Top 15 Best of 2012

 Now that we've taken care of the worst, let's talk about the best. And it's going to be much like the last list, where I'll include films I haven't reviewed yet, but still saw and think they're worht it. Plus, 2012 really turned out to be a good year for me, since there have been so many good films that came out this year, mostly in the later half. Not only that, but I'll also include some honorable mentions as well.

Snow White & The Huntsman: Probably the best Fairy Tale movie since Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hallow," and one film that was the start of blowing my expectations out of the water. I really wanted to hate this film at first, but the viewing of it really started to make me enjoy it a lot, and I'm actually kind of sad it didn't make my list.

The Grey: Some promos had this as Liam Neeson versus a pack of wolves, but it's something more deeper than that. As one of the first films that I've seen this year, I'm glad I saw it, because it's a really interesting thriller about man against the wild, and how he might think he has something to look forward to after all this, but comes to realization in the end. It's definitely a high recommendation for those who enjoy these types of films.

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#15: Lawless – This film made it in last minute for me, since I had viewed it before the Holiday season was over. And I'm actually disappointed that I didn't see it in theaters, because it's actually a film that's way up my ally. A crime film about the prohibition era? That, and it has a pretty good cast, who all do a great job here. I don't care if Shia Labeouf is in it, he does a damn good job, showing he has strong talents as an actor, and isn't just a whiney cat. That, and I'm glad that Guy Pearce had a good movie this year, and it ISN'T a piece of sci-fi grabage film.

#14: Seven Psychopaths - My favorite comedy of the year for me. Despite me like films like "That's My Boy," "This Means War," and "Ted," this one works for many different reasons. It was between this and “Ted,” but I went with this due to having such crazy characters, which is what writer/director Martin McDonagh is best at with this and “In Bruges.” If this is a contender for best original screenplay, let it be given.

#13: The Expendables 2 – One of the greatest “balls to the wall” action films I've seen this year. Much like the last film, we've got great action stars from the 80's to today, doing what they do best. Sure it's a cheesy film, but it's MY kind of cheese. It's also surprising that this film actually surpasses the original, having more laughs and action than the first. Sure some of the jokes are references and Chuck Norris makes a Chuck Norris joke, it still makes it fun for me too.

#12: Hotel Transylvania/Frankenweenie/ParaNorman – What's this? Three Halloween animated films made my list? Why yes, because they're that good...Okay, one is over the others, but the other two were good enough for me to NOT ignore them.

“Hotel Transylvania” is the not only the second film that features Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg in the same film, with a father involved in his kid's love life, but also the film that's now giving Genndy Tartakovsky work again. And if it does get a sequel, then I'm up for it.

As for “Frankenweenie,” we finally have what we've been asking Tim Burton to do for a long time now. He goes back to his “Beetlejuice” days, making dark twisted children's movies, that actually treat them like adults. That, and it's a great tribute to old monster movies from the 30's to 50's, like “Frankenstein” and “Gamera.”

Though with “ParaNorman,” we have it do what “Frankenweenie” did, only in modern day (at least I THOUGHT “Frankenweenie” was in the 40's). It actually brings out a lot of depth and actually has kid characters act like kids, unlike films like “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” where the kid is a jackass to his friends, and all his problems are because HE causes them. That, and “ParaNorman” has great dialogue, which shows kids act like kids in these kinds of situations.

#11: Brave – Possibly my favorite film from Pixar that ISNT' “Toy Story.” Sure, it might seem that it has other ideas taken from OTHER films from Disney, but here I think those ideas are used fairly well in their own way. Not only that, but it does what other films from Disney haven't done yet, and that's the relationship between a princess and her mother (who isn't dead). Not only that, but the animation is stunningly beautiful, and it really has a great third act to it.

#10: Men in Black 3 – After ten years since the second film, Smith and Jones return as Agents J and K, in a new time traveling adventure. What really makes “MIB3” so enduring is the one thing that the second film didn't do, and that's expand on the MIB universe. The new types of aliens, as well as the time travel laws, are strongly done well as the first film was. Sure, there were minor complaints, but with Josh Brolin's great performance as a younger Tommy Lee Jones, it makes up for them. Not only that, but with a strong and powerful ending that got me teary-eyed, it really does hold up as being as strong as the first film.

