Top Ten Films of 2012
2012 has gone and now in the early weeks of 2013, it is time to reflect upon the year and reveal my ten favourite films of last year. There is one crucial announcement to make before revealing this top ten, by the end of January this could have changed MASSIVELY. I am in fact even considering releasing a revised top ten once the month has reached its end. The reason? This is the month I will hopefully finally catch up with the likes of Django Unchained, Lincoln and Zero Dark Thirty (Les Miserables in February). Therefore those films will not feature on this list, you may therefore dismiss it as invalid, however it also gives this list a chance to be unique from many others and put the spotlight on films which are being ignored in the year's best conversations. It is also important to note, that while my number one is my favourite film of the year, the positioning of all the other films on this list will forever be in a constant state of flux. Therefore while you may write a message complaining why is (Insert film here) above (Insert other film here)? it doesn't necessarily mean I think that film is better than the other, it just means it's above it on the top ten list today. I love all the films in the top ten and putting some ahead of others was a hard thing to do and given what a great year for film 2012 has been (The best since I've been a film buff) I don't think I'll ever be fully satisfied with my top ten. Discuss your favourite movies of the year in our forum and comment on this list and give us your own in the Your Say section.
Movie Parliament Prime Minister,
Michael Dalton
Movie Parliament Prime Minister,
Michael Dalton
Honourable Mentions
Here are five films that just missed out on my top ten. These films each had stints in my top ten for long stretches of the year, however unfortunately you can't have fifteen films in a top ten and therefore the following just missed the cut (Click on the film to read my review):
21 Jump Street
Detention
Jeff, Who Lives at Home
Moonrise Kingdom
The Impossible
21 Jump Street
Detention
Jeff, Who Lives at Home
Moonrise Kingdom
The Impossible
10. The Raid
Plot (From IMDB):
A SWAT team becomes trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers and thugs.
Summary from review:
"Simply put, it’s the best action film of this year and for many years. A modern action classic."
The Raid was one of the most exhilarating experiences of 2012. While its plot and characters are very simple, The Raid should be a blueprint for all action filmmakers. If you're a fan of action cinema, you owe it to yourself to watch and experience this modern classic.
A SWAT team becomes trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers and thugs.
Summary from review:
"Simply put, it’s the best action film of this year and for many years. A modern action classic."
The Raid was one of the most exhilarating experiences of 2012. While its plot and characters are very simple, The Raid should be a blueprint for all action filmmakers. If you're a fan of action cinema, you owe it to yourself to watch and experience this modern classic.
9. The Cabin in the Woods
Plot (From IMDB): Five friends go for a break at a remote cabin in the woods, where they get more than they bargained for. Together, they must discover the truth behind the cabin in the woods.
Summary from review: "A more extreme Scream. The Cabin in the Woods is the year’s most unpredictable film, containing a sequence that deserves to go down in horror movie history. It may not be as scary as it could be, but the film’s laughs, shocks and substance ensure that it’s one of the year’s most entertaining cinematic experiences. I can't wait to watch it again."
Like The Raid, this is another near instant classic within, and a gift to fans of, its genre. Seeing this film with my friends in a packed cinema was one of the most enjoyable cinema going experiences of the year. If this is the first time you've heard about this film and now wish to watch it, do not watch the trailer below.
Summary from review: "A more extreme Scream. The Cabin in the Woods is the year’s most unpredictable film, containing a sequence that deserves to go down in horror movie history. It may not be as scary as it could be, but the film’s laughs, shocks and substance ensure that it’s one of the year’s most entertaining cinematic experiences. I can't wait to watch it again."
Like The Raid, this is another near instant classic within, and a gift to fans of, its genre. Seeing this film with my friends in a packed cinema was one of the most enjoyable cinema going experiences of the year. If this is the first time you've heard about this film and now wish to watch it, do not watch the trailer below.
8. Prometheus
Plot (From IMDB): A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.
