Could Jaimie Alexander be Wonder Woman?

Jaimie Alexander as Lady Sif in Thor: The Dark World

It has been four months since San Diego Comic-Con, when it was announced that Superman and Batman, two of the most iconic superheroes of all time (don't argue), would finally meet together on the big screen in 2015's anticipated sequel: Man of Steel 2! Or Superman vs Batman! Or World's Finest! Or... whatever.

 This news got fanboys and fangirls of all ages all over the world jumping up and down with excitement as if it was Christmas morning! No matter how you felt about this summer's Man of Steel, loved it or hated it, even you can't deny that seeing these two icons together on the big screen is a comic book fan's dream come true!

Superman vs Batman

Then, about a month later, it was announced that Ben Affleck (Argo, The Town, Gone Baby Gone) would play the role of the caped crusader. This news received an overwhelmingly negative response from fans on the internet.

For months, the internet had gone crazy with rumors and speculation. Ranging from Christian Bale (Batman in Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises) being offered $50 million to reprise his role as batman, to Bryan Cranston playing Lex Luthor, to Matt Damon or Justin Bieber playing Robin, etc.

One of the most interesting rumors, in my opinion, is whether or not Wonder Woman will appear in the film in a cameo, and who would play her.

Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman

Now granted, Warner Bros. had never confirmed whether or not Wonder Woman would appear in the film. But that didn't stop the internet from speculating. One of the actresses on the top of the fans wish-lists was Jaimie Alexander (Lady Sif in Thor, and Thor; The Dark World).

More than a week ago, Greg Silverman, Warner Bros. president of creative development and worldwide production, spoke about the possibility of Wonder Woman appearing in Batman vs Superman and said the following:

"We have been doing a lot of thinking for years about how to best use all those characters and we love them. Wonder Woman is an amazing character. I think it's a great opportunity both for box office success, but also to have an amazingly powerful female superhero. We are taking it all very seriously and are trying to do a plan that's respectful to those characters and maximized the stories as best they can. So everything that hs been speculated are things that we've thought about."

Earlier this weekend, at Stan Lee's Comikazee in Los Angeles, the YouTube show AMC Movie Talk held a panel, with Jaimie Alexander as their guest. The panel included John Campea (AMC Theater's senior editor), Amirose Eisenbach, Dennis Zheng, Jon Schnepp (director of Robotocolypse, The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened?), Krisily Kennedy, Grae Drake (Senior Editor of Rotten Tomatoes), and Erin Darling (Clevvermovies).

From left to right: Jaimie Alexander, John Campea, Amirose Eisenbach, Jon Schnepp, Dennis Zheng, Krisily Kennedy, Grae Drake, Erin Darling

 Jaimie Alexander was reading the Mail Bag questions for the panelists to discuss and answer. The questions were all comic-book related, ranging from "a Marvel vs DC movie" to "What do you think of Ben Affleck as Batman?" And at one point in the panel, Jaimie Alexander had confirmed that she has had conversations with Warner Bros. about Superman vs Batman. She even claimed she "kind of knew what the story would be".

Ever since then, the internet has exploded with speculation and rumors. Could Jaimie Alexander be appearing in Batman vs Superman... as Wonder Woman?

Now keep in mind, this is all speculation. None of this has been confirmed by Warner Bros. or Jaimie Alexander. All she said was she had conversations with Warner Bros., and she kind of knew the plot of Batman vs Superman. So let's all take this with a grain of salt. Mmkay?

Now, if it IS true, and Jaimie Alexander actually IS going to be Wonder Woman in Batman vs Superman...

I love this idea! I mean, think about it! Wonder Woman, the most famous, most iconic female superhero of all time (don't argue) is finally appearing on the big screen! And I can think of very few actrsses in Hollywood who's better for the role than the lovely Jaimie Alexander!

Ever since we all saw her in 2011's Thor as Lady Sif, many of us couldn't help but think of Wonder Woman. Her beauty, her grace, her strength, her ability to hold her own against other men, her determination, heck she even has the same hair color as Wonder Woman! It's almost impossible not to make any comparisons. She seems perfect for the role!

