Before 2023 starts throwing films our way, get caught up on some of 2022’s worthiest films! In case you’re waiting with baited breath for me to talk about the biggest box office ballers like Avatar: The Way of Water, Top Gun: Maverick, or Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, feel free to breathe. They’re not on this list. Not because they aren’t worthy, but because I just haven’t seen them. In fact just about every film on the highest grossing list of 2022 I have not managed to see because… life breaks free. Plus you probably don’t need anyone telling you why to go see those titans of film, but if you’re looking to break away from the more well-trodden path let me recommend some lesser-known flicks.
In no particular order other than the order I put them in:
1. Violent Night
Starring David Harbour, John Leguizamo, and Beverly D’Angelo, Violent Night is a hella fun movie about a Santa Claus killing off terrorists to save a family. It revives the Christmas spirit for even the most humbug of viewer while decorating everything in blood. A new holiday classic I’ll be sure to watch very year! Read my full review of Violent Night
2. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery presents a top-notch, well-known cast including: Daniel Craig, Janelle Monae, Edward Norton, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, and many more recognizable faces. A group of friends who call themselves “The Disruptors” gather together on a private island owned by Miles (Edward Norton) for a regular old vacation full of fun, alcohol, sun-bathing, and a murder mystery party. Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), the greatest detective in the world, mysteriously receives an invitation as well. Why would the presence of the greatest detective be requested for a small get together of best friends? Once on the island, truths start to be revealed and murder is afoot, leaving the surviving guests paranoid and pointing fingers as to who started this mess and who’s next. It’s up to Blanc to unveil the real truth. Knives Out was a terrifically fun whodunit that rewarded attentive viewers, and Glass Onion is a worthy follow up. Like the titular onion, this film’s mysteries are layered and eager to be unfolded to reveal new answers and enigmas alike.
3. Bullet Train
Bullet Train scrutinizes the idea of luck, fate, and coincidences through the story of five assassins who all cross paths at one time on one bullet train. Is it good luck, bad luck, fate, or just a coincidence that they all end up on the same train together? Few films manage to set things up and pay them off as expertly as Bullet Train– each action is a drop of water which creates a ripple that escalates to something bigger until it crashes satisfyingly against the shore. The first part of the film is slow on the action, but it doesn’t matter because all the actors, Brad Pitt, Joey King (The Princess), Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, elevate their characters to greatness. Taylor-Johnson and Henry, playing Tangerine and Lemon respectively, make you fall in love with their cheeky characters faster than a one minute man. This is one of the few times that this Action Chick didn’t mind just watching people hang out and chat.
Read my interview with director, David Leitch: Part 1
Read my interview with director, David Leitch: Part 2
4. Day Shift
Pour a glass of blood and settle in for a light-hearted, blood-soaked movie about slaying vampires. Vampire hunter Bud (Jamie Fox), used to be part of a vampire hunting union but violated the rules so many times he got kicked out. Now, he desperately needs money to pay his daughter’s private school tuition; so he comes crawling back to the union, willing to do whatever it takes to make ends meet…even if that means following the rules. He’s granted a trial period on the day shift under the supervision of nerdy union rep, Seth (Dave Franco). Franco and Fox rank among the all-time great “buddy cop” pairings, with Franco’s comedic meekness and sheer commitment to the part pairing nicely with Fox’s dry sense of humor and no-nonsense approach to slaying vampires. Franco in particular does such a good job at portraying Seth as an uncool, rule-following nerd that even something as small as him climbing into the back of a truck becomes comedy gold. Plus we’ve got Snoop Dog as a cowboy vampire hunter as the cherry on top of this wild sundae. Day Shift is fast, fun, and gory- a good time for all boys and girls.
5. Prey
The most recent installment of the Predator franchise, Prey, manages to stand worthily up alongside the Schwarzeneggar classic. Amber Midthunder sizzles as Naru, member of the Camanche tribe, who goes up against Predator (Dane DiLiegro) in a match of whom can out prey whom. Read my full review of Prey
Part Two coming soon!
Disclaimer: Just because I am the Action Flick Chick and love action movies does not mean I condone real life violence in any way. Everyone has their own shit to deal with, be nice to each other.
