Review

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    Most of the movies reviewed in 2012 are examples of filmmakers willing to take risks and deliver grand entertainment. Whether it’s big box-office blockbusters or films that can inspire us, these are the movies that made 2012 a better year than before. Here are the year’s 10 best that you may want to add to your movie collection.

10. The Hunger Games

            Based on the best-selling novel by Suzanne Collins, it’s an exhilarating action-filled drama that non-fans can get into as much as fans of the book. Jennifer Lawrence gives Katniss Everdeen a new kind of heroine that audiences can root for. Even though it starts slow, it gradually builds to an intense third act where the games get serious. Ultimately, it’s a movie that’s not only bizarre around the edges, it keeps you fascinated all the way through, and it helps gain anticipation for the next Hunger Games chapter Catching Fire.

9. The Amazing Spider-Man

            Rebooting an already successful series may be too soon, but this movie paints a new portrait on the hero’s legend to exciting levels. Director Marc Webb re-establishes Peter Parker’s origins with much more dramatic pathos than what Sam Raimi has already done. Andrew Garfield plays a more modern Parker, while Emma Stone is believable as love interest Gwen Stacy. The performances are great, the action is spectacular, and the story is all-around well-written and brilliant. It’s pretty much the Spider-Man movie the world was waiting for.   

8. Django Unchained

            Quentin Tarantino’s most controversial movie is also one of his most brilliant. If you look past all the outrageous violence and its shocking dialogue, you can see a clever and well thought out storyline devised by Tarantino that takes a stab at history similar to his 2009 masterpiece Inglorious Basterds. It features top-notch performances by Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, and Leonardo DiCaprio plus a diverse soundtrack of southern country and hip-hop. Tarantino’s tribute to 1960’s spaghetti westerns and 1970’s Blaxploitation genres is a great mash-up that will stick with you long after seeing it.

7. Brave

            Pixar’s first original film in three years is a welcome return to the studio’s prime as a big time animation studio and a tribute to Disney’s legendary history of animated masterpieces. The character of princess Merida (Kelly MacDonald) is different from past Disney princesses with her feisty personality and her courageous charm. With a combination of gorgeous animation, stunning locales, hilarious characters, and an emotionally-told story; Pixar has yet to make a misstep when making great original animated films like this.    

6. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

            Peter Jackson’s first part in his three-part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s 1937 novel is every bit as magical and fantastic as his Lord of the Rings trilogy. With new and returning characters plus amazing New Zealand locations, fans will easily slip right back into the world of Middle-earth like they never left. Almost every scene in this movie is a delight to watch especially the memorable riddles game between Bilbo (the terrific Martin Freeman) and the creepy Gollum (Andy Serkis). It’s too early to tell if the next two movies fit within the rest of the book, but the movie itself is a very promising start to what is sure to be another excellent trilogy.

To be continued ... .