So far, 2012 has not been the best year for movies. Much like the first half of 2011, there has been a whole lot of crap forced on moviegoers, and it seems the movie going public is responding according as box office grosses are way down this year. In fact this summer has seen a host of big movies bomb with only one massive success in The Avengers. Granted, that movie is simply fantastic and exactly what a fun entertaining summer film should be… With all that said, let’s take a look at the grades I’ve given to the movies I’ve seen so far. My list is below. Atop it alongside The Avengers are three wonderful independent films, the hilarious and inspiring The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, the hysterical and moving French film The Intouchables and the fascinating and bold Beasts of the Southern Wild. More on the latter film after my list… Take a look and let me know what you’re thoughts on the films of 2012 are so far…
My 2012 Movie Grades (ranked by grade and in order of my faves):
Beasts of the Southern Wild: A
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: A
The Intouchables: A
The Avengers: A
The Hunger Games: A-
Rock of Ages: B+
People Like Us: B
Safe House: B
Dark Shadows: B
Men in Black 3: B-
The Vow: B-
Friends with Kids: C+
This Means War: C
W.E.: C
21 Jump Street: C-
The Five Year Engagement: C-
John Carter: D
Film Festival Movies~
Gayby: A
The Skinny: B
Getting back to the independent films I loved so much earlier this year, all of them could factor into the year-end Awards races. Hotel is a surefire Golden Globe contender and The Intouchables should do well there and likely at the Oscars. Of the three however, Beasts of the Southern Wild, may have the best Oscar odds. It’s a critic’s darling and it’s one of the most unique films I’ve ever seen. The picture 
follows a young six-year-old girl who must search for her mother after her father becomes ill on their isolated bayou island home. Beasts incorporates Spanish realism, big concepts and questions about the human spirit and what home and family mean alongside the story of a young girl forced to grow up and face the elements. Newcomer Quevenzhane Wallis is astounding as the girl, Hushpuppy, and her father is played by another novice, Dwight Henry in an equally wonderful debut. I highly recommend it. The movie which gets a limited release this weekend will expand over the summer. For more on the film which was a smash at Sundance and Cannes, head here and check out the trailer below…
Also watch for Beasts to contend in the following categories come Awards season~
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actor (Dwight Henry)
Best Actress (Quevenzhane Wallis)
Best Screenplay
Best Score
Best Cinematography
Best Sound
Best Editing
Beasts of the Southern Wild trailer
