Top Ten (movies released during and that I actually was able to watch) of 2012:

 

1.        The Avengers – Just plain awesome. 

2.       The Dark Knight Rises – Christopher Nolan capped his Batman trilogy off with a remarkably bleak movie that echoes our unfortunate times.  And he did it with great skill.  Anyone who dares to make a Batman movie in the future has major shoes to fill.

3.       Seeking a Friend for the End of the World – I love Steve Carell and I loved this dramedy.  This movie has one of the more hearfelt, well-acted romantic moments I’ve seen in a film in a long time.

4.       Prometheus – Because I love the camera work, the pedigree of the production values, and the way they tie the Alien story to more profound beginnings.

5.       The Hunger Games – I didn’t read the book, but I was drawn into the story.  I also thought Jennifer Lawrence did a fantastic job.  It was a star-making role. 

6.       Men In Black 3 – Because this one was actually funny again.  Josh Brolin does a hilarious interpretation of Tommy Lee Jones.  And Will Smith says “let’s go get some dumb-ass pie”.

7.       Total Recall – Great all-out escapist, action movie.  It’s not trying to be anything more than it is, which is a good bit of fun.

8.       The Campaign – My buddy at work and I keep trading lines from the movie.  It’s that funny.

9.       Skyfall – A bad Bond movie is usually more entertaining than other films.  A great Bond movie (like Skyfall) is Top 10 material.

10.   Wreck It Ralph – Two reasons:  My son loved it so much that we went to see it twice and it was a lot of fun for me too.