Dallas is a city that sometimes suffers when it comes to limited runs eventually getting full releases. Film such as Zero Dark Thirty, Amour, The Impossible and Rust and Bone were given post-2012 release dates in Dallas, thus there are usually a few films that take me a couple of weeks to catch up on due to later expanded releases. Thus, I have gotten through just about any and every film I would need to make a legit list. Its definitely been a year and one where a lot of anticipated releases with early buzz and attention actually turned out to be great films. Looper, Django Unchained, Zero Dark Thirty and Skyfall all were major releases with anticipation building as early as a little over a year before its official release date, and all were majorly pleasing experiences on the big screen.
Not everything got me as I’d hoped or expected. The last film viewed before this list was made is Amour, one that I anticipated highly due to my admiration for the work of director Michael Haneke. While the film carries its qualities, especially among its talented actors, I did not feel it to be worthy of the praise and awards recognition it received, particularly in the fact that i didn’t find the film to dig deep enough into the possibilities that could have been drawn from such wonderful characters in a script. I feel its chances at something great were wasted by a lack of desire to explore the lives of two people who have been in love for so long as they both reach the inevitable realities of their passing. The film just felt dead on screen (no pun intended). Another general disappointment for me as a fan was The Dark Knight Rises. I don’t regard it as a horrible film, as Nolan’s usual masterful filmmaking is present, but between being riddled with plot holes, an undermined Tom Hardy as Bane and what I honestly felt was an underwhelming payoff, I can’t say it was the marvel I expected it to be (again, no pun intended). Basically, The Dark Knight was a profoundly difficult act to follow.
So, I can say this was a strange, yet delightful year for films. I took a liking to a lot more major studio releases than expected and found little gems out of film festival such as Sundance and Toronto. So without any further yapping on that joyous form of escapism called film, here are my 25 favorite films of 2012…
25. LAWLESS
Score: 8.0
Perhaps its my undying love for the Prohibition era on film, but my own reaction to this polarizing period piece about small town moonshine peddlers in 1920s Kentucky turned out as another directorial win for Australian John Hillcoat, whose gritty, violent and often subtle 2006 film The Proposition is one of the best contemporary Westerns of our time and a wonderful example of the quiet, but attention-grabbing style showcased by the wonderful talents of the Australian film industry. His second American-produced feature film is a good notch above 2009′s The Road and holds a promising future for this crossover maverick that could very well be boosted by a good working relationship with producer Harvey Weinstein.
24. KILLER JOE
Score: 8.0
45 years into his filmmaking career, William Friedkin has shown us that he’s still got great work in him with this small independent film that it is a true Southern Gothic by nature with its relentlessly dark personality and undertones of humor and wit a midst such shocking ideals. McConaughey’s performance was his second great job of the year (the other being his supporting turn in Magic Mike) and Friedkin’s direction was a force of focused dedication to leaving his audience in shock and intensity at the very end, much like this genre has made itself known for. Its never easy to be at such a great level twenty-three films later and at the age of 77. There are only two other filmmakers whom I can say have accomplished that feat. Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese. Both those gentlemen along with Friedkin were major pioneers in the late 60s and 70s film movements. Further proof of why those were some of the best years for films.
23. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
Score: 8.0
While I do feel it was slightly padded, given that the studio is turning Tolkien’s 300-page book into three near-three hour films, this still packed such a level of character charm to match its already established visual brilliance. I viewed it in two different formats, both in a 24 fps 3D presentation as well as the enhanced 48 fps in 3D. Its best to stick to the 24 frame format, but in general as a film, its an entertaining piece of fantasy that showcases the qualities of Peter Jackson’s visual and charismatic style as a filmmaker.
22. THE RAID: REDEMPTION
Score: 8.0
This Indonesian thriller has not only put its nation on the map for action films, it has also proven to be one of the most entertaining films of its genre for this present time. When it seems that all we will get in the action department is relatively forgetful features like the Fast and the Furious series, Welsh director Gareth Evans (who currently resides and works in Jakarta) has used some of the most intense technical direction procedures to capture on of the best shot and choreographed features of the year.
