Honorable Mentions: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Dark Knight Rises, Ted, Zero Dark Thirty, Haywire, The Collection
#20 - Wrath of the Titans
A rip-roaring fantasy adventure featuring a stellar cast, a surprisingly deep story and some of the most creative and enjoyable action scenes I've seen in a long time. The mythological elements are utilized well and the special effects and creature designs are quite impressive. Don't listen to the critics, this movie rocks!
#19 - The Expendables 2
Totally awesome! Better than the first, full of explosive action and tons of cheese! It was everything I was hoping for and more. The cast is game and they all do a classy job (especially Schwarzenegger and a hamming-it-up-good JCVD). Simon West's kinetic direction amps up the insane action (that opening is killer) and is complimented by the gorgeous cinematography.
#18 - Magic Mike
Soderbergh continues his streak of outstanding films with an in-depth examination of the stripper profession, peppered with interesting characters. The saturated cinematography complements the film, which is one of the best character studies in recent years.
#17 - Chronicle
A creative take on the standard superhero story. Shot in the found-footage format, it plays with the genre's conventions and nails it. The characters are interesting and relatable while the special effects are used to complement the story. It's an impressive debut from everyone involved.
#16 - Jack Reacher
A taut spy thriller chock full of deception, intrigue and brutal fights, not to mention one of the best car chases I've seen in years! Tom Cruise continues to impress while the rest of the cast is perfect in their roles. I hope they turn this into a franchise, it deserves it.
#15 - End of Watch
A potent cop story featuring intense, realistic performances and a gritty style that works well with the handheld camera work. That opening speech by Gyllenhaal is fantastic and the perfect way to start the movie:
"I am the police, and I'm here to arrest you. You've broken the law. I did not write the law. I may disagree with the law but I will enforce it. No matter how you plead, cajole, beg or attempt to stir my sympathy. Nothing you do will stop me from placing you in a steel cage with gray bars. If you run away I will chase you. If you fight me I will fight back. If you shoot at me I will shoot back. By law I am unable to walk away. I am a consequence. I am the unpaid bill. I am fate with a badge and a gun. Behind my badge is a heart like yours. I bleed, I think, I love, and yes I can be killed. And although I am but one man, I have thousands of brothers and sisters who are the same as me. They will lay down their lives for me and I them. We stand watch together. The thin-blue-line, protecting the prey from the predators, the good from the bad. We are the police."
#14 - Argo
clever genre film that is intense yet entertaining; a rare balance of skillful direction and sweeping storytelling. Affleck shines as the lead, helped by the able supporting cast. The gorgeous 70's cinematography enhances the film's authenticity, resulting in one of the best dramas of the year.
#13 - ParaNorman
Laika's best animated feature thus far is a delightfully macabre and surprisingly heartfelt story of finding your true calling. The animation is outstanding and vibrant.
#12 - Cloud Atlas
While I definitely think it's going to take a few more viewings to fully appreciate this labyrinthian film, I was impressed by the intricacy of the story and its themes, the poignant performances of its magnificent ensemble cast, the awe-inspiring visuals and the radical score by Tykwer & Co. They don't make films like this very often.
#11 - Life of Pi
A gripping tale of hope and survival told in a storybook manner, enhanced by the jaw-dropping visuals and Ang Lee's virtuosic direction.
#10 - Wreck-It Ralph
A delightful animated feature that lauds video games both retro & modern. Being a gamer, this one really hit home in a number of areas, bringing back a plethora of old gaming memories. The voice actors do an outstanding job and I commend the level of creativity that went into all the film's video-game inspired characters and set/level designs. They really breathe life into the film & look amazing.
#9 - Looper
Brilliant science fiction with genuine emotional depth. The clever script and multidimensional characters are what make this film work so well, and the time travel aspects are handled very intelligently. It has a heavy film noir-ish feel and the performances are excellent all around. The action is fast and the camerawork is creatively kinetic, thanks to the superb direction of Rian Johnson.
#8 - The Raid: Redemption
Absolutely brutal! The story is simple: a SWAT team trapped in a tower full of bad guys must fight their way through to survive. The fight scenes are among the BEST I have ever seen without a doubt...kinetic, vicious and mesmerizing, they set the bar for any future hand-to-hand combat. A must see for action aficionados
#7 - 21 Jump Street
By far, one of the best comedies I've seen in the last 10 years. No joke, this film was utterly satisfying and technically impressive in too many ways to count. From the engaging cast (Channing Tatum especially) to the hilariously offensive jokes, it is a near-perfect comedy.
#6 - Skyfall
From the spectacular opening to the thrilling, emotionally charged climax, this is classic, timeless Bond. A gorgeous opening credits sequence ignites an potent 007 adventure. Craig is complemented by an outstanding supporting cast, esp. Javier Bardem as the villain. The storyline is exciting and involving, weaving its web of intrigue yet still managing to deliver a savagely epic finale.
#5 - Django Unchained
A plethora of interesting, well-written characters, lively dialogue & gorgeous visuals enhance this western revenge tale. Christoph Waltz is stellar, complementing Jamie Foxx's stoic Django, while the rest of the ensemble cast is outstanding. The visceral violence, offbeat humor & satisfying finale are the icing on the cake. Tarantino is growing as a filmmaker and really delivered with this one.
#4 - Dredd
Violent, intelligent and kinetic, Dredd 3D is a visual treat, as well as one of the most potent action movies I've seen in years! Karl Urban is Dredd, nailing the character effortlessly, while Olivia Thirlby plays the rookie sidekick with ease. The effects are...absolutely stunning. Beautifully blood-soaked tableaus of violence and mayhem that are awe-inspiring in their execution. Killer score!
#3 - Prometheus
Brilliant original science fiction that also ties beautifully into the Alien mythos. The stellar cast, the stunning visuals, the thought-provoking ideas and themes, the satisfying score and everything else is utterly magnificent. Welcome back to the realm you helped shape Mr. Scott! I also enjoyed the subtle nods to other sci-fi flicks...
#2 - The Avengers
Incredible! Joss Whedon knocked it out of the park, delivering everything I was hoping for and MORE. It treats each character amazingly well, developing and harnessing each of their strengths & weaknesses while perfectly nailing the group dynamic. The action is outstanding, even more so with characters awesomely combining their superpowers. This movie was perfect (I do NOT say that lightly).
#1 - The Cabin In The Woods
A horror fan's dream come true. It turns the genre's stereotypes inside out with its innovative story, keeping your eyes glued to the screen. I was constantly impressed by the film’s sheer creativity and imagination. The phenomenal cast, wild setpieces, grisly gore, homages and delightful self-awareness all combine to create one of the BEST horror films I have ever seen! Astounding!
