It was never going to be an easy job adapting “The Hobbit” for the big screen, especially after the success of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and although that likely played a part in Peter Jackson’s initial decision to let another director take the reins, at the end of the day, it just wouldn’t have felt right with anyone else behind the camera. Not only does Jackson know the source material inside and out, but in keeping with the same tone and breathtaking visuals from the original trilogy, the movie feels like it’s part of a bigger story. Granted, “An Unexpected Journey” only covers about a third of Tolkien’s novel, and as a result, there are times when the movie seems to be holding back in fear that it’s covering too much too soon. Martin Freeman is perfectly cast as the young Bilbo, and Ian McKellan effortlessly slides back into the role of Gandalf, but the dwarves are another matter, with Richard Armitage’s leader the only one to really distinguish himself from the pack. However, the film’s real MVP is Andy Serkis, who delivers his best work as Gollum in perhaps the most memorable scene of all four movies. “An Unexpected Journey” still falls a bit short of “The Lord of the Rings” in the end, but it’s a delightfully fun trip back to Middle-earth whose biggest flaw is not knowing when enough is enough.

Blu-ray Highlight: It’s a bit disappointing that the only bonus material Warner Bros. saw fit to include on the Blu-ray are the two hours’ worth of video blogs that were already made available online in the lead-up to the film’s release. With that said, it’s an impressively in-depth look at the making of the first movie (back when it was only two parts), from location filming in New Zealand, to shooting in 3D and 48 fps, to the dwarves’ intricate makeup and costumes, and much more. Some newer extras would have been nice, but with the inevitable Extended Edition in the pipeline, it’s not much of a surprise either.

Regardless of how you feel about torture techniques or the controversial release of classified information to writer Mark Boal about the decade-long hunt for Osama bin Laden, it’s hard not to be totally engrossed by “Zero Dark Thirty,” especially since it represents a major moment in U.S. history. Jessica Chastain is brilliant as the CIA agent whose obsession with tracking down bin Laden helped lead to his eventual death, while Jason Clarke also delivers a standout performance as a fellow agent working the case. Though this ridiculously in-depth account of the CIA’s search for the al-Qaeda leader could have been an extremely dull affair in someone else’s hands, director Kathryn Bigelow injects the film with the same level of intensity and suspense that made “The Hurt Locker” so riveting. It certainly makes for some fascinating viewing material, and the final 20 minutes – comprised of the climactic attack on bin Laden’s Pakistan compound – are some of the most exciting of any movie released this year.

Blu-ray Highlight: The lack of an audio commentary by director Kathryn Bigelow or writer Mark Boal stings a little bit, and none of the included extras are necessarily must-see, but together they form a decent collection of bonus material that covers the construction of bin Laden’s compound, the authenticity of the SEAL Team 6 equipment (including the top secret stealth helicopters), and Jessica Chastain’s lead character.

It may seem a little suspect releasing another R-rated comedy about bridesmaids behaving badly so soon after Paul Feig’s Oscar-nominated film became a box office hit, but that’s pretty much where the similarities end between “Bachelorette” and “Bridesmaids.” In fact, those claiming that the former is just a cheap rip-off might be surprised to discover that Lesyle Headland’s directorial debut is actually based on her pre-“Bridesmaids” stage play of the same name. Unfortunately, despite its excellent cast and my indifference for the overrated Kristen Wiig comedy, “Bachelorette” is actually worse. For starters, there’s not a single likable character in the entire movie, and most of them are selfish, emotionally-stunted individuals who wouldn’t know how to exist in the real world. Though it’s great seeing Adam Scott and Lizzy Caplan reunited after the cancellation of “Party Down,” that’s about all the film has to offer. “Bachelorette” isn’t just mean-spirited and completely unfunny – it’s surprisingly boring as well. Maybe the story works better on the stage, because the film version isn’t nearly as entertaining as its cast seems to think.

Blu-ray Highlight: There’s not much in the way of special features, but if you don’t mind sitting through the movie a second time, writer/director Lesyle Headland’s audio commentary is worth a listen, especially for any aspiring filmmakers interested in what it’s like to shoot your first feature.

