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A life long cinephile from the Bay Area in Northern California. Aside from having written for various outlets since 2019, I've been podcasting since 2020.
(Currently Co-Hosting the Geekly Goods Roundup)
When I'm not indulged in a ridiculous amount of media consumption or losing track of days on my Nintendo Switch, I can be found at concerts or playing basketball.
This past year was jam-packed with all sorts of exciting cinema (especially since the last of the delayed, pandemic-affected films finally hit cinemas). From touching superhero tributes to mania with the multiverse, audiences seeking big spectacle were given all they can handle. We bid farewell to the Jurassic Park franchise. We saw a triumphant return to the aviation world of Top Gun. And after thirteen long years, we have finally returned to Pandora. While it may be a whole lot different from what it once was, the world of film is definitely alive and thriving.
As the film awards season rapidly approaches, I want to reflect on films that most people may not have had a chance to see. Whether it was a limited theatrical release or just not being available in smaller markets, I intend to showcase quality films that just didn’t get enough spotlight. Every year or so, there’s always a film or two that people have never heard of getting all kinds of nominations and accolades. Hopefully, after reading this you just might get a jump on that film “that comes out of nowhere.” Ideally, you’ll enjoy seeing all of these stories and spread the love.
Without further adieu, here are my top 5 underseen films of 2022.
Honorable Mentions
While current box office sensation M3GAN showcases a killer android, After Yang highlights the beauty and wonder of artificial intelligence. The film made its debut in July of 2021 at the Cannes Film Festival, however, most audiences wouldn’t see or have access to it until March 2022. Technically, it’s a 2021 release that most people saw in 2022 (hence it is an honorable mention) but it is an amazing one nonetheless. Colin Farrell delivers an understated performance in a sci-fi story that focuses more on emotions than futuristic advances. Director Kogonada ponders what qualifies as life in a picture that’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming.
Fans of Train to Busan or Eternals will recognize charming Korean star Don Lee, but those unfamiliar are in for a treat with The Roundup. The no-nonsense action flick with a generally by-the-numbers story had a very limited release. Despite the typical crime story viewers are gifted with furious, well-choreographed fight sequences and a star-making performance by Don Lee. Lee has great comedic timing yet can still be an intimidating force of nature when needed. Definitely a must-see for martial arts action fans!
The last honorable mention is a film that is not for the faint of heart (especially animal lovers). EO is Poland’s official entry for Best International Feature at this year’s Academy Awards. It showcases a simple but harrowing journey of a donkey named EO. Gorgeous cinematography and manic dream-like editing highlight this powerful tale that says a lot about human society without using words.
5.) Triangle of Sadness
Ruben Östlund directs the hilariously dark satire Triangle of Sadness. In an ensemble that is led by Woody Harrelson, it is remarkable that the standout performance is that of generally unknown Filipino actress Dolly De Leon. De Leon’s breakout portrayal has deservedly earned her numerous nominations for Best Supporting Actress.
Aside from De Leon’s historic work, Triangle of Sadness explores power dynamics under uproarious circumstances. Hilarity ensues between the elitist rich and the hard-working laborers they employ. Minus an excessively gross couple of minutes, this is definitely a film worth seeing.
4.) Marcel The Shell With Shoes On
This is one of the most imaginative and uniquely heartwarming films of the past few years. Marcel The Shell With Shoes On revolves around Marcel’s search for his long-lost family. Utilizing stop-motion animation and 3D printing, the adorable little shell comes to life in impressive fashion! Jenny Slate’s nasal pitch in her voice ensures cuteness overload behind Marcel’s tiny frame.
Credit to director Dean Fleischer-Camp and his animation director Kirsten Lepore for seamlessly blending the stop-motion puppetry with the live-action setting. Beyond the familiar family theme, the film also reveals the downside of becoming a viral Internet sensation. Fleischer-Camp packs a lot of reflection and perspective into the 90-minute run-time. That is Marcel The Shell With Shoes On‘s strongest trait. There isn’t a minute wasted.
3.) Aftersun
Charlotte Wells makes her directorial debut a memorable one. Wells both writes and directs Aftersun in a manner that not only feels real, but it feels achingly personal. On the surface, it’s a simple story about a father named Calum (Paul Mescal) on a road trip with his daughter Sophie (Frankie Corio). Yet with every passing frame, we slowly begin to peel back layers of a fragile relationship filled with complex emotions.
Not to spoil any concrete details, but the film gets more intriguing as more questions arise about mental stability of Calum. It is an admittedly slow-paced, subtle character study that may bore some viewers. However, Aftersun is an emotionally rewarding experience for those with the patience to commit to the vision.
2. Tár
Already a legendary actress with an iconic filmography, Cate Blanchett delivers yet another powerhouse performance in Tár. Blanchett is receiving a deafening amount of Oscar buzz, especially now that she just won the Golden Globe for Best Actress (In a Drama Motion Picture). Tár is a fascinating look at a talented music composer at the peak of their power. Not just talented, Lydia Tár (Blanchett) is considered a once-in-a-generation mastermind. Like most figures in power, there is a great amount of pressure being in the spotlight where no little flaw goes unnoticed. With the public examining every little decision, one can fall from grace in an instant.
Similar to iconic film auteur Terrence Malick, writer/director Todd Field really takes his time developing his features. The last film he created was 16 years ago! The fruits of that labor don’t go unnoticed here. There is so much detail and care put into Tár that along with Blanchett’s showmanship, I actually believed Lydia Tár was a real person.
1. Decision To Leave
Most film lovers that are familiar with director Park Chan-wook know him from his infamous “Vengeance” trilogy of films. Led by the popular cult classic Oldboy, those films were relentless, blood-soaked stories. Stories told with a style best described as twisted and disturbed. While there’s a little bit of violence to be had, Decision to Leave has a lot more in common with classic film noir than any of Chan-wook’s previous tales of brutal revenge. Luscious visuals accompany scenes of suspense and tension that would certainly make Alfred Hitchcock proud. From a simple murder investigation to a cavern-sized rabbit hole of ulterior motives, the twists and turns make for quite an unpredictable journey.
Watching Decision to Leave is akin to watching a master chef cook. You take sizeable portions of Vertigo, mix in a sprinkle of Se7en, a pinch of Chinatown, and a whole lot of flair and ingenuity. Like a gourmet chef, masterful filmmakers like Park Chan-wook can take a recipe and make it all their own. Not only is Decision to Leave an early front-runner for Best International Feature at the 2023 Academy Awards, but it also has the potential to be an all-time classic.
A life long cinephile from the Bay Area in Northern California. Aside from having written for various outlets since 2019, I've been podcasting since 2020.
(Currently Co-Hosting the Geekly Goods Roundup)
When I'm not indulged in a ridiculous amount of media consumption or losing track of days on my Nintendo Switch, I can be found at concerts or playing basketball.
This article was edited by John Tangalin.