Best to Worst Films of 2012
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- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsJoaquin PhoenixPhilip Seymour HoffmanAmy AdamsA Naval veteran arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future - until he is tantalized by the Cause and its charismatic leader.Driven by sensational career-defining performances and Paul Thomas Anderson's signature for challenging drama and thematic power, The Master is a mystifying portrait of human consciousness, purpose, and disarray
- DirectorTom TykwerLana WachowskiLilly WachowskiStarsTom HanksHalle BerryHugh GrantAn exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution.At first, it seems completely unrelated between an American lawyer from 1849 and a genetically-engineered clone from 2144, but as Cloud Atlas keeps going, its theme keeps growing. With memorable performances from a cast participating in six different stories, Cloud Atlas is 2012's Tree of Life, a grand scale pièce de résistance where it can only touch you if you are visionary and forgiving enough to put everything aside and let its magical narrative and themes take you
- DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsBradley CooperJennifer LawrenceRobert De NiroAfter a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own.Engaging, touching, and inspiring at the same time, Silver Linings Playbook may just be one of the most ingeniously made movies in recent years. Amazingly performed by Cooper, Lawrence, and de Niro, David O. Russell's modern masterpiece is tender, entertaining, stirring, and most of all, moving
- DirectorAng LeeStarsSuraj SharmaIrrfan KhanAdil HussainA young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger.Demanding of a win on Best Director, Life of Pi is an experience that will sparkle the minds, please the eyes, and touch the hearts. It is an amazing spectacle to behold, that surprisingly can only be truly fulfilled if viewed in 3D
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsJamie FoxxChristoph WaltzLeonardo DiCaprioWith the help of a German bounty-hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal plantation owner in Mississippi.Overwhelming us with brilliant writing, amazing acting, and stylistic filmmaking, you'd think that finishing off Django Unchained with bloody violence is a little forced. Instead, it is one of the most rewarding things ever. To quote Dr. Schultz, "I couldn't resist."
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsDaniel Day-LewisSally FieldDavid StrathairnAs the Civil War rages on, U.S President Abraham Lincoln struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on his decision to emancipate the slaves.If you ever wondered what it would have been like to be in Abraham Lincoln's presence, Daniel Day-Lewis has truly brought him to life on the screen. As for Spielberg's part, Lincoln goes back to classic good ol' filmmaking, with skillful art direction, makeup, cinematography, and set pieces, proving that cinematic masterpieces of the people, by the people, for the people, will never perish from the earth
- DirectorCraig ZobelStarsAnn DowdDreama WalkerPat HealyA normal Friday service at a fast food restaurant becomes interrupted by a police officer who claims an employee stole from a customer, but something more sinister is going on.Disturbing beyond belief, and all the dialogue and compelling performances make Compliance an even more shocking yet important film to watch
- DirectorBen AffleckStarsBen AffleckBryan CranstonJohn GoodmanActing under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1979.It might be slowly paced in the middle, but Argo's attention to historical detail, narrative, and tense moments make up nearly all its flaws
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsDenzel WashingtonNadine VelazquezDon CheadleTroubling questions arise after airline pilot Whip Whitaker makes a miracle landing after a mid-air catastrophe.It begins with a bang in its first act, begins to slowly lose its grip in the mediocre second act, then redeems itself greatly in the third act thanks to a unique and memorable performance by Denzel Washington, along with great performances in the supporting cast
- DirectorJ.A. BayonaStarsNaomi WattsEwan McGregorTom HollandThe story of a tourist family in Thailand caught in the destruction and chaotic aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.Beautifully directed, visually realistic, and very powerfully acted, The Impossible takes one of world history's most tragic disasters and brings it to life on screen
- DirectorDrew GoddardStarsKristen ConnollyChris HemsworthAnna HutchisonFive 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.This has gotta be one of the weirdest yet most original movies I have seen ever, and I mean that in a fantastic way. The Cabin in the Woods is hilarious yet intense, bloody yet entertaining. It is the hybrid of everything we used to know about horror movies. In a good way, the initial reaction of The Cabin in the Woods boils down to seven words "What the *beep* did I just watch?"
