If you read to the end, you will find the worst ones I watched, as well. Also, check out the full list of films I watched at the very end!
The Best
Cha Cha Real Smooth – This was such a unique coming of age film that just hit all the right notes. Very cathartic and supremely charming.
Fresh – The creativity of this horror film! A little bit rom-com, a little bit Hannibal…that’s all you need to know.
Metal Lords – High schoolers trying to form an epic metal band? Count me in! It certainly helps that Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello had a hand in this.
Everything Everywhere All At Once – The ultimate multi-verse film, while managing to tell a touching story about an Asian-American family. Plus, the Daniels always make good films!
The Black Phone – A delightfully creepy adaptation of the short story of the same name. Never talk to strangers, kids, or you might end up talking to ghosts!
Elvis – It took me a little bit, but before the halfway mark I was completely sold on this unique bio-epic of the King of Rock and Roll’s life.
Bodies Bodies Bodies – This thriller was so unique and so dang fun! What’s better than making fun of gen-Z while they hide from a killer among friends?
Triangle of Sadness – Absolutely hilarious take on ripping on the one percent. Not for the weak-stomached, but this is top-tier satire!
The Menu – Another stab at the one percent, but in a more literal sense. The cast here is incredible, and the scenes are to die for.
About Fate – A corny New Year’s Eve rom-com, but I loved every second of it!
Runner Ups:
Studio 666 – Certainly no one here’s getting and Oscar, but this horror film from the Foo Fighters had me cracking up for most of it, while also getting a good dose of scares. RIP Taylor Hawkins.
X – Another great horror film this year, but no laughs for sure. It had me at the edge of my seat, and cringing a little bit at the gore.
Montana Story – A beautiful story of two estranged siblings coming together to send off their dying and not so nice father. A tear-jerker.
Nitram – What a devastating piece of Australian history. Caleb Landry Jones is magnetic as the mentally unstable gunman.
Spin Me Round – Awkward, provocative, hilarious. That’s the perfect mix in Rome, I think!
Barbarian – Another completely unique horror story that has you guessing at every turn. At one point I thought I was watching a completely different movie, but then the stories intelligently come together. Also love that The Whitest Kids U Know’s Zach Cregger is the writer/director behind this.
The Banshees of Inisherin – Who knew dumping your best friend in 1920s Ireland could be so intense. Both dramatic and endlessly hilarious.
The Whale – My last theatrical experience of 2022 was an emotional one, with the morbidly obese Charlie living out the last week of his life trying to just connect with people. Love.
The Worst:
Not as many as you’d think, but these five were just painful to sit through.
Ticket to Paradise – A beyond boring rom-com, which is so sad given the A-list cast.
Falling for Christmas – Just an all-around dud of a Christmas movie. Sorry Lindsay Lohan, it’s not the comeback you deserve.
Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul – Satires just aren’t my thing, and apparently, religious ones definitely aren’t.
Private Property – This plot and the acting was almost so bad it was laughable.
The Bubble – A comedy that was truly terrible quality despite it’s great cast.
