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2012 by the Numbers: There are only a few films like Holy Motors and Rust and Bone that I was unable to catch. Here they are with the Top 10 confirmed with 11-13 being the Honorable Mentions. Best of Genre is noted below also. 1. Cloud Atlas – 5/5 2. The Master – 5/5 3. Beasts of the Southern Wild – 5/5 4. Argo – 5/5 5. Silver Linings Playbook – 5/5 6. Oslo, August 31st – 5/5 7. Django Unchained – 4.5/5 8. Prometheus – 4.5/5 9. Moonrise Kingdom – 4.5/5 10. Flight – 4.5/5 11. The Perks of Being a Wallflower – 4.5/5 12. Amour – 4.5/5 13. The Dark Knight Rises – 4.5/5 14. Skyfall – 4.5/5 15. Killing Them Softly – 4.5/5 16. Les Miserables – 4.5/5 17. Killer Joe – 4.5/5 18. Life of Pi – 4/5 19. Lincoln – 4/5 20. Looper – 4/5 21. Ted – 4.5/5......................BEST COMEDY OF 2012 22. The Avengers – 4/5 23. Take This Waltz – 4/5 24. Bernie – 4/5 25. Arbitrage – 4/5 26. Sinister – 4/5.....................BEST HORROR OF 2012 27. Compliance - 4/5 28. Frankenweenie - 4/5.............BEST ANIMATED FILM 29. Dredd - 4/5 30. Zero Dark Thirty – 3.5/5 31. The Hunger Games – 3.5/5 32. The Deep Blue Sea – 3.5/5 33. The Grey – 3.5/5 34. Get the Gringo – 3.5/5 35. Safety Not Guaranteed - 3.5/5 36. The Campaign – 3.5/5 37. The Woman in Black – 3.5/5 38. Safe House – 3.5/5 39. This Is 40 – 3.5/5 40. Jeff Who Lives at Home - 3.5/5 41. Hotel Transylvania - 3.5/5 42. ParaNorman – 3.5/5 43. The Sessions – 3/5 44. Lawless – 3/5 45. Savages – 3/5 46. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World - 3/5 47. Goon - 3/5 48. Haywire – 3/5 49. 21 Jump Street – 3/5 50. Seven Psychopaths - 2.5/5 51. The Cabin in the Woods – 2.5/5 52. Casa de mi Padre – 2.5/5 53. The Possession – 2.5/5 54. The Five-Year Engagement – 2.5/5 55. Pitch Perfect – 2.5/5 56. Trouble With the Curve – 2/5 57. Lockout – 2/5 58. Cosmopolis – 2/5 59. 360 – 2/5 60. God Bless America – 2/5 61. End of Watch – 2/5 62. Red Lights – 2/5 63. Friends with Kids – 2/5 64. Red Hook Summer - 2/5 65. Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 – 2/5 66. V/H/S – 1/5 67. The Paperboy – 1/5 68. The Raven – 1/5 69. Act of Valor – 1/5 70. Dark Tide – 1/5 71. Jack Reacher – 1/5....................WORST FILM OF 2012
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I wanted to like The Seventh Seal but it needed a better direction. Some times it just shows of just to show of without being natural to the flow of the story. But eventually it is good film. Just not that great. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Honestly, the 1st time I saw it, I loved some of it but felt it was lacking too. However, the 2nd time won me over in a whole new light. Might be one of those 2 viewings for you too. Anyway, thanks for sharing your ideas. 0 Replies | Report Abuse I thought Bringing out the Dead sucked. And I really want to see The Yakuza. You and Filmsnobicus confirmed. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Dead has such promise and winning color from the master director. It just didn't leave enough impact or quality take away value. I actually liked Cage here too. Hybridicus carnivore. 0 Replies | Report Abuse I was awe, inspired by The Seventh Seal. Breathless is a classic as well. 1 Replies | Report Abuse That's great to hear, d. Seventh Seal just might creep into my Top 10. 0 Replies | Report Abuse Wild Strawberries and the Seventh Seal are fantastic. I dont know if Persona is in the same mold, but it's classic Bergman. 1 Replies | Report Abuse You GOTTA see Persona if you like those other Bergman films. It's unlike anything else I've seen. Not exciting or flashy, but perplexing on a new level. 0 Replies | Report Abuse Audrey was so fantastic and lovable in Breakfast at Tiffany's, in my opinion her most significant role. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Yeah, she is sensational. Saw Wait Until Dark a while back, she was good there too. Thanks. 0 Replies | Report Abuse I have high love for Eastwood Westerns. While I've seen A Fistful of Dollars a dozen times, I never seen the film that inspired it. Audrey Hepburn is simply memorable in Breakfast at Tiffany's. I consider it to be her best role. Interesting list of films you covered. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Thanks Alex. Always looking for new films. 0 Replies | Report Abuse Strawberries - Nice find; Breathless; have to see it again, it's been years; Fistful of Dollars; Yup, classic Eastwood/Italian/Japanese adaption.; The Innkeepers; Has some good moments; Seventh Seal: Yes, great concept and you have to be patient, but ultimately rewarding; Bringing Out The Dead: Nah, nothing cage does impresses me...ever. Face to Face; Need to see this; The Pawnbroker: A very under-appreciated film. The Yakuza: Never see it. Breakfast: It's Audrey Hepburn, what else do you need? Thanks for the cool list. 0 Replies | Report Abuse |
