Watched in 2022

As always, I prefer reading to watching a film or series, and I usually only have time for either one of them. However, that does not mean I don’t enjoy spending time watching a good film or binging an addicting series. Each year I tell myself I will watch more things in the new year, but that is never the case. I am hoping that it will change in 2023, as there are quite a few series I want to binge on Netflix.

Without further ado, let us look at the films and series I watched in 2022!

F I L M S

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

A ROMANCE AHEAD OF ITS TIME.

A story of love and life among the landed English gentry during the Georgian era. Mr. Bennet is a gentleman living in Hertfordshire with his overbearing wife and five daughters, but if he dies their house will be inherited by a distant cousin whom they have never met, so the family’s future happiness and security is dependent on the daughters making good marriages.

I rewatched this classic in the new year and loved it just as much as the first time.

The Tinder Swindler (2022)

MODERN LOVE IS A DANGEROUS GAME.

Posing as a wealthy, jet-setting diamond mogul, an Israeli conman wooed women online then conned them out of millions of dollars. Now some victims plan for payback.

This documentary went viral on social media, so I decided to watch it. It’s quite an important documentary, and it convinced me even more, to never use a dating app.

Don’t Look Up (2021)

BASED ON TRULY POSSIBLE EVENTS.

Two low-level astronomers, upon discovering that a meteor will strike the Earth in six months, go on a media tour to try to warn the world but find an unreceptive and unbelieving populace.

I decided to watch this one as everyone was talking about it, and I honestly did not like it. I appreciated the message behind the film, but it felt all over the place to me, and I did not enjoy it.

The Weekend Away (2022)

BASED ON TRULY POSSIBLE EVENTS.

Two low-level astronomers, upon discovering that a meteor will strike the Earth in six months, go on a media tour to try to warn the world but find an unreceptive and unbelieving populace.

As one of the biggest scaredy cats when it comes to watching a mystery/thriller, or even horror, I appreciate that this film was not scary. My anxiety also appreciated that this was a cliché and that the murderer was exactly who I thought it would be. However, the film could have been better, and a plot twist would have changed everything.

Getaway (2013)

GET IN. GET OUT. GETAWAY.

Former race car driver Brent Magna is pitted against the clock. Desperately trying to save the life of his kidnapped wife, Brent commandeers a custom Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake, taking it and its unwitting owner on a high-speed race against time, at the command of the mysterious villain holding his wife hostage.

Always fun to rewatch a Selena Gomez film. My little sister and I watched this one together again and had a fun time.

The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes (2022)

THE BRIGHTER THE STAR, THE DARKER THE TRUTH.

This documentary explores the mystery surrounding the death of movie icon Marilyn Monroe through previously unheard interviews with her inner circle.

I wish films about Marilyn Monroe would stop, as she deserves to rest peacefully. However, I believe this documentary was well done, and it provided me with a lot of information that I did not necessarily know. This documentary provided facts, unlike Blonde (which I could not stomach to finish).

Our Father (2022)

IS HE YOURS?

After a woman’s at-home DNA test reveals multiple half-siblings, she discovers a shocking scheme involving donor sperm and a popular fertility doctor.

This documentary shed light on the fact that you can’t trust anyone, even those you should have to, without having to second-guess. I was honestly sickened by the fact that this really happened.

Paperman (2012)

DELICATE, CHARMING AND SWEET.

An urban office worker finds that paper airplanes are instrumental in meeting a girl in ways he never expected.

This was such a fun, sweet and quick short film. I really enjoyed it and loved every moment of it.

Death on the Nile (2022)

MURDER WAS JUST THE BEGINNING.

Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot’s Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer turns into a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple’s idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short.

I wanted to get to this Agatha Christie book but, on a whim, decided to watch the film with my sister. I love the story but believe the film could have been better.

Purple Hearts (2022)

An aspiring musician agrees to a marriage of convenience with a soon-to-deploy Marine, but a tragedy soon turns their fake relationship all too real.

This film also exploded on social media and I decided to see what it was all about. I feel like I give the same reviews for most of the films I watched but again, I enjoyed the story but, to me, it wasn’t anything special.

