The 3 Best Movies of 2022 (and where to find them)

In 2022, Top Gun: Maverick And Avatar brought people back to the theaters (hurray). Aftersun, this year's C'mon C'mon, gave the feels. Elvis and Tar delivered uneven musical wows. Fablemans, Empire of Light and Babylon were maybe one too many films about Hollywood. And Everything Everywhere All At Once showed Dr. Strange and Marvel how to do the multiverse. But what films topped my list? Three very different films each bring laughs and tears in very different ways.

Best Dark Comedy: The Banshees of Inisherin

Colin Farrell, the actor who stars in a lot of movies you expect to be good, but aren’t, is finally in a good film. It’s feckin’ good. Banshees reunites In Bruge actors Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as frenemies living on the made-up Irish island of Inisherin in the 1920s. 

The island may not be real but from its thatched roofs, thick accents, local characters and dark brew pubs, this gorgeous film sure makes it seem so. Writer and Director Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Illinois) has assembled a dark comedy about two men and a friendship severed while giving a finger to predictive storytelling.

Where to watch: In theaters and available on HBOMax

Best Bright Comedy: Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

Here's to dreams of all sizes. This film has no mention of the multiverse or hammer-wielding heroes, just the charming delight of grand British actress Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread, The Crown) as a widowed, cleaning lady from London who dreams of buying a couture dress in Paris. 

The delight of the film exudes from Manville's charismatically authentic performance, director Anthony Fabian's attention to detail, a stunning peek into the lavish house of 1950s Dior and the contagious giddiness around the idea of pursuing a somewhat silly dream. Yes, it's a predictable rom-com in disguise. But it is the escapist film I've been waiting for.

Where to watch: Peacock and VOD

Best Documentary: Good Night Oppy

If you've been looking for the next My Octopus Teacher, it has landed. Good Night Oppy is about Spirit and Opportunity. Literally. Spirit and Opportunity are the names given to two rovers sent to Mars in 2003. They were expected to last 90 days but lasted an unprecedented 7 and 14 years respectively. Shown via FX from Industrial Light and Magic, we have the opportunity to see what wasn't shot on Mars and glimpse the semi-humanness of the rovers. I dare say that it will take you by surprise.

Where to watch: Prime Video

The Ten Buck Review: All worth ten bucks.

*Not available yet, but excited to see Living, Glass Onion and Women Talking before end of year.