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Sean @ the Movies: The Top Ten of 2011
It’s finally that time, after hours and hours of thinking and watching movies, it’s time to let you know what I thought was the best of the best for 2011. Even seeing 74 movies this year, I can say there was still a few movies I missed out on seeing. And I think the biggest one I missed was 50/50, which numerous people really enjoyed, and I have a feeling I would have too. But enough about what I missed out on, let’s count down the ten best movies I saw this year. Some of these may not be your cup of tea, but all that I really hope is that you will at least give them a shot. If you also like them, great. If you don’t, oh well, at least you gave it a shot.
#10 Super 8: Written and Directed by JJ Abrams
This was most likely one of my most anticipated movies of 2011, and luckily it ended up being one that I enjoyed. It has its faults at point, the obvious is the ending. But with JJ behind the camera, and some great acting from the cast, we were transported back to the days of watching movies like the Goonies and Explorers. After seeing this I was pretty sure this was going to be my favorite movie of 2011, but a movie came along later in the year, that knocked this one down a little. Still worth seeing either way.
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
#9 Like Crazy: Directed and co-written by Drake Doremus
Yes, I enjoy me some sappy romantic dramas, with a little comedy thrown in. It’s a tale of a romance between two people during the good, bad, good, bad, and leaves you wondering if they are really meant for each other, even through all drama they endure. And with an ending that let’s you make that decision, just another reason why I enjoyed this movie. It reminds me a little of Lost in Translation, and you should all know how much I loved that movie. Both Anton and Felicity did an amazing job.
Might still be able to see it at your local independent theater, other wise coming soon to DVD and Blu-ray
#8 Melancholia: Directed and written by Lars Von Trier
I have to say that I was pretty much hooked from the beautiful opening montage, and then sent on a journey of two sisters, one who seems to going in the wrong direction, and then the other who tries to hide from what is right in front of her. This is one of those movies that cries for a repeat viewing, just to see the movie, knowing how it ends. It’s kind of slow at times and may not be everyone’s kind of movie. But it’s a thinking movie, that gives your brain a visual and mental workout by the end. As stated it’s a story of two sisters, and about a planet called Melancholia which is about to pass by the Earth. Which is actually a theme that will pop up later on my list. It’s good to see Kirsten back on the big screen, great comeback performance, and hopefully we will get more of her in movies like this.
Available on Itunes and some On-Demand services, otherwise it still might be playing at a independent theater near you.
#7 Martha Marcy May Marlene: screenplay and directed by Sean Durkin
This is another example great example of a movie that requires a second viewing. Some may think that is a bad thing. But I went into this movie, with a expectation from something I saw on Twitter, and then left thinking I liked the movie, but not as much as I was expecting. But then after a second viewing I have to say that I left really enjoying the experience. It’s about a young girl who after leaving a cult like community, tries to fit back into society, while staying with her sister and her husband. And as she struggles with that, she also deals with her past as it seems to relate to the present, and the lines between the two begin to blur. Elizabeth proves that good acting can come from the same family that gave us the Olsen twins. And plus another great performance from John Hawkes.
Will be released on DVD and Blu-ray in February.
#6 Another Earth: Co-written and directed by Mike Cahill
This is the other movie that deals with something you don’t normally see in the sky, and yes the title is correct, another Earth shows up in the sky. But there is more to the story, which revolves around a young lady, who after a horrible accident and some time in jail, tries to make up for what she did, as she tries to help the father, the only survivor of the other family in the car accident. But the more she gets involved with him, the harder it is for her to apologize for what she did. And while this is all happening, people are trying to figure out what the other Earth is. I don’t want to go too much more into the story, although I think they do give a little more away in the trailer, so maybe skip it. But the ending, is just an example of what makes a movie great, it leaves you guessing and thinking, and one that you want to talk to about with other people who have seen it. Leading lady and co-writer Brit Marling, gave a great performance, and I look forward to seeing more of her in the future. It seemed to be a good year for new and upcoming leading ladies.
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
#5 Win Win: written (screenplay) and directed by Thomas McCarthy
This was another movie that came out of no where, and came to be one that really hit me this year. Paul Giamatti plays a lawyer and a high school wrestling coach, neither working out for him. But when he meets a relative of one of his clients, a runway, who just happens to be a really good wrestler, and in real life too. And give some props to Alex Shaffer, for doing a pretty good job for someone who has never acted before. It’s one of the movies that I really need to revisit it.
