Drama
Phil Bacharach
Lincoln practically shouts “prestige production” before you’ve even had a chance to buy your popcorn. A costume drama about one of this nation’s most revered historical figures, this is the kind of film irresistible to awards groups.

Action
Phil Bacharach
Due to the twisted savagery of a young man in a Colorado movie theater, The Dark Knight Rises will forever be a footnote in American history. Hopefully, that horrific massacre will not influence perceptions of this epic conclusion to writer-director Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.

Sci-Fi
Phil Bacharach
Hooray for movies with ideas!

Action
Rod Lott
Premium Rush is the Joseph Gordon-Levitt movie from 2012 that didn't have him playing a Gotham City rookie, a time-traveling hit man or a POTUS' son. (Damn, was this kid busy!) It's the only one of those four that ended the year without any hint of Oscar buzz, yet I'd argue it's the most purely entertaining.