2012 was a ho-hum year for “serious” cinema. As proof, the Oscar race has narrowed to films like the chipper Argo and dreary Zero Dark Thirty — a chase so routine that the alternative is a Steven Spielberg period piece as wholesome and agreeable as enriched bread. But it was also a banner year for the films that we’ll still want to watch in 2022: Ambitious over-reachers ( Cloud Atlas , The Master , Les Miserables ), loony passion projects ( Killer Joe , Magic Mike , The Paperboy ), and perfect popcorn flicks ( Step Up 4 , The Expendables 2 , Premium Rush ). That last category is frequently left off top ten lists, but it deserves our applause. When studios get tired of risking $250 million on a single blockbuster (and audiences get tired of paying $14 just to keep up with water cooler conversation), mid-priced modest hits like Looper will be our collective salvation — and help build the next generation of filmmakers and stars. The films that made my Top Ten did so because they were bold, memorable and flawless (or at least two of the three). But of course, if critics can judge art, we should take our own creative risks. And so I’ve written my remarks in haiku. 1) DJANGO UNCHAINED Quentin ‘s bold bloodbath An unflinching masterpiece Sam Jackson kills it 2) LOOPER Two actors, one nose In a cornfield dodging fate But can it be done? 3) ANNA KARENINA Old, cold tragedy Blazes with heat and magic Goes ignored, alas 4) 21 JUMP STREET Is our kids learning? Channing Tatum ‘s agent is Let Sir Abs crack jokes 5) COMPLIANCE At minimum wage, A maximum need to please Few brave souls say no 6) PITCH PERFECT Queen Rebel Wilson Bow down before her glory Or sing if you must 7) HOLY MOTORS A quick change artist Speeds through ten lives not his own Who is he? Who cares 8) THE GREY Liam punched a wolf But what mattered was the gloom Snow and fate and death 9) SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS More like ten psychos Softened by dogs and bunnies But still murderous 10) THE PAPERBOY Sweaty, sexy Efron Plus a pervy director Give Kidman a prize Disagree with my picks? Say so in verse. Amy Nicholson is a critic, playwright and editor. Her interests include hot dogs, standard poodles, Bruce Willis, and comedies about the utter futility of existence. Follow her on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter .
Read the rest here:
Amy Nicholson’s / Top 10 of 2012 / Written In Haiku
