Top 10 Favorite Films of 2012
My top ten favorite (not "best") films of 2012. Subject to change at any time! (Notables that I have not yet seen include: Life of Pi, Brave, Moonrise Kingdom, etc.)
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10 titles
- DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsBradley CooperJennifer LawrenceRobert De NiroAfter a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own.A wonderful little dramedy with outstanding characters and great acting. The beautifully directed film shows off Bradley Cooper's chops and makes Jennifer Lawrence as lovable as ever.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsJamie FoxxChristoph WaltzLeonardo DiCaprioWith the help of a German bounty-hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal plantation owner in Mississippi.Quentin Tarantino strikes again with an extremely violent and fun Western epic. The writing is great and Christoph Waltz and Leonardo DiCaprio are both at the top of their games.
- DirectorBen AffleckStarsBen AffleckBryan CranstonJohn GoodmanActing under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1979.The Best Picture winner is incredibly intense without the use of violence to do the job. Ben Affleck was wrongly snubbed by the Academy because he brought forth a modern masterpiece.
- DirectorSam MendesStarsDaniel CraigJavier BardemNaomie HarrisJames Bond's loyalty to M is tested when her past comes back to haunt her. When MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.Daniel Craig reaches new depths as Bond in one of the best 007 film to date. Sam Mendes has done wonders at the helm of this installment and created a fun, smart, intense action film with a great villain played by Javier Bardem.
- DirectorPhil LordChristopher MillerStarsJonah HillChanning TatumIce CubeA pair of underachieving cops are sent back to a local high school to blend in and bring down a synthetic drug ring.While it may seem high on the list, this is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. Jonah Hill is funny as ever and Channing Tatum is a surprisingly great comedic actor. One of the best buddy films to date.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleTom HardyAnne HathawayEight years after the Joker's reign of chaos, Batman is coerced out of exile with the assistance of the mysterious Selina Kyle in order to defend Gotham City from the vicious guerrilla terrorist Bane.Definitely not as good as its predecessor, but still a very good superhero finale. Fans of the Nolan franchise should be happy with this one, which features a number of wonderful characters, old and new.
- DirectorKathryn BigelowStarsJessica ChastainJoel EdgertonChris PrattA chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L.s Team 6 in May 2011.The greatest manhunt in history is brilliantly displayed in this intense film from Kathryn Bigelow, who was also snubbed by the Academy. Jessica Chastain is outstanding as the CIA agent who searches relentlessly for Osama bin Laden.
- DirectorMichael HanekeStarsJean-Louis TrintignantEmmanuelle RivaIsabelle HuppertGeorges and Anne are an octogenarian couple. They are cultivated, retired music teachers. Their daughter, also a musician, lives in Britain with her family. One day, Anne has a stroke, and the couple's bond of love is severely tested.This may be the most cinematically well-made film of the year. This Austrian movie is definitely not a crowd pleaser, but has lots to say about love and aging and features a career performance from Emmanuelle Riva.
- DirectorGary RossStarsJennifer LawrenceJosh HutchersonLiam HemsworthKatniss Everdeen voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games: a televised competition in which two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts of Panem are chosen at random to fight to the death.Many were disappointed in this adaptation of the beloved book, but I found the movie to be a very good piece of work. Jennifer Lawrence is a great pick to play Katniss and film has great cinematic value.
- DirectorRich MooreStarsJohn C. ReillyJack McBrayerJane LynchA video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.This was the most surprising film of the year. It's a Disney film that seems like it was made with the help of Pixar. A very fun animated film with a touching story that classic arcade video game fans should love.