2012 is coming to a close, and as usual looking back over my to 10 posts is mostly an exercise in film reviews. But the few surprises are interesting indeed. Without further ado, here are my 10 most popular posts from the past year:
10. Good News: The Avengers Just Ruined Super Hero Movies
The most successful superhero film of all time was a huge treat. Fun, funny and intense. I argued that it’s bad news for single-hero films. And it looks like I may have been right, since Warner Brothers is launching their franchise with Justice League…
9. Snow White and the Huntsman: How Not to Tell a Good Fairy Tale
Though Kristen Stewart was predictably bad, that wasn’t the film’s biggest problem. That said, it’s still worth seeing for Charlize Theron’s performance.
8. Jesus Got a Sex Change (Sort Of)
A post I wrote for Rachel Held Evan’s call for responses to John Piper’s description of Christianity as “decidedly masculine”. In fewer than 1,000 words, I tried to demonstrate how the pre-incarnate Jesus was described with feminine language. It mostly worked, and got lots of discussion.
7. Movie: Prometheus
Prometheus may have been the year’s most divisive film. It was so fascinating I wrote two articles on its messages about religion. I’m anxious to see where they go in the sequel.
6. 5 Uncomfortable Truths The Cabin in the Woods Reveals about Us
A hilarious, horrifying and deeply satirical film about making horror films. Or our need for bloodlust. Or… well, you should just see it.
5. Guest Post: Sex as Worship by Modern Reject
Part of my After Happily Ever After blogathon, the always excellent Modern Reject wrote a post about sex. And it got tons of traffic. Go figure! Seriously though, the article was provocative and excellent.
4. Why The Grey Ended Like it Did
Another of my favorite films of the year, The Grey bravely ended with a surprising, courageous twist. I thought it was the perfect thematic choice, though the casual movie-goer was frustrated. Probably why it got so many hits.
3. Movie: The Lorax
I have no idea why this review got so many hits. But there it is. #3 overall for not even close to the best animated film this year (though it was way better than Brave).
2. Book: Real Marriage by Mark and Grace Driscoll
The only book review to crack the top 10 set the pace for the year. Released clear back in January, this was my most popular post of all time for a while. Hopefully everyone took my advice and skipped the book.
1. The Dark Knight Rises posts
I wrote eight separate pieces on The Dark Knight Rises. Two of them are my most viewed posts of all time, and six of them are in my top 10 individual posts of 2012. These posts are some of my best writing, in my opinion. I’m especially proud of Bruce Wayne’s Hero’s Journey, Is Catwoman the Bride of Christ, and The Politics of The Dark Knight Rises.
There you have them: my top 10 posts of 2012. Thanks so much for reading, commenting and sharing! 2013 has some big things in store. I can’t wait!
