Django Unchained - just a fantastically entertaining and cathartic revenge movie. It's violent and exploitative in fun ways like all of Tarantino's work but like Inglourious Basterds it uses those qualities to more thoughtful ends.

The Avengers - What a fun fucking movie. Even now the idea of Marvel's grand scheme culminating in what was basically the funniest movie of 2012 seems ridiculous. People complain about how the direction and cinematography were very television-like (which is natural because of Whedon's history) but the real joy of the movie is the interactions of the characters.

Looper - Great action movie that relies more on tension than it does actual action scenes. JGL is stellar, and Bruce Willis is actually trying. The movie is so tightly paced and every shot is so perfectly composed that it almost feels POINTLESS to discuss how well-done every aspect of it is.

Silver Linings Playbook - People DIS on it because they feel it's dishonest. It kind of is. The sad realities of living with somebody who's mentally diseased are limited to the first half and the second is kind of a bizarre mix of wish fulfillment and screwball comedy. But it's still such a likable movie despite all that, with a great, wounded, funny performance from Bradley Cooper anchoring it.

The Hobbit - YEAH IT'S KINDA LONG and maybe didn't need to be but it's a fun fantasy adventure. A lot of my enjoyment of it may have come from the past LOTR movies, or the feeling of seeing Middle Earth on screen again, but I think it kind of stands on its own (minus the first 20 minutes or so). I suppose my only problem is that there are a few TOO many roller coaster action scenes. I liked them more than a lot of people (the cartoony nature in contrast to LOTR works because Bilbo is telling a story), but I would like more time for the movie to breathe. At least develop the dwarves a little.

Argo - Just a really solidly made thriller. I prefer the first half, with its jokes about (and reconstruction of) 70's Hollywood, but the scenes in Iran are powerfully tense. The movie is so focused and suspenseful in its last half that it's almost suffocating.

Lincoln - a very THEATRICAL piece. It almost felt ANTI-Spielberg in that way, being a low-key acting showcase rather than anything bombastic. I know some have accused DDL of hamming it up, but this movie shows how good he is at playing a recognizable character while still making the audience feel his every emotion.

Cabin In the Woods - Much like The Avengers it sends up the silly conventions of its genre while also reveling in them. Entertaining from the start, and only gets better the deeper it goes. I don't really think it had much to SAY about horror movies now (it could have been written in 98) but that's no knock against it.

Dark Knight Riss - VERY TEDIOUS EPIC tbh. It has some genuinely inspired moments (SCARECROW'S COURT for instance) , and I think Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne is the best he's ever been, but the plot of the movie is too silly and half-baked to accommodate how SERIOUS it is.

The Hunger Games - I DIDN'T LIKE IT. felt like a 3 hour tv pilot. get somebody who knows how to shoot things outside of shaky close-up and maybe we'll talk