With the first few releases of 2013 hitting cinemas this week, and the Oscar nominations coming our way on Thursday, we’re being given some firm closure on the last 12 months in film. The various awards groups are letting out with their “best of” awards, but at WhatCulture, we like to it a little differently. I’ve seen over 300 films released in the year 2012, but the beauty of one-person lists is that they’re generally not bound by the same sheepishness that characterises many of these awards shows; there tends to be a more singular personality to them, and moreover, I’m not bound by some of the ridiculous restrictions that the Academy, for one, imposes upon itself. Hence why you’ll see Christoph Waltz listed as a Leading Actor in a moment, rather than in the Supporting docket, given how much he carries the film.
Also note that this list includes any film that has screened at a festival or had its first release anywhere in 2012; as a result, it will include many films that haven’t yet had a UK release, and also some that haven’t had a US release as well.
And without further ado, let’s get this show on the road, kicking off with Best Picture. Note that all runners-up are in order of preference.
Best Picture
Watch the countdown from 20th to 1st below or click “Next” to jump straight to the results.
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6 Comments
Agree with some, disagree with others but overall a fun read.
What’s with the hard-on for Looper?
I do agree with some of your choices. However, I cannot understand how you left out the ‘Hunger Games’ and ‘End of watch’. Two films which just had superb performances. Furthermore, they were very interesting and entertaining throughout. I also believe ‘Wreck it Ralph’ is just another disney line production film with little thought put into it. But I do think you have an interesting selection.
About three years from now, people are going to rewatch Looper and seriously question why they thought it was anything other than a mediocre sci-fi B-movie. The acting was mechanical (except Paul Dano who is always brilliant), the plot was nonsensical and small-scale in a bad way, and it made me want to watch Moon again to see an enjoyable, originial sci-fi film.
Where is Django?
Great article Shaun, though I would have included some other films within some of the best of categories. Sightseers, Headhunters and the Raid Redemption would have been included within some of best of though to be fair there are a couple of your nominations that I haven’t seen as yet or do not have the desire to see.
In all honesty I thought 2012 was a pretty ropy year for film, particularly when a movies like Argo and Django Unchained get heavily hyped as movies of the year, perfectly acceptable films but films of the year don’t think so. Great to see the likes of Compliance and The Hunt getting the recognition they deserve particularly as they were probably the two films I would argue sum up where we are today as a society.
Again great article and you have managed to remind me to watch Berberian Sound Studio and have now convinced to watch Lincoln