2012 was a sensational year. Some the best festival line-ups ever seen in this country were complimented nicely by a stunning array of films on offer at the cinema – no wonder our favourites list is long! So to all involved, from the filmmakers to the distributors, we offer our thanks. As for 2013… more of the same, please.
The shear number of New Zealand films on screen was wonderful to see; with plenty of newcomers getting the opportunity to showcase their talent. And although we don’t feature them here, there were some brilliant Kiwi short films released this year too. We hope you got to catch those at the festivals and events throughout the year.
Those who read last year’s favourites list will know we’re not huge fans of ‘top whatever’ lists. Not because they aren’t fun, it’s just that everyone does them – and we can have no self-discipline. So instead we like to present a list of some of our favourite films from the year, with no pre-determined size.
If you haven’t seen any of these yet, we highly recommend you do. And please let us know your favourites from the year that was below.
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Admit One’s favourite films of 2012:
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AMOUR……Director: Michael Maneke
This stunning portrayal of an older couple dealing with love and loss will break your heart. With a moving script and incredible performances, it’s no wonder this film won the Palme d’Or at Cannes.
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ARGO……Director: Ben Affleck
Affleck is turning into one heck of a director. This extraordinary true story of the extraction of diplomatic personnel from 1980’s Iran was gripping from start to finish.
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BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD……Director: Behn Zeitlin
Engaging and off-beat, this indie gem took the world by storm. Featuring with a truly stunning performance from Quvenzhane Wallis – as a young girl coming-of-age when her world is crumbling around her – this beautiful piece of cinema got 10/10 from us.
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BERNIE……Director: Richard Linklater
Stellar performances from Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine add extra charm to this quirky true-life tale of an assistant funeral home director who courts a wealthy widow.
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DREDD……Director: Pete Travis
There’s a lot of people who predicted this would suck. We’ll I’m delighted to say it doesn’t. Entertainingly brutal, this was the big screen Dredd adaptation the world had been waiting for – with Karl Urban, and his chin of judgment, doing justice to the most fearsome graphic novel enforcers.
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HEADHUNTERS……Director: Morton Tyldum
Outrageously over-the-top, this Jo Nesbo adaptation/heist flick packed a large Nordic punch.
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HOW TO MEET GIRLS FROM A DISTANCE……Director: Dean Hewison
It’s rare for me to laugh all the way through a comedy, but this Kiwi gem about a stalker courting the girl of his dreams had me in stiches.
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HUGO……Director: Martin Scorsese
Scorsese turns his hand to children’s fantasy with truly delightful results. This tale of a orphan boy unwravelling a mystery in 1930’s Paris reminded us all how magical cinema can be.
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GOOD FOR NOTHING……Director: Mike Wallis
If this is what a ‘Pavlova Western’ (the Kiwi equivalent of a Spaghetti Western) is, then all I can say is “more please!” With a dash of ironic Kiwi humour, some beautiful scenery and entertaining gunplay, Good for Nothing was a riotously entertaining flick.
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KILLING THEM SOFTLY……Director: Andrew Dominik
Wellington-born director Dominik and an all-star ensemble cast (including a superb performance from Brad Pitt) breath new life into the gangster genre, with more than a touch of indie flare.
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MARGARET……Director: Kenneth Lonergan
After seven years of post production hell, we finally got to see Lonergan’s film about a trouble girl dealing with death after witnessing a traffic accident. With a career best performance from Anna Paquin, Margaret was well worth the wait.
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MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE……Director: Sean Durkin
This mesmerising film about a girl dealing with the after effects of her time in a cult featured on our 2011 favourites list. But beacause it gained a cinematic release in 2012, and it’s that damn good, we wanted to feature it again. With a career-launching performance from Elisabeth Olsen, this is ‘must see’ cinema.
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MONSIEUR LAZHAR……Director: Philippe Falardeau
An utter delight. This French-Canadian drama about an Algerian teacher temping in a Montreal school, after a tragic event involving another teacher, will make you laugh and (almost) cry. Mohamed Fellag and the child cast are simply superb.
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MOONRISE KINGDOM……Director: Wes Anderson
Wes Anderson does it again with this tale of two rebellious kids falling in love and running away together on summer holiday. Utterly charming and very Wes; with superb performances from a remarkable cast.
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SAFTEY NOT GUARANTEED……Director: Colin Trevorrow
A man advertising for a time travel companion in the classifieds makes for a very intriguing premise in one of this year’s surprise indie hits.
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SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN……Director: Malik Bendjelloul
One of the best documentaries I’ve seen… period. The less you know about this film the better – just watch it, if you haven’t already. And I guarantee you’ll wanna buy the soundtrack afterwards.
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SIDE BY SIDE……Director: Christopher Kenneally
An insightful, balanced and entertaining look at digital vs photochemical film-making from masters of the craft. A must for film fans.
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SHAME……Director: Steve McQueen
Fassbender, and his manhood, put on an acting masterclass in this tale of a sex addict struggling to keep his life in balance. It’s dark and gritty but a powerful and affecting.
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SOUND OF MY VOICE……Director: Zal Batmanglij
This gripping indie about a couple investigating a cult, whose leader claims she’s from the future, features riviting performances and a plot that will have you wanting to know how it ends right from the very beginning.
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THE AVENGERS……Director: Joss Whedon
Thank you Joss for showing us how a Hollywood blockbuster should be made.
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THE CABIN IN THE WOODS……Director: Drew Goddard
Thank you Drew (and Joss) for showing us that it is possible to make big budget horror work.
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THE DESCENDANTS……Director: Alexander Payne
Clooney can do know wrong – even when he dresses down to play a husband who finds out his wife, who happens to be in a coma, has been cheating on him – in this touching and entertaining drama.
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THE IMPOSTER……Director: Bart Layton
So shocking it’s hard to believe it’s true. Yet so interesting you can’t help but watch, as this doco explains how a 23 year old Frenchman convinced an American family he was their long lost 16 year-old son.
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THE RAID……Director: Gareth Evans
No film in 2012 was as kick-ass as this. Come to think of it, has any film been this kick-ass? Forget wasting valuable time on plot, it’s action-packed from start to finish and brutal to the extreme… oh, and damn entertaining.
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THE SESSIONS……Director: Ben Lewin
The controversial subject of sexual surrogacy for the severaly diabled is handled briliiantly, making this film a joy to watch – with masterful performances from John Hawkes and Helen Hunt to boot.
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THE WALL……Director: Julian Polsler
Unless you saw it at the New Zealand International Film Festival, we highly recommend you hunt down this German low-tech sci-fi drama down. A one woman tour-de-force performance from Martina Gedeck leads this very unique take on a survivalist story.
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WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN……Director: Lynne Ramsay
A woman desperately attempts to figure out where it all went wrong after her son commits a horrific act of violence. It’s powerful stuff and truly unnerving piece of cinema – especially if you’re a mum. 10/10.
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Well, there you have it. A great year of film indeed. What were your favourites?
From all of us at Admit One, thank you for your support. The site has grown considerably over the past 12 months; enabling us to go from beaving away in our spare time to indugling in our passion part-time. Look out for some big things in 2013 as we get stuck in boots and all.
On a personal note, I want to express ‘big love’ to the rest of the Admit One crew: Kate, Laurence and Abby. This site wouldn’t exist without you.
Have a brilliant New Year everyone. See you in 2013 for more big screen adventures.
