With no upcoming movies in Australia I’m keen to review, I thought I’d look back at the first 8 months of the year and my favourite movies and performances I’ve seen so far. This was inspired by Alex at And So It Begins
I’ve seen 75 movies this year that I’m classifying as 2012 releases, and I would expect I’d see another 75 or so before the year is out. I’m really excited for Looper and Killing Me Softly amongst others.
Top 10:
10. The Avengers
9. The Dictator
8. Prometheus
7. 21 Jump Street
6. Headhunters
5. Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey
4. Cafe de Flore
3. The Raid
2. Moonrise Kingdom
1. The Dark Knight Rises
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The Top 4 here really stand out to me, I can’t see them not being thereabouts by the end of the year. Avengers was loved by all, The Dictator is one that I just found so funny that it has to be up there for me. I would say these are all must sees for the year.
Best Director:
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Christopher Nolan – The Dark Knight Rises
Honourable mention: Wes Anderson – Moonrise Kingdom
While it’s not going to happen, it would be so awesome for Nolan to get recognized at the Oscar’s this year, at least with a nomination. I’m clearly biased as he’s my favourite director, but The Dark Knight Rises was magical.
Best Actor:
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John Hawkes – The Sessions
Honourable Mention: Michael Fassbender – Prometheus
A clear winner for me, Hawkes was fantastic in The Sessions and will certainly get a Best Actor nomination. I would say he’s the clear frontrunner to win too, his performance was simply superb and heartfelt.
Best Actress:
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Helen Hunt – The Sessions
Honourable Mention: Shirley MacLaine – Bernie
I really struggled finding outstanding female performances this year, but again, Helen Hunt was phenomenal in The Sessions and deserving of my favourite of the year so far. Shirley MacLaine was great in Bernie.
Best Supporting Actor:
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Michael Caine – The Dark Knight Rises
Honourable Mention: Jake M Johnson – Safety Not Guaranteed
Can I use Dark Knight Rises quotes yet? All his lines were so well set up, but he still delivered them magnificently. You are as precious to me as you were to your own mother and father. I swore to them that I would protect you, and I haven’t. My honourable mention is from left field, but I thought he was quite good in a smaller role. I wanted to give it to Jared Gilman (Moonrise Kingdom) but I think it’s pretty clear his role was a lead one.
Best Supporting Actress:
?
Kara Hayward would be the one I would give this to but I don’t think she was really a supporting actress in Moonrise Kingdom. I looked through all 75 movies briefly and couldn’t pick anyone. I didn’t think Anne Hathaway was that good in The Dark Knight Rises (she wasn’t bad, just not one I would pick out for her performance). Would love some thoughts on this one!
Top Documentaries:
3. The Imposter
2. Bully
1. Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey
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There have been some awesome documentaries already this year and I loved all 3 above. Being Elmo was such a great story and had me moved. Bully touched me as well, whereas The Imposter was just an incredible story shown superbly. The other doco I have seen this year was Indie Game: The Movie which was also great. I’m looking forward to catching Undefeated very soon.
2012 has had a decent start without blowing me away. I haven’t given any A+ grades but with 3 A- and 2 A’s I’m fairly content with that. I also have a fair few movies to catch up on: The Sapphires, The Bourne Legacy, Lockout, Get The Gringo and Marley. Looking forward to the final third of the year.
Let me know what you think of my selections, as well as your top picks!
Very nice list. I don’t see Shirley McLaine’s role in Bernie as a lead though, so maybe you could move her to supporting? I’m also drawing a blank in Supporting Actress (although I would include Anne Hathaway, adore that performance).
Maybe Charlize Theron for her delicious over-the-top performance in Snow White and the Huntsman? Or Emma Stone in The Amazing Spider-man.
That would be an easy way to fix that problem
Anne Hathaway was pretty solid, a tough role to play as well. I avoided Snow White and the Huntsman so didn’t see that, I think you are spot on with Emma Stone though, she might be my winner at the moment! Thanks for your thoughts.
Here’s some overlooked performances:
Liam Neeson in The Grey
Dane DeHaan in both Chronicle and Lawless
Jack Black in Bernie (I didn’t care for McLaine)
Willem Dafoe in The Hunter
Guy Pearce in Lockout (horrible movie, but he was awesome)
Thanks for your thoughts Nick!
I didn’t rate The Grey, Liam Neeson was decent but my lack of love for the film meant I didn’t really notice him. I haven’t seen Lawless yet, or The Hunter and Lockout.
Jack Black in Bernie is definitely a notable performance, I was going to have him ahead of Fassbender for Prometheus but he just misses out.
Glad to see TDKR on the top! If i made list I’d pick it as number 1 too. Actress categories seem pretty weak this year, hopefully proper Oscar season films will bring in something great, though for me Hathaway is the winner so far, I really loved her work.
Wooo TKDR! I agree, apparently Lawrence is amazing in The Silver Linnings Playbook so that’s one I’m looking forward to.
Really awesome list
I can’t wait to see The Sessions; I’m really hoping Hawkes kills it in that one.
Good work here, Alex! Wonder how different our lists will be in a few months!
How does The Dictator beat The Avengers?
The Avengers!!!!!!!!
Nice list man, so proud to see The Raid and Headhunters in there, I wasn’t as fond of Moonrise Kingdom as you though, still would give it a B, maybe B+
My top 10 so far:
1. The Intouchables
2. Headhunters
3. The Raid
4. The Dark Knight Rises
5. The Avengers
6. 21 Jump Street
7. The Grey
8. Prometheus
9. Expendables 2
10. The Amazing Spiderman
Love your taste as always Josh! Very similar list really, will be seeing Intouchables very soon!