Like movies? Want to save money? You’ve come to the right place!
If you’ve listened to the last segment of our 2 Guys & Your Money podcast, you’ll know that I watch a TON of films (37 last year, according to this list). Living in a small town in the middle of nowhere gives me limited entertainment options, so the one really big entertainment expense is an afternoon at the local Cinemark. In fact, if you’re ever in Texarkana on a Tuesday and at the earliest show time, you’ll usually find Cheryl & I there. Stop and say “hi.” You’ll know us: we’re usually the only people in the theater.
When a show doesn’t come to town or we get busy and miss things, we try to make it up by catching shows on Netflix (though this year my Netflix watching was mostly television shows).
I put together this list to save you money. While I’m not a critic or a pro, why not share info, right? I always cringe when a friend goes and sees a movie I knew stunk BEFORE they went. I wished I would have told them to save their cash.
That’s why I’m posting today.
Why watch films that stink?
While you might not agree with all of my picks, I think you’ll be able to tell from my comments whether you might like them or not. I’ve also tried to highlight films that are “Joe’s quirky picks” instead of “highly recommended.” Some of my top picks I wouldn’t recommend to everyone. Some of the bottom stuff is fine (although the bottom five here are absolute garbage).
Also….know those films that critics hate but you end up liking? Study the middle to bottom of the list here carefully. While there are some stinkers, others just didn’t rise to the level of other films, but are still ones that I’d watch. I’ve tried to make good recommendations in the comments on each flick.
So, here it is. The top films WE SAW in 2012 (not necessarily films made in 2012….AND I’m including films I’ve seen in 2013 that were nominated for an Oscar in 2012, so you can check out those as well).
Joe’s 2012 List of Films (all 37, from best to worst)
Numero Uno
1) Silver Linings: Playbook – I love great characters. If I told you what this movie is about, you probably wouldn’t see it. However, the characters are so well developed that it’s impossible to leave the theater without liking this film. I was happy to see the Academy Awards agreed with my love for this film, by giving it a ton of nominations!
2) Lincoln – I didn’t see Daniel Day Lewis. I saw Abraham Lincoln. That’s an achievement. While there is little action in the movie, you’re on the edge of your seat for the whole 2+ hours. Excellent film, and for most, it’ll be their favorite of 2012, I’m sure.
3) Argo – Intense, fun, and a true story I’d never heard all wrapped into one. Ben Affleck’s best work yet (and I loved The Town).
4) Zero Dark Thirty – If you saw Katherine Bigelow’s last film, The Hurt Locker, this is more of the same. Hated Hurt Locker? Don’t see Zero Dark Thirty.
5) Bernie – Jack Black is totally NOT Jack Black in this movie, and this is the best performance by Shirley MacLaine since Guarding Tess. It’s about northeast Texas. Want to see where I live? Watch this movie!
6) Ruby Sparks – What a clever little film. At first you’re pretty sure this is a knock off of the Will Farrell movie Stranger Than Fiction, then it morphs into something totally unique. A young man dreams up the perfect girl and writes about her…until she comes alive.
7) Skyfall – This film exceeded my expectations. Bond is definitely back with Daniel Craig. He’s 2-3 so far (two good films and one poor film).
8) Dial M for Murder (Netflix) – I love Hitchcock and FINALLY saw this one (Vertigo is one of my all time favorites). Excellent rental.
9) The Avengers – I really liked Captain America, Thor, and Ironman 1. Ironman 2 was dull. This was the best of all of them, in my book.
10) John Carter – Every year I have a surprise in my top 10, and while Ruby Sparks might qualify, this is probably the film everyone’s heard of but nobody saw. John Carter was hailed as the biggest Disney flop (and one of the biggest flops, period) of all time. That’s a marketing problem, because this was a worthwhile film. Well made, acted, and a ton of fun, the fact that many audiences won’t see this movie makes me sad. (Some said it was a Star Wars rip off….this was a story dating to the earliest sci-fi days….if anything, Star Wars ripped this material!).
11) In Bruges (Netflix) – Hilarious dark comedy about two gangsters laying low in Brussels. They check in at a bed and breakfast while they wait for their boss to call. Laugh out loud funny in part, and incredibly violent and dark at the end.
12) The Hunger Games. Loved the books. The film is a worthy companion.
13) Frankenweenie – Tim Burton creates another animated masterpiece that’ll stand alongside Nightmare Before Christmas.
