2012 brought many great new films to the big screen. From huge blockbuster hits like The Avengers to indie films that captured hearts like Beasts of the Southern Wild (which I have not seen yet, and is thus not included in this list), 2012 was a great year for all filmmakers. Without further ado, I present to you my list of the 15 best films of 2012.
15. Flight
Denzel Washington's hauntingly captivating performance as Whip, an alcoholic airline pilot, drives this film to new levels. Robert Zemeckis directs with an understanding of character, and Flight raises many questions of morality - as Whip managed to land a failed plane in a way no one else could have ever done, all while he was high on cocaine.
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Denzel Washington's hauntingly captivating performance as Whip, an alcoholic airline pilot, drives this film to new levels. Robert Zemeckis directs with an understanding of character, and Flight raises many questions of morality - as Whip managed to land a failed plane in a way no one else could have ever done, all while he was high on cocaine.
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14. Les Miserables
In 2012 this famous musical was adapted by director Tom Hooper with great success. His decision to film all of the songs live opposed to using pre-recordings brings a great deal of power to the performances, and fuels this pre-French Revolution era drama. Hugh Jackman leads, and Anne Hathaway shines in a supporting role as Fantine.
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In 2012 this famous musical was adapted by director Tom Hooper with great success. His decision to film all of the songs live opposed to using pre-recordings brings a great deal of power to the performances, and fuels this pre-French Revolution era drama. Hugh Jackman leads, and Anne Hathaway shines in a supporting role as Fantine.
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13. Looper
This sci-fi action thriller written and directed by Rian Johnson is original and thought provoking. Its time-travel based plot sets the tone for great action and a satisfying conclusion. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as a younger Bruce Willis (or vice versa) in this excellent film about an assassin who disposes of bodies sent to him from the future, until one day he is sent his future self.
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This sci-fi action thriller written and directed by Rian Johnson is original and thought provoking. Its time-travel based plot sets the tone for great action and a satisfying conclusion. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as a younger Bruce Willis (or vice versa) in this excellent film about an assassin who disposes of bodies sent to him from the future, until one day he is sent his future self.
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12. Prometheus
Ridley Scott's long-anticipated return to science fiction raises more questions than it answers. His beautifully shot Prometheus takes place on a far-off moon and questions our very beginnings on this earth. Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender helm this ambitious film on its imaginative and wonderful journey.
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Ridley Scott's long-anticipated return to science fiction raises more questions than it answers. His beautifully shot Prometheus takes place on a far-off moon and questions our very beginnings on this earth. Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender helm this ambitious film on its imaginative and wonderful journey.
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11. Zero Dark Thirty
Mark Boal's screenplay is controversial and smart, telling the story of a decade long hunt for Osama Bin Laden, and climaxing in the raid of his compound in Pakistan. A solid performance by Jessica Chastain leads this tense thriller through politics, torture, and the eventual killing of the terrorist by Seal Team 6.
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Mark Boal's screenplay is controversial and smart, telling the story of a decade long hunt for Osama Bin Laden, and climaxing in the raid of his compound in Pakistan. A solid performance by Jessica Chastain leads this tense thriller through politics, torture, and the eventual killing of the terrorist by Seal Team 6.
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10. The Dark Knight Rises
The grand finale to Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy is every bit as big as we expected. While it lacks some elements of the previous instalment, The Dark Knight Rises is still the perfect example of a truly great blockbuster, combining strong performances with incredible action and plot.
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The grand finale to Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy is every bit as big as we expected. While it lacks some elements of the previous instalment, The Dark Knight Rises is still the perfect example of a truly great blockbuster, combining strong performances with incredible action and plot.
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9. Moonrise Kingdom
Moonrise Kingdom is a quirky, artsy, and all-round terrific little film. Director Wes Anderson utilizes his two child stars fantastically, as well as combining performances by Bruce Willis, Francis McDormand, and Edward Norton into the mix. This movie is colorful, joyous, and representative both of Wes Anderson and of the adventures of adolescence.
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Moonrise Kingdom is a quirky, artsy, and all-round terrific little film. Director Wes Anderson utilizes his two child stars fantastically, as well as combining performances by Bruce Willis, Francis McDormand, and Edward Norton into the mix. This movie is colorful, joyous, and representative both of Wes Anderson and of the adventures of adolescence.
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8. The Master
Paul Thomas Anderson's latest fim includes two performances of incredible magnitude on the parts of Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour-Hoffman, as well as showcasing the director's immense talent. However, the film did lack a lasting substance beneath its style. That being said - The Master is still great.
