Top 30 Movies I Saw in 2022

If you have been reading my blog you know that I love movies and that I try to watch as many as I can each year. For today’s post I decided to look back and make a list ranking my favourite thirty films I saw this past year. I enjoy many different kinds of films as this list will showcase as it bounces between genres and time periods, so lets begin.

30.) Falling For Christmas (2022)

One of the last films I watched last year but none the less enjoyed a great deal was Netflix’s Falling for Christmas which saw Lindsay Lohan return to top billing alongside Chord Overstreet, who many will recognize from his starring role in the hit TV Show Glee, who together play the cliché couple reminiscent of a typical Hallmark movie. From a critical perspective this may not be the most technically impressive or creatively adept movie yet I still found a great deal of enjoyment watching it perhaps because I saw it at just the right time during the holidays which allowed me to enjoy it’s almost bombastic wholesomeness. The movie is exactly what you would expect and that is not a bad thing especially in a chaotic world where such escapist entertainment is surely needed.

29.) Starman (1984)

Along the same lines as Falling For Christmas, John Carpenter’s 1984 film Starman was one of the most enjoyable viewing experiences I had in 2022 based on its wholesome and deeply rewarding plot brought to life through the great lead performances of Jeff Brdiges and Karen Allen. The movie bares many similarities to E.T. in that again we see an extraterrestrial befriend a human but the movie separates itself by grappling with more mature subjects including discussions of grief, the importance of communication, and parenthood. Carepenter’s excellent direction with beautiful cinematography and vibrant lighting further this into being one of the top films released in the 1980’s. One of the best measures of whether or not you thought a film was great, in my opinion, is if the film stays with you as opposed to simply measuring your initial reaction which may fade with time. As a result while I knew I enjoyed Starman after I first saw it it was not until some weeks had passed and i found that I was still bringing it up in conversation that I came to realize that the movie really resonated with me such that I highly recommend more people see it to see if it similarly impacts them.

28.) The Voyeurs (2021)

Following in the steps of those steamier thrillers made popular in the late 1980’s and throughout the 1990’s such as Basic Instinct, Body Double and Wild Things The Voyeurs is a similarity enjoyable film. This movie has received a lot of criticism which I can understand to a degree in that while the movie has lots of creative and unexpected twists that kept me engaged I can see that it nearly crossed over to becoming absurd regarding where the plot goes towards the end. However, in comparison to the majority of films that come out today which play it safe it was a reprieve to see a film fully commit to its concept even if it risked being ridiculous. Ultimately, this is a very enjoyable film that should not be looked down or avoided simply for the genre it falls into and I recommend it.

27.) Day Shift (2022)

Another film which I enjoyed which seemed to be looked over rather quickly was Netflix’s Day Shift starring Jamie Foxx playing a vampire hunter. Much in the vein of Buffy the Vampire Slayer this is a great horror comedy with a perfect balance of gore, characterization and humour that I found made for one of my favourite viewing experiences. Dave Franco is a great sidekick to Foxx here with their relationship providing much of the comedic relief in the film. It was also interesting to see Karla Souza from How to Get Away with Murder playing the main villain in this film. All in all this is a fun time and a movie I think will be looked back on in the future with more reverence similar to how people have come to change their minds on the Fright Night remake from 2011 which I have always enjoyed a great deal.

26.) Knock Knock (2015)

Eli Roth’s Knock Knock has the pleasure of possessing one of the worst, and also maybe one the best Keanu Reeves’ performances. In the cancel culture world we live in today I found the plot of two women trying to destroy a man’s life based on an encounter they shared to be an interesting premise. In typical Eli Roth fashion he explores this set up by having the characters confront the most ridiculous of circumstances and everything is played up to the nth degree which I found highly entertaining. This movie is not for everyone but for those that have and enjoy Roth’s style this is yet another fun movie to watch.

25.) The Right Stuff (1983)

For a movie that is a little over three hours and procedurally documents the development of space travel this movie never feels slow and never fails to be endearing. While there are movies listed above this I am not sure there is a movie with a more rewarding viewing experience than this. Additionally, the relationship between Ed Harris and his wife in this film is truly something special in terms of how he defends and listens to her needs. From the extraordinary cast, beautiful direction that blends real life and recreation this is an amazing film and I recommend it to anyone from those wishing to know more about the history of United States space program to those that just want to watch a good movie.

