Top 10 of 2012 (A.J.'s picks)

by A.J.

January and February are the time of year when I get to catch up on the prestige pictures released over the holidays and also watch any major award nominees that I've missed. A few dozen movies later, I've seen enough to make my picks for the best of movies of the past year.

10. This is 40

This is 40 follows Pete and Debbie as they approach their 40^th birthday and deal with their careers, relatives, children, health, and each other. This could have been a heavy drama, but Judd Apatow’s movie is about happy, positive people doing their best to stay happy and positive. This is not a movie where people yell and scream and you wonder while they’re even married. This is 40 is light on plot, but the characters and set pieces are enough to carry the movie. The best description of This is 40 is as a hilarious drama.  

9. Damsels in Distress

Whit Stillman's first movie in 14 years is not a disappointment. There aren't many movies like Damsels in Distress these days. This is a smart, witty, funny movie about a group of girls that are trying to raise the level of sophistication at their college. The jokes are clever, the female and male characters are well-written and likable, which is becoming a rare thing. This movie feels like a whimsical romantic comedy from the 1930's or 40's, when it was possible to make what we see so rarely today: an inoffensive comedy.

8. Bernie

Bernie tells the unbelievable true story of a mortician in a small East Texas town that became involved with a wealthy widow. Bernie was so well loved by the community that when he killed the widow no one blamed him. Director Richard Linklater has the real life townspeople tell the story in interviews and also act alongside Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey, and Jack Black as Bernie. Jack Black gives his best performance as the well-meaning mortician. He's able to portray a man so good natured and likable that a community accepted him and never rejected him. The townspeople are a big highlight of Bernie, telling the story through gossip and unexpected humor.

7. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I never read The Perks of Being a Wallflower, despite everyone I knew telling me that I would love the novel. I feel like this film went overlooked last year, part of the reason being that the movie was made so long after the novel was first published, and it's set 20 years in the past. Would the youth culture of today still find it relevant? I don't know about high school and college kids, but I did. It's tough to make a movie about high schoolers that feels authentic. This movie's authenticity comes from the fine young actors who are able to ground the scenes of teen drama. There are scenes and storylines that feel cliched but that is only because there have been so many movies about teenagers, though not so many as good as this one.

6. Silver Linings Playbook

I wasn't too excited to see Silver Linings Playbook despite its credentials: stars Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, and director David O. Russell. However, Silver Linings Playbook has received a lot of well-deserved attention for the performances from the cast. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence play people trying to overcome their respective psychological issues. The chemistry between them is good enough to let the age gap between the two actors slide. This is a comedy overall, but certain scenes fall into dramatic territory. The gear changes this movie makes are subtle. Like This is 40, Silver Linings Playbook is a movie about people trying to stay positive while facing serious issues. The "find your silver lining" mantra of Cooper's character is not an empty phrase. He genuinely believes that he can better himself and that other people can do the same. It's a tough, but achievable goal.

5. Django Unchained

Who didn't expect Quentin Tarantino's latest movie to be a hit with audiences and critics and even receive awards attention? But Tarantino deserves all of that praise because he consistently creates multi-faceted, interesting, and funny characters, creates an engaging story, finds just the right cast, and executes it all masterfully. All of this is true of Django Unchained. Christoph Waltz, Jaime Foxx, and Leonardo DiCaprio all give superb performances. Django Unchained is hyperbolically violent, unexpectedly funny, suspenseful, but, above all, it is incredibly entertaining. Tarantino is paying homage to blacksploitation movies and spaghetti westerns of the 1970's, but Django Unchained is on its own a sprawling and engaging western adventure.

4. Zero Dark Thirty

While watching Zero Dark Thirty I was reminded of Zodiac, David Fincher's 2007 film about the meticulous, decades-long, but futile search for a serial killer and the effect it had on those involved. Maya, a CIA agent played by Jessica Chastain, is our guide on the decade-long, seemingly futile, search for Osama Bin Laden. We follow Maya from interrogations at CIA blacksites, the streets of Pakistan, and the world of men in suits at CIA offices. This is more than just a procedural about the CIA and the war on terror. There are elements of a mystery present; puzzle pieces need to be found and assembled, and as the puzzle comes closer to being solved-- the closer Maya gets to the end of the trail-- the movie delves into thriller territory. Zero Dark Thirty is masterfully crafted by director Kathryn Bigelow, cinematographer Greig Fraser, and editors William Goldenberg and Dylan Tichenor. This is not a movie about revenge or retribution; it is about the cost of war, the damage it leaves in its wake, and what it does to everyone involved.

