INTRODUCTION
A brand new year and a brand new season of movie watching for me kicked off three months back. 2022 is going to have trouble following up the incredibly solid year for movies that was 2021, but as I write this its already delivered some really good to great stuff and we’re not even into Summer blockbuster season yet!
Anyhow, here are my thoughts on the March 2022 movie releases in alphabetical order of their respective release dates. A reminder, you can click this link to see how I grade films when I review them.
AGAINST THE ICE
- The Plot: In 1909, two explorers fight to survive after they’re left behind while on a Denmark expedition in ice covered Greenland.
- Quick Review: I can see how this could come off as a “made for the History channel” type movie, and the scenes of animals being injured and worse can be triggering. But the second half won me over and as someone who wasn’t that aware of the story behind this I found myself pretty gripped into learning about whether these guys were gonna make it or not. That and as I stated earlier this year with Munich: The Edge Of War, I'm a sucker for British historical dramas anyways.
- Initial Grade: B/C
THE WEEKEND AWAY
- The Plot: When her best friend vanishes during a girls’ trip to Croatia, Beth races to figure out what happened - but each clue yields another unsettling deception.
- Quick Review: Good lord did I end up hating this. I'm usually willing to tolerate some guilty pleasure bad “made for TV” style thrillers (See my C tier review for Netflix's Brazen from earlier this year in the second to previous post), but this had so many over the top twists and turns that I found myself laughing at the movie much more than being gripped. Not to mention a bunch of plot holes that I can't even touch on here without spoiling, and a final shot that had me howling at how bad the blocking and pacing was. I'm sure this comes off better on the pages of the book its adapted from than on screen, but this was a “so bad its almost good” kind of movie for me.
- Initial Grade: D+
AFTER YANG
- The Plot: When his young daughter’s beloved companion, an android named Yang malfunctions, Jake searches for a way to repair him. In the process, he discovers the life that has been passing in front of him, reconnecting with his wife and daughter across a distance he didn’t know was there.
- Quick Review: I wish this film kept the same energy up that it had during those amazing opening credits or else It'd be competing for an A+ from me, but unfortunately the pacing after that was hit or miss with me. It felt like a slog at times that was taking a bit too much time in a scene or two. However there were MANY more hits with me to be honest, with some unintentional ASMR moments and every time the plot seemed to be losing me it grabbed my attention again. There were some real beautiful and poignant scenes in regard to love and loss as well. I'm not sure this movie is one of those "multiple watches" for me, but I respected and liked a lot of it.
- Initial Grade: B+
FRESH
- The Plot: Frustrated by scrolling dating apps only to end up on lame tedious dates, Noa takes a chance by giving her number to the awkwardly charming Steve after a produce section meet-cute at the grocery store.
- Quick Review: I can see how this film's going to be too mean spirited and gross for some and expect some of those audiences’ scores to keep drip, drip, dripping down in the coming weeks and months as more catch this. There's a lot in this that on paper should disgust and repel me and yet somehow some of the filmmaking, writing, and the incredible performances here by our two leads in Sebastian Stan and Daisy Edgar Jones made me not loathe and despise it as much as I feel like I should have either. Overall, one of those horror flicks that I didn't particularly like, but I didn't loathe as much as I felt I should. It is what it is on my end.
- Initial Grade: B/C
THE BATMAN
- The Plot: In his second year of fighting crime, Batman uncovers corruption in Gotham City that connects to his own family while facing a serial killer known as the Riddler.
- Quick Review: While overlong, a bit bloated, and a climax that left me just a tad underwhelmed, after a decade of Snyderverse type visions of what the Batman character should be that didn't quite work for me, I'm happy to say Matt Reeves' vision does. Not only is the score addictive, the cinematography gorgeous, the performances top notch, the character arcs interesting, and a darker take on the Riddler in which Paul Dano does for the character what Ledger did for the Joker, but its also a superhero film that continues to show that as much as certain Directors want to keep denying it, this subgenre of movies can indeed be "cinema". A dark brooding noir that showcases that the cape crusader is truly the world's greatest detective. I just hope whatever comes after this isn't a major stepdown or my opinion of this film might not age well with time.
- Initial Grade: A+ To S Tier
THE ADAM PROJECT
- The Plot: After accidentally crash landing in 2022, time traveling fighter pilot Adam Reed teams up with his twelve year old self on a mission to save the future.
- Quick Review: Its interesting to see a prototypical Ryan Reynolds character have to deal with another prototypical Ryan Reynolds character (in kid form). Fun concept, plenty funny moments, and yet still has the action and thrills. Catherine Keener is underrated as a slimy baddie in here as well. The soundtrack is great, but unfortunately I feel like it wasn't place in more proper sections or used more to really integrate it into being an important part to the film like say a Guardians Of The Galaxy did. That said, this is still super enjoyable even if I didn't outright love it.
