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Sean @ the Movies: Honorable Mentions for 2011
Before we get to the best of the year, let’s take some time and give some recognition to some movies I feel deserve some attention, even though they didn’t make it into my top ten.
In 2011 I saw 74 new movies, either in theaters, DVD, Blu-ray, etc. And as the cuts started, things were looking pretty smooth, well that was until I hit the final 20 titles, all fighting to be in my top ten for the year. I can safely say it was a rough time trying to cut those 20 down to ten movies. I spent a few days, re-thinking and even trying to re-watch a few movies, to make sure I made the right decision.
But the following list are the movies that almost made the top ten, but I still think they are worthy of a viewing. And these are really in no particular order, other than I think the order in which I saw them during the year.
Somewhere: Written and Directed by Sofia Coppola
Another solid release from Sofia, who I have been a huge fan of since Virgin Suicides and of course, Lost in Translation. If you are a fan of her work, you will enjoy this movie, same general feel and look. Elle Fanning had a great year for movies, and this was a great example of why, solid performance
Currently available on DVD and Blu-ray
Sucker Punch: Directed and co-written by Zack Synder
A great mix of visuals and music (I think I listened to the soundtrack almost non stop after seeing it), and I think there is a little more to this movie, with some interesting twists and turns during movie. I would suggest checking out the Extended Edition, adds a little more action sequences and story to the movie.
Currently available on DVD and Bluray
Super: Written and Directed by James Gunn
Apparently I really liked movies that started with the letter S this year. Anyways, I saw this in theaters and actually ended up seeing a few times in theaters. If you liked Kick Ass, you are going to like this movie. Way more over the top than Kick Ass and overall a better movie. Even during all the craziness there is still a great monologue that will stick out every time I think of the this movie:
“You don’t butt in line! You don’t sell drugs! You don’t molest little children! You don’t profit off the misery of others! The rules were set a long time ago! They don’t change!”
Available on DVD and Bluray
Everything Must Go: directed and co-written by Dan Rush
Who would have thought that a Will Ferrell movie would be even close to my top ten. But when he isn’t playing the loud and crazy guy, he actually puts on a great performance. A pretty emotional tale about a man during his worst times, trying to get through it, with some help from a few new friends.
Available on DVD and Bluray
Bridesmaids: Directed by Paul Feig and co-written by Kristen Wiig
This is easily one of the biggest surprises of the year, an even bigger one will be coming a little later in my top ten movies. We all saw the trailer and thought, great another chick flick, a female version of The Hangover. Well after hearing some great things about the movie, I gave it a shot and boy did I enjoy it, way more than I thought I would. Give it a shot, and I am sure you will be very impressed by all the ladies involved.
Available on DVD and Bluray
X-Men First Class: directed by Matthew Vaughn
This year was the year I can say there was once again a good X-men film. After a horrible run of two movies, they are finally moving in the right direction. Great lead acting from James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, and not so much from January Jones. Some sub par special effects, but if you realize they put all this together in less than a years time, I am willing to overlook it, and that’s likely why I didn’t think it deserved to be in my top ten.
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Beats, Rhymes and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest: directed by Michael Rapaport.
This is also in the running for the longest movie title of the year. Anyways, this is a great documentary about the past, present and even future of one of my favorite rap groups of all time. And with Rapaport behind the camera, he does a great job of showing both sides of the story, when the times were really tough for the group. If you are a fan of music, it’s worth a watch, and they are also worth a listen too.
Available on DVD and Blu-Ray
Tucker & Dale vs Evil: directed and co-written by Eli Craig
This is basically a funny and somewhat gory comedy/horror movie that revolves around a failure in communication between two groups of people. This is one of those movies that you are better off not watching a trailer for, cause most of them ruin a few of the great scenes during the movie. But with Alan and Tyler involved, it’s worth watching it without knowing much about it. And it even has a little heart in it: “Don’t be sorry, it’s my fault. I should have known if a guy like me talked to a girl like you, somebody would end up dead”
Available on DVD and Bluray and currently on Watch Instantly via Netflix
The Muppets: co-written and directed by Jason Segel
This is another great example of why getting my top ten movies was so difficult this year. Yes, it is true that I liked this movie, and yes there were times where I was almost crying like a little school girl, the last 10-15 were the hardest. This is a love letter to all of us who grew up with the Muppets, and yes it’s true we still love them after all these years, and I only hope this movie will be enough to get the younger generation to fall in love with them too. This was a movie I figured I would have seen numerous times, but it’s sad to say I only saw it once so far. And for that reason, didn’t feel right putting it in my top ten for the year.
Still showing at some theaters, so please take your kids to see it. Let’s not let the spirit of The Muppets die with our generation.
Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence directed and written by Tom Six
And this is the last of my honorable mention movies, and I can’t think of a better film to end this list on. Over the top doesn’t even begin to describe this movie. This was the movie I was expecting the first one to be. And I am glad this was in black and white, cause I don’t think I would have been able to handle it in color. If you can see it, it’s a great movie to watch with a bunch of people, just to share in the shock and awe, and to see who has to leave cause they are about to throw up.
Will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on Valentine’s Day, might be able to find it at your local independent theater still.
And as we end the Honorable Mention list, you know what is next, that’s right folks, it’s finally time to unleash my top ten movies of 2011!! I shall give those to you very soon, can’t wait to see what you think.
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