Paul Thomas Anderson's latest fim includes two performances of incredible magnitude on the parts of Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour-Hoffman, as well as showcasing the director's immense talent. However, the film did lack a lasting substance beneath its style. That being said - The Master is still great.
7. Lincoln
Daniel Day-Lewis' absolutely outstanding performance as our 16th President powers this Steven Spielberg film. This film focuses on the passing of the 13th amendment to the constitution in the last few months of Lincoln's life. Directed with skill and acted with passion, this is a great biopic.
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Daniel Day-Lewis' absolutely outstanding performance as our 16th President powers this Steven Spielberg film. This film focuses on the passing of the 13th amendment to the constitution in the last few months of Lincoln's life. Directed with skill and acted with passion, this is a great biopic.
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6. Skyfall
The first Bond film by an Oscar-winning director, Skyfall is exactly what a 21st century 007 movie needed. Daniel Craig returns with both class and ferocity as the world's favorite secret agent, and this outing certainly doesn't disappoint. Javier Bardem is terrific as the villain, and Sam Mendes films with confidence and style.
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The first Bond film by an Oscar-winning director, Skyfall is exactly what a 21st century 007 movie needed. Daniel Craig returns with both class and ferocity as the world's favorite secret agent, and this outing certainly doesn't disappoint. Javier Bardem is terrific as the villain, and Sam Mendes films with confidence and style.
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5. Cloud Atlas
This film by Tom Tykwer & the Wachowski's went relatively unnoticed upon its release last fall. This is a shame, as Cloud Atlas is a tremendously ambitious and unique project. It is a film with multiple stars and multiple stories, each one told with as much skill as the last, and each one intertwining with the others. A sprawling and brilliant film, this is one not to be missed.
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This film by Tom Tykwer & the Wachowski's went relatively unnoticed upon its release last fall. This is a shame, as Cloud Atlas is a tremendously ambitious and unique project. It is a film with multiple stars and multiple stories, each one told with as much skill as the last, and each one intertwining with the others. A sprawling and brilliant film, this is one not to be missed.
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4. Silver Linings Playbook
Captivating performances, superb directing, and an exceptionally charming yet tragic story make Silver Linings Playbook one of my favorite films of the year. David O. Russell directs a stellar cast in this warm and heartfelt film about bipolar disorder, love, loss, and football.
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Captivating performances, superb directing, and an exceptionally charming yet tragic story make Silver Linings Playbook one of my favorite films of the year. David O. Russell directs a stellar cast in this warm and heartfelt film about bipolar disorder, love, loss, and football.
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3. Life of Pi
This adaptation of Yann Martel's modern classic is immersive, bold, and beautiful. Director Ang Lee presents us with not only the best use of 3D technology since Avatar, but also with a charming story and stunning cinematography. The allegorical tale is truly brought to life fantastically in this film adaptation, making it one of the best films of the year.
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This adaptation of Yann Martel's modern classic is immersive, bold, and beautiful. Director Ang Lee presents us with not only the best use of 3D technology since Avatar, but also with a charming story and stunning cinematography. The allegorical tale is truly brought to life fantastically in this film adaptation, making it one of the best films of the year.
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2. Argo
Ben Affleck’s Argo is a tense historical/political thriller in the finest regard. Set against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution, the film tells the true story of the Canadian government and CIA cooperation to get six escaped hostages out of Tehran. Affleck shows the skill of a master director in his approach of the material, making it one of the best movies of the year.
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Ben Affleck’s Argo is a tense historical/political thriller in the finest regard. Set against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution, the film tells the true story of the Canadian government and CIA cooperation to get six escaped hostages out of Tehran. Affleck shows the skill of a master director in his approach of the material, making it one of the best movies of the year.
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1. Django Unchained
Django Unchained is unflinching and visceral, yet beautifully shot and masterfully written. It is without a doubt the finest film of the year and one of Tarantino’s greatest films ever made. The performances by stars such as Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Samuel L. Jackson are all fantastic, and Tarantino outdoes himself once again in visual style and writing with his latest film.
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Django Unchained is unflinching and visceral, yet beautifully shot and masterfully written. It is without a doubt the finest film of the year and one of Tarantino’s greatest films ever made. The performances by stars such as Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Samuel L. Jackson are all fantastic, and Tarantino outdoes himself once again in visual style and writing with his latest film.
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