Best Films Of 2012
Every list of this nature is obviously a work in progress, as nobody has seen every film from 2012, with the exception of perhaps a few professional film critics. If you have seen every single film from 2012 and you are not employed as a film critic, please, get off the couch and get a life!
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- DirectorJeremy TorrieStarsAdam BeachLaura HarrisCorey SevierOf First Nations background originally from central Manitoba, Jon Beardsley, a Ph.D. candidate, dies one week before he was scheduled to embark on his final field trip to complete his dissertation taking spiritual indigenous American teachings, most specifically related to place, and applying them to standard theories of physics relating to questions of the universe. He is survived by his Caucasian wife, Grace Beardsley, a post-doctorate in medicine. At Jon's traditional native memorial service held at Bannock Point on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, Grace is reacquainted with Jon's best childhood friend, Brandon Eckhardt. With Jon having foreseen his own imminent death, Grace learns that Jon has left her a series of pre-recorded video messages which are triggered by GPS coordinates linked to Grace's cell phone. What she quickly learns from those messages is that Jon wants her to complete his dissertation research by taking that final field trip he could not. Brandon decides to accompany her on this trip throughout North America. Beyond the expected emotional toil, they know that the process will not be an easy one being two Caucasians delving into the workings of indigenous culture. And beyond Jon's want for the research to be complete, Grace and Brandon may each have their own goals for this geographic and spiritual journey related to their own lives, Grace's especially in the role of Jon's widow.One of the greatest spiritual epics to ever grace the cinematic world. 9/10
- 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.A thrill ride-along with two young Los Angeles police officers that develops characters well and keeps it gritty and authentic feeling throughout. In my view, easily better than Training Day which was also written by David Ayer. Here he directs and writes. 8.5/10
- DirectorVelcrow RipperStarsAmr AdelAngaangaq AngakkorsuaqColin BeavanOCCUPY LOVE captures the heart of the movement of movements that is sweeping the planet in response to today's economic and environmental crises. 'Philosopher-filmmaker' Velcrow Ripper travels to history-making hot spots, asking the question, 'How can crisis create a love story?' Scenes include the Egyptian revolution in Tahrir Square, Spain's Indignado movement, Occupy Wall Street NYC, The Maple Spring in Quebec, and indigenous activists at the Alberta Tar Sands. The film explores the aspects of this arising that take the form of what Martin Luther King Jr. called 'Love in action.' Woven throughout is a deep exploration on the meaning and importance of 'public love' - the love of humanity, the love of the planet.Velcrow Ripper cuts through the Occupy propaganda, and gets to the heart of what really matters far better than your national or local news ever will. A must see for all who give a crap! 8.5/10
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsDenzel WashingtonNadine VelazquezDon CheadleTroubling questions arise after airline pilot Whip Whitaker makes a miracle landing after a mid-air catastrophe.A fantastic performance by Denzel in a pretty tense and moving emotional roller coaster of a story. 8/10
- DirectorWalter SallesStarsSam RileyGarrett HedlundKristen StewartYoung writer Sal Paradise has his life shaken by the arrival of free-spirited Dean Moriarty and his girl, Marylou. As they travel across the country, they encounter a mix of people who each impact their journey indelibly.Sure, this isn't a page by page retelling of Kerouac's book, but nonetheless I found it to be very good. Much better than I expected in fact. I think if you watch this film with an open mind you will enjoy it for what it is. It still captures the sense of wandering youth and living madly that the original work relays. As any piece of art is, this is a work in it's own right; With influence from Kerouac's Masterwork. Is this a masterwork, perhaps not, but overall I still enjoyed it a lot. I found it relatable for sure, I've lived a pretty crazy life at times. Anyone who is a true searcher in life goes through some pretty crazy times as a youth and/or young adult. This film, like Kerouac's original is really only meant to be enjoyed and understood by those who are really interested in living life. It's not for those who are too afraid and end up just watching life pass them by. 8/10
- 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.The main story here is about love, with time travel, loneliness and revenge as it's backdrop. Overall a pretty brilliant piece of work by writer/director Rian Johnson. The original premise of the film is somewhat hard to buy, but if you can get past that, the rest of the story is very good. My rating... 7.5/10
- DirectorMark MoriStarsBettie PageHugh HefnerOlivia de BerardinisThe world's greatest pinup model and cult icon, Bettie Page, recounts the true story of how her free expression overcame government witch-hunts to help launch America's sexual revolution.