21. THE AVENGERS
Score: 8.5
The amount of pressure Marvel has on them whilst creating this film is beyond words… When you have spent four years developing, producing and releasing five films that all lead up to this gigantic ensemble feature, which before this film, was relatively unconventional in the comic book genre, failure of disappointment is not an option. They had fans to please and did not let us down one bit. I never thought I would say that is far superior to The Dark Knight Rises, but it is. Remember this statement… Joss Whedon is the king of the geeks!
20. RUST AND BONE
Score: 8.5
I believe this should have been a foreign language film nominee over Amour at this year’s Oscars. Its a story of personal loss and struggle that soon delves into an unconventional romance between a grief-stricken Orca whale trainer and a prized kick-boxer who is also a struggling single father. Director Jacques Audiard’s focus on the humanity of its characters as well as the realism of their experiences is such a driving factor in what allows him as a storyteller, to create such moving films from the roots of hardship and tragedy.
19. SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS
Score: 8.5
Irish playwright Martin McDonagh has crossed over into film in such an artistic and grandiose manner. His 2005 short film Six Shooter earned the Live Action Short Oscar and his 2008 feature film debut In Bruges made my best of the year list (and very high up on that list I may add). His unapologetic writing style shows wit and intelligence and the characters you churn out make you fall in love with some mean and vile people. While this may not have stood as tall as Bruges, it is without a doubt a great film that puts seven title characters on screen, each uniquely earning their right to be dubbed a psychopath. Its as equally funny as it is brutal, not wasting a moment to shift from laughter to visceral gore in a split second. I appreciate what McDonagh does as a writer and a man who constructs great characters. He lives by the aesthetic of greats such as Tarantino and Aaron Sorkin, keeping to the lovable grit of a good Brit flick.
18. BRAVE
Score: 8.5
Its lush animation and gorgeous visuals, particularly in the meticulous detail of its protagonist’s hair is a solid stamp of continuing dedication that Pixar Animation gives to bringing out quality in their films. Its rather unconventional for the studio’s thematic style, but at its touching core, its a splendid mother-daughter film that is equally emotional, moving and entertaining for audiences all ages.
17. HITCHCOCK
Score: 8.5
The man… the master of suspense… the genius… the legend… the cinematic icon… Alfred Hitchcock was many things, but above all, he was a man with a vision to take films to the next level for his audience. This wonderfully acted biographical piece chronicles his journey in making Psycho, particularly from the aspect of the relationships he kept with the studio, the ratings board, his actors and actresses and his loyal, caring wife Alma Reville. Its a surprisingly touching film about one man’s dedication to his art and one woman’s dedication to helping him create it. From Hopkins’ incredible transformation to Hitch to Mirren’s wonderful turn as Reville, not a moment is wasted in this fine feature from first time narrative director Sacha Gervasi.
16. WRECK-IT-RALPH
Score: 9.0
Disney scored huge with this imaginative firecracker that brought one of my favorite pastimes, the almighty arcade to life. Appearances from characters such as Zangief and Sonic were a major plus, but it was the value of entertainment and childhood memories this film gave me that really allowed it to mean what it did to me. The simple joys of old school arcade games are vibrantly showcased in a language that is universal to all audiences, but its the way these characters and references are brought to life in this funny, courageous tale of personal identity that put the icing on the cake for this one.
15. ARGO
Score: 9.0
It puts Ben Affleck at 3 for 3 as a director and if he plays his cards right, he has a bright future as a auteur of contemporary cinema. This is a man whose career has had its highs and lows. He has done some wonderful work with Kevin Smith and broke through with his turn as both an actor and writer on Good Will Hunting. He took some harsh dives throughout the early 2000s with Reindeer Games, Bounce and the infamous Gigli, but when he stepped behind the camera in 2007 with Gone Baby Gone,
things have looked up ever since. In 2010, he followed with another hit, The Town and this year he continued his splendid track record with this intense and poignant retelling of the true story behind the CIA’s rescue of American refugees posing as a Canadian film crew to flee a politically tumultuous Iran in 1979/1980. It does such a great job of building intensity with dialogue and detailed situations instead of chases and shootouts as we have known Affleck to do in previous features. He shows his knack for great storytelling and above all, great filmmaking.
