2012 Year In Review- My Top 10 Movies, Part 1

Is it already the end of 2012? Wow.

Well, here we go again…time for my top 10 movies of the year. To refresh your memory, I named “War Horse” as my favorite for 2011. Will I have another that differs from most critics’ lists? Let us begin…

10. “Wreck It Ralph”

You knew there would be at least ONE animated Disney movie in this list, right? Not only a Disney film, but a very well done story about an arcade game “villain” who just wants to be a hero.

9. “The Dark Knight Rises”

The final installment of the Christopher Nolan directed “Batman” trilogy turned out to be, for me, the second best in the series after “The Dark Knight” from way back in 2008.

I originally had this in my top 5, but after looking at what else made my list it just made more sense to land it in the nine spot.

8.”Django Unchained”

It’s the first in my top 10 of the 2012 “late entries” – those films that the studios present at the end of the year in order to compete for an Oscar.

At first, I wasn’t sure about making this one of my favorites for the year.Yes, it’s    violent…VERY violent. That in itself can be an instant “turn off” for me. But after some reflecting on elements that make a movie  good – acting, directing, plot and overall “feel” of a film- I concluded “Django Unchained” delivers.

It’s not an easy movie to watch, but if you do see this, you will be impacted.

7. “Skyfall”

I’ve seen this one isn’t getting much love from the early rounds of critics’ lists or awards nominations.That makes it being in my list so much more “special.”

Is it the best Bond film of all time? No. Is it the best Bond film of recent time? Yes.

6. “Bully”

I really wish more people would take the time to watch this film. This movie addresses a powerful issue that continues to impact our society. At schools, at work places, and even on the roads we hear of bullying. This movie puts the serious problem right before our eyes and makes it personal.

After screening the film and discussing in a round-table setting on Fox 26 in Houston, Texas the message became even more clear to me that everyone could relate to the central character’s daily battle just to survive. Alex, the 12-year old featured in the documentary who is a “punching bag” for his classmates exists, or has existed, in each of our lives at one time or another.

This also gets my vote for best documentary.

Up next? My top 5. You WILL be surprised what gets my nod for the top spot.

Read 2012 Year In Review- My Top 10 Movies, Part 2

Dave Morales is a member of the Houston Film Critics Society