- 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.Tarantino's best work seems to be long behind him, however I still have enjoyed his last two films a good deal, after a few disappointments; So at least he isn't totally washed up. Django was good, as good as Bastards in my view, maybe even a touch better. 7.5/10
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsJohnny DeppMichelle PfeifferEva GreenAn imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins, is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection.Not sure why so many people did not enjoy this. I found it to be a really fun dark comedy. 7.5/10
- DirectorDaniel EspinosaStarsDenzel WashingtonRyan ReynoldsRobert PatrickA young CIA agent is tasked with looking after a fugitive in a safe house. But when the safe house is attacked, he finds himself on the run with his charge.7.5/10
- 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.A crowd pleaser for sure, a little bit too crowd pleasing in someways perhaps. I would have rather they stuck closer to the truth rather than trying to just entertain; But hey, it's Ben Affleck right, we can't exactly expect a masterpiece of art when someone is just trying to make a good popcorn flick. Nonetheless an enjoyable film. Special note: F the Academy, they stink! 7.5/10
- DirectorAlex GibneyStarsAlex GibneyPaul PiffAnne RuethFilmmaker Alex Gibney investigates the fact that the 400 richest Americans control more wealth than the 150 million people in the bottom 50 percent of the population.Another docu on the selling of the dream fraught with lies and inevitable blood. When money rules, rules don't really mean much to some.
- 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.7.5/10
- DirectorPerry BhandalStarsLuke GossCaroline TilletteStephen MarcusAn elite hitman returns to erase his past only to find that somebody has messed with his future.British crime. For how good this film is, it's certainly underseen and underappreciated. 7.5/10
- DirectorSean BakerStarsDree HemingwayBesedka JohnsonBooneeAn unlikely friendship forms between twenty-one-year-old Jane and the elderly Sadie after Jane discovers a hidden stash of money inside an object at Sadie's yard sale.A pretty unique film, definitely a low budget indie worth a look. 7/10
- DirectorThomas VinterbergStarsMads MikkelsenThomas Bo LarsenAnnika WedderkoppA teacher lives a lonely life, all the while struggling over his son's custody. His life slowly gets better as he finds love and receives good news from his son, but his new luck is about to be brutally shattered by an innocent little lie.
- DirectorLen WisemanStarsColin FarrellBokeem WoodbineBryan CranstonA factory worker, Douglas Quaid, begins to suspect that he is a spy after visiting Rekall - a company that provides its clients with implanted fake memories of a life they would like to have led - goes wrong and he finds himself on the run.Surprisingly, I found this remake to be quite good. Well worth a watch. 7/10
- DirectorNicholas JareckiStarsRichard GereSusan SarandonBrit MarlingA troubled hedge fund magnate desperate to complete the sale of his trading empire makes an error that forces him to turn to an unlikely person for help.
- DirectorJon HurwitzHayden SchlossbergStarsJason BiggsAlyson HanniganSeann William ScottJim, Michelle, Stifler, and their friends reunite in East Great Falls, Michigan for their high school reunion.This film just gets funnier and funnier. It won't disappoint those that enjoyed the first couple Pies. 7/10
- 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.I like Anderson as a director but I'm not huge on him. This however may be his best film since his only really great one in my view, Boogie Nights.