 If there are any reasons for fans to not be happy about this rumor, it's that this only decreases the chances of Wonder Woman starring in her own movie anytime soon. I want a Wonder Woman movie as much as anyone, but after giving it some thought, I honestly think it's better if she's just introduced in Superman vs Batman. Just like how Marvel introduced Black Widow in Iron man 2.

Wonder Woman is not an easy character to pull off, at least for the big screen. She has a very complex history, and is a very complex character. Many have tried to bring her to life on the big screen, but failed. Not even the geek-god, Joss Whedon (The Avengers, Firefly, Serenity, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) could do it. Joss Whedon had actually written a script for a movie starring the Amazon Princess. But Warner Bros. turned it down.

Making a movie about a male deity (Thor) was already hard enough for Marvel. But making a movie starring a female deity? Even harder! A Wonder Woman movie needs time, love, and care to be done right. And let's face it. Warner Bros./DC doesn't have ANY time! Like it or not, Marvel is ten steps ahead of DC. They've already made an Iron Man movie, a Thor movie, a Captain America movie, two Hulk movies, and an Avengers movie! And Warner Bros./DC has barely even made a Flash movie!

Seriously! Just the fact that Rocket Raccoon is making a silver screen appearance before Wonder Woman is sad, frustrating, and laughable all at the same time!

Maybe when Superman vs Batman and The Justice League are hugely successful, and Jaimie Alexander's Wonder Woman is a huge hit with audiences in both, then maybe she can have her own spin-off films.

Now, I don't think Wonder Woman will have (nor should she have) that big of a role in Batman vs Superman. After all, it's Superman and Batman's movie. That's already a big, complicated movie. Seeing Wonder Woman on the big screen for the first time would be too distracting, and would make things even more complicated. Perhaps she should just have a cameo, like in the end credits. Or maybe she could just be incognito as Bruce Wayne's girlfriend. After all, Warner Bros. recently announced that they are looking for an actress in her late 20s to play Bruce Wayne's love interest. And Jaimie Alexander is in her late 20s, is she not?

Think about it. In the movie, Wonder Woman could be in disguise under the alias "Diana Prince" working for the U.S. government, just like in the comics. And she could be using Bruce Wayne as her cover. And Bruce Wayne would be all in on it. They would keep it a secret throughout the entire movie. And then after Superman and Batman's big battle (with or against each other depending on what the story will be), Batman will tell Superman "By the way, Clark. There's someone I want you to meet." And then Diana Prince will wnter the scene, take off her glasses and say "I am Princess Diana from Amazon. It's nice to meet you, Kal'El. Bruce Wayne told me all about you." And then Bruce Wayne could say "I've got a feeling we're going to have a long, busy weekend." which would hint that the Justice League is about to be formed. And then the movie ends, leaving fans with the idea that the Justice League movie is next. Okay, can someone please share this idea with David S. Goyer and Zack Snyder?

So anyways, those are my honest thoughts on this rumor. But what I want to know is, what are your thoughts? Do you think it's true? Do you think Jaimie Alexander is the right choice? And if not, then who would you cast in the role? Write your thoughts in the comments below. Thank, and until next time...

"Stop a bullet cold, make the Axis fold. Change their minds and change the world."

Thumbs Up to Roger Ebert

Yesterday, one of the saddest things in the history of entertainment had happened. Roger Ebert, the critic and writer for the Chicago Sun Times, passed away. Because of Ebert's unfortunate passing, I decided to take this time to reflect on how much Roger Ebert has meant to the industry, and to me.

Roger Ebert began writing for the Chicago Sun Times in 1967. In 1975, he began co-hosting a weekly film called Sneak Preview. Three years later, Gene Siskel became a co-host when the show was picked up by PBS for national distribution. The two critics became famous for coining the phrase "Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down!". They eventually invented the words "Two Thumbs Up!"

In 1982, they moved from PBS to launch a similar syndicated television show called At The Movies With Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. It was a weekly show where they discussed and reviewed the latest films.

