It’s that time of year again where all your favorite movie websites, cinephile friends, and film journalists start posting their flashy year-end lists. After narrowing it down from 13 titles, below are my 10 Favorite Films of 2012. I know it’s early and there are a few big films that haven’t been released yet. And I’m certain at least one is going to be unchained and awesome, but these are the films I’ve seen over and over this year (as much as possible, anyway.) There are some big, bad studio movies on here, but the independent ones dominate it. They are the reason why my heart beats. I want to shout about these films on top of a mountain, then get ice cream and watch all of them back-to-back.

Collectively, these films have a cabin with tricks up its sleeves, game-changing fight scenes, young alcoholics, time traveling assassins, a mother’s undying love for her son with Down syndrome, Avenging superheros, The Bathtub, sleepwalking comedians, Denis Lavant at his best, and a rich 35-year-old bum. All of these rolled with the punches and moved me in one way or another. This is perhaps my favorite Favorite list that I’ve ever compiled. Enjoy.

(Note: these are in no particular order.)

(Note #2: Adding OSLO, AUGUST 31ST to this list. I put it on my Top 10 last year (Best Undistributed FIlm) but just remembered it finally got picked up this year. OSLO deserves the recognition more than most films currently getting attention. Watch the trailer HERE.)