Best and Worst of 2012
by mad_mandonna | created - 28 Jan 2012 | updated - 31 Dec 2012 | PublicThe List will change as the year goes on.....
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1. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
PG-13 | 164 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
Eight years after the Joker's reign of chaos, Batman is coerced out of exile with the assistance of the mysterious Selina Kyle in order to defend Gotham City from the vicious guerrilla terrorist Bane.
Director: Christopher Nolan | Stars: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Gary Oldman
Votes: 1,826,606 | Gross: $448.14M
I knew it was gonna be good, but it really was THAT good, amazing even. 10/10
2. The Artist (I) (2011)
PG-13 | 100 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
When George, a silent movie superstar, meets Peppy Miller, a dancer, sparks fly between the two. However, after the introduction of talking pictures, their fortunes change, affecting their dynamic.
Director: Michel Hazanavicius | Stars: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell
Votes: 248,575 | Gross: $44.67M
Beautiful and engaging. A feast for the eyes and ears, even if they don't say anything. 9/10
3. The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
R | 95 min | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Five college friends head out to a remote cabin for a getaway, but things don't go as planned when they start getting killed. They soon discover that there is more to the cabin than it seems.
Director: Drew Goddard | Stars: Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz
Votes: 450,535 | Gross: $42.07M
I haven't seen a horror film quite like it. Very original and fresh idea and rather left field. This film is not for everyone, it will divide people, but I absolutely LOVED it! 8/10
4. Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
PG-13 | 94 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Two 12-year-olds, who live on an island, fall in love with each other and elope into the wilderness. While people set out on a search mission, a violent storm approaching them catches their attention.
Director: Wes Anderson | Stars: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis, Bill Murray
Votes: 366,701 | Gross: $45.51M
delightfully offbeat comedy, great ideas that are fully executed and a sensational cast that never seems over or under used despite sometimes limited screentime. 8/10
5. Skyfall (2012)
PG-13 | 143 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
James Bond's loyalty to M is tested when her past comes back to haunt her. When MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.
Director: Sam Mendes | Stars: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris, Judi Dench
Votes: 730,948 | Gross: $304.36M
A fantastic Bond film, that keeps itself up-to-date and retains it old school appeal. Isn't quite up there with the old ones but it's pretty darn good. 8/10
6. Shame (2011)
NC-17 | 101 min | Drama
A sex addict's carefully cultivated private life falls apart after his sister arrives for an indefinite stay.
Director: Steve McQueen | Stars: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale, Lucy Walters
Votes: 206,193 | Gross: $4.00M
cold look at sex addiction. Slightly self indulgent, but a facinating portrayal. 8/10
7. The Hunger Games (2012)
PG-13 | 142 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Katniss Everdeen voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games: a televised competition in which two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts of Panem are chosen at random to fight to the death.
Director: Gary Ross | Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci
Votes: 1,003,405 | Gross: $408.01M
Well crafted, visually pleasing and well acted. Twilight it's not. 8/10
8. The Avengers (2012)
PG-13 | 143 min | Action, Sci-Fi
Earth's mightiest heroes must come together and learn to fight as a team if they are going to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity.
Director: Joss Whedon | Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner
Votes: 1,458,992 | Gross: $623.28M
Action packed and witty. For a film that could have been truly awful has turned out to be pretty amazing, but is it more than just a good summer movie. No not really. 7/10
9. Prometheus (I) (2012)
R | 124 min | Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Following clues to the origin of mankind, a team finds a structure on a distant moon, but they soon realize they are not alone.
Director: Ridley Scott | Stars: Noomi Rapace, Logan Marshall-Green, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron
Votes: 644,004 | Gross: $126.48M
Not quite as good as it could have been, which is disappointing. Ultimately though it is a good film and though not quite on the edge of your seat, you will be firmly in your seat. 7/10
10. My Week with Marilyn (2011)
R | 99 min | Biography, Drama
Colin Clark, an employee of Sir Laurence Olivier, documents the tense interaction between Olivier and Marilyn Monroe during the production of The Prince and the Showgirl (1957).