14) The Trip (Netflix) – Here’s the film that’s high on my list, but it’s slow, plodding, and really nothing happens. If you aren’t into strong characters and British humor, stay away.
15) Jack Reacher – Might be Tom Cruise’s best work in a long, long time….barring the last Mission Impossible, which I thought was clever.
16) Life of Pi – This film is a good “go to a coffee shop and talk about after” flick. I don’t know, though….it didn’t speak to me like it did others.
17) The Pirates! Band of Misfits – One of the few animated films I laughed out loud all the way through. Hilarious work. Good family film.
18) Premium Rush – What a big surprise this was. I had no idea what this film was about…and it was a fun action ride featuring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, an actor who’s really coming into his own.
19) The Hobbit – I hoped this would be #1 before I saw it. Although it was my kind of movie, if you haven’t read the Hobbit, I can’t imagine how you wouldn’t be bored silly.
20) My Architect: A Son’s Journey (Netflix) – My favorite documentary of the year is written and narrated by the son of Louis I. Kahn (architect). He never knew his father much, and now tries to find the spirit of his dad by retracing his buildings and career. I love architecture, but it’s a poignant look into a man’s life from someone’s point-of-view who should have been closer to his dad.
I’m sure this would have been #1, had I thought to add it to the Netflix queue!
21) One for the Money – I’m a Janet Evonovich fan, and this film, while not wonderful, was a great popcorn movie. It’s a Friday night and you don’t want to think? Here’s your choice.
22) Hope Springs – A film about an older couple having marital relations problems? I’d tell you to save your money if it weren’t Tommy Lee Jones, Meryl Streep (Golden Globe nomination) and Steve Carrell. It’s funny, sad, and keeps you interested.
23) Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop (Netflix) – This documentary follows O’Brien as he’s prepping and performing his tour after losing the fight for the Tonight Show. It’s easy to see how versatile, obsessed, and attention-craving he is in this piece.
24) Trouble With The Curve – Another flawed script that’s saved because a) it’s a baseball movie and I’m a sucker for all of those; and b) Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, and Justin Timberlake bring it home. I’ll say this: not into baseball? Pass.
25) Restrepo – Documentary following soldiers in Afghanistan. Want to see the plight of these soldiers? Watch this. If you saw The Hurt Locker, you know what you’re in for.
26) The Campaign – First, I laughed hard. I’m into politics. I think if you aren’t into politics, you might laugh, but you won’t get some of the more pointed political junkie humor. Blackhawk down! Ha!
27) Dark Shadows – A “small” film with little expectations. It’s Tim Burton being Tim Burton. If you liked Edward Scissorhands, this is more of the same.
28) Here Comes the Boom – Two parts of this film I really liked: 1) Selma 2) Hayek.
29) Mirror Mirror – First, let me tell you, there was nothing else on that week at our local theater. 2nd, this was a goofy, fun version of Snow White…far better (and less embarrassing) than the other version that appears further down this list.
30) The Bourne Legacy – Another good popcorn movie with holes the size of bowling balls in the plot. Be warned: they introduce a new bad guy with only 30 minutes to go in the film. Normally that’s death for a movie, but somehow this one overcomes it.
31) The Master – I know it’s listed WAY down my list, but three actors received Academy Award nominations….and I totally agree with that assessment. Phillip Seymour-Hoffman, Juaquin Phoenix, and Amy Adams just kill it in this story that tells the story of guy who sort-of-resembles the creators of Scientology (I’m told). If you love seeing actors save crappy material, go see this film. It’s clear that all three main characters are well executed. The story? Not so much.
32) The Dark Knight Rises – Bane was so, so, so boring as the main villain. If it weren’t for Anne Hathaway (Catwoman) the film would have been a total loss.
These last 5 films were a waste of time:
33) Atlas Shrugged (Part 1) (Netflix) – I love Ayn Rand and this book is one of my all-time favorites. The movie is a slow, convoluted mess.
34) Swingers (Netflix) – I think I missed it and am too old. I never saw this and heard it was a “cult classic.” After finally seeing Donnie Darko last year and absolutely lovin’ it, I was excited….but this flick didn’t do it for me.
35) Snow White and the Huntsman – I couldn’t stop laughing during the “serious” parts. If the film had two more stupid speeches about how “important” upcoming events were going to be, instead of just doing them, I would have walked out.
