Top 5 films of 2012 according to me!

I'm not even going to pretend there were 10 films I loved in 2012. So here are five films that impacted me and will ultimately end up in my collection. I also want to point out that with the exception of one film (Lincoln), the remainder were written or co-written by the director--this seems to be a common thread in the films I enjoy. 

5. Lincoln

Stephen Spielberg is nearing his 70th year on this earth. This is both maddening and exhilaration to me. He is no longer at the point in his life where he wants to challenge his viewer or to prove anything to anyone. He's confident in his ability to deliver good films quickly and efficiently with minimal fluff. He acknowledges that life is too short to spend too long on a film. With that said, he's still putting out films that continue to gain my respect and awe. One of the few superstar directors that has aged well in terms of retaining his craft (Lumet and Scorsese also come to mind). With that said, Daniel Day Lewis is as legit as Lincoln could get. Method actor in action. This film is both slow paced, thought provoking, a bit too preachy (and musically overdone) at times, and hilarious when it needs to be. It's worth your time. 

4. Dark Knight Rises

A lot of people are torn on the final film in the Dark Knight series by Chris Nolan and brother. I'm  the first to admit that it has its faults. Regardless of those faults, it took something as unrealistic as Batman and turn that universe into one you can believe in. Ultimately, closing out a complex and gritty trilogy like this is going to have some issues and this one had a few stumbles (a bit too camp in some spots and a few loopholes). Regardless, Nolan delivered a great film that's a great balance of pop and retains the indie visual flair he's known for (thanks to his longtime cinematographer Wally Pfister). I can't think of any director that's tackled a trilogy of this kind and concluded it better. It belongs in your library. Now, it's time for Nolan to go back to something smaller and more personal. I'll be here waiting. 

3. The Master

Paul Thomas (P.T.) Anderson isn't one to shy away or compromise from anything. I agree that Boogie Nights and Magnolia are all great films, but it was with There Will Be Blood and The Master where I truly became a believer. Something about his craft has evolved to a point where not an ounce of him is trying to win the audience over. These films were made in his mind and ultimately, if everyone leaves the theater because the material is offensive or uninteresting, he doesn't care. I find this so alluring. A man who lives in his mind and has people pay to bring that experience to reality--lucky man. Joaquin Phoenix is flawless in his role and challenges the like of Daniel Day Lewis for the method acting award. If you don't cringe, smile, and feel uncomfortable during his performance, you're probably dead inside. This will be the second P.T. film added to my collection--I get a lot of hate for not owning them all, but I like to stay true to myself. Worth your time. 

2. Django Unchained

Tarantino is another director/writer that rarely compromises, but his influences are perfectly placed in the middle ground where art and pop culture meet. It's fair to say that not a moment in Django is portrayed accurately based on the timeline and social issues it collides with--that's not the point. Tarantino mixes in music from all eras with dialog that would have never been spoken during that time to deliver an experience that really felt new to me. I was laughing and cringing in equal measure. I also think this one has some of the best writing out of all his films. Jamie Foxx is stellar and believable. DiCaprio plays his first villain (as far as I know) and he played it like he's got something to prove--I'm a believer. Great stuff!

1. Moonrise Kingdom 

All my friends are probably rolling their eyes by this point since I'm an overly proclaimed (mostly by myself) Wes Anderson fan. I'm an equally large Nolan fan and for me to place his work at #4 on this list, I think it should speak to the quality of this film. Wes has figured out that perfect balance of keeping things quirky and visually dreamy while delivering dialog and chemistry that can win over even a casual moviegoer. This is definitely an achievement.

Okay, I'm done. Thanks for reading my rants. 

Top 10 albums of 2012 according to me!

What an excellent year for music. The following are the top 10 that made the biggest impact on me this year. 

10. Blondes - Blondes 

Don't be fooled by the name--this is actually Blondes' sophmore album. This gem has gotten so many listens from me while I'm writing, working, or being creative--not even funny. Simple, flawed, lo-fi, electronic melodies and rhythms that ease my soul. Take the journey. It's worth your time.

9. Burial - Kindred

Yes, this is technically an EP and not a full album, but Burial's EPs are essentially albums. Each going on a tangent that lasts up to 40 minutes--dragging through various genres and elements. I don't know how he does it, but there's no one out there that's been able to touch his gritty production value. A dark, soulful, dirt infested mess you can't help, but adore.

8. BVDUB - The First Day + Resistance is Beautiful

Brock (aka BVDUB) is an amazing man. I've gotten to know him a bit via email and his music speaks leaps about his stance on the industry.  Each track last 15 to 30 minutes and manages to defy all commercial qualities and never gets dull. He's currently living in China, but he plans to return one day to California--I  hope to give him a platform to share his lovely work in Sacramento. An underrated gem.

7. Clams Casino - Instrumental 2

Clams Casino has been getting a lot of hype the last couple of years and for good reason. A lot of his work is generally for popular rap artists. The highlight for me is actually his Instrumental series which consist of the stripped down (you guessed it) instrumental version of the tracks he's made for different artists. The second in the series is just as essential and it's totally free to download. 

6. Daniel Avery - Water Jump

A loving homage to the early '90s darker dance music scene. Each track in this release shifts through different genres melding 303 and 909 energy. It's energetic, dark, strange, and manages to stay fresh for me. I'm rarely into dance music these days, but innovative producers keep it coming back for me.

5. Hammock - Departure Songs

This is the second time Hammock has made it to my top 10 for a year. The sleeping/relaxing soundtrack to your year. Bordering on shoegaze, but never berating you with it--a must own for anyone that enjoys the ambient side of artists like M83, Ulrich Schnauss, and Sight Below. 

4. Simian Mobile Disco - Unpatterns

This goes down as the best SMD album for me, hands-down. Eschewing the pop vocals of their previous releases and more palatable than their minimal techno release called Delicacies. There's a lot of analog love in this release. 

3. Legowelt - The Paranormal Soul

What a legendary album. Totally old school and totally unapologetic about what it is. Lots of crazy cool analog synths too. If this track doesn't take you back, then I'm pretty sure you've wasted a lot of time reading this little blog. 

2. Lemonade - Diver

The first time I listened to this release, I didn't quite know what to make of it. A similar experience to the older Junior Boys releases. I felt it was a bit too much initially and with repeated listens, it just hooks you. The simplicity of the vocals combined with the layered love given to the music. This one definitely proved a real highlight for the year. 

1. Chromatics - Kill for Love

Johnny Jewel is a production mad man. One of the few artists out there that can make me gobble up so much pop music by layering it with layers. Also, that methodical programming and dirty vinyl trademark. I'm not even going to rationalize it for you--this album is fantastic and hasn't aged one bit for me after tons of repeat listens.