Another year has gone by. What were CanCulture’s top movie picks of the year?
By: Mariana Schuetze
The year is finally over. And after a long, pandemic-induced hiatus, the film industries are back in full force. From the usual superhero blockbuster to long-awaited sequels and arduous journeys through the multiverse, 2022 brought an abundance of amazing movies to our homes and theatres.
It’s difficult to narrow down our top picks, but the Film Section challenged our CanCulture masthead to pick one film as their all-time favourite of the year. Rest assured, each and every film has been approved by our in-house cinephile and film editor, Mariana Schuetze.
SHE SAID (MARIA SCHRADER)“Movies about real-life events always fascinate me. As a history and film buff, they are the perfect piece of entertainment for me. And as a journalist and someone who lived through (even if as a kid) the #MeToo movement, I was very excited to watch this one. She Said follows The New York Times journalists Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor as they investigate sexual abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein. What I absolutely loved about this film is how it captured the process of writing a news story. I’ve just started doing journalism in person and seeing them working out of a newsroom with other journalists was, honestly, a lot of fun. And the two badass women that led the narrative certainly didn’t hurt. Plus, I went to the movies to watch it as I was doing my CanCulture Instagram takeover, which was so much fun — so it was definitely a very special day overall.”You can rent She Said for $24.99 on Prime Video and watch it in select theatres.
DO REVENGE (JENNIFER KAYTIN ROBINSON)“In my opinion, this year in film wasn’t a year to write home about, but Do Revenge managed to encapsulate all that revolves around teenage angst, identity and the ramifications of technology. With a well-liked gen-Z cast, this film was filled with fun and humour as it expressed an important message to audiences about cyber bullying and its impacts. Plus, the costumes and cinematography were perfectly fitting and appropriate for the Netflix original.”You can watch Do Revenge on Netflix.
THE MENU (MARK MYLOD)“A riveting, bloody dinner party that wraps clever commentary on classism, pretension and fine dining practices inside horror satire. I’ll watch any movie where men run around, screaming, in fear for their lives while the women sit and drink wine. Will Tracy and Seith Reiss’s dry humour mixed with absolute delusion, I could not stop laughing.”The Menu isn’t available on streaming, but you can still watch it in select theatres.
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (DANIEL KWAN AND DANIEL SCHEINERT)“Although this film has little to no connection with Canadian culture, this science-fiction film about the endless possibilities manages to tackle themes of love, acceptance, nihilism and Asian-American family dynamics. Combine that with a parody of a Pixar film and hot dog fingers and you have yourself one of the most memorable films of the millennium.
You can watch Everything Everywhere All At Once on Prime Video.
NOPE (JORDAN PEELE)“If you say yes to watching Nope, you’re in for a ride at a Wild West theme park with cowboys and aliens. Jordan Peele’s original take on a UFO thriller is fresh, exciting and hilarious with eclectic performances and breathtaking cinematography. As a Peele-fan who grew up fascinated by extraterrestrial creatures, this experimental sci-fi felt like a fever dream come true.”
You can watch Everything Everywhere All At Once on Prime Video. You can rent Nope for $6.99 on Apple TV.
INCANTATION (KEVIN HO)“I love horror movies, but it’s been awhile since one spooked me the way Incantation did. This Taiwanese film provided a really refreshing and immersive horror experience. I also loved the cultural references that I could relate to!”You can watch Incantation on Netflix.
BROTHER (CLEMENT VIRGO)“Sons of Caribbean immigrants, Francis and Michael, try to navigate their personhood in a housing project called The Park amidst rising societal tensions in the summer of 1991. As the duo attempt to find their footing during the early growth of Toronto’s hip-hop scene, this tale is a testament to the resilience of a marginalized community, brothership and what music can do for the soul.”Brother isn’t available on streaming, but it will be playing at the TIFF Bell Lightbox theatre from Jan. 26 – 29, 2023.
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (DANIEL KWAN AND DANIEL SCHEINERT)Because having it only once on this list just isn’t enough…”So many stellar movies came out this year that it’s really hard to pick a favourite. Matt Reeves gave us the best superhero film in years with Matt Revees’ The Batman, Sara Dosa’s Fire of Love was a beautifully mesmerizing documentary from start to finish, and Clement Virgo’s Brother was a tender and faithful adaptation of the 2017 novel of the same name. Even Jackass Forever is deserving of praise for being some of the most fun — albeit juvenile fun — I’ve had in a theatre in a while. But for me, the standout movie of 2022 is Everything Everywhere All At Once (EEAAO). Endlessly creative and eccentric, yet deeply moving and thought-provoking, the film packs so much into its two-hour and 20-minute runtime. I’m a sucker for weird movies, and EEAAO does such a phenomenal job of exploring weird and wonderful ideas, all while grounding the audience in a sentimental story which culminates in an emotional sucker-punch of an ending.”
BULLET TRAIN (DAVID LEITCH)“The majority of the characters either hold grudges against one another or are the target of grudges while seeking to flee the consequences of past crimes. All are either hired killers or other violent criminals related to the world of crime. This action comedy is probably one of my favourite movies this year and I have watched it more than 10 times. The direction, the cinematography, the script and the actors made this movie a success for me.”You can rent Bullet Train for $5.99 on Prime Video.
TOP GUN: MAVERICK (JOSEPH KOSINSKI)“The action and adrenaline in this legendary Tom Cruise film were unforgettable! Each character was well-developed and had a rich backstory that gave the plot dimension. Just as well, the cinematography during the flight scenes was spectacular to watch! Genuinely made me feel like I was in the cockpit myself! This film will take you on an adventure and leave you in such a good mood after.”You can rent Top Gun: Maverick for $5.99 on Prime Video.
THE GOOD NURSE (TOBIAS LINDHOLM)“The Good Nurse, starring Eddie Redmayne and Jessica Chastain, is the definition of a quiet movie with a deep impact. It’s a perfect example of keeping the viewer engaged despite them knowing how it’s going to end — it’s a true story, after all. The humanistic, empathetic take on a very dark situation is a testament to the extremely talented team that put it all together.”You can watch The Good Nurse on Netflix.
STAY THE NIGHT (RENUKA JEYAPALAN)“I watched this movie on a whim during one of those arbitrary Thursday nights when no school project feels imminent enough to do, and it brought me so much sadness and joy. It was less plot, more character study, and pays such special homage to Toronto, the city of its making. Its tenderness might’ve resonated more with me because I could recognize the streets our protagonist Grace walked down or because I saw myself in the way her days crumbled on a TTC streetcar seat. Nevertheless, the movie felt like a tribute to the solemnity and quiet melancholy of growing older but not growing up: of watching everyone you know move on without you to a gentle life while you watch from the sidelines.”You can rent the movie for $5.99 on Apple TV.
With this, let’s wrap up our fun little list. What was your top film of 2022?
I can’t wait to see what movies 2023 has in stock for us. But until then, I’ll (re)watch every single one on this list.
