While Zac Efron's dance with Nicole Kidman in a pair of
rain-soaked tighty whities may have been the single best
moment on film in 2012, here are my picks for the 10 best movies of the year, plus a few honorable mentions:
"Argo": Intriguing and smart from beginning to end, I would be disgusted if Ben Affleck didn't go home with a best director Oscar. (Read what I wrote HERE.)
"Bully": It would have been easy for this very timely topic to have been exploited or mishandled in a documentary. Instead, it was the most chilling and compelling look at a problem that has been swept under the rug forever/ (Read what I wrote HERE.)
"The Imposter": Reading that a family could be fooled into accepting the wrong person back into their family after he went missing a child years ago is shocking enough. But to see it actually unwind -- on home movies and television appearances -- as the real-life players explain what they were going through will simply leave you reeling. (Read what I wrote HERE.)
"The Central Park Five": One of the most shocking crimes in the history of New York City was quickly solved back in the late '80s -- only they "solved" it by putting five innocent boys in prison without a shred of evidence. (Read what I wrote HERE.)
"Silver Linings Playbook": I live for families that delve deep into family dynamics, and David O. Russell does not miss a thing, even if the "dance competition" was a tad cheesy of a vehicle to drive the story home. If Bradley Cooper is as beloved by Hollywod as he is by the gay community, look for him to go home with an Oscar for this one. (Read what I wrote HERE.)
"West of Memphs": A broad look at the prosecution and eventual release of three poor misfits in Arkansas who were found guilty of the Satan-inspired murders of three young boys. (Read what I wrote HERE.) "Keep the Lights On": Ira Sachs' intense look at a gay relationship showed we can be just as dysfunctional as straight people. (Read what I wrote HERE.) "Still Alive": Anyone who was alive during the 1970s will be completely fascinated finding out what became of the once-ubiquitious Paul Williams. (Read what I wrote HERE.) "Sleepwalk With Me": Mike Birgilia turned his charming stage show into an equally charming little movie. (Read what I wrote HERE.) "The Fitzgerald Family Christmas": Edward Burns reteams with Connie Britton and Mike McGlone for his best film since "The Brothers McMullen." (Read what I wrote HERE.) Honorable mentions:
"Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel": The fashion icon is endlessly entertaining. (Read what I wrote HERE.)"Moonrise Kingdom": Wes Anderson at his best. (Read what I wrote HERE.)"United in Anger: A History of ACT-UP": I ended up seeing this become "How to Survive a Plague" came out and can't imagine it was any better. (I would have seen both, but Michael was tired of being depressed having also seen "We Were Here." (Read what I wrote HERE.)"The Perks of Being a Wallflower": Shocked I liked this one. (Read what I wrote HERE.) "Meet the Fokkens": The best film you will ever see about 70-year-old, identical twin Dutch hookers. (Read what I wrote HERE.)Leave your in the comments.
