It’s hard to name the reasons I loved “The Cabin In the Woods” without revealing some major spoilers –– and without those major spoilers, this horror movie about five friends who take a vacation in a cabin in the woods and meet some unexpected visitors sounds completely generic and wholly unremarkable. But it’s not! It’s packed with trademark Joss Whedon wit, genre–conscious characters and a cliché–defying plot that could have only been conceived by two dudes who were totally blitzed. And it has a unicorn. Oops. Spoiler alert. —Faryn Pearl
“THE AVENGERS”
Say what you will about superhero movies, but this summer, “The Avengers” knocked it out of the park. The impressive thing about the movie was that in putting all of these larger–than–life superheroes together, it still worked so seamlessly. Sure, it didn't have the most original premise ever, but it delivered a hilarious and occasionally deep action story that was worth seeing a second time. It’s a rare thing when a director can take a genre that has lately been boiled down to its explosive 3D–center and make a film where the explosions are just the beginning. Nothing else this year has left me as entertained walking out of the theater as “The Avengers” has, and to me, that makes it the best movie of the year. —Kelly Lawler
“Beasts of the Southern Wild” is a must–see if for no other reason than six–year–old Quvenzhané Wallis’s stellar performance as the indomitably feisty Hush Puppy. The film is a stunning and dreamlike adventure through a mighty world suspended between reality and myth — Hush Puppy’s precarious bayou home and an epic landscape that's slowly and ominously being repopulated with apocalyptic giant boars. The film’s nonprofessional actors offer compelling realism and spirit. Socially conscious but never forcefully moralistic, “Beasts” triumphantly transforms the bayou’s isolated residents into warriors and survivors, all the while exploring the complicated love shared by a father and daughter. —Jack Nessman
“21 JUMP STREET”
Despite the low expectations that audiences had for what was predicted to be a dumb comedy, “21 Jump Street” did not disappoint. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum star as seemingly helpless police officers Schmidt and Jenko who are assigned to work undercover as high school students in order to infiltrate a drug ring. The movie turns out to be sassy and smart, poking fun at the action genre in general as well as the 80s TV series upon which the film is based. The movie’s hilariously apt social commentary in addition to Tatum and Hill’s priceless bromantic chemistry makes it undoubtedly one of the best comedies of the year. —Gabby Abramowitz
I saw “Titanic” in theaters with my mother during its first release when I was just six years old. Three hours of watching the greatest love story of all time unfold against the backdrop of a sinking ship might be boring for other first graders, but I've never looked back. The behemoth that was “Titanic” prompted a re–release 15 years later, and you can bet I was the first one in line for that showing. Already tearing up at the opening credits, I watched for the umpteenth time as Jack and Rose met, fell in love, parted, reunited and fought for their lives only to ultimately be torn apart. Every single viewing is wrought with sentiment, and seeing it once again on the big screen flooded audiences with emotion. One thing is for certain: I’ll never let go. —Zacchiaus McKee
Once you get past all the annoying reviewers shouting “OMG LESBIAN DISNEY PRINCESS!” (seriously, give it a break. Just because tweenager Merida doesn’t brush her hair and wanna get married?) ”Brave” is the magical story of the amazing love between mothers and daughters. The movie makes you want to immediately call your mom and apologize for forgetting to bring home the Tupperware containers she packed you over fall break, because what if you don’t apologize and she turns into a bear and tries to eat your whole village, y’know? Five stars. ––Sandra Rubinchik
In an era of adaptations, sequels and remakes, I find myself drawn to any original film that is gripping, inspiring and exciting. In 2012, “Looper” was that movie. I spent the entire 118 minutes of the film at the edge of my seat, gnawing at my fingernails. I left the theater intent on learning everything there is to know about the movie’s production. I spent hours familiarizing myself with the characteristics of the dystopian future in which the plot takes place. It made me want to write novels and make movies. While thrillers rarely earn accolades in the film community, the balance of action and emotion that shapes “Looper” made it a must–see in 2012. —Colette Bloom
“Arbitrage” was one of the highest–quality and intriguing films of 2012 — and yet it seems to have largely slipped through the cracks. Richard Gere, as a deeply conflicted billionaire hedge fund king, makes this film special with one of the most truthful and riveting performances of his career. The stream of consciousness direction by Nicholas Jarecki, paired with excellent dialogue and an almost unbearable sense of urgency throughout, is captivating. Gere’s efforts to stay afloat while his world crumbles around him make for genuinely suspenseful and thought–provoking film. Susan Sarandon, as his wife, is also excellent. Don’t miss this one, even if others have. ––Stephen Morgenstern
Since 2008, I had eagerly awaited the ending to Christopher Nolan’s captivating Batman trilogy, so I was one of millions to experience the midnight premiere of its epic conclusion. This was no ordinary “save the world” superhero tale, as I’m not really a fan of recent comic book adaptations. Rather it was a bleak, desperate struggle for our hero Bruce Wayne, whose only actual “power” is his strength, which is undermined by Bane’s dominant physicality. The grim outlook of the film, captured by Nolan’s superb cast, thrilling IMAX visuals and Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack enhanced my cinematic experience. Ultimately, regardless of some technical flaws, I contently left the theater, overjoyed with Nolan’s impressive outcome to his much–celebrated trilogy. — Michael Shostek