- DirectorKathryn BigelowStarsJessica ChastainJoel EdgertonChris PrattA chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L.s Team 6 in May 2011.Though inferior to her previous The Hurt Locker, Kathryn Bigelow manages to bring the greatest manhunt in history onto the big screen. With an exquisitely crafted script, a terrific final act, and a compelling performance by Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty is filmmaking at its grittiest and most brilliant
- DirectorSam MendesStarsDaniel CraigJavier BardemNaomie HarrisJames 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.It's fast-paced. It's sexy. It's loaded with beautiful use of locations and camerawork. It's driven by emotion for the characters, making it far more compelling to follow, as the film takes a turn that will blow away minds. Skyfall is the greatest gift Bond fans will ever ask for
- DirectorJoss WhedonStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris EvansScarlett JohanssonEarth'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.The greatest achievement Marvel Studios has ever made. The script never let down its heroes from beginning to end, the visual effects are spectacular, the fight scenes are compelling, and the overall tone humorous and entertaining. Truly, The Avengers deserves every bit of the hype it has received ever since the implication of its release 4 years ago
- DirectorDavid AyerStarsJake GyllenhaalMichael PeñaAnna KendrickShot documentary-style, this film follows the daily grind of two young police officers in LA who are partners and friends and what happens when they meet criminal forces greater than themselves.With another admirable performance by Jake Gyllenhaal and an overwhelming performance by Pena, End of Watch grabs hold of you, takes you to comedic moments, intense peaks, emotional spans, and never lets go
- DirectorRich MooreStarsJohn C. ReillyJack McBrayerJane LynchA video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.Just like the inventiveness of Monsters Inc., Wreck-it Ralph creates a nostalgic and clever universe through videogames, while providing a story that is surely solid enough to touch hearts. Wreck-it Ralph is colorful, stylistically animated, and one of the most fun I've had in an animated film
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleTom HardyAnne HathawayEight 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.Without thinking, The Dark Knight Rises is inferior to its predecessor, but as a movie itself, it still strives with great direction, acting, political agenda, and a cinematic scale of being grand and intriguing as the conclusion to the Batman trilogy
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsJared GilmanKara HaywardBruce WillisTwo 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.Weird and mischievous but innocent and sincere, Moonrise Kingdom flourishes with rhythm, crafty cinematography, and storytelling
- DirectorRian JohnsonStarsJoseph Gordon-LevittBruce WillisEmily BluntIn 2074, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent into the past, where a hired gun awaits - someone like Joe - who one day learns the mob wants to 'close the loop' by sending back Joe's future self for assassination.Very original, well-paced, and mind-boggling, Looper is the sharpest of its kind, a terrific time-traveling sci-fi
- DirectorJoe CarnahanStarsLiam NeesonDermot MulroneyFrank GrilloAfter their plane crashes in Alaska, six oil workers are led by a skilled huntsman to survival, but a pack of merciless wolves haunts their every step.Thrilling from beginning to end, The Grey is backed up with great performances, good editing, and a philosophical touch
- DirectorPhil LordChristopher MillerStarsJonah HillChanning TatumIce CubeA pair of underachieving cops are sent back to a local high school to blend in and bring down a synthetic drug ring.With a great chemistry duo, acting, and cleverness to its humor, 21 Jump Street delivers as an efficient comedy with surprising depth, hilarious and engaging from beginning to end
- DirectorGary RossStarsJennifer LawrenceJosh HutchersonLiam HemsworthKatniss 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.A heart-stopping film that bears superb performances and masterful directing. Hunger Games strives with visionary galore and filmmaking precision
- DirectorGareth EvansStarsIko UwaisAnanda GeorgeRay SahetapyA S.W.A.T. team becomes trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers and thugs.So what if the plot is thin and the substance is nonexistent? The Raid features the best action choreography in decades, along with swift direction and fantastic camerawork
