Movies of 2012

Ever wonder where the time went? Where did the weekend just go? I do. All the time. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that I know where all my time is going. Movies. As anyone who has read my movie hubs will know, I love movies. However, I'm not much of a connoisseur - you won't see me at many art house movie premieres. Also, my tastes may not be what you call eclectic - the more low brow the comedy or cheesy the action film, the better. For me, movies are an opportunity to switch off and be entertained. However, as a dutiful boyfriend, there is also an all too healthy smattering of chick flicks and inoffensive, G rated vanilla movies too.

Anyway, to see how much time I was actually spending watching movies and to get an insight into the type of movies I am watching I have decided to catalog them here.

Movies of 2012 Running Total: 17

How many movies have you watched this year? - leave a comment

Favorite Three Movies so far:*

1. Warrior (2011)
2. Drive (2011)
3. Super 8 (2011)
*note: out of the movies I saw for the first time this year.

Movies previously in the top three but were bumped out:
The Inbetweeners
Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

What are your favorite movies of 2012? - leave a comment

Friends with Benefits (2011)

It was ok. I don't really buy Justin Timberlake as a comedic lead. I still got a few laughs though. I would have preferred something else to be my first movie of 2012...

Land of the Dead (2005)

Pretty good zombie film. I had previously ranked it in my top 10 zombie movies of the last ten years.

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

I had already seen it, but I re-watched the first Sherlock Holmes Robert Downey, Jr. movie in anticipation of seeing the sequel. It's not particularly cerebral, especially considering the subject matter, but a good action movie and period piece.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Even less cerebral than the first movie! Again, it is a good action movie and period piece. A well put together movie.

• Sherlock Holmes Soundtrack
• Sherlock Holmes Films
• Sherlock Holmes Robert Downey, Jr. Movies

50/50 (2011)

Just because a movie has Seth Rogen in it does not make it a comedy. I know that now. There are some laughs but it is mainly a drama. My girlfriend was in tears most of the time. A very touching movie.

Warrior (2011)

I loved this movie! My favorite film so far. Incredible performances by Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton and Nick Nolte.

• Warrior Movie
• Warrior Soundtrack

Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

Pretty good follow up to the original. Its a very well put together animated movie with a good few laughs.

The Inbetweeners (2011)

Hilarious adaption of the great TV show. As many laugh out loud moments as there are cringe inducing ones.

One Day (2011)
Starring Anne Hathaway with a 'Scottish' accent. Full disclosure here: I only watched this with one eye as I worked on my hubs. Thank goodness that's all the attention I gave it. It was terrible. I cut sporting underdog stories a lot of slack when it comes to cliches, but I don't extend that same grace to romantic dramas. This film had every cliche possible, but not done particularly well.

Warrior (2011)

I watched it again! I can't get enough of it. Admittedly, I am a sucker for underdog sporting movies. The more cliched the better.

Die Hard (1988)
The necessary medicine to get the taste of One Day (2011) out of my mouth. I plan on working my way through the Die Hard movies over the next month or so.

• Die Hard Cast
• Die Hard Soundtrack

Drive (2011)
Unfortunately Drive was build up way too much for me. Whatever it was going to be, I was expecting it to be awesome. It was good though. Definitely a different type of film than I'm used to or was expecting. Definitely not a 'Transporter' style action and driving movie like it was marketed.

In Time (2011)
Surprisingly enjoyable science fiction thriller starring Justin Timberlake. If the words 'science fiction' and 'Justin Timberlake' didn't tip you off, you need to leave your cynicism at the door for this one.

Die Hard 2 (1990)
The follow up to Die Hard is another fantastic action film. Not as good as the original, but what is?

Hot Rod (2007)
Where was this movie when I was in college? It would have hit all the right spots for me back then. Unfortunately it didn't really do it for me, but I admire its spirit. The first feature film by The Lonely Island.

Super 8 (2011)
Really enjoyed this movie. I'm not usually a fan of movies where kids are the main characters. However, I was on the edge of my seat for most of Super 8.

The Change Up (2011)
A fairly formulaic body-swap comedy. However, new decent comedies are hard to find these days. This one stars Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds. I enjoyed it. Warning - there are some pretty gross bits.

January total: 17

The in-laws were visiting for three weeks in February, but I still managed to fit in a few mindless action movies.

Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995)
An action classic that has aged remarkably well. Quite a bit different to the other Die Hard movies, but the chemistry between Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson is brilliant.

Jurassic Park (1993)
This movie has also aged very well. Such an amazing film and a real game changer.

Safe House (2012)
Sometimes you just need an action flick, and Safe House certainly delivered on that.

The Rugby Union season (Super Rugby 2012) has started so that may put a dent in my movie watching for the next few months...

The Descendents (2011)
An emotional drama starring George Clooney. He and the film were nominated for Academy Awards but were unsuccessful.

Punisher: Warzone (2008)
A movie that delivers everything it promises, righteous graphic violence.

Arena (2011)
A graphic action b movie starring Samuel L. Jackson and some big guy called Kellen Lutz. I just looked him up and he plays some guy in the Twilight series. Pretty brainless movie based on a cool but probably overused premise (think Death Race but with gladiators) and some very over the top acting my Jackson.

The Muppets (2011)
The Muppets delivered what it promised. A good-natured movies for kids, but with a few chuckles for the adults. The Muppet movie soundtrack is also very good. The song, Man or Muppet won the Academy Award for best original song. It was written by Flight of the Concord's Bret McKenzie.

Abduction (2011)
Another actor from the Twilight series tries to move on with his career. If it was possible, Taylor Lautner does it even less successfully than Kellen Lutz. Abduction is a terrible movie. Not surprisingly the acting and the story is weak. However, what really consigned this movie to the trash heap is that it didn't even deliver on the action is promised.

Midnight in Paris (2011)
A funny little movie. Well made, well acted and quite compelling. It has a stellar cast too, and written and directed by Woody Allen. Midnight in Paris is not usually my type of movie, and it still isn't. However, you can always appreciate a good film, even if it isn't quite to your tastes.

21 Jump Street (2012)
Surprisingly enjoyable and funny movie version of the hit 80's TV show. Both pokes a little fun at the original 80's show while also playing homage. Jonah Hill is reliable as always, while Channing Tattum is surprisingly funny.

Hub writing is easy, fun, free and you can even make money doing it!

What do you think of the movies listed?