Top 10 films of 2012

     1.    End of Watch - Probably wouldn’t make most people’s top ten but as I have only seen 12 films this year it does but it is also a powerful film; hugely emotional, constantly hilarious and thrilling. And the found footage format partially succeeds; no other film affected me as much this year.

     2.    Argo – A great mix of Hollywood satire, comedy, hostage thriller and deep political drama; a homerun for Affleck

     3.    The Cabin in the Woods - Easily the most inventive narrative since Pulp Fiction with a hugely satisfying series of twists that raises it above most films any year.

     4.   Life of Pi – A spiritual journey with the best images of the year.  

     5.    Looper- a strong sci-fi effort by Rian Johnson that tackles interesting debates on time travel.

     6.     Skyfall – The best Bond film since the Roger Moore era that is at once a classic 60’s Connery entry whilst also a darker, modern turn that the other Craig film’s never quite captured in tone such as this one.

     7.    The Hunger Games – Entertaining on its own without carrying the weight of a book.

     8.    Miss Bala – A well-acted and surprising suspenseful gangland drama.

     9.    The Hobbit – A refreshing dose of Tolkien adapted by Peter Jackson with a smaller, lighter touch counterpointing The Lord of the Rings trilogy nicely.

  

   10.   Prometheus – Despite the plot and mythology issues it’s an atmospheric and cinematographically visceral horror film that proves why Scott is a master film maker.