3. The Dark Knight Rises

Sequels tend to dwindle in quality, especially as the number of entries in a franchise increases; however, director Christopher Nolan, along with the rest of the crew and cast, deliver a worthy final chapter for the most recent incarnation of Batman. The stand out performance in this movie is Tom Hardy as Bane. Since we are unable to see most of his face because of the breathing mask Bane must wear, Hardy uses a peculiar and almost jolly accent for Bane's voice and also acts with his whole body, giving Bane a swagger and unusual charisma that makes him a truly interesting villain.

It’s curious to see how time has changed Batman’s villains. They used to be above average criminals, but The Joker in The Dark Knight and Bane in The Dark Knight Rises more closely resemble terrorists. The acts of terror carried out by Bane on Gotham City are intense to say the least. Batman did not defeat the villains of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight on his own, and The Dark Knight Rises is no exception. Every character plays an important part in the story and each is well-acted. I firmly believe that what makes these Christopher Nolan Batman movies work so well is not an outwardly dark nature, a complex tortured hero, or depictions of a cruel, unfair world, though that mistake is made more and more often by other movies being produced. What sets these Batman movies apart is that they successfully merge fantasy and realism to such a point that when a man dressed like bat appears in the night to protect you, you believe every moment.  

2. Argo

What a combination of genres: spy thriller, geopolitical drama, comedy, period piece, and its based on a true story. Argo is also a movie about making a movie, albeit a fake one. That’s a lot of material to handle, but it is executed wonderfully and makes you wish there were more movies like this. Argo is Ben Affleck’s third film as a director and he is getting better and better behind the camera. Affleck plays Tony Mendez, a CIA agent who comes up with a plan to rescue a group of Americans that have escaped the storming of the American embassy in Iran in 1979. His plan, to fly into Iran and, along with the Americans, pose as a Canadian sci-fi film crew and fly out, seems outlandish, and it is, but there are no better ideas. Affleck may play the central character, but part of what makes this movie work is the strong and rich ensemble of well-acted characters. Every actor shines in Argo. Like Zero Dark Thirty, this is a very well-crafted and entertaining thriller, filled with suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat even if you know how it ends.

1. Moonrise Kingdom

I know, you saw this coming from a mile away. But what can I say, of all the movies I saw last year the best time I had was watching Moonrise Kingdom. I’ll admit that director Wes Anderson isn’t doing anything he hasn’t done before, technically or thematically, but he does it exceedingly well in what is probably his mostly widely seen movie yet. Moonrise Kingdom features the strongest ensemble cast Anderson has had since The Royal Tenenbaums. You’ll find all of the trademarks you expect to see in a film by Wes Anderson: pans from one room to another, inserts of book jackets, slow motion tracking shots, dry humor, and offbeat, melancholy characters. That wistful atmosphere that is also an Anderson trademark is lighter this time since this story of two youngsters in love who runaway to be together is an innocent and optimistic one. Moonrise Kingdom is a fable about misfits searching for their counterparts and a place in the world, and it is a joy watching them on their journey.

My Favorite Performances of 2012

by Lani

From where I sit, it hasn't been a great year for movies. There have been plenty that I liked, just read our Best of 2012, So Far post from July for proof. Unfortunately, I had a much harder time adding to the list in the second half of the year. None of the big fall releases brought me as much enjoyment as Bernie or 21 Jump Street (with great performances by Jack Black and Channing Tatum, respectively). However, I did admire individual performances by Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Denzel Washington, Joaquin Phoenix, Hugh Jackman, and Anne Hathaway, among others. I've compiled a list of some of my favorite performances of the year, but I won't be talking about the actors already mentioned. They have Oscar nominations and Golden Globes; they're doing fine. This time I've focused on the actors and performances who will not be getting much recognition this awards season.

