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.

xxxxx

#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!

Top 15 Worst of 2012

Well, it's that time of year again folks. Today we'll be taking a look at all the good, the bad, and the ugly of this year in film. First we'll start with worst, that way I can get everything bad out of the way. And since there were so many good films this year, I couldn't just keep it to just ten, so these will be both fifteen. Not only that, but there are also films that I didn't quite review, but that would be either due to the fact that I didn't quite know how to explain it, or I just felt like the film spoke for itself in a way. But first, some dishonorable mentions, since I had good reason not to see.

Twilight Breaking Dawn part 2: First off, NO. I'm sorry, I'm not seeing that film in theaters, because after the last film, I have good reason to let that franchise just die already. Even though it's over and I could have at least seen how they could have gone with it, I wasn't risking it. So there.

Neighborhood Watch: Now don't come crying to me saying, "oh you moron, the film's called "THE WATCH," not "Neighborhood Watch"" or any of that crap. The reason that title got changed was because the studio didn't want it to get related to that Trevon Martin event that happened. I hate it when they do that, because that's just drawing attention to the event that people are trying to forget. Plus, I'm not paying a dime for a shameless parody of "Attack the Block," which mind you is a MUCH better movie.

Okay, no more stalling. Let's get started!

xxxxx

#15: Battleship - This is one of those films that basically says, "You think my idea for such a film is stupid? I'll show you!" and look what we got. Now I know I said I had enjoyed this movie, but that doesn't make it any less stupid, now does it? I mean, "Transformers" was one thing, but BATTLESHIP?! And it just so happened to star Taylor Kitsch, who had starred in, not one, but TWO films that made my list. We'll get to that soon. Despite me liking the film for how bad it is, everyone can have a right to think this movie was terrible.

#14: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - Quite possibly the biggest disappointment of a list of films that I was looking forward to. While I did feel that some sequences and performances were good, it just didn't hold up. And that's saying a lot, since I attended the midnight showing of this movie instead of the one for "Brave." Benjamin Walker and Dominic Cooper had good roles, but I felt the pacing was very off, making it pretty unbalanced. I haven't read the book, but I went into the film thinking, with a title like "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," I expected some cheesy fun, like "Piranha 3D." But it was just a waste of Tim Burton's production value. We'll get to Burton later.

#13: Wrath of the Titans - The sequel to the remake that no one was interested in to begin with. While at times this film did have some strong points that made it better than the first film, it still felt lacking in the execution, and much like "Battleship," it turned out to be so laughably bad, that when I saw it with my brother, he was actually thinking of buying the DVD to show people what the director's previous film was, and another reason to be afraid of the "Alien Ninja Turtles" film that's coming in 2014. Even with some good performances by Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, and RaIph Finnes, it still felt off to me.

#12: Step Up 4 - While technically not a terrible film, it makes the list for how forgettable it was, much like the other "Step Up" films. I will give it credit for the choreography and acting, but the story...just seemed pretty boring to me. If it had been more about Peter Gallagher's character and daughter, then I would have found it a more interesting movie. But for what we got, it doesn't fit.

#11: Madagascar 3 - This is another one that isn't technically bad, but doesn't work well. I do give the film props for the animation and 3D, but most of everything didn't fit. If people liked enough for it to have a 74% on Rotten Tomatoes, then that's a real problem for me. It's not like they said it was "the best animated film ever" or anything over-glorifying like that (that's for another film), so I can't complain. I just felt the film to be simply forgettable for me.

#10: Dark Shadows - Going back to Tim Burton, what the heck happened with this film? This was SUCH a very unbalanced film, because it didn't know if it was suppose to be a comedy or drama. I have seen the show before, and I can tell you for not deciding to be a parody or true respective film of the show, it just turned out to be a mess, having Jonathan Frid turning in his grave (which mind you, he and a few other stars from the original show make cameos in the film). It definitely stands as Burton's worst film since "Planet of the Apes."

