In the eight years I’ve taken on the regular duty of reviewing movies, 2012 just might have been the best. It wasn’t easy compiling a top 30 list for a 12-month period of so many diverse, outstanding films. I found myself having to make some absolutely painful snubs, including “Flight,” “The Sessions,” “The Hobbit: An Expected Journey,” and a little cinematic masterpiece by the name of “21 Jump Street.” In the end though, I managed to narrow the list down to the 20 titles that best encompass 2012 in all its glory. If you’re still behind on the movies of yesteryear, consider this your ultimate movie guide to 2012.

Just turned 50, Tom Cruise is eligible for membership in the American Association of Retired Persons. Just split from third wife Katie Holmes, Cruise is the object of told-you-so cynics who simply knew that romance wouldn’t last. Just finished with his stab at something really different as a heavy-metal rock god in “Rock of Ages,” Cruise is coming off one of the lowest-grossing movies in his career.

‘The Master’

Paul Kokoski, in his AFN letter of Feb. 24 (“President Obama is drunk with power”), praises the Catholic Bishops of America and then condemns President Obama’s “war on religious freedom and conscience rights ... and his decision to force religiously affiliated organizations like hospitals and churches, to include coverage of sterilization, contraception … in their employee health insurance plans…” He goes on to state that this, “represents an act of treason…”

Ahwatukee Foothills resident A.J. (Alexandra) Odneal will join three other Valley songwriters to perform with guitarist Joey Myers in the second Songwriters’ Showcase event starting at 7 p.m., March 5, at the Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway.