Top Ten Films of 2012

And for the last blog of 2012, I give you the best films of 2011. What a wonderful year to be a movie lover; there really were a lot of great works created last year.

Honorable Mentions: The Master, Five Year Engagement, The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Searching for Sugar Man.

10. Looper
9. Life of Pi
8. Argo
7. Lincoln
6. Zero Dark Thirty
5. Amour
4. Moonrise Kingdom
3. The Dark Knight Rises
2. Silver Lining Playbook
1. Beasts of the Southern Wild

Cashback (2006)

What if you could freeze time? That would be pretty cool. Here’s a movie about an art student who learns how to do just that. Meanwhile he tries to get over the girl friend that broke up with him and deal with insomnia. Along the way he becomes interested in a co-worker, a beautiful and charming cashier. Simple, enjoyable and just the kind of film any director would love to say was their first. Grade: A-

Frozen (2013)

There are so many aspects to this Disney film to celebrate. It’s first and foremost a very entertaining fable with fun, catchy tunes (with wonderful lyrics). It’s also not the love story we’ve seen done to death, over and over again, with these kinds of Disney fairy tale films. This one is about the love between two sisters and two very independent, strong-willed women many girls can look up to.  This is on par with Tangled (the last fairy tale film Disney did) and proof John Lasseter is doing something right over there at the Mouse House.  I suspect this loose adaptatin of Hans Christian Andersen's story, The Snow Queen, will win a lot of fans (and awards). Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel lend their voices to the main characters and both perform fantastically. As with Hans Christian Andersen’s other story Disney butchered, I’m okay with the liberties they took because it can connect more with today's audience.   love what Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck did here and I’m excited to see what other films they make with Disney. Grade: A

American Hustle (2013)

David O. Russell is having a bit of a renaissance here. After The Fighter and Silver Lining’s Playbook comes another entertaining film with an all-star cast of Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Jeremy Renner. It’s the story of a con artist couple being used by an FBI agent to use their talents to indict crooked politicians during the ‘70s. And it’s inspired by real events. All of this is intriguing enough but add Russell’s brilliant use of character development over plot to make this an even better film than it probably deserves to be. This one has great tension, many laughs and classic interactions from very memorable characters. My only complaint (and it’s a minor one) is that it’s pacing isn’t as smooth flowing as his other films, but I still greatly enjoyed this zinger. Grade: A-

Top Ten Christmas Films To-Be, Maybe (Commentary)

For my annual Christmas Top Ten List I had trouble deciding what to do. I’ve already done the best movies and so forth, what else is there? So below are 10 Christmas films that I’d love to see get made. They’re not necessarily good ideas, but I’d love to see them anyway. What do you think? Anyone crazy enough to attempt one of these concepts?

A Christmas Paradox
Here’s a twist on Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, using Time travel instead of mystical ghosts. Ebenezer Scrooge’s nephew Fred is the main character, a scientist who decides to go back in time to change the moment when Ebenezer started hating Christmas. Except when he returns to the present, assuming the holidays would be better he finds that Bob Cratchit is now the humbug miser and Scrooge is just as unhappy as before as Bob’s clerk. Now he must fix the mess he made by going back and ruining Ebenezer’s past to save everyone else’s Christmas.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Animated)
I really love what Sony did with Horton Hears a Who and I’d love to see them update Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday story. I know there’s the Ron Howard/ Jim Carrey version (which I actually don’t mind that much) but with animation there is so much more they could do.

Christmas Road Trip Movie
Think a mix between Vacation and Plains, Trains and Automobiles. A family travels across country to celebrate the holidays with the father’s large family. Comedy ensues.

Modern Nativity Story
Take the Nativity Story and have it happen in our time. Mary and Joseph are poor, homeless emigrants who find shelter in a hotel’s back utility closet. Every part of the story could be modernized for effect and it might end up being really moving. Just don’t make it a preachy film.

