2022 Film Awards
It feels like 2022 has come and gone in a flash, and honestly I'm not really sure what to make of it. As for films I can give a resounding shrug. It's been alright, some good, some bad, but a whole lot of underwhelming this year. Normal I struggle with my top and bottom five films but I actually found this year rather simple, instead it was the categories I felt were considerably more difficult, there were few things that stood out to me as particularly memorable or interesting. But that's not to say there weren't great things that I saw, and that's why we are here today to celebrate the best and worst that the year had to offer. As always any film released theatrically in the UK between January and December 2022 will be considered here, and as with any year I simply didn't get to see everything so I'm sure there will be some absolute gems that I missed out on. But without further ado, here's my 2022 Film Awards!
Films watched this year:
230 (53 New Releases) Longest film watched:
Avatar: The Way of Water - 190 mins (3 hours 10 mins) |
Hours watched:
437 (18 days nonstop) Most watched film:
Dune x3 |
Top 5 of 2022:
#5: The Worst Person in the World (Directed by Joachim Trier)
#5: The Worst Person in the World (Directed by Joachim Trier)
Kicking things off is Joachim Trier's finale to his Oslo Trilogy. The Worst Person in the World really moved me in unexpected ways, and I found myself relating to Julie (Renate Reinsve) as she confronts the end of her twenties and her fears of becoming stuck in a life she doesn't want for herself. A funny, sad, and refreshingly honest portrayal of life as a twenty-something, The Worst Person in the World really impressed me.
#4: Turning Red (Directed by Domee Shi)
#4: Turning Red (Directed by Domee Shi)
Pixar may have been a bit hit and miss over the last few years but Turning Red is not only a hit, but it's arguably their most ambitious film in a long time. Tackling issues teenage girls all over the world face, namely the transition into womanhood, Turning Red presents a family friendly, hilarious, and yet also important message about emotional development and menstruation. The subject of much controversy around its release, Turning Red is a film that should be celebrated not only for its excellent writing and gorgeous animation, but also for talking about everyday issues that are wrongly considered dirty and shameful.
#3: Elvis (Directed by Baz Luhrmann)
#3: Elvis (Directed by Baz Luhrmann)
Baz Luhrmann and I have a rocky relationship, but his latest venture, a biopic of the King of Rock & Roll, really knocked my socks off. Presented from the viewpoint of Elvis' (Austin Butler) talent manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks), the film tracks the star's rise, turbulent middle years, and untimely death in a toe tapping one-hundred and sixty minute spectacular. With an outstanding performance from Butler in the leading role, and a rocking soundtrack, Elvis was one of the most entertaining films of the year.
#2: The Batman (Directed by Matt Reeves)
#2: The Batman (Directed by Matt Reeves)
The battle between my top two entries was so tight that it essentially came down to a coin toss as to who won. But one factor won out, and that was what the film managed to achieve with the budget it had. The Batman therefore takes my number two spot simply because it had almost ten times the budget of the number one entry and wasn't quite as creative with it. But Matt Reeves' dark and gritty take on Batman and the whole of Gotham City in this loose adaptation of The Long Halloween did the seemingly impossible and stood toe to toe with Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight and arguably even topped it in places. Like Todd Phillips' Joker, The Batman proves that DC's properties seem to work best outside of the constraints of a cinematic universe and are even stronger in the hands of auteur filmmakers wanting to break the mould. The Batman joins the upper echelon of superhero movies alongside the likes of The Dark Knight, Spider-Man 2, and Logan, and I am beyond excited to see where Reeves takes the sequel.
#1: Everything Everywhere All At Once (Directed by Daniels)
#1: Everything Everywhere All At Once (Directed by Daniels)
Everything Everywhere All At Once really feels like a love letter to the unlimited possibilities of cinema. Riffing on the popular multiverse trend seen in superhero films, Everything Everywhere All At Once takes a normal woman (Michelle Yeoh) filing her taxes and turns it into one of the most inventive and imaginative films I have ever seen as she must save the multiverse from total annihilation. Taking the title quite literally, the possibilities are endless with Everything Everywhere All At Once, but it remains grounded with some amazing performances and a touching emotional core of a mother trying to reconnect with her daughter. It must be seen to be believed.
Bottom 5 of 2022:
#5: Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Directed by David Blue Garcia)
Bottom 5 of 2022:
#5: Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Directed by David Blue Garcia)
It's a shame that the latest Texas Chainsaw Massacre film turned out like this, because it looked quite promising from the trailers. A combination of unlikable characters, a dull and cliché story, and little relevance to the original film meant that despite some creative kills Texas Chainsaw Massacre is not worth anyone's time.
