If you are an avid movie fan, this is the very best time of year. I had stopped movie blogging for quite some time for a few reasons, some personal, some just related to me seeing so many movies it was becoming too much of a chore. But I do love sharing my opinions, both of movies I love and hate. This is the best time of year though because studios start releasing most of their movies geared at winning awards. It's also the time of year I get extremely frustrated because many of my favorites go unnoticed. Here is my running list of the best films of 2011. This post won't be complete until February or so, which is typically when I've seen the majority of the films as they are released slowly - and it often takes months to see them if you don't live in NYC or LA.
1. Win Win - (R) - It's a touching story of a good man who does a bad thing. Paul Giamatti and Amy Ryan are brilliant, as are the rest of the cast. It's a feel good movie with smarts, and still my favorite movie of the year. It's on DVD now.
2. Another Earth - (PG-13) - I can tell you right now this is a love it or hate it kind of movie. I loved it. Everything was so creative, from the script to the cinematography to the score. And the last ten seconds blew my mind more than any film in a long time. It's on DVD now.
3. The Muppets - (PG) - Sure, the plot is paper thin and it's about a group of fabric figures, but no film exuded more joy and fun this year. It was one of those movies that I didn't want to end. The soundtrack is exceptional as well. In theaters now.
4. The Descendants - (R) - I love films by Alexander Payne, and this one is no different. What is different is the tone - it's a very depressing little movie, but it's also a very powerful one about family, loss, and love. It's worth seeing for sure.
5. Source Code - (PG-13) One thing that I hate about certain thrillers is they often wrap themselves in a mystery so grand, the writers can't figure out how to end them so it ends up with either no ending or a stupid conclusion. This movie ends perfectly and kept me hooked the entire way. It's on DVD now.
6. Midnight in Paris - (PG) - Woody Allen and I haven't seen eye to eye on what a good movie was in a while, but finally he releases his best film since "Match Point". This is the very simple story of one man who is a romantic in a world (and time) where those around him are not. I loved it. On DVD 12/20.
6. 50/50 - (R) - A story about a twenty-something with cancer should not be a feel good film, but I left this movie feeling inspired. On DVD 1/24.
7. Take Shelter - (R) - A absolutely great little thriller that will leave you shook. Takes paranoia to a place few films do, and I loved it.
8. Hugo - (PG) - I had never read "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" before seeing this movie adaptation. Some have told me the movie is terrible compared to the book. While that often is the case, I really have a hard time believing it in this instance, as the story was so heartwarming that it would take a real scrooge not to like it. It is a little "artsy" for a family movie I guess, but I still found it very impressive. In theaters now.
9. The Beaver - (R) - Mel Gibson is one of the most hated people in Hollywood. But he still is a great actor. If you can separate the art from the artist, I would urge you to see this Jodie Foster directed (and costarring) film. When a man sinks so far into depression, his only hope for recovery is a discarded beaver puppet. It sounds absurd, but it's very well done, I assure you! On DVD now.
10. The Tree of Life - (PG-13) - This earns my honor as the film I 'appreciated' most. It's a work of art - a beautiful work of art. It's also really long, and with a piece of art, I am not the patient kind of person who can stand too long and look at anything, so this movie did take forever to finish. It's a real accomplishment though, and I'm very glad I saw it. On DVD now.
11. Fast Five - (PG-13) - The fourth sequel in a series I wasn't too fond of surprised me more than any other film this year in that I went in thinking I was going to hate it and instead had a blast! It's like an Ocean's movie with cars, and it's so much fun. On DVD now.
