My Tops of 2012 - September

THE CAMPAIGN is way too wacky and annoying to work as a satire of current politics. The problems fall entirely on the production side, led by the cloying Jay Roach.

PARANORMAN is a fantastic scary film for all audiences. It pays tribute to horror classics, deals with social and moral issues, and leads to genuine, goose-bumping terror in its finale.

THE OOGIELOVES IN THE BIG BALLOON ADVENTURE sucked. Everything within its frame is god awful and it will live on as one of the biggest fiascos in movie history.

DETENTION is one of the those interesting passion projects that works. A tribute/mockery of the 1990's and teenage fare, this film bursts with brilliant irreverence and overdosing on breaking the fourth wall.

THE BOURNE LEGACY is enjoyable for Jeremy Renner and some well-made action sequences. However, the story moves at a snail's pace before stopping at the end of the second act, leaving no resolution.

LAWLESS had some mighty fine performances but it's way too generic, relying on the audience's patience to watch Shia LeBeouf as a plucky hero in a moonshine war. Its rapid tonal shifts also ruin any chance to relish any scene.

HIT & RUN was an unfunny display of Dax Shepard's manhood. I feel a little bad beating on something made by love but there's no laughs, no joy to behold.

DREDD was a pleasant, violent surprise. Karl Urban was completely badass, the gore was plentiful, and even the 3D effects worked. It has the potential to grow in time.

HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET desecrates one of the absolute best films ever made, only to fail even more with a lack of blood and common sense. Poor, poor Jennifer Lawrence and Elizabeth Shue.

THE POSSESSION was way too funny to ever take serious as a PG-13 horror film. Worthwhile for house parties or the eventful Rifftrax.


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. ParaNorman

7. 21 Jump Street

8. Beasts of the Southern Wild

9. Detention

10. The Grey


Worst Films of 2012


1. The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure

2. Project X

3. Dark Shadows

4. The FP

5. House at the End of the Street

6. The Devil Inside

7. Rock of Ages

8. Total Recall

9. The Campaign

10. Hit & Run