11. Lawless - John Hillcoat
Another film that will sadly not win much, if anything at all at the Oscars, but I found Lawless to be a superbly acted film - especially by Tom Hardy with his deep southern accent and Guy Pearce as the villain we just loved to hate. It might not be the long lasting powerhouse gangster era picture like many of Scorsese's have achieved over the years but it was one of the most human, well acted and violent biographical period films of 2012. I hope it gets nominated for a few Oscars, but it seems to have become forgotten around the awards circuit already. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
10. The Hunger Games - Gary Ross
I do not know about you but The Hunger Games was one film in 2012 that completely took me by surprise. At first it looked like a watered down, friendlier version of the Japanese film Battle Royale. I suppose the latter part of that statement is correct but there was a lot to admire in Gary Ross' film. Being based on the Suzanne Collins novel series, I initially viewed it all as another adaptation going down the Twilight road. My preconceived beliefs were wrong. Sometimes when expectations are lowered only then do we appreciate what we are getting. The Hunger Games' concept was utterly compelling, the action was visceral, James Newton Howard's music aided effectively and, most importantly, it was all carried superbly by Jennifer Lawrence in the heroine role of Katniss Everdeen.