As we all mourn the end of summer it’s time to take a look back at the top 10 films of the season! There were some huge blockbusters and some small indies, but nonetheless this summer there is a lot to talk about in movies. Take a look at the top 10 films of summer 2012:

10 – The Amazing Spider-Man

While it didn’t break any new boundaries with Spider-man (it was marketed as the untold story when it really wasn’t) it was no doubt a solid representation of the character. Not to mention the chemistry between real life couple Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone was electric. This was a teen romance with action thrown in! I expected nothing less from the great Marc Webb.

9 – ParaNorman

To be quite honest I really don’t enjoy animated films. Don’t get me wrong, I love ‘Toy Story’ and other famous classics, but I don’t rush to theaters for the next kids’ flick. But ‘ParaNorman’ stands out among the rest. It is the rare animated film that is just as much for adults as it is for youngsters. It’s funny, scary (for a younger audience), and it gets extra points for having a gay character, that’s progressive!

8- Ted

The plot behind this movie is absolutely ridiculous. If it weren’t for ‘Family Guy’s Seth MacFarlane behind it I don’t think it ever would’ve been greenlit. And despite the insane story this film actually works! An hysterical performance by Mark Wahlberg paired with the magnificent wit of the teddy bear (voiced by MacFarlane) this film is a must-see for comedy fans. It’s the ultimate buddy movie of the summer.

7- Magic Mike

Okay so I know it’s a male stripper movie starring Channing Tatum, does anything sound cheesier than that? But the fact is this film is actually very good! Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this is a dark and realistic view on the stripper world. Well acted and compelling, the man-candy is just an extra bonus for the ladies!

6- The Imposter

This chilling factual documentary is an absolute must-see. It tells the story of an adult who became an “imposter” of a missing child. The interviews are not only eerie but absolutely heart wrenching. The fact that it is all based on true events just makes it all the more bizarre. Definitely weird but a film that should not be missed!

5- Compliance

Similar to ‘The Imposter’ this is a film many may not get the chance to see because of its limited release. It made a big splash at Sundance, for good and also controversial reasons (many audience members left the theater). It is very disturbing, not in a violent way but in the depths of how far people will go when manipulated by authority. Filled with strong performances and a gripping score, ‘Compliance’ is a must-see, but not for the faint of heart.

4- Prometheus

After the trailer this was at the top of my list for most anticipated films of the summer and it didn’t disappoint. There were as many plot holes as swiss cheese but that doesn’t mean I didn’t dig it! The visuals were stunning, the suspense was nail biting, and the cast was solid. There is already talk of a sequel on the way and I couldn’t be more thrilled, bring it on!

3- The Avengers

The biggest money-maker of the summer is also one of the best. Joss Whedon didn’t let fans down with one of the most anticipated films of not just the summer but the year. Dazzling special effects and intense action, this was one comic book film that packed a huge punch. Not to mention the cast was solid all around. The best word to describe this film is FUN, and I smiled through the whole movie.

2- Moonrise Kingdom

This film definitely snuck up on a lot of critics and audiences. I don’t think anybody expected it to be as good as it was! A Wes Anderson film can go either way in my opinion, and in this case it worked out for the best. Funny, full of heart, and a wonderful cast make this one of the year’s best films, and definitely a big Oscar contender.

1- The Dark Knight Rises

I hate to be so predictable, but the final chapter in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy honestly was magnificent. Everything from the pacing, dialogue, acting, characters, and score were top notch. I don’t expect anything less than stellar from my man Nolan and he definitely delivered. It may not have surpassed ‘The Dark Knight’ in epic-ness, but it certainly closed the series on a perfect note.

This was one fantastic summer of movies Banters! I wonder if summer 2013 can top it!