No. 2: ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ – Top 20 Movies of 2012

In a world where “there can only be one” this must be called my second favorite movie of the year. But I think we'll be coming back to this one as a standard for high-tech thrillers for years to come. Every step of this film is a minor miracle, especially when you consider just how few of the Hollywood “rules” are being followed. Kathryn Bigelow doubles-down on Jessica Chastain's natural charisma to hold an audience and the bet paid off. This is the best procedural film since Fred Zinnemann's 'The Day of the Jackal.'

Read the ScreenCrush.com review of 'Zero Dark Thirty'

Best part: The team making the case to Gandolfini's Leon Panetta. Boardroom as battlefield.