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I liked The Master too but I still prefer There Will Be Blood. Cosmopolis just sucked, and Cronenberg is one of my favorite directors. Please tell me where you watched Killer Joe!!! Hated Cabin. Le Samourai is good, will watch it again. Haven't seen Atlantic City. Weekend was all right, probably will watch it again eventually. Not a fan of Inland, but I love Lynch. Thought the Innocents was forgettable, may watch it again though. Awesome list. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Thanks, Johnny. I saw Killer Joe in my little local theater (very surprised we got it in Ruston LA). I prefer Blood to The Master too, but both have terrific performances. Wtf about Cosmopolis?! It was awful. Too bad. 0 Replies | Report Abuse Weird, I also saw Cosmopolis, The Cabin in the Woods and Le Samourai this past week. Le Samourai was fantastic (I gave it a 100% but then later changed it to a 90%). I liked The Cabin in the Woods a lot more than you though. 80% for me. And I agree on your rating of Cosmopolis. Cronenberg has so far been a bit of a hit and miss director for me. Of the Cronenberg films I've seen, I loved Videodrome and The Fly, liked eXistenZ, Naked Lunch and Dead Ringers, but I found Spider to be mind numbingly dull and what I've seen of A Dangerous Method seemed rather mediocre. Cosmopolis has got to be my least favorite of his though. It was plotless, cold, static and too dialogue heavy. I felt like there were some smart ideas about society somewhere in there but the dialogue was delivered too quickly and it was worded in such a way that it was difficult to really pick up on them. Paul Giamatti was fantastic in it though. I loved The Innocents as well. As a Lynch fan, I'd like to see Inland Empire soon. I'm curious, do you have this "Top 100" list anywhere on one of your blogs or anything? I'd love to see it. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Man, you simply MUST see A History of Violence and Eastern Promises (Dead Ringers is worthy too). My Top 100 is often changing but should upload it somewhere sometime. Ps, have I already asked you about joining my facebook film club? 1 Replies | Report Abuse Sorry, I haven't been checking my messages. I see that you have now, and I gladly accept your invite. :) 0 Replies | Report Abuse I thought Cosmopolis absolutely fascinating. Hitchcock often harped on themes of cosmic indifference. Here, Cronenberg shows us how us modern cynics have become indifferent to the cosmos...and really anything. Especially those of us living on a bed of money and a gun beneath the pillow. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Thought it was terrible but like your ideas. 0 Replies | Report Abuse |
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Ive been meaning to see THE COTTON CLUB for a while now along with NOTORIOUS. With DEAD SNOW it is so far the better Nazi Zombie film I've seen. The other (and I suspect the First) was Jess Franco's 1981/1982 film OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES with Nazi Zombies in a North African setting. But my dear god that movie stinks to high heaven. Brilliant list Mr T. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Thanks, peter. Notorious is glorious! Never knew of another Nazi zombie flick. I learn something new everyday. Later! 0 Replies | Report Abuse I've only ever seen Eraserhead and it's a 5/5 for me as well. One of the best of the 70s, I'd say. I've also seen the first 10 minutes or so of Notorious but I got distracted by something else and forgot to finish. I guess I'll have to do that soon! 0 Replies | Report Abuse |
