Top 10 of 2012 ... continued

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Continued from last week ... 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 top five that you may want to add to your movie collection.

5. Marvel’s The Avengers

            Thanks to the introductions of Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and Captain America (Chris Evans) in their own movies, the anticipation for this ultimate superhero team-up was really worth the wait. Seeing the heroes together and what they do proves to be a more fascinating watch than their previous solo adventures. Also, you can’t go wrong with the new appearance of Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye, Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, and some great action set pieces. Truth be told, this is one movie that defines the term “comic book movie.”

4. Argo

            Ben Affleck’s third feature as director is his best one yet. It’s an exciting mix of Hollywood satire with a gripping account of American hostages escaped from Iranian activists before finding shelter in a Canadian embassy. With Affleck’s CIA character trying to use a Canadian movie production as an undercover mission, the movie shifts to humorous scenes of a fictional sci-fi movie in the making highlighted by an Oscar-worthy performance by Alan Arkin. With all the acclaim and accolades the movie has been receiving, the road to the Oscars will be an easy trip.   

3. Skyfall

            2012 marks the 50^th anniversary of the successful James Bond film series with a new Blu-Ray set, tribute specials, and the best Bond movie to come out in recent years. Daniel Craig is at his best in his third go-around as 007, while the movie provides surprising award-worthy turns from Javier Bardem as the evil Silva and Dame Judi Dench (in her seventh and final turn) as MI6 head M. Featuring a tremendous title theme by pop sensation Adele, Skyfall has everything a Bond fan loves plus much more. If you’re not a Bond fan yet, then this movie is the one to start.

2. Lincoln

            Daniel Day-Lewis is already a shoe-in to pick up his third Best Actor Oscar for his outstanding portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in Steven Spielberg’s fantastic inside look at the final months in the life of the 16^th U.S. president. Also aided by Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones, the movie is mostly a theatrical play well told on the big screen, which is no small feat for the film’s screenwriter Tony Kushner. If all-talking and less action is what you want, then this movie is for you. The film’s dialogue keeps you interested all the way through and you won’t find anything boring about this film. If this is not an Oscar-worthy picture, then what is?

1. The Dark Knight Rises

            Even though its box office success was overshadowed by the recent Aurora theater tragedy, Christopher Nolan’s final film in his Batman trilogy can still be seen as pure filmmaking at its best. Everything Nolan did in his previous two films have led to a spectacular conclusion with remarkably well-written characters, great action sequences, and a story that brings the Dark Knight legend to a great end. Christian Bale still proves to be the best Batman, Tom Hardy’s Bane is as intimidating as Heath Ledger’s Joker, Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman might be the best ever portrayed, and the rest of the cast gave it their very best. The Dark Knight trilogy is overall not only one of the best film trilogies ever made, but also the best Batman movies of all time.

            With 2012 out of the way, there’s a lot to look forward to in 2013. Whether it’s the return of another iconic superhero, two more anticipated Marvel sequels, the next big Star Trek film, more veteran action stars doing what they do best, or our next stop in the latest Middle-earth adventure; there’s always something to look forward to.