36) The Lorax – This movie sucked. They took one of my favorite Dr. Seuss stories, added “bad guys” and made it a misplaced message film. Pass.
37) Take Me Home Tonight (Netflix) – This escaped theaters in only a week. It looked like a fun throwback to the 80’s, so we popped some popcorn and turned it on. Halfway through we turned it off, because I would have been better off watching a porno with my kids than a film with sex, violence and drugs (and all presented as FUN!). Embarrassed to say that I even started watching that with my family….
What do you think? Some too low? Too high? Let’s fight out where I’m wrong with these in the comments below!
Joe is a former financial advisor and media representative for American Express and Ameriprise. He was the “Money Man” at Detroit television WXYZ-TV, appearing twice weekly. He’s also appeared in Bride, Best Life, and Child magazines, the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Sun-Times, Detroit News and Baltimore Sun newspapers and numerous other media outlets. Joe holds B.A Degrees from The Citadel and Michigan State University.
This is an awesome post! I have been meaning to catch up on movies (I’m always a year or so behind everyone else) and I will definitely be requesting some of these from the library soon. Thanks for the recommendations!
That’s exactly the purpose of this list, DC! I hope you watch some awesome, free movies.
Of your whole list, the only one I’ve seen in Bernie, which I loved! But someone recently told me bout One for the Money as I’m listening to the Plum series on audiobooks. I think I just finished the 8th. =)
Love how they make fun of the rednecks in the movie? That’s where I live! It was really, really awesome. The cool thing was, I didn’t expect anything. I walked in, sat down, and was thoroughly entertained. On another note, my daughter got to interview the screenwriter for her school paper!
I have yet to see The Hobbit. I have read the book a few times, but Holly has not. Unfortunately, I’m bummed to read your review. I don’t think that is going to make her want to go see it, even though she love LOR. Thanks a lot Joe!!!
You’ll like it, Greg, as I did. However, you’ll have to warn Holly that the book and movie both start out really, really slowly. Martin Freeman is a fantastic Bilbo Baggins.
I’m bookmarking this page. I usually watch more movies on DVD nowadays, and I’ve been pretty lax about keeping my list of movies I want to get up to date. This probably has just about everything I would have added!
I missed a few good ones, too. Notably, I would have liked to have seen Cloud Atlas.
Your post has reminded me that we haven’t been to the movies in years (probably 6 years). And the only title I recognize is Hope Springs. Meryl Streep has done a ton of work in the last few years. She must be working on building up her retirement account.
That woman is a tour de force, isn’t she? If she’s in it, regardless of what the film is about, I usually want to see it.
You didn’t mention Thor here as being numbered, but you said under the Avengers part that you had liked Thor. And so to that I say: What? Really? I can’t think of a more badly acted film than Thor in recent history, lol. But I”ll agree about the Avengers. 🙂
There it is! I was waiting for some disagreement! Thor wasn’t numbered because I saw it in 2011. It definitely wasn’t in my top 20, but I enjoyed Thor far more than the ones on the bottom of this list. I’ll even go so far as to say that I liked Thor more than this year’s Batman movie.
“Dial M for Murder” is a great film! Hitchcock was brilliant. “Rear Window” is my favorite film made by him. I can watch it over and over.
I love, love, love Rear Window. You’re right: every time you see something different AND Jimmy Stewart is incredible.
Have you seen Vertigo?
Yes, “Vertigo” was so good! So is “North By Northwest”.
You’re a Hitchcock maniac!
Great idea for a post! We’re seeing Lincoln tonight and I can’t wait. My undergrad was in History and I love Civil War era movies. We did not get to see Argo, but will definitely be watching it. However, The Dark Knight Rises was hands down, in my opinion at least, THE movie this year. I actually liked Bain quite a bit and the themes they had running throughout the movie were great.
Oh, John, and I liked you so much….you’re clearly wrong on Batman. 😉 Ha! That breathing thing drove me nuts….and why did they have such huge amounts of time that Batman wasn’t even on screen? I think Christian Bale is an awesome Batman and I devoured the first two films, mostly based on the strength of his acting. Then I got stuck with this clunker at the end….
That said, You’re gonna love Lincoln. We won’t disagree on that, I guarantee it!
Great list of movies. I especially like that you threw in the 5 worst too!
Thanks, Thad! Hopefully I can stop four or five people from seeing those stinkeroos.