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Lots on this list I haven't seen or have long forgotten. The Silence has some good moments, but I don't need another viewing; Lawless just didn't grab me, so haven't seen it; Asphalt Jungle is remarkable for its time, and feels much more genuine than more modern takes of this sort. Mockingbird is simply brilliant work all around, and still powerful; Heartbreak Kid I've never seen...and all the others except the pioneering 'Cabinet' which is an interesting museum piece, but you can see the DNA for other things in this film. Nice list! 1 Replies | Report Abuse Thanks and good points! Please don't look at Heartbreak Kid compared to the remake, they are nothing alike ;) 0 Replies | Report Abuse Need to see Silence, Lawless, and Asphalt Jungle. Not a big fan of Mockingbird but still think its a good film. Haven't seen Heartbreak Kid. Did not like Cat O nine Tail's at all. Really want to see Goodbar, have never been able to find it. Pontypool was ok but nothing memorable. Caligari is a masterpiece, one of my favorite silents. Timecrimes sucked. Didn't care for knocking either. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Caligari is a masterpiece, indeed. Check out Goodbar on youtube! Whole film. Found Ali, Heartbreak Kid, and Lone Star among others. Later! 0 Replies | Report Abuse Cat O' Nine Tails sounds like one film I've got to see after viewing Argento's DEEP RED & SUSPRIA. CALIGARI is a quintessential Silent Film, which is still just as errie as it was over 92 years ago. Brilliant reviews Mr Taylor 1 Replies | Report Abuse Thanks, peter. Always good to hear from you. I like The Bird with the Crystal Plumage much better so check that out if you like Argento (or even better in some ways is Inferno!). 0 Replies | Report Abuse To Kill A Mockingird, was one of the first older films I ever loved. 1 Replies | Report Abuse It is fantastic. Thanks for stopping by d. 1 Replies | Report Abuse @ Below: Hey Monster Dick, stop crying, you don't have to read them. Piss off. 0 Replies | Report Abuse Why don't you stop posting these self indulgent blogs. You suck. 0 Replies | Report Abuse To Kill a Mockingbird is a true classic and I believe The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is one of the greatest films ever made. The Asphalt Jungle was good too (4/5 for me). I almost saw Time Crimes at a friend's house but then we ended up watching a terrible horror movie called Calvaire. I can't imagine Time Crimes being any worse than that was. I haven't seen Lawless yet but I'm starting to get discouraged by the mediocre response to it. 1 Replies | Report Abuse I gave Asphalt Jungle the same on the 1st viewing but my 2nd visit really hit me. Thank! 0 Replies | Report Abuse |
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Nice list... I'll agree with your ratings as well! thumbs up! 1 Replies | Report Abuse Oh, there is no thumbs up on this one! 1 Replies | Report Abuse Thanks Panta! 0 Replies | Report Abuse NORTH BY NORTHWEST is a classic Hitchcock thriller, Brilliant review Mr Taylor 1 Replies | Report Abuse Thanks man. Loved it too. Next to Psycho, it's his best I've seen so far. 0 Replies | Report Abuse North By Northwest is one of Hitchcock's more entertaining films, but not nearly as good as Rear Window. 1 Replies | Report Abuse I'm looking forward to Notorious and Rear Window. Thanks d. 0 Replies | Report Abuse Bernie was a 70% for me. I love Linklater's work, but it doesn't nearly measure up to Dazed and Confused or his "Before..." series. Still a good movie. NBNW is a 5/5 for me too. Perfect film. One of Hitchcock's best. The climax was incredibly intense. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Glad you feel the same way about NBNW! Thanks! 0 Replies | Report Abuse |
