Best of 2012- FILMS

Thinking about the past year, I actually think it wasn't a strong one for movies- I wasn't impressed or moved by most of them, and the few who succeeded that had other flaws that made me reconsider the overall opinion. I, personally, think there was no film in 2012 to take the masterpiece or instant classic prize, although some came close to it (Moonrise Kingdom, Holy Motors, Silver Linings Playbook or Perks of being a wallflower), but there were definitely some very good films that need to be showcased and seen by most people. I still haven't seen many of this year's late releases, like Les Miserables, Life of Pi, Django Unchained or Zero Dark Thirty, but my list would probably look almost the same.


As you know, I don't like to make a top 10 or 20 or give specific marks, so I will just name my favorites of 2012. In no particular order (maybe just release date), here they are:


Avengers Assemble- because of its amazing characters, action scenes and overall entertainment factor

Moonrise Kingdom- quirky, funny, sweet, visually beautiful and wonderfully scored. One of my favorites this year

Searching for Sugarman- a sweet, moving, rather interesting and unbelievable documentary that is definitely worth seeing

On the road- a personal and subjective choice, because of the book it is based on and the people involved. I was probably one of the few who loved it

Holy Motors- crazy, unpredictable, imaginative and wild. Totally different from most releases this year. A must see

Anna Karenina- a masterpiece in set and costume design, not to mention art direction. Visually stunning.

Sightseers- a British gem that is not showcased enough. Dark and violent, but surprisingly hilarious!

ParaNorman- probably my favorite animation of this year, even better than Frankenweenie, in my opinion. Verry funny!

Beyond the Hills- a Romanian masterpiece and one of this year's best all around. I am so proud of Mungiu and his work.

Skyfall- James Bond at its finest- amazing action sequences and surprisingly good script.

Argo- very good in almost all areas. A well-deserved contender for Best Picture

Cloud Atlas- I am, probably, one of the very few who loved it. From the greatly directed action scenes, to the characters and storylines and the way it was build, it's one of my favorites this year

Silver Linings Playbook-perfect example of a simple, yet moving and entertaining movie that can deal with delicate themes and get out of it successfully. Surprisingly good performance from Bradley Cooper!

Perks of being a wallflower- it made cry like I haven't cried in a while. A wonderful and realistic coming-of-age story that I wish everyone would see. The soundtrack and Logan Lerman & Ezra Miller's performance seal the deal.

Other notable mentions: Hunger Games, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Ruby Sparks, Amour


Do you have a number 1 of 2012? Which is it?

Moonrise Kingdom [2012]

Moorise Kingdom, directed by Wes Anderson and written by him and Roman Coppola, recently premiered in Cannes to good reviews. It tells the story of two young people from a small island in New England, who decide to run away together, causing the girl's family and the boy's scout troop to work together to try to find the two lovebirds.

The first scene perfectly captures the atmosphere of the film and sets up the tone in both direction and sets and costume designs. The colors are vibrant, the shots are quick and sometimes robotic, with a lot of close-up, but it somehow works perfectly into the story, making it even more appealing.

One of the things that makes Moonrise Kingdom stand out from most of the films I've seen in cinemas recently is the script: it's amusing, but it also moves you; the characters are very likable, but none of them are really happy; it's funny, but in an unassuming, awkward way. It's black and it's white and it's magical. This is probably my favorite thing about the film. Some of the lines are hilarious, the cameos are a breath of fresh air (Jason Schwartzman, Harvey Keitel, Tilda Swinton) and the actors are so well cast, that they deliver it in the most sweet, quirky, yet adorable way. I'm trying to find a way to explain to you the kind of humor you can expect from it, but I can't and maybe it's better this way, so at least you can judge it for yourself. It's not for everyone, but I am sure most will enjoy it.

Acting wise, everyone delivered. Frances McDormand and Bill Murray provided a few laughs and worked well together, although they don't seem to be a good match. Edward Norton was just adorable as the Scout Master Ward and I loved his interaction with the younger boys, and while Tilda Swinton wasn't given enough time to shine, she still did her job wonderfully. The three real stars of the movie which deserve the highest praise were Bruce Willis and the two kids who run away, Jared Gilman and Kaya Wayward. Willis really surprised me in the role of Captain Sharp, a slow minded, but kind man who decides to help them escape, whilst the two youngsters were just outstanding. Their interaction and their chemistry, but most especially, their individual characters and their performance of them were just adorable and a pleasure to watch. I don't want to give too much away, but you'll understand me when you'll see the beach scene when they dance and kiss, or the one between them and Jason Schwartzman, or the very last scene at the house. Without them, the movie would have been nothing.

From a filmmakers point of view, it was very interesting to watch and Wes' technique is not something you see every day- well, at least, I haven't. Like I mentioned before, the way Anderson chose to shoot it was very quick, going from wide to close-ups in a rather abrupt way. It's not very fluid, but then again, the story is made in such a way that it perfectly matches it, as the actions of the kids are awkward and not natural or sometimes realistic. Visually, it's beautiful and I love the colors and the costumes that they used. The score is a little bit out of place, but then again, so is the movie, so yet again, it fits. 

In some ways, I consider it to be this year's Midnight in Paris- I say that because it's a very well made film, quite simplistic in some aspects at the first glance, but with a fantastic script, wonderful star cast and very enjoyable. Maybe it's a bit of a stretch to compare the two, but in my mind, the connection seems right.

Bottom line, Moonrise Kingdom is a joy to watch and it will definitely light up your mood. The film is extremely well done; it's unusual in many ways, but somehow it all works. Wes Anderson just delivered one of this year's best films and I highly recommend you to see it!

May recap

May was a pretty good month for me. I finally finished all my projects and essays for university and successfully turned them in, and now I just have to focus on my dissertation. After that stressful beginning of the month, I went back home for a week and a half and enjoyed spending time with my family and some close friends, while my mom spoiled me and fed me like there was no tomorrow :) Now I am back in London, ready to rumble, do my research and find a job. I need a job/work experience/internship/anything to do this summer, otherwise I will go crazy!
[Side note: lovely London people, what do I have to do to get into the press screenings? can I or is it too early to do it? help please?]

As for actual movies I saw this month, I am happy to check some important titles I've been meaning to see for months (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, City Lights and so on).

Here's the list for May:


Movies:
Young Adult [2011]
City Lights [1931]
Some Like It Hot [1959]
Coco avant Chanel [2009] foreign film
Taxi Driver [1976]
Raging Bull[1980]
The Virgin Suicides [1999]
Le Scaphandre et le Papillon [2007] foreign film
Big Fish [2003]
Moonrise Kingdom [2012]
Brief Encounter [1945]

Books: 1

I also participated in some very cool blogathons
- Nostra's The Ten: Best actors of all time- my pick
and
- Duke&the movies' Representing Humanity- my choices

Next month:
- 2 concerts (Maccabees and BBC Hackney Weekend)
- Viewing of Frankestein, the Danny Boyle theater play that he directed, starting Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Lee Miller, which also was broadcast live across the UK, and now it's being re-introduced to some select theaters. Just so there are no confusions: I am going to see it in the cinema theater, so no, unfortunately, I won't see Cumberbatch in person, but he will be on a huge screen in front of me, and I am fine with that :)
- Diamond Jubilee parties
- Tate Museum visit
...and hopefully, many more interesting things!

Have a great June everyone!