|
2 January 2013
This article is a review of the movies of 2012. |
FAVOURITES FILMS
These are not necessarily the best films of 2012. For those, keep reading beyond the next list. These projects are the ones I connected with on various levels.
The ones that nearly made it: KILLING THEM SOFTLY and FRANKENWEENIE.
MY TOP 20:
20. EASY MONEY and EASY MONEY 2
Ridiculously fast paced Danish crime thriller duo shown at the London Film Festival. A very bright student (Joel Kinnaman – star of THE KILLING, the American version) dips his toe into crime in order to fund his entry into the world of the rich he so dreams of being a part. That toe-dip causes him to be dragged down into major drug dealing and murder. Amoral and gripping. Bring on the final part, out (hopefully) in 2013!
Ridiculously fast paced Danish crime thriller duo shown at the London Film Festival. A very bright student (Joel Kinnaman – star of THE KILLING, the American version) dips his toe into crime in order to fund his entry into the world of the rich he so dreams of being a part. That toe-dip causes him to be dragged down into major drug dealing and murder. Amoral and gripping. Bring on the final part, out (hopefully) in 2013!
19. THE PIRATES! IN AN ADVENTURE WITH SCIENTISTS
The advert made this stop animation look turgid. In Aardman we should trust me hearties. Gags are chucked at the audience as if fired from a Gatling gun. Pirates, scientists, a dodo, Queen Victoria and Charles Darwin; need I say more?
The advert made this stop animation look turgid. In Aardman we should trust me hearties. Gags are chucked at the audience as if fired from a Gatling gun. Pirates, scientists, a dodo, Queen Victoria and Charles Darwin; need I say more?
18. CARNAGE
Roman Polanski adapts GOD OF CARNAGE, and his writers have their satirical eyes aimed at the upper middle classes, focusing on petty hypocrisy, denial and social grandstanding. Set in one apartment, two couples (Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly) bicker hilariously for 80 minutes. My full review here.
Roman Polanski adapts GOD OF CARNAGE, and his writers have their satirical eyes aimed at the upper middle classes, focusing on petty hypocrisy, denial and social grandstanding. Set in one apartment, two couples (Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly) bicker hilariously for 80 minutes. My full review here.
17. LIFE OF PI
While not delving into the intellectual and spiritual ideas of the wonderful novel, Ang Lee and his team certainly bring to the screen an unparalleled visual splendour. My full review here.
While not delving into the intellectual and spiritual ideas of the wonderful novel, Ang Lee and his team certainly bring to the screen an unparalleled visual splendour. My full review here.
16. TINY FURNITURE
How many male-centric movies exist about slackerdom and finding your way post uni? Bazillions. At last, a story about a twenty-something woman told by a twenty-something woman, and sidestepping the cloying and the trite, and offering up the interesting, awkward and embarrassing. Mumblecore has a new heroine in writer-director-star Lena Dunham. My full review here.
How many male-centric movies exist about slackerdom and finding your way post uni? Bazillions. At last, a story about a twenty-something woman told by a twenty-something woman, and sidestepping the cloying and the trite, and offering up the interesting, awkward and embarrassing. Mumblecore has a new heroine in writer-director-star Lena Dunham. My full review here.
15. SIGHTSEERS
A love story and road movie rolled into one, oh, and serial killer comedy. The opposite of BADLANDS. An “erotic odyssey”, in a crummy caravan, to places such as the Tram Museum and the Pencil Museum. While there is beaucoup blood, it adds to the extreme amusement. My full review here.
A love story and road movie rolled into one, oh, and serial killer comedy. The opposite of BADLANDS. An “erotic odyssey”, in a crummy caravan, to places such as the Tram Museum and the Pencil Museum. While there is beaucoup blood, it adds to the extreme amusement. My full review here.
14. YOUNG ADULT
Female dissatisfaction is perhaps too scary a concept for some to give a voice to. And is even more potent here, being channelled through a striking Venus de Milo. A wry commentary on consumerism, and Western selfishness. It taps into our age of unhappiness and discontent. My full review here.
Female dissatisfaction is perhaps too scary a concept for some to give a voice to. And is even more potent here, being channelled through a striking Venus de Milo. A wry commentary on consumerism, and Western selfishness. It taps into our age of unhappiness and discontent. My full review here.
