2012 has been a year of hits and misses.  We finally saw THE AVENGERS assemble on the big screen.  We saw Christopher Nolan conclude one of the most revered trilogies of recent memory in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES.  We even saw Abraham Lincoln come to life before our eyes.

While these blockbusters were enough to quell that insatiable thirst for films of a rather epic scope, we must not forget those that aren’t as popular.  They are the underdogs. They come in and leave quietly, but not before making an enormous impression on the smaller audiences that consume them.

Since this awards season is in full swing and the notables are taking up all the trade space, let’s raise a glass and toast the films that aren’t being talked about (regrettably).  Here they are, my pick of five films that get a much deserved honorable mention.

5.  PITCH PERFECT

pitchperfectThis film was a huge surprise.  I watched it with the assumption that it was another movie taking its cues from the hit TV show GLEE.  As always, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

This college-set musical comedy is one of the funniest movies I’ve seen in quite some time. It follows a group of rough-around-the-edges girls who form an a cappella group to dethrone the male a cappella group on campus in a state final.  The cast, led by Academy Award Nominee Anna Kendrick, consists of mostly unknown actors and actresses, but it lends itself to the story quite well.

The real reason to see this film is the performance of breakout star Rebel Wilson, who plays Fat Amy.  Throughout the film, she turns herself into the punch line, and sells the self-confidence and general apathy toward the whole situation with a hilarious and effective passivity.  There’s a reason that she seems to have broken through in Hollywood in a non-conventional way.  She’s genuinely talented, and worth taking notice of.

This film was a commercial success, grossing $72 million internationally on a $17 million budget.  Obviously the song and dance crowd still has some gas in the tank.   If this film is any indicator, I’d say I’m pretty optimistic.

4.  SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED

safetyThis film is typically referred to as a “sleeper hit”.  Perhaps that designation refers to films that register on a very basic human level. SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED would certainly meet this criteria.

The story follows Darius (Aubrey Plaza) a young intern for a magazine, who accompanies a sleazy reporter named Jeff (Jake Johnson) and a strange fellow intern on an odd assignment.  They’re investigating a personal ad placed by a paranoid stranger named Kenneth (Mark Duplass) seeking a companion for time travel.

The genius of this film lies in its script.  It lends itself to the most common emotional gridlocks we often find ourselves in. Each character is presented with an inner conflict.  Darius is stuck in that post-college haze of not knowing where to go next.  Jeff is personally and professionally unsatisfied, and longs for a human connection.

Kenneth’s story on the other hand, unravels slowly.  The director, Colin Trevorrow, lets out little bits of backstory throughout the duration of the film to make us wonder if Kenneth is crazy, or legitimately brilliant.  Is the time machine real?  Are his ramblings true?  We have to wait to find out, but I assure you – it’s worth it.

By the end of SNG, I felt satisfied.

3.  HELLO I MUST BE GOING

This film had a lot of buzz coming out of the Sundance Film Festival this year, and for good reason.hello

The story follows Amy, a recently divorced and slightly depressed 30-something as she moves back home to stay with her parents in Connecticut.  While contending with the reality of being single at an in between age, she finds herself engaged in a secret affair with a 19 year old man.  It’s in this affair that she finds the confidence to carry-on and re-ignite a passion for life that she had forgotten.

Mind you, cosmetically this story is rife with clichés, but it’s secret weapon lies in a tour-de-force performance from the great Melanie Lynskey.  As Amy, her quiet charm makes it easy for us to hold out hope for her, even as her morals and ethics begin to falter.   Lynskey has been in so many high-profile films over the last 10 years in minor roles that even though audiences may not know her name, they’ll instantly recognize her face.  In HELLO, she’s front and center in her first starring role.  It’s quite remarkable. (Special Merit to the fact that it takes place in a town not far from where I live.  Yea, that’s bias for sure.)

2.  SLEEPWALK WITH ME

sleepwalkI love stand-up comedy.  By proxy, I happen to love Mike Birbiglia.  He’s been a familiar name in comedy clubs all across the U.S. for quite some time, and as a first time director, he proves that he is a man of many talents.

SLEEPWALK WITH ME is a brief biography of Birbiglia’s life (the names however have been changed).  He plays the lead role of Matt, a so-so stand-up comic who lives in Brooklyn with his supportive girlfriend Abby.  To stay close to his dream, Matt works the bar at a local comedy club and gets five minutes here and there to try out some jokes with the crowd.  When he finally starts getting gigs, it puts a strain on his relationship with Abby and his over-bearing father.  Added to the chaos is Matt’s chronic sleepwalking disorder that leads to some chaotic and potentially harmful results.

I genuinely loved this movie.  Birbiglia straddles a very fine line as a writer/director/star.  The film always maintains its humor while balancing the seriousness of complicated relationships.  He never strays too far in either direction, and the film flows with a hopefulness and resilience that engages you.  It features a showcase of great supporting actors (James Rebhorn, Lauren Ambrose, Carol Kane), as well as small cameos from well-known comedians (David Wain, Marc Maron, Kristen Schaal) that add to its authenticity.  It’s a road film of sorts, with a very unique twist.  Definitely worth a watch.

1.  THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWERThe Perks of Being a Wallflower (5)

This film stayed with me for quite some time after I first watched it.  Maybe that’s it’s genius.

PERKS follows Charlie, a detached teenager about to enter his freshman year of high school.  After a shaky start, he makes friends with flamboyant Patrick (Ezra Miller) and his beautiful stepsister Sam (Emma Watson).   It’s with this newfound friendship that Charlie can finally begin to deal with his depression, the death of his best friend, and his not knowing his place in the world.  He discovers a passion for music, books, and the girl who is the key to his happiness.

Something strange happened to me while I watched this film.  I felt nostalgic.  I began to recall all the rites of passage associated with high school, and my own first experiences.  Writer/director Stephen Chbosky (who also wrote the book on which this film is based) does a spectacular job of capturing those moments in a teenager’s life that shape his/her worldview.  Instead of veering off into teenage romcom territory, Chbosky takes this story very seriously.  The characters feel honest and real instead of quirky and manufactured.  It’s almost as if you can feel the strong love these friends have for each other.

It’s a shame that Ezra Miller hasn’t been getting more awards consideration for this film.  His role as Patrick is one of the most refreshing and sometimes heartbreaking performances in recent memory.  It’s a stark contrast to his prior role in WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN, which is hands down one of the most disturbing films I have ever seen.  He’s a ferociously talented young actor, and I can’t wait to see what he does next.

Of course, an honorable mentions is typically a huge list and there are plenty more that I could put on this one.  If you think there is a film that deserves to be on THIS list, then by all means, strike back in the comments below.

Happy holidays to you and yours, and I can’t wait to see what 2013 brings us!  That is, of course, if the world doesn’t end on Friday.