2012
Best to worst of all the movies I have seen so far from 2012
List activity
874 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
89 titles
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsJamie FoxxChristoph WaltzLeonardo DiCaprioWith the help of a German bounty-hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal plantation owner in Mississippi.With most of my lists, #1s and #2s can sometimes be personal favorites, and that's exactly what is going on here w/ Django. I've been disappointed w/ a lot of Tarantino films over the years, but I had so much fun watching this movie, I couldn't remove the smile from my face. By far the best Tarantino movie I've seen in 15/20 years. If I weren't a snob, I would have stood up and clapped.
(My rating since you can't see it: 10 Stars) - DirectorKathryn BigelowStarsJessica ChastainJoel EdgertonChris PrattA chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L.s Team 6 in May 2011.I saw this movie opening night and waited til now (2/27/2013) to write about it. ZDT is an excellent film. Whether you agree or disagree with torture, just know that it does happen in the movie and is rough to watch. To steal a line I've already heard, ZDT represents all that US has been through regarding the search for Bin Laden. It's too bad this movie is currently viewed as the "torture movie" because, from a certain perspective, this movie also celebrates the capture of OBL. Yes, there was a cost, but what war doesn't have them? In my opinion, ZDT was snubbed at the Oscars, and when reading reviews, it's pretty apparent what most critics thought was the best film of 2012. It was Zero Dark Thirty.
(10 Stars) - DirectorJacques AudiardStarsMarion CotillardMatthias SchoenaertsArmand VerdurePut in charge of his young son, Alain leaves Belgium for Antibes to live with his sister and her husband as a family. Alain's bond with Stephanie, a killer whale trainer, grows deeper after Stephanie suffers a horrible accident.
- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsJoaquin PhoenixPhilip Seymour HoffmanAmy AdamsA Naval veteran arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future - until he is tantalized by the Cause and its charismatic leader.Phenomenal acting and directing, no surprise there. The story fell a little flat for me which is a result of my expectations being too high. I rarely could identify with this movie. However, when comparing to other films, it's hard to argue the cinematic fetes it accomplishes on so many levels.
(9 Stars) - DirectorJ.A. BayonaStarsNaomi WattsEwan McGregorTom HollandThe story of a tourist family in Thailand caught in the destruction and chaotic aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
- DirectorAng LeeStarsSuraj SharmaIrrfan KhanAdil HussainA young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger.Amazingly shot. Stan Lee deserves an award for at least that. UPDATE: 2/27/2013, Called it!
(8 Stars) - DirectorLeos CaraxStarsDenis LavantEdith ScobEva MendesA man boards a limousine to be driven to his day's work: nine mysterious "appointments."There's usually one or two movies a year I sit up in my chair and say, "What the *beep* was that?". Sometimes that's good, sometimes that's bad. This year it was Holy Motors and it was GOOD.
(9 Stars) - DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsBradley CooperJennifer LawrenceRobert De NiroAfter a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own.It's been a while since I've seen a good romance film. Granted, there are a lot of other elements at hand that make this non-traditional, but maybe that's why it resonates.
(8 Stars) - DirectorOlivier NakacheÉric ToledanoStarsFrançois CluzetOmar SyAnne Le NyAfter he becomes a quadriplegic from a paragliding accident, an aristocrat hires a young man from the projects to be his caregiver.
- DirectorRian JohnsonStarsJoseph Gordon-LevittBruce WillisEmily BluntIn 2074, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent into the past, where a hired gun awaits - someone like Joe - who one day learns the mob wants to 'close the loop' by sending back Joe's future self for assassination.Thank you Rian Johnson for reminding hollywood that it's still okay to direct a violent film that can be creative and fun. I'm sick of having to watch Japanese films to meet that need. Though slow at times, a great Thriller Sci-Fi.
(8 Stars) - DirectorGareth EvansStarsIko UwaisAnanda GeorgeRay SahetapyA S.W.A.T. team becomes trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers and thugs.The best action/fight movie I've seen since The Matrix.
(8 Stars) - DirectorJoss WhedonStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris EvansScarlett JohanssonEarth's mightiest heroes must come together and learn to fight as a team if they are going to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity.Lived up to the hype.
(8 Stars) - DirectorBenh ZeitlinStarsQuvenzhané WallisDwight HenryLevy EasterlyFaced with both her hot-tempered father's fading health and melting ice-caps that flood her ramshackle bayou community and unleash ancient aurochs, six-year-old Hushpuppy must learn the ways of courage and love.I had high hopes for "Beasts", but was a little disappointed. "Q" Wallis' performance carries this movie, she is great! Directed very Mallick-ish.
