Added by Stehako on 21 Jan 2013 06:31

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Best Films of 2012

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Decade: Rating: List Type:

7.5

7.3

The Island President (2011)

#100

An in-depth story of a small but important island nation in trouble because of the climate crisis, and the man determined to make a difference.

Stehako's rating:

7.3

Starlet (2012)

A very low budget and simple story about an odd friendship. Creatively reveals plot points along the way.

Stehako's rating:

7.5

7.9

5 Broken Cameras (2011)

A ridiculously tough journey behind five cameras that each tell a story, witness to violence, unrest, brutality, and more shit than anyone wants to see in a lifetime.

Stehako's rating:

103

7.5

7.3

Tabu (2012)

Beautifully filmed in black and white with a touch of surrealism with the back and forth, in time, throughout the film. This seems to throw some people but I respect the effort and while I lost a bit of interest by the end the story and characters' stories about love and life hold enough interest.

The shot of the crocodile (which is featured on the cover) is probably the strongest image of the film.

Stehako's rating:

152

6.2

6.5

Big Miracle (2012)

This is the kind of movie that should have been a huge hit, much like the story was in the 1980s. If this movie were released in the 1990s, I think it would have been a hit. It's simply a 90's type of movie. I love when everyone is playing a part in achieving a singular goal but they have their own ambitions. This movie does an average job with the material.
Plus, it's buoyed by the it being about saving whales.

Stehako's rating:

7.6

Inventing David Geffen

Director: Susan Lacy
Her 7th movie
My 2nd movie watched from the director

This is a profile on a very influential record producer who I have, for a long time, wanted to know more about and understand. Watching this has helped put a lot of pieces together and understand the evolution of music and movies a little more.

He is certainly an interesting character and this doc does a very good job of showing this and showing how his personality and approach made him successful. He has led a very interesting life and it really shows it without spending too much or too little time on anything.

Added to Lists:

Best Documentaries of the 2010s
Best Music Documentaries
The History of the Music Industry Through Film

__________

Stehako's rating:

1151

5.7

6.4

The Dictator (2012)

An example of Cohen's work where his publicity stunts leading up to the film were funnier than the actual film. There are plenty of funny moments, but for every funny moment is a stupid one. I think Cohen is very talented but is sometimes misguided when trying to shock the audience.

Stehako's rating:

7.5

Pretty Sweet

It's true, this skateboard doc is pretty sweet

Stehako's rating:

7.9

56 Up (2012)

The Up Series continues to stay interesting as the people remain interested in participating.

Stehako's rating:

7.9

56 Up (2012)

Stehako's rating:

235

6.3

6.1

Coriolanus (2012)

Ralph Fiennes brings us an impressive directional debut with this classic Shakespeare story. It's set in a modern world while keeping the integrity of the original dialogue, for the most part. Fiennes and Redgrave are strong here, and Butler tolerable as well

Stehako's rating:

428

6.6

6.7

The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012)

A raucous satire of misfit pirates on their way to winning the title of 'Pirate of the Year' with the help of... Science!

Stehako's rating:

2183

6.7

Prometheus (2012)

It's decent entertainment filled with gorgeous visuals; but likely the biggest disappointment of the year.

Stehako's rating:

229

6.5

6.6

Arbitrage (2012)

A nice 90s-style, Richard-Gere-in-trouble movie. Brit Marling is the standout here and the remaining supporting cast keeps it fresh.

Stehako's rating:

206

6.9

6.7

Your Sister's Sister (2012)

A really simple and low key production but it has likable characters that keep you interested to the end.

Stehako's rating:

389

5.4

5.6

Wanderlust (2012)

Sure, this is a paint-by-numbers romantic comedy filled with the genre's cliches, but Rudd and Aniston are hilarious and the supporting cast is comedically wacky and, to me, it all works for a good romp of harmless humor.

Stehako's rating:

7.6

7.7

Undefeated (2011)

A strong documentary with authentic subjects and a nicely developed story.

Stehako's rating:

7.1

7.2

Starbuck (2011)

A crazy idea with funny and somewhat dramatic results. I feel like the direction and editing hurt the overall product.

Stehako's rating:

440

7.2

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)

A lovely geriatric film boasting an excellent cast that manages to make this movie, that's mostly unoriginal in its storytelling, appealing.

Stehako's rating:

7.7

8.4

The Other Dream Team (2012)

Like an extended background story you see when watching Olympics coverage... except better.