2012 wasn’t exactly an unforgettable year at the movies – I know that, you know that – but it can hardly be described as a disappointment, because while there weren’t many films that will be remembered 20 years from now, there was still plenty of quality to be found if you looked hard enough. As is usually the case with these year-end features, my Top 10 deviates a little from the typical crop of movies that you’d expect to find on most critics’ lists (some that I didn’t love as much as others, and some that I never had the chance to see), but it’s nothing that will surprise anyone who’s read my past work.

1. “THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER“

It’s not every day that the author of a critically acclaimed novel gets the chance to adapt their book for the big screen, let alone direct it, but after watching Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” it’s hard to imagine anyone else doing a better job. After all, Chbosky knows the material inside and out, and it definitely shows in this modest but heartwarming tale about finding your place in the world. It’s your typical coming-of-age story, but one that’s handled with a certain level of maturity rarely found in high school films, and though the comparisons to “The Breakfast Club” may not be completely warranted, it’s one of the few movies about high school that actually gets it right. Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller all deliver excellent performances in their respective roles (especially Miller as the openly gay senior that takes Lerman’s freshman under his wing), and Chbosky’s deft script earns every emotional moment. It’s just a shame that “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” will probably get lost in the shuffle come awards time, because it has everything you could possibly want in a film.

2. “SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK“

Leave it to David O. Russell to create a romantic comedy as quirky, dark, funny and surprisingly touching as “Silver Linings Playbook,” because the movie is almost as crazy as its two leads. One minute a fiercely honest character study about a man coping with bipolar disorder, and the next minute a charming rom-com revolving around an amateur dancing competition, the film performs such an amazing tightrope act that it’s really to Russell’s credit that it doesn’t come crashing down like a house of cards. Of course, the movie wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable if it weren’t for the risks that it takes thematically, but none of that would matter without its outstanding cast. Bradley Cooper finally gets the chance to show what he’s fully capable of in the best role of his career, and Robert De Niro has some great moments as Cooper’s superstitious father, but it’s Jennifer Lawrence (already so good at such a young age) who steals the show with a phenomenal performance that all but guarantees she’ll win the Oscar for Best Actress.

3. “ARGO“

Ben Affleck may have proved that he was more than just a one-hit wonder with “The Town,” but for his next project, the Boston-born multihyphenate moved away from the comforts of his hometown to a much larger stage, delivering arguably his best film in the process. A politically charged thriller that felt eerily timely in the wake of the U.S. embassy attacks in Libya, “Argo” is unique in that it also juggles a lighter Hollywood insider subplot in addition to its main story. By all accounts, it shouldn’t work, but Affleck makes the blending of the contrasting tones appear almost effortless. The comedy provided by Alan Arkin’s veteran producer and John Goodman’s makeup artist never undercuts the seriousness of the action in Tehran, and yet the strategically placed laughs help break up the tension that mounts over the course of the film. It’s been a while since a movie literally had me on the edge of my seat, but “Argo” is extremely taut and suspenseful, topped off by a fantastic nail-biter ending and one of the year’s best ensembles. The fact that it’s also based on a true story is simply the icing on the cake.

4. “ZERO DARK THIRTY“

Regardless of how you feel about torture techniques or the controversial release of classified information to writer Mark Boal about the decade-long hunt for Osama bin Laden, it’s hard not to be totally engrossed by “Zero Dark Thirty,” especially since it represents a major moment in U.S. history. Jessica Chastain is brilliant as the CIA agent whose obsession with tracking down bin Laden helped lead to his eventual death, while Jason Clarke also delivers a standout performance as a fellow agent working the case. Though this ridiculously in-depth account of the CIA’s search for the al-Qaeda leader could have been an extremely dull affair in someone else’s hands, director Kathryn Bigelow injects the film with the same level of intensity and suspense that made “The Hurt Locker” so riveting. It certainly makes for some fascinating viewing material, and the final 20 minutes – comprised of the climactic attack on bin Laden’s Pakistan compound – are some of the most exciting of any movie released this year.

5. “SLEEPWALK WITH ME“

Most stand-up comics probably only dream about being involved in a movie as funny and refreshingly honest as Mike Birbiglia’s “Sleepwalk with Me,” let alone one that marks their directorial debut. Based on his one-man show of the same name (which was in turn inspired by actual events from his life), the film is a witty, sharply written human comedy about professional rejection and the fear of commitment. Much like the stand-up act performed by Birbiglia’s aspiring comedian in the movie, “Sleepwalk with Me” is entertaining because it’s so incredibly personal, and Birbiglia makes the story feel even more intimate by narrating the film in segments where he speaks directly to the audience a la “Annie Hall.” Reminiscent of the Woody Allen classic in style and tone (both movies even feature Carol Kane in supporting roles), “Sleepwalk with Me” is a really impressive debut by Mike Birbiglia, and one that promises better things to come.

