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.
81. Cloud Atlas
The Wachowskis return with the most expensive independently financed movie of all time with an all star cast playing all races, genders, and sexuality. The expansive story that covers the history of mankind is a unique experience that will either grab you and make you contemplate existentialism, or leave you bored by the problematic race tones that unfortunately come with the ingenuity of the story.
82. Skyfall
The most successful James Bond film to date is also one of the most beloved and features a brilliant villain in Javier Bardem that plays menace with a smile and makes you enjoy watching it. It tackles a mother-son relationship in new and interesting ways thanks to director Sam Mendes, whose camera work has rarely been this aesthetically pleasing.
83. The Loneliest Planet
Gael Garcia Bernal goes on a hike with his friend and suddenly ends up alone in this tale that explores humanity in interesting ways. It is considered to be one of Bernal's best performances in his career.
84. Flight
Director Robert Zemeckis makes a brief return to live action film making with an amazingly true story that shows off his ability to be technical and also somewhat personal. Denzel Washington also proves that he is still a force to be reckoned with in the right role with a performance that many consider to be his best in close to a decade.
85. Wreck-It Ralph
Disney did the impossible this year and released a movie that far surpasses Pixar in quality, originality, and overall fun. The video game-based story has a lot more heart than you'd imagine and it is twice as fun to just go along for the ride in a movie that manages to tackle disabilities in clever ways.
86. The Man with the Iron Fists
Long time rapper, first time director RZA released this kung fu flick in honor of his love for the genre. It features wild, out of control action and a director who is clearly capable of making fun genre films that are a good substitute for the heavily dramatic awards season.
87. Lincoln
While it may end up winning the prize for most overrated movie of the year, this tale of Abraham Lincoln is an engaging story on the abolition of slavery. Featuring a cast of many character actors and great lead in Daniel Day Lewis, this movie definitely has a lot of interesting things going for it to make it a nice, homely tale that proves that director Steven Spielberg is still capable of making just all right movies.
88. Silver Linings Playbook
The surprise success story of the year that saw mental disorders and sports intertwine as two star crossed lovers overcame their mental problems to find love. It may be cheesy and a disappointing follow-up to the Fighter, but it still has a decent performance by Jennifer Lawrence to compensate for the by-the-numbers play of the movie.
89. Life of Pi
The movie that proves that director Ang Lee is still a genius filmmaker and capable of turning a tale that explores spirituality into a grand, expensive epic with a CGI tiger that will make you cry. It is also a great debut performance by Suraj Sharma, whose ability to act among a CGI tiger only leaves us to wonder what other great performances he can give in the future.
90. Rust and Bone
One of the most beautiful films of the year also features a great relationship dynamic and an award-worthy performance by Marion Cotillard that will leave you feeling joy at the possibility of cinema. It may not be the most engagingly original romance of the year, but it does feature the best example of pure human emotion ranging the gamut from hopelessness to joy in the span of one film.
91. Mark and Jay Duplass
If anyone came out of nowhere and surprised everyone with consistently, often in the same week, quality work, it was the Duplass Brothers, whose output included eight movies ranging from acting, writing, and directing credits as well as numerous TV show appearances, notably Mark's role on the League. These purveyors of comedy definitely earned their place on this list simply from the thankless amount of output with at least four films garnering for people's top 10 lists, including the recently released, Oscar front runner Zero Dark Thirty.
92. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
While it is too early to determine if director Peter Jackson's return to Middle Earth will be remembered for the actually quality of the movie or the 48 frames per second fiasco, there is no doubt that it is one of the most talked about, anticipated movies of the year. At very least, it introduces us to a world that we'll keep visiting for the next few years, which will hopefully be as fun and groundbreaking as the original films.
93. Zero Dark Thirty
The film that will probably end up becoming the most significant film of 2012 is the Osama bin Laden cat and mouse hunt film from director Kathryn Bigelow. Even with controversy surrounding it, there is no doubt that the film is an intense look into the American government system and will hopefully paint the definitive look into what makes hard work and dedication to capturing a terrorist such an important part of life.
94. Amour
Director Michael Haneke's film is not only the front runner for Best Foreign Film at the Oscars, but it also may be one of the deepest, most personal looks into humanity, which is an odd thing to say about a movie of a dying elderly couple. However, the emotional impact that the film has will definitely justify its credibility and continues to cement Haneke as one of the great directors.
95. This Is 40
Director Judd Apatow decides to cover midlife crises in this comedy that sees all of his comedy buddies come together and attempt to make turning 40 into a grand celebration of life. It may be considered his least appealing film to date, but at least it has a great performance by Albert Brooks.
96. The Impossible
A look at how tsunami disasters effect everyone is the plot to this emotional drama that plans to tug on your heartstrings. At very least, the tsunami looks realistic enough.
97. Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away
James Cameron comes back around to produce this movie version of Cirque du Soleil's live performances and turn it into a CGI-filled 3D extravaganza. At very least, it will be an ambitious look into the possibilities of altering live events to make entertainment.
98. On the Road
The adaptation of Jack Kerouac's popular novel may not quite be the most faithful version out there, but it does feature Kristen Stewart continuing to prove her post-Twilight fame is going to be rocky, but unfairly understated. Otherwise, here is a movie about alcoholic hobos that everyone seems to like for no real reason other than to find the American dream, which Hunter S. Thompson proved was dead.
99. Django Unchained
Director Quentin Tarantino returns with this live wire film that spits dialogue fast and keeps the action bloody and true to the spaghetti westerns that influenced it. At very least, it is the most original and fun movie to come out during the holiday season and probably earns every right to get Tarantino that much needed update on Best Original Screenplay win.
100. Les Miserables
The epic musical based on the stage show based on the novel by Victor Hugo is a sprawling and emotional journey inside the French Revolution that is sure to regenerate good will towards musicals. With an awards-worthy performance by Anne Hathaway, it seems like director Tom Hooper may have made musicals into one of the biggest comebacks of 2012.
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