The Guardian Names 'The Master' The Best Film Of 2012, 'Ted' Is The Second Best

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by Kevin Jagernauth
December 13, 2012 6:24 PM
12 Comments

While the awards circuit hasn't been overly kind to Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master," it seems to be from across the pond where it's getting the most love. The film topped the Sight & Sound poll for 2012, and now The Guardian has come out as well, naming it the best picture of the year. They in particular single out "[Joaquin] Phoenix's agonisingly intense and blazingly committed performance" as the big factor that pushed the movie to the top. And this is cool, but the rest of the top ten is perhaps even more fascinating.

In second place? Seth MacFarlane's "Ted." Granted, it was a big hit comedy that audiences ate up, to the tune of over $500 million world, but one of the best of year? Maybe Paul Thomas Anderson was onto something when he called it "great." But better than "Amour"? Anyway, the rest of the list is a nice mix of arthouse and multiplex, but another surprise comes at the end with the doc "Queen Of Versailles." Needless to say, the collective list at the Guardian is certainly...eclectic...

Check out the full selections below. For all The Playlist's year-end coverage make sure to follow all our Best Of 2012 features.

The Guardian Top 10 Films Of 2012

1. The Master (review)
2. Ted (review)
3. Amour (review)
4. Silver Linings Playbook (review)
5. Holy Motors (review)
6. This Is Not A Film (review)
7. Once Upon A Time In Anatolia (review)
8. Beasts Of The Southern Wild (review)
9. Alps (review)
10. The Queen Of Versailles (review)

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More: Best Of 2012, 2012: The Year In Review, The Master, Ted, Amour, Silver Linings Playbook, Holy Motors, This Is Not A Film, Once Upon A Time In Anatolia, Beasts Of The Southern Wild, Alps, The Queen of Versailles

12 Comments

| Reply
llon | December 14, 2012 12:41 AMReply

Watched "Ted" last night, definitely NOT one of the best films of the year. Seriously, it would be very hard for anyone to make that case. Also, Anderson was probably being impulsive, since he mentioned his affinity for "Airplane" in the interview and there the "Airplane" scene in "Ted". There are a few, FEW moments that are funny, but it sucked. The chase at Fenway?
jingmei | December 13, 2012 11:20 PMReply

Ted is totally eclectic.
DG | December 13, 2012 8:37 PMReply

Best top ten I've seen so far. Good to see some variety, I'm tired of seeing Lincoln on every list
anonymous | December 13, 2012 7:48 PMReply

no The Master is terrible.
serpico | December 13, 2012 8:46 PM

Your face is terrible.
yer | December 13, 2012 7:21 PMReply

One of the better top lists I've seen so far. Well rounded.
serpico | December 13, 2012 7:01 PMReply

I think that "processing" sequence deserves an award by itself.
Mike | December 13, 2012 9:36 PM

Amen. Definitely a masterclass in acting, directing, and writing.
Sara | December 13, 2012 6:41 PMReply

I think TED deserved a golden globe
Richard K. | December 13, 2012 6:29 PMReply

Bizarre. They just gave Django Unchained a 5 / 5 and it doesn't make the list? Hmm.
Kinick | December 13, 2012 6:51 PM

Django is a 2013 film in the UK, that's he only reason it isn't there.
Richard K. | December 13, 2012 6:29 PM

They also gave Killing Them Softly a 5 / 5.