6. “SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED“

“Safety Not Guaranteed” is a shining example of everything that’s great about indie film – from its original script to its winsome characters – but the one thing that it does better than anything else is create a cinematic experience that’s rich in comedy and emotion. A lot of movies have tried to juggle the two in the past, but Colin Trevorrow’s directorial debut is one of the rare few that actually pulls it off. Though it can technically be labeled as a time travel film, “Safety Not Guaranteed” is more about its characters’ relationships than the veracity of the sci-fi premise, and that’s thanks to Derek Connolly’s excellent script and the fantastic cast. All four actors click really well as a group, but they also deliver some great individual performances – especially Aubrey Plaza, who proves she can do more than spout acerbic one-liners and mug for the camera like on “Parks and Rec” – resulting in one of the funniest, sincerest and most charming movies of the year.

7. “THE AVENGERS“

Not many people would have been willing to wager before the start of the summer movie season that “The Avengers” would emerge as the best superhero film of the year (especially with “The Dark Knight Rises” still to come), but Marvel’s big gamble proved everyone wrong, making beaucoup bucks at the box office on its way to becoming the third highest grossing movie of all-time. Money doesn’t always equal quality (and in the case of most summer blockbusters, it usually never does), but with “The Avengers,” director Joss Whedon delivered a film bursting at the seams with excellence – from its amazing cast (particularly Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo in standout roles), to its smart script, to the impressive balancing of the movie’s many tones. Marvel has done a really good job over the last few years of creating a rich cinematic tapestry that’s almost interactive in the way that it feeds off the excitement of its fans, and “The Avengers” is the culmination of all that careful planning – a superhero film with style and substance.

8. “THE IMPOSSIBLE“

Based on the true story of the Alvarez-Belon family – who were separated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami while vacationing in Thailand, only to overcome incredible odds and be miraculously reunited – the aptly titled “The Impossible” is a stunning second feature by Juan Antonio Bayona that blends physical filmmaking with raw emotion. The tsunami sequence is a remarkable technical achievement that perfectly captures the danger and desperation of being caught in the storm, and the scenes that follow are every bit as harrowing and intense as any horror film. That’s because “The Impossible” is essentially a real-life horror movie, although one that features some exceptionally soul-baring performances by its cast. Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor both deliver some of the best work of their careers as the two parents stuck in a difficult situation, while newcomer Tom Holland announces himself to the world with a star-making turn as the couple’s eldest son. The end result is not only an extremely well-made survival thriller, but a poignant celebration of the human spirit that deserves to be seen by all.

9. “THE SESSIONS“

Writer/director Ben Lewin’s “The Sessions” may sound like some really bizarre cross between “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “My Left Foot” – after all, it’s basically about a disabled man (real-life polio survivor and journalist Mark O’Brien) trying to get laid for the first time – but this incredibly low-key and feel-good dramedy is about much more, and that’s why it was such a big hit at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Though it would have been all too easy to produce the kind of heavy-handed Oscar bait that you normally see with these types of inspirational stories, Lewin never martyrizes his main character, instead relying on O’Brien’s charming personality and self-deprecating wit to lighten the mood. The sex scenes are also handled with a frankness and intimacy that you don’t see in films too often, and that, coupled with a pair of superb performances by John Hawkes and Helen Hunt, is what makes “The Sessions” such a real joy to watch.

10. “THE RAID: REDEMPTION“

Gareth Evans’ Indonesian action film “The Raid: Redemption” was showered with praise during its time on the festival circuit, and it deserved every word, because movies don’t get much cooler than this. A bone-crunching, testosterone-pumping freight train of destruction that barely lets you catch your breath once it gets going, “The Raid” delivers the closest thing to non-stop, wall-to-wall action that I’ve ever seen, and a big part of what makes it so awesome is the amazing fight choreography, including what is easily some of the best close-quarters combat committed to film. Every fight is more inventive, more complex and more intense than the last, and just when you think you’ve seen it all, Evans launches into yet another bloody battle. Being exposed to this much action would normally get tiresome after a while, but the director shoots each sequence with such visual flair (with the camera itself integrated into the choreography) that it’s like watching a ballet being performed – only, you know, with machine guns and machetes.

“THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN”
“CABIN IN THE WOODS”
“DJANGO UNCHAINED”
“HEADHUNTERS”
“THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY”
“KILLER JOE”
“LIBERAL ARTS”
“LOOPER”
“MOONRISE KINGDOM”
“SKYFALL”

It’s no secret that Hollywood saves some of its biggest guns for the end of the year, and between all the awards season hopefuls and holiday blockbusters, there’s an entire arsenal of exciting movies coming to theaters this December. While Kathryn Bigelow, Tom Hooper and Quentin Tarantino duke it for Oscar honors with their newest films, “Jack Reacher” and “The Hobbit” promise to deliver pure escapist entertainment. The only thing missing is a big red bow, because this is the ultimate present for film lovers.

Who: Bill Murray, Laura Linney, Olivia Williams, Olivia Colman and Samuel West
What: The story of the love affair between FDR and his distant cousin Margaret Stuckley during the weekend in 1939 when the King of England visited upstate New York.
When: December 7th
Why: Bill Murray is notoriously picky about choosing scripts, but not even he could turn down the chance to play Franklin D. Roosevelt, which practically comes with an Oscar nomination attached to it. All kidding aside, Murray is actually a pretty inspired choice to play the wheelchair-bound 32nd President, especially because Roger Michell’s film appears to be much lighter for a story that takes place during such a harrowing period in history. While it’s unlikely that “Hyde Park on Hudson” will garner the same awards recognition as 2010’s “The King’s Speech” (although the two movies would make a perfect double feature), it’s hard to imagine that it will disappoint with such a solid cast.

Who: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan, Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis and Hugo Weaving
What: Bilbo Baggins journeys to the Lonely Mountain with a vigorous group of dwarves to reclaim a treasure stolen from them by the dragon Smaug.
When: December 14th
Why: After years stuck in development hell due to the MGM bankruptcy crisis, the most anticipated prequel to come out of Hollywood since “The Phantom Menace” is finally arriving in theaters, although not exactly in the way that most people were expecting. For starters, Peter Jackson is back in the director’s chair after Guillermo del Toro cut his losses to work on other projects (and really, it’s for the better), while two movies have now become three after the decision was made to turn “The Hobbit” into its own trilogy. Though I’m not exactly sure how Jackson plans to do that (especially when Part One, subtitled “An Unexpected Journey,” will reportedly run 160 minutes long), that doesn’t make me any less thrilled about getting the chance to revisit Middle Earth all over again.

Who: Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, Kyle Chandler, Chris Pratt and Jason Clarke
What: A chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the 9/11 attacks, and his death at the hands of Navy SEAL Team Six.
When: December 19th
Why: The last time director Kathryn Bigelow and writer Mark Boal got together, they made the superb military thriller “The Hurt Locker,” which went on to win six Oscars, including ones for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. The pair has reportedly been working on a movie about the hunt for Osama bin Laden for quite some time – so long, in fact, that they had to completely rewrite it after the al-Qaeda leader’s death in 2011 – but if there’s one film with the potential to outdo their last collaboration, “Zero Dark Thirty” is it. Though the movie is clearly much larger in scope than “The Hurt Locker,” with a lot of moving parts and an incredible ensemble cast too big to list here, if Bigelow and Boal get it right, this could be the movie event of the year.

Who: Seth Rogen, Barbra Streisand, Adam Scott, Colin Hanks and Yvonne Strahovski
What: An inventor and his mom hit the road together so he can sell his latest invention.
When: December 19th
Why: With the exception of her supporting roles in the two “Meet the Parents” sequels, it’s been 16 years since Barbara Streisand starred in a film, so naturally people are excited. Though “The Guilt Trip” isn’t exactly the type of movie that a lot of her fans would expect from the actress, the idea of pairing her with man-child Seth Rogen is just interesting enough to perk my interest. Rogen’s career has been pretty hit-and-miss, especially when given too much freedom to improvise, so hopefully having a screen legend like Streisand around will encourage him to bring his A-game, because if the duo can strike the right chemistry, “The Guilt Trip” could be a pleasant holiday surprise.

