It is almost time for the Oscars and I am largely disappointed in the nominee list for the majority of categories. I was originally in support of extending the best picture nominee list to 10 films, but now I wonder if that was a mistake. It seems to me that a good number of movies are picked and thrown in at the last minute just to have a list of 10. For instance, "Amour," which I have not yet seen, has been nominated for best picture and best foreign film. That seems unfair. There are also a couple baffling choices I feel shouldn't be anywhere near best picture because they eliminate better choices from the running. Therefore, I have compiled my list of what I consider to be the top 10 pictures of 2012. I am going to be literal and limit myself to ten films, although I will place some honorable mentions at the end of my list.
10. "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World"
This is a lighthearted disaster film that forgoes big budget effects and instead focuses on the human spirit and the importance of friendship. The screenplay by Lorene Scafaria is tender without being too self-aware and there are surprising moments of profundity. Steve Carell is at his best in material like this and shows a great deal of depth, while Keira Knightley steps outside her comfort zone to do a rendition of the manic pixie dream girl. Audiences missed the boat on this one, which is too bad , because this is one of the year's most pleasant and uplifting films.
This is a lighthearted disaster film that forgoes big budget effects and instead focuses on the human spirit and the importance of friendship. The screenplay by Lorene Scafaria is tender without being too self-aware and there are surprising moments of profundity. Steve Carell is at his best in material like this and shows a great deal of depth, while Keira Knightley steps outside her comfort zone to do a rendition of the manic pixie dream girl. Audiences missed the boat on this one, which is too bad , because this is one of the year's most pleasant and uplifting films.
9. "The Dark Knight Rises"
Let's face it; "The Dark Knight Rises" was never going to be a consideration for a best picture nomination. But the lack of best supporting actor nods to either Gary Oldman or Michael Caine is criminal. This was the blockbuster to beat this summer, and while "The Avengers" slightly took the edge on pleasing the fan-boys, "The Dark Knight Rises" was far and away the better example of actual filmmaking and a knock-out finish to a blockbuster trilogy. Christopher Nolan has crafted a completely thrilling conclusion to his Bruce Wayne story arc. While it may not have addressed all audience expectation, it provided a deeply resonant story along with some of the year's best action. A totally satisfying 165 minutes.
Let's face it; "The Dark Knight Rises" was never going to be a consideration for a best picture nomination. But the lack of best supporting actor nods to either Gary Oldman or Michael Caine is criminal. This was the blockbuster to beat this summer, and while "The Avengers" slightly took the edge on pleasing the fan-boys, "The Dark Knight Rises" was far and away the better example of actual filmmaking and a knock-out finish to a blockbuster trilogy. Christopher Nolan has crafted a completely thrilling conclusion to his Bruce Wayne story arc. While it may not have addressed all audience expectation, it provided a deeply resonant story along with some of the year's best action. A totally satisfying 165 minutes.
8. "Jack Reacher"
From its unforgettably bold opening moments, "Jack Reacher" had me hooked. Adapted from Lee Child's book series, directer Christopher McQuarrie has translated the ninth novel into an exceptional thriller with some hard-hitting action. While it was tragically under-seen by audiences due to a competitive release date ("The Hobbit"), this is a character that NEEDS a franchise. Part procedural, part 70's style action cinema, "Jack Reacher" is a very rewarding and entertaining experience.
From its unforgettably bold opening moments, "Jack Reacher" had me hooked. Adapted from Lee Child's book series, directer Christopher McQuarrie has translated the ninth novel into an exceptional thriller with some hard-hitting action. While it was tragically under-seen by audiences due to a competitive release date ("The Hobbit"), this is a character that NEEDS a franchise. Part procedural, part 70's style action cinema, "Jack Reacher" is a very rewarding and entertaining experience.
7. "Looper"
Did any working actor have a better year than Joseph Gordon-Levitt? After the massive success of "The Dark Knight Rises," he delivers another winning performance in Rian Johnson's sci-fi-centric "Looper." With a core narrative built around a time-travel gimmick, the heart of the movie is in the characters' and their various motivations and goals. A pretty noir-ish feeling first half is followed by a surprisingly grounded last act; with a series of twists that culminate in the corn fields of Kansas. Wrtier/Director Johnson is making a name for himself with brainy, thematic originals, and this is his best one yet. Gordon-Levitt still had time to turn in an energetic performance in "Premium Rush" and a somber portrayal of Robert Lincoln in Steven Spielberg's latest.