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
#4 Beginners: written and directed by Mike Mills
At the half way point of the year, this was my favorite film, and it’s good to see that even with a pretty strong end to the year, this movie still is near the top of my list. It’s a heart warming tale about love and all the baggage that comes with trying to get over the bad times and look forward to a future with someone, no matter what your age or sexual preference. And for the dog fans out there, our leading man’s best friend, is his talking (subtitles) dog who adds some knowledge and humor to the movie. And for those that fell in love with Melanie Laurent in Inglorious Basterds, she continues to make her presence known in this movie. But the big acting presence goes to Christopher Plummer.
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
#3 Drive: Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
And Mr Fassbender wasn’t the only leading man who seemed to have a breakout year, and our leading man for this movie, Ryan Gosling, is the other. It seems he popped up a lot in 2011 and this was the big role that I think really surprised anyone. Who would have thought, an 80’s themed movie about a loner stuntman, who moonlights as a getaway driver, would be so compelling. But the overall mood and feel of the movie was one of the reason I really enjoyed this movie so much. It’s way more violent than I was expecting, but I had not seen any of the director’s other movies, so I would have been expecting it a little. And some would say it’s a slow burn, with little action, but I think the story and visuals, and of course some great acting from all the cast, were plenty enough to keep me entertained. This has been easily one of the most varied movies, when it comes to if you liked/hated the movie. I lean towards the liked it side, how about you?
Coming soon to DVD and Blu-ray
As we are about to head into the top two movies. Do you have any idea on what they might be. Well I won’t make you wait any longer, so let’s get to my top 2 movies of 2011.
#2 Attack the Block: written and directed by Joe Cornish
I can say that this was the movie that made my love for Super 8 dwindle. A somewhat similar movie, group of kids dealing with alien(s), but this one seemed to stick with me more. I originally drove all the way to Chicago to see it the first time, and ended up seeing it at least 3 times in theaters. Some may be thinking, I have never heard of this movie, and if that is true, I hope you make a solid effort to see this movie. It’s a fun ride, with some scary and funny parts, and pretty good for a movie that has no big name actors in it. Also have to give some props to the soundtrack/score, which just adds another great element to the movie. My one little thing to warn you about, if you do watch this, you may want to turn on the subtitles, the actors have pretty strong accents, so it may help at time. Other wise, plop it in your DVD or Blu-ray player and sit back and get ready for a fun ride.
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
And can I get a drum roll please……… No drums, ok. Well it’s that time you all have been waiting for (at least I hope you have), my #1 movie of 2011.
A movie that really came out of no where for me. I don’t think I had seen a single trailer or ad for this movie and would have never given this a shot, if it wasn’t for the positive reviews that came streaming after it’s release. Take a director, doing a film that he had never done before, and add in a little extra dimension to the visuals and you get my #1 movie of 2011.
“If you ever wonder where your dreams come from, look around: this is where they’re made”
#1 Hugo: directed my Martin Scorsese
I went into this movie, not knowing a whole lot about it, saw the trailer once and it seemed like it was marketed as a kids movie. But in the end, I am not sure if this is really a kids movie, but a love letter to everyone out there who love movies and enjoy the experience. It’s not only a story about a boy trying to find his place in the world, but also about movie history, and a director who forget one of the big things he used to love. And even though this is a movie about the past, with the addition of some amazing 3D film making, it’s also a look towards the future of film. This is a movie you must see, and you must see it in 3D. I have yet to still see in 2D, but after seeing it twice in 3D, this is a movie that will make me really consider looking into picking up a 3D TV. Go out and do yourself a favor and check this out in 3D, it’s worth the extra few dollars. I left the theater after seeing the first time with such a sense of happiness, realizing why I love going to the movies so much, and this was the best example of this.
Still in theaters, so please see it in the best possible way, on the big screen and in 3D.
So that’s it, this is the best of the best, and like I said in the beginning, I can only hope that if you haven’t seen some of these movie, that you at least give them a shot. And please, let me know what you thought, was I right or wrong in my choices?
That finally closes out 2011 and as 2012 starts, I can’t wait to see what 2012 is going to bring us in movies.
And as always go out and see a movie.
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