"I like the way you die, boy."- MY FAVOURITE FILMS OF 2012

        Oscars is tomorrow/today people (depends on your time zone)! What better time to finally post my list of favourite 2012 films? Enjoy.

Honourable mentions- Frankenweenie for showing us the awesomeness that Tim Burton is still capable of, Your Sister's Sister for being just so simple and lovely, Killer Joe for being just the opposite in all its perfect creepiness.

20.

The Dark Knight Rises (Dir: Christopher Nolan)

I have my issues with this film, but it is still one helluva action bonanza with a lot of things to say. The cast is excellent, and this is probably the best ending to the Dark Knight trilogy one could ask for.

19.

Beasts of the Southern Wild (Dir: Behn Zeitlin)

After having watched this film, I just was at a loss of words. Not so much as just being blown away but because I had nothing to compare it to. I have never seen anything of this sort. It's a modern fairytale. It's a commentary. It kind of glorifies poverty. All I know was that I loved whatever had transpired and that Quvénzhane Wallis is a tiny goddess.

18.

Looper (Dir: Rian Johnson)

One of my best experiences in the cinemas all year. I could feel myself gaping at moments. Takes the used-up time-travel plot and twists it to give us something new and memorable. Great performances as well.

17.

Talaash (Dir: Reema Kagti)

The big secret at the end had already been spoiled for me when I went to watch it. Still, I was quite surprised at it and how well-handled it was. It might not work for everyone, but the shady 70s thriller feel, a social commentary on prostitution in big cities and one gorgeous performance by Kareena Kapoor makes it a winner in my eyes.

16.

The Deep Blue Sea (Dir: Terence Davies)

This film haunts you with its melancholic beauty. As much as I love the period settings and the cinematography, it is the cast of actors led by Rachel Weisz that really seals the deal for me.

15.

Les Misérables (Dir: Tom Hooper)

I did not want to like this film, but I did. A lot. I loved most of the singing (ugh Russell Crowe!) and the settings and the story. The performances by Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway too were excellent. It's just a very pretty film.

14.

The Cabin in the Woods (Dir: Drew Goddard)

What an awesome, crazy film. One of the funniest, most original movies of the year that both mocks and embraces the horror genre. Has some of the greatest scenes and characters too.

13.

Brave (Dir: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell)

Pixar is back on form with this completely unique princess tale that most magically focuses on the relationship between a girl and her mother and is not about some silly prince or glass slippers or anything of that sort. Princess Merida is too awesome for that. Also, absolutely gorgeous animation.

12.

Holy Motors (Dir: Leos Carax)

I desperately need to rewatch this film to fully form some opinion on what the hell this film is about. In spite of that, I had just such a great time watching all of the mysterious Mr. Oscar's adventures and Denis Lavant's performance is fantastic.

11.

Magic Mike (Dir: Steven Soderbergh)

OBJECTIFY ALL MEN! Also, thank you Mr. Soderbergh. More films like this should be made, and not just for all that. Could not stop smiling throughout its running time though.

10.

Bachelorette (Dir: Leslye Headland)

It's just one of those films that I end up loving more than others. I thought it was really smart and bitchy and was a very interesting insight into the lives and minds of these women. Brilliant cast!

9.

Moonrise Kingdom (Dir: Wes Anderson)

I have to find some other word to describe it other than 'magical' but I always end up with it or synonyms thereof. It is stunningly shot and designed, has a story about the magic of growing up and that first love, and it's just so funny and sweet.

8.

Argo (Dir: Ben Affleck)

Definitely the best made movie of the year. It is entertaining, smart, thrilling, uplifting. A cool period piece that is more about a situation than any political stands. I would be very happy if this won Best Film at the Oscars.

7.

English Vinglish (Dir: Gauri Shinde)

I was so blown away by the simplicity and the brilliance of this film. A film that I personally relate to being an Indian girl. It is incredibly well-made and balanced and I love all the messages that this film gives. I wish all Indian films could be as smart and socially aware and well-acted as this.

6.