Did any working actor have a better year than Joseph Gordon-Levitt? After the massive success of "The Dark Knight Rises," he delivers another winning performance in Rian Johnson's sci-fi-centric "Looper." With a core narrative built around a time-travel gimmick, the heart of the movie is in the characters' and their various motivations and goals. A pretty noir-ish feeling first half is followed by a surprisingly grounded last act; with a series of twists that culminate in the corn fields of Kansas. Wrtier/Director Johnson is making a name for himself with brainy, thematic originals, and this is his best one yet. Gordon-Levitt still had time to turn in an energetic performance in "Premium Rush" and a somber portrayal of Robert Lincoln in Steven Spielberg's latest.
6. "Wreck-It Ralph"
By far the best animated feature of the year, "Wreck-It Ralph" is a hilarious, homage-laden family adventure with something to please everyone. With an incredibly uplifting message, the picture also has a heart of gold to match its loving but misunderstood protagonist. "Wreck-It Ralph" is an example of Disney at its very best, including a variety of visual styles to match the film's 'game jumping.' John C. Reilly is pitch-perfect as the lovable Ralph; and Sarah Silverman makes for a surprisingly likeable side-kick. Kids will appreciate the action and adults will be doubled over with all the sight gags and clever in-jokes aimed at the bygone arcade generation.
5. "Skyfall"
Not only is this the best Bond Daniel Craig has done, but it is quite easily the best Bond in 50 years of the franchise. Sam Mendes brings a classy touch to "Skyfall" as well as a bit of vulnerability for 007. Roger Deakins' cinematography is unforgettable and shifts with the mood when things go from bad to worse. Javier Bardem portrays another sinister villain in a great performance, while Judi Dench turns in her best work yet as Bond's handler M. "Skyfall" does for James Bond what "The Dark Knight" did for Batman; this one is not to be missed!
4. "The Grey"
While I didn't get a chance to review this movie when it was in theatres, I have recently finished watching it for the third time and could have easily made it my number one film of the year. "The Grey" is certainly 2012's most harrowing picture; a tense and breathtaking tale about the spirit of human survival in the face of what seems to be inevitable mortality. Liam Neeson gives one of his great performances as John Ottway, an Alaskan oil worker who survives a plane crash along with six other men. They face the harsh elements and a vicious pack of wolves that stalks them mercilessly. Joe Carnahan actually filmed his cast in the harsh cold of the Canadian tundra and that fact alone makes this a must-watch. Perhaps the only thing holding it back from my top spot is how bleak and dismal the movie can seem. But after the third viewing, the knock-out ending left me uplifted.
While I didn't get a chance to review this movie when it was in theatres, I have recently finished watching it for the third time and could have easily made it my number one film of the year. "The Grey" is certainly 2012's most harrowing picture; a tense and breathtaking tale about the spirit of human survival in the face of what seems to be inevitable mortality. Liam Neeson gives one of his great performances as John Ottway, an Alaskan oil worker who survives a plane crash along with six other men. They face the harsh elements and a vicious pack of wolves that stalks them mercilessly. Joe Carnahan actually filmed his cast in the harsh cold of the Canadian tundra and that fact alone makes this a must-watch. Perhaps the only thing holding it back from my top spot is how bleak and dismal the movie can seem. But after the third viewing, the knock-out ending left me uplifted.
3. "Django Unchained"
This is on many people's list this year among the top three, and with good reason. Quentin Tarantino's latest picture is another masterwork of controversial cinema. A tale about vindication and revenge is set against the backdrop of the slave-era south, but takes on the stylistic sheen of a classic spaghetti western. Nobody can master and pay homage to multiple genres better than Tarantino, and "Django Unchained" is a perfect canvas for his work. Jamie Foxx is excellent in the title role, but it is Christoph Waltz who yet again walks away with the picture; delivering the trademark Tarantino dialogue with poetic perfection.