Summary from review: An ambitious piece of thought-provoking and thrilling science-fiction.
One of the most anticipated, discussed and dissected films of the year, Prometheus was one of 2012's biggest films. While it has made Damon Lindelof firing practice for many Alien fanboys online, Prometheus is in my eyes a film worthy of celebration. Any film of this scope that is able to generate the sort of discussion and analysis that this film generated is on to something. While it undeniably has flaws it also has one of the year's best performances from Michael Fassbender, stunning visuals, one of the year's most disturbing and memorable scenes and a thoughtful story. How many modern big budget Hollywood science-fiction movies can you say that about?
Summary from review: An ambitious piece of thought-provoking and thrilling science-fiction.
One of the most anticipated, discussed and dissected films of the year, Prometheus was one of 2012's biggest films. While it has made Damon Lindelof firing practice for many Alien fanboys online, Prometheus is in my eyes a film worthy of celebration. Any film of this scope that is able to generate the sort of discussion and analysis that this film generated is on to something. While it undeniably has flaws it also has one of the year's best performances from Michael Fassbender, stunning visuals, one of the year's most disturbing and memorable scenes and a thoughtful story. How many modern big budget Hollywood science-fiction movies can you say that about?
7. Seven Psychopaths
Plot (From IMDB): A struggling screenwriter inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his oddball friends kidnap a gangster's beloved Shih Tzu.
Summary from review: Some may label it superficial, hypocritical and sexist. However for others, Seven Psychopaths is one of the most enjoyable experiences of 2012 and a twisted, dark, inventive, meta, self-referential, hilarious, unique, quotable and re-watchable thrill ride.
For obvious reasons this film had to be number seven on my list. A film that I cannot wait to watch again and own on DVD/Blu-Ray. The darkest and best comedy of the year.
(The trailer below doesn't do the film any justice)
Summary from review: Some may label it superficial, hypocritical and sexist. However for others, Seven Psychopaths is one of the most enjoyable experiences of 2012 and a twisted, dark, inventive, meta, self-referential, hilarious, unique, quotable and re-watchable thrill ride.
For obvious reasons this film had to be number seven on my list. A film that I cannot wait to watch again and own on DVD/Blu-Ray. The darkest and best comedy of the year.
(The trailer below doesn't do the film any justice)
6. Argo
Plot (From IMDB): A dramatization of the 1980 joint CIA-Canadian secret operation to extract six fugitive American diplomatic personnel out of revolutionary Iran.
Summary from review: A fascinating, tense, involving and satisfying experience. Ben Affleck the director, has well and truly, arrived.
A thrilling union of politics and filmmaking, Argo is a film that deserves all the awards attention it is getting and will hopefully continue to get. This is the first time where I have experienced a round of applause during the film.
Summary from review: A fascinating, tense, involving and satisfying experience. Ben Affleck the director, has well and truly, arrived.
A thrilling union of politics and filmmaking, Argo is a film that deserves all the awards attention it is getting and will hopefully continue to get. This is the first time where I have experienced a round of applause during the film.
5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Plot (From IMDB): An introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors who welcome him to the real world.
Summary from, Minister for History, Leonhard Balk's review: A greatly moving and touching observation of a teenager's life. Chbosky delivers a heartfelt and truthful tale of love, friendship and growing up.
A film I never got around to reviewing, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a cut above your average 'teen' movie. This is a film with three superb lead performances and with an underlying rawness, honesty and darkness rarely found amongst films of its ilk. If a film of this quality had three adult leads instead of three teen leads, it would be a HUGE Oscar contender.
Summary from, Minister for History, Leonhard Balk's review: A greatly moving and touching observation of a teenager's life. Chbosky delivers a heartfelt and truthful tale of love, friendship and growing up.
A film I never got around to reviewing, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a cut above your average 'teen' movie. This is a film with three superb lead performances and with an underlying rawness, honesty and darkness rarely found amongst films of its ilk. If a film of this quality had three adult leads instead of three teen leads, it would be a HUGE Oscar contender.