Stehako's rating:

869

6.2

6.8

Sinister (2012)

A horror film that doesn't insult your intelligence and isn't doused in cliches. Aahhh, refreshing.

Stehako's rating:

193

6.2

6.1

360 (2011)

For a movie with a title so proud of its concept it wasn't very 360 or too original in its organization. I mean, it did the job but it didn't wow me like I had hoped.
The performances were solid and it is a beautiful looking movie and interesting throughout.

Stehako's rating:

265

6.8

Robot & Frank (2012)

A funny and strangely touching film about the old age in the near future.

Stehako's rating:

753

7.4

7.6

The Raid: Redemption (2011)

Stehako's rating:

1161

6.7

Chronicle (2012)

Director: Josh Trank
His 1st movie
My 1st movie watched from the director

This movie seemed like a found-footage movie, but then it vacillated to traditional form and seemed confused what it wanted to be. Other than this I found it entertaining and the characters evolved at believable pace and ends in an effective climax.

Added to Lists:

Top Ten Performances - Michael B Jordan
The Best Found Footage Films

__________

Location: Seattle, WA, USA

Stehako's rating:

695

6.3

6.7

Safe House (2012)

Denzel playing Denzel. He nails it every time. And as much I see movies that may be too much in his wheelhouse, I can't get enough.

Stehako's rating:

176

7.6

7.7

Indie Game: The Movie (2012)

As a filmmaker I could relate to the development, art, and ultimate frustration of releasing something you've devoted years to and expecting the public to understand it and understand you.

Stehako's rating:

780

6.4

Jack Reacher (2012)

I really didn't like how this movie started off but I'm glad I stuck with it. Pike and Cruise lead a cast of notable actors and the action is there, but the filmmakers were smart to show it off only when it needs to be.

I also want to point out how bad the marketing for this film was, if they had done their job I would have likely seen this movie in theatres.

Stehako's rating:

7.4

7.5

Last Call at the Oasis (2011)

A very well-made documentary that will depress the hell out of you but then hopefully inspire you in the end.

Stehako's rating:

7.3

You Don't Know Bo

A decent documentary on the shortened career of my favorite athlete of all time

Stehako's rating:

151

The Angels' Share (2012)

Aye, a wee bit of a Scottish film about ryes and thug guys that'll kick ya in the arse.

It's very Ken Loach, and is probably his best directing effort, after 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley'.

Stehako's rating:

315

7.5

The Flowers of War (2011)

Bale and the supporting Chinese cast are fantastic in this beautiful and heartbreaking story.

Stehako's rating:

105

6.8

7.1

A Late Quartet (2012)

A beautiful piece of drama with movements as simple on the surface as a quartet would play, but showing us the complications of inner workings of their music.

Stehako's rating:

519

5.7

The Watch (2012)

I thought it was about a time piece...

These four guys make a fun comedy team, but the film falls short of its full potential.

Stehako's rating:

586

6.9

6.7

Killer Joe (2000)

Not a movie you go see with your church buddies. It's possibly the best guilty pleasure of the year. The final scene makes it all worth it.

Stehako's rating:

8.2

8.6

It's Such a Beautiful Day (2011)

An animated trip into the day of a depressed man in an impressed world, full of ugliness and beauty. It's an animated unlike anything you've seen.

Stehako's rating:

655

6.5

6.8

Hitchcock (2012)

Hopkins and Mirren are great as co-leads; so it should have been titled "Alfred and Alma" instead. A more accurate and interesting title seeing that it's not a biopic on Hitchcock.

Stehako's rating:

7.3

The Ambassador (2011)

A wild adventure into a subject and land I know/knew very little about. It's difficult to believe what you're witnessing on screen at times. There are definitely some interesting characters in this documentary.

Stehako's rating:

144

5.6

5.9

Hyde Park on Hudson (2012)

This is a delightful and beautiful looking film from an unusual point of view about a very interesting and important weekend between the royal couple and the first couple.
Bill Murray is great as well as the rest of the cast.

Stehako's rating:

282

6.8

6.5

Take This Waltz (2011)

This is a nice but uneven account of a realistic marriage that finds boredom just to have the bride be in another marriage that fails because of boredom. Thankfully the movie is not boring but finds it difficult to end the movie, much like The Return of the King.

Stehako's rating:

306

6.2

6.3

Hope Springs (2012)

Finally a sexy geriatric movie. Plenty of a funny moments that play well. Anyone who is disgusted by it must be closed minded and perhaps can't realize passion is allowed to happen throughout your life; so why shouldn't it shown in a movie?

