2. Matthew McConaughey
I think we can all agree this was the biggest surprise of the year. Who the hell would have expected some of the best performances of the year to come from the tanned, laid back Texan who mostly wallows in the waters of predictable romantic comedies? This year McConaughey introduced us to two truly memorable characters in stripper magnate Dallas and the titular Killer Joe - he stole every scene he was in, and did it in such an unexpected way that any film in 2012 with McConaughey on the poster was a guaranteed good sign. We were all stunned by this turnaround that looks set to continue next year with Mud, The Paperboy, The Wolf of Wall Street and Dallas Buyers Club. Perhaps this could be the next Robert Downey Jr-style career comeback? Lets hope so.