Everyone waits until the year is over to compile their “Best of whatever” movie lists. This has become a mundane practice. Time for a bit of a change, kids.
Seeing the performance The Dark Knight Rises enacted, it really put filmmaking in perspective. So much so, that the top 5 was given a decent shuffle. And as the fans read this, know that yours truly considers both TDKR and Chronicle in an ongoing battle for the coveted top spot despite how they’re listed below. Loyal followers of this weekly ranking column should take note that Moonrise Kingdom and Marvel’s The Avengers swapped spots. Also joining the show was HBO Films’ dramatic saga, Hemingway and Gellhorn.
The new releases for the respective week will have a capsule review at the end of the column. An updated list comes out every Monday. Here’s how things are shaking up so far in 2012:
1. Chronicle
2. The Dark Knight Rises
3. The Cabin in the Woods
4. Moonrise Kingdom
5. The Avengers
6. Red Tails
7. The Grey
8. Game Change
9. The Secret World of Arrietty
10. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax
11. Friends with Kids
12. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
13. The Raid: Redemption
14. Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds
15. Big Miracle
16. Think Like a Man
17. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
18. Brake
19. Rock of Ages
20. HeadHunters
21. Hemingway and Gellhorn
22. Mirror Mirror
23. People Like Us
24. Magic Mike
25. Ted
26. 21 Jump Street
27. Snow White and the Huntsman
28. This Means War
29. God Bless America
30. The Three Stooges
31. Gone
32. The Amazing Spider-Man
33. Blue Like Jazz
34. American Reunion
35. Jeff, Who Lives at Home
36. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
37. Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best
38. Katy Perry: Part of Me
39. Ice Age: Continental Drift
40. Juan of the Dead
41. Prometheus
42. Hysteria
43. The Dictator
44. Safe
45. Searching for Sonny
46. Brave
47. The Hunger Games
48. John Carter
49. Wrath of the Titans
50. Dead Dad
51. Underworld: Awakening
52. The Devil Inside
53. Livid
54. The Five-Year Engagement
55. Downtown Express
56. Savages
57. Sound of My Voice
58. Project X
59. Men in Black 3
60. Piranha 3DD
61. Dark Shadows
62. The Raven
63. Silent House
64. That’s My Boy
65. Darling Companion
66. Bully
67. What to Expect When You’re Expecting
68. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
69. Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding
70. Lockout
71. The Woman in Black
72. The Vow
73. Man on a Ledge
74. Extraterrestrial
75. The Lucky One
76. Contraband
77. The Samaritan
78. Act of Valor
79. 4:44 Last Day on Earth
80. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
81. Safe House
82. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
83. To Rome with Love
84. The Pirates! Band of Misfits
85. Kill List
86. Chernobyl Diaries
87. Haywire
88. Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection
89. A Thousand Words
90. Joyful Noise
91. Battleship
92. Wanderlust
Not Screened: One for the Money, Casa De Mi Padre, Chimpanzee, High School
REVIEWS (click on title for full write-up)
Look, I wrote 968 words about this trilogy-capper already. So read the spoiler-free review, but allow me to amend one item in that review: When factoring in all filmmaking mechanics, this is a solid 4-star flick (out of 5). That said, the emotion projected out by all parties involved, makes it a 5-star movie experience.
Clive Owen and Nicole Kidman put on a character acting clinic in this autobiographical portrayal of the charismatic, yet turbulent, relationship of the two famed writers/journalists. The delivery of the story definitely made this feel unique even though the filmmakers use some technical effects haphazardly, much like a child with new toys. Still, the roster of characters make for an engrossing watch, and since it has the “actually happened” vibe present throughout, the methodical story never has writer’s block.
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