LOOKING BACK
Watch: Jeff Zhang's Blissful 'A Year in Film 2022' Video Retrospective
"What if it I told you… in about an hour, you'll leave here… different." Cinema can move, inspire, or change us. Better late than never, as they always say. We may already be well into 2023, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy another look back at the movies of 2022! Film critic Jeff Zhang (who runs the website Strange Harbors) put together this fantastic "A Year in Film 2022" movie trailer mashup retrospective, featuring clips from many of last year's movies. We also featured Jeff's video from last year - his editing is always on-point in capturing the moods and themes of so many great films from the previous year. "It was an absolute delight to journey through the year’s cinema, and I hope you'll join me as I take you through 2022 one more time. With feeling." I'm so happy to see Payakan getting a big moment in this! Payakan rules! It's also nice to see footage from Decision to Leave, Athena, Nope, Crimes of the Future, Bones and All, and many others (that didn't win any awards this year) in this. A final look back at 2022's movies just after the Oscars. Enjoy.
› Posted on March 13 in Feat, Looking Back, To Watch | Comments
Another Video Countdown of the Top 30 Films of 2022 by Sam Smith
Have you seen all of the best films of 2022 yet? Which of the most talked about films do you still need to watch? With the 95th Academy Awards ceremony just over a month away (on March 12th), there's still a bit of time to catch up with more of last year's top movies. Graphic designer Sam Smith put together his own Top 30 Films of 2022 video, inspired by David Ehrlich's annual project. This one isn't as elaborate or as complex as Ehrlich's creation, it's more of a straight forward video countdown - going through the 30 films one-by-one. It's only 3 minutes and features a few quick clips from each of his 30 favorites - some hidden gems on it, too. I always enjoy watching these kind of film videos mostly because it's fun to discover what's going to come next on his list. Did he love EEAAO?? Of course he did! Wow look how high up in the Top 10s the donkey film EO is! He definitely loved that one (the music in this vid is also from that film). View below.
› Posted on February 2 in Lists, Looking Back, To Watch | Comments
Looking Back: Alex's Top 10 Favorite Films of 2022 - Laundry & Taxes
"Of all the places I could be, I just want to be here with you." Another year, another Top 10. After watching over 400 films throughout 2022 (always logging everything on my Letterboxd) it's time to share my final selection of My Top 10 Favorite Films of 2022. I try to watch as much as I can and give myself time to catch up with any extra films at the end of the year, but my favorites can come from anytime in 2022. The one that stuck with me all the way through the year was Everything Everywhere All at Once - I really believe it's an all-timer, on the same level as The Matrix in terms of its technical innovation and dynamic storytelling. I went to see it four times in theaters and I knew that nothing would knock it off the top spot. A few of my other faves are from the many film festivals I attend all year. Whatever really grabs me, connects deeply with me, brings out the emotions, and impresses me visually is usually what I fall for above all else.
› Posted on January 16 in Feat, Lists, Looking Back, Review | 1 Comment
Watch: David Ehrlich's 'The 25 Best Films of 2022' Video Countdown
Here we go again, movie lovers!! One of the best 2022 recaps is a video countdown made by my colleague David Ehrlich (follow him @davidehrlich). He counts down his 25 best films of the year in a video edited together with footage and music from the films. It's one of the best ways to look back at the year, including footage from films beyond the 25 that made his list. Watch all of these!! They're worth it. David's Top 25 of 2022 is as unique and as intriguing as always, and you will likely agree with many of his favorite films from last year. His highlights: After Yang, Top Gun: Maverick, RRR, Decision to Leave, Nope, Tar, Hit the Road, and Everything Everywhere All at Once (also my #1). Plus a few unexpected picks like We're All Going to the World's Fair, Jackass Forever, and EO. Year after year, this is a must watch video for every cinephile.
› Posted on January 9 in Feat, Looking Back, To Watch | Comments
Watch This: A Heartfelt Tribute to 'The Best Movie Animals of 2022'
One more look back at the movies of 2022 is a special tribute to The Best Movie Animals of 2022. This lovely video was edited by Luís Azevedo for Little White Lies, and features footage of many of the different animals seen in various films throughout this year. He misses a few big ones, but includes many of the most important ones. The most beloved and recognizable animals in films this year are: the dog and the donkey (Jenny!) from Martin McDonagh's The Banshees of Inisherin, and the donkey from Jerzy Skolimowski's EO, plus all of the horses in Jordan Peele's Nope, and the Belgian Malinois doggie from Channing Tatum's Dog movie. And maybe the cat from A Man Called Otto. There's also a couple of terrific docs about animals: All That Breathes (about birds in India), Wildcat (about rescuing ocelots), The Biggest Little Farm sequel (watch the trailer); plus all the dogs seen in Bitterbrush. Every animal on screen deserves a tribute.
› Posted on January 1 in Feat, Looking Back, To Watch | Comments
Check This Out: A Beautifully Illustrated List of the Best Films of 2022
"The moment you said you loved me, your love had to end. The moment your love ended, my love began." Another year has come to an end, which means it's time to look back at the best films released over the last 12 months. Artist James Chapman, based in Manchester, UK, has just published his Top 20 Films of 2022 list on Twitter - by drawing a cute little illustration for each & every favorite film. I've been an avid follower of Chapman for a few years already (this isn't the first time he's done this) and I am a big fan of his artistic style. He draws and colors images in a little notepad and includes the pens & markers in the shot every time. I just think it's adorable to see all these unique illustration for all of these films - many of them are my faves, too (Decision to Leave and Everything Everywhere All at Once are in my Top 10). He created 23 images in total, and I've included the Top 12 films below to peruse. Click back over to his Twitter to see his entire list.