24.) Thief (1981)

Michael Mann’s Thief felt like the predecessor to Heat in terms of its hard boiled characters, gritty realism, and heist centred plot. James Caan (R.I.P.) is at his best here especially in one scene where he describes the mindset he had to adopt in order to survive his time in prison. The movie peaks when it shows a group of characters breaking into a bank with minimal dialogue thus allowing the audience to sit back and enjoy a filmmaker capture the larger than life but never artificial actions they perform to accomplish their mission such as welding through the lock in a safe as sparks fall around and seem to engulf them. They do not make movies like this anymore which is a shame because this is one of the better ones I have seen.

23.) Mr Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Given the current political climate rife with conflict and outrage it was a pleasant escape to watch James Stewart playing an eternal optimist who takes on the political establishment of Washington who are shown to be wrought with corruption. Frank Capra, who many may know as the filmmaker responsible for making the Christmas classic It’s A Wonderful Life, again delivers a solid and wholesome film I highly recommend. Though the film is nearing its 85th anniversary it's plot still has resonance and is an entertaining experience not marred down by its age.

22.) Let the Right One In (2008)

This film is another example of why I believe people will come to regard the 2000’s as one of the best decades for horror films. This film finds a perfect balance between telling a coming of age and horror story which is brought to life through two great performances by Kare Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson who play the two seemingly young children in the film who become close friends bonded by their inability to fit into society. Though the movie has a great story I found myself more impressed by the great special effects, nuanced use of sound score, and incredible cinematography. This is an amazing film which I think is the perfect watch for October especially due to its snowy atmosphere which could serve as a good lead into winter.

21.) The Final Girls (2015)

Speaking of horror The Final Girls is a great homage to those slasher and exploitation films popular during the 1980’s. This is a film I put off watching for a long time even though the plot sounded interesting since I feared it would be a b movie with a low budget since I had not heard or seen much discussion of it. I am glad I decided to watch it as it was a very enjoyable and well made film which I think found the right balance between horror and comedy. The main takeaway I had from this film was that I enjoyed the overall vibe of it, and what I mean by that is that the special effects and colour scheme the movie utilized along with its campy performances combined to form a very pleasant experience with a surprising amount of depth. This movie could surprise you and I highly recommend it.

20.) Chicago (2002)

The movies I have the hardest time deciding to watch are those which I would in general not have an interest in watching based on it not being a story or genre I typically enjoy but none the less the film has received a large amount of critical acclaim whereby I feel compelled to watch it order to better understand and appreciate cinema as a whole. Sometimes this leads me to watch movies I end up hating, but it also guides me towards films I otherwise would have never watched and end up loving and Chicago is a prime example of this. Going into this film my expectations were low as I was not sure a modern musical/legal thriller starring Richard Gere, Rene Zellweger, and Catherine Zeta-Jones was something I would enjoy but I did and its lack of pretentiousness, abundance of catchy music, and captivating performances combined to make this a great film.

19.) Miracle Mile (1988)

Many people talk about Uncut Gems being one long panic attack of a movie, but I think Miracle Mile better fits that bill. Imagine knowing that a nuclear war has started before it becomes national news and trying to figure out what you should do, where you should go, and who you should tell and dealing with the consequences of your answers to those questions, that is what this movie is. Its an amazing thriller which pulls no punches and is sure to keep your attention for the entire runtime of the film which is just shy of an hour and a half making this a quick but none the less fun and intense watch.

 18.) A Place in the Sun (1951)

This movie is a masterpiece with an all star cast that includes Montgomery Clift, the amazing Elizabeth Taylor, and Shelley Winters. With a story inspired by true events this shocking film still packs a punch over 70 years later and I recommend it to anyone especially someone who wants to watch a gripping crime drama. The third act of this film is incredible both in terms of how it is crafted and the insight it gives the audience into the decisions Montgomery Clift’s character makes and the ways in which he tries to hide them from the world.

17.) Bedlam (1946)

Bedlam is a great film that explores the conditions inside Asylums and the bureaucracy in charge of those institutions with a campy perspective that none the less delivers a great story. Anna Lee is incredible here at portraying a powerful woman who dares to question the authority behind the Asylum and how her defiance is than used against her as a means of showing that she is suffering from a mental illness which is poignant given how women were treated in the past. Many act as if such powerful female heroines are a new commodity but this film showcases that while they may not have been the norm they are not a novel invention.

16.) Dave (1993)

Similar to Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Dave is another story of how one outsider transforms a higher office in government based on his good nature and lack of political experience which has insulated him from becoming corrupt or accepting the state of things. Kevin Kline, who is one of the finest comedic actors of all time, is incredible here alongside a talented cast that includes Sigourney Weaver, Kevin Dunn, and Ving Rhames, By reading the borderline ridiculous synopsis of this film where Kline is used as a stand in for the President of the United States you may think this is a cheap comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman who many know as the creator of Ghostbusters, but what you will find is a charming romantic comedy with a surprising amount of political insight.

