These are my Top 10 Films of 2012! This was a tough year to decide on. A lot of heavy hitters came out in 2012. Maybe because everyone thought the world was ending so they thought they better get their best work out now? Who knows…
Also while we're on the subject of films from 2012, I'd just like to say my opinions on Les Miserables and The Dark Knight Rises have significantly changed...but yeah Anne Hathaway probably did deserve that Oscar.
9 & 10. The First Time and Celeste & Jessie Forever
First Time-
Directed by Jon Kasdan
Starring Dylan O'Brien, Britt Robertson, and Victoria Justice
Celeste & Jessie-
Directed by Lee Toland Krieger
Starring Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg and Emma Roberts
So I'm kinda cheating here, and I'm about to sound like a film snob, but I saw both these films when I went to the Sundance Film Festival on a school trip in 2012, and while I've only seen them both one or two times since that trip, those first viewings resonate with me to this day. I could pretty much interchange them as 9 or 10, but I enjoy them both for different reasons, and honestly who knows if anyone reading this has seen either.
I won't go too in-depth about either, but hopefully I can get someone out there interested in checking them out. The First Time is both a conventional and non-conventional romantic teen comedy. It has the cliche story-mapping but it handles the relationship of the main characters (O'Brien & Robertson) in a real and mature way. It's not like an American Pie wannabe where the goal is for them to have sex and they live happily-ever-after. I mean, sex plays a part but it's not the end result. It's more about intimacy, openness, communication and commitment to a relationship. That's what elevates it beyond a typical teen rom-com. That and the cast is so wonderful, particularly the two leads, a young Dylan O'Brien & Britt Robertson. There's also plenty of laughs. The First Time is kind of an underrated gem.
Celeste & Jessie Forever deals with a divorced couple (Jones & Samberg) trying to stay close friends while also trying to move on with their lives (This might sound a bit similar to this year's Marriage Story but stick with me). Love just doesn't stop happening after divorce, and Celeste & Jessie doesn't sugarcoat that fact. The film deals with how we grow as a person through the people around us, with the love we give and the love we take. Rashida Jones (Man I've been talking about her A. LOT. lately) is at the center here and she's amazing as always (She also wrote the film with her regular writing partner Will McCormack). Her and Andy Samberg make a delightful pair and work together so well.
So that's two unconventional films about different types of romance that both hit differently but I enjoy about the same. Ok we can leave the "Ohhh Chris went to Sundance. What a film snob." atmosphere behind now. Especially because the next film is a typical superhero offering...
8. The Amazing Spider-Man
Directed by Marc Webb
Starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Rhys Ifans
Obviously we all love Tom Holland's Spider-Man and having the webslinger in the MCU is a blessing. But still, you can't help but wonder what could have been with Marc Webb's iteration of the character, before Sony screwed everything up with their corporate greed. The Amazing Spider-Man was a enjoyable, promising start to a new take on Spidey. It's a very personal, dramatic story that was void of the dated cheesiness of Sam Raimi's trilogy. Andrew Garfield made a great Peter Parker, and Emma Stone was wonderful as Gwen Stacy. Did it repeat a lot of the same story-beats of the iconic origin story? Yes? Did it do anything new? Yeah a little. Was it all botched two years later because Sony was trying to jumpstart a Spider-Man Cinematic Universe? You know it was. Anyway, saying anything else feels like I'm soapboxing for a cause that's already been squashed. I'm very happy with the Spider-Man we have now in film, but The Amazing Spider-Man was a good film, and it's just a shame it went down the way it did.
7. The Pirates! Band of Misfits
Directed by Peter Lord
Starring Hugh Grant, David Tennant, and Martin Freeman
An animated-gem you probably forgot about or never saw, The Pirates was produced by Aardman Animation, the creators of Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run. It's a very fun adventure, with the usual amazing claymation you would expect from this studio. There's plenty of British humor abound from our friends across the Atlantic, and few laugh-out-loud moments. The voice-cast is also stacked. You have a Time Lord (Tennant), a John Watson (Freeman), and Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) all in one film!!…okay that last one's not so impressive seven years later. It's not a film I revisit often, but when I do I always enjoy myself. If you're a fan of Aardman Animation's other works, I suggest you give it a watch.
6. Brave
Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman
Starring Kelly MacDonald, Emma Thompson, and Billy Connolly
Brave is not a groundbreaking Pixar entry like Up or Wall-E, but there's no law that said it had to be, and it certainly isn't one of their worst. It harkens back to classic Disney of the nineties with a simple fairy-tale-like premise, which subjectively I really enjoy. Tonally it does sort of switch gears halfway through, but the story still flows.
The animation is great, crafting a mystical Scottish environment. Merida is a fine protagonist and the relationship with her mother is very well-written. It's a charming story about family, with some truly suspenseful moments, and I think adults can enjoy sharing it with their kids. It's not my favorite Pixar film, but I like it, and you know if Merida's making appearances all over Disney Parks, you know the film did something right.