#4: Morbius (Directed by Daniel Espinosa)
#4: Morbius (Directed by Daniel Espinosa)
If anybody thought this was actually going to be good then you're deluded. Sony continue to try and push for their Spider-Man spin-off universe by following up the universally panned Venom: Let There Be Carnage with one of the worst received superhero films since 2016's Suicide Squad. The only positive thing to come from Morbius failing as spectacularly as it did was that audiences managed to convince Sony to give the film a second run in theatres, only for nobody to show up and costing the studio millions as a result.
#3: Blonde (Directed by Andrew Dominik)
#3: Blonde (Directed by Andrew Dominik)
There are few films I proclaim that I hate, but Blonde is one of them. I was actually quite looking forward to Andrew Dominik's adaptation of the controversial Joyce Carol Oates novel about the life of Marylin Monroe (Ana de Armas). With a star studded cast and all the hallmarks of a modern classic in the making, Dominik's film instead was needlessly cruel, devoid of all hope and happiness, and outrageously exploitative. Maybe I just didn't understand it, but Blonde managed to get under my skin and piss me off in ways I didn't even know were possible.
#2: After Ever Happy (Directed by Castille Landon)
#2: After Ever Happy (Directed by Castille Landon)
The only film in this list I didn't write a review for, After Ever Happy is the fourth film and 'conclusion' to the much maligned After franchise. Following the continually turbulent relationship of young heartthrobs Tessa and Hardin (Josephene Langford & Hero Fiennes Tiffin), After Ever Happy is as cohesive and well written as its nonsensical title. What's worse is that it doesn't even wrap things up despite supposedly being the final film in the franchise. The After films were never cinematic excellence, but After Ever Happy torched what little hope this franchise had of sticking the landing.
#1: 365 Days: This Day & The Next 365 Days (Directed by Barbara Bialowas & Tomasz Mandes)
#1: 365 Days: This Day & The Next 365 Days (Directed by Barbara Bialowas & Tomasz Mandes)
Not one but two films share the grand prize of worst film of the year this year. Yes, Netflix and Polish directors Barbara Bialowas and Tomasz Mandes unfortunately gave us two helpings of 365 Days in 2022, rounding off the erotic thriller trilogy that nobody wanted or enjoyed. Every single aspect of both of these films was abysmal, and whilst at time that could deliver some funny moments as actors struggled with the horrendously written dialogue, or the directors ignored the most basic principles of filmmaking. But overall I wouldn't wish any of the three 365 Days films on anyone, so to have endured two of them in a single year was almost enough to make me throw in the towel.
Best Director
Daniels - Everything Everywhere All At Once
Best Director
Daniels - Everything Everywhere All At Once
This was my instinctual choice even after leaving my first viewing of Everything Everywhere All At Once. The directorial duo of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (credited as Daniels) achieved something I can't even begin to fathom with Everything Everywhere All At Once. The events of the story are so outrageously spontaneous that juggling all of those story threads and multiversal possibilities all whilst trying to keep the film easy to follow, funny, and emotionally engaging is a juggling act quite unlike anything I've ever seen before. Hot dog fingers, talking rocks, kung-fu, animation, raccoons that use people like puppets...Everything Everywhere All At Once has so many possibilities and Daniels manage to reign it all in to be coherent and enjoyable without ever losing what makes it feel so spontaneous and limitless.
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Austin Butler - Elvis
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Austin Butler - Elvis
Austin Butler is a relative newcomer to feature films. A former Disney star who had a small role in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, but Butler truly burst onto the scene this year portraying the legendary title character of Baz Luhrmann's Elvis. Butler delivers such a mesmerising performance, and nails the King of Rock and Roll's mannerisms, physical presence, and his iconic voice. In fact, looking at archival footage of the real Elvis Presley alongside Butler's performance, you'd be forgiven for not realising that they are in fact different people. A true powerhouse of a performance that carries the entire film, Butler could be one of Hollywood's best new actors.
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Michelle Yeoh - Everything Everywhere All At Once
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Michelle Yeoh - Everything Everywhere All At Once
We all know that Michelle Yeoh is an amazing actress as it is, but Everything Everywhere All At Once allows her to showcase so many of her skills all at the same time. She's endearing, she's extremely funny, she's heart-breaking, she can still deliver in action scenes, and all whilst she looks like she's having the time of her life. The character of Evelyn is our vessel through the complex and limitless world of Everything Everywhere All At Once and thanks to Yeoh's fantastic performance the audience can so easily latch on to her and experience everything she is going through.
