Here are my favorite movies of 2012 (and 2011, where I didn’t manage to watch them then), in no particular order, except the order that I am typing them up in, etc. I haven’t see The Hobbit yet; I am a stranger to myself.
– My favorites –
The Amazing Spider-Man
I liked the Tobey Maguire Spidey films. I have no beef with them, even with Spider-Man 3. I am equally a fan of Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man. The tones of the two different takes on the franchise are different enough that I think a direct comparison is unfair. I can just like them both and leave it at that. Also, I think Emma Stone is much more fun to watch than Kirsten Dunst. I saw this one theatrically.
The Avengers
Joss Whedon, you can do very little wrong. That is all. (Also, Hulk smash.)
007: Skyfall
This may be one of my favorite 007 movies (though that’s not really a hard list to top, I guess; it probably is anathema to Bond fands that Timothy Dalton is my favorite Bond after Daniel Craig). I have really enjoyed all three of the Daniel Craig Bond films, and this most recent had the bonus of having Albert Finney in a supporting role. Having watched Big Fish a few months prior just made me smile at his appearance. This film had the rare distinction of my seeing it opening day, which it really ought to feel good about.
The Dark Knight Rises
I can’t say whether I liked The Avengers or The Dark Knight Rises more; they’re just too different. Despite its flaws, I enjoyed this film immensely. The cast was perfect, Catwoman wasn’t silly, and I think it provided a fitting ending to the trilogy. I also saw this one theatrically.
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
This is technically from 2011, I guess, but it was probably my favorite of the MI movies, up there with 3.
The Muppets
Also from 2011, this was very very surprising to me in how much I liked it. I bought the Blu-ray combo pack that came with the soundtrack and my children listened to it a lot, and it didn’t bother me. This is probably my favorite Muppet movie, except for The Muppet Christmas Carol.
Superman vs. the Elite
The second of the 3 direct-to-DVD DC movies of 2012, it was by far my favorite. It may be my favorite of all the DC Universe series. After watching it, I remember thinking, “That is why I love Superman.” I even found a way to bring it up in a church lesson. The note left for Lois that said, “Always believe.” and the resolution afterward: awesome.
– Other movies I enjoyed –
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1
DC’s third direct-to-DVD movie of the year. I liked it, as with most things Batman, and am eagerly waiting for part 2 at the end of January.
Brave
Pixar, you can do little wrong. This was the annual daddy-daughter princess movie. We both liked it a lot, and Scottish accents are awesome.
The Cabin in the Woods
Joss Whedon, you can do little wrong. I am not a horror fan at all, and so the only reasons I watched this movie were because of Joss Whedon’s name and a few of the actors (specifically Fran Kranz, Chris Hemsworth, and Amy Acker). I throughly enjoyed it, though I would not want to watch it again. Too bloody.
Justice League: Doom
DC’s first direct-to-DVD movie of the year, this had a lot of the Justice League TV show cast back in their roles, with the addition of Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern. How can that not be awesome?
Kung Fu Panda 2
From 2011. I don’t remember the plot right now, but it was fun.
Puss in Boots
From 2011. Antonio Banderas’ Puss in Boots was one of the highlights of the later Shrek films. His own entry in the franchise was definitely better than some of the Shrek films, too. Especially Shrek 3.
Rango
From 2011. I watched this with the kids on Netflix, on a whim. It was fantasically quirky and funny.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
From 2011. Having never seen any of the original Apes movies, and having been appalled and outraged at the 2001 Tim Burton movie (though I can’t remember specifically why), I didn’t really expect to like this film. It got good reviews and I gave it a shot and really really liked it. Andy Serkis is awesome.
– Movies that made me say “meh” –
Cowboys and Aliens
I had hopes for this movie. Daniel Craig? Check. Harrison Ford? Check. Olivia Wilde? She wasn’t bad on House M.D. Was anyone else in the movie? I can’t remember, but it was very lackluster. I really hoped for more.
– 2012 movies I haven’t seen yet that I hope are good, or at least not terrible –
The Bourne Legacy
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Looper
Total Recall
Wreck-It Ralph
– Movies that made me say “Why on earth did I watch this?” –
I don’t have anything to list here. Maybe that means my discernment is getting better. Ha ha ha ha ha, yeah right.