Christmas 3000
In the distant future we have lost the meaning of Christmas. In fact no one even celebrates it anymore. So a team of Christian scientists collect Jesus’ DNA and clone him so he can bring back the holidays. Except Jesus ends up making things even worse and it’s only our hero, a jolly fat atheist named Nicholas who saves the world from Jesus by bringing back fun and merriment to the end of the year. Or, now that I think of it, call the film Jesus vs. Santa. This black comedy concept would get some wonderful heated hate letters.

The Making of Rudolph
A behind the scenes film about the making of the classic Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer animated film from 1964. There’s got to be something cool about the making of that made-for-TV film.

Christmas in Paradise
I’ve never seen a Christmas film set on a tropical setting. Maybe newly-weds who go to the relatives who live in the Caribbean. The wife grew up there so it’s nothing new but the husband is used to a wintery Christmas and goes crazy.

Evil Elves
What if Santa’s elves became possessed and turned into evil, vampire like trolls intent on eating children? It would be like a zombie Christmas movie with lots of scares. Okay, maybe they should just call this one Gremlins.

A Pixar Christmas
I don’t care what the concept is or who is in it but I’d love to see Pixar make a holiday-themed film. I know it would be an instant classic.

Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (Remake)
There’s no doubt that this 1964 bomb is one of the worse Christmas movies made, which is why we need to remake it. It can either be made as a wacky parody that aims for laughs or a science fiction comedy that’s full of action. I don’t care which direction they go, I just want to see a special effect extravaganza where Santa Claus battles aliens trying to ruin the holidays. 

A Christmas Carol (2009)

When I heard Robert Zemeckis (one of my favorite directors) was making another film adaptation of Dicken’s famous holiday ghost story, I groaned. Then I heard Jim Carrey was going to star in the film and play multiple characters. I still groaned. I love both guys but why this story. It’s been done so many times by so many people I just didn’t see the necessity of it. In the end I decided to see it because I wanted to watch a Christmas movie and it was the only one available. I was delightfully entertained but still wish they’d collaborated on something else. Carrey is fantastic and the visuals are sublime. And as for motion-capture animation this is one of the best.  But it reminds me of my high school years when the theater teacher picked some lamn play or musical to perform that year and you just had to accept it if you wanted to participate.  It’s worth checking out for the holidays but only if you’ve already seen George C. Scott’s verision of Scrooge (which is still the best adaptation). Grade: B+

Rise of the Guardians (2012)

Sadly, nobody saw this film when it came out. It did so poorly that it financially hurt Dreamworks Animation Studios enough to cause layoffs and to lower the company’s stock price. Yet it’s a really fun film and any flaws it has are minute. It creates a world where the world’s children are protected by four supernatural heroes: Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, The Tooth Fairy and The Sandman. And the villain they must protect children from is the sinister Pitch Black aka Boogey Man. Step in our hero, Jack Frost, who will join the Guardians to put an end to Pitch Black’s most recent and daring plan of spreading nightmares to all the world’s youth. What makes this film really special is the design elements used to create the Guardians; they look really cool. The Easter Bunny is not some fluffy cute creature, he’s a boomerang welding warrior. Santa Claus isn’t your typical jolly fat guy, he’s a giant Viking general ready to kick some ass. The Tooth Fairy is a hummingbird queen and The Sandman is a magical spinning top. I loved what director Peter Ramsey and team did with this film and have to check out the books by William Joyce which was this film’s source of inspiration. Grade: A-

Mon Oncle Antoine (1971)

I think this could be considered the Canadian’s version of A Christmas Story but instead of being funny it’s a big bummer. I liked it but it wasn’t the kind of Christmas film I wanted to see. 15 year old, Benoit works at a general store in a mining town in Québec . He’s coming of age learning about love and death. I know this film is revered as a classic of Canadian film and it is well-made but since I’m not aware of that region’s history and the Asbestos Strike, I was kind of bored. Grade: B

Spring Breakers (2013)