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Paul Dano - The Batman
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Paul Dano - The Batman
I love a great villain, and Batman has some of the best villains in all of comic books. Whilst Heath Ledger's performance of The Joker in The Dark Knight is legendary, I would argue that Paul Dano's take on The Riddler is just as good, if not even better. I was terrified of this man, and my heart was in my throat every single time he was on screen. But his performance was so powerful that even when he isn't in a scene I was finding myself clawing at the armrests in the cinema with anxiety induced terror awaiting his next appearance. I most certainly hope he gets to reprise the role in future sequels.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Angela Bassett - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Angela Bassett - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
I'll tell you what, I was not expecting this. I was preparing to award this to Viola Davis for her performance in The Woman King, but Angela Bassett came out swinging from way over in left field and sucker punched me with what is arguably the most moving performance I have ever seen in a Marvel movie. There was nary a dry eye in the room when Bassett's powerful speech about having lost her entire family came around and her incredible power left me genuinely breathless. If she isn't in the running for an Oscar I'm kicking off.
Best Scene
The Funeral - The Batman
Best Scene
The Funeral - The Batman
The funeral of Mayor Mitchell (Rupert Penry-Jones) exemplifies everything great about Matt Reeves' The Batman. Starting off as a sombre contemplation about Bruce Wayne's (Robert Pattinson) tragic childhood, and slowly escalating to incorporate social class issues, and the role of the mob in keeping Gotham on its knees. Things take a sinister turn when The Riddler (Paul Dano) executes his plan, placing Batman in one of the most tense big screen predicaments he has ever been in. Truly nail biting, edge of your seat stuff.
Best Action Sequence
Trench Run - Top Gun: Maverick
Best Action Sequence
Trench Run - Top Gun: Maverick
There was never going to be any competition here, the moment I watched this sequence I knew that was it, and Top Gun: Maverick has set an unfairly high bar for future action films to attain. What makes the final mission in Maverick so thrilling is knowing that this is done almost entirely with practical effects, incredible pilots, and some amazing technical ingenuity. Watching this in a cinema was one of the most thrilling cinema experiences I have ever had, and whilst I didn't care much for the film as a whole, Maverick's action sequences are bar none the most exhilarating thing I have seen on the big screen since Mad Max: Fury Road almost a decade ago.
Best Scare
The Birth of Man - Men
Best Scare
The Birth of Man - Men
I'm not even really sure what was going on in this scene. All I know is that I am genuinely scarred for life and that it will absolutely catch anyone off guard that wasn't expecting Alex Garland's folk horror to go full Cronenberg body horror in its final act (so everyone basically). Bring a sick bucket and watch through your fingers folks!
Saddest Scene
Everything Everywhere All At Once - Everything Everywhere All At Once
Saddest Scene
Everything Everywhere All At Once - Everything Everywhere All At Once
The emotional climax to this multiversal action-comedy was one of the most moving moments of 2022 for me. I won't go into too much detail as it is quite literally the moment the film has been working towards the entire time, but seeing Evelyn come to terms with her failings in multiple universes and do what she can to course correct all of them and prove the films main antagonist wrong was the cherry on top of an already phenomenal cake.
Biggest Disappointment
Jurassic World: Dominion (Directed by Colin Trevorrow)
Biggest Disappointment
Jurassic World: Dominion (Directed by Colin Trevorrow)
Another award with multiple contenders. I found so many films that I was looking forward to missed the mark this year, but none stung quite as much as Jurassic World: Dominion. The premise was amazing, the trailer looked fantastic, and the setup that the admittedly sub-par predecessor Fallen Kingdom had provided was brilliant. But Dominion fails to deliver as both a finale to the Jurassic World trilogy, and a nostalgic throwback to the original Jurassic Park films. It reeks of studio interference with too many plotlines, a horrendously long runtime, underwhelming and phoned in performances, unfinished and overused CGI, and a lack of resolution. Hopefully this franchise has finally gone extinct.
Biggest Surprise
Everything Everywhere All At Once (Directed by Daniels)
Biggest Surprise
Everything Everywhere All At Once (Directed by Daniels)
Another tough one this and it could have gone to so many contenders. But Everything Everywhere All At Once has cleaned out shop this year and is taking basically any award it can get its hands on. I went in with zero expectations, I didn't even really know what I was going to see other than it being a comedy about the multiverse. There were so many surprises, I was crying with laughter, and I have not stopped gushing about it ever since I saw it. I really love it when I unexpectedly fall in love with films as much as I have Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Best Score
The Batman (Composed by Michael Giacchino)
Best Score
The Batman (Composed by Michael Giacchino)
Matt Reeves' grittier and darker take on Batman was in need of a score just as grimy and grim as Gotham, and Michael Giacchino certainly delivered. With a mix of slow building and grandiose themes, combined with a couple of perfectly placed licensed songs, and some fast tempo hard hitting action pieces, Giacchino's score ratchets the tension up to unimaginable levels and unleashes it with unbridled fury.