4.Chronicle
Plot (From IMDB): Whilst attending a party, three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery underground. Soon, though, they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides.
Summary from review: The most intelligent and inventive use of the found footage style yet, Chronicle is an immensely impressive debut and the first must-see movie of 2012.
In a year where the superhero genre gave us the likes of The Avengers, The Dark Knight Rises and The Amazing Spider-Man, it was easy to forget about little Chronicle...for some. While it may lose its way slightly towards the end, the first two acts of Chronicle is one of the most unique, dark and interesting takes on the genre in cinema yet. With a breakout performance from Dane DeHaan, Chronicle was a film that stayed in my head all year from it's February release. Please Hollywood, DON'T make a sequel.
Summary from review: The most intelligent and inventive use of the found footage style yet, Chronicle is an immensely impressive debut and the first must-see movie of 2012.
In a year where the superhero genre gave us the likes of The Avengers, The Dark Knight Rises and The Amazing Spider-Man, it was easy to forget about little Chronicle...for some. While it may lose its way slightly towards the end, the first two acts of Chronicle is one of the most unique, dark and interesting takes on the genre in cinema yet. With a breakout performance from Dane DeHaan, Chronicle was a film that stayed in my head all year from it's February release. Please Hollywood, DON'T make a sequel.
3. Cloud Atlas
Plot (From IMDB): An exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution.
Summary from review: It may just be the filmmaking achievement of the year. A trio of technical triumphs ensures that Cloud Atlas is a film that can be enjoyed as well as admired and perhaps in a couple of viewings time, one that can be loved.
The last film I saw in the cinema in 2012. This is a film that has the potential to in the future become my number 1 or 2 or disappear completely from the list. I have only seen this film once and am placing it this high based purely on that first viewing. Other films on this list I have watched multiple times, verifying my appreciation of them, yet with Cloud Atlas I am going completely off that first, very recent, reaction. This is a film that has to be admired and appreciated by all those who love film and filmmaking, it is a stunning achievement and that must be recognized whether you go with it or not. Like Prometheus, this is thoughtful fantasy filmmaking. For a film of this scope and weight, the fact that I welcome and look forward to what I deem to be necessary repeat viewings, is saying something. While the trailer below is nearly six minutes, it doesn't spoil the plot's surprises or even go much way towards explaining its contents. I recommend you watch it as if after it you feel that you'll like this film, chances are you will. No other piece of promotional material for this film captures it as well as the trailer below does. The editing, make-up and music for this film would, in a perfect world, be Oscar winning.
Summary from review: It may just be the filmmaking achievement of the year. A trio of technical triumphs ensures that Cloud Atlas is a film that can be enjoyed as well as admired and perhaps in a couple of viewings time, one that can be loved.
The last film I saw in the cinema in 2012. This is a film that has the potential to in the future become my number 1 or 2 or disappear completely from the list. I have only seen this film once and am placing it this high based purely on that first viewing. Other films on this list I have watched multiple times, verifying my appreciation of them, yet with Cloud Atlas I am going completely off that first, very recent, reaction. This is a film that has to be admired and appreciated by all those who love film and filmmaking, it is a stunning achievement and that must be recognized whether you go with it or not. Like Prometheus, this is thoughtful fantasy filmmaking. For a film of this scope and weight, the fact that I welcome and look forward to what I deem to be necessary repeat viewings, is saying something. While the trailer below is nearly six minutes, it doesn't spoil the plot's surprises or even go much way towards explaining its contents. I recommend you watch it as if after it you feel that you'll like this film, chances are you will. No other piece of promotional material for this film captures it as well as the trailer below does. The editing, make-up and music for this film would, in a perfect world, be Oscar winning.
2. Looper
Plot (From IMDB): In 2074, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent 30 years into the past, where a hired gun awaits. Someone like Joe, who one day learns the mob wants to 'close the loop' by transporting back Joe's future self.