And this was not just any ordinary review show, where they just said "The movie's good! Go see it!" or "The movie's not very good. I recommend not seeing it." These two would discuss and describe every film they saw as if it was the Bible. These men took film seriously. To them, film was not a pass time. It was a way of life.

From Citizen Kane to The Godfather. From Star Wars to E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. From Who Framed Roger Rabbit to Beauty and the Beast. If these two saw a movie they really loved, and I mean really really REALLY loved, they would gush about it like a school girl.

And if they saw a movie they hated, like North or Jaws: The Revenge, they would rant and rant and rant. And each rant would be as hilarious as the last.

And, on many occasions, the two would disagree on a film. One of them would like the film, and the other would totally hate it. And when they disagreed, they didn't merely end the review by saying "Oh, okay. Well I guess we all have different tastes." No. These two would go at it like two little boys fighting over a G.I. Joe action figure. These two would argue and argue. Even if it was over a kids film like Good Burger. These two were very passionate about film.

They were both different kinds of critics. Gene Siskel was more analytical. He would foucus on every, tiny, solitary, little detail that most people would ignore. Meanwhile Roger Ebert preferred to look at the big picture. He preferred to see every film as an experience. These two different personalities were the perfect match-up to each other. Their chemistry was a perfect balance. They were so different, and yet so similar. Even though they had different styles and personalities, they both agreed on one thing: they absolutely LOVED the movies.

On February 20, 1999, Gene Siskel passed away from complications of surgery. It was a sad day in the movie world, almost like yesterday. Roger Ebert felt sad and devastated that his partner and friend had gone.

But the show must go on. Siskel and Ebert was later changed to Roger Ebert at the Movies, and it had weekly critics guests like Leanord Maltin and Joel Seigel. Finally, in 2000, Richard Roeper came on as a replacement for Gene Siskel. The show was changed to Ebert and Roeper. Even though Richard Roeper could not compare to the sharp wit and charisma, or the same passion to cinema, that Gene Siskel brought to the show, Richard Roeper proved to be a worthy successor. He had a good chemistry with Roger Ebert.

Sadly, in 2006, Roger Ebert suffered from Thyroid cancer in his lower jaw. So he had to leave the show. He was later replaced with Michael Philips. Richard Roeper later quit, because he was displeased with the direction the show was going. The show got worse and worse, and eventually was cancelled in 2010. They tried to revive the show with Ebert Presents At The Movies in 2011.

Roger Ebert continued to write reviews for the Chicago Sun-Times, until his death on April 4, 2013 yesterday.

I discovered Roger Ebert when I was watching Bonus Features on the DVD of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. I was watching the trailers and TV spots. One of the TV spots was "Reviews". It said critics quotes about the film. The TV spot said "Ebert & Roeper give it Two Thumbs Up!" I asked my Mom "Who's Ebert & Roeper?" Mom said "Oh, they are movie critics." She told me all about them. I eventually looked up videos of Ebert and Roeper on YouTube. I would watch them for hours and hours. I later discovered Siskel and Ebert. I would watch those for hours and hours as well.

I discovered Roger Ebert written reviews through Rotten Tomatoes. His reviews to me were a work of art. I absolutely adored his sharp wit, his open mind, and his indescribable love for movies. All my life, I have loved movies. I love to think about them, I love to talk about them, I love to watch them, I love to read about them. Roger Ebert understood that passion I had. This man lived and breathed movies. I loved reading Roger Ebert's reviews so much, it inspired me to become a movie critic myself. And that is why I write reviews on this blog occasionally.

Roger Ebert, I hope you are in Heaven reading this. I want you to know just how much you inspired me. If it wasn't for you, I would never have even considered becoming a writer. If it wasn't for you, I would think of my love for movies as an unhealthy obsession. You taught me just how important it is to love movies.

Yesterday, I had my Eagle Scout Board of Review. And in one part of the review, the Board Members asked me what Merit Badge I would add if I could. I told them "I would add a pop culture badge. A badge where you have to learn the history of movies, TV, and music. I think movies are important to learn about. To quote the late Roger Ebert, "Movies are important, because they affect the way we think and feel. In some ways positively. And in some ways negatively." I passed my Board of Review. And the fact that I used a quote by you, Roger Ebert, just makes the experience so much more rewarding.