Ruby Sparks (Dir: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris)

An adorable romcom that is also about the creative process and the inner workings of a male mind. It also breaks open the "manic pixie girl" mould. And I love Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan.

5.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Dir: Steven Chbosky)

I don't think any film this year has made me so simultaneously happy and sad. I turned 20 last year and I have been feeling so lousy about my life so far and here comes a movie about beautiful young people and feeling infinite and whatnot. Just makes me wish I could go back to being 16 and really do it right this time round.

4.

Skyfall (Dir: Sam Mendes)

Oh gorgeousity! I could have never fathomed being this in love with an action film's look, but here we are. It is also a fantastically made film with a great story line and very memorable performances. Bond has never been better in my eyes.

3.

Django Unchained (Dir: Quentin Tarantino)

It's not flawless, but it is very close to being so. Tarantino tackling slavery seems like such an absurd idea, but god, did he pull it off! It's brutal, it's honest, it's spectacular to look at. Added to that the quintessential Tarantino elements of killer dialogues, magnificent violence and unforgettable characters.

2.

Cloud Atlas (Dir: The Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer)

Pure entertainment and ambition. All the stories, all the lives, all the genres- it is just marvelous. It should have been impossible to pull off, but with a running time that clocks to nearly three hours, it is one of the most engaging and inspiring films of the year.

1.

The Avengers (Dir: Joss Whedon) and Silver Linings Playbook (Dir: David O. Russell)

Speaking of impossible stuff, I just could not choose between the two. While I am a bigger fan of The Avengers, a film I have been raving about ever since I saw it, the Bollywood spirit in me cannot allow a romcom like Silver Linings Playbook, that is about real people and ends with a dance number, to place anywhere but at the top. I have enjoyed and loved these two movies. The characters, the chemistry, the performances, the highly unlikely chances of either being this fucking good(!), and the final acts, all have led to me choosing both The Avengers and Silver Linings Playbook as my number 1 movies of the year.

       So there you have it. These are all my end-of-year lists.

My Favourite Performances of 2012

My Favourite Scenes of 2012

My Favourite Fight Scenes of 2012

12 Shots of 2012

My Favourite Everything Else of 2012

       What did you think?

"Calm down, crazy."- MY FAVOURITE EVERYTHING ELSE OF 2012

         I kind of went on a list-making frenzy when I started with my end-of-year lists. These are the ones I won't be making separate posts for because of time constraint, but they are awesome nonetheless. Also, my favourite performances and films will be up soon.

• Silva, Skyfall- A Bond film is only as good as its villain, and my god, I loved both of them.
• Bane, The Dark Knight Rises- Not easy following Heath Ledger's footsteps, but Tom Hardy did a great, powerful job.
• People, The Cabin in the Woods/ Paranorman/ The Hunt- People suck.
• Joe, Looper- Love the concept of your older self being the baddie. Bruce Willis was super cool.
• The Amazing Spider-Man- For being a shit, unnecessary film and wasting Emma Stone.
• Old Age, Amour- We are all going to die.
• Hugo Weaving characters, Cloud Atlas- Weaving is one of my favourite villain-playing actors and here, he goes from being an oppressive nurse to an assassin to the devil himself.
• Joe, Killer Joe- Oh Matthew McConaughey, you creepy, creepy man. Never set foot in KFC.
• Stephen, Django Unchained- I found him so much more villainous than his master Candie. A total bastard.

Biggest Villain of 2012- Loki, The Avengers

As I had written in my review, it isn't easy for a relative newcomer like Tom Hiddleston to hold his own against so many big actors playing such super persons, but he does it with a lot of snarkiness and aplomb. 

