The Best Films of 2012
By Brett Takeshita
Thoughts
on the Cinema of 2012
Let’s get
straight to the point: 2012 was an incredible year for movies. I can’t remember
the last year I’ve seen so many excellent films. Seriously, almost every movie
that I saw was great. There were no terrible films. And to my pleasant
surprise, 2012 was a huge step up from the disappointing 2011. This is why I
had such a difficult time picking and choosing the best of the year. As you
will see, I couldn’t really condense my lists very much. (This is both a good
and a bad thing). Well, I guess I should stop my rambling and get on with the
list. Enjoy, and once again, thanks for reading!
Honorable
Mentions for the Best Films of 2012
20. “Skyfall”- “Skyfall” is easily one of the most engaging
action films in recent years. We see Bond as a vulnerable human being, who is both
damaged and weakened. Thus, this film is surprising in that it is not our
traditional Bond film. The cast is extraordinary, particularly Daniel Craig and
Javier Bardem, who prove why they are some of the most talented actors right
now. Also, “Skyfall” might be one of the most beautifully shot films of the
year. The cinematography is exquisite. “Skyfall” is fun, sexy, and
exhilarating. What else could you want in a movie?
19. “The Queen of Versailles”- This is one of the best
documentaries I’ve ever seen. “The Queen of Versailles” follows one of the
world’s richest families. They had enough money to build a home the size of
Versailles. Can you imagine? Then, the economic collapse of 2008 occurs and
ruins everything. The subjects of this film are amazing. They’re people you
actually care about. More importantly, this is a wonderful film that is funny,
sad, rich, and honest.
18. “The Master”- I can’t say that I fully understood “The
Master,” but I can say that “The Master” is one of the most extraordinary films
of the year. Paul Thomas Anderson crafts and constructs a film so bold and so
challenging that it will make your brain hurt. The film may or may not attempt
to describe the origins of Scientology. It is also a film about a deeply
damaged man who forms a relationship with a strange, powerful individual. “The
Master” is everything wrapped into one. You won’t believe how terrific the
performances by Phoenix, Hoffman, and Adams are. Each is Oscar worthy. It is
also beautifully shot and edited. This is filmmaking of the highest order.
17. “Cloud Atlas”- This is another polarizing film. “Cloud
Atlas” is a complex, maddening sci-fi extravaganza that is one of the most
ambitious films of the year. Based on the novel, it tells six different stories
that span different decades and centuries. Its main message is that everything
is related, and everyone is somehow connected to someone else. It’s dizzying in
scope but exceptionally executed. The cast is great, the make-up is terrific,
the editing is incredible, and the music is beautiful. “Cloud Atlas” is a
wonderful, gigantic movie.
16. “Chronicle”- “Chronicle” is a movie that makes me
optimistic for the future of cinema. With this film, we have a young director
and writer leading young actors. And guess what? They’re all at the top of
their game. This is an ultra cool movie that asks the question, “What would you
do if you suddenly acquired super powers?” What makes this film so much better
than an average sci-fi superhero movie is that “Chronicle” remains realistic,
with its grounded, well-written characters. “Chronicle” injects new life into
the shaky, handheld camera movies that are becoming too frequent in Hollywood.
It also dazzles with its great special effects and incredible storytelling.
“Chronicle” is fantastic.
15. “Battleship”- No, this is not a mistake or a joke. I loved
the heck out of “Battleship,” a film that is, quite simply, man battling aliens
in the ocean. Why? Because it’s a blast. It’s a big, dumb, and loud film that
knows that it’s big, dumb, and loud. It’s easy to dismiss “Battleship” as a
stupid “Transformers” knockoff, but it is so much more than “Transformers.”
Here, you actually get some interesting characters that are totally likable.
Thus, you actually care about them. (It helps that the cast is pretty great).
You get some thrilling action sequences (with stunning CG and visual effects),
along with a good dose of humor. So, I proudly and unashamedly declare that
“Battleship” is one of the best of the year.
