MOVIES & ENTERTAINMENT

Top 5 Epic Cinematic Successes from 2022

I personally didn’t think 2022 was a great year for movies, but there were several I enjoyed tremendously. These were my top five cinematic films from this year.

5 Movies You Should See at the Theater or at Home with Surround Sound

IMHO, there’s nothing like the big screen, surround sound, and popcorn when viewing a movie — except 3D.

I tried 4D one time, but when the seat tipped sideways when Smaug attacked Laketown, I spilled my $12 beer, and that was enough of that.

#1 — Avatar: The Way of Water

The only 3D movie we saw this year was Avatar: The Way of Water, and let me tell you, there’s nothing comparable.

This movie is set ten or more years after the previous Avatar movie. It tells the story of the Na’Vi family (the Sullys), their struggles and battles on Pandora when the Skypeople (Tawtute) return.

James Cameron directed and co-produced this cinematic extravaganza with Jon Landau. It stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Kate Winslet, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang.

To me, the stars’ names are unimportant. It’s the story. The CGI is incredible.

I wish you could view this trailer in 3D with surround sound so that you’d know how fabulous this movie is and why you should take the family to the cinema to see it. I chose IMAX!

Avatar: The Way of Water | Official Trailer

One thing that I didn’t like was using the theater 3D glasses. They made my nose hurt, and my head ache. I would strongly suggest getting a pair of 3D glasses or clip-ons, which I did when I got home from the theater.

Try these 3D clip-on for movies/theater or home viewing.

If you don’t wear glasses already, or if you want to put these over your glasses. 3D movie glasses passive unisex adult/teen passive 3D glasses Real-D Polarized Cinema Glasses (12 Pack).

For home-viewing, if you don’t wear glasses already, try these 3D glasses for Epson projectors.

You cannot stream this movie yet, though you can watch it with a Disney subscription. Wait a few months or go see it at the cinema, which I think is the way to go.

#2 — Top Gun: Maverick

Regardless of how you feel about Tom Cruise, Maverick was an excellent follow-up to the original Top Gun from 1986.

Maverick is phenomenal. There is no way I can do justice to this cinematic masterpiece without surround sound and CGI. Without surround sound, those low-level flyovers are pointless.

Go see it. The adrenaline rush alone is worth the price of admission.

I love how they were able to bring Val Kilmer (Lieutenant (LT) Tom “Iceman” Kazansky) back in the movie despite his real-life health issues and inability to talk. IRL, he has throat cancer, which he has so far been able to beat with multiple surgeries and other treatments.

Of course, like most movies that go above and beyond, some action scenes are unbelievable but so much fun.

Top Gun: Maverick | NEW Official Trailer (2022 Movie) — Tom Cruise

You can stream this movie with your Roku, Paramount+, Spectrum TV, Prime Video, ROW8, Vudu, Apple TV, and others.

#3 — Everything Everywhere All at Once

Yes, I could easily have made this my number one or two pick; it was terrific. However, the anticipation of waiting years for Avatar and Top Gun kept them in my thoughts, and I immediately wrote about those before this.

This movie was supposed to star Jackie Chan. Don’t ask me how they decided on Michelle Yeoh, but she was a brilliant choice, though I’m sure Jackie would have done it justice too.

“We were having trouble figuring out the casting for the father figure, and one of us started wondering what happens if we take Michelle’s character and flop it and she becomes the protagonist. And the film just opened up in a completely different way.” — Daniel Kwan.

He and Daniel Scheinert are the directing duo known as the “Daniels.”

Although this movie has been out for eight or nine months, people are still talking about it. Imagine a movie starring a 59-year-old housewife and mother who kicks serious ass! Just watch it already!!

Everything Everywhere All at Once | Official Trailer HD | A24

You can watch it on Roku, Paramount+, Spectrum TV, Showtime, Apple TV, and Prime Video.

#4 — Lightyear

Forget all the babble about how Tim Allen should have gotten the part. This is an entirely different story than Toy Story. It just happens to be a story about a hero with the same name, Buzz Lightyear.

This was an awesome film for the entire family to enjoy.

Buzz Lightyear — is the backstory of a hero who galvanized a generation of kids and inspired a toy. It’s a must-see 2022 film.

Lightyear | Official Trailer

You can stream Lightyear on Disney+, Vudu, and Prime Video.

#5 — Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Just wow! Based on the Marvel Comic superhero, Doctor Strange teams up with an unknown and mysterious teenaged girl to do battle to save the universe in multiple universes as suggested in the title.

To save millions in multiple universes, they must battle several enemies including virtual twins in other dimensions. If you can keep up with who’s who, you will enjoy this epic film.

Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness | Official Teaser

Stream this adventure on Disney+, Vudu, Prime Video, ROW8, or Apple TV.

Final Thoughts

These were five of the best we saw in the theater. However, I feel I must give credit or honorable mention to a few we saw at home.

Those were, Free Guy (hilarious and fun), Morbius, The King’s Man, Where the Crawdads Sing (but read the book first), Moon Fall, and Uncharted.

Most of these are available for streaming, though you might need to do a Google search to find them.

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Stephen Dalton is a retired US Army First Sergeant with a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and a Certified US English Chicago Manual of Style Editor. Also, a Top Writer in Nutrition, Investing, Travel, Fiction, Transportation, VR, NFL, Design, Creativity, and Short Story.

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