Favorite Tom Hardy Performance: Tom Hardy, The Dark Knight Rises
I promise it only seems like I am the president of the Tom Hardy fan club. He's not even my favorite actor, but he manages to impress me year after year. In 2012, Hardy appeared in a few duds -- the unappealing romantic-comedy This Means War and dull moonshiner drama Lawless -- but his high-profile role as the villain Bane in The Dark Knight Rises was a winner. Hardy and director Christopher Nolan received criticism from audiences because Bane's face was covered by a mask and his voice slightly muffled. I had no trouble hearing his dialogue, delivered in a voice suggesting Sean Connery crossed with Yoda, and thought his voice work expressed enough personality to overcome the barrier of the mask. And because he wears that mask, Hardy also uses body language to convey the character; his menacing swagger isn't just because he has a bulked-up body. Compare the physicality of Bane to Hardy's character in last year's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy -- spy Ricki Tarr was softer, more fluid. Or, in Lawless, as a man "who can't be killed" Hardy becomes increasingly stiff and immobile as his character sustains more and more near-fatal injuries. Which reminds me that Hardy's biggest triumph this year may actually be how in Lawless he manages to look extremely tough despite a wardrobe filled with cardigans.

Favorite Suicidal Adultress: Rachel Weisz, The Deep Blue Sea
This year brought two eerily similar stories of unhappy wives to the screen. Set among the opulent aristocracy of tsarist Russia, Anna Karenina was lovely to look at, but too chaotic to allow the stories to resonate -- which is a shame since Keira Knightley can wear the heck out of a fur hat. In the surely Karenina-inspired The Deep Blue Sea, the atmosphere is bleak, tweedy post-WWII England, but human nature hasn't changed. Rachel Weisz's performance garnered praise from critics when the film was released, but she's been overlooked for the major awards. Like Karenina, Weisz's Hester Collyer is driven mad by her passion for a young lover; however, Hester is still capable of some measure of British restraint. She is all plaintive neediness, quiet desperation, and blind love.

Favorite Ringer: Colm Wilkinson, Les Misérables
Les Misérables had many good performers (Eddie Redmayne, Anne Hathaway, Samantha Barks, and Aaron Tveidt among then), but they were let down by poor directing choices and a screenplay which left little room for context. Hugh Jackman was particularly well-cast as Jean Valjean, 19th century French superhero (he has the strength of 4 men, but no adamantium skeleton), finally breaking his streak of movies-I-don't-want-to-see. His Oscar-nominated performance is a worthy addition to the Valjean pantheon and was usually the best part of any given scene. However, in an early scene between Valjean and a kind bishop I found myself thinking, "This guy is killing it as the bishop! What a voice -- who is this guy?" Of course, it was Colm Wilkinson, the original Valjean on Broadway and the West End. Of course, he killed it. That's kind of his thing.




Supporting Performance Which Needs Its Own Movie: James Spader, Lincoln 
As Lincoln continues to receive praise (it's looking like the front-runner for Best Picture at the Oscars), I've yet to hear any acknowledgement for the film's most interesting, most alive performance: James Spader as Mr. Bilbo, a "gentleman from Albany" called down to D.C. to broker some back-room deals. Would the film have been 10 times better if Bilbo had been the main character? No. It would have been 100 times better.
Drunkenly luxuriating behind a greasy mustache and rumpled clothes, Bilbo stands out among the stiff collars of Washington, yet effortlessly speaks the local language of bribery and extortion. Spader is the only actor here who seems to feel at ease in his own skin; the difference between Bilbo and his two fellow wheeler-dealers, played by the usually fine John Hawkes and Tim Blake Nelson, is striking. Hawkes and Nelson are achingly dull and often look unsure of why they are even in the movie. If I were to learn that Hawkes and Nelson were forced to perform at gunpoint (likely by Spader), I would not be at all surprised. I don't give a hoot about the new Hobbit trilogy, Spader is the only Bilbo I want to see more of.

More Please?
Kerry Washington proved to be a woman worth fighting for as Broomhilda in Django Unchained, too bad it was such a small part. Perhaps the next chapter of the Django series could show Django and Broomhilda on adventures together. I know Tarantino is capable of writing a strong female character, a la Jackie Brown or The Bride. Unfortunately, he says he's retiring from making movies...
Alicia Vikander was also shortchanged by Anna Karenina. The sweet, evolving love story between Kitty (played by Vikander) and Levin (Domhnall Gleeson) serves as a counterpoint to the intensely passionate affair of Anna and Vronsky -- at least it's meant to, if one bothers to put it in the screenplay. With a bit more screen time this could have been a star-making role for Vikander.