• Hushpuppy. Beasts of the Southern Wild- Brave, wild, amazing.
• Hulk, The Avengers- Mark Ruffalo and Joss Whedon have made me a fan of the big, green, rage monster. Smash all the aliens! And Thor! And Loki!
• Patrick, The Perks of Being a Wallfower- Oh god, I want a best friend like him!
• Selina Kyle, The Dark Knight Rises- Best part of the film by a batmile.
• Fat Amy, Pitch Perfect- Aca-awesome.
• James Bond, Skyfall- A human Bond is just that much cooler.
• Richard Parker, Life of Pi- Magnificent.
• Princess Merida, Brave- Pixar has given us a great first heroine.
• Tiffany, Silver Linings Playbook/ Weird Girl, Frankenweenie- Because they're both weird and awesome and are going to become my role models (hey, this is my list!).

Best Character of 2012- Marty, The Cabin in the Woods

A prophet and a badass? He is going to become a cult god. Great work by Fran Kranz.

• Cloud Atlas- Just look at all the actors and ALL the characters they portray.
• Django Unchained- Tarantino might just have outdid himself with this cast.
• Skyfall- Craig, Dench, Fiennes, Bardem, Whishaw. Stellar.
• Silver Linings Playbook- There is a reason why this is the first film in 31 years to get nominations in all four acting categories. Love the other supporting actors too, most notably, Anupam Kher.
• The Dark Knight Rises- I don't care about Batman half as much as I do about Alfred, Gordon and Fox. And in this we get Selina and Blake too. Plus, love it when Cillian Murphy shows up.

Best Ensemble of 2012- The Avengers

• Everything Suzy Bishop, Moonrise Kingdom- Another memorable Wes Anderson female character with a penchant for individualistic fashion.
• The surgery machine, Prometheus- When I was sick last year, I kept wishing for this machine so that I could get cured in jiffy. Mighty useful it would be.
• Joe's gun, Looper- Uber awesome.
• Shawarma, The Avengers- I, for one, am very happy that Shawarmas are getting the respect and love they deserve.
• Kirsten Dunst's bitchface, Bachelorette- To master that would be a dream.
• The Aston Martin, Skyfall- Try and tell me that your heart didn't skip a beat when this first appeared in the movie.
• The time machine, Safety Not Guaranteed- Because I need one. Woodstock is waiting for me!
• Bong cup, The Cabin in the Woods- Do I need to explain myself?
• The Bat, The Dark Knight Rises- Do I need to explain myself again?

Coolest Object of 2012- Princess Merida's Hair, Brave

I made this list so that I can have Merida's wondrous, fiery tresses topping a list. I can build an altar to them.

Favourite Quotes of 2012-

(in descending order)

"I have an army." - MY FAVOURITE FIGHT SCENES OF 2012

       It's that time of the (next) year again- list making time!! Last year I made a special list of villains because they stood out to me. This year, while I was listing down my favourite scenes, I noticed that a list-worthy number of them are fight scenes and so here we are. I do love a great cinematic fight. For the record, my favourite cinematic fight of all time is probably Mark Darcy versus Daniel Cleaver in Bridget Jones's Diary.

Note: Needless to say really, but this is a very spoiler-filled post.

Honourable mentions- Merida and Elinor vs Mor'Du in Brave, People vs Zombies in Paranorman, Abraham Lincoln vs horse-throwing vampire in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

10.

Elizabeth Shaw vs Alien Baby in Prometheus

I admit that I watched this scene with my face half-covered, but god it was memorable. Fighting an enemy that is literally growing inside you and having a goddamn cesarean to get rid of that- kudos to Noomi Rapace's Elizabeth.

9.

Django versus Candie's minions in Django Unchained

This is the shooting scene right after two major characters have been killed and Django has to defend himself and protect Broomhilda. This film is full of shooting, but here it is both outrageous and scary and cool and the blood just explodes out of people. It bloody fun (yes, pun very much intended).

8.

Gollum versus Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

A battle of wits and riddles, this was probably my favourite bit in the book. And while the horrid 48 FPS technology managed to make many scenes unbearable to watch, it works here as Gollum becomes even more realistic. And Martin Freeman as always is amazing. I was really pleased with how it turned out.

7.

Cid versus Jesse in  Looper

Well, it isn't exactly a fight scene as much as it is really cool scene with someone actually getting disintegrated in slow mo. Poor Jesse did not know what he was getting into, and good lord Pierce Gagnon is terrifying and awesome. Total jaw-dropping scene.

