2012 was a great year for movies.  Everybody, from Wes Anderson to Ben Affleck to Steven Spielberg, were in top form. Frankly, there’s no real science behind why this year was particularly good for movies, but a recurring element was taking risks. More often than not, it worked out beautifully, bringing unique ideas and wonderfully different approaches to many of this years best movies. And now, the next installment of the 25 Top 2012 movies: 20. “The Dark Knight Rises”: No, it isn’t as good as “The Dark Knight”. Yes, it’s got enough plot holes to sink an aircraft carrier. But is it a fantastically made film? Oh yes. Once you’re immersed in Christopher Nolan’s chillingly realistic vision of Batman, there’s no getting out, and that’s just fine with me! With a fantastic ensemble cast, masterfully created action scenes and one of the year’s best bad guys in Bane, it’s impossible to resist this stupendously made film.   19. “Bernie”: Jack Black, rebounding after the awful “Gulliver’s Travels”, finds himself in good hands, with director Richard Linklater, who directs this so-unbelievable-it-must-be-true tale with grace and humor. A wonderfully crafted dark comedy filled with top notch performances from both Jack Black and Matthew McConaughey and a marvelous script, the films icing on its cake is the commentary from actual locals from the films setting, Carthage, Texas. Their asides are the highlight of the movie and is one of the many great things in an already riveting movie.   18. “Ted”: Seth MacFarlane debuted on the silver screen with a comedy that was amazingly well made, with both lovable characters and gut bustingly funny moments throughout. It’s surprisingly well done emotional moments give it a surprising depth and also help make these characters and their situations feel that much more alive. And of course, Ted’s various escapades are uproarious to watch, as are his insanely quotable quips (“I look like something you give your kid when you tell ‘em Grandma died”) all help make “Ted” the year’s best comedy.   17. “The Impossible”: Tragedy often makes people come together, and the 2004 tsunami was no different. The devastation it caused and the horrifying sights it burned into our minds are impossible to forget. Now, director J.A. Bayona brings this tragedy to riveting life, bringing a family’s struggle for survival to life in the most captivating way imaginable. The acting is phenomenal and it’s staging of the tsunami’s damage is terrifyingly real. Oh, and no matter who you are, you WILL be crying in this movie, guaranteed.   16. “John Carter”: No, it didn’t do well at the box office. But between the 30,000th article on how much money “John Carter” lost at the box office, nobody seemed to mention the quality of the movie itself. If you were like me and ventured to see it, you’d find a superbly fun and surprisingly well put together action-adventure. In a day and age where every major blockbuster prides itself on being darker in tone than the last, the joyous tone of “John Carter” is refreshing, as are it’s beautiful landscapes and it’s unique extraterrestrials. A flick Walt Disney would’ve been proud of, give “John Carter” a chance. It’s certainly one of the year’s best action flicks.