A great appreciation of some grand films, and a good reminder of a few things I haven't had a chance to get to see yet. Exactly what I need from a "best" list.
I've only seen one (The Northman) and really did not like it. I don't think Eggers is for me, that's all. Anxious to see a bunch of them. I'll keep you posted!
Usually on such lists, I've seen a lot, and have at least heard of the others. But there's a lot on this list I don't know, and I only saw a few. However, I was disappointed that MY favorite movie of the year, Almodovar's Parallel Mothers wasn't on your list at all. I just watched it again, and am In awe it's great humanity.
LIVING. EMILY THE CRIMINAL WAR SOLDIER. WILDCAT. FIRE OF LOVE. THREE MINUTES A LENGTHENING. I admit to having been a bit hyperbolic and have not yet seen a couple of the ones you have. In any case, I value you as a writer.
"Living" is very good (though can't compare with Kurosawa's original), will be writing it up later this week. "Fire of Love" was in the runners-up, "Three Minutes: A Lengthening" could very well have been too. I liked "Emily the Criminal" -- I like everything Aubrey Plaza does -- but not enough to put on my year's best. Need to see "Wildcat" and "War Soldier"!
Wow, you nailed that line of Tár that you appreciated the whole thing but didn’t always like it. I also have noticed that there isn’t that “one” film, but I’m glad I am seeing some coalescence around Michelle Yeoh (actors who identify as female had the best performances this year by far so it’s no small feat). I have many to see on your list and only a few disagreements with the ones I’ve seen (I’ve decided Eggers is not my guy either @Jonathan Arnold; Marcel the Shell... deserves a Top 20 spot; and I would love to talk more about Top Gun and what seemed your very bad day when writing the review of it (which sounds more mellow now?)). That said, thanks so much for your entire year’s worth of advice on what to see and looking forward to 2023!
Some of these are on my watchlist already. I would have included: Petite Maman, Neptune Frost, Mr. Bachman and His Class, Lost Illusions, Strawberry Mansion, and Flux Gourmet (although my husband hated this one and left part way through). Maybe pair Flux Gourmet with The Menu. We were the only ones laughing in the theater when we saw The Menu.
Sarah (and Charlie below) -- "Petite Maman" was a 2021 movie and one of my picks for last year. I really need to see "Neptune Frost," it's on my gotta-watch list. "Strawberry Mansion" is really good, too. Haven't seen the others, although I'm a Strickland completist, so "Flux Gourmet" is on the list too.
Funny you would say that about PM, because I saw it at the same Sundance I saw Strawberry Mansion and World' Fair, so they would have been on my 2021 list. PM has made plenty of lists this year though, so it is weird.
I like how varied the list is, and how rich are the films that I've already seen. I'm seeing "EO" this weekend at the local Cinematheque (Aftersun, Fortunate Daughter, and No Bears will be there in January and February). I do think that "Petite Maman" deserves to be on one of the two lists. If I were to make a top ten, it would probably be there.
Wow, that review of the year was such a treat. I have already seen about half, but you are going to keep me VERY busy for the next month or two. Thank you!
The one i wont’ be seeking out, literally the only one, is the Cameron epic. Ew. It’s a trigger movie for some, me being in that number. It’s two-fold — being bored and turned off by the material and then contemplating how much money was spent on it makes me angry. What a dilemma!
Um, Jackass Forever??? j/k
Don't joke! It's on more than a few critics' lists!
A great appreciation of some grand films, and a good reminder of a few things I haven't had a chance to get to see yet. Exactly what I need from a "best" list.
Ty, no "Triangle of Sadness"? Not even in the runners-up?
Took me a bit to suss out what “IP extension” meant, but I am often last to the party.
Carol Mitchell
Thank you,Ty, for this wonderful list of films - an amazing early holiday gift to your readers!
All my best, Carol
Hated at least 15 of your 20 choices, but I guess beauty is once again in the eye of the beholder. Ira Wohl- (Oscar winner “Best Boy”)
Ira, what would be your Top 10 (or 5, or however many you'd want to name)?
Thank you for this.... some seen, some never heard of.... more additions to my never ending list of must be seen.