This is on many people's list this year among the top three, and with good reason. Quentin Tarantino's latest picture is another masterwork of controversial cinema. A tale about vindication and revenge is set against the backdrop of the slave-era south, but takes on the stylistic sheen of a classic spaghetti western. Nobody can master and pay homage to multiple genres better than Tarantino, and "Django Unchained" is a perfect canvas for his work. Jamie Foxx is excellent in the title role, but it is Christoph Waltz who yet again walks away with the picture; delivering the trademark Tarantino dialogue with poetic perfection.
2. "Lincoln"
"Lincoln" is Steven Spielberg's best picture in years. This is a remarkable cinematic portrait of our Nation's greatest President in his most tumultuous period in office. Daniel Day-Lewis is no stranger to Oscar attention, but this is a performance that absolutely deserves the recognition. "Lincoln" is such an important film; relevant to countless generations, and should set a new bar for historical dramas. While I am inclined to agree that it goes on perhaps one or two scenes too long, everything that comes before is perfect cinema. If this were to win best picture, I wouldn't be disappointed. Or surprised.
"Lincoln" is Steven Spielberg's best picture in years. This is a remarkable cinematic portrait of our Nation's greatest President in his most tumultuous period in office. Daniel Day-Lewis is no stranger to Oscar attention, but this is a performance that absolutely deserves the recognition. "Lincoln" is such an important film; relevant to countless generations, and should set a new bar for historical dramas. While I am inclined to agree that it goes on perhaps one or two scenes too long, everything that comes before is perfect cinema. If this were to win best picture, I wouldn't be disappointed. Or surprised.
1. "Argo"/"Zero Dark Thirty"
Okay, I lied. Obviously eleven films made my list, but it is hard to rank the year's two best pictures when each is so pitch-perfectly made. I give a tie to "Argo" and "Zero Dark Thirty" - both dabble in middle-east conflicts driven by western politics. "Argo" is a flashy, suspenseful look at the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979 and simplifies the events into a smart and expertly paced thriller. Ben Affleck is superb as both director and star; perfectly balancing humor with urgency. With a host of stellar supporting roles, including John Goodman and Alan Arkin, "Argo" is probably the most crowd-pleasing experience I had in the theatre this year. It exposes a little-known bit of history while simultaneously taking a shot at the gimmicky system of Hollywood glamour; it stands strong as a contender for best picture of the year.
"Zero Dark Thirty" is a riveting chronicle of the ten-year manhunt for Osama bin Laden. Kathryn Bigelow directs with as much accuracy as possible, blending a smart procedural with moments of nail-biting suspense not unlike her 2009 best picture winner "The Hurt Locker." Jessica Chastain is mesmerizing as Maya, a new CIA operative who staunchly follows a single lead for a decade while nobody listens to her. Her persistence leads to what has become the most public top-secret raid in history - the midnight raid on Osama bin Laden's compound. The mission itself is put off until the lengthy picture's last half hour but it's a heart-stopping sequence. When it's over, the audience feels a bit like Maya - more emotionally drained than satisfied. That is in no way a bad thing. "Zero Dark Thirty" may be held back by the controversy surrounding its depiction of torture, but it is controversy leveled by those who fail to understand the film. "Zero Dark Thirty" deserves its praise in spades.
Honorable Mentions:
"Moonrise Kingdom"-One of the year's absolute best screenplays and Wes Anderson's finest film to date.
"Safety Not Guaranteed"-A quirky and inspiring comedy with a romantic flavor and a sci-fi twist. The characters are completely loveable and sincere.
"Prometheus"-Disappointments and plot holes aside, this is still the best sci-fi picture of the year, and quite beautifully re-creates the majesty of Ridley Scott's classic "Alien" universe.
"Sound of My Voice"-A haunting and hypnotizing indie film about a film journalist and his girlfriend who infiltrate a mysterious cult led by a woman who claims to be from the future. I couldn't stop thinking about this movie after I saw it, and Brit Marling is captivating as cult leader Maggie.
"Prometheus"-Disappointments and plot holes aside, this is still the best sci-fi picture of the year, and quite beautifully re-creates the majesty of Ridley Scott's classic "Alien" universe.
"Sound of My Voice"-A haunting and hypnotizing indie film about a film journalist and his girlfriend who infiltrate a mysterious cult led by a woman who claims to be from the future. I couldn't stop thinking about this movie after I saw it, and Brit Marling is captivating as cult leader Maggie.
No comments:
Post a Comment