Best Movies of 2012

I've undoubtedly become more busy this year, which means that I haven't had as much time for things that I love: Jeopardy!, golf, and movies. I'm not sure why those were the first things to go (actually I'm quite certain that I could think of plenty of other activities that I no longer partake in as much), but while I'm definitely not as intelligent or as good at golf as a byproduct I don't think that watching fewer movies has made me less of a movie critic. I think it's actually made me more picky about the movies I choose to see, and has thus honed my critical eye.

Due my self-proclaimed skills as an evaluator of films I've decided to add a new feature to this post. Have you ever read a book/movie/album review where the critic uses words that you've never heard of to explain the deeper meaning of what the work is actually about? I will attempt to reveal the themes of each movies in their simplest form. I may use some big words while employing this reductionist method, but deal with it.

Here are the top 10 movies that I saw in 2012 (3 of them were released in 2011)


10.) Total Recall



I usually hate re-makes (Total Recall was originally released in 1990 and starred Arnold Schwarzenegger), but when you put Jessica Biel and Kate Beckinsale in a movie I'm going to watch it. This may have made the list because my expectations were extremely low and I came out of the theaters pleasantly surprised, but I remain convinced that it's worth the two hours of your time.

What is this movie actually about? class warfare and the corruption of power


9.) Bachelorette



It could be called a Bridesmaids knock off, but I really enjoyed it (again, expectations were low). The humor is a bit raunchy, so don't watch it with mom and dad, but it appeals to both genders. I love Lizzy Caplan and she's both hot and hysterical in this film.

What's this movie actually about? female jealously


8.) Skyfall



This is not my favorite Bond film of all time. In fact, it's only my 2nd favorite of the Daniel Craig films. I still enjoyed it, though, because you know what you're going to get when you see a Bond film; action, guns, crime, sex, and espionage.

What's this movie actually about? the duality between modernity and the past


7.) Drive (2011)



I was pretty sure that Ryan Gosling's performance in this film was going to garner an Oscar nomination last year and I'm still stunned that it didn't. He knocked his understated, reserved role out of the park. He barely said a word throughout the entire thing, which accentuated the quality of his performance. The movie is a neo-noir piece about a heist that goes wrong. There's action, murder, confrontation, and a love interest (the sneaky hot Carey Mulligan).

What's this movie actually about? loyalty, loneliness, and body language


6.) Ted



It's essentially a two hour episode of Family Guy, which means it's hysterical (and obviously funnier if your high). People will be quoting lines from this movie for years to come.

What's this movie actually about? the bond of friendship, growing up, and the effects of marijuana


5.) A Separation (2011)



This Iranian work won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film last year and I heard positive review after positive review, so I finally saw it. It's intense, stirring, and filled with deeper meanings. I doubt that any of you will take the time to see it, but if you do it will definitely force you to think and isn't that what all movies should do?

What's this movie actually about? the many sides of the truth and loyalty to family


4.) Lincoln



I'm a bit of a politics/history freak, so I know that I probably like this movie more than most, but it's worth seeing solely for Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal of Honest Abe. Halfway through I had to remind myself that it was actually Day-Lewis on the screen and not Lincoln. My main takeaway as I exited the theaters was, "That movie was two and a half hours? It sure didn't seem that long."

What's this movie actually about? our 16th president not slaying vampires


3.) The Dark Knight Rises



There was a lot about this film that I liked and a lot that I didn't, but at the end of the day there's no question that it was incredibly entertaining. It should also be noted that it was next to impossible to live up to The Joker, but Bane came damn close.

What's this movie actually about? privacy, obligation, fate, and coping with loss


2.) Argo



I love politics and I love Ben Affleck. There was almost no chance that I wasn't going to love this movie. Sure the ending is over dramaticized, but the story is still incredible.

What's this movie actually about? faith in a federal bureaucracy and having conviction in a singular idea


1.) Midnight in Paris (2011)

 

On the surface this Woody Allen movie is about a writer who finds inspiration from magically spending time with the likes of Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemmingway, Gertrude Stein, etc. It also features a great cast with Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, and the intoxicating Marion Cotillard. What it's actually about is how everyone looks to a past point in history or their own lives and thinks of it as the glory years. Everyone wishes they could go back to a certain time or place, but what they don't realize is that those good times aren't as good as they seem. The further we're removed from the past the more we glorify it. We choose only to remember the positives.

What's this movie actually about? romanticizing the past


I also enjoyed- The Avengers, Flight

I want to see- The Master, The Hobbit, Zero Dark Thirty, Silver Linings Playbook, This is 40, Django Unchained, On the Road


Here are my Week 17 NFL Picks (our national nightmare is finally over)

Jets +3 at Bills
Dolphins +10.5 at Patriots
at Bengals -2.5 vs. Ravens
Browns 0 at Steelers
at Colts +7 at Texans
Jaguars +4 at Titans
Eagles +7 at Giants
Cowboys +3 at Redskins
at Lions +3 vs. Bears
Packers -3.5 at Vikings
Bucs +4.5 at Falcons
at Saints -5 vs. Panthers
Chiefs +16.5 at Broncos
at Chargers -10 vs. Raiders
Cardinals +16.5 at 49ers
Rams +11 at Seahawks

Last Week- 7-9
Season- 109-129-3