14. “Silver Linings Playbook”- Here is another film that is
deservedly receiving tons of Oscar love. “Silver Linings Playbook” is a
powerful, lovely achievement. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence (who I think
gives the best performance by a female actress this year) are outstanding as
emotionally damaged human beings connecting because of their statuses as
outsiders. Rarely do movies walk the fine line between dark drama and
refreshing comedy successfully. Not only does “Silver Linings Playbook” dare to
tread this space, but it does this with flying colors. David O. Russell has
created a wonderful film that is completely original and daring. It’s a
strange, unique picture that is universally appealing and deeply moving.
13. “The Dark Knight Rises”- The third and final installment
of the “Dark Knight” trilogy is the best of the bunch. It concludes one of the
greatest cinematic trilogies in recent memory by showing Batman’s vulnerability
and by introducing us to a plethora of new characters who make things much more
interesting. The film quietly touches upon some difficult political themes and
ideas that resonate with viewers. Then, it builds to a jaw-dropping final act
that is nothing short of riveting. This is a motion picture that is exquisitely
acted and wonderfully executed.
12. “Beasts of the Southern Wild”- Another film that makes
me optimistic for the future of cinema, “Beasts of the Southern Wild” is the
most original cinematic debut in years. This is a film that explores the
tragedy of Hurricane Katrina without ever explicitly stating it. It keeps its
focus on the young Hushpuppy (played perfectly by the exceptional Quvenzhane
Wallis) and her adventures with her father in “The Bathtub.” “Beasts” is a
stirring and dizzying experience of sight and sound that is beautifully
artistic and poetic. Director Behn Zeitlin proves that he’s a director to watch
out for in the future. He may become the next big auteur filmmaker.
11. “This Is 40”- It was painful to leave “This Is 40” out
of my top 10 because it truly deserves a spot there. I am saddened by the fact
that many moviegoers are hating on this movie simply because it’s too
depressing and dark. What makes this film so brilliant is that it’s an honest
portrayal of marriage and family. The jokes sting and burn. The comedy comes
from a place where the lines between humor and pain are blurred. Sometimes,
“This Is 40” is difficult to watch and handle. And yet, it’s also a tender and
funny movie that boasts one of the finest comedic ensembles of the year. “This
Is 40” is without a doubt one of Judd Apatow’s best films.
The
Top 10 Best Films of 2012
In 2012, I awarded 4
films with perfect four-star ratings (obviously my top 4 picks of the year). This
is a step up from 2011. While I highly recommend all of the films on this list,
you cannot miss my top 4 picks of the year. They’re great.
10. “Argo”- I will never forgive the Academy for snubbing
Ben Affleck of a “Best Director” nomination. He truly deserves to win it for
“Argo,” which tells the amazing, unbelievable true story of one brave man’s
attempt to rescue American prisoners from the dangerous Iran. It’s equal parts political
action thriller, and smart comedy about Hollywood and the movies. What makes
“Argo” so good is Ben Affleck’s direction. He proves his brilliance by
balancing all aspects of the outstanding script. He shows a mastery of tone and
tension. He proves that he’s one of the finest young directors working in
Hollywood. “Argo” is masterful filmmaking.
9. “Magic Mike”- This is not a joke. “Magic Mike” is not
only one of the most pleasant surprises of 2012, it’s also one of the best
films of the year. I did not expect to enjoy a film about male strippers. Boy,
was I fooled. “Magic Mike” starts off as pure fun and slowly but surely turns
into a dark cautionary tale that is incredibly effective. This film touches
upon male-male friendships and male-female relationships better than many films
do. Steven Soderbergh directs this film with such precision and edge. I truly
believe that it is his best film. And lastly, Channing Tatum deserves the
highest praise for the best performance of his career. He is funny, charming,
athletic, and incredibly talented. He totally sells this movie and leads an
outstanding supporting cast.
