The Best Movies of 2012 (Post-Oscar)

2012 was quite a year for movies. But I still say that the king daddy of them all was TDKR, the orgasmic final chapter in Christopher Nolan's trilogy. I can't remember the last Nolan film that wasn't my favorite movie of the year. I love the way that everything ties together. I love the constant surprises it throws our way. I love the feeling of doom you get while you're watching it. I love the performances, and to top it off, it has easily the greatest ending of any movie ever. Spectacular is one word to describe it. One of the best movies of all is another. Bravo! Screw the Oscars. They nominated Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. They don't know what a good movie is.

This is one of a few movies that left people divided. After many years of waiting, I think Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film is a masterpiece. Well worth the wait, it's easily his best work since Magnolia (his best work). Everyone is in top form, especially Phoenix who gives the creepiest performance since Heath Ledger's Joker, and one of the strongest of the year. The Master is unlike any other movie. It leaves you questioning Anderson's point, but that's a good thing I think. I love it's dreaminess, it's cinematography, and score. The academy screwed up again.

After giving it some serious thought, I realize that Django Unchained should have won Best Picture. Here is a ridiculous movie that takes itself seriously, and for the better. Following his previous masterpiece Inglourious Basterds, Quentin Tarantino has written his funniest movie to date, and deserved that long overdue second Oscar. Heck, Jamie Foxx is actually likable in this thing. But the real stars of the show are Christoph Waltz (who won his second Oscar), Leonardo DiCaprio (snubbed again), and Samuel L. Jackson (also snubbed). Django Unchained is a hell of a movie, and it goes out blazing.

What do you get when you put an Oscar winner in the reigns of a James Bond movie? One of the best James Bond movies. Sam Mendes(American Beauty) did an amazing job with Skyfall. Once again, we are shown why Daniel Craig is a star. He is the Bondiest of Bonds. Apparently, the inspiration behind this movie is The Dark Knight, and what a great movie to look off of. Javier Bardem is amazing as the creepy Joker-like villain, and basically, if you were never a Bond believer, or lost your belief, Skyfall will make you believe again. Dazzling, terrific looking, thrilling, and sexy, Skyfall is a great way to celebrate the series.

Steven Spielberg's latest movie is fantastic for many reasons. The top one obviously being Daniel Day Lewis. Obviously, when you cast DDL is a movie, it's gotta be good. Here, he gives another amazing performance. The man is a magician, and it seems as if he is possessed by the ghost of Abe himself. That said, everyone here deserves a pat on the back. This is a very well written and directed drama that everyone involved should be proud of.

At least this year's Best Picture winner is a good one. Ben Affleck's Argo officially shows us just what Affleck is capable of. Like Matthew Maconaghay(I don't know if that's spelled right), Affleck has now broken out of movie jail. Argo is a great movie. Funny, fast, thrilling, original, and entertaining, Argo is the sort of movie the world needs. I can't wait to see what else Affleck brings our way.

Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty is even better than her last movie, The Hurt Locker. Here is a thrilling movie that keeps you guessing until the very end, even though the audience knows the very end. Jessica Chastain does her best work yet as Maya, who is easily one of the greatest characters of the year. Though it is a little long, Zero Dark Thirty is worth your time.

Warning: If you're feeling down, don't watch Amour. Here is the most heartbreaking tale of love brought to the big screen since Atonement, and in depression standards, it blows Atonement away. Amour is a very depressing movie that will shock you and leave you stunned.

Here is the most surprising movie of the year. I never expected it to be this good. I watched it once, and immediately wanted to see it again. Everyone here is fantastic, espcially Ezra Miller, who will win an oscar someday. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a wonderful movie that is enjoyable for anybody who ever went to high school. So, everyone, basically.

Critics tore Peter Jackson's The Hobbit Part 1 (I don't feel like typing the rest) apart. Why? It's a reminder of what made The Lord of the Rings trilogy so amazing, even though it doesn't quite match it. The Hobbit is a damn good movie. It has great visual effects, it's magical, and it works for nostalgia reasons.

Here is another movie that left many mixed. Cloud Atlas is way too long and occasionally confusing, but it really should be admired for it's technical accomplishments and its ambition. This is a movie like no other, and though not perfect, deserves to be admired. I kind of loved it. It's enchanting and consistently entertaining, and very original.

Wes Anderson's latest movie is a wonderful movie that appeals to his truest fans along with, well, the world. Funny, charming, visually beautiful, and well acted, Moonrise Kingdom is the kind of romantic comedy that we could use more of.

The year romantic comedies got good again. Silver Linings Playbook is very entertaining and funny, but the main reason to see it is its actors. Bradley Cooper does his best work yet, and Robert De Niro does his best work in years. But the reason to see it is for Jennifer Lawrence, who gives one of the years best performances.

The Sessions is a very daring movie that must have been difficult to make. John Hawkes is amazing is this movie, and should have gotten an Oscar nomination. Helen Hunt deserved her Oscar nomination, and is also terrific for the first time in years. The Sessions is a powerful, funny, and moving drama.

Here is a drama that really slipped under the radar. The Impossible is a gripping drama that puts you in the middle of the terror. Naomi Watts gives her best performance as a mother fighting for survival, and Tom Holland and Ewan McGregor are also terrific as her family members. The Impossible will shake you as hard as an earthquake.

Denzel Washington does his best work in years in Robert Zemeckis' Flight. This movie is a reminder of why Denzel Washington has two Oscars, and why Zemeckis has an Oscar too.

I realize that it came out last year, but I just couldn't make room for it. Tilda Swinton does her best work here, and she should have been nominated for an Oscar. As should Ezra Miller, who can also be seen in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. We Need to Talk About Kevin is an original and disturbing piece of work that should be seen.

Ridley Scott's return to the world of Alien is one of the most terrifying movies since, well, Alien. Prometheus is a frightening mind trip that will leave you wanting more, even though we've gotten enough.

William Freidkin's Killer Joe is a guilty pleasure that I'm not guilty about. This is the trashiest, craziest thriller of the year, and that's what makes it so good. That, and Matthew McConaghey, who just can't be stopped right now. Killer Joe proves reminds us why M.M. is famous in the first place.

Tim Burton's Frankenweenie is his best movie since Sweeney Todd. It's a delightful homage to classic horror movies that will dazzle and charm. Easily the best animated film of the year.

The guys that directed Little Miss Sunshine finally came back with Ruby Sparks, a movie that I think is even better than their last. Ruby Sparks is a funny, creative, and well acted romantic comedy.

It feels like Jennifer Lawrence is on top of the world right now. Good! Become president J-Law, I don't care. Her first slam-dunk of the year, The Hunger Games, is a chilling and thrilling movie that is even better than it looks. I can't wait for the sequel, Catching Fire.

Here is another movie I liked a lot more than I thought I would. The Amazing Spider-man isn't exactly necessary, but at the same time, it sort of is, because it is even better than the majority of the previous Spider-man series. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are comftorable in their roles, and I can't wait to see more of them.

Here is yet another movie that I liked more than I thought I would. After Cars 2 left us all feeling blue, Brave came back and rescued Pixar from pure destruction. This is a funny and dazzling animated movie that is reminiscent of classic Disney movies.

The years funniest movie is David Wain's Wanderlust. David Wain is a very orverlooked comedic director, and I can't wait to see more from him. Wanderlust is hilarious, and it never stops being so.