The Best of 2012 . . . thus far

By far the best movie I've seen in 2012 as of August 4. Definitely one of the best movies I've seen ever. However, its not a universally appealing film; I like to think it's because some people just don't get it.

As of now this is the favorite to win best picture, and after seeing this film (twice, mind you), I can see why. Argo is without a doubt Ben Affleck's best film to date. Peter Travers from Rolling Stone commented that Affleck doesn't just direct this movie, he directs the hell out of it. He balances thrilling and suspenseful moments with moments of true comedy and heartfelt emotion. Arkin, Cranston, and Goodman give absolutely fantastic performances, and at least one of them (probably Arkin) will get nominated. Overall I admit this is best made film this year, but it does not quite make number 1 for me.

Caution: This film can easily polarize audiences. That being said, I loved watching this movie. Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the truest and premier filmmakers of today, and I think this is his best movie. Joaquin Phoenix gives a very eccentric and off-the-wall performance that will honestly shock you at times; based on the movies I've seen this far, he has given the best performance. At the same time, Philip Seymour Hoffman gives a solidly fantastic performance as he usually does; he also deserves a nomination, as usual. The movie in general is so unique that it can so involve you in this cult-like world and then take you out it in a second. The message is very subtle but very simple, remember the main focus of the film is Freddie Quell (Phoenix). It should be getting a best picture nod.

If 'bloody and funny' was an official genre, then Seven Psychopaths would be one of the best 'bloody and funny' movies I've ever seen. This may be the funniest movie I've seen this year, but all the while having the goriest and violent elements in any film this year (except End of Watch). It also happens to have the best ensemble cast of any film this year without absolutely no doubt. Rockwell, Farrell, Walkin, and Harrelson is the best group of actors for this movie, and it's a real shame that none of them will get any recognition at the Oscars; by the way, Sam Rockwell is THE most underrated actor in Hollywood. In conclusion, this is one of the most thoroughly films I've ever seen.

Not as good as The Dark Knight, but equally as epic and as qualified a piece of filmmaking.

Maybe not as good as Alien when comparing their uniqueness and impacts on the industry, but I think it should be looked at as a completely different film. Honestly, I think the presence of themes and ideas about the enigma of creation is fascinating. That is why I like it better than Alien.

Flawless and extremely creative. I have not read the books, but I hear from friends who have that this is one of the truest adaptations from the page to the screen. The reason its great is that there really isn't anything like it exactly. Sure, it's in the dystopian/sci-fi genre, which is copious with films, but it brings in so many elements from so many different genres that it is surprisingly alien and familiar to humanity as we know it.

Definitely one of the best sci-fi movies I've ever seen. Unlike most films in the genre (as I feel), Looper shows an incredibly realistic purpose shrouded in its fantastic semi-dystopian? future. Time travel is always a difficult element to deal with in film, just because there are so many interpretations and rules within them. I found the time in this film not only simple but also extremely captivating. Captivating and shocking are the best words to use to describe this film's mise-en-scene. I was absolutely taken away by the futuristic world and the superb acting from each and everyone in the cast. Joseph Gordon-Levitt doing a spot-on Bruce Willis impression, Emily Blunt doing a Mid-West/Southern American accent, which would have convinced anyone, and many grounded but potent performances from Bruce Willis, Jeff Daniels, and others. Again, this is a unique non-space related sci-fi that puts almost everything else in the genre to shame.

p.s. I do realize the irony of saying the sci-fi genre is generally disappointing to me when the best films I've seen this year are science fiction, but over the years there have just been so many disappointing and truly mediocre films in this genre that my impressions of the genre holistically are related to disappointment, but whatever . . .

Its yet another perfect superhero movie. The best description I can come up with this film is that it is the best TYPICAL superhero movie. It is surprising how good it is, but not surprising what happens and what it tells about morality. Therefore, it cannot be brought into the same realm of the Nolan Batman Trilogy or Raimi's Spiderman 2.

The first 90% of this movie shows impeccable filmmaking techniques and performances nevetheless paired with typical buddy-cop cliches. I don't know what it is, but nowadays audiences are so jaded that we call familiar and popular plot techniques cliches. However, I don't think it's a bad thing unless the film as a whole is made poorly. This is not at all a poorly made film; the plot made be chilched overall, but otherwise the techinques used and its grittiness rival those of any movie that's been called wildly original. This movie will shock you at times, it will make you laugh, and, yes, it will also make you cry. The ending is interesting because it is foreshadowed earlier in the movie (one of the wedding scenes). The only reason I do not call this movie perfect is that it tempted at giving an ending that would have made this movie uniquely shocking, but I do understand the choices made and despite that fact I still call this film great.

