My Tops of 2012 - June

SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN was a really good dark updating of the popular Grimm fairy tale, with an ecstatic supporting turn by Charlize Theron. I thoroughly liked its direction but my enjoyment factor was really low. Maybe its later life on DVD will change my mind.

PROMETHEUS was certainly the most talked about film but not in a good way. Despite having great visuals and a couple of good performances, the film was a sheer disappointment, filled with plot holes and stupid behavior of its characters. As a big-budgeted yet routine sci-fi adventure flick, you can take it for what it is but certainly not as the epic it wanted to be.

MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED was a surprise treat. I loathe "Afro Circus" with a passion, along with the other annoying clownish behavior, but the film's story with the circus animals lead to some truly magical moments.

MEN IN BLACK 3 is better than the second but still pointless. Except for Josh Brolin, nothing really works or matters at all.

THE GREY was a very interesting film about religion and the human spirit, slightly disguised underneath a grim tale of men trying to survive from a plane crash and packs of wolves. It has some of the best jump scares in recent times and a commanding performance by Liam Neeson.

THE ASSAULT is an interesting based on a true event film, retelling a hijacking of a Air France plane in 1994. Unfortunately, it suffers from dime-store plot elements, including a constantly sniveling wife to one of the commandos, and confusing direction and blocking of scenes. The cinematography also wasn't helpful, with its indecision of whether it wants to be a black and white film or a muted color film.

THE DEVIL INSIDE certainly has one of the worst endings ever to grace a film. Though a worse of 2012 contender, it was more often hokey and really stupid than an absolute catastrophe.

HAYWIRE was an enjoyable little spy flick from Steven Soderbergh. A nice breakthrough performance for MMA fighter Gina Carano and a fun music score.

BRAVE couldn't achieve the excellence of the other Pixar films but it was still a good entry. The bipolar direction didn't help matters, especially since the mother-daughter relationship was more interesting than the constant male buffoonery.


Best Films of 2012


1. The Avengers

2. Chronicle

3. The Secret World of Arrietty

4. The Hunger Games

5. The Cabin in the Woods

6. 21 Jump Street

7. The Grey


Worst Films of 2012


1. Project X

2. Dark Shadows

3. The Devil Inside