Just like every year that has come before it, there are a plethora of new releases that are slated for release in 2022 that I am eagerly anticipating. From last years list, I'm still waiting on releases for Guillermo Del Toro's “Nightmare Alley”, Jean-Pierre Jeunet's “BigBug”, Asghar Farhadi's “A Hero”, Zhang Yimou's “Under the Light” and Park Chan-wook's “Decision to Leave” (phew! Did any of my anticipated films come out at all last year???). Obviously these are still hugely anticipated and should be considered an extension of the below list (but I do not like including the same titles for multiple years). Besides the titles below that I am shining a spotlight on, 2022 will see a number of new and exciting films from talented directors, the likes of (again) Guillermo Del Toro (“Pinocchio”), Steven Spielberg (“The Fabelmans”), Steven Sodergergh (“Kimi”), Francois Ozon (“Peter von Kant”), Rian Johnson (“Knives Out 2”), Sebastian Lelio (“The Wonder”), Martin McDonagh (“The Banshees of Inisherin”), Adrian Lyne (“Deep Water”), James Cameron (“Avatar 2”), Darren Aronofsky (“The Whale”), Damien Chazelle (“Babylon”), Baz Luhrmann (“Elvis”), Robert Eggars (“The Northman”), Jordan Peele (“Nope”), Takeshi Kitano (“Neck”), David Fincher (“The Killer”), Paul Schrader (“Master Gardener”), Andrew Dominik (“Blonde”), Claire Denis (“Fire”) and (“The Stars at Noon”), Kelly Reichardt (“Showing Up”), and Terrence Malick (“The Way of the Wind”) to name but a few. Not only that, but we are also getting new entries in the following horror franchises, “Halloween”, “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Scream” (which I have actually already seen and can report it is very good). All of the above I am looking forward to, but the below nine films are my most anticipated films of 2022:
DARK GLASSES
I cannot help myself! I know I said in my review for the travesty that was “Dracula 3D” that I would never anticipate another Dario Argento film, but now that time has finally come, I find myself once again eagerly waiting for its release. The film in question was originally going to be Argento's next film after “Sleepless” way back in 2001, however that all changed when the company that bought the script for the film went into bankruptcy. However the rights to the script have finally reverted back to Argento, and the film has already been shot, with post production taking place as we speak. “Dark Glasses” is meant to be a giallo, the genre where Argento has produced all of his classic work in, and the imdb describes the plot as so: “Diana, a young woman who lost her sight, finds a guide in a Chinese boy named Chin. Together they will track down a dangerous killer through the darkness of Italy.” In a recent interview with co-writer Franco Ferrini, he stated that the entire second half of the film is an extended chase sequence, which sounds exciting and full of promise, if Dario Argento can pull it off. With Argento currently at the age of 81, I am guessing that “Dark Glasses” will probably be his final film, so lets hope he goes out with a bang, and delivers one final giallo classic.
FLUX GOURMET
I can honestly say that I have no idea how this film will end up, and out of all the films on this list, “Flux Gourmet” has the biggest chance of being a total dud. However, it makes it on here plain and simply due to the crazy, genius who has created the film, Peter Strickland. I have long been a fan of his very odd and unique films, and absolutely loved his previous film “In Fabric”, a movie about a killer dress!! “Flux Gourmet” sounds equally bizarre and its imdb synopsis is as follows: “Set at an institute devoted to culinary and alimentary performance, a collective finds themselves embroiled in power struggles, artistic vendettas and gastrointestinal disorders.” Um, what?!? That sounds more than a little insane, but I trust Strickland to deliver the goods here once again. Interestingly, Peter Strickland was a guest at MIFF a few years back, and he is such a quiet, unassuming man that it is hard to believe he is the author of such insanity. I always say though that I love cinema that is different from the norm, willing to take a chance, and above all that is original. One thing about Peter Strickland you could never deny, he is a true original. “Flux Gourmet” stars Asa Butterfield, Gwendoline Christie, Ariane Labed, and Strickland regular, Fatma Mohamed. It should be interesting.
