To explain my carefully picked top 10 list that follows, I need to explain that it is based mainly on the expectations I had for each film I saw this year. Many of the films from the top filmmakers today released throughout the year have not made the list, because they didn’t fully reach my expectations or, for that matter, exceed them. Overall, 2012 has been a year of disappointments for me personally – but with a handful of great films still.
10. The Master Love it or hate it, this one sticks with you. Being the only exception on my list, P. T. Anderson’s cult movie packs some of the best performances of the year by far. It deserves multiple viewings and conversation.
9. Beasts of the Southern Wild Like a modern John Steinbeck novel, this low budget film shows the wealth of poverty with the honest look into a poor community called the Bathtub. Its a special film that is not to be missed.
8. Ruby Sparks Proving to be one of the most original films of the year from the title character’s actress/screen writer Zoe Kazan, its easy to call it simplistic genius. Paul Dano does wonderfully in a main role as a Woody Allen type character, with great small appearances by Annette Bening and Antonio Banderas.
7. The Intouchables A touching film based on a true story, which gave Michael Haneke’s Amour some competition for the Best Foreign Language Film of the Year Golden Globe.
6. Seven Psychopaths Oscar winner Martin McDonagh (In Bruges) writes and directs one of the funniest dark comedies of the year with a perfect all-star cast. It brings to mind all of the violent ’90s flicks that are quotable and truly unforgettable.
5. The Avengers After being set up by five big budget, blockbuster Marvel films – this one was worth the wait. Arguably the best Marvel superhero film of all time, its just pure fun. Joss Whedon had his name on two fantastically entertaining, well-written films this year and I can’t wait for The Avengers franchise to continue.
4. Skyfall The best James Bond film in many years, Javier Bardem is an amazing villain. Daniel Craig has now fully made his mark on the long running franchise.
3. Natural Selection Although close to no one saw this film, Houston born filmmaker Robbie Pickering has delivered unto us a different kind of road movie. It is one that can be watched countless times anytime, anywhere.
2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower Completely being snubbed on the best adapted screenplay Oscar nomination, Stephen Chbosky has given us the perfect film version of his novel – which has been compared to J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. Now, not only the novel but the film can be remembered for many years to come.
1. Silver Linings Playbook David O. Russell (The Fighter) writes and directs this interesting relationship dramedy that cannot be bettered. Based on the novel by Matthew Quick, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence have never been better – with each having starred in many films this year.
Having missed out on Oscar nominated films: Les Misérables, Life of Pi, Wreck-It Ralph, The Impossible, and the rare foreign film juggernaut Amour – this is the painfully difficult determined list. For those who are with me on the number one film on my list, be sure to root for it on the 85th Annual Academy Awards ceremony on February 24th.
