A look back at the year in films.
Unfortunately for Hollywood, it feels like the big tentpole blockbusters they usually rely on are severely lacking quality – most notably from both Marvel & DC.
The positive for film enthusiasts is what’s emerging through the cracks are much smaller-scale projects from both new & established filmmakers, bending the rules in terms of craft & storytelling.
10. Kimi
A slow-burning thriller with clear Hitchcockian vibes, directed by Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven). Zoë Kravitzcarries the entire film with ease, which is impressive given the almost entirely single-shot location.
9. Everything, Everywhere, All At Once
Smart, complicated & packed full of incredible performances from all involved, both emotionally and physically – this will no doubt be in the conversation come Oscar season, and rightly so. The Daniels wrestle with so many ideas and timelines but somehow it remains coherent, an impressive feat.
8. Prey
A sequel/prequel that didn’t feel like a cash-grab. Prey doesn’t even piggyback on the Predator title to sell tickets, just word-of-mouth. It’s slower to start but the payoff is bloody brilliant.
7. Jackass Forever
I haven’t laughed this consistently hard for a long time. Sure, its dumb man-child humour, but it’s fun that doesn’t require any further thinking. Johnny Knoxville and the crew managed to stay relevant without coming across as desperate for the spotlight.
6. Confess, Fletch
In the ‘90s this would become a cult classic, warranting multiple rewatches after buying the VHS or DVD. It’s short, sharp and highly amusing. Jon Hamm has been attempting to break the comedy genre for a while now, so it’s nice to see his quirks fully utilised.
5. Emily The Criminal
Aubrey Plaza has become a household name after The White Lotus, which makes the tonal change in character here so much more impressive.
4. The Stranger
They don’t make many films like this anymore. Another slow burner carried by two powerful performances. It’s tense and terrifying.
3. Nope
The final act of this film perfectly captures the most exciting aspects of Westerns, sci-fi and Jordan Peele’s previous films, and somehow blends them all together. It won’t sit well with everyone, but that’s exactly the point.
2. Top Gun: Maverick
What else is there to say, if you missed this one in cinemas you really missed out. It takes everything we loved about the original Top Gun & made it even better. Tom Cruise took a gamble on himself to keep this away from streaming services during COVID and it paid off ten-fold. It’s fun, fast-paced, the soundtrack rocks, and develops a whole new generation of characters worth investing in.
1. After Yang
This was technically a 2021 film, which is potentially why it hasn’t appeared on many lists but wasn’t officially released until April this year. Director Kogonada follows his 2017 feature debut, Columbus, with an equally stunning & emotional masterpiece. The beautiful cinematography sucks you into this futuristic world, and Colin Farrell continues to prove he is one of the finest working actors around.
Honourable Mentions: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Hustle, Vengeance, The Batman, Fresh, Weird, Cha Cha Real Smooth
The Worst: The Lost City, Thor: Love & Thunder, Dr. Strange: In The Multiverse Of Madness, Don’t Worry Darling, Morbius
Unwatched Or Unreleased In Australia: The Woman King, Elvis, Triangle Of Sadness, Tár, Babylon, The Fabelmans, The Banshees Of Inisherin, The Whale, The Menu