13. THE MUPPETS
A getting-the-gang-back-together story for a good cause. Think THE BLUES BROTHERS. Actually, hang on! THE MUPPETS is the most energetic quasi-musical since John Landis’ tour de force. The humour is impressively diverse: clever songs (Oscar nominated – ‘Man or Muppet’), fart shoes, in-jokes, political satire, observational, etc. Also, wait till you get to the rap! My full review here.
A getting-the-gang-back-together story for a good cause. Think THE BLUES BROTHERS. Actually, hang on! THE MUPPETS is the most energetic quasi-musical since John Landis’ tour de force. The humour is impressively diverse: clever songs (Oscar nominated – ‘Man or Muppet’), fart shoes, in-jokes, political satire, observational, etc. Also, wait till you get to the rap! My full review here.
12. DELICACY
Modern romantic treacle of the highest order. The film is about Audrey Tautou’s Nathalie and the tentative, seemingly accidental, steps back into the world of companionship. Directors David and Stéphane Foenkinos get the tone just right. They add into the mix occasional flights of fancy, a funny daydream here, or a wonderful cut there. This is all effortlessly super-slick. My full review here.
Modern romantic treacle of the highest order. The film is about Audrey Tautou’s Nathalie and the tentative, seemingly accidental, steps back into the world of companionship. Directors David and Stéphane Foenkinos get the tone just right. They add into the mix occasional flights of fancy, a funny daydream here, or a wonderful cut there. This is all effortlessly super-slick. My full review here.
11. SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
“You have poor social skills. You have a problem,” Pat (Bradley Cooper)
“I have a problem? You say more inappropriate things than appropriate things,” Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence)
THREE KINGS, THE FIGHTER and PLAYBOOK have now cemented writer-director David O. Russell as one of the best English language filmmakers working today. His camerawork is aggressive and vibrant and antsy, while his dialogue zings like something out of a 1930s rom-com. I can imagine his words flowing from the mouths of James Stewart, Katharine Hepburn or Cary Grant. That’s how gifted Russell is when he’s firing on all cylinders. The novel is massively flawed, but the film’s neat ending is the only real misstep. We are in a sublime romantic-comedy, which deserves that epithet.
“You have poor social skills. You have a problem,” Pat (Bradley Cooper)
“I have a problem? You say more inappropriate things than appropriate things,” Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence)
THREE KINGS, THE FIGHTER and PLAYBOOK have now cemented writer-director David O. Russell as one of the best English language filmmakers working today. His camerawork is aggressive and vibrant and antsy, while his dialogue zings like something out of a 1930s rom-com. I can imagine his words flowing from the mouths of James Stewart, Katharine Hepburn or Cary Grant. That’s how gifted Russell is when he’s firing on all cylinders. The novel is massively flawed, but the film’s neat ending is the only real misstep. We are in a sublime romantic-comedy, which deserves that epithet.
10. END OF WATCH
This ain’t no fairy tale. A bromance perhaps. An adrenaline-charged pseudo fly-on-the-wall police thriller. A muscular genre flick that for once doesn’t feel like it belongs on the television, or that we’ve seen it before. The charisma pulsates off the screen and the dialogue is electric. Jake Gyllenhaal’s Brian Taylor and Michael Peña’s Mike Zavala, two bright and conscientious beat cops, inadvertently take on a drug cartel. My full review here.
This ain’t no fairy tale. A bromance perhaps. An adrenaline-charged pseudo fly-on-the-wall police thriller. A muscular genre flick that for once doesn’t feel like it belongs on the television, or that we’ve seen it before. The charisma pulsates off the screen and the dialogue is electric. Jake Gyllenhaal’s Brian Taylor and Michael Peña’s Mike Zavala, two bright and conscientious beat cops, inadvertently take on a drug cartel. My full review here.
9. THE CABIN IN THE WOODS
“The lambs have passed through the gate, they are come to the killing floor,” Mordecai.
Wow. And wow. At first glance we are in tired horror territory. Stay with it, and you will be rewarded. CABIN sends-up, explains, and breaths new life into the haunted house subgenre. That’s right, explains. You’ll see. The last 30 minutes is something to behold, the word extraordinary just about does the denouement justice. My full review here.
“The lambs have passed through the gate, they are come to the killing floor,” Mordecai.