When I grow up, I have always wanted to be an actor/writer/director/comedian. And for years, I have always dreamed of reading Roger Ebert's reviews of my films. But now, I'll have to wait until I meet him in Heaven to hear his reviews of my films.

I hope you are in Heaven right now, with Gene Siskel, eating popcorn, and reviewing every future film release.

Thank you Roger Ebert. You will always be remembered. To you, I give... Two Thumbs Up!

See you at the movies!

My Top 5 Favorite Steven Spielberg Movies

There are few directors in this world that are as talented as Steven Spielberg. Steven Spielberg is arguably the greatest director that ever lived. He has directed and produced some of the biggest hits in Hollywood. Many of the films he's directed have gone down in history as some of the greatest, most iconic films of all time. Everyone has their favorite Steven Spielberg film. Tomorrow one of his most popular films, Jurassic Park, will be re-released in 3D. To celebrate, I'm going to count down my top 5 favorite Steven Spielberg movies. Now keep in mind, this list is very short. So I won't include ALL of his films. If I exclude any of your choices, you can write it down in the comments below. Now go pop some popcorn, and let's dive right in!

5.) Lincoln

Over the years, historians have always had their own idea of what Abraham Lincoln was like in real life. We have images of him. But we don't have any video or radio footage of the famous president. There have been countless films, plays, and TV specials based on the president's life. But none have been as deep, entertaining, or as emotional as Steven Spielberg's most recent film, Lincoln. Lincoln tells the story of Abraham Lincoln (Daniel-Day Lewis) trying to abolish slavery, with the help of Thadeus Stewart (Tommy Lee-Jones). The film is rich with beautiful performances and sharp writing by Tony Kushner. And as I said, the performances are beautiful. Sally Fields is wonderful as Mary Todd Lincoln, Tommy Lee Jones is hilarious and irresistible as Congressional leader Thadus Stewart. But the true star of the movie is Daniel Day Lewis. His performance as Abraham Lincoln is up there with Charlton Heston's Moses as one of the greatest portrayals of a historic figure. He plays Honest Abe as a man who loves to communicate with stories and parables. A man with patience, sensitivity, and wisdom. Daniel Day Lewis doesn't play Lincoln as a myth, but as a man. He makes you relate with Lincoln as much as you look up to him. This film is not for everyone though. If you are not a fan of history, you may find the film tedious and boring. But if you are a history enthusiast, Lincoln will hold your attention, and make you love your country all the more. In short, Lincoln is a true American landmark.

4.) Jurassic Park

The film is based on the novel by Michael Crichton. This movie has a very interesting concept. What if we can make dinosaurs come back to life? What if man walked with dinosaurs again? These are the questions that John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) asks. He decides to take dinosaur DNA from mosquitoes, and use the DNA to clone dinosaurs, and open a theme park in a far away island. He invites Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neil), Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and Dr. Ian Malcom (Jeff Goldblum), to come inspect his theme park for future guests. At first, things go very well. Until a T-Rex breaks loose from his cage and starts attacking the guests. It's a big race to escape the island from being eaten, and return to society. Jurassic Park is just one big thrill ride from start to finish. I also love it how, even though it's sort of a horror/thriller movie, the characters are not just 1-dimensional idiots who you want to see the dinosaurs eat, like most horror movies. In Jurassic Park, Steven Spielberg does a great job of making you care for the characters, and root for them to get off the island. The script by David Koepp is filled with a lot of humor and heart. And usually, I'm not a huge fan of CGI. I am usually more of a fan of practical effects, like puppets and stop motion. But the CGI on the dinosaurs is some of the best CGI ever used in motion picture. When Jurassic Park first came out in 1993, the special effects were very groundbreaking. It was definitely the Avatar of its day. And to this day, the CGI on the dinosaurs is still very impressive. And who can forget the John Williams music? No Spielberg movie is complete without some John Williams pixie dust. Williams' score really gives the movie a sense of awe. It's as if the dinosaurs actually are back, and are roaming the earth! So, with a great story, amazing visuals, great characters, and a beautiful score, Jurassic Park is good old-fashioned prehistoric fun!

