Hey guys! It's that time of year again for me to pick my personal top films (best AND worst...worst coming next) of 2012! For the first time in years, I actually had a hard time choosing the films I wanted in my Top 10, as there were actually quite a few great movies released in 2012. After some thinking, I finally figured out which 10 would get the top spots for me, and is by no means an indicator that these were the best films overall...but the best films in my honest opinion, for one reason or another. So here we go!
10. The Raid: Redemption
I don't even know where to begin, with this exciting, fun, balls-to-the-wall actioner. From the ridiculously awesome action sequences, to the rich cinematography and direction, this movie was fun from beginning to end. It wastes no time getting to the action/story, and lets you get to know the main character and his plight as the film goes along, without coming across "too expositional" and without an over-long prologue to wade through just to get to the main centerpiece of the film. Very little seen at the theater (I know, because I didn't see it there, but on DVD), but even so, nothing is missed or lost in watching it at home. A must see for action fans.
9. Chronicle
While most "found footage" films are starting to grate on the viewers' nerves now, this is the one true example where it works...and it works well. It works as both a hero's journey and a villain's evolution...a wish fullfillment movie and a cautionary tale. It's rare that one film can do so much with such a simple premise, and you actually care about the outcome of these three disparate kids who have suddenly developed super powers and struggle with how to use them. Fun, fresh, and exciting. One of the best times I had at the theater all year.
8. Cabin In The Woods
The second best time I had at the theater all year came after watching this gem. Was it scary? No. Was it an edge of your seat thriller? Not necessarily. Was it fun? HELL. YES. First of all, let us take a moment to bow down to the always awesome Joss Whedon, for giving us a horror film that was not only fun, but for all intents and purposes, NEW. He took a tired genre (kids in a cabin in the woods), with tired cliched characters (the jock, the slut, etc.), and turned it on its ear with the fresh take he spun with this spool of gold. Knowing it's best not knowing much going into this film to experience it as a whole, I can say no more about it except: rent this immediately and have fun. Bonus points for the awesome cameo at the end, too!
7. Pitch Perfect
My fourth best time I had at the theater all year (I know I skipped, but chronologically speaking, number three comes later in the list). I had a smile on my face the entire time this movie ran, from the hilarious moments of comedic brilliance to the re-imagining of songs I either grew up with or just plain loved...this was the "Popcorn Fun Best Movie Of The Year", in my opinion. Yeah, the plot's been done before (hell, "Glee" is on every week), but it had the right mix of Christopher Guest-type humor, college-movie set raunch, and the right amount of heart to make this a truly fun watch. Beware, it loses something watching it at home on DVD, sadly...and was built as more of a "go to the theater and watch it with a bunch of people" event, but it's still a solid good time. And who can hate on Anna Kendrick rapping to "No Diggity"?
6. Skyfall
Best. Bond. Ever. Period. We all saw it. I don't need to say why this was awesome. It just was. And if you haven't seen it? Shame on you.
5. The Avengers
Here it is...the third best time I had at the theater all year. From beginning to end, it was just a fun joyride of a movie. Again, let us bow down to the awesomeness that is Joss Whedon for a)finally giving us a Hulk we can like, and b)making an over 2 hour movie seem like it was way under and wanting more when it ended. Best superhero movie ever made, in my opinion.
4. Silver Linings Playbook
What's not to love here? Great cast, great story, great acting...just a perfect little movie. I went in not expecting to love it as much as I did...and by the end, it got me a little. So yeah, run out and see this gem immediately. It'll make you believe Bradley Cooper deserves to continue acting, Jennifer Lawrence needs an Oscar soon, and that maybe Robert Deniro hasn't left the acting field altogether.
3. Argo
Let's not kid ourselves...while this is a great movie, we wouldn't have loved it as much as we did without that ridiculously suspenseful final 20 minutes. Because I tell you, that's what cemented my love for this film! It's becoming rarer and rarer to get audiences to sit on the edge of their seats in most action films...so imagine my surprise when the most suspense I've been filled with in years came from a drama! It had more suspense in that 20 minutes than Taken 2 had in its entire run time. Just saying. But aside from that, everything else about the movie was just plain great...the acting, the detail to the time period, the way it was directed...and hell, we may finally have the first successful movie told about the entertainment industry on our hands, as well!
2. The Perks of Being A Wallflower
Words can't describe how great this movie is. Literally one of the few movies you will ever hear me say is a truly perfect film, from beginning to end. You'll laugh, you'll tear up, you'll be uplifted, your heart will break...and it never felt so good. No matter who you are, at some point in our lives, we've all felt like one of these characters, and it makes it that much more of a personalized film. Seriously, find this movie, and just go along for the emotional rollercoaster. I promise you'll thank me for it. And the only reason why this didn't get my number one spot is because of...
1. The Impossible
I mean...this movie just puts you through the wringer! And in a good way. I haven't shed this many tears in a film since "Hotel Rwanda"! Male, female...you're not going to escape unscathed unless you're a heartless individual. Everything about this movie, like with the film above, is perfect...and the fact that the director was able to make me feel like I was in the tsunami with this family deserves major kudos. I won't say anything more about this film, as it should be experienced by its own merit and not knowing much else about it besides what you see in the trailer, but know that this is truly the best picture of the year, and I am VERY upset that the academy has chosen to only give it one acting nomination. See this in a theater, as I am 100% sure that, like "Pitch Perfect", something will be lost on its transfer to DVD.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
These films were just eked out of being in my Top 10, not because they weren't good enough, but because the other films made me feel something more:
1. Won't Back Down - this movie was unjustly dumped into the theaters, and then quickly taken out. The reviews weren't good and I believe Rotten Tomatoes (which I never pay attention to anyway) scores were low. So imagine my surprise when I not only liked the movie, but REALLY enjoyed it. And I mean, come on, Viola Davis can do no wrong. And Maggie Gyllenhaal gave one of her best performances here. Do yourself a favor and not believe everything your read about something and check this underrated gem out.
2. Looper - I'm not a big science fiction buff, but this film was pretty damn awesome and deserves every bit of recognition it got. A great thrill ride that keeps you wondering until the end how it will all play out.
3. Rust and Bone - You all know me...I'm not a big foreign film buff. So when I like one, I sing its praises, and this is my foreign film of the year. It unjustly didn't get a nomination for an Oscar, and for some reason, is getting snubbed by other awards shows as well. But this was a truly beautiful film. Find it and thank me later.
4. Life of Pi - I went in expecting to hate it. I left loving it more than I ever thought I would. See it in 3D for the best jump-scare of the year, and debate the end all the way home.
5. Django Unchained - Would have made my top 10 had it been shorter and streamlined. But still one hell of a fun time.
6. Hitchcock - Another "critically panned" film that doesn't deserve the drubbing it got. Nostalgic fun and wonderfully acted. Give it a chance.
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