We love cinema as well and watch movies every wekk (sometimes more than one). So I have seen most movies on you list except the first three of four – they are not out here yet, I don’t think (or I have been busy seeing things like The Quartet). Anf I refuse to see Jack Reacher; I adore Reacher and if he were not fictional John would have to be very careful and watch me closely :). But I can’t see Tom C. as Reacher…
Everybody who’s read Reacher says that! I’ve heard Lee Child is a fantastic writer, too.
I don’t watch many movies- at least not in the theater. John Carter was one of the ones I had to see on the big screen, though. I grew up reading the John Carter of Mars books, and I was actually quite happy with the movie, even though story wise, it did not follow Edgar Rice Burroughs. (I also really liked 2011’s new Conan movie, though, so maybe I know nothing.)
I also really enjoyed Skyfall and The Hobbit and thought The Lorax was just okay.
So I think we should still be friends.
Whew! That was close!
I don’t watch a lot of movies (I think watched a total of 4 movies in 2012). I did watch Lorax on a flight trip, I hated it. There were no other options.
I liked Skyfall and The Hobbit. I want to read the books before watching The Hunger Games, not sure when that will happen.
The good news, Suba, is that when you do read the Hunger Games, it’ll go quickly. I couldn’t put the book down and read it in about three days.
I started watching Avengers today….I really want to see the whole thing! And Ironman 3. And the new superman movie. We use gofobo so we can see movies for free, but I don’t know if they’d have anything available in Texarkana.
I’m also regretting not seeing Lincoln by now!!!
Great list! With a baby it’s hard to get out to the movies but we both really want to see zero dark 30. We saw cloud atlas and liked it. I can see why the average individual may not like it- it’s a tough film to follow but visually quite beautiful and great music.
This is a great way to make sure I am spending my entertainment budget properly. What a great list Joe! I like most of these movies, but there are quite a few that I didn’t see. I better put them on the list now.
I can’t wait to see Life of Pi and Lincoln. Didn’t care for Ben Affleck and Argo, but I am a little biased against Western movies about Iran (don’t get me started on Not Without My Daughter)…
I’m with you on Not Without My Daughter. I know nothing of the politics of the movie, but the acting….ugh….
I think you’re a little hard on The Bourne Legacy. Even though it was Matt Damon-less, I thought they continued the saga well.
It’s hard to disagree with the top picks. 1-4 were all incredible movies, it’s just a matter of personal preference. I had Zero Dark Thirty as 1, followed by Argo, Skyfall and Lincoln. (I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Silver Linings yet).
I’m glad you put Swingers in the horrible category. I thought it was a “classic” but it left me so disappointed.
The worst movie I saw this year was Looper.
I vacillate on Bourne Legacy all the time. I love Jeremy Renner, and was excited to see it. The beginning is fantastic. I was in the film the whole way…looking at my list it could have been two or three places higher.
I can’t disagree with your top picks. As good as all those films are, it really comes down to personal preference.
Looper was on the list of films I really wanted to see but missed. Now I’m not in such a hurry to Netflix it!
I think we saw a total of two movies at the theater in 2012, The Lorax and Madagascar 3. With a five year old, she’s not really into James Bond. Of the two, I’d have to give the Lorax higher marks, mainly because of the Betty White character. We did see the Avengers from Redbox and I loved it. Hulk was my favorite, even though I hated the Incredible Hulk movie.
I think Betty White was the highlight of the film, too. I agree with the Hulk. Generally, I really like Mark Ruffalo, no matter what he’s in.
Great list! One of my favorites for 2012 was Arbitrage with Richard Gere.
That’s another one I really wanted to see but didn’t. Thanks for the tip!
Great post. My husband is a movie buff and likes to sit down for the occaisional flick. We’ll have to keep some of these titles in mind.
I think I’ve only seen three of these movies! I gotta get my act together. By the way, what were you expecting from the atlas shrugged movie? From what I recall, there were some long, dry speeches in that book. And the magic is too subtle for the screen. I want to see the perks of being a wallflower.
Loved Argo when we saw it this past weekend. Great film. Looking forward to Zero Dark Thirty. Disappointed that the Batman flick didn’t rate higher…I love Batman but haven’t seen the new one, was too scared after the shooting and then a local incident at the same movie.
Others here disagree with me on Batman, so you shouldn’t take my word for it. I’ve heard split opinions on Zero Dark Thirty, too. Some people really weren’t in love. I think it all depends on how much you liked the Hurt Locker.