3.) Jaws

Da da. Da da. Da da.

Just two notes, and you have a villain. Based on the book by Peter Benchley, Jaws tells the story of a man eating shark terrorizing the peaceful beach of Amity Island, leading the Mayor to close down the beach. So it's up to Officer Brody (Roy Schneider), Dr. Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), and Captain Quint (Robert Shaw) to sail out to the middle of the sea and hunt down the sea beast before he eats another soul. This is a tale that's not for the faint of heart. For almost the entire first half of the movie, you never really see the shark. You only see his victims being eaten, you see blood, and you hear the sinister John Williams music. Even in the scenes where nobody is being killed or eaten, you're still scared. You hear the characters talk about the shark, and it leaves you on the edge of your seat biting your nails. And that right there describes the brilliance of this horror film. Steven Spielberg is very smart to keep his audience guessing, waiting in deep anticipation. The shark doesn't show up until the last 20 minutes of the film. And when he does, the audience jumps out of their seats, spilling their popcorn. And this is just a robot shark that barely worked on set. If Jaws was made today, they would have just used CGI. That would be easy. But too easy. Because the shark was a robot, that makes you appreciate all the hard work and dedication the prop designers put into it. But it's not just the shark that makes this movie work. The cast couldn't have been better. The chemistry between Roy Schneider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw is just perfect. They are not just 1-dimensional characters in a horror movie. They are real, human people that you care for. My favorite scene in the movie, oddly enough doesn't involve the shark. But rather those three characters. It's the Indianapolis speech made by Captain Quint. And the fact that it's based on a true story just makes it more chilling. And the John Williams music. I doubt this movie would be half the classic it is without John Williams chilling score. Even if you've never seen Jaws, you at least recognize the score. If they play that music when you're swimming, you better get out! Many years later, Jaws continues to scare people from going in the water.

2.) Raiders of the Lost Ark

Da da da Da! Da da da!

Who doesn't love Indiana Jones? (Well, besides Nazis.) Indiana Jones is in many ways the ultimate action hero. He's got it all: the hat, the whip, the gun, the ladies, a phobia (snakes), the awesome theme song, etc. His first big screen adventure was in the 1981 classic, Raiders of the Lost Ark. The story follows Dr. Jones (Harrison Ford) on a quest for the legendary lost Ark of the Covenant, before the Nazis get to it. He is joined by his ex-girlfriend Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), and his close friend Sallah (John Rhys-Davies). Indiana Jones and his friends have to fight nazis, snakes, and escape booby traps at every turn. Can Indy and co. make it to the Ark on time before the Nazis? And will they be able to handle its mysterious powers? As you can see, Raiders of the Lost Ark is the kind of film that grabs you by the arm the second it starts, and it never lets go. You are on the edge of your seat 98% of the time. The characters are all lovable and unforgettable. Harrison Ford gives probably his best performance of his career. He's not just playing Han Solo again. He's playing Indiana Jones, and entirely different character. And he plays him with wit, and heart. Karen Allen is very hot and very feisty as Marion Ravenwood. The action scenes are well done. The opening scene with the booby traps is the greatest opening scene in an action/adventure film. The music by John Williams is great as always. Why his "Raiders of the Lost Ark" score lost an Oscar to Chariots of Fire is a mystery to me. So many years later, Raiders of the Lost Ark holds up very well. With great performances, a great score, unforgettable characters, and a great story, Raiders of the Lost Ark is a true treasure to behold.