Director: Simon Curtis | Stars: Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh, Julia Ormond
Votes: 89,595 | Gross: $14.60M
Beautifully shot and a great lead performance from Williams. Its very much a light hearted film, that has some dramatic weight, but never goes too deep. I haven't decided whether this is a good or bad thing. But whatever happen I liked it a lot. 7/10
11. Brave (2012)
PG | 93 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse.
Directors: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell | Stars: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters
Votes: 442,097 | Gross: $237.28M
Beautifully done, great characters and family friendly. Wasn't the Scottish epic I was expecting but a wholesome tale that's easy to watch. 7/10
12. The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
PG-13 | 136 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
After Peter Parker is bitten by a genetically altered spider, he gains newfound, spider-like powers and ventures out to save the city from the machinations of a mysterious reptilian foe.
Director: Marc Webb | Stars: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Irrfan Khan
Votes: 702,055 | Gross: $262.03M
Better than the Raimi films and very well cast, from the lead parts to the background characters. However a villain put in more as an after-thought and a slightly over familar plot, sends it down a couple of notches. 7/10
13. The Muppets (2011)
PG | 103 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
A Muppet fanatic with some help from his 2 human compatriots must regroup the Muppet gang to stop an avaricious oil mogul from taking down one of their precious life-longing treasures.
Director: James Bobin | Stars: Amy Adams, Jason Segel, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones
Votes: 96,838 | Gross: $88.63M
Oh so fun and entertaining. Not the best muppet movie by any stretch of the imagination, but a decent well rounded family friendly film with a wink to adults in the audience. 7/10
14. Dredd (2012)
R | 95 min | Action, Crime, Sci-Fi
In a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO.
Director: Pete Travis | Stars: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey, Rachel Wood
Votes: 294,242 | Gross: $13.41M
fun and violent. Nothing more, nothing less. 7/10
15. Ted (2012)
R | 106 min | Comedy
John Bennett, a man whose childhood wish of bringing his teddy bear to life came true, now must decide between keeping the relationship with the bear, Ted or his girlfriend, Lori.
Director: Seth MacFarlane | Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane, Joel McHale
Votes: 657,181 | Gross: $218.82M
A funny slice of comedy from the creator of Family Guy, if you're a fan of family guy this will appeal, if you're not it won't. Generally fun even if it does sag in the middle. 7/10
16. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)
R | 101 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
As an asteroid nears Earth, a man finds himself alone after his wife leaves in a panic. He decides to take a road trip to reunite with his high school sweetheart. Accompanying him is a neighbor who inadvertently puts a wrench in his plan.
Director: Lorene Scafaria | Stars: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Melanie Lynskey, Patton Oswalt
Votes: 118,762 | Gross: $6.62M
Delightful and heart warming romantic comedy, with enough edge to make it stand out. Two lovely performances, a film that doesn't try and be anything more than pleasant and suceeds whole-heartedly. 7/10
17. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
PG-13 | 124 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than advertised, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways.
Director: John Madden | Stars: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson
Votes: 99,457 | Gross: $46.41M
A film that will make you happy, we need more films like this one. 7/10
18. The Woman in Black (2012)
PG-13 | 95 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
A young solicitor travels to a remote village where he discovers that the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals.
Director: James Watkins | Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer, Ciarán Hinds, Emma Shorey
Votes: 192,604 | Gross: $54.33M
Bad acting on Radcliffe's part and a pretty shoddy ending, but all round a very well done and suspenseful film. Cinematography was fantastic and for the most part the story doesn't lag. Just goes to show you can do horror, without the gore. 7/10
19. Men in Black³ (2012)
PG-13 | 106 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Agent J travels in time to M.I.B.'s early days in 1969 to stop an alien from assassinating his friend Agent K and changing history.