- Initial Grade: B+
TURNING RED
- The Plot: Thirteen year old Mei is experiencing the awkwardness of being a teenager with a twist – when she gets too excited, she transforms into a giant red panda.
- Quick Review: A movie that won't connect with everyone (Thus the divisive audience reactions outside the critics and cinephiles' bubble) and one that had some grating flaws for me - Felt the friends were "just there" and could have used more depth, thought the first and last couple minutes were the weaker points in the film, and I'm sorry but the voiceover work felt mediocre to me especially from Rosalie Chiang as Mei who comes off as a bit much with her personality. But Domee Shi blew me away with Bao years back and certain things I loved about that short are in this coupled with great animation and themes on family that connected with me; and themes on female puberty that thankfully my wife was able to point out to me as very well done and relatable as she ended up adoring the film much more than I did. I also laughed plenty times so the film had its humor even if not EVERYTHING worked great for me. Overall a movie I'm kind of wavering on and will wait to see if it can earn that A tier by the end of the year, but I might need more retrospective in my head or a re-watch or two to figure that out. In other words, keep an eye on this space.
- Initial Grade: B+
RESCUED BY RUBY
- The Plot: Chasing his dream to join an elite K-9 unit, a state trooper partners with a fellow underdog - clever but naughty shelter pup Ruby.
- Quick Review: The quality of the production and budget, the Disney channel type style, the predictable turns even for something based on a true story, and the hilarious addition of a magical whimsical old guy are why I can't give this an above average rating. And yet I found myself at times rooting for these two and it was interesting to see a little bit of what K-9 training is actually like, not to mention the heartfelt intentions behind it, all helped me to not outright dislike this either. Its a nice one and done watch on Netflix for the family.
- Initial Grade: B/C
CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN
- The Plot: This second remake of the beloved classic follows the raucous exploits of a blended family of twelve, the Bakers, as they navigate a hectic home life while simultaneously managing their family business.
- Quick Review: This movie is the definition of trying to do too much in just a little under two hours with a simple family film. I appreciate the commentary on topical stuff, but some of it could have used a script cleanup to make things feel less forced. Furthermore it feels overall like a long pilot to a would be new Disney show than the second remake of a story that Hollywood seems obsessed with re-doing. Finally the kids' acting is hit or miss with some really awful acting from more than a few, and the comedy can come off cringe at times. That said the movie still has a few funny moments and has its chances to show some heart. It doesn't feel like this was a movie that needed to be made, but eh its just okay more than bad and its where it belongs on Disney+.
- Initial Grade: B/C
DEEP WATER
- The Plot: Vic and Melinda Van Allen are a couple in the small town of Little Wesley. Their loveless marriage is held together only by a precarious arrangement whereby, in order to avoid the messiness of divorce, Melinda is allowed to take any number of lovers as long as she does not desert her family.
- Quick Review: While I didn't like this, I didn't outright despise it either like everyone else seemed to? Granted neither of these two characters are likable and the movie suddenly going from erotic thriller to over the top American Psycho wannabe' was nuts to see unfold; but I actually found myself wanting to see how it ended and didn't hate the ending as much as I should have on paper? I honestly thought it was more mediocre than outright bad. Perhaps Ben Affleck and Anna de Armas committed to their roles way too much to fall in love for a little bit while making such a forgettable flick.
- Initial Grade: B/C
MASTER
- The Plot: At an elite New England university built on the site of a Salem era gallows hill, three black women strive to find their place. Navigating politics and privilege, they encounter increasingly terrifying manifestations of the school’s haunted past and present.
- Quick Review: Yeah...I think this movie's well done tackling of white privilege and institutional racism has allowed it to get passes from some critics. While its well done and Regina Hall gives a nice and out of typical career performance in this, the film seemed to be battling between whether it wanted to be a supernatural thriller or a drama in a way that didn't mesh together for me. The finale felt way too convoluted and open ended for my taste, and ultimately this was a bit of a mess from what could have been a stronger movie to me had it been more organized in what story it was telling and what message it wanted to get across.
- Initial Grade: B-
THE OUTFIT
- The Plot: Leonard is an English tailor who used to craft suits on London’s world famous Savile Row. After a personal tragedy, he’s ended up in Chicago, operating a small tailor shop in a rough part of town where he makes beautiful clothes for the only people around who can afford them - a family of vicious gangsters.