Now this is more like it. James Franco, this is the kind of role you should be doing more of, not the Oz crap which I watched recently. Harmony Korine writes and directs a film about four young women who turn to armed robbery in order to get to Florida for Spring Break. This film is a debauchery mine field with drugs, violence, gun worship, and bikinis. I didn’t think I would like this film but I have to say any movie where James Franco (with a complete grill) sings Britney Spears’ "Everytime" at a piano while machine gun totting babes stand around is a success story. Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson and Rachel Korine all play against type, showing that even wearing practically nothing a girl can still kick ass. Yet let’s be clear, there’s some in-depth exploration too going on about our young culture. Why is it so many of today’s generation would go to Florida and completely let themselves go? Why is getting drunk and running about having sex with the first person you see, fun? I don’t understand it but something tells me Harmony Korine understands it and sees the gritty truth behind it. This film is not for everyone but I thought it was a strange and intoxicating slap to the face. Hit me again. Grade: A-

The Force Strikes Back (Commentary)

Two years from today Star Wars Episode 7 will be released. Do you hear that? That loud yippee heard from around the world? That was me. I wouldn’t call me a Super Star Wars fan but I’m certainly a fan. The Star Wars films have captivated me my entire life (mostly in a good way) and to know more from this incredible universe will come to us via Disney makes the little kid in me cry with joy. That’s not to say I’m not nervous, I am. Below is a list of worries and hopes for what the talented J.J. Abrams will deliver to us.

Hope #1: A good story.

Story is king and I really hope that this next trilogy (or series of trilogies) continues the saga in a glorious way. Hopefully they just don't recycle the same formula.

Worry #1: Bad “modern” film techniques

I really hope J.J. Abram doesn’t give us tons of annoying light flares, or shaky camera motions like a Bourne Identity movie. Please, sir, keep with the flavor and visual scope of the old films. That’s kind of what makes Star Wars so incredible. And especially, please, I beg you, don’t use any slow-motion. That will completely take me out of the experience. **Note: this includes the music. Bring John Williams back or mimic his style. I love Hans Zimmer but I don’t want him anywhere near these films.

Hope #2: The Original Cast is Back

Luke, Leia and Han Solo are back. Let’s pray that they’re used properly instead of turning in cameos or give farewell performances that are insignificant to the moving plot.

Worry #2: Ignoring the Prequels

Let me make this clear, while the Prequels were not that good, they should not be ignored. I’m not saying Jar Jar Binks should pop up but Lucas Films can’t act like the events in those movies didn’t happen. That would ruin the continuity. Yes, I know some would love to pretend that none of that history happened but it did. Continuity is important.

Hope #3: Amazing Special Effects

For me Star Wars should be the Gold Standard of special effects and I hope J.J. Abrams continues that tradition. Certainly I hope they use a combination of practical and digital effects but in the end I want this film to win the best Oscar for Visual Effects. Let ILM return to their glory. If this looks like Transformers or other less than stellar work from them than I’ll be greatly disappointed.

Worry #3: No tributes please.

J.J. Abram has shown with his Star Trek films and even his Spielberg clone Super 8 that he loves to wink-wink like a fanboy and pay homage to the older films. Don't do this. It's distracting and just reminds us of the past instead of moving forward. There’s no reason to do it. It just makes you look like a douche.

Hope #4: Expanding the Universe even more

I’m so excited to see what new stories and characters we’re going to see. There really are so many areas of exploration the film makers can go. The spaceships can look different, the aliens more exotic and the technologies more fantastic. And if the additions have purpose that continue the story in a logical way, I’ll love it.

Worry #4: Hype

Here’s what I’m worried about: the entire world will be so excited for this movie that they’ll go see it with impossible expectations and will be disappointed. Look, all of us need to calm down and understand that this film doesn’t have to be a masterpiece. I just want a well-made entertaining film without any cheesy moments. It doesn’t have to be better than the originals. Sure, I think everyone expects a better film than Phantom Menace but I wouldn’t even mind if it’s just a bit better than Revenge of the Sith (which is actually a pretty decent film minus Vader’s “Nooo!”) Give me a B+ film with amazing special effects and a good story and I’ll be sighing with relief.

