Top 20 Films Of 2012

I decided to a list as well as my fabulous awards, even though everyone know my favourite film, nobody knows the order from there on. I have seen most major films of 2012, almost every Oscar nominee so I feel I can give a pretty good list here, with both blockbusters and dramas, as well as some smaller films. Of course there are many smaller films that are supposed to be great, but which I haven’t seen yet.

1. Argo

I have praised this film quite a bit now so I will keep it short. As I have said before, this film is a simple thriller, yet it is so incredibly well executed. It manages to be hilarious, nail-biting, touching and interesting, and masters all of these aspects and blends them wonderfully together thanks to tight 

directing.

2.  The Master

Paul Thomas Anderson is arguably the greatest American filmmaker of this generation. He is slowly building a filmography that few can compete, and that has the potential of reaching the heights of greats like Kubrick. The Master is another very worthy entry in this filmography. It is a beautifully made, meditate character piece of two very different men. The film may seem a bit ambiguous on it´s first viewing, yet it still captivates and strongly impresses.

3. Beasts Of The Southern Wild

One of the most unique films I have seen in some time. The film is endlessly charming, with the brilliant lead performance from the girl with the impossible name. The filmmakers are trying something different, and it really paid off, making something beautiful and unique.

4. Moonrise Kingdom

This is the second Anderson film in the top 5, this guy is truly one of the be- oh wait never mind, there is two of them, this is Wes. This corky comedy about a bunch of pretty melancholic people on a small island in 60s is truly something unique. It is very funny and cute and has some great characters, as well as some amazing visuals.

5. The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

Why this film hasn’t gotten more recognition is beyond me. It is one of the most honest films I have seen of what high school is like for many people, not just in the story, but in finer details we get through the characters. Speaking of the characters, they are all so well written and acted, giving us the sense of being someone we could know at our school.

6. The Dark Knight Rises

Probably the film that I will keep watching for years to come, as I do find Nolan´s films very re-watchable. It concluded one of the greatest blockbuster trilogies ever made with possibly the most personal, yet grandest story of them all. While it was even bigger in it´s action then the predecessors, it was also much more about Bruce Wayne. The film was all about concluding his story and it did so perfectly, giving him the best arc imaginable, and this focus on character made it stand out. Outside the character there was also a great story and villain accompanying it and it could have taken the top spot if wasn’t for some flaws that at times seemed like Nolan was just lazy.

7. Amour

A very hard film to sit through, yet very rewarding. The lead performances are outstanding and so is just about everything here. The film may not leave you with a smile on your face, but it will leave thinking for days on end, as you study the different ideas raised in the film.

8.  Zero Dark Thirty

Kathryn Bigelow once again knocks it out of the park with this political thriller. Made in almost documentary style it tries to tell how the hunt for bin-laden may have gone down. It may not be accurate (or it may be), but it is exhilarating and thrilling, with one of the best climaxes of the year.

9. The Hunt

Mads Mikkelsen at his greatest; the underrated Danish actor shows us once again that he is one of the strongest actors out there. The film is best enoyed going in fresh an energized as it will drain you, but it is so worth it in the end. The film is a drama-thriller, but what really sets it apart is that is has a story that I haven’t really seen before and it managed to stay completely unpredictable until the very end (which was a perfect ending by the way).

10.  Les Misérables

Like I mentioned in my review, I really don’t enjoy musical, however this managed to win me over. The acting was some of the best overall acting of the year, which really helped in creating an emotional connection to what was happening on screen. The film was an epic tale of hope that was a joy to witness. Below are 11 through 20.

     11. The Intoucables

     12. This Ain´t California

     13. Silver Linings Playbook

     14.  Franenweenie

     15. Lincoln

     16. Oslo, August 31th

     17. The Grey

     18. Skyfall

     19. Paranorman

     20. Prometheus