- DirectorHarmony KorineStarsVanessa HudgensSelena GomezAshley BensonFour college girls hold up a restaurant in order to fund their spring break vacation. While partying, drinking, and taking drugs, they are arrested, only to be bailed out by a drug and arms dealer.Harmony Korine, what can be said? Truly I think if this film wasn't so in love with itself it would have been much much better. Take out the repetitive dialogue and the film would come across as a lot smarter and less self indulging and not so overtly obvious in its points; but perhaps that is part of Korine's point here as this is a film about over indulgence. Nonetheless, the repetitive dialogue takes away from the film, I couldn't imagine watching a film like this 4 times in 2 years, I would probably end up hating the film by then. A good film, but too much of good thing is still too much. 7/10
- DirectorJohn HillcoatStarsTom HardyShia LaBeoufGuy PearceSet in Depression-era Franklin County, Virginia, a trio of bootlegging brothers are threatened by a new special deputy and other authorities angling for a cut of their profits.A pretty solid film about early American Moonshiners. 7/10
- DirectorCraig ZobelStarsAnn DowdDreama WalkerPat HealyA normal Friday service at a fast food restaurant becomes interrupted by a police officer who claims an employee stole from a customer, but something more sinister is going on.An interesting and somewhat disgusting film about authority and how in certain circumstances we have become so conformed that we sometimes almost completely blindly do things we shouldn't for the sake of our jobs or other such risks. The film doesn't get everything right here, that's for sure as the writing is a little weak at times and a little over the top in others, but only over the top because of it's weakness in the setup. This film could have worked brilliantly and truly it almost does here, but it definitely comes up a little too short to call it brilliant. For all the people who say the ideas in this film are completely false and that these crimes were not possibly real, or that the victims were just really stupid; Those Compliance critics obviously have never read much at all about Nazi Germany and how it's people were systematically broken down and controlled in much the same way. 7/10
- DirectorJessy TerreroStars50 CentRobert De NiroForest WhitakerThe son of a slain NYPD officer joins the force, where he falls in with his father's former partner and a team of rogue cops.Hard to believe this is rated in the 4's on here. Craziness! One of the problems is likely that most of the viewers so far just lack many working braincells. It's no masterpiece for sure, but it is an interesting and somewhat complex story, and it's told with serious pace. A greater director would have slowed the pace a touch, at least at times. Nonetheless the scene execution overall is not bad here and the film as a whole works fairly well. To me I feel the film really deserves the 7 rating because one, I would watch it again, and most importantly, it does have some quite unique ideas and situations in it. We've seen other somewhat similar films/stories in ways, but this one does have enough of its own moments that even myself; A person who's seen thousands upon thousands of films, found that there were quite a few somewhat fresh and compelling moments to it. 4.6 out of 10, my ass! While I agree with many that 50 is no great actor. For this role, he really isn't all that bad. You either go along with the story or you don't. In fact I feel it's hard to say he doesn't fit this part when you take the story into consideration. It is a lower budget film than what were use to seeing De Niro or Forest Whitaker in. Nonetheless, the film makes out at least reasonably well or better in most areas with what budget it does have.
- DirectorSean GarrityStarsJonas ChernickEmily HampshireSarah ManninenTo win back his ex-girlfriend, a conservative accountant enlists the help of an exotic dancer to guide him on a quest for sexual experience, leading him into a world of strip clubs, sensual massage parlors, cross-dressing and S & M.I nearly turned this film off in the beginning because I just couldn't relate to the pathetic lead character. However you come to see his silly perspective better once the film gets going a little. Anyway, the film actually turns out to be quite funny and touching by the end. It's also not nearly as typical as most sexy comedies usually are, sure it has some typical aspects, but overall it has a lot more intelligence than the average film of this sort. A solid Canadian film. 7/10
- DirectorMegan GriffithsStarsJamie ChungBeau BridgesMatt O'LearyA young Korean-American girl, abducted and forced into prostitution by domestic human traffickers, cooperates with her captors in a desperate ploy to survive.The only thing that really keeps this from being a much better film is its entirely unbelievable and sadly typical Hollywood ending. 7/10
- DirectorRobert LorenzStarsClint EastwoodAmy AdamsJohn GoodmanA daughter tries to remedy her dysfunctional relationship with her ailing father, a decorated baseball scout, by helping him in a recruiting trip which could be his last.
- DirectorJeff NicholsStarsMatthew McConaugheyTye SheridanJacob LoflandTwo young boys encounter a fugitive and form a pact to help him evade the vigilantes that are on his trail and to reunite him with his true love.
- DirectorRupert SandersStarsKristen StewartChris HemsworthCharlize TheronIn a twist to the fairy tale, the Huntsman ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen.I didn't expect to like this film much, but it actually was a decent watch. Probably not a film to be seen many times, but nonetheless an enjoyable couple hours of entertainment. 7/10
- DirectorMichael Ray FoxStarsRhys Bevan-JohnChristina CuffariCory BowlesA socially introverted game designer named William Borchert has barely left his house in years. Once reunited with Olivia, the girl he had loved since high school, he fights to live with his condition of undiagnosed Autism and to form a hopeful future.