14. SKYFALL
Score: 9.5
Where do I start with this plethora of greatness? Its the best Bond film since GoldenEye and manages to take the franchise to another level, using psychological intensity along with old fashioned espionage to delve into the darkness and demons of 007′s psyche. Craig has really proven himself a worthy man to wear the shoes of Bond and director Sam Mendes has given a sharp focus of direction to keep Bond at its witty roots, but also give things a much needed serious touch.
13. ZERO DARK THIRTY
Score: 9.5
I have been following the work of director Kathryn Bigelow for years. Since her early action/thriller roots with Near Dark, Blue Steel and Point Break, she has broken ground with high octane, major studio vehicles that place her as a tough and worthy filmmaker as well as a confident, creative woman who can hold her own in an industry dominated by men (an industry that can sometimes also be very misogynistic). I had the pleasure of meeting her and this film’s screenwriter, Mark Boal back in 2009 during a very early screening of The Hurt Locker at the Dallas International Film Festival. Both her and Boal were some of the sweetest and most humble people I have ever met and have not allowed any status of industry recognition get to their heads. The conversation about the wonders of film I had with them remains a great moment for me as a cinephile. Enough about that… this film is a detailed procedural that places fictional characters in a story about the greatest manhunt in American history, the search Osama Bin Laden. Its not a film of political stances, but more a straight forward count of the secretive nature of the CIA and one woman’s restless sense of patriotic duty as she leads the manhunt to the eventual success of the Seal Team that stormed the compound. There are many conspiracy theories about Bin Laden’s death including one which claims he died a few years back of kidney failure and who we actually killed was a double, but this film yearns to simply tell a fictional count of the entire hunt. Its a well-written thriller with commanding performances from Jessica Chastain and Jason Clarke. Appearances from Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt and Mark Duplass are also great moments.
12. PARANORMAN
Score: 9.5
Of the three animated films that made my list, this was my absolute favorite. Its a little tense for super young audiences, but for those little munchkins that can handle it, its a glorious homage to 70s and 80s zombie films that packs punches with excellent characters and an undeniably great sense of humor. Its a major step for Laika Animation and a winner on the scale of unique family films. It touched upon the themes of death in a manner that i feel really works for its age group and for that, I applaud the filmmakers.
11. LIFE OF PI
Score: 9.5
Ang Lee is a man of many tricks. It seems as if he can mesh a great film out of any source or idea. This book has often been said to be unfilmable, but through championed artistic merits and colorful display of eye catching visual effects, this talented director has managed to create one of the year’s most memorable big screen experiences. I stand by the fact that I find this film to be much better than Avatar.
10. LINCOLN
Score: 9.5
You don’t need vampires to make Abe Lincoln look like a bad ass. The man’s beard and top hat alone make him a dude you’d want to get drunk with. Historical period pieces set prior to the 20th century are a tough task in Tinseltown, but through Spielberg’s attention to detailed production design, his use of welcoming humor and a fine array of talented and notable actors, he has created a fast paced, sharply spoken epic that chronicles Lincoln’s efforts to pass the thirteenth amendment. The man of the hour is Daniel Day-Lewis, who flawlessly brings Lincoln’s persona to life through his meticulous and dedicated transformations into any character he portrays on screen. He never broke character on or off set for three months during production.
9. BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
Score: 9.5
Its a small film that could… Through grandiose storytelling, this charming little film is commanded by a performance from Quvenzhané Wallis, bringing its setting of a dystopian Southern bayou to life with splendid results. Its unconventional script and characters are matched by fascinating cinematographic landscapes.
