In the eight years I’ve taken on the regular duty of reviewing movies, 2012 just might have been the best.

A beloved English teacher in South Jersey, Matthew Quick may have been financially stable, but he was far from happy. With the support of his wife, Quick left his job at age 30, sold his house, and began writing full-time in his in-laws’ unfinished basement for three years. As he battled mood swings and severe depression, Quick became inspired to write “The Silver Linings Playbook,” which became an instant success and earned him a PEN/Hemingway Award Honorable Mention.

As the son of two immigrants, I watched my parents work incredibly hard. But because of good public schools and federal college aid, I was able to go from a kid whose parents didn’t speak much English to working for President Clinton in the White House and serving my country in uniform in the Navy reserve. That ladder of opportunity that is the bedrock of the American middle class is eroding and Washington isn’t doing enough to save it.

I’m truly excited about the Aug. 28 Democratic primary for Congress because we have an opportunity to elect someone who can make a real difference for Ahwatukee families: my friend, Andrei Cherny.

Mayor Greg Stanton and Councilwoman Thelda Williams lauded the decision to locate the U.S. Air Force F-35 pilot training mission in the Valley. The F-35 program will bring 1,000 jobs to the region with the addition of 72 new jets and nearly 3,000 more construction jobs to renovate and expand Luke.

The high birth rate of Hispanics could turn Arizona politics on its head in less than two decades, a new study is predicting.

The high birth rate of Hispanics could turn Arizona politics on its head in less than two decades, a new study is predicting.

The Gilbert Fire Department is hosting its annual Back to School supply drive, benefitting Gilbert children.

2010:

2010:

2010:

Arizona courts cannot order stores that post the wrong prices on items offered for sale to surrender their wrongfully obtained profits, the state Supreme Court ruled last week.

Arizona courts cannot order stores that post the wrong prices on items offered for sale to surrender their wrongfully obtained profits, the state Supreme Court ruled last week.

Washington • Lots of states feud with the federal government. But Arizona has become something of a poster child of late.

Washington • Lots of states feud with the federal government. But Arizona has become something of a poster child of late.

Washington • Lots of states feud with the federal government. But Arizona has become something of a poster child of late.

‘The Cabin in the Woods” is a difficult movie to discuss without giving away a few plot details. I’ll do my best to not spoil anything major throughout the course of this review. To be on the safe side though, I implore you to put down this paper now and just head to the theater without any prior knowledge. This is a movie you’re going to want to experience completely fresh.

‘The Cabin in the Woods” is a difficult movie to discuss without giving away a few plot details. I’ll do my best to not spoil anything major throughout the course of this review. To be on the safe side though, I implore you to put down this paper now and just head to the theater without any prior knowledge. This is a movie you’re going to want to experience completely fresh.

Stop reading this review right now.

I was lucky enough to take part in a round table question and answer session with Drew Goddard, the writer/director of the upcoming film, “Cabin in the Woods.” Goddard has a rich background in the horror/comedy genre, writing for shows such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angle.” He brings the same wit of those shows to “Cabin in the Woods,” one of the most entertaining movies your inclined to see this month.