15.) The Grifters (1990)

John Cusack should have won an Oscar or at least been nominated for his outstanding work in this gritty film about the art of the hustle which pitted him between Anjelica Huston and Annette Bening who are just as good as him here. The whole movie has this great run and gun style where you never quite know where it is going to go next and the only through line in the film is that all the three characters think they have one up on the other until one is shown to be right. I love this movie and wish there were more like it and I highly recommend it.

14.) Hell House LLC (2015)

Having seen hundreds of horror films not many truly scare me anymore, but this one did. I love the found footage horror subgenre as it is the one that consistently allows me to suspend my disbelief such that I often find these films genuinely scary. This is a great horror film that keeps you entertained and wanting to know what happens next and I recommend it to anyone who feels that horror films can no longer scar them. I also found it rewarding that the film did not rely on gore or excessive jump scares in order to fit into the horror genre or be scary.

13.) We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

If you want a compelling character study of a sociopath this is that film. In any film which focuses so fully on its characters it leaves little room for their performances to be underwhelming, luckily all three of the main characters in this film are played perfectly. Tilda Swinton and John C. Reilly play a couple struggling to raise an increasingly troubled child played by Ezra Miller. The movie does a great job of allowing the audience to sympathize with Tilda Swinton’s character as her son decides to toy with her emotions all the while the dad fails to recognize this and the increasing warning signs surrounding their son. The movie fully explores what such a child might end up doing once they age and it is a fascinating film in terms of allowing the audience to judge what role if any their parents played in determining where their son would end up.

12.) Class (1983)

Of all the movies I watched in 2022 none was more surprising in terms of what I expected and what I got than Class. Though at first glance what may seem to be a typical raunchy comedy in the vein of something like Van Wilder or Porky’s Class is a much more intricate and nuanced film. While there are various slapstick moments in the film I thought the relationship between Rob Lowe and Andrew McCarthy was compelling in terms of how we see them mature throughout the film as they gain a greater perspective of what the other is going through. This is an interesting film worthy of cult status and one which I think deserves a second look

11.) The Doors (1991)

Similar to Baz Luhrman’s biographical film Elvis from 2022 Oliver Stone allowed the audience to experience the life of Jim Morrison, the famous lead singer of The Doors, not through a by the numbers retelling of his life but rather a more poetic synopsis of it which allowed the audience to gain some insight into the nightmare of what being a famous musician must be like. This is an amazing film which almost borders on being a horror movie as Jim Morrison appears to be haunted by the looming presence of his demise throughout the film. Val Kilmer is extraordinary here both in terms of his acting in dramatic scenes and the charisma he exudes on stage when he is performing alongside the rest of the band. This is a one of a kind biopic I highly recommend especially today where many musicians seem to be dying young as was alluded to in Juice Wrld’s hit song Legends.

10.) Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)

This is simply a funny movie from director Kevin Smith. Many people complain that there are no more comedy films and I was glad to find this one last year as it was a hilarious experience that made me laugh out loud several times. The two main characters, played by Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, who are struggling at finding success in life while also trying to make the best of their circumstances are hilarious here and very relatable. This is a great film that I recommend to anyone who wants to watch a movie that will make them laugh though it does contain some raunchy content.

9.) The Kid Detective (2020)

Many have compared this film to Stand by Me though I would also add Wilson and The Beach Bum to the list of films that this reminded me of. Maybe it was because I could relate to the main character who could always predict who the killer was in who done its but I really enjoyed this movie and its understated plot which packs a surprising punch even with its comedic tone. I am surprised by how underrated this movie is and how few people seem to enjoy it but I still recommend it since I think it is worth watching because I really enjoyed it so maybe you will too. If you like a crime thrillers, character studies or simply a good mystery this is a good film to watch.

8.) House of Games (1987)

Similar to The Grifters, but perhaps with a tighter script, House of Games is another story of greedy characters trying to cheat at life to make it to the top. Lindsay Crouse plays a woman who is drawn into the seedy underground world by Joe Mantegna, who many know from Criminal Minds, and both are great here. This movie pulls you in and does not let you go with ever increasing twists and elevating stakes that make the runtime of the film fly by. I wish there were more movies like this made today. I must also make note of J.T. Walsh’s appearance in this film as he may be the greatest character actor of all time who elevates any movie he is in no matter how large of a presence he has in it.