Who: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Robert Duvall, Richard Jenkins and Werner Herzog
What: A homicide investigator digs deeper into a case involving a trained military sniper who shot five random victims.
When: December 21st
Why: Fans of Lee Child’s popular Jack Reacher book series were outraged when it was announced that Tom Cruise would be playing the lead character in Christopher McQuarrie’s big screen adaptation of the series’ ninth novel, and understandably so. After all, Reacher’s hulking physical appearance supposedly plays an important role in the books, and the diminutive Cruise is one of the last people you’d think of for the part. With that said, however, the actor has not only gotten the stamp of approval from Child himself, but based on the trailers released thus far, it appears that what he lacks in physicality he more than makes up for in attitude. And to think that Cruise wasn’t even McQuarrie’s oddest casting choice. Instead, that honor goes to German director Werner Herzog as the movie’s villain, which is actually kind of perfect when you think about it.

Who: Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jason Segel, Melissa McCarthy and Albert Brooks
What: Picking up a few years after the events of “Knocked Up,” Pete and Debbie continue to fight their way through marriage.
When: December 21st
Why: As far as spinoffs and sequels go, the idea behind “This Is 40” is pretty great, but it’s been awhile since Judd Apatow did anything that really made me laugh, and I’m skeptical that his new movie can buck that trend. Though Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann were responsible for some of the funniest moments in “Knocked Up,” they were much better off as supporting characters, so it’ll be interesting to see if they’ll be able to carry an entire movie on their own. Apatow has already covered many of the basic milestones in adult life – losing your virginity, giving birth and death – so it certainly makes sense that he would be attracted to telling a more complete story about marriage as well. The real question is whether returning to the world of “Knocked Up” will help rekindle Apatow’s comic spark, or if it just makes him look that much more desperate by trying.

Who: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kerry Washington
What: With the help of his mentor, a slave-turned-bounty hunter sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner.
When: December 25th
Why: Quentin Tarantino has dabbled in just about every genre at this point in his career, so it’s only natural that he tried his hand at a Western, even if it’s not exactly a Western in the conventional sense. Much like his last film, “Django Unchained” is set against the backdrop of a particular time in history, and the director seems to thrive when working in that environment. Though I wasn’t crazy about his decision to cast Jamie Foxx in the title role (especially with guys like Idris Elba and Michael K. Williams also auditioning for the part), Tarantino’s casting is almost always spot-on, so I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He hasn’t let me down yet, and between its promising concept and great cast (including Leonardo DiCaprio as the film’s villain), I don’t expect him to start here.

Who: Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe and Amanda Seyfried
What: In 19th-century France, criminal Jean Valjean agrees to care for a factory worker’s daughter while being hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert.
When: December 25th
Why: After “The King’s Speech” won Best Picture and Best Director at the Academy Awards two years ago, Tom Hooper could have done anything he wanted, so it’s very telling of his aspirations as a filmmaker that he chose to follow it up with a project as ambitious as a big screen adaptation of “Les Miserables.” Though the movie musical was reinvigorated with 2002’s “Chicago,” many of the ones released in the years since have failed to replicate that same level of success. But there aren’t many musicals that are bigger than “Les Miserables,” and judging by the trailers, Hooper has delivered a moviegoing experience that could rival “Chicago.” From the incredible ensemble cast, to Hooper’s rather unconventional decision to record all of the musical performances live, “Les Miserables” is already shaping up to be one of this year’s Oscar frontrunners.

Who: Matt Damon, John Krasinski, Frances McDormand and Rosemarie DeWitt
What: A salesman for a natural gas company experiences life-changing events after arriving in a small town, where his corporation wants to tap into the available resources.
When: December 28th
Why: There aren’t very many movies that manage to fly under my radar, but “Promised Land” did just that, and I’m not exactly sure how it happened, because the film is jam-packed with talent. Not only does it mark the reunion of Matt Damon with his “Good Will Hunting” director Gus Van Sant, but it’s Damon’s first screenplay since 2002’s “Gerry,” which was also directed by Van Sant. And in keeping with Damon’s habit of co-writing movies with his co-stars, “Promised Land” also counts John Krasinski among its many multi-hyphenates, making the film a somewhat intimate affair. Though it’s difficult to tell how the indie drama will fare against the rest of the season’s competition, despite its environmentally charged subject matter, it’s probably a dark horse contender at best.