#9: Mirror Mirror - Pop quiz: what do you get when you ge the director of "The Cell" and "Immortals," and have him direct a Snow White film, with Phil Collins daughter, the guy who'll play the Lone Ranger, Nathan Lane, and one of the most overrated actresses in Hollywood? You get THIS film. While the only things good in this film were Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane, and the actors playing the dwarves, it doesn't quite save the film, does it? Also, Lily Collins...PLEASE take acting lessons! Or at least trim your eyebrows! Seriously, you could make five push-brooms with those things!

#8: The Five-Year Engagement - Never would I think a wedding comedy would bore me so goddamn much. I mean, there's comedic dramas, but THIS...just seemed so UNINTERESTING! I like Jason Segal, but he really let me down on this one as both actor AND writer, so I'm hoping he improves later on. Emily Blunt...you're lucky "Looper" came out this year. The only good part about this film was seeing Allison Brie and Chris Pratt, and I really wished the film was more based on them.

#7: John Carter - I'm usually not the type who harp on films that are adaptions of books, but this is an exception for me. Based on the "Barsoom" series by Edgar Rice Burroughs  I was very disappointing that they failed on this one. Sure, there are people who liked this film, but I'm not one of those people. I felt it wasn't very well paced, and it was disappointing that it had such a director like Andrew Staton on board with this film. I'm actually glad it bombed at the box office.

#6: Lockout - You know, I never thought there could be a film that bugged me as much as this film. But I know there are people will ask questions, so here are my responses: Yes, I knew the concept was dumb to begin with. Yes, Guy Pearce was pretty much playing that B-movie-esque character. And yes, I know that's what the film was suppose to be in a way: a B-movie. However, executions of it, like how this all lead up, wasn't very interesting. Most of the acting is awful  certain characters are idiots, and some of the effects are very poor to me.

#5: Gone - Well, another year, another film where we have one of the most underacted people starring in a film that has no structure whatsoever. Amanda Seyfried is just such a boring person to watch on film, and this film just has NOTHING for her to do. "Gone" is quite possible her worst film and performance, and it is so friggin pointless to watch, that it's not even worth the bargain bin at the dollar store. The only thing that I actually thought Seyfried did a good job as an actress, was in the show "Big Love" and "Les Miserables," mostly because she had so many characters to work off of. Here, she's by herself most of the time, and I almost fell asleep watching it.

#4: Paranormal Activity 4 - Okay, now this one is something I have to address...this is by far the WORST found footage movie I have ever seen. Going to see this film in IMAX, for footage off an iPhone or XBox Kinect, seeing plot points that don't make any goddamn sense and dealing with characters who are very unrealistic?...Do I even NEED to say more?!

#3: 21 Jump Street - Let me just get one thing straight. I. HATE. Jonah Hill. He's not funny, original, OR a good actor. And I have to ask, was THIS film's popularity REALLY worth pushing back "G.I. Joe Retaliation?" At least I'm glad Channing Tatum has better films under his name, for all I care. Now there are three things in this film that really bugged me.

1) Like "Dark Shadows," this was based on a TV drama. However, unlike "Dark Shadows," it actually stuck to one element...however, here's the problem: it's not funny, and it gets annoying very quick. It results to the same crap that has been done to death with most comedies today.

2) I was hoping to give this film a chance, to prove that Jonah Hill could play a character that wasn't a type-cast, since he was producer AND writer for this film. And let's face it, type-casting can get old after a while, to where it gets infuriating, except for certain actors like Steve Buscemi and Bruce Campbell. But with Hill, it doesn't work, and pretty much every movie I've seen him in, he's played the same character, and that really doesn't help.

3) This film was HEAVILY acclaimed by critics, currently holding an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes...um...WHY? Please...I want to know why.

#2: Resident Evil Retribution - ...Will this series EVER die?! For being a fifth film in a series based on a not-too great game franchise, I do believe that there is no hope for films based on video games. Paul W.S. Anderson has really done it this time, and this film really shows how bad he's gotten. The performances are just awful  the story has gone from stupid to absolute ludicrousness  and the attempts of tying to the games are just annoying! Milla Jovovich has cemented herself, playing a character that has no development, other than everything happening just comes out of her husband's perverted stupidity. Come on, even Michael Bay isn't this stupid! It's a terrible sequel, it has terrible stories, terrible characters, I hope this is finally the end of the entire "Resident Evil" franchise, and it showcases AGAIN why "Silent Hill" has had better luck with their games AND films.