BONES AND ALL
I have never really been drawn much to Luca Guadagnino's previous films which is a bit of a surprise, as he has a larger than life operatic style that I usually respond favourably towards. Maybe its his sensibilities that I do not connect to, because all of his films are very well made from a technical point of view, but whenever I come out of his films, my response is either “Ugh!” (like for his recent “Suspiria” remake) to “meh....” (“A Bigger Splash”). My favourite film from Guadagnino is “Call Me By Your Name”, but even that I didn't love as much as the masses. So why would a film made by a director I do not adore make it on this list? Two reasons, actually. The first is because the plot of the films sounds messed up and has been described like this: “follows a young woman who joins a drifter on a road trip across Reagan’s America as they learn to live on the margins of society.” That doesn't sound messed up, you say! True, but it has been also described as a cannibalistic horror film, which just whets my appetite. The other reason has to do with the cast he has assembled, particularly his leading lady. Guadagnino has cast Taylor Russell in the lead female role, and I am so excited that she has been given another juicy role to take a (ahem) bite out of, after impressing in the highest fashion in “Waves”. She was an absolute revelation in that film, and I want to see her in something just as fantastic as that again, and I think “Bones and All” could be that film. The rest of the cast ain't half bad either with Guadagnino reuniting with his “Call Me By Your Name” star Timothee Chalamet, plus Mark Rylance, Michael Stuhlbarg, Chloe Sevigny, Andre Holland, and Jessica Harper filling out the rest of the roles.
X
It has been six whole years since director Ti West has treated us to a new film and nine years since he released a new horror film, but 2022 finally ends that drought. “X” is West's brand new film and its synopsis reads like this: “In 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas, but when their reclusive, elderly hosts catch them in the act, the cast soon find themselves in a desperate fight for their lives.” The newly released trailer shows a vibe similar to “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” and yet there seems to be a whole lot more going on, particularly in regards to the old woman. The film is being released in March, so the wait wont be long to see this, which is good because it looks fantastic and it will be great having a brand new Ti West film once again. After his spectacular 2009 film “The House of the Devil”, West essentially gets a free pass for life from me; not that he needs it, as his horror films always seem to hit the right spot. The fact that this is being distributed by A24 is also a big plus as they are known for their quality horror projects. West has also put together quite the cast including Jenna Ortega (who incidentally was excellent in the new “Scream”), Brittany Snow, Martin Henderson and the always interesting Mia Goth. I gotta say, I am excited for “X” big time!
INFINITY POOL
Whilst I was not a fan of his debut film, “Antiviral”, I totally fell hard for Brandon Cronenberg's sophomore effort “Possessor”, and the fact that he has quickly followed that up with another horror / sci fi hybrid is the sole reason that “Infinity Pool” makes it onto this list. Imdb describes the film like this: “James and Em Foster are enjoying an all-inclusive beach vacation in the fictional island of La Tolqa, when a fatal accident exposes the resort's perverse subculture of hedonistic tourism, reckless violence and surreal horrors.” Sounds good, and mark that down as another messed up film on this list! Mia Goth also shows up again here, but the stars of the film are Alexander Skarsgard and Cleopatra Coleman in the roles of James and Em. Cronenberg reunites with his “Antiviral” and “Possessor” cinematographer Karim Hussain, so if all else fails, at least we know that “Infinity Pool” is going to look spectacular at least.
POOR THINGS
This is the brand new film from Greek madman Yorgos Lanthimos, the king of “messed up” films! This new one sees him reunited with one of his stars from “The Favourite”, Emma Stone, and “... will be a Victorian tale of love, discovery and scientific daring; [it] tells the incredible story of Belle Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by an eccentric but brilliant scientist.” I actually know a little more about the plot but am not sure if this will be a major spoiler or not (so beware and stop reading now if you do not want to know more), but apparently Emma Stone plays a pregnant woman who drowns, and then is brought back to life via the brain of her unborn baby. That sounds more like the Yorgos I know and love! It has been also described as Frankenstein-like love story, and if anyone doesn't know about my love of “Frankenstein”; it is extreme! Also in the cast of “Poor Things” is Margaret Qualley, Willem Dafoe, Christopher Abbot, and Mark Ruffalo. I have no doubt that this thing will be amazing.
ASTEROID CITY
After a torrid 2020 and 2021, thanks to the worldwide pandemic, it appears that the cinematic Gods are finally looking down on us, giving us two new Wes Anderson films in two consecutive years (in fact, it could potentially be three films in three years, as he has just begun filming on yet another new film). “Asteroid City” is his latest film, and although nothing is really known about the plot, it is thought to be a romantic film set in Europe. Anderson completed shooting in Spain late last year, so it appears a certainty for a 2022 release. He has brought along his usual troupe of actors with him including Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Jeffrey Wright, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Tony Revolori, and Adrien Brody, adding to that amazing list with superstars such as Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Margot Robbie and Maya Hawke. Similar to my opinion of Pedro Almodovar, I have entire faith in Wes Anderson, no matter what the content of the film is, that it will definitely be worth watching.