Wow. And wow. At first glance we are in tired horror territory. Stay with it, and you will be rewarded. CABIN sends-up, explains, and breaths new life into the haunted house subgenre. That’s right, explains. You’ll see. The last 30 minutes is something to behold, the word extraordinary just about does the denouement justice. My full review here.
8. GOD BLESS AMERICA
That’s three for three for me from writer-director Bobcat Goldthwait. He is a social commentator and coruscating modern satirist; and can be talked of in the same breath as Chris Morris and Armando Iannuci. An angry cry for substance, dignity and courtesy dressed in a killing-spree picture. Not as sophisticated an observation as WORLD’S GREATEST DAD, this is still bile-soaked entertainment brilliance. My full review here.
That’s three for three for me from writer-director Bobcat Goldthwait. He is a social commentator and coruscating modern satirist; and can be talked of in the same breath as Chris Morris and Armando Iannuci. An angry cry for substance, dignity and courtesy dressed in a killing-spree picture. Not as sophisticated an observation as WORLD’S GREATEST DAD, this is still bile-soaked entertainment brilliance. My full review here.
7. NO
In 1973 General Pinochet staged a coup and became Chile’s dictator. An oppressive regime, guilty of disappearances, torture and murder, has worldwide pressure placed on it to democratise. In 1988 the autocracy is forced to hold a national referendum: a simple yes or no, on a further eight years of Pinochet. The perspective is from Gael Garcia Bernal’s René Saavedra. He is the Don Draper of Santiago. A gifted young advertising executive, who is tasked with orchestrating the no campaign. What a film! NO gets practically everything right. How often have I written that? Hardly ever.
In 1973 General Pinochet staged a coup and became Chile’s dictator. An oppressive regime, guilty of disappearances, torture and murder, has worldwide pressure placed on it to democratise. In 1988 the autocracy is forced to hold a national referendum: a simple yes or no, on a further eight years of Pinochet. The perspective is from Gael Garcia Bernal’s René Saavedra. He is the Don Draper of Santiago. A gifted young advertising executive, who is tasked with orchestrating the no campaign. What a film! NO gets practically everything right. How often have I written that? Hardly ever.
6. LOOPER
Writer-director Rian Johnson has returned to the debut form of BRICK, after the stumble with the not-satisfying-enough confidence trickster caper, THE BROTHERS BLOOM. This third effort shares, with his high school gumshoe noir, a credible new universe to bathe the senses in, a hermetically sealed and detailed space to tell a disturbing and exhilarating morally grey fable – examinations of worlds rotting on a seemingly terminal scale. My full review here.
Writer-director Rian Johnson has returned to the debut form of BRICK, after the stumble with the not-satisfying-enough confidence trickster caper, THE BROTHERS BLOOM. This third effort shares, with his high school gumshoe noir, a credible new universe to bathe the senses in, a hermetically sealed and detailed space to tell a disturbing and exhilarating morally grey fable – examinations of worlds rotting on a seemingly terminal scale. My full review here.
5. THE AVENGERS
“When they come, and they will, they’ll come for you,” Tony Stark
“I have an army,” Loki
“We have a Hulk,” Tony Stark
My full review here.
“When they come, and they will, they’ll come for you,” Tony Stark
“I have an army,” Loki
“We have a Hulk,” Tony Stark
My full review here.
4. THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
“Theatricality and deception, powerful agents for the uninitiated. But we are initiated, aren't we Bruce?” Bane
There have been debates as to the politics of the trilogy, and number three appears muddled, especially compared to the ‘War on Terror’ allegory in the previous instalment. And that siege segment needed both tightening up and expanding. Those quibbles aside, RISES is a surprisingly emotional climax, tying together with muscularity the threads and themes from BATMAN BEGINS and THE DARK KNIGHT. I didn’t think Tim Burton’s diptych could be bettered, but Christopher Nolan deserves massive props for his superhero saga that sets the benchmark at such a lofty perch, one has to wonder, in terms of decades, how long will it take to be beaten.
