Top 12 Films of 2012

The nominees for this year’s Academy Awards are going to be announced tomorrow morning so it’s the perfect time to introduce my picks for the best films of 2012. Last year the best films in my opinion were smaller, more intimate indie films. This year the films on my list are a combination of both small indie films and large, expensive epics. These films are a mix of original tales, adaptations of famous novels, and sequels to other big movies. 2012 was a really, really, really good year for films.

12. Life of Pi

Ang Lee’s adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name is a visual masterpiece. The special effects utilized in bringing the Bengal tiger Richard Parker to life on screen is astounding. Lee shows a mastery over 3D with breathtaking shots one after another throughout the entire picture. First time actor Suraj Sharma is surprisingly powerful, showcasing a range of emotional depth in this mostly one man show.

11. End of Watch

‘End of Watch’ is yet another cop thriller from writer-director David Ayers but it has a slight twist in the form of its found footage-esque style. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena portray two hard ball LAPD officers who are no afraid to bend the law to get things done. The two are not just partner but best friends. The found footage formula depicts their lives in a more personal sense, especially in scenes where the two simply patrol around the city and talk about their lives, their wives, and future. The film packs just as much action as emotion when a hit is put on the cops’ heads by the Mexican cartel.

10. 21 Jump Street

’21 Jump Street’ shouldn’t have worked. Based on an old television show that starred Johnny Depp, directed by two guys who’ve only directed animated features, and starring hit-or-miss Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, the remake seemed doom to fail. But I’m very thankful it turned out to be the total opposite. Directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller (‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs’) turned in one of the funniest films I’ve ever seen. Channing Tatum showed a fantastic comedic performance I never expected. The laughs never stopped!

9. Django Unchained

Quentin Tarantino’s latest feature tackles history once more, but this time it’s the Antebellum South. Jamie Foxx stars as Django, a slave freed by dentist-turned-bounty hunter Dr. King Schultz. The two journey to kill criminals and eventually try to save Django’s wife from the viscious plantation owner Calvin Candie (a fantastic Leonardo DiCaprio). ‘Django Unchained’ has everything one comes to expect from a Tarantino film – wicked humor, various pop culture references, beautifully drawn out and lengthy conversations, and of course bloody violence.

8. The Cabin in the Woods

I never expected in a million years that an American-made horror film would make it on my best movies list but here it is! To no surprise the wickedly fun ‘Cabin in the Woods’ is from the mind of Joss Whedon. The only thing generic about this film is its title. From the very first scene with the funny men in lab coats (Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford) you knew this wasn’t your ordinary horror flick. The film exposes the problems with the genre and constantly pokes fun at it. The last half hour, where everything goes berserk, is one of the most memorable film sequences of the last year.

7. Looper

Rian Johnson’s ‘Looper’ is one of the most original and best science fiction films of the past decade. The film uses time travel as a plot device instead of as a gimmick. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Joe, a special hitman who kills individuals sent back to his time by the mob from the future. When he’s forced to kill his future self (portrayed by Bruce Willis), things take a turn for the worst when future Joe escapes. The twists and turns, the compelling characters, and the ingenious ending are what makes the film memorable.

6. The Avengers

The biggest film of 2012 just so happens to be one of the very best. Sure, the plot isn’t as significant as most of the other films on this list, but the strength of ‘The Avengers’ is in its ability to wow us without falling apart from its heavy weight. Each major superhero had his moment to shine. The character interactions were fantastic. Hulk has never been better. This is one of the best superhero films ever made.

5. Cloud Atlas

Love it or hate it, ‘Cloud Atlas’ was one of the most important films of 2012. The most expensive independent film ever was so big it needed three visionary directors to bring it onto the big screen. The Wachowskis (‘The Matrix’ & ‘Speed Racer’) and Tom Tykwer (‘Run Lola Run’) split the six interweaving stories between themselves. Each story was set in a different time period and they all felt authentic; they included period pieces and sci-fi epics. The ensemble cast is terrific but it’s the relatively unknown (in the U.S.) Bae Doona who comes out the star. ‘Cloud Atlas’ tackles big ideas, including past lives and how each person’s actions have a reaction. As complex as the film may be, it’s largely a success.

4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ is the most recent film that won me over purely by its strong and likable cast and emotional story. It’s based on director Stephen Chbosky’s bestselling novel of the same name and he translates it surprisingly well on screen. The film is another indie coming of age drama that could have been lost in the sea of other pretentious coming of age indies but it sets itself apart by tackling serious issues well. Drugs, homosexuality, and abuse are some of the biggest issues featured in the film, and the way the characters deal with each seems natural. Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller shine as the three stars of the film. They feel real and honest.

3. The Dark Knight Rises

Christopher Nolan’s epic conclusion to his Dark Knight Trilogy is big and bold, but it doesn’t fall from grace. ‘The Dark Knight’ unfortunately had to live up to its near-perfect predecessor, but it came very close to doing so. Bane (Tom Hardy) was a different kind of villain compared to The Joker (Heath Ledger), but still provided us with entertainment and challenges for Batman. The film might have suffered a little from an overpopulation of characters, but Christopher Nolan and his brother Jonathan wrote a compelling and intricate screenplay that continued at a brisk pace. The film boils down to a sensational final 30 minutes and a resolution that compels further discussion. ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ is a powerful and honorable conclusion to the fantastic trilogy. Also Anne Hathaway was an awesome Catwoman.

2. Silver Linings Playbook

I must say Bradley Cooper really impressed me in David O. Russell’s new film ‘Silver Linings Playbook’. I used to just view him as “that guy from The Hangover’. But upon seeing his more serious side in ‘Limitless’ and ‘The Words’, he slowly grew on me. But it’s this specific film that finally sold me on Cooper’s acting abilities. His performance as the mentally unstable and bipolar Pat Solitano really wowed me. Jennifer Lawrence co stars as the equally crazy Tiffany and the two form an unlikely but hilarious friendship and romance. Like O. Russell’s previous film ‘The Fighter’, ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ features an easy and predictable story but it’s the heartfelt performances and emotions that win us over. The chemistry between Cooper and Lawrence is wonderful. Their characters are believable because of it. The film even ends with a cliche final dance performance but we don’t care because it’s so much fun watching these two on screen.

1. Seven Psychopaths

Martin McDonagh’s followup to ‘In Bruges’ is my pick for the best film of 2012. Unfortunately ‘Seven Psychopaths’ was a hugely underrated film upon release. The film had an interesting premise involving the dog-napping of a shih tzu from a crazy gang leader. Colin Farrell portrays a screenwriter with writer’s block who receives help from his dog-napping friends portrayed by Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken. The film toys with what’s real and what’s imaginary by featuring “movie” sequences within the confines of the movie itself. Sometimes the line between reality and imaginary becomes blurred. Sam Rockwell steals scenes as the obnoxious and zany dog-napper but Christopher Walken also steals some of the spotlight in his surprisingly intimate portrayal of Hans. This is no caricature like other Christopher Walken character – it’s actually an intimate performance. The film’s humor is sharp and witty. The shift between reality and imaginary is risky but effective. The bloody violence and cinematic satire would make Quentin Tarantino proud.

Films that made the shortlist: Argo, Flight, The Grey, The Hunger Games, Lincoln, Les Misérables, Moonrise Kingdom, ParaNorman, Skyfall

Films I wish I had seen in 2012: Zero Dark Thirty, The Master, The Hobbit, Beasts of the Southern Wild