Written By Alex Greenbaum*List Subject To Change*
Written By Alex Greenbaum
10. "Petit Maman"
"Petite Maman" utilizes a straightforward narrative to create an intelligent tale of retrospection. Director and writer Céline Sciamma's subtle character transformations resonate and are often thought-provoking. The conversations you will ultimately have afterward highlight its magical ideals.
9. "The Banshees Of Inisherin"
Director & writer Martin McDonagh is back to his roots with a brilliant Irish tale. It's extreme in its analogies, but I couldn't help but be sucked into its unique characters and off-the-rails storytelling. Additionally, it's great to see Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson sharing the screen together for the first time since the instant classic "In Bruges" debuted in 2006.
8. "Causeway"
Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry are exceptional in this character study of two people recovering from trauma. Some may argue that Lawrence and Henry carry the weight due to the film's minimalistic direction, but for me, this approach highlighted two of the best performances of 2022.
7. "Barbarian"
Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry are exceptional in this character study of two people recovering from trauma. Some may argue that Lawrence and Henry carry the weight due to the film's minimalistic direction, but for me, this approach highlighted two of the best performances of 2022.
Not one horror film since Joss Whedon's "Cabin In The Woods" left me in awe as much as "Barbarian". If you dig deep enough, there's interesting commentary on the abuses perpetrated by men and our preconceived misconceptions of people. But its B-movie thrills and handful of unexpected twists and turns would even rivet M. Night Shyamalan. It's a horror experience for the ages.
Not one horror film since Joss Whedon's "Cabin In The Woods" left me in awe as much as "Barbarian". If you dig deep enough, there's interesting commentary on the abuses perpetrated by men and our preconceived misconceptions of people. But its B-movie thrills and handful of unexpected twists and turns would even rivet M. Night Shyamalan. It's a horror experience for the ages.
6. "Resurrection"
Completely flying under the radar, "Resurrection" is brilliant. Rebecca Hall and Tim Roth electrify in this edge-of-your-seat thriller about a mother trying to protect her daughter from a psychotic ex. It's hard to shake off.
Completely flying under the radar, "Resurrection" is brilliant. Rebecca Hall and Tim Roth electrify in this edge-of-your-seat thriller about a mother trying to protect her daughter from a psychotic ex. It's hard to shake off.
5. "The Batman"
"The Batman", directed and written by the talented Matt Reeves ("War for the Planet of the Apes"), harkens back to a time of imaginative filmmaking. Reeves is fearless in creating the most disturbing Batman film ever made and still infuses it with that comic-book appeal. It falls just short of the outstanding 2005 "Batman Begins" entry but does climb into the upper echelon of superhero films.
"The Batman", directed and written by the talented Matt Reeves ("War for the Planet of the Apes"), harkens back to a time of imaginative filmmaking. Reeves is fearless in creating the most disturbing Batman film ever made and still infuses it with that comic-book appeal. It falls just short of the outstanding 2005 "Batman Begins" entry but does climb into the upper echelon of superhero films.
4. "Bardo, False Chronicle Of A Handful Of Truths"
Alejandro González Iñárritu does not get the respect critically as compared to his Mexican cohorts, i.e., Guillermo Del Toro and Alfonso Cuarón. Yet in my view, Iñárritu remains one of the greatest filmmakers in cinema history and continues to wow me with his latest film. Politically fearless and personally intricate in his works, Iñárritu is a genius.
3. "The Stranger"
Australian crime dramas don't get much better than this. Joel Edgerton gives the performance of his career in this harrowing true story. Gorgeously shot and quietly moving, it's a stunner from start to finish.
2. "Fire Of Love"
"Fire Of Love" invigorates and inspires. It's a magical character study that defies the odds and bolts forward with vital energy. Director & writer Sara Dosa and crew should be incredibly proud of how their efforts have transcended the bounds of what is achievable in documentaries. Feast your eyes; it's extraordinary.
1. "Tár"
Poetically masterful, "Tár" stands tall amongst films released in 2022. A director (Todd Field) of this caliber, alongside an acting lead (Cate Blanchett) of this skillset, is a match made in heaven. I find it quite unfortunate that it failed to attract the wide-scale audiences it should have, but hopefully, Field doesn't wait another 16 years to wallop us with another masterpiece.
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