Top 12 Movies of 2022
Everyone has their own list of favorite movies in their hearts. These are very subjective. These 12 movies can be regarded as my personal recommendation to watch. Movies are ranked I listed in no order of priority.
1. Avatar: The Way of Water 阿凡达：水之道-science fiction film
Avatar: The Way of Water is a 2022 American epic science fiction film directed and produced by James Cameron, who co-edited the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver from a story the trio wrote with Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno. Distributed by 20th Century Studios, it is the sequel to Avatar (2009) and the second installment in the Avatar film series.
James Cameron is really good at shooting underwater scenes. I recommend going to see IMAX 3D. The ocean scenery is gorgeous. I really like this movie, it’s a visual feast, the story is well-written, and it’s a must-see movie in the cinema.
2. Top Gun: Maverick 壮志凌云2：独行侠 -Action/Adventure
Tom Cruise did a phenomenal job, and I could see his hand throughout the whole movie. He does things to a superior and unmatched level. What blew me away most in this movie was how REAL it was. The footage of the aircraft carrier, the footage of the birds (F18’s and other aircraft), the realistic plot and storyline, the emotion and relationships, the unpredictability, and the humor and drama. Every element was REAL.
I LOVED the entire cast. There was a fantastic balance of dominating and quiet personalities, big egos and humility, hotshots and not-so-confident pilots, and hotties and geeks. Nothing was overdone, not even the humor or drama. I loved the balance between friendship, drama, growing closer as a team, resolution of conflicts, and support to family and healthy relationships. I totally enjoyed the film as I watched it with a helping of popcorn. There were moments when I felt excited, and emotional and even laughed along with the other viewers.
3. All Quiet on the Western Front (西线无战事)- War/Drama
It's a perfect film absolutely loved every second of it. Their lives before the war grow so distant and detached as your watch through the film. This film is a beautiful, but utterly bleak, masterpiece. It has stunning visuals, with some of the shots looking like they were painted with watercolors, terrific performances, and a fittingly cynical take on war and those who preach it. You can really feel it which is what I'm sure many real soldiers felt, that their pre-war lives were a lifetime away and that the world they knew was forever gone. The film feels long in a good way as it is so immersive and at times really scared me which literally no other film has ever done to me.
The enemy on the battlefield is actually death. War is a struggle for the interests of those in power, and the victims are ordinary people who are eager to end the war. May there be peace in the world and no wars.
4. Incantation 咒- Horror/Found footage
A mother recently recovered from a curse for breaking the rules of a Yunnan cult takes custody of her little girl from a foster home. She documents their life with a video camera. Strange things soon begin to happen. This is a very impressive movie, I have watched it for a long time, but I still remember the scenes in it. It verges on the surreal and is the equivalent of a nightmare. The viewer has no idea what will happen next. The unseen threats are diabolic and terrifying. I have to say that the ending of the movie really makes many viewers feel uncomfortable.
5. Thirteen Lives 十三条命-Drama/Survival
Thirteen Lives is based on true events in June 2018 when 12 Thai kids and their football coach were trapped .. and eventually rescued from the flooded Tham Luang caves. Thirteen lives is one of the best dramas to me. The film was very much capable of grabbing the audience’s attention from the beginning till the end. Everyone in the movie did an excellent job and the depiction of the sacrifices that were made by everyone in order to save the children was emotionally heartwarming! Seeing the local people come together to divert the water from flooding the cave, the sacrifice of the farmers, willing to let their crops be destroyed, and the life-threatening diving conditions kept me on the edge of my seat and at times in tears. The acting was superb as were the cinematography and effects. I love it!!
6. Triangle of Sadness 悲情三角-Comedy/Drama
I’m very surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie!!!! It’s a great social commentary on the power struggle in a couple’s personal relationship, the flaws of capitalism, and the patriarchy. The device for using a luxury cruise in an enclosed environment works really well. Highly recommend!!
7. Everything Everywhere All at Once-妈的多重宇宙Adventure
It is a film that takes its time to tell a good, well-written story, and isn’t bound by any stress to adhere to outside influence. It’s just a team of people making art and having fun while doing it, and you can feel that in the movie. In spans of less than five minutes, you could experience laughter, joy, confusion, anger, depression, fear, etc. as the story tells itself. The visuals, camera work, acting, choreography, costumes, lighting, sound design, set designs, and EVERYTHING are flawlessly executed. There isn’t a single moment where the movie isn’t screaming for your attention. Through all that noise, there is a very deep, relatable, and real story of generational trauma, finding yourself, dealing with your flaws, and fighting to be who you are and for your family to understand you for it. It is a beautifully masterful film, a true masterpiece of its time for sure, and hopefully will inspire other generations in the future.
8. FALL 坠落 thriller/Survival
I can confidently say I’ve never had a more VISCERAL reaction to a movie than I did to Fall. My palms were sweating the entire time. My heart was seriously pounding to the point I had to pause. I can confidently say I’ve never had a more VISCERAL reaction to a movie than I did to Fall. My palms were sweating the entire time. My heart was seriously pounding to the point I had to pause. Overall an amazing movie.
9. The Pale Blue Eye 淡蓝之眸 Mystery/Crime
I have to speak about this all-star cast! Incredible acting and dialogue — it was refreshing to see the characters of Landor and Poe present such raw emotion on screen. The twists and turns in the storyline along with its dark undertone, which is alike the grimness that oozes from Poe’s literary work, are sure to make for a great watch.
10. Decision to Leave 分手的决心 Mystery/Romance
This movie very slow screenplay. The film develops a desperate frustration similar to “In the mood for love”, only this is a thriller and has unique storytelling. Still not over this Pensive afterthoughts. Many may not grasp the emotion as this cinema is not meant for all, but an artwork worth watching.
11. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 刺猬索尼克2 Adventure/Comedy
The movie is so good! The movie is a love letter to Sonic fans of all generations, while still being fun for more casual viewers! While the first movie was good, it was missing most of the elements and lore from the game series, but the sequel completely corrects that. The film’s musical score was really nice and a step up from the first movie. There were many parts where the music really hit just right and complimented the emotional scenes perfectly.
Overall this movie was a blast and I highly recommend it! Whether you’re a kid or an adult, Sonic fan or not, there is something fun and exciting in this movie for everyone!
12. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery 利刃出鞘：抽丝剥茧Mystery/Crime
What an amazing compelling movie this was. You had Daniel Craig once again leading another mysterious murder mystery and he plays his role amazing in the movie as do all of the other actors/actresses who are Kathryn Hahn, Dave Bautista, and Madelyn Cline just to name a few, and were all very good.
This movie has a very good well thought story to it and you get to learn about all of the different characters in the movie which is good there are a couple of shocks and twists in the movie too which are interesting. Overall it is a great original film that is as good as its predecessor maybe even more entertaining.
Everyone’s preferences for movies are very different. In fact, there are still many good movies in 2022, and I haven’t watched them yet. Looking forward to good movies in 2023!!
Is there any movie you want to recommend to me? Welcome to leave a message to me.