1.) E.T. The Extra Terrestrial

Out of all the films on this list, E.T. is probably the closest to Steven Spielberg's heart. Steven Spielberg's parents in real life were divorced, and so are Elliot's. So in some ways, this movie is a biopic of the director. The story centers around a boy named Elliot (Henry Thomas) and his suburban family. He feels very lonely and friendless. But one night, Elliot comes across a strange alien creature who he adopts into his house. His sister (Drew Barrymore) calls him "E.T.", which means "Extra Terrestrial". The kids later find out that he is from outer space, and is trying to get back to his home. The kids do their best to hide him from their mom, and the authorities, and help him get back to his home planet. But, as the film progresses, Elliot and E.T. develop a personal relationship, which makes it harder and harder for Elliot to let E.T. go. But E.T. teaches Elliot that friends never leave you as long as you keep them in your heart. As you can see, E.T. is a heart warming story about childhood, loyalty, friendship, and never letting go. It's the kind of tale that can make a grown man almost cry. The ending scene is one of the most tear jerking in any film. It's up there with Toy Story 3. But the film is filled with a lot of great comedy as well. The scenes where E.T. is discovering the world around him are very charming and very funny. It's strange how the character, E.T., is an alien from outer space. When you first see him, he looks bizarre. But when he first eats those Reecess pieces, you start to fall in love with him. Much like Jaws, if E.T. was made today, the alien would be CGI. But this was made in the 80s, so he is a puppet. And I think that makes him even more adorable, and more real. The performances in the film are all beautiful. Henry Thomas is brilliant as Elliot. He gives, what I think is, the best performance by a child actor ever. The way he cares for E.T. is just so heart warming. He's the most relatable character in the movie. Another performance I love is Drew Barrymore as Gertie. She is the 2nd cutest thing in this movie, behind E.T. And then there's the music by John Williams. You've heard me gush over John Williams enough. But I just want to say that I think E.T. The Extra Terrestrial is his best score ever! Yes, I think it's better than Star Wars! And given his career, that is saying a lot! I always get chills at the back of my neck when I hear Williams' score. I could go on and on about this film. All I want to say is that E.T. The Extra Terrestrial is out of this world! (Sorry about the pun.)

And those are my top 5 favorite Steven Spielberg movies. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it. God bless!

My Top 5 Favorite Movies of 2012

My Top 5 Favorite Movies of 2012

             

Well, another year has come and gone: 2012. And man, what a year it was! The world may not have ended (take that Mayans!), but it was still a year we will never forget! It was the year when Gamgam Style was born, when Katie Holmes divorced Tom Cruise, when 007 turned 50, when Clint Eastwood talked to a chair to prove a political point, when Obama became president for four more years, and when Princess Leia became a Disney® Princess. However, the thing that really made this year memorable was the movies! 2012 was probably the greatest year for movies in a long time! Almost every month in 2012 had at least one movie that was mind blowing, entertaining, and unforgettable! This year was definitely a HUGE improvement from last year (2011), where it seemed to be dud after dud after dud. Okay, so not EVERY movie in 2012 was great. There were still some big stinkers (Looking at you Battleship!). But overall, it was a great year for Hollywood, and it gave us hope that Hollywood can still make ‘em like they used to! Now before I give you my list. I want to let you all know that this is just my opinion. Film is art, and art is subjective. If you disagree with me, that’s why God created comments. Now let’s not waste any time, and count down… My Top 5 Favorite Movies of 2012! (There be spoilers ahead! Ye have been warned!):

5. Les Miserables

Based on the musical bu Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel, and Schönberg, Les Miserables tells the story of the French Revolution; and Ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, who is hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever. Before I talk about this movie, I have confession to make. I never read the book , nor saw the musical. Thank goodness I saw it with a friend who did see the musical. So if you have never read the book, or saw the musical, I suggest taking any of your friends who have, so they can fill you in on the stuff you don't understand. As for me, I thought the movie is just beautiful. It tells a great story of redemption, love, loss, tragedy, and joy. The performances are brilliant! Hugh Jackman uses his singing talents to great use for his role as Jean Valjean. THrought the course of the film, Jean Valjean goes from being a theif to a saint. This is not an easy role to play, and Hugh Jackman does it perfectly. The entire cast is great: Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Amanda Seyfried, etc. But the standout for me is definetely Anne Hathaway! She is in the film for only 20 minutes, but she really steals the show for me. Her character,  Fantine, is very tragic and heart breaking, and you really feel sad for her in the film. Her story would make even the toughest man shed a tear. The scene where she sings "I dreamed a dream"is so beautiful and so emotional, she deserves to win an Oscar for that scene alone! Of course, all the songs in this movie are beautiful. They range from heart breaking (I Dreamed A Dream), funny (Master Of The House), touching (Suddenly), to triumphant (Do You Hear The People Sing). Almost every line of dialogue is sung instead of spoken. And I mean it... EVERY SINGLE WORD THEY SAY IS SAID BY SINGING! So if you hate singing in movies, you might want to sit this one out. As for me, and everyone else, Les Miserables is an experience that's anything but miserable!

