Top 10 Movies of 2012

 Almost 8 months have passed in 2012. In terms of movies, this year till now has been like every other year - a shitty Salman Khan blockbuster, most of the inter-galactic big budget movies being disappointments (Prometheus, MIB-3, Battleship), some really pleasant surprises (Paan Singh Tomar, The Cabin In The Woods, 21 Jump Street) and a Nolan masterpiece.

 Here's my 'Top 10' list for the year.



10. Ted

Ted has
 - Mark Wahlberg's one of the best performances.
 - Some outrageously funny gags.
 - Mila Kunis.
 What more can one ask for! The idea of foul-mouthed magical teddy bear in itself is quite hilarious. Yes, the jokes are a bit hit and miss. But the ones those are hits are worth sitting through the misses.






9. The Avengers/ The Hunger Games

 On 9th position there's a tie between The Avengers and The Hunger Games.
 The Avengers was not as good as I wanted it to be. But the excitement just to see all your Heroes in the same frame is HUGE. It contains intense effects, a stunning cast and that rare yet decent piece of humour. Maybe like every other Marvel comics fan, I still wanted a little more.

 Just watch the Thor-Hulk fight and when The Hulk unsuccessfully tries to lift Thor's mystical hammer, I can bet your Geek soul will catch fire!

 The Hunger Games for those of you who dont know, is a cinematic adaptation of Suzanne Collins' best selling novel with the same name. Director Gary Ross understood that its not the Special Effects or the Pyrotechniques that make a movie work its the fascinating build up of characters (e.g. Gangs Of Wasseypur). Jennifer Lawrence acts well and is ably supported by others. So, move over the Potters and the Bellas I say, THG series is the next BIG thing!






8. Brave

It's hard to go wrong with a Disney Pixar animated film. Yes, its not as endearing as 'Up' or the 'Toy Story' series, but its good enough, brave enough. It has a nice twisted princess fairytale storyline and a strong message. Go watch for that little kid somewhere still *not coding* inside you.









7.Paan Singh Tomar

As they say, reality is stranger than fiction. Paan Singh Tomar is one movie you just cannot miss. Irrfan Khan on his very broad shoulders carries this movie along effortlessly. As you watch along, you gradually become attached to Irrfan's character. You become his well-wisher. You root for him when he runs, you feel bad when he faces injustice, you almost live his life with him. Tigmanshu Dhulia gets it bang-on for second consecutive time (his previous movie being Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster). You can watch this one just for those memorable dialogues.





6.The Cabin In The woods

 Turning the whole Horror genre upside down was something started by 'Scream' series. This movie masters that counter genre-exercise. Modelled as a Horror Spoof in the first half, then deconstructing it and actually providing a lot of scares in the second, this Movie was fun. Its fresh, innovative and wickedly entertaining.







5.The Amazing Spiderman


 I have always been a CRAZY spiderman fan. That mask, that web, that quirky humor .. it all fascinated me. And to see Tobey Maguire play it, was agonizing. This movie satisfies the spidey fans to an extent. To put it bluntly, its a more faithful version. Talented cast, stellar visuals and the absence of Toby-Kirsten pair make this movie a must watch.








4.Gangs of Wasseypur I and II

 Two of the best Gangster movies ever. What performances!! What Music!! All the characters remain etched in your brain for a long long time. It kind of had become an 'IN' thing to praise any Anurag Kashyap movie lately. I had hated 'No Smoking' and 'That Girl In Yellow Boots'. So I was irritated with all the hype that surrounded GOW. But Boy-O-Boy! This was some good shit! The incidents take place one after another at a breath-taking pace. Decades go by, eras change, weapons change, hair styles change, cuss words change but the intensity remains the same. For sheer rawness .. Watch! If you haven't already!







3.The Intouchables


 This highest grossing non-English movie ever, was lauded so much by the critics that it made me go in with those Arthouse expectations i.e. i-will-find-it-boring-but-i-HAVE-to-like-it zone. What I got instead was pleasantly surprising. It has got that Bollywood touch to it. Its all unreal, cliche, formulaic yet feel-good, entertaining. A heart tugging tale which leaves you with a broad smile towards the end.

2.Kahaani

The best Bollywood movie this year. Essentialy a one woman show by Vidya Balan, and what a show it is! Even if we leave out *that* Sixth Sense-sque twist in the end the movie is still gripping and commendable. I still cannot believe Sujoy Ghosh (Jhankaar Beats, Home Delivery, Alladin) has directed Kahaani.






1.The Dark Knight Rises


 Christopher Nolan might be the only director in the world right now who can
 make authentic, intense Superhero movies with complex plots. An ambitious ending to one of the best Trilogies ever (alongwith LOTR and Toy Story). Yes, we all missed the Joker, but barring that I think TDKR was THE ending this trilogy deserved.
 Even with so many brilliant actors on board, it nevers seems to get crowded and showy. I just hope the legacy is preserved now and no more sequels come out. As the fortune of wheels has only place to go after it has reached its zenith.




  I have not included any of the Oscar nominees (The Descendants, Hugo, etc) which released in India this year. Some movies which barely missed to make it to the list were 21 Jump Street, The Bourne Legacy, The Grey and Agneepath. Everyone has different tastes, its coincidental that two people have a common favourite movie. Forget top 10. So, expecting a lot of conflicting and diverging replies. :)