One of my favorite things about being a film blogger is looking back on the past year and formulating a “best of” list. This has been a good year in movies and I think it’s better than what most will have you believe. Sure there were some horrible movies, that’s every year, but in spite of that there have been some amazing movies released by amazing filmmakers. 2011 brought us a strong spring season with release of “Jane Eyre,” “Hanna” and “Paul,” a strong box office with “Battle: Los Angeles” and spectacular failure in “Sucker Punch.” The summer season has been kind with the release of two movies from Marvel Studios in “Thor” and “Captain America: The First Avenger,” two nostalgia driven action movies in “Super 8” and “Attack The Block,” hugely disappointing movies in “Cowboys and Aliens” and “The Hangover II.” This year also proved that 3D is solely a gimmick (outside of “Hugo”) and for now, IMAX is king (“Fast Five” and “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol”). The most surprising thing in 2011 was getting 6 movies featuring Jessica Chastin.
Also, you can take a look at my mid-year Best and Worst list of 2011 to compare to my end of the year best list.
My top 10 favorite movies of 2011.
10. Sean Durkin’s “Martha Marcy May Marlene”
A fantastic first feature and simply a wonderful puzzle of a movie to try to put together. Elizabeth Olsen delivers a magnificent performance in her debut feature film. For more, read my review from the New York Film Festival 2011 or listen to our episode on the Movie Night Podcast.
09. Kelly Reichardt’s “Meek’s Cutoff”
This is a very slow moving, hypnotic film about a small group of pioneers making the journey through the Oregon desert in 1845. What they find is a series of conflicts that escalate into a dramatic crescendo that involve social issues that are just as relevant today as they were back in 1845. Reichardt’s camera is unblinking and mesmerizing but at the same time completely cinematic, always informing the audience that they are watching a movie. A movie more about process than narrative.
08. Steve McQueen’s “Shame”
I was a huge fan of Steve McQueen’s first film, “Hunger,” so I was looking forward to watching his sophomore effort about a well-to-do sex addict played by Michael Fassbender. This collaboration between McQueen and Fassbender is probably the most interesting pairing of 2011. For more, read my review from the New York Film Festival 2011 or listen to our episode on the Movie Night Podcast.
07. “The Loneliest Planet”
This is a very quiet film and at the same time probably the most compelling piece of cinema I’ve seen in 2011. The story of a young couple backpacking through the mountainous terrain of the country Georgia packs a punch as a study of human interactions. For more, read my review from the New York Film Festival 2011.
06. Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo”
When I first heard Martin Scorsese was releasing a children’s film, I was very skeptical that the film would live up the the name of Martin Scorsese. Gladly, I was wrong. Scorsese delivers a very heartwarming tale of a boy trying to find his place in the world after his father died. The 3D is probably the best 3D I’ve ever seen, solely for the fact that it was used in service of the film’s narrative and themes. For more, read my write up of the work-in progress screening during the New York Film Festival 2011 or listen to our episode on the Movie Night Podcast.
05. Lars von Trier’s “Melancholia”
Lars von Trier’s film about the end of the world through the eyes of a mentally unstable bride, played by Kirstin Dunst, was both artful and surprisingly, accessible. Lars von Trier usually doesn’t deliver films that are so broad and clear, but with “Melancholia,” he gives a film with a steady narrative and bold themes. For more, read my review or listen to our episode on the Movie Night Podcast.
04. “The Skin I Live In”
Pedro Almodóvar gives audiences a thrilling and brutal horror film about a psychotic plastic surgeon dealing with the loss of his family. Almodóvar balances horror and melodrama like none other as the images and ideas weave in and out of this narrative. For more, read my review from the New York Film Festival 2011 or listen to our episode on the Movie Night Podcast.
03. Tom McCarthy’s “Win Win”
I feel this was one of the most unappreciated films of 2011 from an extremely overlooked filmmaker in Tom McCarthy. The story of a family dealing with hard financial times decides to take in a runaway boy who shows he is more than he appears, dazzled and delighted audiences lucky enough to see this film.
02. Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life”
One of the most controversial film from mast filmmaker Terrence Malick, polarized audiences and critics alike. What is so bold and exciting in this movie is that it is so uncompromising and beautiful. Some may scoff at it’s bloated narrative but I found it deliberate and moving. i feel this unique film that will gets it’s due years from now.
01. Joe Cornish’s “Attack The Block”
This was the most exciting film I’ve seen all year. I believe no popcorn film like “Attack The Block” should be this well made or well-written, but surprisingly it was. Joe Cornish’s first feature film was simply outstanding. A sci-fi/horror genre film that examines poverty in South London was not taken seriously but critics and audiences, and if it was then the themes Cornish was striving for were overlooked. This is a must see!! For more, listen to our episode on the Movie Night Podcast.
Honorable Mention (These are still amazing films):
David Fincher’s “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”
Asghar Farhadi’s “A Separation”
Gerardo Naranjo’s “Miss Bala”
Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants”
Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Drive”
Michel Hazanavicius’s “The Artist”
Justin Lin’s “Fast Five”
Joe Wright’s “Hanna”
Gore Verbinski’s “Rango”
Mia Hansen-Løve’s “Goodbye First Love”
Jeff Nichols’s “Take Shelter”
by @Rudie_Obias