(8 Stars) - DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsJack BlackShirley MacLaineMatthew McConaugheyIn small-town Texas, an affable mortician strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, though when she starts to become controlling, he goes to great lengths to separate himself from her grasp.Great dark comedy! Today's date is 8/18/2012 and I say Jack Black should at least be nominated for his performance!
UPDATE: 1/8/2013, I no longer think that, Jack. Too many greater performances this year. Sorry.
(8 Stars) - DirectorNeil BerkeleyStarsWayne WhiteMimi PondPaul ReubensA documentary on the life and current times of artist Wayne White.As a fellow art degree, I couldn't agree more w/ the concepts of Wayne White. Art is often taken too seriously, and when a creative mind comes along like White's, once should embrace the opportunity to enjoy, because comedy and art don't often blend. I even found myself a little inspired by the end of this "happy-go-lucky" documentary.
(9 Stars) - DirectorBen AffleckStarsBen AffleckBryan CranstonJohn GoodmanActing under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1979.Very solid film, but I'm not sure I was as excited as others.
(8 Stars) - DirectorDavid AyerStarsJake GyllenhaalMichael PeñaAnna KendrickShot documentary-style, this film follows the daily grind of two young police officers in LA who are partners and friends and what happens when they meet criminal forces greater than themselves."Ayer has given us a straightforward portrait of men at work in what may be the most difficult job on earth." -Leonard Malton
I loved this movie when I first saw it. I do recognize its flaws, however.
(8 Stars) - DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsDaniel Day-LewisSally FieldDavid StrathairnAs the Civil War rages on, U.S President Abraham Lincoln struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on his decision to emancipate the slaves.A lot of politics that were a little over my head, but a movie that appeared to be very well executed. As always, Daniel Day-Lewis was outstanding but not without the ENORMOUS cast that supported him. Specifically, Tommy Lee Jones and a very funny James Spader. I'm curious to hear the reaction from others going forward regarding this movie. Unless, people just see it as a historical event in our history and move on from it...
(8 Stars) - DirectorRich MooreStarsJohn C. ReillyJack McBrayerJane LynchA video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.As a kid (and adult) that played video games, this resonated more with me than most. The trailer portrayed more cameos from video games of the past, but that is rarely the case. Still, another well-done movie from Disney. Perfect casting for Reilly and Silverman.
(7 Stars) - DirectorMalik BendjelloulStarsRodriguezStephen 'Sugar' SegermanDennis CoffeyTwo South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock n roller, Rodriguez.Feel-good story. Excellent music. Oscar winner. Everyone should see Searching for Sugar Man and be humbled by it.
(8 Stars) - DirectorMorten TyldumStarsAksel HennieSynnøve Macody LundNikolaj Coster-WaldauAn accomplished headhunter risks everything to obtain a valuable painting owned by a former mercenary.Exciting thriller with plenty of eye-opening moments.
(8 Stars) - DirectorSam MendesStarsDaniel CraigJavier BardemNaomie HarrisJames Bond's loyalty to M is tested when her past comes back to haunt her. When MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.Has all the elements you'd want for a Bond movie BUT NOW they've got directing to go with it! Mendes proves that he's got what it takes to make an action film to go along with the rest of his resume.
(8 Stars) - DirectorJason MooreStarsAnna KendrickBrittany SnowRebel WilsonBeca, a freshman at Barden University, is cajoled into joining The Bellas, her school's all-girls singing group. Injecting some much needed energy into their repertoire, The Bellas take on their male rivals in a campus competition.Finally, something I can recommend to my sister! Seriously, though, another surprisingly entertaining movie and I had a good time with it.
(7 Stars) - DirectorSarah PolleyStarsMichelle WilliamsSeth RogenSarah SilvermanA happily married woman falls for the artist who lives across the street.Another excellent performance by Michelle Williams, she carries this movie. Seth Rogen should be taking notes.
(8 Stars) - DirectorMichael DowseStarsSeann William ScottJay BaruchelAlison PillLabeled an outcast by his brainy family, a bouncer overcomes long odds to lead a team of under performing misfits to semi-pro hockey glory, beating the crap out of everything that stands in his way.A shockingly entertaining hockey/comedy/sports movie!
(8 Stars)