Hope #5: Bring the Magic back for Everyone

While the Prequels were enjoyed by the younger crowds, many adults hated them. Not everyone but pretty much everyone. Now with new blood I’m really hopeful that a new string of timeless classics for everyone, young and old, emerge to inspire and entertain, like the original three films did in the early days of blockbusters. At the same time, I hope they’re not too dark because

Worry #5: Overload

Disney plans to have a Star Wars film open every year. That's exciting but also hints at a concern I have about the future of Star Wars. I like that Star Wars is a rare cinematic event. I don't want it to become the norm. I’m really worried about Star Wars burnout. I can only hope that if Disney plans to assault us with so many films they’re able to keep them at the same high caliber. If they splinter the brand off into lesser genres and craft a lot of mediocre films I will be greatly annoy

Star Trek: The Next Generation (Season 6)

What a great season for Star Trek fans. This one gave us many memorable episodes well-worth watching more than once. Some of my favorites were Timescape (where Picard, Data, Geordi and Deanna find themselves out of time and must find a way to save the Enterprise from being destroyed), Lessons (where Picard falls in love with a scientist), Chain of Command (a two-parter where Picard is released as captain so he can perform a top secret mission), Tapestry, (where with Q’s help Picard looks back at his life choices before dying), and Face of the Enemy (where Deanna must pretend to be Romulan). To be honest what makes this such a successful season is that there are no real bad episodes. Knowing this is the second to last season of the series, I can sense they’re going to be one of those shows that goes out on top. Grade: A-

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

I was one of those that felt it unnecessary to turn a 300 page book into a trilogy. Maybe two films but three just felt like overkill. I’m changing my tune because I am loving these movies. I really enjoyed the first Hobbit and this second one is just as good if not a bit better. A lot of new characters and sub plots are being added to this epic story without it feeling bloated. I particularly love Tauriel’s story and her connection with Kili. Is it too long? Yes, just a tad but like the first film I’m not that annoyed by it. Of course I’m very nervous for the third film The Hobbit: There And Back Again. I really hope Jackson learns from his first trilogy and doesn’t give us a series of endings that makes the conclusion to this trilogy feel long-winded. As for this one, it’s sublime fantasy with wonderful composed action pieces and exciting visuals. And then there’s Smaug: the greatest dragon put to film, period. I can’t
wait until next year. Grade: A

Archangel (1990)

Just because a film has a unique visual style doesn’t mean it’s automatically going to turn out any good. This Guy Maddin experiment takes place during the Russian Revolution and deals with a love triangle between a two men who have amnesia. I love stylized cinema but not when it’s confusing with old fashion style acting. I completely see his ingenuity and respect this show for what it was crafting but I just didn’t really care for it. Grade: B- (Wait a minute, if I didn’t like it why don’t’ I give it a C? Because regardless of my reaction, it’s a cool looking film.)

No (2012)

Gael García Bernal stars in this political film about the Chilean plebiscite of 1988. The population was asked to vote Yes or No if Augusto Pinochet should remain President of the country. Bernal plays an advertising guru who is asked to use his talents and techniques in making a series of television spots to campaign on the No side. Not only is this an educational experience about a South American historical moment worth knowing about but it’s also a well-acted drama about a man mixing politics with business. My only issue with it is that its pacing is inconsistent making for an almost anti-climactic ending that feels it was supposed to be more exciting. But I can see why it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language film, it is a fascinating story. Grade: B+

Trance (2013)

It’s always a bit disappointing when a director you trust makes something so average. Danny Boyle, why would you want to make this? You’re so much better than this trite. James McAvoy stars as an Auction House employee who gets mixed up in a painting’s robbery. Rosario Dawson plays his psychologist who uses hypnotism to attempt to unlock the parts of the crime he forgot so he can find the painting. Many uninspiring twists later, an exciting crime thriller turns into a messy revenge drama. It’s not really a bad film unless you consider average bad. Are we as film lovers worth more than average? Don’t we deserve to watch at least above average? In this case, I felt entertained just enough for it not to be a waste of my time. Yet it’s still a disappointment. Grade: B

