Django Unchained (2012)

Quentin Tarantino does what “Lincoln” can’t — blow up the damn plantation himself. An emancipated Jamie Foxx brings the explosives in an (important) slavery revenge fantasy and spaghetti western, while Samuel Jackson is stunning as an Uncle Tom.

d: Quentin Tarantino | imdb.com | trailer | Charlie Rose
I’m curious ... | I’m getting dirty. | You scaring me.

Flight (2012)

The opening sequence plane crash is thrilling and Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle and John Goodman elevate the material, but too much of the film feels like a movie of the week about alcoholism. Plus, all the talk about religion and miracles gets old.

d: Robert Zemeckis | imdb.com | trailer
Uncontrolled dive | Harling visits Whip | Life in prison

The Blues Brothers (1980)

John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd reprise their “Saturday Night Live” characters, two white boys playing the blues on a mission from God in a musical action-comedy. But the highlights are performed by James Brown, Ray Charles and especially Aretha Franklin.

d: John Landis | imdb.com | trailer

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Christopher Nolan’s third Batman movie is forgettable entertainment that keeps going for 2 hours, 44 minutes. Christian Bale’s Batman voice and villain Tom Hardy (Bane) are nearly inaudible. As Catwoman, Anne Hathaway is no Michelle Pfeiffer.

d: Christopher Nolan | imdb.com | trailer

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Director Wes Anderson crafts a first love story (with newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) so specific yet as universal as the blush of a first kiss. Back with Anderson are Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman, who lead an All-Star supporting cast.

d: Wes Anderson | imdb.com | trailer | Were you followed?
Jiminy Cricket | Loaded question | The Most Important Decision ...

Friends with Kids (2012)

Writer-director-star Jennifer Westfeldt and best friend Adam Scott make a baby and a romantic comedy behind a false premise — having kids without marriage is easier. Bullshit. No one wants children without a partner. Other than that, it’s pretty funny.

d: Jennifer Westfeldt | imdb.com | trailer

21 Jump Street (2012)

The remake of the 1980s television series splits the difference between complete goof and homage, casting Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum the next generation of undercover high school cops. The whole thing works, with a few cameos from the original series.

d: Phil Lord, Chris Miller | imdb.com | trailer | Angry black captain
You idiots are perfect. | It’s getting very real.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012)

Adorable Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor make witty sparing partners — at least by British standards — in what starts out as a harmless romantic comedy. Then the film turns into an overwrought drama about a missing soldier and dead fish.

d: Lasse Hallstrom | imdb.com | trailer | 32-inch waist | Man of faith

Project X (2012)

Three high school kids throw a party without parental supervision because they want to be cool and popular, but it’s never been done like this. From its text-fueled promotion to Nima Nourizadeh’s crude direction, the movie captures the YouTube zeitgeist.

d: Nima Nourizadeh | imdb.com | trailer | There’s the point.
Where have you been? | Evening, officers. | Midget in the oven

My favorite movies (2011)

1. Drive | Nicolas Winding Refn
2. 50/50 | Jonathan Levine
3. The Tree of Life | Terrence Malick
4. The Guard | John Michael McDonagh
5. Margin Call | J.C. Chandor
6. Young Adult | Jason Reitman
7. Win Win | Thomas McCarthy
8. The Artist | Michel Hazanavicius
9. The Hangover Part II | Todd Phillips
10. Bad Teacher | Jake Kasdan

Safe House (2012)

Young gun Ryan Reynolds transports rogue CIA operative Denzel Washington from one safe house to another, fighting and chasing him along the way, in a pretty average spy thriller. Reynolds works hard, but he is too pretty, too Canadian to be a bad ass.

d: Daniel Espinosa | imdb.com | trailer | House guest
Car fight | I’m a police officer. | Who do you work for?

The Artist (2011)

A silent movie about the end of silent movies — a sort of prequel to “Singing in the Rain” — features a bouncy score, dance numbers and two winning performances by Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo, who prove just how much can be said with their faces.

d: Michel Hazanavicius | imdb.com | trailer | Charlie Rose
Screen dance | Breakfast table | Taking bows

Contraband (2012)

Mark Wahlberg, the Houdini of smuggling via cargo ship, takes on one last job, because his brother-in-law screwed up the last one. Wahlberg outwits Giovanni Ribisi, beats the shit out of Ben Foster and saves wife Kate Beckinsale in a satisfying payoff.

d: Baltasar Kormakur | imdb.com | trailer | Trust me.
Back from the dead | AA meeting | Customs | What’s up, Houdini?

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

The Cold War spy picture intends to be slow and unretired spy Gary Oldman intends to be quiet. But without knowledge of the source material — the 1974 novel or the 1979 British miniseries — the film plays cold, overly complex and even boring.

d: Tomas Alfredson | imdb.com | trailer | I’m retired.
Smiley is suspicious. | The scalp hunters | Belinda the Blonde