I've only seen one (The Northman) and really did not like it. I don't think Eggers is for me, that's all. Anxious to see a bunch of them. I'll keep you posted!
I created a Letterbox list for the Top 20: https://boxd.it/jB59I
And one for the Honorable Mentions: https://boxd.it/jB5y4
Where I have watched and liked 3 of them, esp. Kimi and Leo Grande.
Thanks for doing this Jonathan; it's very handy. I really should do Letterboxd, but there aren't enough hours in the day!
So many sites, so little time.
Usually on such lists, I've seen a lot, and have at least heard of the others. But there's a lot on this list I don't know, and I only saw a few. However, I was disappointed that MY favorite movie of the year, Almodovar's Parallel Mothers wasn't on your list at all. I just watched it again, and am In awe it's great humanity.
Not to mention it's great film making. Every scened in his films is like looking at a painting. I have only seen four of the above list.
Darrell, "Parallel Mothers" was a 2021 release and was on my best list last December: https://tyburrswatchlist.substack.com/p/the-best-movies-of-2021. (So was "Petite Maman," which is mentioned below.)
Ah...that explains it. I saw it in 2022 (last spring, at Dedham Community theater).
LIVING. EMILY THE CRIMINAL WAR SOLDIER. WILDCAT. FIRE OF LOVE. THREE MINUTES A LENGTHENING. I admit to having been a bit hyperbolic and have not yet seen a couple of the ones you have. In any case, I value you as a writer.
"Living" is very good (though can't compare with Kurosawa's original), will be writing it up later this week. "Fire of Love" was in the runners-up, "Three Minutes: A Lengthening" could very well have been too. I liked "Emily the Criminal" -- I like everything Aubrey Plaza does -- but not enough to put on my year's best. Need to see "Wildcat" and "War Soldier"!
Wow, you nailed that line of Tár that you appreciated the whole thing but didn’t always like it. I also have noticed that there isn’t that “one” film, but I’m glad I am seeing some coalescence around Michelle Yeoh (actors who identify as female had the best performances this year by far so it’s no small feat). I have many to see on your list and only a few disagreements with the ones I’ve seen (I’ve decided Eggers is not my guy either @Jonathan Arnold; Marcel the Shell... deserves a Top 20 spot; and I would love to talk more about Top Gun and what seemed your very bad day when writing the review of it (which sounds more mellow now?)). That said, thanks so much for your entire year’s worth of advice on what to see and looking forward to 2023!
"actors who identify as female"?
You mean women?
Other than that, thanks to Ty Burr for this list.
Some of these are on my watchlist already. I would have included: Petite Maman, Neptune Frost, Mr. Bachman and His Class, Lost Illusions, Strawberry Mansion, and Flux Gourmet (although my husband hated this one and left part way through). Maybe pair Flux Gourmet with The Menu. We were the only ones laughing in the theater when we saw The Menu.
Sarah (and Charlie below) -- "Petite Maman" was a 2021 movie and one of my picks for last year. I really need to see "Neptune Frost," it's on my gotta-watch list. "Strawberry Mansion" is really good, too. Haven't seen the others, although I'm a Strickland completist, so "Flux Gourmet" is on the list too.
Funny you would say that about PM, because I saw it at the same Sundance I saw Strawberry Mansion and World' Fair, so they would have been on my 2021 list. PM has made plenty of lists this year though, so it is weird.
I like how varied the list is, and how rich are the films that I've already seen. I'm seeing "EO" this weekend at the local Cinematheque (Aftersun, Fortunate Daughter, and No Bears will be there in January and February). I do think that "Petite Maman" deserves to be on one of the two lists. If I were to make a top ten, it would probably be there.
Wow, that review of the year was such a treat. I have already seen about half, but you are going to keep me VERY busy for the next month or two. Thank you!
The one i wont’ be seeking out, literally the only one, is the Cameron epic. Ew. It’s a trigger movie for some, me being in that number. It’s two-fold — being bored and turned off by the material and then contemplating how much money was spent on it makes me angry. What a dilemma!
Well, I watched Everything Everywhere All at Once last night and let's just say it won't be going on any of my 2022 lists, shall we?