- DirectorStephen ChboskyStarsLogan LermanEmma WatsonEzra MillerCharlie, a 15-year-old introvert, enters high school and is nervous about his new life. When he befriends his seniors, he learns to cope with his friend's suicide and his tumultuous past.Though it may first seem like a simplistic well-made high school movie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is the work of an experienced director, who guides us through adult themes along with terrific acting
- DirectorJosh TrankStarsDane DeHaanAlex RussellMichael B. JordanThree high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery underground. Soon they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides.The script is tightly written, the visuals are undeniably impressive, and the acting is phenomenal. Near-perfect, Chronicle is the prime example of a good super-powers movie as well as a good found-footage movie
- DirectorMartin McDonaghStarsColin FarrellWoody HarrelsonSam RockwellA struggling screenwriter inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his oddball friends kidnap a gangster's beloved Shih Tzu.With clever Quentin Tarantino-like dialogue, Seven Psychopaths is the perfect combination in terms of cast, mixing Walken with Harrelson along with showing Farrell under new light, all packed together in one outrageous yet fun roller coaster ride
- DirectorJacques AudiardStarsMarion CotillardMatthias SchoenaertsArmand VerdurePut in charge of his young son, Alain leaves Belgium for Antibes to live with his sister and her husband as a family. Alain's bond with Stephanie, a killer whale trainer, grows deeper after Stephanie suffers a horrible accident.Though it wanders on and off in its storytelling and does not quite feel complete, Rust and Bone thrives with Cotillard's performance and a few powerful scenes
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsNoomi RapaceLogan Marshall-GreenMichael FassbenderFollowing clues to the origin of mankind, a team finds a structure on a distant moon, but they soon realize they are not alone.It provided countless questions that we desire to be answered, but never explained any of its mysteries. However, in a way, it makes Prometheus more haunting and compelling than your average sci-fi flick. Add in some terrific acting, set designs, and art direction, and Prometheus stands as another grand science fiction horror
- DirectorDavid KoeppStarsJoseph Gordon-LevittMichael ShannonDania RamirezIn Manhattan, a bike messenger picks up an envelope that attracts the interest of a dirty cop, who pursues the cyclist throughout the city.Visually stylish, well directed, and very well shot, Premium Rush is formulaic adrenaline entertainment at its very best
- DirectorTom HooperStarsHugh JackmanRussell CroweAnne HathawayIn 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after breaking parole, agrees to care for a factory worker's daughter. The decision changes their lives forever.The acting is phenomenal, set pieces grand, and cinematography sometimes appealing, but its substance and lack of directing power may detract critics from fully enjoying this piece. For me, Les Miserables is a grand musical-turned film, but it is not my most satisfying cup of tea
- DirectorScott DerricksonStarsEthan HawkeJuliet RylanceJames RansoneA controversial true-crime writer finds a box of Super 8 home movies in his new home, revealing that the murder case he is currently researching could be the work of an unknown serial killer whose legacy dates back to the 1960s.It's not scary enough, but it is diabolically creepy, if that makes sense. Sinister provides an engaging storyline, whose narrative rings about the mystery genre more than the horror genre, along with an ending that does not disappoint and a lead performance that does not wear off in time
- DirectorPete TravisStarsKarl UrbanOlivia ThirlbyLena HeadeyIn 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.As violent as it is gritty, Dredd is sharp in its execution and simplistic in its storytelling
- DirectorMark AndrewsBrenda ChapmanSteve PurcellStarsKelly MacdonaldBilly ConnollyEmma ThompsonDetermined 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.Although it explores probably the deepest theme out of all Pixar films, Brave is dragged down by a whole army of comic relief just for the children. Entertaining nonetheless, it stands as a well-made animated film
- DirectorJason MooreStarsAnna KendrickBrittany SnowRebel WilsonBeca, a freshman at Barden University, is cajoled into joining The Bellas, her school's all-girls singing group. Injecting some much needed energy into their repertoire, The Bellas take on their male rivals in a campus competition.With enough catchy remixes and strangely funny characters, Pitch Perfect can loudly entertain even with a predictable plot
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsMartin FreemanIan McKellenRichard ArmitageA reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home and the gold within it from the dragon Smaug.The visuals, costumes, and art direction are all grand, and cinematically there is nothing wrong with The Hobbit, but An Unexpected Journey feels stretched at times and lacks a majestic power that can truly last three hours
- DirectorTimur BekmambetovStarsBenjamin WalkerRufus SewellDominic CooperAbraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, discovers vampires are planning to take over the United States. He makes it his mission to eliminate them.Visually stylish, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter manages to combine a fictional vampire story with real American history, creating a combination that makes logical sense, as if vampires do exist and our most renowned president is truly a hunter of the undead. Far more entertaining than I expected and surpassed my standards of a film with such a ridiculous title
- DirectorMarc WebbStarsAndrew GarfieldEmma StoneRhys IfansAfter 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.It may be an old-fashioned superhero film, but the Amazing Spider-Man manages to spin a new web with impressive visuals, skilled directing, and amazing performances from all around
- DirectorBarry SonnenfeldStarsWill SmithTommy Lee JonesJosh BrolinAgent 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.After suffering a messy and unorganized first act, Men in Black III manages to pull itself together and deliver a film better than its predecessor, thanks to more creativity, fine performances by Smith and Brolin, and still a little sense of intelligence
- DirectorSeth MacFarlaneStarsMark WahlbergMila KunisSeth MacFarlaneJohn 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.It hits and misses on its vulgar jokes, and the elementary/high school chemistry between the pair could have been fleshed out more to make us care, but Ted works as a comedy due to a very funny concept being taken to thoughtful peaks
- DirectorTarsem SinghStarsLily CollinsJulia RobertsArmie HammerAn evil queen steals control of a kingdom and an exiled princess enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright.It may lack depth as well as creativity, but Mirror Mirror is beautiful to look at, a light-hearted film that is both entertaining and sweet
- DirectorTi WestStarsSara PaxtonPat HealyKelly McGillisDuring the final days at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, two employees determined to reveal the hotel's haunted past begin to experience disturbing events as old guests check in for a stay.The acting is there and the spookiness is there, but The Innkeepers does take a bit too long to build up to its suspenseful moments. That being said, it is still consistent in its mood
- DirectorGenndy TartakovskyStarsAdam SandlerKevin JamesAndy SambergDracula, who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a boy discovers the resort and falls for the count's teenaged daughter.It's loud, nonsensical, and all over the place, and yet I'd still recommend Hotel Transylvania for its interesting ideas, thoughtful moments, and surprisingly funny gags flying left and right
- DirectorJames WatkinsStarsDaniel RadcliffeJanet McTeerCiarán HindsA young solicitor travels to a remote village where he discovers that the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals.Although Daniel Radcliffe pulled off a terrific performance and the piece as a whole is backed up with brilliant sets and cinematography, Woman in Black suffers from a middling irrational plot and using cheap boo moments to scare the audience
- DirectorLen WisemanStarsColin FarrellBokeem WoodbineBryan CranstonA factory worker, Douglas Quaid, begins to suspect that he is a spy after visiting Rekall - a company that provides its clients with implanted fake memories of a life they would like to have led - goes wrong and he finds himself on the run.Despite having a series of similar chase scenes and noisy sci-fi action, Total Recall still works on some level with impressive visual effects and set pieces
- DirectorBarry LevinsonStarsWill RogersKristen ConnollyKether DonohueChaos breaks out in a small Maryland town after an ecological disaster occurs.If you're grading The Bay on a curve, it is one of the superior found footage films, where it combines amateur camerawork with Skype calls, texts, emails, and surveillance cameras. However, even when it's disturbing, it does not present any message whatsoever and has no lasting factor
- DirectorBill CondonStarsKristen StewartRobert PattinsonTaylor LautnerAfter the birth of Renesmee/Nessie, the Cullens gather other vampire clans in order to protect the child from a false allegation that puts the family in front of the Volturi.It may get tripped once in a while by cheesy dialogue or editing that needed tweaking, but Breaking Dawn Part 2 actually attempted the true cinematic approach, pulling off a conclusion that legitimately had me satisfied, making this undoubtedly the best film in the saga
- DirectorSteve MartinoMichael ThurmeierStarsRay RomanoDenis LearyJohn LeguizamoManny, Diego, and Sid embark upon another adventure after their continent is set adrift. Using an iceberg as a ship, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates as they explore a new world.Although it has fluent animation and some funny moments, Continental Drift is flooded with familiar elements and a sea of unfavorable new characters
- DirectorRupert SandersStarsKristen StewartChris HemsworthCharlize TheronIn 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.With a flat-lined narrative that never escalates and performances troubled by a weak script and unskillful direction, Snow White and the Huntsman still manages to impress the eye with its "Guillermo del Toro" fashioned creativity
- DirectorJonathan LiebesmanStarsSam WorthingtonLiam NeesonRosamund PikePerseus braves the treacherous underworld to rescue his father, Zeus, captured by his son, Ares, and brother Hades who unleash the ancient Titans upon the world.Although Wrath of the Titans suffers from the same flaws that its predecessor contained, it is a far more tolerable version, with impressive visuals, art direction, and just pure entertainment factor
- DirectorRob CohenStarsTyler PerryMatthew FoxRachel NicholsA homicide detective is pushed to the brink of his moral and physical limits as he tangles with a ferociously skilled hired killer who specializes in torture and pain.Alex Cross is the perfect example for an action film that is formulaic and cliche, with bland direction and a horribly written screenplay, and squanders the skill and efforts made by the potential actors
- DirectorPeter BergStarsAlexander SkarsgårdBrooklyn DeckerLiam NeesonA fleet of ships is forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origins in order to discover and thwart their destructive goals.Trying to get a story through, Battleship is too poorly written and made to convince. Thus, the film takes forever to get going. The action is mediocre and Rihanna did a decent job. To sum things up, Battleship is Battle: LA on the ocean
- DirectorHenry JoostAriel SchulmanStarsStephen DunhamKatie FeatherstonMatt ShivelyIt has been five years since the disappearance of Katie and Hunter, and a suburban family witness strange events in their neighborhood when a woman and a mysterious child move in.Barely anything happens, none of the characters are worth caring about, there is no true storytelling, and the scares cannot make up the amount of boring inactivity
- DirectorMcGStarsReese WitherspoonChris PineTom HardyC.I.A. operatives wage an epic battle on each other when they discover they are dating the same woman.Stupid, creepy, and never convincing, This Means War wastes all three likable stars with a ridiculous storyline that demonstrates no skill in comedy or plain filmmaking
- DirectorTodd LincolnStarsAshley GreeneSebastian StanTom FeltonA couple is haunted by a supernatural presence that is unleashed during a college experiment.The story could have been somewhat interesting, but The Apparition doesn't even try to be a work of horror filmmaking. Instead, it pummels us with flat (not always bad) acting, mediocre dialogue, a lot of blackness, a lot of cliches, and has no point at the end of the day. If you've seen the trailer, you've seen it all, and I mean that literally.
- DirectorBradley ParkerStarsJesse McCartneyJonathan SadowskiOlivia Taylor DudleySix tourists hire an extreme tour guide who takes them to the abandoned city Pripyat, the former home to the workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor. During their exploration, they soon discover they are not alone.Never before has a movie pissed me off so much to the brink of insanity. Even with a good use of location, an interesting concept, and a tense atmosphere that is sometimes handled well, Chernobyl Diaries is undone by idiotic characters, bad dialogue, and irritating camerawork
- DirectorMark NeveldineBrian TaylorStarsNicolas CageCiarán HindsIdris ElbaJohnny Blaze, tortured by the Ghost Rider's curse, gets a chance of redemption through protecting the Devil's son, whose father is pursuing him.Dragging Nicolas Cage down to Hell with shaky camerawork, mediocre effects, and a wretchedly horrible script, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance is undoubtedly the worst film this year and deserves to be burned