“Marley” Made with the support of the Marley family, the Magnolia Pictures film, “Marley,” from Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald (“The Last King of Scotland”) features rare footage, incredible performances and revealing interviews with people that knew Bob Marley best. More than 30 years after his death, Bob Marley(1945–1981), the reggae musician and revolutionary who embodies Rastafarian culture, remains a major force. His album, “Legend,” is one of only 17 albums to pass the 10-million mark in sales (in 2009) and continues to sell 250,000 copies per year. According to Billboard magazine, it’s the second-longest charting album ever and in 1999, Time magazine named “Exodus” the greatest album of the 20th century. This documentary doesn’t glorify Marley; it is an engaging and moving study of a brilliant musician and flawed man.
“A Royal Affair” There’s no money for social programs; rich folks don’t want to pay taxes, foreigners are given the heave-ho, the military budget’s in jeopardy, the poor don’t have a prayer, and religion can’t be bothered with facts. No, we’re not talking about this year’s presidential election. “A Royal Affair” takes place in 1768 when things were rotten in Denmark and people weren’t who they seemed. Christian VII of Denmark (Mikkel Følsgaard) is King, but in name only; a mere figurehead. His focus is on large-breasted prostitutes, alcohol, and his beloved dog. Disillusioned and neglected, his wife, English-born Queen Caroline Mathilde (Alicia Vikander), falls into the hunky arms of the King’s royal physician, German Count Johann Friedrich Struensee (Mads Mikkelsen). Ooh, hold onto your corset, it’s a delicious hot mess.
“Middle of Nowhere” Written, produced and directed by Ava DuVernay, “Middle of Nowhere” earned DuVernay the Best Director award at 2012’s Sundance Film Festival. DuVernay is the first African-American woman to ever win this prize and boy oh boy, she earned it. The script is smart, fascinating and original. It paints the portrait of a hard-working and fiercely loyal woman faced with a life-stopping obstacle. Panamanian and African-American actress, Emayatzy Corinealdi, is show-stopping in the lead role as Ruby Sexton whose husband Derek (Omari Hardwick) has been sentenced to eight years in prison. The film depicts difficult relationships, outgrowing one’s previous life and starting over after attaining hard-won wisdom. Ruby is fighting for her life amidst a muck of muddled choices. You’ll root for Ruby as you question her choices yet admire her strength and courage.
“Pusher” is a remake of the 1996 original of the same name that was written and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (“Drive“). Refn’s film was a blockbuster and he added two more films to the Danish series, “With Blood on My Hands: Pusher II” and “I’m the Angel of Death: Pusher III.” Refn, who directed the series of films, happily approved of the English-language remake and climbed on board as executive producer. Actor Zlatko Buric starred as Milo in all three of the original trilogy of films and reprises his role in this 2012 version. Frank (Richard Coyle) plays a small time drug dealer in London. He’s handsome, has a stunning stripper girlfriend named Flo (Agyness Deyn), and a high-energy joke-cracking best friend named Tony (Bronson Webb). He does have one teensy problem though; he owes ruthless drug lord Milo (Buric) a lot of money. Frank talks Milo into supplying him with narcotics on credit so that Frank can then sell the drugs at a profit and make enough money to pay Milo back in full. Of course, things go horribly wrong.
“Headhunters” If you loved “Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” you’ll love this edge-of-your-seat thrill ride. Though technically a 2011 film, this Scandanavian thriller wasn’t released in the U.S. until April 2012, hence it’s inclusion in this list. Full of titillating and fun suspense, the central character is Roger Brown (Aksel Hennie). Only a diminutive 5’6,” Roger feels driven to overcompensate for his short stature in order to hold onto his tall, blond, glamorous art gallery-owner wife, Diana. His mission? To make money, gobfuls of it. Roger’s day job keeps him busy as Norway’s top headhunter catering to elite clientele. In his off hours, he’s an adept art thief. He evades detection by not leaving any DNA behind. He’s as maniacally meticulous as Showtime’s beloved serial killer, Dexter. Athough Roger’s ethics stink, he is not as evil as the fun to hate former mercenary-turned-art-owner, Clas Greve (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). You’ll laugh at the plentiful dark humor, and gasp at the suspense and thrills.
“Seven Psychopaths” In this unusual dark comedy, an often-drunk screenwriter Marty (Colin Farrell) is late with his screenplay. In fact, all he has is the title. Marty’s writer’s block is catastrophic, but his wackadoo dognapping friends Hans (Christopher Walken) and Billy (Sam Rockwell) want to help. But with help like that… Unintentionally, Hans and Billy create Marty’s riveting story. You know, that whole “truth is stranger than fiction” thing. They kidnap the wrong dog. Bonny the Shih Tzubelongs to Charlie, a dangerous gangster (Woody Harrelson). Now nobody’s safe. Men with guns abound. Writer and director, Martin McDonagh (“In Bruges”) has succeeded in creating a hilarious Quentin Tarantino-ish film with cartoonish over-the-top violence and humor so dark you almost feel guilty laughing.
Click here to read The year in review, part I: The best movies of 2012
Click here to read The year in review, part III: The best movies of 2012