› Posted on December 30 in Feat, Lists, Looking Back | Comments
Watch: Sleepy Skunk's 2022 Movie Trailer Mashup Recap of the Year
"Now… the nightmare begins." Let's take a look back! It's time for an emotional look back at all the movies from 20221. Our longtime friend the "Sleepy Skunk" has debuted his annual end-of-the-year recap video - the 2022 Movie Trailer Mashup - utilizing footage from every major movie trailer released throughout 2022 edited together to make you smile and get all mushy. Louis, who makes this mashup every year, puts a lot of time and effort into making sure this plays perfectly. I'm happy to see clips in this from Petite Maman, Turning Red, Marcel the Shell, Close, The Sea Beast, Belle, and Athena, among others. Though it has such a dark start this year! But it brightens up by the end. View below and enjoy this magnificent 2022 video recap.
› Posted on December 30 in Looking Back, To Watch, Trailer | 1 Comment
Take Just a Few Minutes to Watch - Our Favorite Short Films from 2022
Please watch more short films! FirstShowing has proudly supported and promoted short films for more than 10 years. We love shorts! Many of the very talented filmmakers working today got their start in Hollywood by launching with a short (e.g. Wes Ball with Ruin / Dan Trachtenberg with Portal: No Escape). As a year end recap looking back at 2022, I've listed 14 of my favorite short films below to give them some extra attention. Each one of these shots is embedded directly in the post via YouTube and they're worth a watch. All of them! Whichever one catches your eye, just click play and enjoy. Shorts are amazing because you can do anything - animation, sci-fi, musical, comedy, whatever comes to mind. From an awesome mashup like Uncharted vs Tomb Raider vs Indiana Jones to a lovely tribute with Volcano Pilot to an inspiring doc like Joe Buffalo to an amusing made-at-home sci-fi comedy like Black Hole. The creativity is off the charts! And they're a reminder a good story or a good idea can be impactful even within just a few minutes.
› Posted on December 23 in Lists, Looking Back, Short Film, To Watch | Comments
'Something in the Design' - Our 10 Favorite Movie Posters from 2022
With the year almost over, it's time to look back and highlight some favorites from the world of movies. Our writer Ethan Anderton used to publish his list of the Best Official Movie Posters, but I'm taking over and will return to highlighting some of my favorite designs. Below is my personal selection of 10 Favorite Movie Posters from 2022. These aren't necessarily the "best" rather they're my own favorites that stuck with me. I'm not as much a fan of minimalism (like many of my designer colleagues) as I am a fan of striking imagery - using visuals to convey a feeling, a vibe, a message. It's not only about aesthetic, as it is how you position and place the images to tell a story. This is easier said than done, because you can't just slap a character on the poster and call it today (this happens way too often). These 10 posters stuck with me as compelling, eye-catching, creative designs that really make me want to watch every one of the films. Check them out below.
› Posted on December 21 in Feat, Lists, Looking Back, Posters | 1 Comment
Watch: 'A Year in Film 2021' - A Movie Trailer Mashup by Jeff Zhang
"I have no words… my voice is in my sword." We may already be well into 2022, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy another look back at the movies of 2021! Film critic Jeff Zhang (who runs the website Strange Harbors) put together this fantastic "A Year in Film 2021" movie trailer mashup retrospective, featuring clips from many of last year's movies cut together. "It's late this year, but I spent 50+ hours and the last two months finishing my passion project: my annual A Year in Film edit. Lots of love went into this year’s video, so grab a seat and celebrate the movies of 2021 one more time." This is one of the best year-in-review recap videos for 2021, with the editing throughout seriously kicking ass taking us back through many great movie moments. This makes me want to rewatch so many of them! Have you watched Pig yet? What about Titane?
› Posted on February 15 in Looking Back, To Watch | Comments
Looking Back: Alex's Top 10 Favorite Films of 2021 - 'Dune' & 'Limbo'
"The mystery of life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience." Another year, another Top 10. After watching over 460 films throughout 2021 (yes I was keeping track on Letterboxd!) it's time to share my final selection of My Top 10 Favorite Films of 2021. I try to watch as much as I can and give myself time to catch up with any extra films at the end of the year, but I also want to make sure I don't forget about some of my favorites from earlier in the year. 2021 was an invigorating and exciting year - with so many ups and downs. But as always, I'm lucky to have a chance to discover terrific films. This year in cinema took us on journeys to far away places, distant planets, as well as to mountaintops and valleys and deserts around this planet. I'm a sucker for visuals and style; the better a movie looks, the more I enjoy it. But I also need to feel the emotions, and when a good one really gets to me, that's the kind of film that sticks with me all year.
› Posted on January 17 in Feat, Lists, Looking Back, Review | 2 Comments
Watch: David Ehrlich's 'The 25 Best Films of 2021' Video Countdown
"So may we start?" Here we go again! One of the annual must-see best of the year lists is a video countdown made by my colleague David Ehrlich (follow him @davidehrlich). He counts down his 25 best films of the year in a video edited together with footage and music from the films. It's one of the best ways to look back at the year, including footage from films beyond the 25 that made his list. (If you haven't seen Annette yet, get on that stat!) David's Top 25 of 2021 is as diverse as always, and you will likely discover a number of great films from this video. A handful of my favorites are featured as well, including The Power of the Dog, In the Heights, Titane (yes!!), and The Worst Person in the World (this exceptional Norwegian film about a woman's relationships). Year after year, this is a must watch video for any and every movie lover out there.
› Posted on January 10 in Feat, Looking Back, To Watch | 2 Comments
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