The Best Movies of 2012

I blogged about a handful of movies last year on Patch, and thought it would be fitting to write a recap of the best films that I saw that were officially released in 2012. I haven't seen everything, and I'm not a professional film critic (the days of the internet are shrinking those prospects). But since heated discussions can get started over absolutely anything posted on Patch, I figured it would be fun if movies were at the center of the debate. Post the best movie you saw in 2012 and any other comments below. Click each title if you want a great resource, based on each selection, that can be checked out for free from the library:

10 – Lincoln (PG-13)

While a lot lower on my list than many other “real” critics, I still want to applaud Steven Spielberg's Lincoln. I am a real sucker for political dramas, and you don't get any more political than a movie about arguably our greatest president doing arguably the most heroic act in abolishing slavery. I was taken aback at how even in those days political corruption ran rampant, but this was a case where the end truly did justify the means. Daniel Day Lewis will most likely win the best actor Oscar for his brilliant performance. I am in the minority who thought the casting of Sally Field was a mistake. She did a great job acting, don't get me wrong, but something about her didn't click with me. Also, I felt the film went a little too long, hence why this film didn't place higher on my list.

9 – Looper (R)
One of the most creative films of 2012 was Looper. Not merely a time travel film, Looper dealt with some heavy ethical dilemmas – what would you if you met your future self and they told you to go against your present day instincts? It's a hard film to watch at times, earning every corner of it's R-rating, but for those with the courage to take the ride, this “repeat-viewing-required” puzzle of a movie will please many. And it's got Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt – two great actors who have a blast playing the same character at different ages.

8 - Django Unchained (R)
I am a HUGE fan of director Quentin Tarantino, and went to the first showing of his new film Django Unchained on opening day – Christmas. While not exactly a holiday movie, there were plenty of fireworks in this adventure of a newly freed slave on his odyssey to assist a bounty hunter and free his enslaved wife. It's violent. It's controversial. It's off the wall. And it's hilarious. While not quite as impressive as QT's previous film Inglourious Basterds, it's still a must-see.

7 - The Dark Knight Rises (PG-13)
This final entry in the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy was the strongest – even without Heath Ledger. I thought this film had a perfect ending to what was a long, fun ride. The entire trilogy was darker than I usually like my comic book movies, but in this instance it did make for a stronger film. I did really like The Avengers and even The Amazing Spider-Man as well, but this was the best comic book movie of 2012 in my opinion.

6 - Beasts of the Southern Wild (PG-13)

For a long time this year I considered this to be the best film of 2012 – I even said something to that effect in a Patch review I wrote. A little girl is forced to deal with an apocalypse of sorts in a flooded post-Katrina-esque New Orleans set area called 'The Bathtub'. It's an unforgettable film with a star making child performance in Quvenzhané Wallis (who was just 6 years old when she filmed the movie!). While it's rated PG-13, most likely due to the intensity and themes, it seemed almost like a family film. I would say anyone ten and up could really pull something special from this great story. I also want to give a shout-out to Dan Romer, the composer of the score to this film. It's my favorite music in any movie this year, and theme will be stuck in your head for days after.

5 - Argo (R)
This has been the year of the great historical film (I've mentioned one already, and one is yet to come). This, for me, was the most suspenseful of the bunch. It helped that I wasn't alive when the events took place, and I made a point not to learn the outcome of what would happen to hidden Americans in a war-torn Iran who would pose as a film crew to escape back to America. Ben Affleck directs and stars in this great movie that, if not for the constant (but realistic) profanity, would probably be a classroom must.

4 - Cloud Atlas (R)
A lot of professional and at home critics alike HATED this film based on the novel by David Mitchell. It's really six or so movies in one, taking the same actors and having them play multiple roles in multiple time periods. It's a very long movie about past, present, and future lives, and there is certainly a lot going on, but for me, it worked. I loved the twists, the variety, and the pacing. It was directed by the same folks who did the The Matrix trilogy, and is the first great movie they have done since the first (and only the first) Matrix movie. This is also one of those movies where it's wise to wait through the first part of the credits before turning off/leaving. I won't say why, but trust me, you'll want to see what happens.

3 – Ted (R)
You rolled your eyes, didn't you. I won't shy away from the fact that I loved this movie about a teddy bear that comes to life and grows up to be a less than model citizen. I am partial of course because I was fortunate enough to be an extra in it, but even still I think it's a great comedy that ranks among the funniest movies ever made. There is a great balance of raunchy and sweet that has been a trend of late (see last year's Bridesmaids for another example, although Ted is still better). Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy and this year's Oscar host, did a great job in his directorial debut, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

2 - Zero Dark Thirty (R)

AKA 'The death of Osama Bin Laden' movie. I was skeptical when I heard about this film, the title of which is referring to the time the mission to kill Bid Laden began. I always knew this would be a movie someday, but not this soon. I wondered if it was the right time as just about anything can incite violence nowadays. That aside, as a movie, it's brilliant. The director, Kathryn Bigelow, who already has won Oscar gold with another modern-war film, The Hurt Locker, actually improves both in narrative, direction, and pacing on her previous work. There are many angles she could have taken, but she chooses to follow the storyline of the female intelligence officer known to us as 'Maya' (portrayed by the impressive Jessica Chastain) whose unpopular hunch is what ultimately led to the information needed to start the final mission. I was also very impressed with Bigelow's discretion. She doesn't exploit the story, and is very reserved in what violence she shows on screen. That's not to say it isn't without tension – despite knowing the ending, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Don't miss this one.

1 - Silver Linings Playbook (R)
This is my favorite movie of not just this year, but of many before it. I have seen it three times in theaters already, and hope to catch it at least one more time before it heads for home viewing. Most films that deal with mental illness show viewers the worst case scenarios of a disease/condition, and go for huge, often over-the-top drama. This is a film that takes two suffering individuals played by Bradley Cooper (The Hangover) and Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games), and shows how their mental instabilities can be managed, controlled, and forgotten with the right balance of medicine, care, and love. Sounds boring, doesn't it? It's anything but. The marketers also have had a hard time making this story sound exciting, which is the only reason this isn't a breakout hit. Let's try this. It's got a major football theme. A major dancing theme. It's hilarious. And Robert DeNiro turns in his best role in years. It's got something for everyone, and I have not spoken to a single person who has seen it who hasn't been impressed. It's the best film of 2012.

All right, what did you like this year at the movies? Hate? Post your comments below...