7.) Halloween H2O (1998)

I have a soft spot for 1990’s films and perhaps that is why this is my favourite Halloween movie with its cast of 90’s icons including Josh Hartnett, Michelle Williams and LL Cool J. It was also cool to see Janet Leigh acting alongside her daughter Jamie Lee Curtis who, as always, is great here as Laurie Strode. Compared to many entries in this franchise I thought the drama between Jamie Lee Curtis and her son in the film played by Josh Hartnett helped to give this film a centre for it to revolve around rather than simply a bare bones slasher struggling to a find a consistent narrative between kills which defines so many slashers movies. The film also served as a good conclusion to the Halloween franchise even though it did not end there. This is a great picture which I am glad seems to be getting somewhat of a second look as of late.

6.) The Time Machine (1960)

The Time Machine is a great sci fi film with extraordinary special effects and an amazing story to go with it. If you enjoy Star Trek or The Twilight Zone this film will surely be up your alley. The twists and turns that happen in this movie are great and pretty dark considering the time when this movie was released. I love this film and I hope more people watch it so that one day it may be held in higher standing in terms of its place in classic cinema.

5.) Boogie Nights (1997)

Paul Thomas Anderson was a director I always knew was highly regarded but not one I especially enjoyed even if I respected some of his more recent films including Inherent Vice and There Will Be Blood. However, once I watched Magnolia and later Boogie Nights I have come to see him as one of the top filmmakers. Boogie Nights is a great film which looks into how several characters attempt to climb the ladder to fame in Hollywood through the use of X rated films. This is a crazy movie that includes lots of drama, comedy and even some intense action. This film and Magnolia are extraordinary and in a different league, in my opinion, compared to the rest of Anderson’s catalogue of movies and I recommend both as they are very similar expansive drama films. I must also mention that Burt Reynolds is great in this film, rest in peace.

4.) The Neon Demon (2016)

This Nicolas Winding Refn film presents the audience with an operatic look into the horrifying world of professional modelling and the circumstances those ensnared in this business must put up with albeit from an exaggerated perspective. The style of this film from its cinematography, lightning, and special effects helped to give this movie an interesting tone reminiscent of a Giallo film. Elle Fanning, who plays a fresh face in the modelling industry, is great here alongside Jena Malone, Bella Heathcote, and Abbey Lee who are increasingly threatened by her arrival into the industry they are seasoned in. This is a great film I highly recommend though I warn that it is an unusual one.

3.) The Last Seduction (1994)

Similar to the above mentioned The Voyeurs The Last Seduction is another steamy thriller but a much higher calibre film in that here the lead actress Linda Fiorentino gives an Oscar worthy performance as a strong woman who manipulates the men around her for her own gain. The movie has several great twists, a great supporting cast including Bill Pullman and future director Peter Berg along with another great performance from J.T. Walsh in a minor role in this fantastic thriller that is sure to keep you entertained. I highly recommend this movie to anyone wanting to watch a great lead performance or simply something that will keep their attention and not drag at any point which seems to be becoming a rarity nowadays.

2.) The Worst Person in the World (2021)

This is my favourite film that was nominated for an Academy Award in 2022. With a style so far outside the norm of Hollywood such that the film allowed Renate Reinsve’s lead character to be studied in a way that never forced her to act in a performative way or speak in a robotic or censored manner allowing her to embody one of the more honest portrayals of the human experience put to film. However, I found the look into Anders Danielsen Lie's character Aksel to be just as compelling in terms of how we see him transition from being a popular comic book writer to being cancelled by society as the boundaries of what is seen as appropriate shift over time which made me question whether all of those who are one day seen as heroes or figures of authority will eventually be regarded as the villains of history. This movie is a one of a kind character study, romantic drama, and all around masterwork of cinema.

1.) The Last Supper (1995)

The best film I watched in 2022, and one that I have already rewatched, is The Last Supper directed by the late Stacy Title (R.I.P.). This movie is a perfect blend of most of the genres I have mentioned above in my list of movies here today. Again, in a political climate where many view ‘the other side’ as the enemy I found the story of several friends in university deciding to team up and invite people they disagree with to dinner in order to kill them to be a very clever and comedic story. The cast of this movie is incredible though I believe Ron Eldard, Jonathan Penner, and Courtney B. Vance deserve special mention for their incredible work here. Bill Paxton (R.I.P.) also is great here in a minor role and is an actor I have come to appreciate more and more over the years as I have seen more of his work in great films including Frailty, One False Move, and Trespass. This movie also has one of the best endings which I won’t spoil since I hope you go out and watch this movie. I think this film best fits into the genre of horror comedy along the lines of something like Heathers though I do not want to compare it too much to any other film since I think this is a very unique picture worthy of much greater praise in its own right.