- 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.
- DirectorFisher StevensStarsAl PacinoChristopher WalkenAlan ArkinA pair of aging stickup men try to get the old gang back together for one last hurrah before one of the guys takes his last assignment - to kill his comrade.7/10
- DirectorDaniel SchmidtStarsPatrick SweeneyThere is one vibratory field that connects all things. It has been called Akasha, Logos, the primordial OM, the music of the spheres, the Higgs field, dark energy, and a thousand other names throughout history.Some great info here, but not nearly as good as some people claim. 7/10
- DirectorScott DerricksonStarsEthan HawkeJuliet RylanceJames RansoneA controversial true-crime writer finds a box of Super 8 home movies in his new home, revealing that the murder case he is currently researching could be the work of an unknown serial killer whose legacy dates back to the 1960s.
- DirectorPete TravisStarsKarl UrbanOlivia ThirlbyLena HeadeyIn a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO.
- DirectorPaul HyettStarsRosie DaySean PertweeKevin HowarthSold at a brothel deep in the woods to work as a caretaker, a hapless deaf girl must summon the courage to fight for her life.
- DirectorStephen ChboskyStarsLogan LermanEmma WatsonEzra MillerCharlie, a 15-year-old introvert, enters high school and is nervous about his new life. When he befriends his seniors, he learns to cope with his friend's suicide and his tumultuous past.
- DirectorChristopher McQuarrieStarsTom CruiseRosamund PikeRichard JenkinsA homicide investigator digs deeper into a case involving a trained military sniper responsible for a mass shooting.Not a bad action film for an escape and some laughs, we really shouldn't be expecting much more than that from a film such as this I would think. 6.5/10
- DirectorJennifer LynchStarsVincent D'OnofrioEamon FarrenEvan BirdA young man held prisoner by a cab-driving serial killer must make a life or death choice between following in his captor's footsteps or breaking free.
- DirectorCraig ViveirosStarsTim RothJack O'ConnellPeter MullanWhen 19-year-old Adam agrees to do a day's driving for his mum's gangster boyfriend Peter, it takes him on a 24-hour journey into a nightmarish world of murder, sex trafficking and revenge, in the company of aging hit man Roy.
- DirectorAmy HeckerlingStarsAlicia SilverstoneKrysten RitterLarry WilmoreBloodsucking party girls (Alicia Silverstone, Krysten Ritter) find their destinies at stake when one falls for the son of a vampire hunter and the other encounters a long-ago love.6.5/10
- DirectorBarry SonnenfeldStarsWill SmithTommy Lee JonesJosh BrolinAgent J travels in time to M.I.B.'s early days in 1969 to stop an alien from assassinating his friend Agent K and changing history.
- DirectorHeitor DhaliaStarsAmanda SeyfriedJennifer CarpenterWes BentleyA woman is convinced her kidnapper has returned when her sister goes missing.To me this was definitely not as bad as its rating on here. 6.5/10
- DirectorPaul VerhoevenStarsPeter BlokRobert de HoogSallie HarmsenDuring his 50th birthday party thrown by his wife, Remco's life takes a turn for the worse: His business partners are scheming behind his back to sell him out, and his former mistress shows up pregnant.
- DirectorLee DanielsStarsMatthew McConaugheyNicole KidmanJohn CusackA reporter returns to his Florida hometown to investigate a case involving a death row inmate.
- DirectorOliver StoneStarsAaron Taylor-JohnsonTaylor KitschBlake LivelyPot growers Ben and Chon face off against the Mexican drug cartel who kidnapped their shared girlfriend.6.5/10
- DirectorPhil LordChristopher MillerStarsJonah HillChanning TatumIce CubeA pair of underachieving cops are sent back to a local high school to blend in and bring down a synthetic drug ring.6.5/10
- DirectorJamie TravisStarsAri GraynorLauren Miller RogenJustin LongFormer college frenemies Lauren and Katie move into a fabulous Gramercy Park apartment, and in order to make ends meet, the unlikely pair start a phone sex line together.
