Best Films of 2012

With the 91st Academy Awards right around the corner, let's take a look back at my favorite movies from the year 2012. This was a year of film's centering around intimacy, self-sacrifice, and change for the greater good. – Arnold At The Movies.

An Arnold Recommendation (Great Film):

Amour is a heart-wrenching portrayal of deep love. The title is also French for love, as we grapple with life and death questions on-screen. Terrifically acted and extraordinarily touching; Amour defines was real unconditional love truly is. I understand why this film won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language.

#14 Flight

Director Robert Zemeckis' Flight is a provocative and emotional character study, fueled by a powerful performance from Denzel Washington. An absorbing melodrama that shows us the struggling consequences of an addict. In the end, Washington gives one of his best performances of his career.

#13 The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Artistic and heartfelt, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is an earnest indie about growing up. This wonderful film crafted by director Stephen Chbosky also dissects some serious topics revolving around depression and anxiety. Plus, brilliant performances from Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, and Ezra Miller. "We are infinite."

#12 Lincoln

Together, director Steven Spielberg and actor Daniel Day-Lewis help bring history back to life right before your very eyes. Lincoln is landmark filmmaking, embodied on Day-Lewis' shoulders as Father Abraham. With Day-Lewis' phenomenal performance and Spielberg's cinematic touch, Lincoln will go down in Hollywood history as a bonafide masterpiece.

#11 Beasts of the Southern Wild

Beasts of the Southern Wild is an emotionally powerful journey through the eyes of a six-year-old girl. Childhood and innocence prevail, as we witness an amazing performance from Quvenzhane Wallis on screen.

#10 Life of Pi

Director Ang Lee's Life of Pi achieves the impossible on a truly remarkable story. Visually stunning and emotionally rewarding; Life of Pi shows us what real faith is. Prepare to be awed.

#09 Moonrise Kingdom

Director Wes Anderson's newest film on the block is smart, witty, and a total delight. Moonrise Kingdom brings out the inner kid in us. One of 2012's very best films.

#08 Zero Dark Thirty

Director Kathryn Bigelow's bin Laden film is gripping and brilliantly crafted. Politics aside, this is a movie strictly about completing one mission; while exposing the human side of the people who did it. Zero Dark Thirty shows us how actions define a character. So, was the mission really worth it for the greater good? That's left for you to decide.

#07 Argo

Actor-director Ben Affleck's enriching film is full of tension and nail-biting thrills. This well-written crowd pleaser keeps on successfully making the case why it won Best Picture. Argo recreates a historical event into a nicely packaged movie-going experience.

#06 Silver Linings Playbook

With a sensitive direction by David O. Russell and great chemistry from Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence makes Silver Linings Playbook a meaningful and heart-warming romantic dramedy!

#05 Les Misérables

Director Tom Hooper returns to the big screen after his Academy Award winning movie The King's Speech. Now, he brings us a passionate and breathtaking spectacle of the famous Broadway musical. Plus, actors Ann Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe all help shape Les Mis' superbness.

#04 Django Unchained

Director Quentin Tarantino is back with a bold, bloody, over-the-top American Spaghetti Western. Django Unchained is Tarantino's best film since 1994's Pulp Fiction. Bravo.

#03 The Intouchables

Actors Omar Sy and Francois Cluzet give us both compelling performances that makes this movie untouchable. Swallowed by its sweetness and warmth, The Intouchables tugs away at your heartstrings.

#02 Skyfall

50 years of James Bond and Skyfall is one of the best 007 outings to-date. Director Sam Mendes brings Bond back with a smart, classy and stylish action thriller. Blending materials of both classic Bond and Daniel Craig's modern Bond, you're in for a smashing adventure.

#01 De rouille et d'os (Rust and Bone)

Beautifully filmed, wonderfully crafted, and emotionally gripping. Plus, strong performances from both Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenaerts, De rouille et d'os (Rust and Bone) brings out the messiness of life. It's my favorite film from 2012.

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