(Publisher’s Note: Originally published in February of 2013)
10. Hitchcock
Anthony Hopkins stars as the legendary director Alfred Hitchcock. In the film, Hitchcock struggles to finance and direct his highly-regarded thriller Psycho (1960) while dealing with his promiscuous leading lady (played by Scarlett Johansson) and jealous wife (played by Helen Mirren). The film showcases Hitchcock’s determination to create his work while having overwhelming frustration and jealousy at home. Taking place in 1959 Hollywood, California, Hitchcock conveys the period with fancy cars, clothing, and out of date film equipment. The overbearing censors in the film, mixed with dazzling shots of old movie lots, easily transports you to the golden years in show business. The actors seem to fit the time, convincingly becoming real life legends like Alma Reville and Janet Leigh.
Filmed in Los Angeles, this rather low-budget biopic shows us how Alfred Hitchcock struggled to bring one his most definitive films to life. For anyone who marvels at the simpler and definitive golden era of film, the sets and costumes alone are worth the watch. If you are intrigued by the influential director’s story, Hitchcock is a must see. Hollywood is rarely shown in such a truthful and seemingly-educational way.
This dark and lengthy masterpiece concludes the new Batman saga created by Christopher Nolan, starting with Batman Begins (2005) and following with The Dark Knight (2008). Critics and audiences alike seemed to come to the consensus that each film could not be topped. But the third installment 
completes the series with an ending that fans simply can’t argue with. Christian Bale, Michael Cane, Gary Oldman, and Morgan Freeman all return, adding Tom Hardy as the menacing Bane and Anne Hathaway as Catwoman.
The challenge that this and each Dark Knight film endured was properly conveying the fictional corrupt city of Gotham. Newark, New Jersey and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania would serve as the templates for this fake city. Additional shots, including the exteriors of Wayne Manor, were filmed in Wales and Scotland. India would be the final location to appear in the film, acting as Bane’s childhood home.
All of these locations were properly and skillfully put together to create Gotham. The architecture of some buildings added the true gothic look of Batman’s city. The dismal and dark mood of the film is aided by the shots of broken-down streets and buildings that show the potential of utter chaos. Though not for the faint of heart, the last and darkest Batman film wraps up the series and gives fans a treat. Gotham never seemed so real, do to great direction — and in the final moments of the film, Gotham never seemed so hopeless too.
08. Moonrise Kingdom
Wes Anderson has taken audiences to a surreal world full of color and imagination. But the worlds in Anderson films are real, and simply the way he sees it. Moonrise Kingdom features Anderson favorites Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman, while Edward Norton and Bruce Willis give their best performances in years. The plot revolves around a boy scout running away with the love of his life in 1965. A fictional New England island called New Penzance is the setting for this feast for the eyes film. Equipped with water, fields, rolling hills, and deep forests, New Penzance is a mixture of the East Coast, ranging from Narragansett Bay, 
Rhode Island to the coast of Connecticut.
The mood and colors used in the film are unlike anything you’ve seen before. It becomes almost hypnotic as you’re swept away on adventure through Anderson’s fictional land. The rainy coast provides the perfect setting, creating a melancholy and somewhat dismal feeling. But in the end, the film is rewarding, happy, and responsible for sudden urges to visit the Northeast US Coast.
07. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
In the late 1990’s, author Stephen Chbosky wrote a unique and controversial novel about adolescence, told through the honest and touching letters by protagonist Charlie. After being banned from schools and eventually named a modern classic, Chbosky brought his novel to the big screen. 
Logan Lerman plays Charlie, an insecure high school freshman who is in love with quirky Sam, played by Emma Watson. Ezra Miller gives a showstopping performance as a flamboyant teenager struggling to find who he is. The honest, real, and often beautiful portrayal of high school is a must-see for anyone who went through those years. It may be the most relatable movie in recent history.
Taking place in 1991, the clothing and technology are noticeably different. The teenagers do not text each other and listen to mixed tapes, not IPods. It’s the 1990’s soundtrack that gives the film its heart and different feel. As for the setting, the story takes place in Pittsburgh and was shot in the city as well. We get a good view of some key locations, including the Fort Pitt Tunnel as the characters grow and bond through the city. Though the location may not be the key to this movie, the combination of the setting, time period and music come together in the most perfect way, creating an unforgettable high school experience.
06. Django Unchained
Quentin Tarantino writes and directs another violent and offensive masterpiece. Django (played by Jamie Foxx) and Dr. Schultz (played by Christoph Waltz) team up to rescue Djano’s wife from ruthless plantation owner Calvin Candie, played by a memorizing Leonardo DiCaprio. The film tackles slavery in the Old West with style and grit, while bordering on racism and adventure.