#1: Prometheus - Or as people have been calling it, "The most overrated film released this year!" This is honestly a film where I felt the recommendation was like getting tricked in a game of Paintball Assassin  This is a film that after I saw it, I felt so angry about, AND people who over-glorify it. The acting is mediocre, the story so underdeveloped, the characters are idiots, the logic and science of it are infuriating as well. It doesn't answer questions, if they do a sequel, and sequel-begging doesn't work if the film is terrible.

xxxxxxx

Okay....now that that's over, time to move on with the good stuff.

Django Unchained

Twenty years ago, we were introduced to a little independent film called "Reservoir Dogs," written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, who today is regarded as one of the greatest directors of all time. He's one of those directors that's old school, by being one of those directors that still uses actual film for his movies. And today, we take a look at his newest film, "Django Unchained."

The film tells of a Civil War slave named Django, whose taken under the wing of a bounty hunter named Dr. King Shaultz. In exchange for taken out some heads, Shaultz agrees to help Django get his wife from Calvin Candie, and be granted true freedom. While it's one of the more simpler plots of Tarantino's films, it doesn't mean it can't be great. This film is a true love letter to all those classic spaghetti westerns from back in the 60's. Top it all off with some very gory action scenes, a third act that is the biggest blood bath you'll ever see, and you've got a Tarantino Western.

The characters are very enjoyable in their own little way. Christoph Waltz gives a great performance as the good Dr. Shaultz. His presence gives off a unique fell to it, that makes you wonder if you should fear this guy or be relieved. Those types of wild card characters are one of the many, MANY charms of a Tarantino film. Leonardo DiCaprio really does a magnificent job as Calvin Candie, playing just a sleazeball and a classy businessman all in one. There's one scene where DiCaprio accidentally cuts his hand by accident, but still carries on with the scene. That scene ALONE gathers this as DiCaprio's best performance in a movie. Samuel L. Jackson is also a great character, playing Calvin's trusted worker, and he gives it the traditional Jackson/Tarantino performance. What really caught my attention, was that it was hard to tell who was the true villain of the movie, DiCaprio or Jackson? While DiCaprio is the plantation owner, Jackson seemed to have that presence showing it was HE who was in charge, giving DiCaprio the information needed. Whatever the case, the relationship between the two was stunning.

However, the performance that really stole the show, was Jamie Foxx as Django, and he gave it his all for this movie. He's soft spoken, but can be aggressive if pushed to his limits, as well as being very funny. This definitely set the bar for him, as it is Foxx's best performance yet. I've heard that he would be playing Electro for "Amazing Spiderman 2," and I can definitley see that, and that's something I'll be looking forward to.

Overall, "Django Unchained" is one of Tarantino's best and stands as one of my favorite movies of this year...speaking of which, it's time for the yearly rundown of the best and worst. Stay tuned for that, coming soon.

Rating: 10/10

Rise of the Guardians

Well, Christmas time is here once again. Seeing a whole bunch of lights up, shopping marts being overcrowded for the right gift, trying to pay up on the years final payments, and best of all...Christmas movies. Every year, there are film studios that try to make the next Holiday classic, or just re-release their old ones in theaters, such as "Home Alone" and "A Christmas Story." But for now, we're going to take a look at one I've seen recently in theaters, "Rise of the Guardians."

Now, when I first heard word about the film, I thought it wasn't going to be anything special, even if it had a good cast and the fact that Guillermo del Toro was producing it. But when trailers started showing up and that my friend Zack was talking about it so much when it did, I took a look and got very interested in it. Further trailers also had it look very epic, almost like Dreamworks was trying to make their own little "Avengers-esque" movie. However, I didn't quite see it the day it came out, but I've heard good things from it, so I decided to give it a chance.
So what did I think of it?...Well, I can definitely say that this is, by far, Dreamworks Animation's best movie, and that's saying a lot!