 4.) Lincoln

Directed by the master of movies himself, Steven Spielberg, Lincoln tells the story of one of our proudest presidents, as he tries to abolish slavery. This is a film about Abraham Lincoln. Not the myth, but the man. And he is far more interesting that the myth. Daniel-Day Lewish does a superb job of making Honest Abe into a three-dimensional, and vulnerable human being. The entire cast is perfect! Sally Fields is great as Mary Todd Lincoln, and Tommy-Lee Jones steals the whole show as Congressional Leader Thaddeus Stewart. The music by John Williams is inspiring and moving. Of course, every score John Williams makes is a masterpiece. It's common knowledge that Steven Spielberg is a great director. But now, he has accomplished what few filmmakers have. He took an American legend, and gave him depth.

 
 3.) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Just to let you know, I LOVE J.R.R. Tolkien! The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of my favorite movies of all time! The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is my favorite book of all time! I have been anticipating this movie for a long time now. And  I must say, it was worth the wait! The story from the book is well translated on the screen. The characters are lovable and unforgettable. The acting is top notch. And the visuals are amazing! The score by Howard Shore still sends chills at the back of my neck! My favorite scene in the movie, which is also my favorite chapter in the book, is Riddles In The Dark. Andy Serkis is still amazing as the treacherous and deceitful Gollum/Smeagol. The movie is roughly two and a half hours. But it feels like one hour and a half! So, at least in my opinion, it's better paced than the LOTR trilogy. If there are any problems with the film, though. It's that some scenes feel a little unnecessary. And there is a character, Radagast the Brown, who might bring back painful memories of Jar Jar Binks for some people. As for the 48 frames rate, it felt a little weird at first. But as the film went on, I got used to it. A lot of people hate the technology. However, I feel it has potential. I applaud Peter Jackson for thinking outside the box and breaking new ground for technology. I look forward to seeing this new technology improve in the future. In short, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is an amazing experience I will never forget! And I eagerly look forward to the next two installments (Desolation of Smaug in 2013 & There and Back Again in 2014)! Well done Peter Jackson!

2.) Marvel's The Avengers

This movie had a near-impossible goal to accomplish. How do you include 4 of the most iconic, most popular superheroes of all time in one movie, and make it not feel like 4 movies mixed in one? If given into the wrong hands, this movie could have been a soul crushing disappointment. But director Joss Whedon managed to give it the perfect balance of comedy, action, drama, and heart, and crafted what is arguably the best, most entertaining comic book film since The Dark Knight! The story itself is nothing really special when you think about it. It's just a basic "Bad guy tries to take over the world, so we have to team up to stop him" tale that's been told in countless cartoons, movies, etc. But it's the clever dialogue and the genuine chemistry between the main characters that makes it stand out from most comic book movies. And they are great characters. Robert Downy Jr. totally steals every scene he's in as Iron Man/Tony Stark, Chris Hemsworth kicks butt as Thor, Chris Evans is great as Captain America, Mark Ruffalo owns it as the Hulk (Eric Banna and Edward Norton who?), Scarlett Johansson (please marry me!) is very sexy and strong as Black Widow, etc. The way these character interact with each other is just hilarious! And there are plenty of quiet scenes with the characters that gives them depth. It gives the movie a more human side. Unless you are a hard core Christopher Nolan/Batman loyalist, there is something in this film for everyone to appreciate. Even if you don't know the difference between Pepper Potts and Mary Jane. Marvel's The Avenegrs is MARVEL-ous fun for all ages!