If this loses the Oscar for Best Animated Picture to Brave, then I will have officially lost the rest of the little respect I have for the Academy. This film is spectacularly funny and visually striking. The trailers really fail to underscore how great this really is. In fact, I almost refused to see this movie just because the trailers led me to believe that is was a degenerate, depressing, kid style horror film. I could not have been more pleasantly suprised and wrong. This film is not degenrate; it is uniquely intelligent and embraces a sense of humor that appeals to both kids and adults. This film is not depressing; the overall message is actually very optimistic and cheerful despite the existence of ghosts and zombies throughout the movie. This is not a kid style horror film nor even a horror film; there may be certain thrilling moments that could scare more sensitive kids, but most of the audience would feel pretty safe but nevertheless enthralled throuhout the movie. As of right now, it is the most deserving to win all the awards for Best Animated, but Brave may still be the favorite.

Surprisingly great! Honestly, I don't have any bad feelings towards Adam Sandler and his acting "troupe," if you will. I like his movies even though I realize most people don't and that they are not the best of the best. But Hotel Transylvania is truly among the best of the best. It has humor that WILL entertain young kids AND adults. It plays off of the good guys are the "bad guys," which has become a very popular theme in recent animated films, but the makers of H.T. play it as well as the makers of Pixar films would. It is typical and cliche, but it is immensely entertaining and continuously funny. If it is possible to have an A+ rating for a "B" movie, then I would award this an A++. I love this movie, and I think it should get many nominations.

Here are the things I want you to know: if you like comedy, if you like music, and if you like a little romance in your comedies, then Pitch Perfect is pitch perfect. Ha Ha! play on words! But, seriously this movie is absolutely hilarious and the a cappella singing just blows the cap off the entertainment capacity. It is predictable and it follows the rom-com formula, but it's not about the ending, but rather the journey. And, might I just say, it's a fantastic journey. Some of you will not like this movie, I'm sure, and there's nothing I could say that would change that. But there's nothing you could say that would change the way the rest of us feel about this film. All in all, I predict most people will like it.

Best bike messenger movie of the year! . . . Actually . . . I can't remember a single other film with a bike messenger in it. Putting that aside, Premium Rush is kick-ass. Michael Shannon gives a very unique and compelling performance in his type-cast role of the bad guy. His supporting cast is slightly above average and the problem presented in the plot is too familiar. However, the entertainment factor is through the roof with its action and bike race/car chase scenes and along with dialogue that is witty and interesting dialogue (All Hail Aasif Mandvi).

It's not perfect in filmmaking, but it's not supposed to be. This is the funniest film of this year, and I think it should be recognized as a modern classic in comedy purely for it comedic value. Seth MacFarlane is welcome to film comedy genre as one of its premier contributers.

No, this is no Oscar contender, but I loved his movie because it was funny and it was thrilling and did what it was supposed to do. This a genuinely funny live-action family movie. If it was animated and made by Pixar (which, I realize, is hard to imagine), then this would win best animated picture. What's my point? My point is that the bar should be lowered for films like this because if you start comparing it to other films, you lose the point of this film. I had a good time watching this movie, and that's all that matters. P.S. I do think this should ranked higher than Moonrise Kingdom because that movie was boring to me and this was not.

Bear in mind, this is one of the cheesiest, corniest, sappy films I have seen recently. That being said, it is actually quite good. It encompasses a truly heart warming story with a sensitve theme. Movies like these accomplish providing what every film tries to provide their audiences: an escape. This movie makes its audience forget the cheesiness by providing a very well structured and smoothe plot line. However, the cheesiness does affect the story one or two times, but, like this movie would suggest, nothing is perfect. It is not one of the best films I have ever seen, but it is certainly a worthy film to be appreciated in this age of incoherent pulp pieces they seem to secrete on a monthy basis.

It's probably perfect as far as cinematography, plot structure, acting, and directing. I just didn't find it quite as entertaining as any other Wes Anderson film. It does have moments, but generally I was bored. However, everyone pretty much loved it; maybe I just don't get it.

I really liked this film. I didn't love it, but I truly thought it was an interesting and virtuous piece of filmmaking. Unfortunately, it happens to be a somewhat polarizing film, but sometimes those are the best kind . . . unless you hate it.

Typical Disney princess film. Atypical Pixar film (and not in a good way). Unfortunately, it is too short and too lightweight in message to be put on the same shelf as the truly excellent animated films, such as Up, the Toy Story Trilogy, or really any Pixar film, with the exception of Cars 2. It may not be the worst Pixar film (Cars 2), but it is my least favorite and in my opinion the least entertaining. I know its hard to live up to the expectation, so I'll look at it as a regular film. It's not the worst nor the most mediocre of films, and actually it's pretty good. The intended audience (kids, daughters, and mothers) love this movie, and that's probably the most important thing.

Truly a kid's movie. It's also a better movie than the other two Madagascar movies. I would definitely say that the target audience is children 13 and under who have seen the first two Madagascar movies. There are moments for adults, but not as many as there are in the best animated films. Probably only a little worse than Brave, but not by much.

<<Honorable Mention>> Being one of those who not only tolerates American Pie movies but also likes them, I thought this was the best. I realize most people won't agree with me, which is why I left this at the end and partial to the list. I am a little ashamed of myself, but only a little