Summary from review: An incredibly exciting and thoughtful piece of true science fiction, that ranks as one of the year’s best films.
What a great year it has been for science-fiction. The first half of Looper is for me a cross between GoodFellas and The Terminator, while its drastically different second half is a combination of Drive and The Omen. This is a film with a great concept that begins in a very stylish and action packed manner, only to proceed to do the opposite of what most films do nowadays, it lessens its scope as it heads towards its climax. Looper begins as one thing and ends as another, reflecting the journey of its protagonist and in essence becomes a very simple, poignant and universally relevant philosophical argument. With great performances, visuals (Director Rian johnson is one to watch and a new personal directorial hero of mine) and a surprising level of darkness and emotion, Looper is a must see whether you like science-fiction or not. Like all the classics within its genre, its concept is not all it is about and it instead uses it to explore very human and real themes.
Summary from review: An incredibly exciting and thoughtful piece of true science fiction, that ranks as one of the year’s best films.
What a great year it has been for science-fiction. The first half of Looper is for me a cross between GoodFellas and The Terminator, while its drastically different second half is a combination of Drive and The Omen. This is a film with a great concept that begins in a very stylish and action packed manner, only to proceed to do the opposite of what most films do nowadays, it lessens its scope as it heads towards its climax. Looper begins as one thing and ends as another, reflecting the journey of its protagonist and in essence becomes a very simple, poignant and universally relevant philosophical argument. With great performances, visuals (Director Rian johnson is one to watch and a new personal directorial hero of mine) and a surprising level of darkness and emotion, Looper is a must see whether you like science-fiction or not. Like all the classics within its genre, its concept is not all it is about and it instead uses it to explore very human and real themes.
1. The Dark Knight Rises
Plot (From IMDB): Eight years on, a new terrorist leader, Bane, overwhelms Gotham's finest, and the Dark Knight resurfaces to protect a city that has branded him an enemy.
Summary from review: Although not withouts its flaws, Christopher Nolan brings his thrilling and timely trilogy to a spectacular and satisfying conclusion.
While this film has BIG flaws, this is is the movie from 2012 I have watched more than any other (Five times...and it's two hours and forty five minutes long) and it is the movie that will come into my head when I think of THE film of 2012. This is the most excited I have been for a film in my life and it did not disappoint. I was lucky enough to see this film in IMAX on its first day of release and it was undoubtedly one of the best cinematic experiences of my life. This is a film that contains all my favourite actors currently working today and is a film that when it hits its high marks (The opening, the breaking of the bat, the football stadium explosion, the prison speech, the pit climb, the final five minutes) gives me chills and reminds me why I love film. At the beginning of the film when talking about Harvey Dent, Gordon notes, "It will be a long time before somebody inspires us the way he did" and that's how I feel about this film and the trilogy it concluded, it will be a long time before I am this excited and satisfied by a film again.
Summary from review: Although not withouts its flaws, Christopher Nolan brings his thrilling and timely trilogy to a spectacular and satisfying conclusion.
While this film has BIG flaws, this is is the movie from 2012 I have watched more than any other (Five times...and it's two hours and forty five minutes long) and it is the movie that will come into my head when I think of THE film of 2012. This is the most excited I have been for a film in my life and it did not disappoint. I was lucky enough to see this film in IMAX on its first day of release and it was undoubtedly one of the best cinematic experiences of my life. This is a film that contains all my favourite actors currently working today and is a film that when it hits its high marks (The opening, the breaking of the bat, the football stadium explosion, the prison speech, the pit climb, the final five minutes) gives me chills and reminds me why I love film. At the beginning of the film when talking about Harvey Dent, Gordon notes, "It will be a long time before somebody inspires us the way he did" and that's how I feel about this film and the trilogy it concluded, it will be a long time before I am this excited and satisfied by a film again.
