As the year draws to a close many of us take the opportunity to look back at another past year. Reflecting on it's successes and failures and the fact that the Mayans took millions of people for a great big fat ride this year. So in the spirit of looking back I present to you Aegon's Top Ten Films of 2012. This is my list and as a result is not perfect. However I deem myself more knowledgeable than the average movie goer with a greater refined taste in film. Also there are several films of this year I still want to see but have not gotten around to or have not been released here yet like Django Unchained, Les Miserables and Lincoln. So for obvious reasons these won't be included. So here goes, of all the films I have seen this year, this is my top ten. 

10 21 Jump Street

When I saw this film I was having a bad day, I was in a horrid mood and I wanted to see something else that wasn't available. Five minutes in however my mood had changed entirely. A charming story featuring some great writing and brilliant lines. It will have you laughing from start to finish and features a very surprising cameo appearance by a huge name. A movie I would definetely recommend. And if you are afraid of watching it just cause it stars Channing Tatum, don't be! This is his best role in film and one that changed my opinion about him completely! 

Best quote "When did I get stabbed? That is awesome!" - Schmidt 

9 Life of Pi

The best film from Ang Lee I have ever seen! Life of Pi features some fantastic acting and amazing effects in a larger than life story about a shipwrecked young man adrift in a life boat with a grown bengal tiger for company. It is a beautiful story and will be sure to top some favourites for 2012, yet I expected a little more from it and therefore it scores low on this list. I still recommend it to be seen though and it is certainly stunning in 3D.

Best quote "I suppose in the end, the whole of life becomes and act of letting go, but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye." -Pi

8 Skyfall

The best Bond film so far featuring the best Bond so far in an epic story of betrayal and ressurection. Featuring a memorable villain, an older Bond and a look at the mysterious past that forged the world's most famous secret agent. A welcome return of some of the more classic characters and several nods towards past films. This movie scores high across the board and I suspect it will be the Bond film by which all others will be measured. 

Best Quote "what did you expect; a exploding pen?" - Q

7 Amazing Spiderman

I am a big fan of Spiderman, not the abomination played by Tobey Maguire, the Spiderman as he appears in the comics; fun, witty and highly entertaining. Whereas all the Sam Raimi films did was make us feel sorry for Peter Parker, this movie turned it around by showing what a weird, geeky intelligent teenager with powers would really be like. Andrew Garfield plays a Peter Parker so true to the comics it feels like he crawled out of one. With powerful chemistry between him and love interest Emma Stone, they blow away every other on screen couple this year. I saw it in both 2D and 3D and I can say this is one of those few films that work best in 3D. A definite see for all fans of comic book movies, Andrew will have you giggling in your seat while swinging along with him. 

Best Quote "Is that a knife? You found my weakness...it's small knives!" - Spiderman to car thief

6 Hunger Games 

A movie I have long been looking forward to, it did not fail to impress me. While many will disagree I loved Jennifer Lawrence's interpretation of Katniss as well as seeing the world of Panem brought to life on the big screen. While perhaps not being as violent as I would want it, it still makes for a damn fine showing. The story is a great one as testified by its popularity long before the film came along and it stays true to the spirit of the books. It's one of those films for which's sequel I cannot wait. 

Best Quote "May the odds ever be in your favour." Fucking everybody

Before we continue: the Most Disappointing film of 2012

This is not nearly the worst movie I have seen this year, but is the one whose left me the most disgusted after I had very high expectation for it. 

Snow White and the Huntsman

A horrible film, a weak script and bad performances all round (with the exception of a fantastic Charlize Theron) all this movie left as impression was bad taste in my mouth. When the first trailer with a voice over from Charlize Theron aired and appeared to be putting a spin of a old tale, I was optimistic despite Kristen Steward playing the titular role. It looked like a great idea and it featured the mighty Thor. Yet it was incredibly horrible, how Kristen Steward ever made it will forever be a mystery and in what world is she fairer than Charlize Theron? So many questions, such a horrid movie. Avoid at all costs!!!

5 Dark Knight Rises 

A somewhat dissapointing film, and not the masterpiece it's predecessor was. However it is still an amazing movies with some of the best sequences I have ever seen and featuring a villain so cleverly evil he makes the Joker look like a simple clown. Whereas Joker was simpy in pursuit of chaos, Bane is a cool, calculated, intelligent man remiscent of such historical figures as Julius Caesar. Tom Hardy played the man to perfection using only his eyes to menace the audience. Matching the Dark Knight in not only intellect, but physicality as well, they're first fight scene is arguably the best in comic movie history. The rest of the cast was fantastic as always in their farewell to the Batman franchise. Despite its shortcomings it's still a must see for all fans of Christoper Nolan. Goodbye realistic Batman ,you will be sorely missed. 

Best quote "Peace has cost you your strength, victory has defeated you!"-Bane to Batman

4 The Hobbit: an Unexpected Journey

The fun prequel to the Lord of the Rings and a fantastic ride in 3D, the Hobbit is the first of trilogy of films detailing the adventures of Bilbo Baggins. I have spoken a lot on this film and I cannot recommend it enough especially in 48fps. See here why I loved it so much. 

Best quote "Bagginses? What is a Bagginses?" - Gollum

3 Chronicle

A fresh and interesting take on the world of superpowers Chronicle remains firmly fixed in my top three. When three high school students stumble upon a strange object, they develop incredible telekenetic abilities, granting the teens incredible powers. At first its all fun in games in some hilarious sequences but things soon take a darker turn when a formerly bullied (and emotionally tortured) teen realises he has the power to strike back. It was sleeper hit, produced on a modest budget with a bunch of new comers in both actors, writer and director. Stunning performances are given by all in a breakthrough movie that will forever change the way I look at comics. MAx Landis is an incredible writer to keep a look out for in the future and Josh Tranks impressed so much in his directorial debut he was subsequently given the task of directing the much anticipated reboot of the Fantastic Four. That has to tell you something about the quality of the film. 

Best quote "And as human beings, we're considered the apex predator, but only because smaller animals can't feed on us because of weapons and stuff, right? A lion does not feel guilty when it kills a gazelle, right? You do not feel guilty when you squash a fly...and I think that means something. I just think that really means something." - Andrew

2 Avengers

Back in 2008 the first of a new series of comic book films was made. With Marvel getting their own movie studio and retaining creative rights over their franchise we all knew we would see something special and indeed we did with the arrival of Iron Man. But what sent the biggest geekgasm wracking through my body was the appearance of Samuel L. Jackson and the words "the Avengers innitiative." The bastards were actually going to try and make a movie featuring some of the most incredible superheroes in comic book verse all in one film. With every released chapter my expectation grew till they were at a place where nothing else than the very best geek film of all time would satisfy. And satisfy it did, in fact it downright thrilled me right into my little toes. Josh Whedon did the near impossible and in the process produced the highest grossing film of 2012 and the third highest grossing film in history. I cannot praise this film enough from the standpoint of a geek and a comic book enthusiast. 

Best Quote "Doth mother know you weareth her drapes?" - Iron Man to Thor

1 Cloud Atlas 

What is there to say about this film that I have not said a thousand times over! The best film of 2012 by far! It set the stage in visuals, acting and story telling producing a final product that not only awed me but touched me in a way a film has not done in a long time. For my full thoughts on this underrated master piece click here.

Best Quote "I believe there is another world waiting for us, Sixsmith. A better world. And I'll be waiting for you there." Robert Frobisher. 

So what are your thoughts? What's the best films you have seen this year? How does my list compare with yours.  

-- Edited by Aegon the Conqueror on Saturday 29th of December 2012 06:28:06 PM