"Rise of the Guardians" tells the story of Jack Frost, the spirit of snow, who apparently not everyone believes in. When he's called upon by Santa, the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, and Sandman, he is told to beto be the new guardian by the man in the moon, to fight Pitch Black, the Boogeyman. During this time, Jack has to learn why he was chosen to be a guardian, as well as find out about his memories in his past life.

What really stands out in this film is how it doesn't pander to its audience, and adds a lot more to the logic and rules of this world. I really thought the idea that believing in these spirits is what gives them their powers is really clever. When it really got down to the tender moments of the story, I really felt their sympathy for it.

The character of Jack Frost was a very well developed character. He's the mischievous underdog with a heart of gold, who only becomes interested in his work until he finds out something that catches his attention very. Yeah, it's cliche, but if done well, then it can work.Not only that, but am I the only one who thought he looked like Danny Phantom? That means, I see a full result for a "Danny Phantom" movie to be made. While it does have Santa and the other guardians, and make them so likable, it still stands as Jack Frost's story. We do see the corruption that can be brought upon him, when he's confronted by Pitch, who is a great villain. He knows how to push at Jack's buttons, but it's done so well, and his ways of world domination are very well done.

The animation in the film was absolutely great, and some of the best CG animation I've seen from Dreamworks. Hell, I'd even say it's better than "Brave," and that's saying a lot. It's fast paced, it's colorful, and the action scenes are very good! This film is often compared as "The Avengers" of CG animated films, but I'd say that this was BETTER than "The Avengers," by a long-shot!

Overall, "Rise of the Guardians" is a fantastic movie that's fun for the whole family. With great voice acting, fantastic animation, and a strong story, it's easily one of the best this year, and one of my favorites.

Rating: 10/10

007 Skyfall

Probably everyone in the world knows about the most famous, fictional, British spy himself, James Bond. Ian Flemming's character has shown to be a strong immortal icon, and after about fifty years of this fame on the silver screen, every generation has their own version of Bond. From Sean Connery, to Roger Moore, to Pierce Brosnan, to the one who holds the current place, Daniel Craig. Because there are about twenty three Bond films as of now, we're only going to focus on talking about the Daniel Craig movies, just to keep things short.

The start of the "Craig Bond Trilogy," is with "Casino Royale," which was actually a remake of another movie based on Ian Flemming's character, but was actually a critical failure. This film started off Craig's work of Bond, just after Pierce Brosnan had finally bowed out and passed the torch on. It told of Bond retrieving his Double 0 status, and is assigned to go after a billionaire terrorist named Le Chiffre, by first bringing his bank account down and bring him to justice. Martin Campbell, who had directed "Goldeneye," a film that was the start of Brosnan's Bond, had delivered a very solid movie. It wasn't the typical Bond with all the gadgets and so-forth, but a fresh new Bond, one that actually had much more to it in a way. While it wasn't my favorite at the time, it was still a damn good movie and well worth the price of admission.

The second film, "Quantum of Solace" however, wasn't quite given the same recognition as "Casino" got. The one thing people complained about was that it was a sequel to "Casino" and that there were just so many things that didn't make it like a Bond film. Personally, I had no problem with that. I enjoyed the path that this film took, being different than most other Bond films, AND being a sequel to it, continuing its story. Sure, I'll admit it's the weakest of the trilogy, but that doesn't make it terrible. For Bond fans, yeah I can see the hatred, but for casual viewers who enjoyed the last film, it's well worth it.

Now we get to the new film, "Skyfall," just in time for the 50th anniversary of the first Bond film, "Dr. No," with Sean Connery. So, how was it exactly? I found it to be my new favorite Bond film.