8. “End of Watch”- One of the most underrated films of the
year, “End of Watch” is a powerhouse film that boasts some of the best
performances of the year. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena are tremendous as
two cops who get caught up in the dangers of South Central. They have some of
the greatest on-screen chemistry that I’ve ever seen. Their scenes patrolling
the streets of L.A. in their car are funny, engaging, and always so
authentically real. “End of Watch” feels so immediate and so realistic, with
its gritty camera work and stunning action sequences. The film also builds to a
terrifying climax with an emotional and beautiful resolution. “End of Watch” is
the best cop film in years.
7. “Pitch Perfect”- “Pitch Perfect” may be the most
universally liked and quoted film since “Mean Girls.” It’s the most fun time I
had at the theaters this year. “Pitch Perfect” focuses upon a college acapella
group (consisting of some weird yet always interesting characters), as they
struggle to nail their routines and make their way to the finals. It’s a simple
premise with amazing payoff. Anna Kendrick, one of my favorite new actresses,
is great in a different type of role, where she’s sorta dark and cool (as opposed
to her usual dorky, cutesy self). And Rebel Wilson almost steals the entire
movie with her hilarious “improv” one-liners. “Pitch Perfect” is filled with
joyous musical numbers, some of which are played for laughs, and others of which
will give you chills. “Pitch Perfect” is a nearly perfect comedy that is simply
a joy to watch.
6. “Savages”- Often times, moviegoers forget films from the
summer. However, “Savages” is one of the most memorable films of the year
because it’s the perfect summer movie: cool, fun, funny, sexy, suspenseful, and
thrilling as hell. “Savages” is an action-thriller that centers upon two guys,
who happen to be some of the best pot growers around. They must rescue their
girlfriend (they’re in an open relationship), who was kidnapped from the
Mexican drug cartel. Soon, things turn chaotic and extremely violent. All of
the performances are strong here (Kitsch, Johnson, Lively, and a standout
Hayek). “Savages” had my heart pounding and my blood boiling because it’s such
an exciting, brutal film. It’s tremendously and ridiculously entertaining.
5. “Les Miserables”- I’ll be the first to admit that “Les
Miserables” may be one of the most unsubtle, manipulative films of the year. We
get so many tight close-ups of the actors (amazing ones, at that) crying as
they belt out these classic tunes live on camera. It makes for an emotionally
draining experience. And yet, “Les Miserables” won me over. It’s a bold and
beautifully shot film filled with incredible moments and lovely art direction.
It’s a film that makes no apologies for its overly emotional nature. Hugh
Jackman, Anne Hathaway, and Eddie Redmayne give some of the finest performances
of their careers and of the year. “Les Miserables” will be an experience that
you won’t forget. Do you hear the people sing? I do. And they sing sweet lovely
music.
4. “The Impossible”- Here is a film that is severely
underrated because it came out late in the year and was thus little seen. “The
Impossible” might be the most powerful cinematic experience of the year. It
tells the horrifying yet incredible true story of a single family’s struggle to
reunite after separation during the midst of the devastation of the 2004 Thai
tsunami. I can say that this film will take you on a rollercoaster ride of
emotions. I was terrified, mortified, thrilled, and uplifted. This film moved
me so much that I nearly teared up by the end. And I don’t cry during movies.
Naomi Watts gives an excellent performance that is Oscar worthy. It is so
physically and emotionally challenging that it may be the most difficult
performance of the year. Ewan McGregor is equally impressive, as he moves
audiences to no end with his quiet, heartbreaking performance. And young Tom Holland
brings so much heft and depth to his role. As a young actor, he gives one of
the most impressive debuts of the year. The special effects are terrifyingly
realistic. The cinematography is gorgeous, and the direction is perfect. “The
Impossible” is a brutal experience, but it’s a journey worth taking.
