Not everyone will necessarily agree, but for me 2012 has been a pretty darn good year for film. Both the grandest of blockbusters and the artiest of art house movies have proven to be pretty spectacular in their own way. Within these movies, cinemagoers have been spoiled with some memorable moments that have made the hairs on the back of our neck stand up and moved us right onto the edge of our seats. It can be thanks to an especially tense and nerve-racking sequence, something as simple a captivating and beautiful shot, or even just a scene that leaps out at you as just being unassailably cool. Either way, it stands out at you as a special moment you are glad to have witnessed on the big screen. As you can probably guess given the nature of the article, there may be some minor (edging towards major) spoilers dotted around the place, but Ive taken care not to include any major twists. Still, maybe skip over any movie you havent seen if you want to watch them completely afresh. This list is by no means comprehensive and Im sure everybody will have additions they will wish to add, so do let us know your own personal favourites. With that in mind, and in no particular order, heres my top ten cinematic moments of 2012:
10. Argo - The Airport Scene
Ben Afflecks Argo is a fairly tense and nail-biting movie from start to finish. From the opening where scared and panicking Embassy staff are desperately trying to shred documents as the angry protestors storm their way into the building, you know youre in for some fairly nervy moments. However the films climactic set piece, as Afflecks Tony Mendez and the rest of the fake film crew make their way through a crowded airport policed rigidly by the Iranian guards, is an absolute master class in prolonged suspense. Im not exaggerating when I say that I watched the entire final twenty minutes of Argo through my fingers. The airport sequence starts off with a marvellous piece of editing as we flick between Mendez and the crew arriving at the airport and Bryan Cranstons Jack ODonnell frantically trying to get the flight reservations confirmed back at CIA HQ. This little snippet is tense enough but then as the group makes their way through the three levels of security, each time it gets a little bit more dangerous and you start to will them on that little bit more. By the time they arrive at the final checkpoint and get escorted into a side room for further questioning, if youre anything like me, you were a nervous wreck. Powerful and affecting popcorn cinema at its best.