2012 was a record-breaking year for movies. As of December 27, domestic box office grosses passed $10.6 billion, making it the highest-grossing year ever. Even more impressive, three films crossed the $1 billion threshold. Earlier this year both “The Avengers” and “The Dark Knight Rises” broke $1 billion, earning $1.51 billion and $1.08 billion, respectively. “Skyfall” is now the third film to reach this mark in 2012. The latest Bond film becomes the 14th film in history to break the billion dollar mark.
I did my part by going to several movies this year, which means studios will be sending gifts soon. Okay, maybe not, since I refuse to pay more for 3D flicks. Even so, this was a good year for movies, and here are my top 10 flicks of 2012.
10. The Amazing Spider-Man
After 6 months of fighting it, I finally gave into the peer pressure and saw “The Amazing Spider-Man.” While there were certain things I did not like about this movie, I will say I enjoyed it more than any of the Sam Raimi films. Therefore, it deserves a spot in my top 10. Plus, I absolutely adore Emma stone.
9. Total Recall
Kate Beckinsale, Kate Beckinsale, Kate Beckinsale, Kate Beckinsale, Kate Beckinsale, Kate Beckinsale.
8. Snow White and the Huntsman
I think this movie would have been better off without Snow White. Let’s face it: This was more about the evil queen than Snowy. “Snow White and the Huntsman” is a decent movie, but unfortunately the only thing people will remember is the affair between the director and Kristen Stewart.
7. Moonrise Kingdom
Young love, first love, Filled with true devotion. “Moonrise Kingdom is the sweetest movie Wes Anderson has ever made. A wonderful cast and an excellent story, expect no less from an Anderson film. Highly recommended.
6. Prometheus
Between “Prometheus” and “Snow White and the Huntsman” I gotta say Charlize Theron plays a great villain. The visuals in “Prometheus” are stunning, and the story was better than expected, despite all the bad stuff I’d heard. “Prometheus” is the first Alien movie I enjoyed, and that should tell you something.
5. Les Misérables
If you’d like to know why I liked this, check out my review here
4. The Hunger Games
I read the first novel before seeing the movie, and ended up enjoying both. However, I felt the movie left out some of the more emotional and important parts. “The Hunger Games” film even deleted some characters, and it should be interesting to see how that is handled in the upcoming sequel. The movie is still great though, and Jennifer Lawrence is great in the lead role.
3. The Dark Knight Rises
Any other year “The Dark Knight Rises” would be number one on the list. But 2012 wasn’t an ordinary year, which means DKR drops to number three. The final chapter in Christopher Nolan’s saga gave us everything we wanted and much, much more. I only wish the story had been split into two movie, because there was so much good stuff going on.
Oh yeah, Anne Hathaway looked really good as Catwoman.
2. Skyfall
The best Bond film ever. ‘Nuff said.
1. The Avengers
Seriously, did anyone out there expect “The Avengers” to be as good as it was?
I knew it would be good, but I wasn’t expecting the greatest comic book movie of all time. Let’s hope wave two of the Marvel cinematic universe is just as good.
I should add that there are a few movies I haven’t seen yet, which is why they’re not on the list. In other words, just because “Lincoln” isn’t on the list doesn’t mean I hated it, it’s just I haven’t seen it yet. I hope that made sense. That’s my top 10 list for 2012, what’s on your list?
The Nerds Uncanny 
I think the fact that you didn’t like the Alien movies is why you liked Prometheus. I didn’t hate i, but I’ll withhold judgement until the sequel comes out, because maybe as part of a larger story it’ll make more sense. But as a stand alone movie, it feels incomplete and didn’t really answer anything. And this is from someone who is completely satisfied with the ending of LOST. (People complained that not every little thing was answered, but it wasn’t neccesary to explain everything. But for Prometheus, which was co-written by the same guy, it was neccesary and I left more confused than when I came in.
I’m not a Damon Lindelof fan because of his comic work, but I didn’t think Prometheus was his worst work. The way I look at it is this flick was the appetizer for whatever comes in next.
I just wrote a long response in the search bar. Sigh. I’ll try to remember it all and repost when I get home.
Nice list. I am waiting till Zero Dark Thirty on the 11th and then I’m gonna put my list together. GREAT year in movies. Did you see Argo?
Not yet, I’m hoping to see it soon though. But first I want to see Zero Dark Thirty