Top 10 Movies of 2012
Top 10 Movie lists are always fun to do and very often may not reflect that of the actual box office grosses. Heck, it may not even reflect that of the audience - in this case, it only reflects my opinion as a movie fan! I am very much aware that you, the humble reader, may or may not agree with me - in fact, I hope that if you do agree, you will share that with me and if you don't agree (or if I miss one or two) you will share that as well! Please feel free to forward this on to your friends, neighbors, family and co-workers as well! I am working hard to build my audience!
Where I could, I added links to my full reviews after each film listing, please check them out; and don't forget, I always link to the most current trailer for your viewing pleasure!
I'll start at 10 and work my way to what I feel is the best film of 2012!
10. 'Les Miserable' - A daunting movie from director Tom Hooper that should make most lists if not for its scope alone. Shot while the actors sang live rather than dubbing in the studio cuts, 'Les Miserable' is not for the faint of movie going heart and will probably please only those that enjoy musicals. But for sheer heart, passion and Anne Hathaway's stunning rendition of 'I Dream a Dream', 'Les Miserable' starts out my list! - My Full Review -
9. 'Skyfall' - Daniel Craig is back as Bond in the 50th outing of the famed spy and this time he is at his best! Directed this time by Sam Mendes (yes the man who made 'American Beauty') with a stunning sense of purpose to reinvigorate the aging franchise and he succeeds fantastically. Javier Bardem is the perfect Bond villain as a cyber terrorist seeking revenge on 'M' (Judi Dench). This 50th outing guarantees at least a 51st and is one of the best Bond films to date. - My Full Review -
8. 'Moonrise Kingdom' - Favorite director Wes Anderson is back with a stellar cast in the warm and whimsical 'Moonrise Kingdom'. Set in the summer of 1965, 'Moonrise Kingdon' tells the idiosyncratic tale of two 12 year olds who meet, fall in love and run away together. Beautifully shot, terrifically acted (Bruce Willis is fantastic here), 'Moonrise Kingdom' should be on every Top 10 list. - My Full Review -
7. 'Silver Linings Playbook' - Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence star in director David O. Russell's wonderfully poignant, at times wildly romantic, tale of two people trying to make their way through a life that is often, well, crazy. Well acting, terrifically scripted, this should mean Oscar nominations for Lawrence, Robert De Niro and possibly Cooper. - My Full Review -
6. 'The Dark Knight Rises' - The final, stunning chapter in Christopher Nolan's compelling remake of the Batman franchise; forever remaking the way a superhero is told on-screen (hopefully). Ambitious in scope, thoughtful in purpose and completely entertaining, Nolan took a waning franchise and bought it to back to life. While at times a little to preachy and political, 'The Dark Knight Rises' is a fitting conclusion as well as stepping off point for a potential 'Nightwing' (the current 'Robin') franchise. Beautifully shot, well acted with pulse pounding music that will give you goose bumps, 'The Dark Knight Rises' is truly one of the year's best films! - My Full Review -
5. 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' - One of the better studies of teenage angst in a era of self absorption, 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower', while not widely seen, is most likely one of the best dramas of 2012. Insightful, heartfelt, romantic and very touching, this is a film that deserves to be seen. Not since 'The Breakfast Club' (which was far more lighthearted, but insightful as well) has a film captured so well the feelings of a tortured youth.
4. 'Django Unchained' - Many are calling 'Django Unchained' Quentin Tarantino's homage to the spaghetti western; I would argue that 'Inglorious Basterds' was that homage. Paying his respects to not only the spaghetti westerns of the 60's and 70's, Tarantino pays equally homage to the 'blacksploitation' films of that similar time frame. Brutal, bloody and at times offensive (what Tarantino film isn't), 'Django' is pure Quentin so just sit back and enjoy. Although I must admit that he is starting to become something of a one trick pony and I am hoping that he dives into something a little more different soon, the stylized violence can only pay off for so long. - To Be Reviewed -
3. 'Lincoln' - Steven Spielberg's loving portrayal of the last few months of President Abraham Lincoln's life, during which he battled to not only end the Civil War, but proclaim the former slaves truly free. Daniel Day-Lewis gives an inspired performance as Lincoln, so immersed into the role that we forget there is an actor in front of us rather than the actual President. With a stellar cast that put everything into their performances, 'Lincoln' is a historical treat and worthy of one of the best movies of 2012. - My Full Review -
2. 'Argo' - Ben Affleck is certainly coming into his own, while I was hated just about everything he was in; as a Director he has proven himself to be a true talent. Even further - when in his own movies, he is not a bad actor either! In his third outing Affleck brings the tale of US Embassy workers trying to escape Iran during the Iranian hostage crisis. Told with a tense pace and a fantastic eye for detail, this compelling tale is a fine third attempt for the growing director. The sign of a good movie about real events...even though we know the outcome, we are on the edge of our seats until the very end. Bravo Mr Affleck for one of the best movies of 2012 and what could have been the Best Picture of the year if not for our final film! - My Full Review -
1. 'Zero Dark Thirty' - The best movie of the year is another true tale that we all know the end of, yet 'Zero Dark Thirty' is compelling, gripping and tense from beginning to end. Another film with a fantastic eye to detail, writer/director Kathryn Bigelow brings the hunt for Osma bin Laden to fantastic life. The cast of actors are what makes the movie with the work of Jessica Chastain ('The Help') as the focused CIA Operative leading the hunt so forceful and focused she is a sure bet for the Best Actress nomination. Bigelow has once again proved that she is quickly becoming the master of realism and the recounting of actual events. With 'The Hurt Locker' she proved herself as a director for the ages. With 'Zero Dark Thirty', she cements her status as one of the great directors of 2012. -To Be Reviewed -
Very honorable mentions:
'The Hunger Games'- The anti-Twilight and the first installment of a great adaptation of the 'tween' trilogy by Susan Collins. Jennifer Lawrence is thrilling as Katniss a commoner forced to compete for her life in a bizarre game that pits two young adults from various villages in a game to the death. Based loosely on the film 'Battle Royale', 'The Hunger Games' is thrilling, well acted and full of life; the breakout for Lawrence who I am sure is destined for stardom! - My Full Review -
'Beast of the Southern Wild' - An imaginative, fantastical, emotionally charged film that follows the story of a young orphaned girl who survives with the help of her imagination and sheer force of will. First time director Benh Zeitlin delivers a film worthy of the Best of 2012. - My Full Review -
'The Master' - Paul Thomas Anderson has a reputation for taking on serious films for the serious audience and does not disappoint here. With Joaquin Phoenix, Phillip Seymore Hoffman and Amy Adams leading the cast, this tale of the beginnings of Scientology (known as The Cause here) will make you think as well as feel.
'Life of Pi' - Ang Lee's virtuoso tale of a ship wreaked young man trying to survive the Pacific ocean along with a Bengal Tiger in a tale many said couldn't be adapted for the screen let alone in 3D. Stunningly beautiful, deeply spiritual, Lee does a wonderful job of bringing this tale to life and uses the 3D so that it actually becomes a part of the story. Probably the best use of 3D since 'Avatar', this film cries out to be seen in 3D! - My Full Review -
'Bernie' - Jack Black delivers a fantastic performance as funeral director Bernie Tiede who befriends the window Marjorie Nugent (the fantastic Shirley MacLaine) only to murder her for her life insurance. This true crime tale is darkly funny and Black plays the role with perfection. See it if only to see Robin Williams as a corpse in the opening sequence, truly rich! - My Full Review -