The best movies of 2022 (so far)
Since May is suddenly here, let's take a quick look back.
Is it just me or does 2022 seem like a sprint so far?
The movie season is just getting warmed up, with Marvel’s latest, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” dropping this Friday. The box office hasn’t truly been rocked just yet in the fiscal year, but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been some fine flicks delivered. Let’s review some in quick fashion.
“Scream”
Unofficially the fifth edition, this reunited and slashed so good sequel was a pleasant surprise. Courtney Cox and Neve Campbell returned with the indispensable David Arquette and the new arrivals brought their own spice to the screenplay, which celebrated the history of horror cinema more than anything.
“Ray Donovan: The Movie”
The fans asked for it, and Showtime responded. Liev Schreiber and the Boston tough guy gang came back to finish the story that the drama series started nearly a decade ago. When the television show was abruptly canceled a few years ago, the story line for Schreiber’s anti-hero bruiser was incomplete. David Hollander’s (co-written with Schreiber) film resonated deeply in closing the Ray-Mickey Donovan subplot, and working as an 80’s style thriller at the same time. As Jon Voight’s criminal crooner would say, well done, Ray Ray.
“Dog”
It may not win the best title, but the Channing Tatum-starring crowd-pleaser was smarter than it looked and was easy on the eyes and senses. Any film about a disgraced Army Ranger taking a road trip with the dog with some unexpected adventures and bonding happening is a green light. Reid Carolin and co-director Tatum did a fine job bringing this one together. Oh, and a little Bill Burr goes a long way. All movies don’t have to reinvent the book or move your world; just take the edge off and pass the time.
“Fresh”
This wickedly original Hulu Original gifted Sebastian Stan with his best role yet. Sorry, Bucky fans, but his good-looking creep chef, Steve, was a true delight for sinister horror fans. I would try to explain the plot of Steve and Daisy Edgar-Jones’ Noa, but so many goods would be spoiled. It’s not what you think and what you think, at the same time. It’s about real best friends, wrong first impressions, sick things that the 1% of the 1% do, knowing how to bite a dick, and well… yeah go watch it. Worth the monthly $6.99 fee for Hulu.
“The Batman”
Matt Reeves made his movie. While there were some similarities to previous Batflick worlds, this Robert Pattinson-starring “Nightcrawler” mixed with “Blade Runner: 2049” blend did get into the mind quite a few times. Pattinson’s slow burn, subtle descent into the madness of justice played very well with Edgar Wright’s trustworthy Gordon; they formed a dark and grim Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson coda. Colin Farrell’s young Penguin was brilliant, and Zoe Kravitz’s devilish Catwoman does a number on you. That car chase midway is nearly as good as sex.
“Bisping”
Sports documentaries travel down one road the past six years: ScorG Productions. From hockey enforcers (“Ice Guardians”) to criminals-turned-actors (“Trejo”) to Hall of Fame goaltenders with a good story (“Making Coco”), Adam Scorgie and his team make riveting and thought-provoking movies out of the incredible stories of almost superhuman people. Michael Bisping certainly qualifies. He’d knock the five o’clock shadow off your face and crack a laugh about it… if you cross him. The UFC champ fought half of his career with one working eye. Watch the doc, and don’t mess or doubt Mr. Bisping.
“X”
The horror genre can be a little overcooked for my taste at times, but this seedy and well-constructed Texas porn shoot gone wrong screwdriver of a movie is a true experience. Mia Goth’s crazy eyes are the only ones that can match Anya Taylor-Joy for cinematic firepower, and she carries this hypnotic and slow-building scarefest. Fun fact: Ms. Goth pulls double duty.
“The Adam Project”
Ryan Reynolds is very good at playing a wise-cracking smart ass with few redeemable traits but carrying a few worthy skills as well. He adjusts that easy-to-please persona for this heartwarming sci-fi adventure. A pilot crash lands from the future, and will need his 12-year-old self (a very good Walker Scobell) and father (hilarious and loose Mark Ruffalo) to save the day. Forget everything else and know this: when the three of them are playing catch and suddenly not playing catch, you’ll feel a lump in your throat.
“Ambulance”
Michael Bay can be hit or miss-depending on the explosion count-but this one flew lower to the ground and packed a potent one-two-three punch with its stars, Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Eiza Gonzalez. Throw in some highly inventive camera work and a very game Garret Dillahunt, and you have a special kind of adventure film. This was Tony Scott type Bay work, and that I love. Emotionally-assessable action entertainment.
“As They Made Us”
The best script in 2022 belongs to Mayim Bialik’s family drama. Abby (Dianna Agnon) has to return home and help her medically declining father and foul mother (an excellent Candice Bergen) get through a tough period. When there’s nothing big happening on the screen except for the words and actions coming from the characters, an indie darling is taking place. That’s what I would call this bittersweet yet wise flick.
“The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent”
The epitome of Cage on screen for a couple hours, with a very good Pedro Pascal and some film history adoration in the passenger seat, is my kind of time at the movies. From a Cage cinema museum to unexpected friendships and a never-too-serious tone, this is what I call a winner. It won’t win awards or reshape Cage’s career, but it nailed what it was going for.
That’s all for now. Yes, I did see “The Northman” and “Everything Everywhere All The Time.” The former was fine overall and the latter was more, but neither resonated enough with me to hit this list--at least not after one viewing. Some movies take longer, or don’t hit everyone the same. Like they say, make your own list.
See you the next time I feel like rambling.
Well, I can see I have a couple of movies to see. You're absolutely right about, "The Adam Project", "Dog", and "Ambulance."