- Quick Review: I loved Mark Rylance in this. I also dug the aesthetics and the slow burn anticipation that would make Hitchcock proud in certain scenes of tension. The score is great, the twists mostly work, and I can see this director potentially giving us something really special in their next project given what a solid debut this is; I'm really impressed with Graham Moore's ability to do so much within such a small space. The only major flaws for me is that the twists can get a little much to a point that they get in the way of the overall film. I also thought that final climatic scene could have been left on the cutting room floor. But overall a really fun and solid crime thriller that takes me back to the old school thrillers from the golden age of Hollywood. The more I think about this movie, the more I like it.
- Initial Grade: A-
UMMA
- The Plot: Amanda and her daughter live a quiet life on an American farm, but when the remains of her estranged mother arrive from Korea, Amanda becomes haunted by the fear of turning into her own mother.
- Quick Review: I gotta' be honest, I liked this a lot more than the critics and audiences seemed to based on the metrics I've read. Hell, I enjoyed this just a tad more than X, the other major new horror film that came out the same weekend as this. While the aforementioned Master was too much of a slow burn for me, this slow burn worked for me as it remained more consistent and less messy and the film knew when to wrap it up, which too many others don't. I dug the concept here and the ending was fine to me. Arguably more of a magical realism/supernatural tale than an outright horror flick, but overall I thought it was decent.
- Initial Grade: B-
WINDFALL
- The Plot: A man breaks into a tech billionaire’s empty vacation home, but things go sideways when the arrogant mogul and his wife arrive for a last minute getaway.
- Quick Review: There's so much I wanted to like about this from the bonkers performance from Jesse Plemons to Jason Segel showing some dramatic depth to the score which I loved. Unfortunately the rest feels like slow paced filler and its mean-spirited vibe didn't work with me especially since I did not like a single character in this save for the one minority character who's used as victim fodder in an over the top and unrealistic way. The positive aspects are the only thing from me giving this a D tier review.
- Initial Grade: C-
X
- The Plot: In 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in a secluded farmhouse in rural Texas. Their reclusive elderly hosts take a special interest in their young guests and, as night falls in, the couple’s leering interest takes a violent turn.
- Quick Review: Eh, I'm underwhelmed. Not a bad one, but once again another horror film that cinephiles lost their mind over that I didn’t personally adore as much as they did. The second half saved the film for me, as the first was well-shot and acted but I honestly hated every single one of these damn people and the movie going full horror made the kills worth it given how much I disliked those protagonists. Again I didn't dislike this thanks to the horror elements, but I'm not really in a rush to see it again either? It was decent at best.
- Initial Grade: B-
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
- The Plot: An aging Chinese immigrant is swept up in an insane adventure, where she alone can save the world by exploring other universes connecting with the lives she could have led. Unfortunately, this sweeps her up into an even bigger adventure when she finds herself lost in the infinite worlds of the multiverse.
- Quick Review: I can't believe The Batman didn't even last a month as my top film of the year, but I don’t know how any other movie this year is going to jump over this masterpiece that I just witnessed. As someone who's tired of all the infighting between movie fans, like Evelyn, THIS is the one movie that can bring us together!
Its like a mixture of weird arthouse cinema and audience engaging genre cinema all at once. If this doesn't get Oscars love it will truly show the Academy has lost taste. This is a movie I can recommend to my superhero movie loving friends and family and know they'll love it.
I have so many thoughts racing through my mind. This thing deserves ALL THE AWARDS. Every facet of film making shines in this thing. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. It combines family drama, action, adventure, visual effects, and even some romance that brought me to tears.
I haven't felt anywhere close to this about a new release since I walked out singing to myself leaving my In The Heights preview screening last June. I think this is going to undoubtedly be my favorite film of the year and after some re-watches may even be an all-timer. If it isn’t than good lord will 2022 end up a greater year for movies than I anticipated.
I seriously just can't thank directors, the Daniels, enough for making this a reality. Its why I keep going to the movies, hoping to discover new favorites like this one. I wanna' go take my wife now and see it when it opens wide later today as of the published date for this post. I adored this film so much.
I have so much more to say, but I gotta’ get my head straight and have only so much space even while having so much to praise. This deserves all the hype its getting. I can't wait to see this again!
- Initial Grade: A+ To S Tier
THE LOST CITY
- The Plot: A reclusive romance novelist was sure nothing could be worse than getting stuck on a book tour with her cover model - until a kidnapping attempt sweeps them both into a cutthroat jungle adventure, proving life can be so much stranger, and more romantic, than any of her paperback fictions.
- Quick Review: Could've used more Brad Pitt and the climax was sorta uh, anti-climatic. But those aside, plenty of laughs and fun moments in this one. Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum have good chemistry, and Daniel Radcliffe was clearly having tons of fun playing a comedic villain. Honestly felt closer to what Uncharted should've felt like from earlier in the year and if you’ll remember from my previous post I thought that one was decent for what its worth. The definition of a solid non-IP popcorn flick that we could use more of.
- Initial Grade: B+