- DirectorMaja MilosStarsIsidora SimijonovicVukasin JasnicSanja MikitisinIn the face of her family life falling to pieces, a social-media-obsessed teenage girl falls into a hedonistic world of sex, drugs, and abuse.A Serbian film that is certainly not great, but certainly not bad either. If it sounds interesting to you, then it's worth a look. If it doesn't sound interesting, then stay clear. The film is definitely heavy to say the least. Dark and unrelenting in it's honesty. 6.5/10
- DirectorJames McTeigueStarsJohn CusackAlice EveLuke EvansWhen a madman begins committing horrific murders inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's works, a young Baltimore detective joins forces with Poe to stop him from making his stories a reality.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsNoomi RapaceLogan Marshall-GreenMichael FassbenderFollowing clues to the origin of mankind, a team finds a structure on a distant moon, but they soon realize they are not alone.Sure this film is pretty good, but that's about as much as you can praise it. It's far from great. 6.5/10
- DirectorLeos CaraxStarsDenis LavantEdith ScobEva MendesA man boards a limousine to be driven to his day's work: nine mysterious "appointments."
- DirectorMåns MårlindBjörn SteinStarsKate BeckinsaleMichael EalyIndia EisleyWhen human forces discover the existence of the Vampire and Lycan clans, a war to eradicate both species commences. The vampire warrior Selene leads the battle against humankind.6/10
- DirectorMartin McDonaghStarsColin FarrellWoody HarrelsonSam RockwellA struggling screenwriter inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his oddball friends kidnap a gangster's beloved Shih Tzu.
- DirectorAntonio CamposStarsBrady CorbetMati DiopLila SaletA recent college graduate flees to Paris after a break-up, where his involvement with a prostitute begins to reveal a potentially dark recent past.
- DirectorScott W. McKinlayStarsBrian KolodziejAmy WehrellGerald EmerickA 20-something slacker gets caught up in a deadly game of cat and mouse after answering a 'For Sale' sign placed on a dilapitated van.
- DirectorPaul MyersStarsChad BrummettJordan GradyKelsey HuttonAfter a financial apocalypse a young girl must protect her older sister as they wander a desert searching for a new home.
- DirectorPhilip KaufmanStarsNicole KidmanClive OwenDavid StrathairnA drama centered on the romance between Ernest Hemingway and World War II correspondent Martha Gellhorn, Hemingway's inspiration for For Whom the Bell Tolls, and the only woman who ever asked for a divorce from the writer.
- DirectorGary RossStarsJennifer LawrenceJosh HutchersonLiam HemsworthKatniss Everdeen voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games: a televised competition in which two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts of Panem are chosen at random to fight to the death.Well it seemed like a kids film to me, but as a kids action film it wasn't too bad. Definitely in The Running Man tradition, which even that was a rip off and a pretty poor one at that. If you have young teens, it's a decent action film worth a viewing. Hey, it may even spark some unique conversation. 6/10
- DirectorMorgan O'NeillStarsJohn CusackDallas RobertsVincent MessinaAn obsessed cop is on the trail of a serial killer prowling the streets of Buffalo, N.Y. but when his teenage daughter disappears, he drops any professional restraint to get the killer.6/10
- DirectorJames MatherSteve Saint LegerStarsGuy PearceMaggie GracePeter StormareA man wrongly convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage against the U.S. is offered his freedom if he can rescue the President's daughter from an outer-space prison taken over by violent inmates.5.5/10
- DirectorAkiva SchafferStarsBen StillerVince VaughnJonah HillFour men who form a neighborhood watch group as a way to get out of their day-to-day family routines find themselves defending the Earth from an alien invasion.
- DirectorNima NourizadehStarsThomas MannOliver CooperJonathan Daniel BrownThree high-school seniors throw a birthday party to make a name for themselves. As the night progresses, things spiral out of control as word of the party spreads.5.5/10
- DirectorSacha PolakStarsHannah HoekstraHans DageletMark RietmanA promiscuous young woman struggles with her emotions when the one man she cares deeply about, her equally restless father, finally finds true love.5.5/10
- DirectorTony GilroyStarsJeremy RennerRachel WeiszEdward NortonAn expansion of the universe from Robert Ludlum's novels, centered on a new hero whose stakes have been triggered by the events of the previous three films.5.5/10
- DirectorMikael SalomonStarsRob LoweKaley CuocoCatherine DentFollowing the mysterious disappearance of his fourth wife, a man is accused of the murder of his third.5/10