Top 10 Films of 2012 So Far

These are my top 10 films of 2012 so far (as of September 1):

1. Killer Joe

"Killer Joe," from director William Friedkin ("The Exorcist," "Cruising"), is a merciless depiction of human depravity and a very good film, Friedkin's best since the 1970s. 

A family of trailer-park trash hires a hitman (Matthew McConaughey, shown above), and he insinuates himself into the family in some interesting and nauseating ways. When a double-cross occurs, all hell breaks loose. The direction is crisp and brilliant. The actors all know what they're doing and do it well. The cinematography is perfectly dank and lurid. The screenplay bristles with creativity and punch. And the editing is a tour de force, moving everything along at an exhilarating pace. 

Let's hear it for McConaughey, who is having an amazing year. He did remarkable work in Richard Linklater's "Bernie," Steven Soderbergh's "Magic Mike," and now "Killer Joe." He's brought fearlessness, skill, and depth to all these roles.

Did I mention the chicken drumstick? After seeing this film, you will never look at KFC the same way again.

2. Moonrise Kingdom

I am not a big fan of Wes Anderson's work generally. I often find his films charming but shallow. But "Moonrise Kingdom” is so perfectly realized that one can forget that it's rather simple and just revel in its charm, quirkiness, and humanity. Rarely has a film radiated such love for its broken, struggling characters as “Moonrise Kingdom.” I was particularly moved by hints of sadness and complexity floating through the supporting performances from the stellar ensemble cast, which includes Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, and Edward Norton. 

3. To Rome With Love

My favorite Woody Allen film since 2008's "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," "To Rome With Love" channels the spirit of Federico Fellini and brings a surrealist touch to its sumptuous, operatic celebration of 21st-century Rome. It is a must-see for anyone who loves Europe and prefers his screwball comedy laced with more complex elements, in this case surrealism and post-modernism. 

4. 2 Days in New York

Julie Delpy is improving as a filmmaker. "2 Days in New York" is a nice improvement over her 2007 release, "2 Days in Paris." It's a little uninspiring that the films are so alike and have basically the same title. But Delpy is getting so good at this genre that I wouldn't mind if she did a few more. How about 2 Days in Berlin, Los Angeles, or Tokyo? What would her take on those cities be? Chris Rock does great work supporting Delpy here, as does Delpy's real-life father, who has a gift for goofball comedy and plays her father in the film.

5. Savages

Oliver Stone's "Savages" is a crisp, colorful, sexy thriller about a trio of pot growers in California forced to join a much bigger outfit run by a Mexican drug kingpin. A nice twist is that the trio live together in a menage-a-trois. Not only did I find this sexy, I also found it interesting on a number of levels. First and foremost, it helped the story. For the movie to work emotionally, there must be an unusual bond between the three characters.

But I think Stone was drawn to the menage-a-trois for deeper reasons. One key aspect of the 21^st-century urban zeitgeist is the feeling that non-traditional relationships are the way of the future, particularly ones that break down the notion of sexual orientation. “Savages” taps into this nicely.

The film also has Salma Hayek and John Travolta in must-see supporting performances.

6. Snow White and the Huntsman

"Snow White and the Huntsman" is not a great film, but it's a very good one -- and a stunning directorial debut. It is directed, acted and photographed so well that it's hard to believe that Rupert Sanders has not done this before. "Snow White" is a good candidate for Best Directorial Debut of 2012.

The film re-imagines the Snow White story, telling it in a very adult way. It is serious, violent and frightening. There are three main characters: Snow White (Kristen Stewart), the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth), and the Evil Queen (Charlize Theron). Stewart and Hemsworth are good, but Theron will make your blood run cold. Her icy stillness and slow, deliberate moves are those of a tarantula. Her performance is unforgettable.

7. Prometheus

I've heard "Prometheus" described as a prequel to "Alien," but I think one can appreciate it best as a stand-alone piece of horror/sci-fi. The story takes place about 100 years into the future. Scientists have discovered a pictogram repeated in cave paintings all over the world. They see this as a map, directing them to a certain planet in a distant galaxy. They go to that planet, where, suffice it to say, surprises are in store for them. The plot surprises are exciting, but the most intriguing dimension of "Prometheus" is its subtexts about spirituality and the human quest for understanding. Bravo, Ridley Scott. He still knows how to make popcorn movies for grown-ups. (Too bad Steven Spielberg has lost this ability.)

8. Marvel’s The Avengers

"The Avengers" wasn't great, but it was good -- a lot better than the snooze-fest that was “The Dark Knight Rises.” Especially moving was Mark Ruffalo’s take on The Hulk. 

9. Rampart

The second film from director Oren Moverman (after the radiant and sorrowful "The Messenger" in 2009), "Rampart" runs into trouble in its second half. But its first half is so good and well-acted and is filmed with such panache and artistry that "Rampart" is still a stand-out film. Woody Harrelson plays a 1980s-style LAPD officer lingering on in an unreconstructed way into the 1990s. He gets embroiled in a Rodney King-style controversy, when his beating of a Mexican man is caught on video. Gradually it becomes clear that he has been set up. 

Who would have the motive and ability to orchestrate something so elaborate? Questions like this are never fully answered, which is a bit disappointing, but they are posed in interesting, evocative ways. The open-endedness makes for a cinematic experience that isn't completely fulfilling. But so much about the film works beautifully, including the exquisite supporting cast that includes Robin Wright, Sigourney Weaver, and Ned Beatty. "Rampart" is not quite a must-see, but it's damn close.

10. Elles

Let's hear it for women filmmakers! They just keep getting better. "Elles" is a French film made by Polish-born filmmaker Malgoska Szumowska. It does have weaknesses, but "Elles" establishes a place for Szumowska on the world-cinema stage. She is a master of cinematography and mise-en-scene. In many instances, just the way a shot was composed took my breath away. Equally gorgeous was the editing, with cross-cutting that was consistently innovative and almost always perfect. The film is also masterfully acted, with the incomparable Juliette Binoche leading a superb supporting cast that includes Polish wunderkind Joanna Kulig (the next Jennifer Lawrence).

A middle-aged wife and mother (Binoche) is a journalist researching an article on young prostitutes. We go along as she conducts several interviews with them. We also go along with the prostitutes on some appointments, getting to know them a bit. The film's major interest is how the experience with the prostitutes impacts the journalist. 

I loved watching Binoche explore the vague ennui that creeps into her otherwise perfect bourgeois life. She's not specifically unhappy about anything, but getting to know the prostitutes has somehow unsettled her. It's very interesting to ponder why, especially when you have artists as talented as Szumowska and Binoche to guide you.

Incidentally, "elles" is French for "they" or "them" when referring to a group of women/girls. It's pronounced "EL." The "s" is silent.