The Best Films of 2012: 10-7

We're almost there.  It's getting closer and closer to the end, so hit the jump to see what came in at the #10 spot...

 #10

Skyfall

Dir. Sam Mendes

I’m not a 007 fan.  Sure, I’ve seen all 23 movies and sure I liked some of them, but overall, the franchise does nothing for me.  I will say that over the last few years, they have taken Bond in the right direction, starting with Daniel Craig’s debut in Casino Royale.  Still, Quantum of Solace tried to stay on the same path and was a disappointment (although I don’t mind it) and the whole MGM bankruptcy thing really slowed the franchise down.  When it was finally announced that Daniel Craig would return and American Beauty director Sam Mendes was taking over the reins, things started to seem like they were on the up.  It turns out that we didn’t even know the limits this could reach.  Not only is Skyfall the best Bond movie ever, it does what The Dark Knight did for Batman (and all comic book movie, for that matter), which was take a franchise that was seen as nothing more than a bunch of blockbuster, popcorn flicks and give it a deserved amount of respect in the film industry.  Sam Mendes made a piece of art that made Skyfall not a good James Bond movie, but a great film.

 #9

Holy Motors

Dir. Leos Carax

If you were to ask me what Leos Carax’ Holy Motors was about, I wouldn’t be able to tell you.  It is the most crazy, bonkers movie I have seen in a long time and I’m pretty sure there was a plot, but I don’t know what it was.  What matters is that it made me feel like I should feel after seeing a great film.  I’m sure we’ve all had this feeling, but sometimes it’s hard to explain.  That’s what happened after seeing Holy Motors.  Through all it’s wildness and craziness, you begin to realize that, regardless if you know what’s going on or you don’t, you are witnessing an experience and find yourself enthralled by it.  That makes this something special (By the way, this has the single best scene of any movie released this year).

#8

Killing Them Softly

Dir. Andrew Dominik

No one knows how to make a movie about America quite like Andrew Dominik.  He started with The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford which captured the America west like no other movie has in the 21^st century.  Now with Killing Them Softly, Dominik tells a story that is brutally honest and sums up the exact situation our country faces today through another slice of Americana, the gangster.  Did I mention that he’s Australian?  Yes, it took a filmmaker from down under to really tell it the way it is, and many in the American audience didn’t go for it.  Receiving an “F” grade from Cinemascore (a survey given to audiences to rate the film they had just seen) is never a good thing, but, with this particular film, it really made me question the general audiences’ tastes.  I knew about the grade going in to the theater and through the whole thing I could not see what could have possibly warranted it.  The film has everything a good movie needs: a great cast, good pace, terrific soundtrack, and some beautiful visuals.  In other words, don’t trust the people.

 

#7

Argo

Dir. Ben Affleck 

Let’s just start by saying if Ben Affleck wasn’t a legitimate filmmaker before this (for the record, I thought he was), he sure is now.  With Argo, he was able to craft one of the most suspenseful movies in recent memory and he does it without the use of violence.  With no more than good, old-fashioned tension build-up, Affleck has you on the edge of your seat.  Boast that with a spectacular cast, especially Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston, and Affleck himself, and you have your front runner from Best Picture.