Whilst many bought in the New Year fearing the end of the
world, an upcoming election, or another natural disaster, I simply remained
firmly optimistic about the many cinematic treasures 2012 would bring.
After all, this was a year that boasted the epic culmination
of a superhuman cinematic saga, the final chapter in an enthralling and fully
realized comic book crime tale, another encounter with the world’s most famous
spy, a prequel to a seminal film in science fiction history, two films from
Soderbergh, one from PTA, a Cronenberg, and a Zemeckis. Even if the world were
to end, looking at that slate, one would expect 2012 would go out with a bang.
Before I go through the rather laborious run-through, it
would seem fitting to document what 2012 has taught me thus far. I have learnt
that my high expectations will often disappoint me, that my low expectations
will surprise me, and that I am to learn this lesson every damn year.
So far this year I have been to the cinema over 150 times,
this does not count in many drunken midnight movies that occur after hours at
the cinema I work at, or films I have watched in a screening atmosphere in
class. 5 of these instances were screaming along with an audience at The Room, probably a good 25 were repertory
screenings and I’m sure there are some repeat viewings along the way (I really
enjoyed 21 Jump Street). This number
tells me many things; one, I probably need to start going in the sun and dating
more, and two, that very little of 2012’s cinematic offerings has had an impact
on me. Due to the fact that I can barely remember half of what I have seen this
year I will use the aid of film-releases.com to help me wander through my year
at the movies so far.
Now I should state that working in a movie theatre has
afforded me the privilege and curse, of almost never having to pay for a film.
Half of the films I saw this year would not have been viewed were I purchasing
a ticket. However, I see watching no film as a waste of time, even the worst
most putrid, clichéd, badly acted work of dredge can still teach any aspiring
film maker, or enthusiast what not to make or appreciate. Having said all that,
I still haven’t seen the last few Twilight
movies.
It is also important to note that for the most part I am
rarely very cynical when it comes to film, I seldom walk out of a theatre
feeling like I have absolutely wasted my time, and can often try and see some worth
in whatever film I see. I also greatly admire ambition and understand that
filmmaking is a very complicated process. The result is rarely a perfect gem
and thus you have to try and look for a deeper appreciation, whether it is of
the intended project that never reached its fullest potential, or a certain
aspect of the film that struck a chord. Sometimes a few moments of brilliance
can redeem an otherwise forgettable bomb.
January
The first month of the year is always the same; catching up
on the great Christmas saturation of fine films that you could not take in
during the busy holiday. Young Adult, The
Adventures of Tin Tin, War Horse, Melencholia, Shame – these were films
rushed to release for an Oscar qualifying run, won hardly any awards and
settled on paltry box office returns. Spread out through the year they might
have had great success, but I digress, this article is discussing films
released in 2012.
The first film I saw this year was the Mark Wahlberg, Kate
Beckinsale thing called Contraband. I
remember almost nothing about this, only that I saw it and tried to forget
about it. My few recollections involve Wahlberg racing against time to stop his
dear Beckinsale from being buried alive with cement in a construction site. The
film had so little aspiration and impact that for others falling into this category
I will not go into description but merely state that they were viewed. 
We Need to Talk about
Kevin was a dark challenging and engaging story seen by few. We follow
Tilda Swinton rebuilding her life after her son sadistically and savagely murders
his father, sister and classmates. The film is uncompromising in its efforts to
highlight the signs of Kevin’s condition but also the unconditional, painful
love that Swinton’s character still possess for her child. The films greatest strength
and most controversial aspects are found in trying to make the audience
understand Kevin. Director Lynne Ramsey never manipulates us into caring about
Kevin, she does something much scarier and gives us a character who is has very
negative human traits. In the end this is Swinton’s film and she is
captivating.
Extremely Loud and
Incredibly Close. Even after all of the contrivances blending with the
heavy subject matter and ham fisted emotion I still came out of this film
enjoying it. A full recommendation? By no means, but not as sappy and over
reaching as it looks, there is some elegance to it, and in the end it is quite
moving.
Miss Bala’s trailer
had me ready for Die Hard meets the
Miss America pageant, what I got instead was an insufferable 2 hour, grim and
tragic tale about a Woman having her life torn apart around her. The film is
not a commentary on the tragic world of a beauty contestant or model. It is
simply a girl trapped in relentlessly violent world, this film punishes it’s
audience, by the end there is no relevance for our main characters journey, it
is simply a very possible day in the life for this woman in this country. People
may really connect with this film, it’s not for everybody and certainly wasn’t
for me.
Haywire was an
expected treat; Soderbergh rarely lets me down, and made a wonderful, gritty
little film to start the year off right. His best composer David Holmes sets the
scene for this stylish, sexy, and slick action thriller. The visuals are always
enthralling, the action is real and savage and his introduction of Gina Carano
as a new action film star is more than deserved. Whilst her acting chops may
not be the top of field she is backed up by Channing Tatum, Michael Fassbender,
Ewen McGregor, Antonio Banderas, Michael Douglas, and Bill Paxton. Few people
bothered watching it and many missed out.
The Grey rounds
out a mixed bag in January, as I’ve said the month is really not about new
releases but there were more hits then I was expecting. Joe Carnahan’s The Grey was not Liam Neeson fighting
wolves like the trailer would have you believe but rather Neeson fighting
nature, and it’s still just as thrilling. The film manages to find a nice
emotional tone involving the need to survive or perish to the elements. Neeson
is always entertaining, especially when he can be a no-nonsense, warrior.
Films I avoided: The
Devil Inside, Joyful Noise, Red Tails, Underworld: Awakening, One For the Money,
and Man on a Ledge.
Films I wish I had seen: Once
Upon a Time in Anatolia, Albatross, Coriolanus, and Flowers of War
Please check back soon for part two.
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