Top 5 Movies of 2012... so Far

From Hollywood blockbusters to independent treasures, 2012 has been a spectacular year for movies thus far. Here is the cream of the crop – the top five movies of the year:

The Hunger Games

Based on the popular novel by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games takes place in a dystopian post-apocalyptic future where the United States, now called Panem, is divided into 12 districts. Each year, the Capitol holds the Hunger Games, where young boys and girls, called tributes, must fight to the death until there is one remaining winner – who is awarded fame and wealth. When Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) takes her younger sister’s place in the Hunger Games, she and fellow tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) enter a dark, brutal world where they must do everything they can to survive.

Editor's Note: Though the whole premise looks and sounds fresh, I can't  deny the big similarities with the Japanese Manga/Film, Battle Royale.  I haven't read the book but I'm expecting a more brutal movie but I guess toning it down will open it to a wider market spectrum.  The down side: it loses what is I believe the most integral part of the material.

Ted

A product of the hilarious mind of Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane, this laugh-a-minute comedy tells the story of John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), a 30-something middle-class Bostonian whose stuffed teddy bear comes to life as after a childhood wish. The foul-mouthed bear, Ted (voiced by MacFarlane), grow up together and become inseparable, but their relationship becomes compromised when John’s love interest, Lori (Mila Kunis), wants Ted to move out and start a life of his own.

Editor's Note: I never thought I will be enjoying this movie. I'm not a big fan of Family Guy but this feature film shows that Seth MacFarlane can actually do a funny movie at the same time incorporate some heart. The deep subject of brotherhood and friendship instantly touched me.

Moonrise Kingdom

Set in 1965 on a picturesque New England island, Moonrise Kingdom tells the story of two young lovers, Sam Shakusky (Jared Gilman) and Suzy Bishop (Kara Hayward), who decide to run away together. When the pair disappears, the small town of New Penzance is turned upside down in more ways than one.

Editor's Note: Young Love sometimes annoys me but Moonrise Kingdom presented it on a narrative that makes the characters look more matured than they look like. Fueled by deep desire to be free and be loved, this kids shows that falling in Love is not only for grown-ups.

Dark Knight Rises

The third and final installment of the Batman trilogy takes places eight years after the demise of The Joker and Harvey Dent. However, the peace in quiet would be short-lived in Gotham City. Supervillain Bane (Tom Hardy) has seized control of Gotham City and plans on destroying it, forcing Batman (Christian Bale) to dust off his bat suit and save the day once again.

Editor's Note: Probably the most anticipated finale of the Nolanverse Batman franchise. It did live up to the expectations of a gripping and explosive finale. Christopher Nolan for the last time proved that he can make comic book materials in to award winning pieces. My only gripe with this finale is it almost left it's comic book roots and don't have strong superhero references. Is it a bad idea? People are divided in their opinion but personally I still want to see Batman as a Superhero.

The Avengers

Marvel Studios presents “Marvel’s The Avengers”—the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.

Editor's Note: Do I need to say more? This is the movie that doesn't need more explanation why it is considered as the number 1 movie of this year. This is the movie most people think won't materialize anytime soon because of many reasons (cast, script etc). But Marvel Studios proved them wrong as the movie progressed and finally released early this year. And it is not just any crappy movie. It gave us what we all expected and the whole world is cheering with us. This is a new start for Marvel Studios and I believe they will not stop until they reach the far side of the galaxy.

If you want to watch these movies, DIRECTV Cinema gets all the new releases up to a month before Netflix and Redbox. Three of them (The Hunger Games, The Avengers and Dark Night Rises) are already available. Check out www.DirectStarTV.com to learn more.