Miss Americana (2020)

A raw and emotionally revealing look at one of the most iconic artists of our time during a transformational period in her life as she learns to embrace her role not only as a songwriter and performer, but as a woman harnessing the full power of her voice.

Rewatched this one, and honestly, my love for Taylor grew even more.

Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022)

EVERY BREATH, A BREAKTHROUGH.

After years in the limelight, Selena Gomez achieves unimaginable stardom. But just as she reaches a new peak, an unexpected turn pulls her into darkness. This uniquely raw and intimate documentary spans her six-year journey into a new light.

I counted down the days until this documentary to release, even though I knew it would break my heart. Selena has been such an important figure in my life and she’s honestly the best role model. This documentary shed light on what went on behind the scenes and what her life is like. The overall message about mental health was incredibly important and while it broke my heart, it also mended it.

Enola Holmes 2 (2022)

THE SEQUEL IS AFOOT!

Now a detective-for-hire like her infamous brother, Enola Holmes takes on her first official case to find a missing girl, as the sparks of a dangerous conspiracy ignite a mystery that requires the help of friends — and Sherlock himself — to unravel.

This was such a fun and action-packed second film. I loved every moment, and I think I enjoyed it more than the first one.

The Grinch (2018)

SCHEME BIG.

The Grinch hatches a scheme to ruin Christmas when the residents of Whoville plan their annual holiday celebration.

I always rewatch The Grinch before Christmas, as I love it with all my heart.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)

World-famous detective Benoit Blanc heads to Greece to peel back the layers of a mystery surrounding a tech billionaire and his eclectic crew of friends.

I added this film to my list, even though I have not finished it yet. I watched a few minutes of it the other day but have not had the chance to sit down and watch the whole thing. Planning on doing so before the year ends.

S E R I E S

Gilmore Girls
Season 7

Lorelai Gilmore, an independent young woman, shares a close bond with her wilful daughter, Rory. However, her relationship with her own mother is strained.

I’m so bad at finishing this series, even though I love it with all my heart. I only watched a few episodes, but in 2023, I will finish this series and even begin my rewatch.

Stranger Things
Season 4

In 1980s Indiana, a group of young friends witness supernatural forces and secret government exploits. As they search for answers, the children unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries.

Yet another epic season that I finished in only a day or two. I cannot wait for the next season!

Only Murders in the Building
Seasons 1 & 2

Three strangers share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one. When a grisly death occurs inside their exclusive Upper West Side apartment building, the trio suspects murder and employs their precise knowledge of true crime to investigate the truth. Perhaps even more explosive are the lies they tell one another. Soon, the endangered trio comes to realize a killer might be living among them as they race to decipher the mounting clues before it’s too late.

I have wanted to watch this series for so, so long. I’m a major Selena Gomez fan and have tried everything to watch this in South Africa. After what feels like a lifetime, I finally discovered it on Disney+ and immediately started binging the first season. It is so good and has the perfect amount of comedy and mystery. I also counted down the days for the second season and dropped everything when it became available. I love the characters so much, and the cliffhanger at the end of season two already excites me for the next season.

The Watcher
Season 1

A family moves into their dream home, only to be plagued by ominous letters, strange neighbors and sinister threats.

I feel so stupid. I honestly thought The Watcher was a film on Netflix and completely forgot it was a series. I only watched the first episode and thought that the story had ended. Hoping to finish this series soon. Although, I don’t know if I will because I did not really enjoy the first episode.

Wednesday

While attending Nevermore Academy, Wednesday Addams attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a killing spree and solve the mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago.

This series, along with Only Murders in the Building, has become two of my all-time favourite series that I just know I will rewatch many, many times in the future. Many bookstagrammers recommended I watch this whilst I was ill, and it cheered me up so much. I fell in love with The Addams Family a few years ago and immediately knew I had to watch this series. I binged it in a weekend and could not get enough. Jenna Ortega is a new favourite actress of mine. She did such a fantastic job with Wednesday and deserves all the awards. I literally cannot wait for the next season!