“Theatricality and deception, powerful agents for the uninitiated. But we are initiated, aren't we Bruce?” Bane
There have been debates as to the politics of the trilogy, and number three appears muddled, especially compared to the ‘War on Terror’ allegory in the previous instalment. And that siege segment needed both tightening up and expanding. Those quibbles aside, RISES is a surprisingly emotional climax, tying together with muscularity the threads and themes from BATMAN BEGINS and THE DARK KNIGHT. I didn’t think Tim Burton’s diptych could be bettered, but Christopher Nolan deserves massive props for his superhero saga that sets the benchmark at such a lofty perch, one has to wonder, in terms of decades, how long will it take to be beaten.
3. HAPPY & GLORIOUS
Probably the final moment that converted the last remaining naysayers to believers. Danny Boyle’s Opening Ceremony to the London Olympic Games was substantive, idiosyncratic, spectacular, humanistic, cheeky, subversive and celebratory. Ever since it was announced that London was bidding, I wanted the Olympics here. I was not disappointed. Those weeks over the summer were some of the most entertaining events I’ve had the pleasure of being part of.
And that moment. That short film. HAPPY & GLORIOUS. James Bond picking up the Queen of England, like something out of Roald Dahl’s BFG, to escort her to signal the commencement of the greatest show on Earth. Well, not much needs to be said, f*cking amazing.
Probably the final moment that converted the last remaining naysayers to believers. Danny Boyle’s Opening Ceremony to the London Olympic Games was substantive, idiosyncratic, spectacular, humanistic, cheeky, subversive and celebratory. Ever since it was announced that London was bidding, I wanted the Olympics here. I was not disappointed. Those weeks over the summer were some of the most entertaining events I’ve had the pleasure of being part of.
And that moment. That short film. HAPPY & GLORIOUS. James Bond picking up the Queen of England, like something out of Roald Dahl’s BFG, to escort her to signal the commencement of the greatest show on Earth. Well, not much needs to be said, f*cking amazing.
2. DJANGO UNCHAINED
Arguably a companion piece to INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS, both deal with catharsis, lesson-dealing and vengeance, Quentin Tarantino has assembled a crack team to revise history again. Clocking in at 165 minutes, you don’t feel that time, as hellfire pores down. To say the unexpected happens is a no-brainer.
Arguably a companion piece to INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS, both deal with catharsis, lesson-dealing and vengeance, Quentin Tarantino has assembled a crack team to revise history again. Clocking in at 165 minutes, you don’t feel that time, as hellfire pores down. To say the unexpected happens is a no-brainer.
1. THE RAID
If I father a son in the near future, I’m going to call him The Raid. Yeah, I love this film. For action junkies, you’re likely to overdose. Fist fights, gun fights, knife fights. All jammed into a runtime of less than 105 minutes. The plot is DIE HARD lean: an Indonesian SWAT team head into a highrise apartment block in the control of a ruthless crime-lord to arrest him. Almost unrelentless, we witness an energy not seen since the peak of John Woo: HARD BOILED. Set-piece to set-piece to set-piece. My full review here.
If I father a son in the near future, I’m going to call him The Raid. Yeah, I love this film. For action junkies, you’re likely to overdose. Fist fights, gun fights, knife fights. All jammed into a runtime of less than 105 minutes. The plot is DIE HARD lean: an Indonesian SWAT team head into a highrise apartment block in the control of a ruthless crime-lord to arrest him. Almost unrelentless, we witness an energy not seen since the peak of John Woo: HARD BOILED. Set-piece to set-piece to set-piece. My full review here.
From my favourites, to the best…
THE FILMALUATION AWARDS
The following are listed alphabetically in each category, for my nominations, and then the very lucky winner!