#9: Rise of the Guardians – Dreamworks really gave it their all with this film. While some may say they already did with “How To Train Your Dragon,” I saw “Rise of the Guardians” as a much stronger film. The mythology behind this world really does add a lot to the film, and the characters really do add to that. The idea that the belief in children gives them their power is a very clever idea. As Dreamworks' answer to Disney with “The Avengers,” I'm actually hoping they do a sequel, if they can find a way to continue the story.

#8: The Secret World of Arrietty – It feels so good to finally see yet another film from Studio Ghibli, knowing they're still making movies. While it originally came out in Japan in 2010, I still count it as a 2012 film since that's when it was released. Though I do wish they would release “From Up On Poppy Hill,” which I hear will be at the Oscars this year. Aside from that, it feels so refreshing to see, not only classic traditional animation, but tradition anime animation. Not only that, but it is also a great take on the story “The Borrowers,” and seeing an adapted story in a fresh new look. Hopefully we'll at least see more Ghibli films, and not so far away.

#7: 007 Skyfall – After a good 50 years of Britain's most famous iconic character, this showcases the best of any of the bond films. Not only does it bring out the rise and fall of Bond, but really shows much depth to the character. And as I said in the review, I do believe that while the film has a similar concept to “The Dark Knight Rises,” I do feel that “Skyfall” did it better, mostly because it does show HOW Bond had fallen to start with.

                                          

#6: Django Unchained – There's no way I could ignore not including the newest Tarantino film, ESPECIALLY a Tarantino Western. Jamie Foxx really gives a great performance as Django, being a soft-spoken character, much in the same way as Clint Eastwood as “The Man With No Name.” Added in with some great supporting work from Christoph Waltz, Leon DiCaprio, and Sam Jackson, and you've got yourself a pretty damn good movie. Maybe this could be the film that Tarantino finally gets the Oscar for Best Picture, but who knows?

#5: Argo – Over the years, Ben Affleck has really shown us what he can do as a director. “Gone Baby Gone” and “The Town” started off as a taste of it, but “Argo” really did a magnificent job on how strong a director can be. The cinematography, the atmosphere, and the dialogue are both greatly well done, and a strong entry into Oscar season. For a film that was about FAKING a film crew, it has a lot going for it. I just hope that Affleck finally gets his Oscar for Best Director.

#4: Looper – This is by far Rian Johnson at his absolute best. While “Brick” and “The Brother's Bloom” were good, “Looper” really does show Johnson's creativity and writing at full power. A concept about assassins killing people from the future really is intriguing, and the laws of how most of it works, is very smart. And let's not forget, that it really redeemed Emily Blunt's reputation for me, after that other film she was in. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis do a fantastic job of playing the same character, and it really stands as their best performances in ages. They're pretty much BOTH worth of an Oscar, if they Academy is smart enough for it.

#3: The Amazing Spiderman – The reboot that changed everything for me this year. This new version of Spiderman really set the bar for what comic book movies can become as of today for me. Marc Webb really took a strong turn with the previous films, giving it a more realistic look to it, much like “The Dark Knight Trilogy.” Andrew Garfield really did a fantastic job, playing Peter Parker as a very smart lead, but still a teenager that tends to make some mistakes. Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy really made a smarter leading lady, more in the sense of Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane. Rhys Ifans also was great as Dr. Connors, and the way they made his character friends with Peter's father really adds more to the connection between Peter and Dr. Connors. Fans thought that it was betrayal that Peter's parents were working for Oscorp and not being Agents of Shield from what I've heard in the comics...Uh, can't agents go undercover for something important?

Some people are still in confusion on why I thought this film was better than “The Dark Knight Rises” and “The Avengers,” but it's with great reason. “TDKR” was pretty much like the other two Batman films, being realistic, but overly far-fetched. There were plot-holes that really made the film lose a bit of focus, and it felt a little too long. And as for “The Avengers”...I'd hate to be that guy, but it was so predictable and familiar. Remember last year's “Transformers 3,” where it had that invasion climax? Well, “The Avengers” did feel like that, except with more effort put into it. Not only that, but Loki was a pretty weak villain, and that's the biggest problem with it, and why I like “The Dark Knight Rises” better. And yes, Bane was hardly audible, I can agree with that, and he sounded like Darth Vader impersonating Sean Connery and wasn't South American, but I at least thought he had some intimidation to him AND was a challenge for Batman. I know they're two different films, but you get my point.