Carell does a fine job, but I feel like his talent was slightly wasted and it's a role many people could have played to similar success.

Stehako's rating:

158

5.3

5.5

Casa de mi Padre (2012)

A funny, silly parody that stays subtle and true to its purpose. Like many Will Ferrell efforts the genius lies beneath the stupidity.

Stehako's rating:

110

6.6

7.1

The Queen of Versailles (2014)

This is a documentarian's dream. Starts off with this spotlight on an ultra-rich family but turns into a 'riches to rags' story. Several gems in this.

Stehako's rating:

7.3

7.6

The Invisible War (2012)

A very difficult movie to watch, because of the subject matter and the inconceivable way the victims have been and are still dealt with.

Difficult but an important documentary for anyone to watch. Kirby Dick has created his best doc yet.

Stehako's rating:

162

5.7

Two Days in New York (2012)

While keeping with the same story Delpy directs an entirely different sequel with its own unique layers and odd moments. Once again the dialogue is intelligent and snappy but Chris Rock gives it a completely different feel than Adam Goldberg.

Stehako's rating:

7.1

7.8

Chasing Ice (2012)

Some extraordinary images give credit to the purpose of its subject and the subject. Images tell more of the horrific effect on the ice caps than stats and graphs.

Stehako's rating:

1047

6.2

6.6

John Carter (2012)

A beautiful epic blockbuster with a huge story and world behind it. Too bad it lost money because this was actually worthy of such a budget.

Stehako's rating:

6.4

6.5

The Comedy (2012)

A subtly brilliant piece of monotonously absurd dialogue from a bored man-child of the leisure class. The creators were able to make every scene awkward, trying and funny.

Stehako's rating:

654

7.2

7.6

End of Watch (2012)

Gyllenhaal and Pena make an entertaining duo in this movie that is full of surprises and intense scenes. Like in most of her roles I could not get into or believe anything Anna Kendrick was saying.

Stehako's rating:

824

6.9

6.6

Anna Karenina (2012)

A gorgeous looking movie with strong performances but the writing never fully shows the intricacies of its source material.

Stehako's rating:

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This list was created by and in the opinion of Stephen H Koontz
Created January 2013
Updated June 2023
Films Seen: 198

Another strong year. Both Andersons continue to show their artistic prowess and a lot of new directors turned out some impressive work. One sour note is the lack of quality comedies. I'm not sure if it's because I'm getting older or the industry just can't do comedies in movies... because TV comedies are currently stronger than ever.

Enjoy!

Also-Seen:
Rated 7/10
God Bless America
People Like Us
Cheerful Weather for the Wedding
The Raven
The Man in the Iron Fist
The Waiting Room
Rated 6/10
Splinters
Amour
Sleepwalk with Me
Goon
ParaNorman
Side by Side
The Lorax
American Reunion
Project X
One Day on Earth
The Expendables 2
The Central Park Five
Albatross
Premium Rush
Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters
Act of Valor
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Jesus Henry Christ
Knuckleball!
Sexual Chronicles of a French Family
Total Recall
Smashed
With Every Heartbeat
Cosmopolis
The Grey
16 Acres
The Hunger Games
Sunset Strip
The Babymakers
Hungry for Change
Les Petits Mouchoirs
30 for 30: Broke
The Deep Blue Sea
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titans
Albert Nobbs
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
Dredd
Surviving Progress
Journey to Planet X
Elles
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia
The Guilt Trip
Hit & Run
How to Survive a Plague
Pitch Perfect
28 Hotel Rooms
This Must Be the Place
Fame High
Three Stars
Alps
Detropia
Barrymore
The Do-Deca-Pentathlon
A Cat in Paris
Mansome
Shadow Dancer
The Good Doctor
Meet the Fokkens
Safe
The Paperboy
Rampart
Nightmare Factory
Craigslist Joe
Unraveled
That Guy... Who Was in That Thing
Rated 5/10
Magic Mike
This Means War
Lola Versus
4:44 Last Day on Earth
Hick
The Loneliest Planet
Butter
Red Dawn
Runaway Slave
Lockout
Jack & Diane
Red Lights
About Cherry
Haywire
The Lucky One
Lay the Favorite
Best Man Down
Rated 4/10
Iron Sky
Danland
For a Good Time, Call...
After Porn Ends
Makers: Our Story
Rated 3/10
Twixt
Rated 2/10
The Guest House
A Perfect Ending
Rated 1/10
The Exhibitionists

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