Have you got your formal attire on? Ok, let’s begin…
AMOUR
|
MY BROTHER THE DEVIL
|
Best Actor
James Floyd - MY BROTHER THE DEVIL
Dwight Henry - BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
Kacey Mottet Klein - SISTER
Philip Seymour Hoffman – THE MASTER
Samuel L. Jackson – DJANGO UNCHAINED
Matthew McConaughey – KILLER JOE
Scoot McNairy – KILLING THEM SOFTLY
Mads Mikkelsen - THE HUNT
Joaquin Phoenix – THE MASTER
Jean-Louis Trintignant - AMOUR
Christoph Waltz – DJANGO UNCHAINED
Winner (lead): Joaquin Phoenix – THE MASTER
Winner: (supporting): Matthew McConaughey – KILLER JOE
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
|
ELLES
|
Best Actress
Anaïs Demoustier - ELLES
Lena Dunham – TINY FURNITURE
Martina Gedeck - THE WALL
Gina Gershon – KILLER JOE
Melissa Leo – FRANCINE
Nermina Lukac - EAT SLEEP DIE
Waad Mohammed – WADJDA
Rachel Mwanza - WAR WITCH
Charlize Theron – YOUNG ADULT
Quvenzhané Wallis - BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
Michelle Williams – TAKE THIS WALTZ
Winner (lead): Nermina Lukac - EAT SLEEP DIE
Winner (supporting): Anaïs Demoustier - ELLES
Anaïs Demoustier - ELLES
Lena Dunham – TINY FURNITURE
Martina Gedeck - THE WALL
Gina Gershon – KILLER JOE
Melissa Leo – FRANCINE
Nermina Lukac - EAT SLEEP DIE
Waad Mohammed – WADJDA
Rachel Mwanza - WAR WITCH
Charlize Theron – YOUNG ADULT
Quvenzhané Wallis - BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
Michelle Williams – TAKE THIS WALTZ
Winner (lead): Nermina Lukac - EAT SLEEP DIE
Winner (supporting): Anaïs Demoustier - ELLES
EVEN THE RAIN
|
IN THE HOUSE
|
Best Writing
Diablo Cody – YOUNG ADULT
Andrew Dominik - KILLING THEM SOFTLY
Bobcat Goldthwait - GOD BLESS AMERICA
Pablo Larraín – NO
Paul Laverty - EVEN THE RAIN
François Ozon - IN THE HOUSE
Sarah Polley - TAKE THIS WALTZ
David O. Russell – SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Quentin Tarantino – DJANGO UNCHAINED
Chris Terrio - ARGO
Thomas Vinterberg, Tobias Lindholm - THE HUNT
Winner: Quentin Tarantino – DJANGO UNCHAINED
Diablo Cody – YOUNG ADULT
Andrew Dominik - KILLING THEM SOFTLY
Bobcat Goldthwait - GOD BLESS AMERICA
Pablo Larraín – NO
Paul Laverty - EVEN THE RAIN
François Ozon - IN THE HOUSE
Sarah Polley - TAKE THIS WALTZ
David O. Russell – SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Quentin Tarantino – DJANGO UNCHAINED
Chris Terrio - ARGO
Thomas Vinterberg, Tobias Lindholm - THE HUNT
Winner: Quentin Tarantino – DJANGO UNCHAINED
NOSTALGIA FOR THE LIGHT
|
THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE
|
Best Documentary
INTO THE ABYSS
MEA MAXIMA CULPA: SILENCE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD
MCCULLIN
NOSTALGIA FOR THE LIGHT
THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE
THE HOUSE I LIVE IN
THE IMPOSTER
WEST OF MEMPHIS
Winner: MEA MAXIMA CULPA: SILENCE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD
FRANKENWEENIE
|
ERNEST & CELESTINE
|
Best Animated Film
ERNEST & CELESTINE
FRANKENWEENIE
PARANORMAN
THE PIRATES! IN AN ADVENTURE WITH SCIENTISTS
Winner: THE PIRATES! IN AN ADVENTURE WITH SCIENTISTS
LE GRAND SOIR
|
TAKE THIS WALTZ
|
Best Director
Ben Affleck – ARGO
Paul Thomas Anderson – THE MASTER
Gareth Evans – THE RAID
Drew Goddard – THE CABIN IN THE WOODS
Michael Haneke - AMOUR
Gustave de Kervern, Benoît Delépine - LE GRAND SOIR
Pablo Larraín – NO
Ang Lee – LIFE OF PI
Sarah Polley - TAKE THIS WALTZ
David. O. Russell - SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Quentin Tarantino - DJANGO UNCHAINED
Winner: Pablo Larraín – NO
THE MASTER
|
THE HOUSE I LIVE IN
|
Best Film
AMOUR
DJANGO UNCHAINED
EVEN THE RAIN
INTO THE ABYSS
MEA MAXIMA CULPA: SILENCE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD
NO
THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE
THE HOUSE I LIVE IN
THE HUNT
THE MASTER
WEST OF MEMPHIS
Winner: NO
Congratulations to the award winners, dry your tears of victory.
So that’s it for another year folks! Bring on 2013!