3. “Django Unchained”- Tarantino will always be one of my
favorite directors. Every single movie that he makes is great. This is why I
was so surprised that “Django Unchained” is one of his best films yet. “Django”
is pure cinematic bliss. It’s a joyful, funny, and riotous film that depicts
the tragedies of slavery—specifically, one slave’s attempt to rescue his wife
from a vicious plantation owner. It’s a western, Blaxploitation flick, buddy
comedy, and action revenge film wrapped into one. It defies genres. Tarantino’s
screenplay is masterful because it is so quintessentially “Tarantino,” with its
zany, wacky sense of humor, hip pop culture references, and insane violence
still in tact. Christoph Waltz is absolutely charming as the bounty hunter, Kerry
Washington (in one of the most challenging, underrated performances of the
year) is lovely as the damsel in distress, and Leonardo DiCaprio is perfect as
the nasty yet likable villain. I’ve never seen DiCaprio in a role like this
before, and it’s one of his best performances. It shows just how talented he
is. It’s also worth noting that it seems like all of these actors are having a
great time with their roles. What a stunning, absolute joy it is to watch “Django
Unchained.” This is what going to the movies is all about.
2. “Rust and Bone”- “Rust and Bone” was the first film that
I saw in 2012 that I thought was deserving of a perfect rating (disregard the
fact that this film came out in December. Yeah, it took me that long to see a
perfect movie). It’s a gorgeous, powerful film that will sneak up on you. Not
only is this the best foreign film of the year, it’s the best romantic drama
that I’ve seen in ages. “Rust and Bone” could have been pure “Lifetime” movie
sap. A beautiful whale trainer who loses her legs in a terrible accident. A
single father who engages in street-fighting to provide for his son. Two
damaged people with a complicated relationship who need each other to heal. It
sounds like the setup for a hokey movie. But it’s not. This film gets it right
with each beautiful frame. Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenaerts give
outstanding performances. What’s amazing is how much they can convey without
words. They both know how to command the screen with a subtextual sense of
quiet and honesty that is jaw dropping. The film moves in surprising
directions, so that you are not quite sure what is going to happen. It is more
honest and realistic about relationships than any other movie this year. It goes
to some deep, complex places that will leave you thinking long after the film
is over. “Rust and Bone” is truly a beautiful, moving masterpiece that will
floor you.
“And the Best Film of 2012 is……”
1. “Zero
Dark Thirty”- One of the most controversial, talked-about movies of the year is
“Zero Dark Thirty,” due to its brutal, sometimes disturbing, portrayal of the
hunt for Osama Bin Laden. “Zero Dark Thirty” is quite simply a masterpiece that
is the best film of 2012. Mark Boal’s script is a remarkable achievement. This
is a rich, dense script that is deeply researched and precisely calculated.
Kathryn Bigelow’s direction is tremendous. She brings this complex script to
life with a sense of realism and naturalism that is incredible to watch. “Zero
Dark Thirty” is tense throughout. Bigelow knows how to demand and command an
audience’s attention by weaving together moments of mysterious quietness with
sudden punctures of shocking, intense sights and sounds. And let me just say
that the final moments of the film, in which the raid of Osama Bin Laden’s
territory occurs, are some of the finest cinematic moments I’ve ever seen. It’s
insanely gripping. I held my breath the entire time. Because this is such a
demanding, complex film, talented actors were needed. “Zero Dark Thirty” has an
amazing cast, led by the wonderful Jessica Chastain, one of the finest
actresses of her generation. Chastain absolutely commands the screen with a
stillness and intensity that is outstanding. The fact that it’s such a quiet
performance makes it all the more mesmerizing and impressive. It’s one of the
finest performances of the year. I don’t want to give too much away. All that I
can say is that you must see “Zero Dark Thirty.” Not only is this important to
watch, it’s also a necessary and essential viewing. I truly believe that years
from now, people will still be watching and discussing “Zero Dark Thirty.” It’s
that good. It’ll be a film that people will remember years from now. These are
the signs of a classic.
Great Films of 2012
I’m just gonna shoot off a whole bunch of really great movies. There’s no particular order. Some of these were critically trashed, but I don’t care. I loved these.
“This Means War”- I don’t understand why “This Means War” was one of the most critically despised films of the year. I had a blast. This cool comedy about two spies competing for the same girl mixes action and romance in a way that is just plain fun. Plus, the ensemble cast (Witherspoon, Hardy, Pine, Handler) is terrific.
