Beasts of the Southern Wild
2012 has been a great year for movies with a whole host of films grabbing audience’s attention breaking box office records left, right and centre.
But there have been some great films that have perhaps not got the amount of attention that they deserved - some really slipping under the radar.
We take a look at some of the movie gems that have graced the big screen in the last twelve months - if you have missed any of these films then you really need to check them out.
- Beasts Of The Southern Wild
Beasts of the Southern Wild is a movie that lit up the festival circuit this year as Behn Zeitlin made his directorial debut after kicking off his career in shorts.
And to say that he has an exciting career ahead of him is a bit of an understatement as Beasts of the Southern Wild is not only one of the most unique movies of 2012 but it is also one of the most beautiful.
This is a human drama and a coming of age tale all rolled into one and it is a story and a set of characters that will stay with long after the credits role.
It is a deeply moving movie about survival and growing up in a difficult part of the world and the central performance from Quvenzhane Wallis is nothing short of astounding for someone of her age.
The hype around this movie is richly deserved and it thrills and charms from start to finish - movies like this do not come around very often.
Click here to pre-order Beasts Of The Southern Wild
- Rust And Bone
Another movie that got the festival circuit excited this year was Rust and Bone, a big screen adaptation of the novel by Craig Davidson.
This is one of the most emotional movies of the year as the movie follows the character Stephanie as she adjusts to life after losing her legs.
Marion Cotillard is nothing short of breathless in the movie as she shows despair, desperation, strength and love with such ease - she really does cement herself as a fine actress with this role.
Matthias Schoenaerts is also fantastic as the man who helps Stephanie re-discover herself in what is a very touching and very real relationship.
Cotillard is tipped to pick up a Best Actress nomination and she thoroughly deserves to go on and win her second Oscar.
Click here to pre-order Rust And Bone on DVD
- A Royal Affair
I have watched a string of foreign movies this year and A Royal Affair really was one of the best and is based on a real story.
A Royal Affair follows the most dramatic love story in Danish history is the affair between King Christian VII's physician, Johan Struensee, and the English born queen of Denmark, Caroline Mathilda in the early 1770's.
This is a script that is superbly written as it is both gripping and entertaining from start to finish with intriguing characters and a wonderful story.
Mads Mikkelsen is a fine and often underrated actor and he is simply wonderful as Johan Struensee as he really gets under the skin of this character.
A Royal Affair is a beautiful looking movie as well as having a rich story and fascinating characters - this really is one not to be missed.
- Ruby Sparks
Little Miss Sunshine remains one of the best comedy movies of recent years and 2012 saw directors Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris return with quirky love story Ruby Sparks.
This really is a rom-com like never before as Ruby Sparks breathes new life into this tired and rather boring genre.
It is a fantastic script from Zoe Kazan, who also plays the title role, and she is a real acting and writing talent to watch out for in the coming year.
Kazan and Paul Dano have a real chemistry together and their partnerships works really well as they try to muddle their way through a complicated relationship.
On the surface Ruby Sparks looks like a bubbly and fun romantic comedy but strip that away and you have a darker movie that is both powerful and emotional.
Click here to pre-order Ruby Sparks on DVD
- Wild Bill
We have also been treated to some mighty fine British movie this year but a personal favourite of mine, which did go somewhat under the radar, was Wild Bill.
The movie marked the directorial debut for actor Dexter Fletcher and he showed that he had a real flair behind the camera that is incredibly exciting.
This really is an engaging movie from start to finish that is brimming with very complex and interesting characters; particularly Bill who is an unwilling father and Dean who has had to take care of his young brother in the absence of a parent.
And it is Will Poulter, who plays Dean, who really does shine in this movie as a character who is half boy half man - he is caught between wanting to be a normal teenager and the parental responsibilities that have been thrust upon him.
Wild Bill is an engaging and witty family drama that really is a great watch.
Click here to buy Wid Bill on DVD
- The Raid
If you are into your martial arts movies then The Raid was a film that was not to be missed in 2012 as it was just a corker.
If you love hard hitting action sequences and eye watering fight scenes then this was the movie for you as it delivered all of that and much more.
Gareth Evans is back in the director’s chair and this is the movie that really announces him as a talent to keep an eye on.
A new action star is born in the form of Iko Uwais in the movie as he really delivers a knockout and very physical performance.
The Raid is high octane action from start to finish and feature the best action sequences of the year - bar none!!!!
The good new is Evans and Uwais are already planning a sequel and I cannot wait to see it.
Click here to buy The Raid on DVD
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw