Caleb’s Top 10 Best Films of 2012

This year, we saw Earth’s Mightiest Heroes come together for the first time ever. The legend of a man who dresses up like a bat came to an end. We watched a group of friends fall apart after acquiring strange abilities from a hole in the ground. The world watched in horror as children from the 12 Districts of Panem stabbed, choked and poisoned each other to death. This is my list of the top 10 best films of 2012!

10. Project X– This was a pleasant surprise from producer Todd Phillips (director of The Hangover). Project X is about a couple of teens who throw a party in order to become more popular. Needless to say, the party gets way out of hand, and this is why it’s one of the best films of the year. The found footage format was used really well in this movie, not just using the footage from one of the main character’s camera but using footage from cell phone videos of party attendees.

9. 21 Jumpstreet– The latest entry in the Hollywood trend of reviving old franchises. 21 Jumpstreet was originally a television drama series that launched Johnny Depp’s career. The movie was really done well, especially for a comedy. Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill were a pretty great team and I’m hoping that they do a sequel.

8. Chronicle– The found footage format works really here and it’s combined with supernatural abilities. This was easily one of my favorites of the year because it follows the birth of the “villain” and you are able to sympathize with him.

7. Flight– Denzel Washington portrays a commercial airline pilot, suffering from substance abuse issues. It’s a really powerful picture with a great message, but the ending left much to be desired. This film also marks the return of director Robert Zemeckis to the live-action medium.

6. The Hunger Games– I really did not expect the books to be as good as they were and the movie was really well done. I thought the casting choices were great as well as the writing. I would’ve liked a few more elements from the book to translate to the screen, but I’m happy with what we got.

5. Skyfall– One of the best Bond pictures ever. I was worried about this particular film due to the previous entry, Quantum of Solace. The story really gave the audience something to think about while the action unfolded on the screen: are human agents still necessary in a world when everything is done or can be done by a computer?

4. The Hobbit– Fans have been waiting for years for this film and they weren’t disappointed. Peter Jackson’s 48 FPS 3D was interesting, but definitely not the future of film. It just doesn’t work for non-action sequences. Looking forward to The Desolation of Smaug next year!

3. Les Misérables– For the first time in a musical film, it actually looks and sounds like the actors are actually singing, and they are! Director Tom Hooper was able to film the actors singing live (more on this in my review), therefore locking in the emotions they project while belting out the beautiful score.

2. The Dark Knight Rises– Christopher Nolan finally brought his vision of Batman to an explosive end. This really has polarized comicbook movie fans, where half say they loved the way it ends and the other half calling for Nolan’s head on a silver platter. I thought it brought Bruce Wayne’s story full circle and realized the idea that Batman isn’t a person, but a symbol. You can read my review here.

1. The Avengers– Marvel Studios’ work for the last four years finally paid off. It’s every bit as awesome as one could have hoped and more! The Hulk was finally done right, with the actor who plays Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) also portrays the Hulk with motion capture (for more on this, check out my review here). Marvel really took a lot of chances here and I can’t wait for Phase II!

What were some of your favorite films this year? Let us know in the comments!