Shows or movies that premiered in 2012 – The Smart Awards are for shows or movies that aren’t dumbed down, that force you to use your brain. And the acting is subtle rather than over the top or playing to the camera.
An anthology crime series where each season is one long case. The main detectives stay the same throughout the series, but each season has a popular actor playing a key, guest role. Going in, I didn’t think I’d like this show. I was wrong. It’s a great cop drama. One British outlet called it the “king of the crime dramas.” Another called it “the decade's best British drama.” The Brits know how to do smart TV.
Creator: Jed Mercurio (Bodyguard)
Cast: Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, Adrian Dunbar
IMDb: 8.6
Where: Acorn TV, Hulu, iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
Very intelligently made account of the hunt for Osama Bin Laden. Can withstand repeat viewings. As to its 100% historical accuracy, not sure. For more on the subject, see the documentary Manhunt: The Inside Story of the Hunt for Bin Laden (HBO).
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Cast: Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt
IMDb: 7.4
Where: iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
One family’s struggle to survive and find each other after being caught in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. How Watts didn’t win Best Actress for this is puzzling. Maybe the second best performance ever (behind Paul Newman in The Verdict). Tom Holland became the new Spider-Man probably because they saw him in this film. A must-see movie.
Director: J.A. Bayona
Cast: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland
Original title: Lo imposible
IMDb: 7.6
Where: iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
Beautifully shot, intelligently made, period-piece detective drama. Endeavour Morse is a Detective Constable with the Oxford City Police CID. Prequel to the popular, long-running Inspector Morse series. Evans doesn’t act. He just is Endeavour Morse.
Writers: Colin Dexter (Inspector Morse), Russell Lewis
Cast: Shaun Evans, Roger Allam, Anton Lesser
IMDb: 8.6
Where: PBS, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
Political satire with Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, a lovable but completely self-absorbed U.S. Vice President. It’s hard to believe she could do anything as funny as Elaine on Seinfeld, but here she has. She and the show have won many awards. Prior to Veep, I had already fallen for Iannucci’s comedic style because of the movie In the Loop. You might need to watch three or four episodes before it becomes funny to you.
Creator: Armando Iannucci (The Thick of It, In the Loop)
Cast: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Hale, Anna Chlumsky
IMDb: 8.2
Where: HBO, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and other heroes join forces to stop an alien invasion. Growing up, I never thought I’d see a superhero movie this good. Intelligently made, and just four years after 2008’s Iron Man kicked things off for the Marvel mmovie franchise.
Director: Joss Whedon
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson
IMDb: 8.0
Where: iTunes, Disney+