Top Five Favorite Films of 2012

With 2012 in the rear view mirror and 2013  just a couple of days old, maybe now would be a good time to take a moment and reflect on what cinema had to offer in 2012. In 2012, the cinema welcomed one book to screen adaption, The Hunger Games, and said goodbye to another, The Twilight Saga. Channing Tatum was hot with The Vow, 21 Jump Street and Magic Mike while Taylor Kirsch was not with John Carter, Battleship and Savages. The Avengers finally assembled and defeated everyone at the box office. Judi Dench lived in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and died in Skyfall. Snow White was brought to life not once but twice with Mirror Mirror and Snow White and the Huntsman. Peter Jackson returned to middle earth (New Zealand) with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Project X showed us how to party while Les Miserables showed us how to sing.

So after seeing several, not all but several films that were released in 2012 I asked myself what were my favorite films of the year. In response to that question, I put together a list of the five films I enjoyed the most in 2012. This was not an easy task as there were more than just five movies that for some reason or another deserved a spot in the top five but after much thought, I have determined my top five favorite 2012 films out of the ones I actually saw. Before I get into my top five though, I feel that it would be wrong not give special mention to the films that put forth a solid effort but fall just short of my top five.

I was blown away by Prometheus when I first saw it in theaters as it was not only intense from start to finish but also brought about plenty of thought and questions long after it ended. It was a simple plot and was very similar to Alien but it was nice to see science-fiction film offer something more than just nice visuals.

Looper was another science-fiction film that satisfied. Looper didn’t just rely on its time travel premise but instead used it only to help present its bigger message of how our past effects more than just our own future. You can read my full review here.

In Lincoln, the passing of the 13^th amendment is brought to light. Daniel Day Lewis is unrecognizable as Abraham Lincoln which makes his performance mesmerizing to say the least. Lincoln is at its best when process of passing the 13^th amendment is put into focus as these scenes are surprisingly fast paced and wildly entertaining.

Argo was another solid historical drama that 2012 offered. What I like so much about Argo and what made it such a great film was how director Ben Affleck chooses to let the natural magnitude and intensity of the story he is telling take over the film instead of a performance or the dialogue. Affleck lets tension build without words or actions which really gives the film an authentic feel.  

All four of these were great films. I think that there might even be a Best Picture winner out of these four films. I also enjoyed them immensely but like I said these films barely missed the top five. My top five favorite films of 2012 are as follow.  

Big Beach Films

5. Safety Not Guaranteed: Yes, its premise is bizarre but if you can just go with it, Safety Not Guaranteed is a great romantic comedy. The relationship between Darius (Aubrey Plaza) and Kenneth (Mark Duplass) is a joy to watch. Even if the subject matter or the event that brings them together never seems real, Darius and Kenneth’s relationship has a certain authentic feel to it that cannot be ignored. As far as performances go, Duplass stands out. The film benefits from Duplass’ subtle but confident approach to the character. You can read Joshua’s full review here.

The Weintstein Company

4. Killing Them Softly: Killing Them Softly’s message is as cynical as they come. This level of cynicism is rare which could be the reason I liked this film so much. Killing Them Softly looks at how America relies so heavily on its economy and because of this, one has to look out for their self’s rather than others. This is said through its main character Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt), a hitman that never relies on anyone other than himself and because of this; he appears to be the character in the film that is in control. Pitt adds a solid performance to a great character which makes for an already intriguing film even better. You can read my full review here.

Walt Disney Animation Studios 

3. Wreck-It-Ralph: Wreck-It-Ralph’s message is basic and as old as time but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a great film. From start to finish, Wreck-It-Ralph is a fast paced, heartfelt adventure that will leave all ages satisfied. Wreck-It-Ralph takes place within a video game and whether it be with its visuals, characters or musical score, it never lets you forget it. The way is stays true to the characteristics of an actual video game is what makes Wreck-It-Ralph such a great film. You can read my full review here.

The Weinstein Company

2. Django Unchained: With Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino has once again made a film that is as violent, bloody and bizarre as it is original, memorable and meaningful. When it comes to a Tarantino film, violence and lots of it is expected but Django Unchained features two types of violence. The signature, almost cartoonish, Tarantino violence is present but there is also a violence that helps show how horrible slavery and slave owners can be. This violence is hard to watch but at the same time helps in the development of characters and adds a very serious and real feel to a story about a very serious time in American history. Add the usual grade A dialogue and characters that Tarantino creates and you have one of the year’s most intriguing films. You can read my full review here.  

Focus Features

1. Moonrise Kingdom: Like Quentin Tarantino, Wes Anderson has always been considered a highly imaginative director and with his 2012 film, Moonrise Kingdom, this description still stands true. I really enjoy films that have a dark side to them such as Killing Them Softly and Django Unchained but it is the feel good, goofy films like Moonrise Kingdom that always put a smile on my face long after the credits role. Anderson’s story of two children taking on characteristics of adults (love) is hilarious but equally charming. Moonrise Kingdom has a cast that includes the likes of Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton and Jason Schwartzman but it is newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward that will quickly grab your attention. As Sam and Suzy, a young couple in love, Gilman and Hayward are solid as kids acting like adults. Like with any of Anderson’s films, the dialogue always stands out. For example, below is a sample of dialogue between Sam and Suzy.

Sam: I feel I'm in a real family now. Not like yours, but similar to one.
Suzy: I always wished I was an orphan. Most of my favorite characters are. I think your lives are more special.
Sam: I love you, but you don't know what you're talking about.
Suzy: I love you, too. 

It is this type of dialogue that helps in making Moonrise Kingdom a delight to watch and my favorite of all the 2012 movies I have seen to date.   

Now to the important stuff: your opinion. What were your favorite films of 2012? I’m sure yours differs from mine so go ahead and feel free to list your top movies of 2012.