“Compliance”- I can’t remember the last time I’ve been so shaken and disturbed by a film. “Compliance” is outstanding because it gets under your skin. You won’t believe that this story of a telephone prank gone terribly wrong is true. The performances are tremendous, the direction is fantastic, and the score is great. “Compliance” demands discussion.
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”- This coming-of-age film about a high school guy’s experiences of love and friendship is absolutely lovely. It always feels authentic and truly captures what it feels like to be a teenager and an outsider. The story is tenderly told and deeply moving.
“The Paperboy”- Another film that the critics hated for no good reason. “The Paperboy” is wild, sexy, pulpy, trashy fun. I seriously can’t describe how crazy this movie is. It’s equal parts mystery film, cougar romance, and family drama. It’s like nothing else out there. And let’s just say that the performances (especially by Nicole Kidman) are extremely brave.
“Paranormal Activity 4”- I don’t need to explain what this is. Most people know that I love this franchise, and this installment was no exception. In fact, “Paranormal Activity 4” may be the best of the entire series. Why? Because it carefully combines fun thrills and true chills better than the other films. This one also has a good sense of humor. I guarantee that you’ll have a good time.
“Bachelorette”- This is one of the darkest comedies I’ve ever seen. Just because “Bachelorette” is about the preparation of a wedding does not mean that it’s “Bridesmaids” 2.0. This is a much more difficult film with some deplorable women doing and saying the worst things. However, it is wickedly funny and sadly affective. It will leave you with a bitter aftertaste. And that’s good.
“Cabin in the Woods”- The smartest horror-comedy in years, “Cabin in the Woods” is horror movie heaven. This film starts with a traditional set-up: a group of friends go to stay at--you guessed it--a cabin in the woods. Except things go terribly wrong. And I won’t spoil the rest for you. What unfolds is so clever and so surprising. The less you know, the better. Just know that you’re in for a delicious, devilish treat.
“The Avengers”- The movie that everyone saw this year. I don’t know a single person who didn’t enjoy it. Assembling all of our favorite Marvel superheroes together proved to be a wonderful thing. The banter between the characters is hilarious, and the action is stunningly realized. This is what a good, fun popcorn flick should be.
“Prometheus”- Perhaps one of the most polarizing films of the year (the prequel to the classic “Alien”), “Prometheus” is a sci-fi epic that raises challenging questions about the origins of species and provides no easy answers. However, it is a dazzling and hypnotic film that is insanely suspenseful and thrilling. The cast is amazing, and the visuals are absolutely gorgeous.
“The Amazing Spider-Man”- Who knew that a reboot of a relatively new franchise could be so good? This “Spider-Man” lives up to the hype and then some. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are excellent. This installment has a little bit more coolness and edge to it than the Sam Raimi trilogy did. “The Amazing Spider-Man” is a great time.
“Sound of My Voice”- A movie that no one saw this year, which is sad. “Sound of My Voice” is an extraordinary mind-bender that focuses upon a couple’s infiltration and examination of a cult. It has a quiet yet palpable sense of urgency and tension to it that is masterful. It raises some interesting ideas and has a shocking “Twilight Zone”-type of ending that will make you rethink everything you thought you knew.
“Amour”- This movie is getting a lot of Oscar love and justifiably so. “Amour” tells the heartbreaking story of an elderly couple that struggles with life after the wife suffers a terrible stroke. “Amour” is one of the saddest movies I’ve ever seen. It is so difficult to watch. However, I cannot recommend it highly enough. The performances are perfect, and the filmmaking is of the highest order. It’s a painful yet moving film that will be ingrained in your memory forever.
“The Details”- Here is another dark comedy that is demented and twisted to the extremes. “The Details” is a weird and quirky movie that focuses upon a family and its problems with raccoons. Soon, things escalate until there is infidelity, murder, and utter chaos. It unfolds in the most shocking and clever ways. I winced and cringed throughout. (I can’t say that I do that a lot). This is a hilarious breath of fresh air, and it’s one of the year’s best hidden gems.