6.

People versus Monsters in The Cabin in the Woods

Speaking of, how cool was this scene when it happened? This scene sort of unites the two threads of the story in one beautiful and unbelievable blood bath, quite literally. And man, that homicidal unicorn.

5.

The two brothers versus Mad Dog in The Raid: Redemption

Another film with a lot of really cool action scenes to choose from but it all culminates to this final battle between the deadliest of the foes and the two brothers teaming up against him. Keeps one completely rapt.

4.

Batman versus Bane in The Dark Knight Rises

Bane is shown as someone with absolute brute power and we can actually feel that everytime he lands a blow on Batman (YES, ON BATMAN PEOPLE!). It is very scary but also extremely believable seeing the badass caped crusader actually having his back broken by this beast of a man.

3.

Mallory Kane versus Paul in Haywire

Is it me or does this scene remind one of the elevator scene in Drive? Like that scene, this too is a mixture of sexiness and violence, with mood lighting. The fight between Gina Carano and Fassy feels almost like a choreographed dance with one very sensuously brutal end.

2.

Hulk versus Loki in The Avengers

I am right to assume that everyone has watched this film and loved this part and I'm not spoiling it with this gif, yes? Just look at it. It's hilarious. AND it's even better in the film. Genius.

1.

James Bond versus Patrice in Skyfall

If I had not made this list, this would be my favourite scene of the year. I have watched this movie thrice now and every time I can't stop myself from gaping when this sequence takes place. The neon lighting, the shadows, the firing of the gun, the fact that you do not know who is who until the very last moment- oh god it is beautiful. Roger Deakins deserves all the Oscars for this scene alone and action scenes have never looked more gorgeous.

More lists coming up shortly. What did you think of this one?

My Top 10 Films of 2012, Somewhat

     Here it is, my annual incomplete list of favourite films belonging to that year. And what a wonderful tradition it is. Incomplete because I still have a number of 2012 films to watch before I make my final set of lists, that should come out in late January-early February, that is if the film gods are kind enough.

10.

Magic Mike

I had the stupidest grin on my face while watching this film. It is just so much fun! It's like a sports movie without the sports, and male stripping in its place. And it embraces my ideology of "Objectify All Men". Plus what a year Matthew McConaughey has had. In a just world, he will get an Oscar nomination for this role.

9.

Holy Motors

The film that has baffled me beyond belief. And I loved that! I usually hate films which I can't make the head or tail of, but this crazy, wonderful whatever, has some of the most brilliant scenes I have ever seen on film. And god, Denis Lavant is a genius!

8.

Your Sister's Sister

This film is like a lesson in good story-telling and acting. You don't need fancy sets or big budgets. This film is so sweet and funny and warm, and shows the importance of friendship and family. Lovely.

7.

Moonrise Kingdom

Oh to live in a place and a time like Moonrise Kingdom! Wes Anderson-land has never been dreamier and so full of wonder.

6.

Argo

Even though I haven't seen many films of the year, I doubt I will see one as well-made as Argo was. Ben Affleck has totally won me over with this tale of espionage and film-fantasy.

5.

Perks of Being a Wallflower

Because it is so relateable, despite not having a life at all like the characters in it. It's funny and poignant, and Ezra Miller and Logan Lerman are just beautiful. Great soundtrack too.

4.

Skyfall

I have not seen a prettier action movie in my life. Roger Deakins's work, along with a totally unexpected turn from Sam Mendes gives us what might be one of the greatest Bond movies of all time. And I love Daniel Craig, Judy Dench and Javier Bardem so much!

3.

Ruby Sparks

Going to quote a friend after she saw it on my suggestion- "Ruby Sparks is one of the most lovely films I've seen in sooooo long. I've not had this overwhelming feeling of satisfaction and depression at the same time, since I saw Amelie. Love is an understatement."

2.