Before I tell you my favorite movie of 2012, I would like to write down some honorable mentions. Movies that I really loved, but just couldn't find any room on this list for. Here we go (no particular order):

Argo - The greatest movie never made

Skyfall - 007's most entertaining mission yet!

Wreck-It-Ralph - Disney Animation continues to step up its game!

Moonrise Kingdom - Another Wes Anderson gem!

  



And my number one favorite movie of 2012 is...

1.) The Dark Knight Rises

Holy fan boy Batman!I have always been a huge Batman fan for as long as I can remember! I remember dressing up as Batman for Halloween when I was a little boy. I remember watching the Adam West show and The Animated Series form the 90s. I'll say it, Batman is my favorite superhero of all time! And I love the Batman movie franchise! I loved Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns! And I liked Batman Forever. The less said about Batman and Robin, the better.

But out of all the Batman movies, Christopher Nolan's Batman movies have stuck out with me the most. I loved Batman Begins! It was a dark, gritty, edgy reboot that redefined that Batman character for a new generation. And it was great mouth wash from Joel Shumacher's Batman and Robin (shivers). And The Dark Knight is not only my favorite Batman movie, but one of my favorite movies of all time! I love almost everything about that movie: the story, the music, the acting, etc. But most of all, Heath Ledger's Joker! Heath Ledger took an iconic character and made him his own. He gave, what I feel, was the single greatest performance of the decade! May he Rest In Peace. And now comes the third chapter, The Dark Knight Rises.

And as we all know, most of the time in trilogies, third time is no the charm. Especially with superheroes. Remember Spider-Man? A trilogy that started off good (Spider-Man), continued great (Spider-Man 2) but ended with a huge, convuluted mess (Spider-man 3)! Not even Superman, with all his powers, could make a satisfying third film in his trilogy. Let's hope and pray that Iron Man doesn't suffer the same fate this summer with Iron Man 3. Well thank goodness for Christopher Nolan! He ended the trilogy not with a whimper, but with a bang!

The story is action-packed, epic, intense, tragic, heart warming, and emotionally powerful! The performances are stellar! Christian Bale is perfect as Bruce Wayne/Batman! He makes the character very sympathetic, and you really root for him in the story. In my opinion, the best Batman in the whole franchise is a tie between Michael Keaton and Christian Bale. Michael Caine is brilliant as Buttler Alfred. He gives the movie its heart. Gary Oldman is awesome as Commissionor Gordon. He keeps the movie grounded. Morgan Freeman is great as always as Lucius Fox. He gives the film its class. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is very likable as John Blake. Tom Hardy is very menacing and threatening as Bane. But the standout performance for me was Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman. She is purrfect as Catwoman. She's tough, sexy, spunky, and sneaky as Catwoman. She is the best Catwoman since Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman Returns. (Halle Berry who?)

The music by Hans Zimmer is amazing! It really sets the tone and feel of the movie. The cinematography is stunning! The scenes with Gotham City are just jaw dropping to look at!

If there are some flaws though, it's that the film can be pretty slow at times. And there are a few plot holes that might bother people, like how does Bruce Wayne escape the island without a helicopter, etc. But that's just nit picking. This is a very well made film, flaws and all.

The movie's real strong point, though, is the emotional story arc of the main character. There isn't really as much Batman in this movie as you think there would be. That's because it's not really about Batman, but really about Bruce Wayne. It's the story of how he wishes he had the power to save everyone, how he regrets a mistake he made in his past, how he is challenged mentally, morally, and physically, and how he learns to rise above his problems on his own. "Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up!"

In conclusion, The Dark Knight Rises is an amazing experience! It tells a great story, has amazing acting, a great musical score, unforgettable characters, and provides a satisfying conclusion to a great trilogy! It may have some flaws, but when it's good, it is phenomenal! Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy is not only the greatest superhero trilogy ever made, but it will now take its place in history among the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Toy Story trilogy, and the Original Star Wars trilogy, as one of the greatest trilogies of all time!  

The Dark Knight Rises. My favorite movie of 2012!

And those are my favorite movies of 2012! Like I said before, 2012 was a great year! Not just for movies. But just a great year in general! I look forward to what surprises God has in store for me in 2013!