2012 in the Movies: breakthroughs

Macy Gray in THE PAPERBOY

After seeing Ruby Sparks and Celeste and Jesse Forever, I can hardly wait for the next screenplays by actress-writers Zoe Kazan and Rashida Jones.  Those were two of the smartest and most inventive screenplays of the year, and revived the thought-to-be-brain dead romantic comedy genre.

Popular singer Macy Gray turned in an astonishing performance in The Paperboy.  Like Mariah Carey in Precious, Gray has proved that she can act.

Also in the The Paperboy and in Liberal Arts, Zac Efron proved that he is more than just the pretty boy of High School Musical.  I am looking forward to his dramatic turn in Ramin Bahrani’s  (Goodbye Solo, Chop Shop, Man Push Cart) At Any Price.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead turned in what should be a star-making performance in Smashed.  Let’s see if she gets a chance in a big movie.