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
Any other year and this latest film from Martin Scorsese would have clocked in as my most anticipated of the year. Similar to Dario Argento, Scorsese turns the ripe old age of 80 this year so it is fair to say that we are in the twilight of his career, and that each new film brings us closer to the end, therefore we must saviour each film we get from now onward. Unlike Argento though, Martin Scorsese is still working at the peak of his powers, and “Killers of the Flower Moon” sees him in charge of one of his largest productions of his entire career. It also sees the first teaming between Robert DeNiro and Leonardo DiCaprio in a Scorsese picture, which is very exciting. Based on a non-fiction book by David Grann, the film's plot is as such (as per imdb): “ Members of the Osage tribe in the United States are murdered under mysterious circumstances in the 1920s sparking a major F.B.I. investigation involving J. Edgar Hoover.” Sounds fantastic and like a great opportunity for Scorsese to flex his cinematic muscles. Besides the two superstar actors mention above, Scorsese has filled his ensemble cast with talent like Jesse Plemons (who actually plays the lead in the film), Brendan Fraser, Lily Gladstone, and John Lithgow, to name but a few. Behind the scenes talent is filled with Scorsese regulars like Rodrigo Prieto as D.O.P, Robbie Robertson on music duties, and of course Thelma Schoonmaker editing as usual. The production design is being done by Jack Fisk which is the first collaboration between these two great artists. I have a feeling this will be another long film with a running time close to three hours. This is Martin Scorsese; he is a living God, and there is no doubt in my mind that “Killers of the Flower Moon” will be spectacular. I hope after this though, that Scorsese turns his attention to a few smaller films, maybe even one final genre effort before his career comes to a close.
CRIMES OF THE FUTURE
My most anticipated film of 2022 is none other than David Cronenberg's “Crimes of the Future”. This was a film that a couple of years ago I was convinced would never happen. After the recent deaths of both his wife and his sister, it had seemed like David Cronenberg was content with his career and the fact that he may never get behind a camera ever again. It seemed like he was willing to just live the twilight years of his life, without working again. Personally, I had come to terms with the fact that “Maps to the Stars” was likely his final feature. Then early last year, word got out that he was considering filming a new project and I got very excited. Then came the bombshell; David Cronenberg was returning to body horror, the type of film he originally made his name from. But still the news got better in that it was revealed that Cronenberg was basing the film on a script he had written back in the 90's meaning this was the first original Cronenberg film (not based on a pre-existing property) since “eXistenZ” from 1999. If this doesn't get you excited, nothing will!! But wait.....there's more. Here is the plot synopsis (from Deadline): “[take] a deep dive into the not-so-distant future in which humankind is learning to adapt to its synthetic surroundings. This evolution moves humans beyond their natural state and into a metamorphosis, which alters their biological makeup. While some embrace the limitless potential of trans-humanism, others attempt to police it. Either way, Accelerated Evolution Syndrome, is spreading fast. Saul Tenser is a beloved performance artist who has embraced this new state, sprouting new and unexpected organs in his body. Along with his partner Caprice, Tenser has turned the removal of these organs into a spectacle for his loyal followers to marvel at in real time theater. But with both the government and a strange subculture taking note, Tenser is forced to consider what would be his most shocking performance of all.” WTF?!? It sounds crazy!!....and definitely Cronenbergian (is that a word?). The film was shot in Greece last year and is currently in post production with many believing it will premiere at this year's Cannes Film Festival. His main cast is also impressive with Lea Seydoux, Kristen Stewart and Viggo Mortensen (who was the person who initially broke the news about Cronenberg's return) starring. Regular Cronenberg stalwarts Howard Shore and Carol Spier return on musical and production design duties respectively. The big change though is that I believe “Crimes of the Future” will be the first film since “Dead Ringers” from 1988 that David Cronenberg has not used Peter Suschitzky as his cinematographer, with Douglas Koch performing those duties here. Finally, I must point out that “Crimes of the Future” is not a remake of the earlier short or underground film that Cronenberg made in 1970; only their titles are the same. It is hopefully very obvious how excited I am about “Crimes of the Future”, and whether or not it turns out to be the final film from David Cronenberg or if he catches the filmmaking bug again and this is the first film in the twilight stage of his career, it matters not! What matters is we are at least getting one more film from David Cronenberg!!!!
Well, that is it. My round up of the year that was 2021 is over. Hopefully you enjoyed reading it and got something out of it, but how about we go back to watching some new films now?
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