5. Lincoln
Spielberg is quite a conundrum of a director. If he chooses his script poorly, he can make pretty mediocre films (Munich, Crystal Skull, War of the Worlds, etc.). He is at his best when he has an amazing script to work with (A.I., E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, etc.). Luckily, Tony Kushner delivered what was probably the best dialogue-driven screenplay of 2012. The attention to detail, from Day-Lewis' performance to the use of natural lighting, created the feeling of a true peek into one of the most interesting times in our nations history. The cherry on the top of this masterpiece was the performance of Tommy Lee Jones and the spotlight on his character, Thaddeus Stevens. Stevens' personal story provided the heart to a film that teetered on the edge of becoming disconnected and procedural.
4. The Sessions
Yet another quirky romantic comedy that quite a bit like "Silver Linings Playbook" finds its quirkiness in reality rather than fantasy. What puts this one over the top though is that it is actually based on a true story. A jaw-dropping performance by John Hawkes (that would be Oscar-worthy in any year that didn't have Daniel Day-Lewis and Hugh Jackman turn in the best performances of the new millenium) makes this adorable story grab onto both your heart and your head as it mixes equal parts intellectualism and romantic innocence.
3. Ruby Sparks
Hyper-nerd-sexy Zoe Kazan wrote a screenplay for her and her boyfriend (Paul Dano) about a writer who makes up a love interest who just so happens to manifest herself in reality. That sentence gives me chills. I love this movie.
2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
A wonderfully personal look into a small group of teenagers discovering the beauty of the world only by simultaneously experiencing its splendor and ugliness. This movie makes yearn for my high school days and in the same moment be proud of how I lived them. "We accept the love we think we deserve."
1. Beasts of the Southern Wild
The best movie of 2012. Nothing else really came close for me. If you haven't found your inner Hushpuppy already, I envy the magnificent journey you still have before you. Read my original review here.
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