8. DJANGO UNCHAINED
Score: 9.5
Its Tarantino’s undying ability to craft flawless dialogue into the mouths of charming characters who exist in a universe that revolves around his fascination with ultra violence and pop culture references, all while paying homage to the genre films that influence his ideas. His most notable feat with this contemporary Western masterpiece is that the script contains skeletal traces of pop culture references, if any. It really proves so much within his range. He isn’t a hack, nor a one trick pony, succeeding for the last twenty years at never making the same film twice, yet displaying one of the most notable auteur styles in a director today. Every character adds to the memorable outcome of this epic, often hilarious love letter to the Spaghetti Western (with a nice Southern twist).
7. SMASHED
Score: 10.0
Its driven by a confident, dedicated performance from Mary Elizabeth Winstead and hosts an intimate, intense and honest portrayal of one woman’s struggles with alcoholism and sobriety. It’s not a cookie cutter film and delves bravely into the honest realities of such a condition, but also offers hope through such a strong supporting cast that focuses on both the positive and negative support this character receives from the people around her. Its an all around excellent feature.
6. KILLING THEM SOFTLY
Score: 10.0
Andrew Dominik’s visceral gangster film with an economic statement had its naysayers, but equally had its admirers. Its heavily driven by its constructive dialogue and offers undertones that show an unexpected sense of humor within its screenplay. Its also very much an experimental piece, which one would often come to expect from Dominik as he used the same approach with The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. This is another strong film to add to his resume and one that stuck with me long after viewing.
5. THE MASTER
Score: 10.0
P.T. Anderson’s follow up to the flawless There Will Be Blood is an epic exploration of cult organizations and brainwashing through the creation of a religion very much based on the antics of Scientology. Its actors are at the top of their game, bringing to life an ambitious, talented and often unapologetic script from Anderson, matched perfectly by breathtaking cinematography and a piercing score from Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood.
4. SHUT UP AND PLAY THE HITS
Score: 10.0
LCD Soundsystem’s final show at Madison Square Garden and the week leading up to it are phenomenally captured by a group of documentarians and displayed in this film, which has made its place on the ranks of the greatest concert films ever made. You can count this in with Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense, The Band’s The Last Walt and Sun Ra’s Space Is The Place. People actually started dancing in their seats while watching this.
3. MOONRISE KINGDOM
Score: 10.0
Wes Anderson’s style of filmmaking has become one of the most recognizable among film geeks today. His intimidating set and costume designs flourish to create a wonderful and colorful experience as he brings such great characters to life with wonderful storytelling. This story of two runaway youth in 1965 Connecticut is nothing short of the rest of his work… incredible!
2. LOOPER
Score: 10.0
In a time where I had lost faith in the originality and ambition of Hollywood, Rian Johnson gave me Looper, a captivating and wildly engrossing sci-fi drama about time travel, the world’s economic future and the undeniable strength of human relationships. One of the best marketed films of the year, you go in thinking its about one thing, only to realize its really about something else completely. Its a strikingly original picture from one of the most creatively brilliant minds working in the industry today.
1. SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Score: 10.0
From the moment this film ended, I knew in my head it was going to be my number one choice for the year. Its an unconventional choice for me as this little romantic dramedy beat out films from the likes of Quentin Tarantino, Wes Anderson, Rian Johnson, Paul Thomas Anderson and Steven Spielberg to make this place on the list. But quite frankly, this is an unconventional film. Since 1994, David O. Russell along with his indie movement comrades of the mid 90s has captivated me film after film with the stories he tells and the characters centered around them. He is a master of capturing the beauty of imperfection and this moving, often hilarious, but always powerful film is one of his most masterful works to date. Great performances from its ENTIRE cast (Yes, even Bradley Cooper) and an experimental, often raw approach to editing and storytelling drove this away from being another genre piece and gave a voice of differentiation to the idea of the romantic dramedy. It never once goes off beat or even comes close, and instead gives its viewers an invested two hours of cinematic storytelling gold.
-ADAM KEITH.