Set in 1858, the southern states were the predominant filming locations — which included California, Wyoming, and Louisiana. Django takes place in Mississippi, where the fictional plantation Candyland is set. The dusty deserts of these states help create a realistic and gritty portrayal of the Old West when slavery and racism were abundant. The style of the film is completely opposite, borrowing from Blaxploitation, Spaghetti Westerns, and samurai flicks. When the groovy score is played with the Western genre and setting, you can’t help but feel like you’re ready for adventure and a possible showdown. The genre mix and enticing story come together to create a whole new type of film that only Tarantino could dare execute.
“Wanted: Somebody to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. You’ll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. Safety not guaranteed. I have only done this once before.” This is a personal add found in a newspaper that inspires the plot of Safety Not Guaranteed. A young intern soon finds herself in contact with the man responsible for the bizarre add. What follows is a different and heartwarming love story involving a time machine, ninja training, and great performances by Aubrey Plaza and Mark Duplass.
Shot in Seattle and Ocean Shores, the gorgeous West Coast becomes the playground for the entire cast. From the beach to the forest, Washington in all its natural beauty is an important and trendy character in this film. The constant rain matches Aubrey Plaza’s dismal mood. But the beautiful sunsets over the ocean match the imagination of Mark Duplass. This incredibly-original film plays with your heartstrings and imagination as you cheer and fall in love with the lead characters and their journey to prepare for time travel.
4. Argo
The true, classified CIA operation is brought to life by actor-turned-director Ben Affleck. Co-starring with Alan Arkin and John Goodman, this often-comedic, intense thriller shows us the amazing idea of how filming a fake movie in Tehran, Iran helped rescue six US citizens trapped in the Canadian Embassy.
The most cultural film of the year combines American citizens, aided by Canadian diplomats, stuck in Tehran. The Middle Eastern country was recreated by two key locations, Los Angeles and Istanbul. The crowded and dangerous streets on Tehran are accurately and convincingly portrayed, giving the audience a sense of danger and urgency throughout the film.
Many Canadians did not feel happy with Argo‘s portrayal of the rescue operation’s Canadian involvement. Some have felt Canadians had much more responsibility during the real life events. Nonetheless, the Canadian, American and Iranian cultures clash as ideas and plans are put forward to help free the American hostages. The result is a tremendous thrill ride that takes us across the world to Asia, and back again to the United States. Whether the film is accurate or not is entirely up to the viewer.
Bradley Cooper ditches the comedic roles and dives headfirst into an Academy Award-nominated role as a troubled man with Bipolar disorder. Struggling with a separation from his wife and the relationship with his parents, played by Robert De Niro and Jackie Weaver, Cooper’s character begins to find love 
and friendship in another troubled soul — played by Jennifer Lawrence in one of the best roles of 2012.
The film takes place and was shot in Philadelphia, which becomes a major plot point during the course of the movie. We see De Niro and Cooper’s characters bond over watching Eagles football games, while certain restaurants and neighborhoods become the homes and hangouts for everyone in the film. This touching, sad, and even hilarious romance is so well acted that each character keeps you interested and emotionally involved the entire time. But without Philadelphia’s Eagles football culture, Silver Linings Playbook may not have been as touching and honest as it was.
2. Lincoln
Daniel Day-Lewis never disappoints, especially as the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln! Set in 1865, Steven Spielberg’s epic follows Lincoln as the American Civil War rages, and slavery is on the verge of being abolished. Day-Lewis does not simply portray the President, he becomes him. Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones round out the cast in phenomenal supporting performances as well.
Filming took place in Virginia, including Petersburg and Fredericksburg, providing rolling hills that become covered with soldiers during the war. The sets are quite stunning and never seem tacky. You are in constant belief that the film is taking place during the Civil War, partly due to the great direction and incredible performances. The in depth story shows the struggles and cost of freedom, teaching us a necessary history lesson on equality. Lincoln is shown as a true hero who was a man way beyond his time. Lincoln may be one of the most important films of the year, and is certainly the most elaborate period piece of 2012.
1. The Master 
Paul Thomas Anderson constantly proves what an amazing and versatile filmmaker he is with modern classics like Boogie Nights (1997) and There Will Be Blood (2007). The Master may be his best and most complex film to date. We follow Joaquin Phoenix in a spellbinding performance as Freddie Quell, a lost loner in the 1950’s. He finds Lancaster Dodd and his wife, played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams, who take Quell in and invite him to join their new religion. Together, they travel across the Midwest promoting “the cause”, a dangerous and peculiar cult created by Dodd after drinking paint thinner.
This incredible plot never grows tired or dull. The characters are fresh and believable, while Anderson’s writing and direction pulls you in and takes hold of your knowledge and beliefs. Primarily filmed in Sacramento, most of the scenes take place indoors during “masses” and meetings between Dodd and Quell. But the 1950’s setting is believable and seemingly real. The costumes, accents and make-up are all bang on! The story simply couldn’t take place in another time frame either. The naïve and simple characters don’t seem to exist after or even before the 1950’s era. It fits perfectly, complementing the isolated mood and bizarre plot. A must-see for the impressive cast, exciting plot and unexplainable feel.