David Pinson’s Ever-Important Top Ten List 2012

I constantly go to the movies. You may have noticed. It’s the only way to give you a steady stream of ever-important opinions as I strive to cull out the better cinematic product so that I may share with you all. It can be daunting work and it is not always a fine way to spend my time. But looking back on 2012 I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed myself and that has not been the case the last few years.

I came to this conclusion as I put together my Top 10 list. All of these films are worth the price of admission. I even had to leave a couple of my favorites off (Sorry “Wreck It Ralph” and “The Master”. I still love you, I’m just not ‘in love’ with you).

 In Order of Importance…

1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower- “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” lets you feel the angst and energy of high school and can easily be compared to the great John Hughes classics of the 80’s like “Sixteen Candles” and (especially) “The Breakfast Club”. First time director, Stephen Chbosky has made an effortless film about a sad and brilliant boy named Charlie (Logan Lerman) that puts us in his shoes when he falls in love for the first time while trying to navigate the chaotic world around him. The resulting film is so effective at strumming the nostalgia that it is a small miracle.

2. Beasts of the Southern Wild- What sets “Beasts” apart is that this is a true unique vision whose very existence seems a miracle. Based on the stage play, “Juicy and Delicious” by co-screenwriter Lucy Alibar, “Beasts” marks the feature debut for director Benh Zeitlin. Zeitlin gives us a fantasy world that closely parallels our own and is shot like a documentary. At first glance we think we are seeing the lives of bayou-dwelling families living meagerly outside of New Orleans. Yet the makeshift houses and boats that they travel in look like something out of an animated Hayao Miyazaki film (“Princess Mononoke,” “Spirited Away”). “Beasts” is so incredibly detailed that it rivals the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy in terms of creating another world that comes across as reality.

3. Argo- This is Ben Affleck’s first film that doesn’t center on his beloved Boston (“Gone Baby Gone” and “The Town”) and leaving his comfort zone has allowed him to stretch as a director. Perfect pacing and expert staging of events leads to a tension filled third act that is nearly unbearable to watch. My heart was literally pounding out of my chest. “Argo” is also something unique: A pro-American film that doesn’t pick a political party to side with. This is an exciting breath of fresh air and a near-miracle considering George Clooney is one of the producers.

4. Killing Them Softly- Director Andrew Dominick has given us an honest and often hilarious look at the criminal lifestyle here that plays like an American companion piece to his near-perfect directorial debut “Chopper” (2000). In “Killing Them Softly” hooligans sit around and talk more than play shoot’em up. The film has a touch of Tarantino to it but the dialogue is more casual here, more real than Tarantino’s ultra-stylized writing. Also “Reservoir Dogs” an “Jackie Brown” featured highly intelligent criminals (nearly all of Quentin’s characters border on genius or at least sound like one) while “Killing Them Softly” focuses on a crew of dim bulbs running around New Orleans slaying each other.

5. Django Unchained- Speaking of Quentin Tarantino, the master continues his fantasy/history lesson that he began with “Inglorious Basterds” and changes out his Nazis for the slave traders of the 1800’s who dealt in human lives. This is Tarantino History, everything is heightened so in “Django” slaves are whipped, fight to the death for entertainment and are feed to the dogs. But luckily in Tarantino History, no injustice goes unpunished and past horrors are righted by revenge. The Buckets of blood flow, covering the plantation walls.

6. Life of Pi- There are plenty of elements in “Life of Pi” to fill your mind and soul with awe.  Stunning locales that come from the stuff of both dreams and nightmares are moved through with a striking use of 3D technology. Many creatures from a huge herd of meerkats to the star of the film, a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, inhabit this fantasy-fused world.  All of these animals share the screen with our hero, Pi, who is played (for the most part as he is seen at several different ages) by newcomer Suraj Sharma. As “Life of Pi” is filled with technical wizardry, it is Sharma’s performance that is the true revelation, the honesty that fills the film with magic.

7. The  Cabin in the Woods- The genius of “The Cabin in the Woods” lies in its secrets, its mystery. The film is monstrously entertaining and inventive and its success hinges on leaving the twists and turns untouched. I will say that the final act of this monster of a movie is the most exciting and jaw dropping 20 minutes of cinema that I have seen in years.

8. Silver Linings Playbook- With “Silver Linings Playbook” David O. Russell has made his most accessible film to date. He gathers great work from his entire cast. Mr. Robert DeNiro gives his best performance in years as Pat’s father, Pat Sr. DeNiro subtly gives glimpses of where our hero’s issues must have steamed. The first two acts successfully place you in the mind of an unbalanced person and allow us to relate with Pat and Tiffany. It is an unconventional love affair that will sweep you up. The third act, while crowd pleasing, wraps things up a little too nicely. This is something that Russell wouldn’t have done in the past. The hope is, by making a film that will reach more of an audience, Mr. O. Russell hasn’t abandoned all that has made him unique.

9. The Avengers- Not a very prestigious pick but this is easily the most fun I had at the multiplex all year. Joss Whedon writes and directs here and delivers his first film for the masses. Whedon has made money creating entertainment for the geek crowd (“Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog”) but along the way he got really gifted at creating wondrous ensemble pieces. See dialogue scenes from his cult television show “Firefly” as example. Here Whedon pulls off the trick of telling multiple stories throughout the entire length of “The Avengers”. There is a near constant supply of parallel plotlines and action vignettes making for some well woven and dense storytelling. The last 30 minutes of the film is mind blowing, the ultimate summer movie entertainment.

10. Hit and Run- 2012’s Biggest Surprise. The news borders on a being a revelation: Dax Shepard is a man of many skills. Who knew? With “Hit & Run,” Shepard proves to be a talent strong enough to pull off a cinematic one-man show. The former star of MTV’s “Punked” starred, wrote and co-directed while also finding the time to add editor to his contributions. Since the film has his fingerprints covering all angles it is safe to say that every component of “Hit & Run” could be found of the list of things that Dax Shepard loves. Fast cars, roaring chases and Kristen Bell would be found near the top followed by a bumbling Tom Arnold, putting Bradley Cooper in a silly wig and elderly nudity. Lots of elderly nudity.