Rookie of the Year: Suraj Sharma, Life of Pi
It's not a spoiler to say that the majority of this film follows the teenaged Pi, played by Sharma, shipwrecked in the Pacific, alone, but for a Bengal tiger. Since the tiger was created through special effects, Sharma was truly alone on that boat acting opposite air - a difficult job for any actor. At least Tom Hanks had a real volleyball to talk to in Cast Away. So I was shocked to learn that this was Sharma's first movie role. Was he perfect? No, but it was a fine debut.

Best of 2012, So Far

by A.J. and Lani


It's about halfway through the year, so a recap of the cinematic highlights so far feels appropriate. 2012 had a slow start, and though we haven't been to the movies as often as usual, there have still been some pretty good ones, such as:

Damsels in Distress

A.J.: The previous film from writer-director Whit Stillman, The Last Days of Disco, was released in 1998, and at last after 14 years his 4^th film, Damsels in Distress, made its way to theaters in April. I had been eagerly awaiting this film for quite some time and even with all that built up anticipation Damsels in Distress did not disappoint. It follows a group of girls at a college in the Northeast that are trying to raise the level of sophistication of the other students. It takes place in a world that reminds me of movies from the 30's and 40's. Violet, played by Greta Gerwig, thinks that best way for her to change society for the better is to create an international dance craze. There's off-beat but substantial characters, Fred Astaire references, smart comedy, and not one but two dance numbers at the end. This is movie is simply a great time.

21 Jump Street

A.J.: I went to see 21 Jump Street in part because I had not been to the movies in so long that I just needed to go, and this big screen comedy version of an 80s TV show seemed like the best bet. I was expecting a dumb but funny movie, but what I saw was a pretty solid comedy. I laughed out loud many, many times. Jonah Hill is funny as you might expect, but Channing Tatum is the real comedic stand out here. You might think that adults going back to high school in disguise has been done a lot, and it has, but as the characters quickly learn a lot has changed since the start of the millennium, like which clique is the popular one and which ones are looked down on.

Bernie

Lani: Richard Linklater's latest film uses a semi-documentary style to tell the story of Bernie Tiede, a funeral director in small-town Carthage, Texas, his friendship with a local widow, and her shocking murder at Bernie's hand. The film is based on true events; however, this is not The Thin Blue Line. Bernie is played by Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine plays the widow Mrs. Nugent; however, many of the characters are played by actual residents of Carthage. Their often hilariously candid thoughts are captured in talking-head segments which make up a good portion of the film. Linklater smartly realized that this is the kind of stuff you just can't make up and the town's genuine love of Bernie and dislike of Mrs. Nugent comes across loud and clear. Bernie, while dealing with a dark subject, maintains a light tone in keeping with the sunny personality of its title character.

Safety Not Guaranteed

A.J.: I was skeptical, but intrigued by the premise of Safety Not Guaranteed. A journalist takes two interns to investigate a classified ad seeking a partner for time travel. Aubrey Plaza is one of the interns and though her character doesn't stray too far from the moody-outsider she's played before, this role does let her play a more realized character. She finds and befriends the person that placed the ad, played by Mark Duplass, and as they train for a journey back in time she begins to wonder if his claims about time travel might be serious. Safety Not Guaranteed is a funny, offbeat character movie that doesn't fall into the traps that stunt so many other indie movies.


The Five-Year Engagement
Lani: When I heard the title of this film I groaned a bit. Great, another romantic comedy about people who can't "commit," perhaps my least favorite film cliche of recent years. However, this film surprised me by portraying a couple who were so comfortable in their commitment that they weren't afraid to cancel their wedding, often the mark of death for a movie couple. After their engagement is announced, Tom and Violet (played by Jason Segel and Emily Blunt) find that a cross-country move, the rigors of a post-doctorate program, and other family events prevent them from planning their perfect wedding. In our culture obsessed with elaborate weddings, the couple becomes completely overwhelmed by party planning and loses sight of what they really want--just to be together.


Lockout
Lani: As the resident action connoisseur around this blog, I have to give some love to Lockout, a fun and scruffy film which doesn't take itself seriously for a moment. Guy Pearce plays former CIA agent Snow, who is tapped to break in to a maximum security prison in space, rescue the President's daughter, and do all this in the middle of a massive prison riot. Pearce is delightfully wry, never missing an opportunity to crack a joke whether he's under interrogation, performing first aid, or beating up crazed killers. Among the overblown action films this year based on comic books & board games and pseudo-intellectual sci-fi bores, Lockout stands out for knowing exactly what it is (a fun 90 minutes at the movies) and getting the job done.