5. 21 Jump Street
Directed by Phil Lord & Chris Miller
Starring Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill and Dave Franco
I was far too young to watch the original series when it was on, but I don't think anyone saw it as property worth rebooting for the big-screen. But you know leave it to Lord & Miller, the guys who made The Lego Movie, Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs, and a Han Solo origin-oh right…leave it to the guys who made a name for themselves by taking bad ideas and making them into great films. Hilarious films.
The laughs are non-stop the entire film, with a lot of memorable lines that worked their way into my daily vernacular for years (For better or worse). Channing Tatum's performance practically defined his career, and while I'm not a big Jonah Hill fan, the guy's got talent and the Jump Street films are some of his best work. The supporting cast of Dave Franco, Rob Riggle, and Ellie Kemper also have a lot of great moments too. The story itself isn't super gripping but you're here for laughs not story. 21 Jump Street was a bad idea turned into one of the best comedies in recent years.
4. Wreck-It Ralph
Directed by Rich Moore
Starring John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, and Jane Lynch
Wreck-It Ralph takes the normal conventions of a Disney film and throws them into a video-game world. (So long as video games still exist) I think it's become as timeless as some of the studio's hits from the nineties. The animation is superb, and the filmmakers build a creative and captivating universe within a simple arcade. Some scenes feel like actual video games.
But what really makes Wreck-It Ralph so great is its story of self-worth, that reminds audiences to love themselves for who they are. Ralph is wonderful protagonist, and John C. Reilly's performance is fantastic. In fact the whole voice cast is fantastic. Sarah Silverman as the sweet but edgy Vanellope, Jack McBrayer as the uber-wholesome Fix-It Felix Jr, and Jane Lynch as the no-nonsense Sergeant Callhoun, they are practically tailor-made for their characters.
There's also plenty of references for gamers to smile about. As far as video game films, it's a big win, and as far as Disney films it's a modern classic…but I'm not so sure about the sequel…something for another day.
3. The Avengers
Directed by Joss Whedon
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, etc.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe really started to bloom the first time Earth's Mightiest Heroes came together on the big-screen. What would prove to be the first big step in a decade-long gamble ended paying off big time, and to me, it's still one of the franchise's best films. All of the cast is as superb as they were or have ever been. This being the second film in the MCU for many of them, I think Avengers sort of reinforced the idea of how amazing the likes of Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tom Hiddelston as Loki, or Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow were. Of course we can't forget the unmatched Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man or Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America. But this is the first time we would see them all in a film together, and the group's chemistry was off the charts. There's so many great character moments as one would expect.
You've heard me praise the MCU so much before but I'll just quickly say that Whedon's script and dialogue is remarkably unforgettable, Alan Silversti's music is iconic, and the final battle in New York is visual poetry. The Avengers was a landmark in superhero filmmaking, and filmmaking in general. I still think it's one of Marvel's best (Even though it does start kind of slow), and was easily one of the best films of 2012.
2. Ted
Directed by Seth MacFarlane
Starring Mark Whalberg, Seth MacFarlane, and Mila Kunis
I love this film. I firmly believe Ted is Seth MacFarlane's best work to date. Here he has a perfect blend of his crude and clever humor, while also showing his work can have real heart. Ted, as brash as it can get, is a story with a lot of heart. It's about the importance of a best friend, and lifelong friendships. Friendships that stand the test of time when people have to change and evolve, but the love between them doesn't. It's cleverly illustrated through the relationship of a man (Whalberg) and his old teddy bear. It's like Toy Story but with adult humor! Seth MacFarlane is pretty much playing another version of Peter Griffin as Ted, but he's hilarious regardless and easily wins the audience over. Mark Whalberg also has some great comical moments while also showing off his true acting chops, and Mila Kunis plays off them both nicely.
Ted knows when it needs to be funny and when it needs to be serious. Much like 21 Jump Street, I consider it one of the best comedies in recent years and a lot of its more memorable lines have worked into my daily vernacular. It's not just a great comedy but a great film. If you've never seen it or haven't seen it in awhile, call up your best friend and give it a watch.
And my Top Film of 2012 is…
1. Django Unchained
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, and Leonardo DiCaprio
I love a good western (Though I admit I need to see more). I love a good Tarantino film. Django Unchained is a GREAT western AND Tarantino film!! As a matter of fact I think it's his best film, and I'm ready to die on that hill. The cast is amazing. Christoph Waltz is genius as always. Samuel L. Jackson gives one of his best performances in my opinion. That goes double for Leonardo DiCaprio, who as the villain went completely against his typical casting (This is the role he should have got the Oscar for.) The story is something really special and unique, filled with wonderful Tarantino dialogue. It's also got some good comedic moments?…The music is top-notch, and the cinematography is beautiful. The exterior shots are just so striking. Tarantino can really paint a picture with a camera. Truthfully he was firing on all cylinders in Django Unchained. It's my favorite film of his, it's my favorite film of 2012, and it's just one of my favorite films.
There were a lot of great films that came out in 2012. Some that I saw that didn't make this list, and some that I have still yet to see. Oh well. Now it is time to FINALLY get started on my Top Films of 2018, and then I'll learn from my mistakes and do my Top 10 Films of 2019 sooner rather than later.
Also…a little film called Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker just came out...
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