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I didn't find Fanny and Alexander to be a masterpiece. It is well directed but lacking a real closure. It seemed like long fairytale with for me rather bad ending. I haven't seen Vertigo but i can name dozen films that in my opinion are overrated like 12 Angry Men or Rear Window. Actually Hitchock himself said that italian neo-realism works are the best ones and for me those films are the best ones with La Dolce Vita being the best. 1 Replies | Report Abuse I loved Fanny but respect your opinion of course. Check out all the fuss (Vertigo). I'm sure you heard it got the #1 spot over Citizen Cane on some Light and Sound list or something. Best film of all time? Not for me. You be the judge! Later! 1 Replies | Report Abuse I saw Vertigo and I can say it's ingenuine very stale and has a bummer ending. Isn't monumental piece of work. In my opinion nothing comes close to Fellini's or Visconti's best works. THey are just cinema at it's best with completely genuine emotions. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Pierrot Le Fou is my favorite Godard film. Vertigo is a masterpiece and my personal favorite Hitchcock film along with Psycho. Didn't like Fanny and Alexander that much. Carnival of Souls was ok but kind of bland. Klute was all right, I prefer The Parallax View and All the Presidents men. Haven't seen Campaign, looks kind of stupid. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Whoa! Someone else who has seen Parallax View! That is underrated, glad you like it. Godards best for me is Alphaville. Thanks! 0 Replies | Report Abuse As a fan of Cult Movies that are from any era, A to Z Grade, Bad to brilliant & just plan bizarre. CARNIVAL OF SOULS is for me stand out gem amongst numerous B-Grade Drive-In from the late 1950s to Early 1960â??s.As for VERTIGO , well also being a fan of Hitchcock I love the great directors most beloved masterpiece. VERTIGO is one great film I just love watching over and over again. Brilliant reviews Mr Taylor 1 Replies | Report Abuse Thanks, peter! Carnival was pretty good and then the ending hit hard! It is a gem indeed. Psycho is going to be hard to beat. North by Northwest is next! 1 Replies | Report Abuse North By northwest, thats another one I really love...........Can't wait to hear what you think about it 0 Replies | Report Abuse good to hear about Fanny and Alexander, just started watching Bergman films. 1 Replies | Report Abuse You have started on a grand journey, my friend. Virgin Spring, Seventh Seal and Persona are all Top 100 films for me. Good luck! 0 Replies | Report Abuse While I've been remiss in commenting on your lists, I love reading them every time they are posted. In regards to Vertigo, it's not Hitchcock's best but it's a damn fine movie, if only for the ingenious camera work. As far asd the story goes, it leaves you very uneasy throughout, which is a tough trick to master. As far as overrated movies, my number one is Scarface. Bought it on a blind buy and I still don't get the fascination with it. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Good points on Vertigo. Scarface is one I totally get. One of the best endings ever! In a crazy, go down shooting kind of way. Thanks man! 0 Replies | Report Abuse I actually didn't like Vertigo when I first saw it. It was, however, one of the first films from its era that I had seen and I wasn't used to such slow pacing for a thriller. Since then, however, it's grown on me, so much so that it's become one of my favorite films ever and my favorite Hitchcock film. Although I don't know about it being the greatest film ever (If I had a say, I'd probably vote for 2001, Apocalypse Now or Bergman's Cries and Whispers) it would outrank Citizen Kane in my books any day. Fanny and Alexander is indeed a masterpiece and Carnival of Souls was a good horror classic. I haven't seen the others. As for acclaimed films that I didn't love, I could name plenty. Off the top of my head, Rocky, Avatar, Forrest Gump, Jaws, Ghostbusters, Sans Soleil, The Matrix, Garden State, The Bridge on the River Kwai, A Few Good Men, His Girl Friday, All the President's Men, Day for Night, Gangs of New York and many more. I do like some of those, but none really lived up to their reputations for me. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Jaws, 2001 Apocalypse Now! Awesome! Thanks, we have many favorites in common. 0 Replies | Report Abuse |