Cloud Atlas

The most entertaining film I have seen all year. There's something for everyone- comedy, adventure, sci-fi, thriller, and of course romance. I will have to watch it again to make more sense of it, but all the stories and the people and the lives are interlinked so excellently. And love the cast with Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent and Hugo Weaving taking top spots.

1.

The Avengers

Seriously, it is so fucking awesome! The best "superhero" superhero film ever. It's funny and smart and the action is fantastic. And then there is the ensemble cast of superheroes, something I would have never thought possible until I saw this. Joss Whedon is the man and HULK SMASH!!!!!!!!

There you have it.

HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR!

Making the Case for Best Ensemble Cast for The Avengers

     
           Stevee at Cinematic Paradox has come up with an excellent blogathon in which we get to write about films that will not feature highly in the awards season that is more or less already upon us.

          Now most cinephiles I know are greatly obsessed with awards, including yours truly. We immediately start thinking "Oscars" when we like a particular element of a recent film. Stevee's blogathon is tapping into this habit of ours and taking it further to mostly be about the films that won't actually make it through even though we want them to. It is kind of depressing to write about them because our convictions will not translate into physical awards in most cases, but it is also kind of relieving because at least we have voiced our support. I commented on Stevee's post about how I wish she had done this blogathon last year and all my feelings towards the Harry Potter films and their relationship with big award shows would have gotten a much needed avenue. Still, I am glad she has started this brilliant blogathon  and for this year, I will make a case for The Avengers getting nominated for the Screen Actor's Guild Best Cast Award.

          Having just watched the superhero blockbuster bonanza that is The Avengers for the fourth time, I am still amazed by the fact that it works so well. And the biggest reason for that is the cast. I do indeed find it hard to believe even now that a film with these many heroes, many of which have been the star in their own more than adequate films, can use each and every one of them and the other characters this economically. Every person in the film has their specific role to play- no one is wasted, no one overexposed.

          Each character and actor has his or her own fan-following after the film, who can actually justify their choice. Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Ironman is, as someone said, one of the most ideal casting choices of the last decade- he is hilarious and heroic. Bruce Banner/Hulk finally gets the perfect duality between a being a being a big green rage monster and a meek genius thanks to Mark Ruffalo's acting chops. Scarlett Johannson's Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow is one of her best performances to date. The dry wit and total badassery is to die for. Chris Evans was born to play a superhero, and his Steve Rogers/Captain America is as courageous and sincere as ever. Chris Hemsworth's Thor makes one truly believe that he is some sort of a god- he just looks and feels that mighty. One of the biggest surprises of the film was Jeremy Renner's Clint Barton/Hawkeye, who in spite of being the new comer to the group, fits right in and gives off this aura of cool. Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury makes even the cheesy lines sound infinitely awesome (a stereotype, but still a total fact). Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson ends up being the hero for many people, because he is the ordinary man in these extraordinary circumstances, and Gregg owns that role. Finally we have Tom Hiddleston's star-making turn as the villain god Loki who is just snarky and grand and a believable adversary for all these heroes. Even Stellan Skarsgård, Colbie Smulders and Gwyneth Paltrow are perfect in their minor roles.

        Joss Whedon directs all these actors and characters in many situations where they verbally and physically spar and that further shows how evenly matched everyone is. Though obviously aided by visuals, the final action scenes with all the Avengers actually working together is so much fun and satisfying to watch. I say satisfying because we see the relationships and arcs of the various characters throughout the film and it is literally awesome to see them all come together at the end.

       Now I know that The Avengers will almost certainly not even be considered for the SAG Best Cast Award. The fact that it is a superhero movie, its massive box office earnings, people's preference towards the other big superhero film of the year etc. will be massive obstacles in its path and I doubt even poor Hulk can remove them with all his strength. We will have the usual suspects being nominated instead, the "Oscar-friendly" kind, which isn't something I abhor but I wish people would look beyond that.

       I will conclude by saying that a great ensemble piece is one in which every character, big or small, gets to shine but not outshine anyone and I truly believe that The Avengers, of all the movies that I have seen in 2012, achieves this best.

       Case made.