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld | Stars: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Jemaine Clement
Votes: 386,886 | Gross: $179.02M
Fun popcorn movie, with a few sniggers here and there. Not as bad as Men in Black 2, but a far cry from the brilliant first movie. 6/10
20. W.E. (2011)
R | 119 min | Drama, History, Romance
The affair between King Edward VIII and American divorcée Wallis Simpson, and a contemporary romance between a married woman and a Russian security guard.
Director: Madonna | Stars: Abbie Cornish, James D'Arcy, Andrea Riseborough, Oscar Isaac
Votes: 13,621 | Gross: $0.58M
Great costume, acting and lighting are often over shadowed by muddled story telling and erratic camera work. But not a bad attempt at directing by Madonna, the overly negative reviews are not deserved. 6/10
21. Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
PG-13 | 127 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
In a twist to the fairy tale, the Huntsman ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen.
Director: Rupert Sanders | Stars: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Sam Claflin
Votes: 302,357 | Gross: $155.33M
A tug of war between a good performance (Theron) and a bad one (Stewart). Good visuals though. 6/10
22. American Reunion (2012)
R | 113 min | Comedy
Jim, Michelle, Stifler, and their friends reunite in East Great Falls, Michigan for their high school reunion.
Directors: Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg | Stars: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Seann William Scott, Chris Klein
Votes: 223,771 | Gross: $57.01M
Rather amusing, but no plot and lack of originality brings it down a pie or two. 6/10
23. Dark Shadows (2012)
PG-13 | 113 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
An imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins, is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection.
Director: Tim Burton | Stars: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, Helena Bonham Carter
Votes: 280,432 | Gross: $79.73M
The usual Burton fayre, beautiful set peices and visuals let down by mideocre scripting and under utilisation of Michelle Pfeiffer. 6/10
24. The Iron Lady (2011)
PG-13 | 105 min | Biography, Drama
An elderly Margaret Thatcher talks to the imagined presence of her recently deceased husband as she struggles to come to terms with his death while scenes from her past life, from girlhood to British prime minister, intervene.
Director: Phyllida Lloyd | Stars: Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent, Richard E. Grant, Susan Brown
Votes: 113,609 | Gross: $30.02M
Meryl Streep is quite literally incredible and the make up is great. Too bad the rest of the film is mediocre, because if it was all as good as Streep this could have been perfection. 6/10
25. Magic Mike (2012)
R | 110 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
A male stripper teaches a younger performer how to party, pick up women, and make easy money.
Director: Steven Soderbergh | Stars: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Olivia Munn, Matthew McConaughey
Votes: 147,169 | Gross: $113.72M
Channing Tatum has a great body, sex appeal and charisma, but he is still a bad actor and the rest of cast suffer the same fate unfortunately. Good for the ladies and gay guys to fawn over, but not much more. 5/10
26. Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)
R | 102 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Haunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia, a damaged woman struggles to re-assimilate with her family after fleeing an abusive cult.
Director: Sean Durkin | Stars: Elizabeth Olsen, Sarah Paulson, John Hawkes, Christopher Abbott
Votes: 55,811 | Gross: $2.98M
Another joyless and slow paced psychological "thriller" without the thrill. Was engaging, but it lacked so much to really make me want to watch it. 6/10
27. Mirror Mirror (I) (2012)
PG | 106 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
An evil queen steals control of a kingdom and an exiled princess enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright.
Director: Tarsem Singh | Stars: Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane
Votes: 91,060 | Gross: $64.94M
Julia Roberts wicked queen is worth a watch even if the rest isn't. 5/10
28. J. Edgar (2011)
R | 137 min | Biography, Drama, Romance
J. Edgar Hoover, powerful head of the F.B.I. for nearly fifty years, looks back on his professional and personal life.
Director: Clint Eastwood | Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, Josh Hamilton
Votes: 133,607 | Gross: $37.31M
Far far far far too long and boring. Lacking in visual flair and poorly scripted, it makes for one of Eastwood's worst films. 5/10
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