March of Wooden Soldiers (1934)

I’ve been wanting to see this Laurel and Hardy “holiday” film for many years now but whenever I tried to check it out Netflix stated its status as Very Long Wait. Finally it arrived in the mail and I’ve had the pleasure of watching it. First observation: it’s not a holiday film. Why is it on my list of great classic holiday films? Because Santa Claus is in it for like ten minutes? This is a family film, also known as Babes in Toyland, that takes place in a land of fairy tales and Mother Goose characters. The main love story is between Tom Tom and Little Bo-Peep and the plot centers around saving the Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe from being evicted with all her children. Stannie and Ollie bumble around to help out as side characters and propel this film into a watchable classic because of their comedic chemistry. The set pieces and costumes are also highly entertaining, such as a monkey dressed up as a mouse (animal cruelty?) and the freaky looking in a cute way Three Little Pigs. I still don’t think this should be considered a holiday film and most contemporary audiences will scoff at such an innocent fable but I’m glad I saw it. Grade: B+

Frances Ha (2013)

I adore this charming throwback to French New Wave cinema from director Noah Baumbach. This is easily his best work to date and Greta Gerwig, who stars and co-wrote the screenplay, shines. Gerwig plays easily the most annoying yet lovable character I’ve seen in a film. Her character, so flawed and real, jumps off the screen. I want to be her friend and yet know I’d probably need a break from her from time to time. While its plot is minimal, it’s her relationships with her best friend Sophie and all her various roommates that pull you in and make you want to keep watching. Sometimes a simple black and white film can say more about life and all its struggles than anything else. Watch this film unless you need explosions and heavy-handed plotting to keep you interested. I celebrate this film and hope more discover it. Grade: A-

Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

Sam Raimi directs the prequel to The Wizard of Oz showing the origins of the trickster hero himself. This could have been so much better, showing how the wicked witch came to be and the start of her reign. It doesn’t help that James Franco is completely miscast. I like the actor but he can’t bolster this film. Yet he’s not the worst miscast, that would be Mila Kunis as Theodora . Mila is awful in this film. I don’t really blame her; she does her best but her make-up is pathetic and her acting is beyond her reach. I understand why they wanted her (and she is an Academy Award nominee) but she just can’t be scary evil. Most of the special effects are serviceable but there were a few bad moments such as when Oz and friends float away in bubbles (pretty bad). Overall it’s a mediocre fantasy film that will be forgotten in time, not the beginning of a new franchise that Walt Disney had hoped. Grade: C+

The Office (Season 9)

After nine seasons the American version of the famous UK show comes to a close and in a satisfying and emotionally rewarding way. Andy’s reign as the Boss continues to fail and Jim and Pam’s marriage gets a little rocky with Jim working a second career on a business he started with college friends. Then there’s Dwight Schrute (which in many ways is the final story line we want to see closure from) who deals with his family’s farm while also making his ultimate dreams come true. That’s not to say it’s a perfect season. When it comes to comedic moments it is lacking from other seasons and I wasn’t completely overjoyed by some of the wrap-ups. Still when it comes to final seasons this is one future sitcoms could learn from, as it is a clever and solid ending. Grade: A-

Spoiler Alert
To expand on the parts that I think weaken this season, my biggest complaint is with Ellie Kemper’s Erin. She quickly became one of my favorite characters and I was excited to see how they’d finish her storylines but instead they get her set up with the “new Jim” (unnecessary love story) and then have her reunite with her father and mother (which was good but way too late). I feel like her character really could have had an outstanding conclusion but instead it just fizzles. Then there’s a nitpicky thing with Dwight and Angela. Angela admits that her son is Dwight’s but never explains why the doctor from the first episode of the season told Dwight that the paternity test proved otherwise. While I did love seeing all the old characters come back for cameos, I felt Steve Carell’s final moment could have been a bit longer, at least have Holly there at the wedding too. And why wasn’t Michael at the big reunion at the last episode?  That was a glaringly missing piece. Was it about money or scheduling? For me that would have helped make this a perfect ending.