Dustin’s Top 10 Films of 2012
I still remember the feeling I had immediately after watching Beasts of the Southern Wild; my heart was beating out of my chest, a long-lasting smile was on my face, and I had that feeling that I just watched something great. Regardless of the title, it is special when a film can make you feel this way. So it should be of little surprise that Beasts of the Southern Wild is my number 1 film of 2012. But the main purpose of this preface is to highlight potentially important films that I did not get a chance to see before making the list. Some of these films include; The Sessions, Amour, The Comedy, Cloud Atlas, and The Silver Linings Playbook just to name a few.
Also to note, Paradise: Love is absent from my list (although it would have likely been in the Top 3). This is because of the rules we set up, only films with a North American release date of 2012 can count. Therefore it will have to appear on the list next year.
Dustin Jansick’s Top 10 Films of 2012
#1 Beasts of the Southern Wild
A mesmerizing lead performance by Quvenzhane Wallis pairs perfectly with a magnificently shot poetic film by Benh Zeitlin. It the most imaginative and moving film of the year.
Beasts of the Southern Wild Review | Watch Trailer
#2 Your Sister’s Sister
Lynn Shelton is great at taking simple conventional situations and making them into complex and extraordinary without sacrificing believability.
Your Sister’s Sister Review | Watch Trailer
#3 The Master
It is a challenging but rewarding film if you are willing to connect the dots yourself. It contains some of the year’s best acting performances.
The Master Review | Watch Trailer
#4 Jeff, Who Lives At Home
The film delivers a powerful message about believing things in life happen for a reason and it does so by blurring the line between choice and destiny.
Jeff, Who Lives At Home Review | Watch Trailer
#5 Looper
Most sci-fi action films do not care about character development or even if it has a good plot. This film has both of those in addition to the entertainment.
Looper Review | Watch Trailer
#6 Beyond The Black Rainbow
This highly stylized head-trip of a film has a Midnight Madness feel to it and has cult classic written all over it. Maybe the most bizarre film of the year.
Beyond The Black Rainbow Review | Watch Trailer
#7 Sleepwalk With Me
One of the year’s best comedies demonstrations comedians are not always funny and relationships are not always fairy tales in an entertaining manner.
Sleepwalk With Me Review | Watch Trailer
#8 Moonrise Kingdom
You cannot deny that Wes Anderson has his own unique style and this film solidifies that statement. It screams Anderson and has a great ensemble cast to go along with it.
Moonrise Kingdom Review | Watch Trailer
#9 Alps
Giorgos Lanthimos is quickly becoming one of my favorite foreign directors. A film about impersonating other identities while losing your own? Brilliant.
Alps Review | Watch Trailer
#10 Cabin in the Woods
This is a satire on the horror genre, pointing out all the clichés by acting them out. It makes for a refreshing and entertaining watch.
Cabin in the Woods Review | Watch Trailer