Looking back on 2012, many could say that it was another average year. However, the further that I look, the more that I have trouble accepting that. There have been many things that made this year exceptionally great, or at very least interesting. One of the notable things is the output of movies, which weren't always successful, but often provided looks into an interesting future of cinema. The following is a week-long journey through the year in cinema and what made 2012 a great year for movies.
21. Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Just when there was a dry spell of films not geared towards the elderly, 2012 came along with Hope Springs and this runaway hit comedy. It brought an exciting new movie to a demographic that didn't go see the Avengers, but wanted to go to the theaters and just enjoy themselves.
Director Bobcat Goldthwait had quite a year with this trigger happy fantasy film in which he takes down all of his enemies with hilarious, inspired results. It may have been more polarizing than World's Greatest Dad, but it showed a director with a strong voice and a desire to make ambitiously fun satire against those he disagreed with.
23. Battleship
24. Beyond the Black Rainbow
If you have had enough of the Hasbro Toyline movie extravaganza, this film bombing at the box office was a sigh of relief. Not only did it continue the unfortunate year of Taylor Kitsch bombs (John Carter, Savages), but it proved once and for all that just because you set a trailer to an Inception score rip-off doesn't mean that people will see your stupid movie, and leading to speculation that blockbusters may be on their way out.
Canada released this trippy film that saw the story of a heavily sedated character escaping a commune with equally trippy results. It may not be considered one of the year's best, but it does stand out as one of the weirdest.
25. Indie Game: The Movie
A look at home video games are made without big corporation input. The results are fascinating for fans of the medium and want to learn more about how games are made.
26. Men in Black III
The sequel that nobody expected to be any good proved to be a mildly amusing film that helped to flesh out the Men in Black universe with plenty of back story, way too much nostalgia humor, and just a strong sense of self missing from the second film. It may not feature a signature Will Smith rap song, but for fans of the series, it is a welcome return to form for a series that somehow has withstood the test of time for this long.
27. Moonrise Kingdom
Wes Anderson's nod to puppy love and nature combined in one of his most fully fleshed out and realized films to date. With plenty of humor and a strong sense of love from the two first-time actors, this story is one that will endear with everyone who had the chance to be innocent and pure with their first love.
28. Oslo, August 31st
A recovering addict decides to try and regain control of his life by taking a job interview, meeting old friends, and going to a party, only to discover that some things never change. It is a bleak tale, but nonetheless a painfully honest and engaging tale that will definitely make you sympathize with a hopeless man.
29. The Intouchables
The feel good foreign film of the year that saw a man and a cripple become friends and enjoy the pleasures of life. It quickly established itself as one of the year's best and stands a chance at making it at the Oscars next year.
30. Prometheus
This Alien-prequel may be the most polarizing film of the year with debates that can logically defend both extremes. However, the one consensus that everyone agrees on is the brilliant performance by Michael Fassbender, which proves that even when playing a robot in love with Lawrence of Arabia, he is way better at acting than you.
31. Safety Not Guaranteed
Continuing the year of the Duplass Brothers reign is this film that turned a strange, neurotic man into a questionable time traveler in this equally bizarre love story. Packed with plenty of humor and ingenious plotting, the story is a simple and sweet look into what happens when misfits fall in love and commiserate about their regrets in life.
32. That’s My Boy
"So, Adam Sandler, you just swept the Razzies with a record 10 wins for Jack and Jill, what are you going to do next?"
"Zap, zap, zabba doo. Dip, dap, zabba, zoo, babba da doo da!"
(Translation: "Well, Thom, I am going to star in a film centered around child molestation that sees me put on a dumb accent and hang out with that funny guy, Vanilla Ice. I'm sure my fans will love it.")
Result: His fans proved to be nonexistent.
33. Kumare
The film that explored what it meant to be a fake guru and teach enlightenment proved to be an engaging, original, and hilarious documentary. It may have been based off of a lie, but it did help to explore our culture and how crucial communication is with people.
34. Brave
Getting an unfair rap is Pixar's latest film that sees their first women protagonist and a lot of jokes about the Scottish. However, it proved that Pixar continues to be ambitious with a plot twist that may not quite work, but shows a studio with enough power to take chances and use their creativity for something unique and different.
35. Woody Allen: A Documentary
While not a theatrical release, this documentary that looked into the life of Woody Allen from his early days to now was a fascinating ride that explains everything that you need to know about the genius. He is a flawed man, but through the length of this film, you will understand why he is a revered legend with candid and often shocking thoughts of his own films, which have now been deemed classics.
36. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
The best apocalypse rom com of the year that may have a terrible third act, but makes up for it with a brilliant supporting cast of comedians, including Rob Huebel and Patton Oswalt. The film's strengths lie in the supporting cast, who manage to add layers and depth to the emotion that essentially make it an exciting look into the final days on earth.
Director Kirby Dick takes us into the world of rape in the military and through personal interviews and statistics, shows one of the most unfortunate sides of an otherwise well respected organization. It remains one of the most unrepentant, aggressively informative documentaries of the year.
38. To Rome with Love
While a definite dip in quality from last year's Midnight in Paris, director Woody Allen returns with an ensemble cast that features an interesting mix of performances, including the unexpectedly uncanny Allen-stand in Jesse Eisenberg. It may not be as coherent or as fun as his previous work, but it definitely lets the cast shine as they travel through Rome and discover what makes the city so romantic.
39. Beasts of the Southern Wild
The film that succeeded by word of mouth and lead everyone to believe that young actress Quvenzhane Wallis was worthy of a Best Actress Oscar nomination. It may have not made big money at the box office, but its insistent conversation has proven it to be one of the great success stories of 2012.
With this film, Channing Tatum went from an actor who nobody respected to making 2012 his year with a stripper movie that managed to become one of the most parodied films of the year. It also has given Matthew McConnaughey his ultimate "McConaughey without a shirt on" role in a profound performance that many consider to be Oscar worthy.
Come back tomorrow for the next part in which we look at 41-60
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