rivera
3. The Batman
I am a lifelong Batman fan and have eagerly anticipated a more grounded entry than was showcased in the Synderverse. The Batman feels like a 20’s noir mob detective story, which is exactly how Batman was initially envisioned. The film is moody, dark, and gritty, and I loved it. – Zach Pardue
Forget Christopher Nolan and every other movie that has been made regarding the caped crusader. Director Matt Reeves brings a dark, gritty, and suspenseful epic that fans have been waiting for. For the first time in memory, this Batman was investigating a crime that reminds us of when we used to read comic books as kids. The story has many layers, and Gotham City has never looked better. I didn’t care about the action, the stunts, or the villains per se. The ever-evolving story enthralled me, and the movie allowed the audience to join in on the investigation. Some complained the movie was too dark and grim, but I wanted more. This made me excited for the future of superhero movies which have drained me of energy for years as they’ve become predictable at this point. The Batman was suspenseful, left me guessing, and made me upset when the movie was over. This is how you capture the audience’s attention. Give the audience something they can’t predict and engage them with a mystery instead of colorful CGI. – Rick Rice
4. X
Ti West returns to his horror roots with this impressive and shockingly graphic film that pays homage to classic horror cinema, gives us characters we care about, and tackles subjects involving youth, pornography, ageism, and sexuality positively and maturely. Yes, the movie is violent, gory, and sexually explicit, but it juggles all of this in a wonderful way that doesn’t demean the characters or leave us feeling bored or dirty when viewing the film. The cinematography is gorgeous to look at, the performances are excellent, and we all know that the Academy will snub Mia Goth for her dual performance. Pearl should also be mentioned in conjunction with X, as Mia Goth shines in each film and establishes herself as a screen presence not to be ignored. – Rick Rice
5. The Banshees of Inisherin
The Banshees of Inisherin became one of my favorites of all time. The premise is simple, but you can build a film you want to follow until the end. Charged with dark humor, it also achieves to be heartwarming through the perfect performance of Colin Farrell. The film creates its own style and belongs to auteur cinema, in my opinion. – Fran Lopez
6. Women Talking
Women Talking is a brilliant film that is especially demonstrative of understanding the dilemma that almost every woman of faith takes. The film depicts what its title suggests but leaves behind the claustrophobia that often comes from textual adaptations, instead becoming dynamic in its storytelling. I was personally touched by the care in which the faith and the predicament were handled. By gathering some of the most underrated yet brilliant actresses currently working, Polley takes a small story and helps it become universally applicable. I’ve never seen it done better than this. – Mickey Randle
7. All Quiet on the Western Front
This German adaptation of the classic novel of the same name was quite the experience. Showcasing the terrifying realities of war, the cruelty we do to our fellow man, and the idea that war makes you an honorable person for joining the effort are all on full display in what I would consider the Saving Private Ryan of World War I movies. This movie pulls no punches and delivers the sounds of war in ear-piercing quality and will leave you feeling emotional after it concludes. Aside from the technical aspects of the film (which deserves many awards), the show’s true star is Paul, played by Felix Kammerer. His performance is the most terrifying to witness. A man filled with excitement was only left saying nothing and broken down at the very end. It’s a tremendous performance that will stick with you. All Quiet on the Western Front reminds viewers that war is nasty and forces young men to do things they never thought were possible. It’s an anti-war at its heart and remains a film that will become timeless, just like the novel that inspired it. – Rick Rice
8. Northman
Robert Eggers once again delivers an eerie, gorgeously shot historical drama about a Viking prince seeking revenge against his uncle for the crime of murdering his father. A classic take on Hamlet in its original Viking setting, the violence is gory and visceral, the landscapes are eye-catching, and the performances were juggernauts all around. – Ben Whitney
9. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent was a fun experience. It embraced both parts of Nic Cage’s career, his blockbuster performances, and the stranger, more offbeat crazy side of his acting. It had a hilariously outrageous plot that would keep old fans of Cage and new fans entertained. – Ben Whitney
10. Thor: Love and Thunder
Thor: Love and Thunder might be the most underrated superhero movie in many years. Many expressed disappointment at the tone but failed to see the richness in the narratives and themes explored by returning director Taika Waititi. Thor is a character that could easily have been monochromatic forever. Still, Waititi and Hemsworth have forged an entirely new path for the character, delving deeply into complex narratives about death, grief, and finding balance with loss, all the while in a super funny and entertaining movie. – Raymond Flotat
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