Taking a look at the year 2012, picking my 10 favorite movies from that
year in random order.
The Avengers
Spectacular and amusing superhero film, written and directed by Joss Whedon. In my opion, still the best Avengers film of the series. And a great start to the now epic franchise.
The Cabin in the Woods
According to the clichés of the horror genre, five students go to an abandoned cabin in the woods to be slaughtered. But besides that, this inventive, often hilarious film goes its own way. Also from the mind of Joss Whedon, but directed by his friend Drew Goddard. Together they wrote the script, in a hotel room, in three days. It’s a unique horror film, that is not what you think it is.
Ted
Teddy bear Ted once came to life thanks to a Christmas wish from his owner John. Now, 25 years later, the duo is still inseparable, with a shared interest in beer and pulp TV. How many jokes can you make about a swearing and drinking teddybear? Well, quite a lot. And Seth MacFarlane (known for his animated series “Family Guy), does a good job with his directorial feature film debut. Some jokes about farts and dicks, but mostly intelligent and hilarious scenes, which are especially convincing thanks to the immaculate animation of the bear.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
At first sight it’s yet another high school movie, about the timid Charlie, a boy without friends. But then he meets the extravagant Patrick and Sam. A Brat Pack-like formula film that comes a quarter of a century late, drenched in nostalgia, but with a fine set of protagonists and a surprisingly vicious twist. Based on director Stephen Chbosky’s novel of the same name.
Argo
It really happened: in 1980 the CIA, in collaboration with Hollywood during the Iranian hostage crisis, produced a fake science fiction film that was supposed to be shot in Iran in order to liberate a group of Americans there. In his third film as director, Ben Affleck transforms history into an exciting, witty political thriller with tasteful feel-good elements. Affleck, himself in the leading role as a man with a plane, remains a somewhat flat actor but has only gathered strong opponents around him, such as Alan Arkin, John Goodman and Bryan Cranston. The convincing image of time contributes to the feeling that the truth has bot been violated too much.
Silver Linings Playbook
Pat is taken home by his mother after eight legally imposed months in an institution. Immediately it turns our that bipolar Pat is definitely not cured yet. Then he meets Tiffany, a young woman who is adrift after the sudden death of her husband. A vivid tragicomedy and feel-good film carried by a great cast, with Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in front.
Zero Dark Thirty
Masterful thriller, and without a doubt the best film about the War on Terror. For 157 minutes, director Kathryn Bigelow reconstructs the manhunt for Osama Bin Laden in a contemplative style, from the chilling opening minutes in which a suspect is gruesomely tortured by the CIA to the monumental, nerve-wrecking final act in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Th suggestion that the torture was essential to locate Bin Laden led to furious protests, but in tone “Zero Dark Thirty” is far from propagandist.
Django Unchained
Director Quentin Tarantino had already focused on abused women and oppressed Jews, so now it was time for nineteenth-century American slaves. Freed slave Django wants to free his wife from the hands of a sadistic plantation owner with the help of a German bounty hunter. Thematically daring, brutal spaghetti westerns and it has been remarkably straightforward, with some brilliant scenes. Highlight is the supporting role of Samuel L. Jackson, as one of the most racist sob’s ever in movie history.
Moonrise Kingdom
Adolescents Sam and Suzy are outsiders in a small American Island communitu in 1965. When they flee together, the adults on the island panic. Director Wes Anderson wanted to capture the tenderness and ferocity of a first love in his seventh feature film. He does this in his unique way, with dry comedy, pointed dialogues, absurdist twists and a design that is meticulous down to the last detail. Charming, witty and heartwarming.
Bernie
Jack Black is at his most charming as Bernie. He is the local mortician in a small village in Texas. He is loved by everyone. this doesn’t change when, out of frustration, he kulls the hated widow he lives with in cold blood. Bizarre story, told as a light-hearted docudrama, is based on true events.
Spectacular and amusing superhero film, written and directed by Joss Whedon. In my opion, still the best Avengers film of the series. And a great start to the now epic franchise.
According to the clichés of the horror genre, five students go to an abandoned cabin in the woods to be slaughtered. But besides that, this inventive, often hilarious film goes its own way. Also from the mind of Joss Whedon, but directed by his friend Drew Goddard. Together they wrote the script, in a hotel room, in three days. It’s a unique horror film, that is not what you think it is.
Teddy bear Ted once came to life thanks to a Christmas wish from his owner John. Now, 25 years later, the duo is still inseparable, with a shared interest in beer and pulp TV. How many jokes can you make about a swearing and drinking teddybear? Well, quite a lot. And Seth MacFarlane (known for his animated series “Family Guy), does a good job with his directorial feature film debut. Some jokes about farts and dicks, but mostly intelligent and hilarious scenes, which are especially convincing thanks to the immaculate animation of the bear.
At first sight it’s yet another high school movie, about the timid Charlie, a boy without friends. But then he meets the extravagant Patrick and Sam. A Brat Pack-like formula film that comes a quarter of a century late, drenched in nostalgia, but with a fine set of protagonists and a surprisingly vicious twist. Based on director Stephen Chbosky’s novel of the same name.
It really happened: in 1980 the CIA, in collaboration with Hollywood during the Iranian hostage crisis, produced a fake science fiction film that was supposed to be shot in Iran in order to liberate a group of Americans there. In his third film as director, Ben Affleck transforms history into an exciting, witty political thriller with tasteful feel-good elements. Affleck, himself in the leading role as a man with a plane, remains a somewhat flat actor but has only gathered strong opponents around him, such as Alan Arkin, John Goodman and Bryan Cranston. The convincing image of time contributes to the feeling that the truth has bot been violated too much.
Pat is taken home by his mother after eight legally imposed months in an institution. Immediately it turns our that bipolar Pat is definitely not cured yet. Then he meets Tiffany, a young woman who is adrift after the sudden death of her husband. A vivid tragicomedy and feel-good film carried by a great cast, with Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in front.
Masterful thriller, and without a doubt the best film about the War on Terror. For 157 minutes, director Kathryn Bigelow reconstructs the manhunt for Osama Bin Laden in a contemplative style, from the chilling opening minutes in which a suspect is gruesomely tortured by the CIA to the monumental, nerve-wrecking final act in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Th suggestion that the torture was essential to locate Bin Laden led to furious protests, but in tone “Zero Dark Thirty” is far from propagandist.
Director Quentin Tarantino had already focused on abused women and oppressed Jews, so now it was time for nineteenth-century American slaves. Freed slave Django wants to free his wife from the hands of a sadistic plantation owner with the help of a German bounty hunter. Thematically daring, brutal spaghetti westerns and it has been remarkably straightforward, with some brilliant scenes. Highlight is the supporting role of Samuel L. Jackson, as one of the most racist sob’s ever in movie history.
Adolescents Sam and Suzy are outsiders in a small American Island communitu in 1965. When they flee together, the adults on the island panic. Director Wes Anderson wanted to capture the tenderness and ferocity of a first love in his seventh feature film. He does this in his unique way, with dry comedy, pointed dialogues, absurdist twists and a design that is meticulous down to the last detail. Charming, witty and heartwarming.
Jack Black is at his most charming as Bernie. He is the local mortician in a small village in Texas. He is loved by everyone. this doesn’t change when, out of frustration, he kulls the hated widow he lives with in cold blood. Bizarre story, told as a light-hearted docudrama, is based on true events.
