Made a list of my top films of 2012. Feel free to argue against them.
10) The Dark Knight Rises - Arguably the most anticipated of the year, it’s just about scraped in here. It was good, but not as good as I’d hoped. The more I think about it the more holes it has in it. Still though, some stunning set pieces and that ending, it deserves it’s place here. Just.
9) Like Crazy - Only people on tumblr seem to have seen this film, but everyone should seek it out. A Blue Valentine-esque heartbreak story, it’s the best romantic film I’ve seen in a while, a one grounded in realism and not solved by a dramatic big kiss.
8) Seven Psychopaths - This didn’t exactly go the way I was expecting it to, but it’s still as hilarious and odd as In Bruges. Farrell is decent as the ‘normal’ one and with excellent performances by Walken and Rockwell, it’s another smaller film that you should see.
7) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Jackson returns to Middle-Earth and this is one of the most entertaining films of the year. It didn’t bore me once, despite the fact it’s almost 3 hours long, which is a credit to Jackson. There are some scenes people would usually consider dull, but the charisma of the actors on screen make it work. See it in IMAX 3D for best results.
6) Dredd - Probably one of the more surprising films on my list, I thought it would be ‘just another action film’. It wasn’t. Gory, full throttle fun from start to finish, this is exactly what you need sometimes. It’s not a particularly thought provoking film, but for an old school style shoot em up film, Dredd is the best this year.
5) ParaNorman - There’s always one animated film on the list each year, this time ParaNorman takes the highest spot. Entertaining for adults, not just children, this gorgeous little stop-motion film is one of the best ways you can spent 90 minutes. Hopefully this will go down with Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride as a classic.
4) Skyfall - Bond returns with style. Aging, grizzled and rough, Daniel Craig gives one of the best performances as James Bond gets backstory, history and one of the best movie Villains since the Joker. Now making over $1bn, without the use of 3D, it deserves it. An instant classic.
3) Looper - Probably the coolest film of the year, with time travel, mild superpowers and Joseph Gordon-Levitt played a young Bruce Willis, this was badass. High concept and with a story that was fresh and original, it was a change to see a blend of action and brain in the same film. See it. Now.
2) The Grey - Another mainly overlooked film, this was incredible. Much more than just a Liam-Neeson-Punches-Wolves film, there was questions about life, death, family, loss, faith, nature and man all rolled into this story about a band of plane crash survivors against the elements, Beautiful cinematography, supporting characters that are fleshed out and an exhilarating and emotional performance from Neeson this is my most recommended film of the year. Watch it alone, and with a serious mindset and you’ll thank me for it.
1) Avengers Assemble - Marvel’s gamble, and the most innovative cinematic idea in decades, their concept of having their superheroes all existing in the same world came to fruition. The result? The most entertaining, highest grossing film of the year. Excitement, comedy, spectacle, performances, this film has almost everything. Sure, it’s not a perfect film, but in terms of films living up to hype, and going further this hits the top of every list. I fucking loved it.
Honorable mentions go to The Cabin In The Woods (tied with TDKR,) 21 Jump Street, Warrior, Killing Them Softly, Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World, Silver Linings Playbook, Young Adult, Take Shelter, Jack Reacher and Shame.