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I'm kind of curious to view TOKYO STORY, after all Sight& Sound named it #3 on thier top ten list ( the same list that labels VERTIGO as the greatest film of all time which is neat for a fan of Hitchcock). Brilliant review Mr Taylor 1 Replies | Report Abuse Thanks, I don't see Tokyo as that caliber of film but hey, its all in the eye of the beholder. Hope to hear your thoughts on it soon. 0 Replies | Report Abuse I liked Tokyo Story too but wasn't blown away either. I felt the same way about Wait Until Dark. Lost Highway is an underrated masterpiece. Enjoyed Cries and Whispers as well. Haven't seen Count On Me... 1 Replies | Report Abuse Cool, we agree on several this week. Do check out Count on Me, the performances are top shelf. Thanks! 0 Replies | Report Abuse Good list, good week. Lost Highway is so "Lynch," but flawed I guess. Some scenes are just fantastic though. I think it pales just a little compared to Mulholland Drive. Cries and Whispers was the first Bergman film I ever saw in a movie theater. I was bowled over... still one of my favorites. 1 Replies | Report Abuse You are wise, EG. I'm going to give Mul Drive another shot esp after appreciating Lost Highway, then I want to see Inland Empire or whatever it's called. Miss you on our little fb club lately. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Thanks, Greg. The summer heat has broken here and that means more time outside, but... "I'll be back..." :-)) 1 Replies | Report Abuse I still haven't seen Tokyo Story or Lost Highway, but Cries and Whispers is my second favorite film of the seventies and my favorite Bergman so far. I was totally emotionally drained and disturbed by the end of it. It haunted me. Wait Until Dark is a good thriller and You Can Count on Me was great as well (both are 4/5s for me). 0 Replies | Report Abuse |
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I really liked Throne of Blood but didn't love it. Haven't seen Man For All Seasons, Paths of Glory is definitely a masterpiece and one of the greatest war films ever made, I think Angel Heart is an underrated masterpiece, Fear and Desire is interesting but understandably not that great, Want to see The Mirror, Didn't like Sid and Nancy, Reds didn't do anything for me, OUTIA is a masterpiece by one of the greatest directors of all time, Ronin is a good action film but nothing more, Iv'e never been a fan of Metropolis but maybe I need to give it another go. Really good ones this week. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Thanks, Johnny! We see many of these the same. I was in awe of Metropolis and felt it was years ahead of it's time. 0 Replies | Report Abuse Paths of Glory is really great. One of the best if not the best. I should check Throne of Blood. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Do check it out, Domas and let me know if you remember. I'd like to hear your thoughts on it. 0 Replies | Report Abuse With viewing Lang's Metropolis did you view the complete 2010 restoration of the film? Its great that you loved Once Upon A Time in The West (which is one of my all time Favourites along with Metropolis & Paths Of Glory). However don't take this the wrong way but You have called it Once Upon a Time in America which was Leone's last film four Hour film in 1984. Which I strongly recommend viewing as well, Its by far one of the great Gangster films of all time. Brilliant review's Mr Taylor 1 Replies | Report Abuse Thanks, peter, as always. The Metropolis version I saw was the Restored version. Yes, I made a typo with Once Upon a Time in the West and do need to see Once Upon a Time in America, everyone tells me that. Its on the short list. 0 Replies | Report Abuse I just saw Throne of Blood. It's well crafted and has a great ending. Somehow it lacks the impact of Ran for me. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Well crafted in deed, loved the creepy scenes in the forest too. One of my favorite Kurosawa films. Thanks! 0 Replies | Report Abuse Paths of Glory is indeed a great film, but it would probably be on the lower half of his filmography if I was to rank them by preference. I found Fear and Desire rather underwhelming and forgettable, and I felt it lacked that Kubrick magic. 50% for me. I wasn't exactly too sure what to make of The Mirror, but I gave it an 80% for making me think. I think I like it the more I let it sink in. And yes, Metropolis is a masterpiece. :) 1 Replies | Report Abuse Mirror is a thinker, really admire it. Metropolis just blew me away! Thanks! 0 Replies | Report Abuse |