"Skyfall" tells of 007 on another mission, but fails after being shot by his colleague in the process. After a while, MI6 starts being hacked, and the item Bond was supposed to retrieve was a list of the Double-0 agents identities. When Bond returns after a period of time, he tries to get himself back on top and finds the culprit behind the attacks before all agents are killed. Now that's only a little bit of the plot, because if any more gets revealed, then it's in spoiler territory, but it still showcases a strong story.

Now, I've heard this film from many people to be the "Dark Knight Rises" of the "Craig's Bond Trilogy," even to be called "James Bond Rises," and I can see that resemblance very well. Bond's been broken down, and now he has to face an enemy he's not quite ready for, due to his absence softening him. However, unlike "The Dark Knight Rises," we actually see how Bond gets injured and just how he's gotten down to this low. I was really fascinated by this, and I only can guess it was just a coincidence  since both films were released the same year. That and two other things did spark it. #1: "The Dark Knight" did receive criticism for feeling more like a Bond film than it did a Batman film, so I can see how it works. #2: Chris Nolan DID say, he had interest into directing a James Bond film, so I highly look forward to see that day come. Plus, unlike "DKR," this film actually has an important character die, which is something I felt would have made "Dark Knight Rises" a much stronger film.

Judi Dench does reprise her role as M, and she does a fantastic job once more, playing the bossy and cautious character that she is, which would be the reason she's called "Mom" by other agents. Javier Bardem as Silva was a very interesting villain for me, but I will admit, his first appearance did seem a bit...how to put this...awkward. If you see the movie, you'll know what I mean. But none the less, he was still a very calculative mastermind, especially being a former MI6 agent at a higher level, meaning he knows more about M than Bond thinks. RaIph Fiennes and Naomie Harris were both equally great in the film, as Mallory and Eve. Just they way they had their performances executed and how you couldn't keep your eyes off either of them shows how good their work can be. Ben Whishaw was also great as the new Q of MI6, and deliveres a very strong performance. It may be nothing new of the character, but it still works with how strongly it was done.

The most fun about the film was seeing the little nods and tributes to previous James Bond films. A prime example of it was Berenice Lim Marlohe as Severine, and how her performance had the presence and inspiration of Famke Janssen's character from "Goldeneye," Xenia Onatopp. That was what stood out for me, especially since Brosnan in "Goldeneye" was the Bond film and Bond I grew up with...that, and it had a really damn good N64 game, but I watched the movie too. There are others like that, but I feel like it would be fun for you to catch them for yourselves.

Overall, "Skyfall" stands as not only my new favorite Bond film, but also one of my favorite movies of the year. If you want to see a strong, fresh, and great Bond film, check it out before it goes out of theaters. Trust me, it's worth it for the big screen.

Rating: 10/10

Wreck-It Ralph

Video games and movies never seem to mix well with people. Whether it's a movie licensed video game or a movie based on a video game, they just don't seem to make any progress with critics and fans. As for films ABOUT video games, the only film that has done that was "The Wizard," starring Fred Savage...That is until a little animated film came along from Disney, under the name "Wreck-It Ralph."

Now when the trailers first pop up in theaters and the internet, it sparked interest in more people than I could count. To me, it looked alright, and I felt like it was going to be Disney's attempt to be a love-letter to classic gaming for kids. It didn't look like anything special, mostly due to the fact that while it had some good people behind it, it wasn't a film that quite caught my attention, especially since Sarah Silverman was apart of the film. I'm sorry, but I really don't like Sarah Silverman, she's just one of those comedians whose just unappealing to me. But despite that, I still decided to give this film a try, due to the criticism I've been hearing about it.

So, when I bought my ticket, when I missed a chance to see "Skyfall," what did I think of the film?...I'm going to be honest...This was something that was MORE than what I was expecting, and it surpasses even THAT! What really comes out of this film is something that only comes once in a while, and I was glad for that. It's got a great story, it's got excellent animation and voice acting, and it's characters are so well developed. I would explain what the premise is, but I really want you to see the movie, so anything other than what's shown in the trailers is up to you to see.

