4. Django Unchained
Quentin Tarantino has done it again. By "done it" I don't mean that he made a great movie. With Django Unchained, Quentin has managed to sneak in at the end of the year and have the most widely debated film of the year. The movie opened big over Christmas weekend and continues to play well. Sure, Quentin has a loyal following, but all of the talk about racism and political correctness is attracting an audience that is curious to see what all of the fuss is about. The premise, a freed slave/bounty hunter sets out to rescue his wife from a plantation owner, might be the ballsiest of the year.
3. Argo
Ben Afflecks Argo is a critical and commercial triumph. The film could become a turning point for films aimed at adults. For years weve seen crude R-rated comedies drive older audiences to theaters. Argo proves that right mix of highbrow and conventional Hollywood storytelling can lead to positive results. The film follows in the footsteps of classics such as All the Presidents Men, The Candidate and Dog Day Afternoon. Affleck borrows well. Watch Affleck's The Town and then 1996's Set it Off if you need further evidence. Hopefully, the movie's success will mean that well get to see more just like it. You can almost see a torch being passed from George Clooney to Affleck as he becomes Hollywoods go-to guy for smart AND commercially successful movies.
2. Ted
Wish fulfillment movies are a mixed bag. Theres the good; Penny Marshalls Big. Theres also the bad, Bedazzled (2000). Most recently, Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds took a shot at adding a little edge to the whole wishing well/lightening strike fantasy genre with The Change Up. It was okay, but didnt break any new ground. Seth MacFarlane, on the other hand, took the genre in a whole new direction. Who f@%kin knew that a foul-mouthed, but lovable teddy bear could become box office gold. The film broke box office records and topped out at $500 million worldwide. Im not sure that this can work again, but Im sure Hollywood will try.