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Rashomon is my favorite Kurosawa film, glad you liked it. Manchurian was good too, I need to rewatch it though. Didn't see Lockout and don't plan too, didn't see Bullhead either. The Apartment didn't meet my expectations, it was ok I guess. Haven't seen Gypsies. The Mercenary was ok but forgettable. Watchman was good but not great. I have never liked Time Bandits but Im not Gilliam fan either. Never saw Tron Legacy, thought the original was pretty bad. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Ha! We have a few agreeable ones and a few disagreeable ones this week, Johnny. Rashomon and Manchurian are the ones that really count here though. Thanks! 0 Replies | Report Abuse Mixing it up with A bit of Kurosawa, Billy Wilder & Terry Gilliam I see. No doubt something like THRONE OF BLOOD, DOUBLE INDEMITY, & BRAZIL in all various cuts will be up next...... Brilliant review Mr Taylor 1 Replies | Report Abuse Thanks man. Just saw Throne of Blood and am still in awe! 0 Replies | Report Abuse nice to see some love for tron: legacy. I highly enjoyed it. The Apartment is also one of my favorite Billy Wilder films. 1 Replies | Report Abuse Yeah, Tron: Legacy was visual bliss! Thanks! 0 Replies | Report Abuse |
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Domas on 2/23/13 at 02:21 AM
I found this year (as most of them) to be bland. The Master wasn't deep enough, Django Unchained was all over the place, Beasts of Southern Wild was a bit cliche, Cloud Atlas failed to reach it's premise and so on. For me the best film of this year was Life of Pi but that doesn't mean that it was great.
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Mr. Taylor on 2/23/13 at 10:31 PM
Wow. Any love for Argo or SLP at least?
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Domas on 2/23/13 at 11:22 PM
Haven't seen them yet. I think Argo should be great. All other Afflecks films were a pleasent surprise for me.
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Domas on 2/24/13 at 09:59 AM
But really why everyone is praising Cloud Atlas. For me it's manipulative, artificial, overdirected film that simply tries too hard.
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Mr. Taylor on 2/24/13 at 01:37 PM
Agree with your Affleck/Argo comment. Disagree with your Cloud Atlas comment. LOL
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Jordan A. on 3/11/13 at 01:16 PM
Interesting post. I felt that 2012 was an unremarkable year in film, and was quite disappointed by most of the films I got excited for (Argo, The Dark Knight Rises, Prometheus, The Avengers, etc.). I strongly disliked Prometheus, but I'm glad that you included Django Unchained, Beasts of the Southern Wild and Cloud Atlas on your Best Picture top 10 list.
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Jordan A. on 3/11/13 at 01:35 PM
Interesting blog. I felt that 2012 was an unremarkable year in film, and was quite disappointed by most of the films I got excited for (Argo, The Dark Knight Rises, Prometheus, The Avengers, etc.). I strongly disliked Prometheus, but I'm glad that you included Django Unchained, Beasts of the Southern Wild and Cloud Atlas on your Best Picture list. I wasn't impressed with the performances of Weaver or Field; I would have instead nominated Emma Watson for The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Shirley MacLaine for Bernie. I would have preferred to see Sam Rockwell, Logan Lerman, Suraj Sharma, Bradley Cooper, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan or Jack Black on the Best Actor list instead of Hugh Jackman.
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Mr. Taylor on 3/12/13 at 05:52 AM
Thanks for stopping by, Jordan. I too liked MacLaine and Watson, both of those films were very good. I actually thought it was a good year, despite my 2 most anticipated films getting set back to 2013 (Only God Forgives and To the Wonder).
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Erik P. on 3/14/13 at 10:19 AM
Wait, "Pitch Perfect" doesn't have 5/5? ? ? ?
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Mr. Taylor on 3/14/13 at 12:40 PM
No way. Not in my world. I watched because my wife wanted to see it. Funny, we both shared the same #1 film of the year though.
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