I found 2022 to be a bit of a disappointing year for film. Despite that, I still had fun watching movies this year. It was great to be back in the theatre again. If anything, this year proved that the movie theatre experience is something people still enjoy. Hopefully it’s here to stay for a while.

The Good Nurse - This is an unsettling and infuriating true story. It dropped on Netflix this September and seems to have stayed kind of quiet throughout the last few month. Jessica Chastain is fantastic as always and I really enjoyed seen Eddie Redmayne play a little against type in his role. It covers some pretty heavy subject matter but if you can stomach it, I think it’s well worth a try.

She Said - Unfortunately, this movie seems to have gotten more press for how badly it bombed at the box office rather than from how compelling of a film it is. It’s a bit slow at the beginning but really starts to pick up as things get going and get established. Carrie Mulligan gives a stand out performance. This movie is an investigative journalism piece in the same vein as an All the President’s Men or Spotlight. It’s not quite at the level of those two but deserves a lot more praise than it’s gotten.

The Batman - I ended up liking this movie rather than loving it. In a stronger year, it probably wouldn’t make my “best of” list but I’m still excited to see where Matt Reeves takes this franchise. The first 20-30 minutes alone make it worth a watch in my opinion. That beginning section really captures everything I want a Batman movie to be and portrays Gotham in such a brutal and gritty way. If Reeves can do that again for a longer runtime, the sequel could be something very special.

Top Gun: Maverick - I’m assuming almost everyone got a chance to see this so I don’t have much to add. What I can say, is that it was really cool to see a big budget non-superhero, non-Star Wars movie take the world by storm and become a cultural phenomenon. To me, it’s success is proof that if you put out a quality, four-quadrant film, crowds will come out in droves to see it in theaters. 

Cha Cha Real Smooth - Apple TV+ impresses again. If you’ve been paying attention to any of my other lists I think the streamer really knows how to spot quality content. Ever since it premiered at Sundance to rave reactions, this one excited me. It’s extremely emotional and touching. A perfect way to spend a couple hours at home with the family.

Hustle - It’s nice to see Adam Sandler still has some gems up his sleeve. This is a very solid sports drama and I was impressed how well all the NBA stars did acting in their roles. If you’re a fan of basketball check this one out ASAP.

The Fabelmans - Although it didn’t hit as much as I had hoped, I can’t lie that some moments truly hit me. The film stuck with me long after leaving the theatre and some of the things the main protagonist says are the exact conversations I’ve had with my own parents. It’s sometimes very on the nose how self-referential it gets but if you love cinema, this will definitely resonate with you on some level.

Spoiler Alert - This movie isn’t breaking any new ground but I hope I can catch peoples’ attention putting this on the list. Based on a true story, I was tearing up at the end and it takes a lot to get me to cry at the movies. The characters and their relationships are developed so well and you end up really caring for all of them as the film goes on.

Pinocchio - Another movie with an extremely strong opening. The first 10 minutes of this is phenomenal and reminiscent of the beginning sequence of Pixar’s Up. I also really appreciate the craft of stop-motion animation and the detail and attention it demands. Del Toro adds his own spin to this tale with its fascist undertones. It feels familiar and yet unique at the same time.