“The Amazing Spiderman” took the fun of “The Avengers” and the realism of “The Dark Knight Trilogy” and used it fairly well to it's use. If you don't like it, then that's fine, but I just wanted to point out why someone like me really enjoyed the film and thought it was better than the other two big comic book films of the year, AND why I think it's Marvel's best film. I never thought there would be a film that could surpass this film, but I guess I was wrong. We've got about two films left, so what could they be?

#2: Les Misérables – With being a big fan of Broadway, there's no way I could have ignored this film. Tom Hopper's vision of the musical epic based on the novel by Victor Hugo is ASTOUNDING! The angles, the scenery, costumes, and acting are all beautifully well done. If any film should win all Oscars, it's got to be this film. The biggest complaints I've heard from this film are two common ones. Some have been saying that Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Boham Carter as the Innkeeper and wife were too over-the-top and hammy. Well what they don't realize is that they're SUPPOSE to be over-the-top, because it lightens the mood for the film. So don't blame them for that, it's how their characters are to begin with. The other complaint is that people think Russel Crowe is a bad singer or that he was very off. The guy was in a friggin' ROCK BAND before he was an actor, are you freaking kidding me? Plus, he has my choice for Best Supporting Actor, and this is one where I hope he gets it. Hugh Jackman also delivers his best performance as an actor all together, and this the film that proves why he's one of my top 5 favorite actors. Anne Hathaway really does give her all here too, even with how little she is in the film. That, and Amanda Seyfried finally gives a good performance as an actress, and now she doesn't have to rely on “Mean Girls” to prove she was good in something. It not only shows itself as a strong musical epic, but has a fantastic story that everyone should at least watch once and see how amazing films can get. It's also a perfect example on how to make a Broadway Movie the RIGHT way!

So, if I've praised the movie so greatly, why is it only #2? Well, there was just one little problem that I had with the film. In English, the film's called “The Miserable,” and most people who have seen it and loved it cried at it...And I'm sad to say that............I didn't cry at this film. See, the #1 spot had to go to a film that had a lot of heart to it, but also something that can really be touching in a very special way. It is also a film where I got to know these characters along the way, and how it can be more than emotional, but very enjoyable in it's own way, and that is why the best film of the year is...

#1: Wreck-It Ralph – This was the first film in a long time where I had actually cried at for more reasons than one. “Wreck-It Ralph” is much like what I said talking about it; it isn't just a film that's a love letter to classic gaming and modern gaming, but a very strong hearted film with great characters, brilliant story telling, and a cheerishable film for both parents and kids today.

Ralph is probably one of the most developed video game villains ever created, even though he's not from a real game, but has a lot of character to him. And as he goes through the film, realizing that a medal isn't what really makes you a hero, but rather your moral standards as a character is what it does, by helping others who want recognition in their game. That's what he learns during his journey with helping Vanellope become a racer in the film, where you see them bond together as friends. Not only that, but the scene that breaks their friendship (which I'm not spoiling if you haven't seen it) is not only a heartbreaking scene, but is actually very hard to watch. I mean, just the fact that Ralph had just crushed a little girl's dreams, I'm surprised he didn't commit suicide after dealing with so much guilt.

John C. Reily and Sarah Silverman do fantastic jobs with supplying the voices for the two leads. They gave them so much personality, and it's surprising for me to say that Sarah Silverman was fantastic and was my favorite character in the film, since I'm not too big a fan of her. I'm really glad they chose her, and everyone else in the film was also very enjoyable. Jack McBrayer and Jane Lynch were great supporters in the film, and I hope to see much more of their works in the future.

This really does stand as my favorite Disney film since “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” and that is saying alot. While “Brave,” “Guardians,” and “Arrietty,” were great animated films, “Wreck-It Ralph” will just be a little closer to my heart...and that my friends, is why “Wreck-It Ralph” is the best film of 2012.

Will we get another animated film that's just as good? Who knows, but we'll know we'll see some great films for the upcoming year. Speaking of which, what ARE we starting with this year?

Oh HELL yeah!