Best Soundtrack
Elvis (Performed by Elvis Presley & Various Artists)
Best Soundtrack
Elvis (Performed by Elvis Presley & Various Artists)
Remixing Elvis extensive catalogue of music with more modern songs was a risky move but one that payed off massively for Elvis. Accompanied by a handful of original songs from artists like Doja Cat and Eminem, the soundtrack to Elvis is well worth listening to on its own merits as well as giving the film a real pulse.
New But Old
Dead Poets Society (Directed by Peter Weir)
New But Old
Dead Poets Society (Directed by Peter Weir)
I watched a lot of older films for the first time this year and there were a lot of contenders for this award. But Dead Poets Society was a clear frontrunner from the moment I watched it. Following a group of teenage schoolboys who befriend their new English teacher, Mr. Keating (Robin Williams), and with his guidance discover the wonders of poetry. With their new found expressive outlet, the boys experience great love and great loss all in a single school semester. A film that genuinely moved me to tears, and re-affirmed by adoration for the creative arts and its necessity in education. Dead Poets Society may be a classic for many, but for me it's a newly discovered gem that I am so happy to have discovered.
Best Animated Film
Turning Red (Directed by Domee Shi)
Best Animated Film
Turning Red (Directed by Domee Shi)
The only animated film to get in my top five this year, there was going to be no competition when it came to Turning Red. Pixar's latest gave women's issues a platform they are almost never afforded, and it did so in a way that was both educational to kids as well as highly entertaining for the entire family. In a world where animated family feels seem to go for low brow humour and outdated animation styles, Pixar continue to strive for better as they always have done.
Best Documentary
Fire of Love (Directed by Sara Dosa)
Best Documentary
Fire of Love (Directed by Sara Dosa)
I somehow went the entire year only watching one documentary film. After hearing rave reviews about Fire of Love I checked it out on Disney+ and lets just say it suddenly took me back to my five year old mentality of being amazed by volcanoes. Following the careers of volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft, as well as assembling photographs and footage captured by the pair, the documentary is a really beautiful tale of an extraordinary couple. Stunning cinematography, and an unforgettable story, Fire of Love may have been the only documentary film I watched this year, but it was one of the best I have seen in a long time.
Best Rewatch
Avatar IMAX 3D
Best Rewatch
Avatar IMAX 3D
With the release of Avatar: The Way of Water just a couple of weeks ago, James Cameron and Disney teamed up to remaster and re-release the original Avatar with 4K HDR enhancements, a Dolby Atmos remaster of the score, and some quality of life improvements to the CGI. I was apparently the only person in the world who didn't see Avatar on the big screen back in 2009, and so I took the opportunity to watch Avatar on the biggest screen in the UK at the BFI IMAX and it really didn't disappoint. Whilst 3D was the bane of the early 2010's, I found it oddly nostalgic walking into a cinema, being handed some 3D glasses, and proceeding to jam them hard up against my normal glasses and get eye strain for two hours and forty minutes. Well worth seeing on the big screen, even if my nose and eyes hated me afterwards.
Most Anticipated Upcoming Film
Dune: Part Two (Directed by Denis Villenueve)
Most Anticipated Upcoming Film
Dune: Part Two (Directed by Denis Villenueve)
My choice for most anticipated film last year went to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Part One, but that never released and got bumped into 2023. So to avoid repeating myself I will opt for my other joint most anticipated film of 2023 and that is of course Dune: Part Two.
Last years Dune was one of the most spectacular sci-fi films I have ever seen, and because of it I have re-watched Dune multiple times this year and even read some of the books. I can't wait to return to Arrakis to see Paul and the Fremen rise up and wage war against the Harkonnen's. I'm sure it'll be every bit as spectacular as the first film and with some great new additions to the cast I am overwhelmed with anticipation.
Last years Dune was one of the most spectacular sci-fi films I have ever seen, and because of it I have re-watched Dune multiple times this year and even read some of the books. I can't wait to return to Arrakis to see Paul and the Fremen rise up and wage war against the Harkonnen's. I'm sure it'll be every bit as spectacular as the first film and with some great new additions to the cast I am overwhelmed with anticipation.