With the characters, I got into at the drop of a bat. John C. Reilly gave a very soothing tone to his character of Ralph, as the bad guy who just wants to be given a bit of respect every once in a while. You feel strong sympathy for him, and it actually delves into what the bad guy thinks about all this. Jack McBrayer as Felix was also a very interesting character, and sold his performance well. His character is what you expect, basically playing Jack McBrayer. If you're not too familiar with Jack McBrayer, then you'll do fine with the film, as did I. Jane Lynch also has a role in the film as Sergeant Calhoun, and she does it fairly well, giving probably one her best performances to date. She tough, mean, and with how they explained her character was both funny and a bit sad. And you probably think I hated Sarah Silverman's character of Vanellope, but the biggest accomplishment this film was that she was more than just likable. I adored her character, she was cutsely annoying, she was funny, I even cried at the tender moments with her. THAT'S A HARD THING TO DO PEOPLE!

The animation and 3D were just fantastic, and what was really fun was seeing all these different video game characters in the background, which can be a fun little game for those watching it. The film was directed by Rich Moore, whose work consists of many episodes of "The Simpsons" and "Futurama." Most notable for "The Simpsons" are the first "Treehouse of Horror" and "Cape Feare," and "Futurama" are "Space Pilot 3000" and "Roswell Ends Well." It was very pleasant to see him take on a film of this kind of stature, and it shows much more than can be expected.

Overall, ‎"Wreck-It Ralph" isn't just some kids movie that's trying to be a love letter to classic gaming. It's a very strong hearted film with great characters, brilliant story telling, gorgeous animation, fantastic 3D, and is a film that parents of kids today can look at and say that it's something they'll cherish in their hearts for years to come. Moments that almost made me cry with how beautiful it was, is a sign of not just a good movie, but one that's very special and reminds me of the time when I was younger and loving every moment of video game playing with my older brothers and sisters. And if you guys are reading this, know that I miss you dearly, and I want you to know that "Wreck-It Ralph" is a film that will probably make you feel the same way.

Rating: 10/10 (I wish I could give it more!)

Argo

Ever since the hit success with "Gone Baby, Gone," Ben Affleck has really cemented himself as a very strong director. His style of passion in what he does is somewhat in the same style of Quinton Tarintino, where it can be both funny and serious at the same time. While I did enjoy "Gone Baby, Gone" and "The Town" which are both great films, it hasn't been enough for me to call Affleck my favorite director yet. That is until we got his most recent film, "Argo."

The film, based on a true story, tells of a man named Tony Mendez, an agent of the CIA who is assigned by his boss, Jack O'Donnell, to figure out how to get six Americans in Iran, who have information on the country's current prime minister. To get them out, Mendez teams up with John Chambers to pose as a Canadian film crew for a fake Star Wars knock-off called "Argo," and be filming in other countries. I was really intrigued by this film, in just as many ways as I could find. But not only that, but it really does showcase it as a film that's for fans of filmmaking, BSing your way out of things, and having strong tension.

Ben Affleck really did a great job as both the director and star of this film, and it shows very well how he's evolved as an actor since "Chasing Amy," "Good Will Hunting," and "DareDevil." His style of directing has grown more and more stronger with every passing film, and this film's his best by far. Bryan Cranston plays Jack, and his performance is as good as any. For a guy who grew up watching "Malcolm in the Middle," it really is a interesting feel, seeing this actor in such a serious role that turns out to be his best by far. John Goodman as John Chambers was just hilarious to watch. His timing with jokes, just the way he thinks, it's all such a great character. I love how he has this smartass attitude that really gets me laughing every time, and he really sells the role. Kyle Chandler also has an appearance as Hamilton Jordon, who was the Chief of Staff during Carter's years as president, and he has great character as this person. This film is surely to appeal to those who either grew up about the events that happened, or anyone who's heard about it, and it is a film that works on almost every level.

Overall, "Argo" is a fantastic film, and now with it being Oscar season, this is probably going to be up there for "Best Picture," "Best Director," "Best Supporting Actor," and "Best Make-up." Ben Affleck has, yet again, delivered an great film, and is now among my favorite directors.

Rating: 10/10