Here is our top 5!
But first....
2013: "I AM SEEING THIS"
KEVIN
Man of Steel
I'm not necessarily a Superman fan but I am a fan of DC comics. To me, Superman is a character that deserves to have a good modern interpretation for the general audience and this looks like the interpretation I've been waiting for. This film really could go either way, but regardless I'm still going to see it.
Isaiah
Pacific Rim
GUNDAM?! GODZILLA?! No, not quite, but it's as close as you're going to get without going fanboy and getting mad at the material. Hellboy's Del Toro is directing this epitome of all things popcorn movie, which is about Earth fending off giant killer monsters from another dimension with equally large Robots. Seeing giant monsters fighting giant robots on a massive scale is incredible enough, but throw in Ellen McClain's voice of GlaDOS from the Portal series as well? I'll be there at midnight.
TOP 5
Kevin
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| Chronicle |
I should start by saying I'm not a big fan of the found footage genre. However this proved to be one that I extremely liked. I always wondered why someone in these types of films always had their cameras on throughout whatever ordeal they are going through. At least in this film it offers a valid explanation as to why having the camera is necessary. The characters were really flushed out and were believable in their roles. There were some camera angles in the final battle that were questionable but other than that this was highly original for this genre.
Isaiah
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| Looper |
Rian Johnson's Sci-fi flick about a hit-man working for the mob who kills targets sent to him 30 years from the future is a joy to watch on multiple levels. First we are given a fresh original idea, which almost feels too new with the influx of sequels, prequels, reboots, and adaptations these past number of years. It's also a fresh idea on an old science fiction tool: Time Travel, with Johnson providing exciting takes on the enormously complex science. The best part of the movie is that all the action, time travel, explosions, guns, hover cars, and drugs are just natural elements of the universe Johnson has created in his 3rd effort as a feature director. The real show stoppers are the fleshed out characters and the performances. Especially JGL's uncanny portrayal of a young Bruce Willis.
Kevin
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| The Dark Knight Rises |
Yes, I'm a big fan of Christopher Nolan. No, the Dark Knight is not my favorite of his films. That spot goes to Memento. Yes, I'm a big DC comics fan. No that does not mean I hate Marvel films. The Dark Knight Rises is a flawed film. So why is it on my top ten? Or better yet, why is on my top Five? The answer is simple. I'm a sucker for old school filmmaking in a new school context. Seeing a film like this gives me hope that the old tricks still work perfectly fine in this day and age as they did back then. There are story problems and personally the one that was told is not how I would've executed. But true filmmaking is in here. It also gives a satisfying ending to an un-intended well thought out film trilogy.
Isaiah
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| Prometheus |
Ridley Scoot is great for making universes for his movies. He's so good that after more than twenty years and 5 movies, he's able to return to the Alien Universe and create another horrific space adventure separate from the adventure we all know about. Prometheus tackles a much larger issue: Where do we come from? While it has references to the original alien franchise, it isn't a prequel. It's another series all on it's own. If you prepare yourself for that mentality, Prometheus, while straightforward, is still unlike anything you've ever seen at the movies in quite some time. With a return to a truer science fiction tone (until it breaks out sci-fi horror), an incredible Fassbender Performance, great practical effects, and stunning visuals that top any other CGI effort made this year, Prometheus will bring shock and awe to those who welcome it.
Kevin & Isaiah
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| The Cabin in the Woods |
Kevin: Where do we begin. With me I guess. Okay so one thing that I should point out is that I'm not fond of Horror movies but I know the game. I know how they function and every single cliche that has ever been established thanks to the slasher film genre of the 70s. Which is why love this film so much. Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard give us a wild ride into the explanation as to why these cliches happen using a plot device along with a twist that delivers on so many levels. It offers... one scare, but lots of laughs and lots of blood and gore. This is definitely both a love and a hate letter to the horror genre. I found this film to be superior than Joss Whedon's other effort: the Avengers. Just because of sheer originality.
Isaiah: Everyone I've shown this movie to didn't see the ending coming. It's a clever one. It just travels off the map. It's not impossible though. You could guess it correctly about maybe 60% in, but even if someone has already spoiled the ending to "The Cabin in the Woods," you should still check it out. While the twist is fun, the biggest part about what makes the movie so amazing is that it's a celebration of a currently terrible genre. The Writers, cast, and crew are telling us "Hey, remember when the horror genre was fun? No? Well it felt like this." You'll be laughing and enjoying your way through the 90 minutes of this creative homage to Horror(Just check out the pic above). I like to call it, "The 'Scream' of this generation."
Kevin
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| Looper |
An original sci-fi film is always hard to come by these days. That is why Rian Johnson's third film made it to my number two spot. Johnson found a way to make time travel interesting again. Sure there could be arguments about the paradoxes or rules that time travel has to abide to but then again that's not the point of this film (which is sarcastically stated by Bruce Willis in the film). The point of this film is how these characters deal with the repercussions that time travel causes. It is a character driven story that really makes you care more about the people involved in the lot rather on questioning how does the plot device properly function in a scientific contest. While it is no Timecrimes it is definitely one of the best told science fiction films that has come out in recent years. The performances of the cast was great with Joseph Gordon Levitt holding his own as a young Bruce Willis. The one single best performance that I would have to point out is young boy in the story who gave us a child that is truly broken and perhaps too smart for his own good. This is a great achievement for Rian Johnson, and I'm looking forward to what genre he'll tackle next.
Isaiah
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| Argo |
Watching a movie about the declassified rescue mission during the 1979 Iranian Hostage Crisis is one thing. Watching it in the way Ben Affleck decides to tell it is a whole other game-changer. I don't know where to begin. Yes I do. This movie is ridiculously intense. It's one of those movies where you already know the ending, (It is history by the way.) but that doesn't matter in the slightest. Ben Affleck is dealing with a story about the CIA making a fake movie to rescue 6 U.S. diplomats from Iran. It's sounds silly, but Affleck directs each dramatic moment between the each character as equally brilliant as he directs the film's moments of gripping tension. Another point goes to it being surprisingly hilarious without it feeling like two different movies. John Goodman and Alan Arkin are sure to grab you're attention during the film's lighter moments. Well done Ben Affleck, you're 3 for 3.
Kevin
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| Skyfall |
Bond is back to form. Though some would argue that it may not necessarily be a good thing to rehash old things from the past but this was the exception. The film brings us everything that Bond fans love about the Bond films and throws them all into one. Sam Mendes does an excellent job in directing this action packed, very character driven story. All the actors give stellar performances. The standout of the film obviously goes to Javier Bardem, whose performance as the new Bond Villain Silva is bound to be cited as one of the greatest Bond Villains of all time. Everything feels back into place with the Craig Bond films revisiting old aspects of the franchise. Well executed well made, this has (as of right now) secured its place as my favorite film of the year. 50 Years of James Bond and still going strong.
Isaiah
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| Moonrise Kingdom |
I could not find anything to dislike about Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom." You see explosions, action, and revenge on a grand scale when you go see movies over the summer, but you never see love on such a grand scale. It's not out there in plain sight, but instead executed both naturally and quirky, which is such a delight. While most romances are more about love as a word, ("I love you," "I love you too.) "Moonrise Kingdom" is more of a drama about the many forms and feelings of love; First love/second love; old love/new love; no family/broken family, and more. Wes Anderson's "Once upon a time," Storybook style journey of love is packed to the bone with an incredible characters, performances, choice of music, charm, and the best use of dry humor you can find.
What was your favorite movie of 2012?
