Jess' 2012 in Review

Overall, I think this was a pretty fantastic year for films.  Last year on our wrap up podcast, we proposed the movies we were most anticipating (I'll get to those for next year in a minute), and I thought it would be neat to look back and see what happened.

Most Anticipated for 2012

1. The Avengers
2. The Lorax
3. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
4. MIB 3
5. Dark Knight Rises
6. Breaking Dawn Part 2
7. Life of Pi

I honestly don't remember why there were 7 listed - probably because I was going to make a game-time decision on the podcast based on what Rachel said so as to improve the show with variety.  As you'll see 2 of the 7 made it into my top 10 for the year.  I didn't get to see Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter yet, but that was mostly based on the name.  I really enjoyed some of what they did with The Lorax and a lot of what they did with Men in Black 3 and The Dark Knight Rises, so those were winners.  And in all honestly, the one I was most surprised that I actually liked more than expected was Breaking Dawn: Part 2.  It had no right to be any good at all, but it showed some oomph.  

Now onto 2012 (anything with a link, I reviewed on this or my previous site).  I saw 55 movies from 2012 (so far), and 39 of them in theaters including 10 movies at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September in just 3 days.  

Worst

1. Painless - I saw this at TIFF, and I don't think it's actually a really bad movie.  I just know it was really, really disappointing, and VERY violent.  The disappointing was that it started with an interesting premise and dropped the ball big time. H
2. Hope Springs - I remember wanting to see this in a theaters.  A comedy with Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones with Steve Carrell as their marriage therapist.  How could anything go wrong?  Well, it's not funny.  And watching Jones and Streep try to discuss why their sex life isn't fulfilling and then trying to get it back on track is more sad and awkward than touching or funny.  
3. A Joyful Noise - The music was good.  That's it
4. Man on Ledge - This was also more disappointing than bad.  More dull than bad.  The concept of Sam Worthington standing on ledge is just a distraction from his brother's bank heist.
5. Wanderlust - Again, not funny.  I think I'm more disappointed in comedies that aren't actually funny, but are marketed as such than I am when I find out a drama has a lot of comedy or heart than expected. Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston just yuk it up for a bit, but have a pretty terrible marriage and life until they end up on a commune (which seems to be movie makers ideal, as in Martha, Marcy, May, Marlene).

I'm sticking with just my 5 worst.  I didn't see enough from this year (saw plenty from other years, but you'll have to wait for next year's anniversary podcast episode for that) that was really bad as I have in other years.  

Best movies of 2012 (very slightly different since the podcast, what can I say, I changed my mind).

1. Argo - I saw this first at TIFF with an introduction by director Ben Affleck.  It was easily one of the greatest movie going experiences of  my life.  Then I saw it again in a small theater with only a few other people and it still holds up.  It provides suspense and creates a thrilling atmosphere without the need for a mystery (it's based on real events). That takes craft. 
2. Lincoln - I sense this will be nominated for all of the awards, but I don't think it will win many.  It's really a wonderful movie that will make you cry and laugh and all of the great things film is supposed to do - comment on the human condition, tell a story, make you feel something and possibly educate you at the same time.  Daniel Day-Lewis is amazing, which is saying something coming from me. 
3. The Sessions - John Hawkes will win the Oscar if there is any justice in this world.  No other performance I saw this year can top it.  
4. Life of Pi - One of the best book to movie conversions I've ever seen.  It brought magic to life and made you think about why you believe what you do, and why it matters. 
5. Les Miserables - This is the most controversial of my picks - even for me.  I loved it, but there are a LOT of problems with it.  And few are the same problems other people have with it.  
6. Beasts of the Southern Wild - Learn to pronounce Quvenzhane Wallis because she's going to be a star if she ever finishes middle school.  
7. The Cabin in the Woods - I think it's the Joss Whedon effect, but I freakin loved this.  
8. Moonrise Kingdom - Only Rachel is as shocked that a Wes Anderson movie could make my top 10.  But it fired on all cylinders and didn't try to be wry or witty without having reason or heart.  He created a world of characters that were humorous without opening their mouths, but being completely recognizable too.
9. The Avengers - Another Joss Whedon.  I think this is the movie on this list I've seen the most this year.  And it really, really holds up.  Often the tricks and gimmicks of a superhero movie pale after repeated watchings, but Whedon made sure the story would keep you going too.
10. The Hunger Games - This is the spot on my list that at least 4 other movies could go too, but my fondness for the story helped The Hunger Games make the list.  Not quite as successful a conversion from the book as Life of Pi, it started a world that will be an endless source of reflection.

Movies I've seen this year (Those in CAPS, I saw in theaters).

Joyful Noise,  We Need to Talk about Kevin, Haywire, Man on a Ledge, One for the  Money, W. E., Safe House, THE VOW, This Means War, Wanderlust, THE LORAX, John Carter, 21 JUMP STREET, THE HUNGER GAMES, MIRROR MIRROR, AMERICAN REUNION, THE CABIN IN THE WOODS, Chimpanzee, The Five-Year Engagement, SAFE HOUSE, THE AVENGERS, THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, What to Expect when you’re expecting, MEN IN BLACK 3,
MOONRISE KINGDOM, PROMETHEUS, BRAVE, BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD, MAGIC MIKE, People Like Us, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, Hope Springs, THE BOURNE LEGACY, THE ODD LIFE OF TIMOTHY GREEN, ARGO  x 2, LOOPER, THE SESSIONS, SKYFALL, WRECK IT RALPH, LINCOLN. TWILIGHT SAGA – BREAKING DAWN 2, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, LIFE OF PI, THE GOLD RUSH, THE END, THREE KIDS, MEN AT LUNCH,  JACKIE, THE SECRET DISCO REVOLUTION, PAINLESS, THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS, Pitch Perfect, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

Butter, THE HOBBIT, LES MISERABLES, JACK REACHER

Most Anticipated for 2013

1. Ender's Game - One of my all time favorite books.  The author has attempted to ensure that the film remains faithful to the story.  Plus, Harrison Ford is in it.
2. Catching Fire - No explanation beyond this is the follow up to The Hunger Games
3. Star Trek – Into Darkness - Again, do I really need to explain? Plus Benedict Cumberbatch
4. OZ  The great and powerful/Jack the Giant Slayer/Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters - These are all based on fairy tales and the trailers all show something pretty original so I'm intrigued.
5. OldBoy - Can't wait to see what Josh Brolin does with this totally f&*ed up story of revenge.