It’s about that time I post my top 10 favorite films in this glorious year of 2011. It took some doing but I managed to select a solid 10 with some honorable mentions to follow. As with all lists, it is completely subjective, open for debate, but this is my list of the movies I have seen throughout the year and the ones that I feel you shouldn’t miss out on. The rules are simple, I’ve included any feature that was released in the states in the year 2011 via a theatrical release, Film Festival screening, or, on occasion, DVD release. Unfortunately, there were a few key features that I missed out on (ex. The Muppets, Moneyball and Tree of Life) and am rather upset about it but so it goes when you’ve seen 365 movies in a matter of 365 days.
Without further ado here are my favorite films of 2011
10. Tyrannosaur [My review]
Actor Paddy Considine makes his directorial debut with some dramatic and brutal force. Peter Mullan gives a riveting performance as a self-destructive drunk prone to violence and rage who attempts to change his ways after meeting a Christian Chairty shop employee, played by Olivia Coleman. This intense character study may be a struggle for some as it moves at a Sloth’s pace but the payoff is well worth your patience.
9. (Tie) Bedevilled [My review] / Cold Fish [My review]
Both are bloody Asian thrillers about people who constantly get picked on and are forced to do their bully’s bidding. Bedevilled is a Korean film with a female leads while Cold Fish is a Japanese flick with male leads. Both have great stories and both will completely engulf you in the murderous madness that results from the slightly slower but impactful storytelling.
8. Tucker & Dale vs Evil [My review]
I’ve seen this film three times this year and still find it to be hilarious. It’s highly quotable, very original and has all the blood in a horror comedy you could ever ask for. It’s like Shaun of the Dead but with Hillbillies, plus it stars Steve the Pirate (Alan Tudyk) and Tyler Labine-a comic duo that has the same chemistry as Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly from Step Brothers.
7. Attack the Block [My review]
When you have guerilla wolf-like aliens battling inner city British teens you know you’ve got yourself something that audience has never fully seen before. This modern day cult classic has been a favorite on the festival circuit and for those that love genre films. Its blend of comedy, action, sci-fi and teenagers makes it an easy mass crowd pleaser if given the chance to prove it. Trust me bruv, it’s a creative must-see!
6. Warrior [My review]
A tormented sports drama with excellent acting, this is one that fight fans will love. The first time you see Tom Hardy knock someone out you can’t help but yell at the screen from all the tension surrounding the hit. Everybody has a strong presence in the film but it is Nick Nolte who delivers the Oscar worthy performance as a reformed drunk/dad trying to make peace with his boys. It’s an exciting and inspiring film about family relationships but with the intense backdrop of mixed martial arts. It’s gripping film with a good story and great acting.
5. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
The surprise hit of this year delivers everything you’d want in a blockbuster: action, good acting and a storyline you can follow. This prequel of sorts is pushing for an Oscar nomination for Andy Serkis’ motion capture performance for his role as Cesar…and I’m all for it. It is nearly impossible not to root for the apes as their revolution begins to take shape in Rupert Wyatt’s completely engrossing film.
4. We Need to Talk About Kevin
A harrowing film about a mother trying to deal with her grief after her child goes on a high school killing spree. Lynne Ramsay’s adaptation stars Tilda Swinton in a role that will get her a surefire Oscar nomination seeing as how her performance is mesmerizing. The real surprise though is the consistency between the three boys who play Kevin, the angry son who hates his mother and will do anything to make her feel miserable. You can’t miss this film but I wouldn’t watch it when you are in a happy-go-lucky mood.
3. 13 Assassins [My review]
Obviously this is a personal list and this movie is a personal favorite of mine. I love Japan, I love Samurai, but more importantly, I love a good action movie with an awesome story to boot, especially when it’s in the vein of Akira Kurosawa. Takeshi Miike’s take on 13 Assassins is one of my favorite remakes to date and rightly so. If any film with an excellent cast, a solid director and unbelievable set pieces pit 13 Samurai against 200 plus enemies you can immediately count me in. This bloody war action drama is what I like to call the Asian version of 300 (except with the added bonus of it being legitimately good).
2. Shame [My review]
Michael Fassbender has become a tour-de-force over the past year and has solidified that honor in Steve McQueen’s sex addict drama, Shame. The movie focuses on Fassbender’s sexual addiction and his internal struggles that erupt when his sister (Carey Mulligan) arrives to crash at his place unannounced. The film features an extremely moving rendition of New York, New York by Mulligan and a very deep performance by Fassbender. By the end of the film, Shame becomes one of the most interesting character studies you’ll every have the privilege to witness. If you’re old/mature enough to see this NC-17 picture please do.
1. Drive [My review]
Shame could have been number one as well but the thriller aspect of Drive and the badass nature of Ryan Gosling was the edge this film needed to be my favorite of the year. The movie features excellent performances by Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Ron Perlman, Bryan Cranston and a potential Oscar nomination for Albert Brooks. Nicolas Winding Refn’s R-rated thriller has such an elegant feel to it due to its fantastic pop/techno score which complements the graphic violence quite nicely. Drive is a cool, calm and collected film that can erupt into pure chaos in the blink of an eye. While it may move slow at times, which is important to know before watching, it is a film you have to respect and appreciate while enjoying its more graphic moments.
Honorable mentions:
Trollhunter [My Review]
One of the first films I saw in 2011 and one of the most original and clever mockumetaries I’ve seen to date. It is funny, unique and, most of all, an exciting picture that will, in some ways, remind you of Jurassic Park. I originally had this in the number nine spot on my list but gave it the boot as its one of those films where you should only watch it once and then wait a long time before watching it again.
X-Men: First Class [My Review]
I was a huge fan of Matthew Vaughn’s 1960s based X-Men origins story. The film features a great cast led by James McAvoy, Michael Fassbener and Kevin Bacon as Professor Xavier, Magneto, and Sebastian Shaw respectively. The storytelling is excellent, the acting is well done, and the action sequences are quite impressive, especially the climactic scene where Magneto lifts a submarine out of the water. This was the only good superhero film of the year and one of the few films where you wish the end was never near.
I Saw the Devil
Jee-woon Kim’s revenge thriller is one hell of a ride. The movie stars Byung-hun Lee (Storm Shadow from GI Joe) as a special agent looking to get revenge as he hunts down the serial killer who murdered his wife, a Mr. Min-sik Choi, the famous lead from Oldboy. This movie is not for everybody as it is brutally graphic and gory but if you can stomach the 141 minute duration it totally pays off in the way of superb storytelling, pacing all while maintaining an air of mystery throughout the film. Only Koreans can pull sometihng like this off so be sure to check it out before America decides to remake it.
Carnage [My Review]
Roman Polanski’s film adaptation of Yasmina Reza’s stage play has a hilarious and razor sharp bite to it that makes it one of the most enjoyable dialogue driven films to date. It stars Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C Reilly.
Little Big Soldier [My Review]
This film never got a theatrical release here in the states but it was released on Bluray/DVD and that was when I had the chance to watch it. This is the return of Jackie Chan to his former self, a time when he made action comedies that had an entertaining story, like Drunken Master for example. If you are a Chan fan you’ll absolutely love this tribute as Jackie plays a soldier who accidentally captures the enemy’s general and then takes him on a journey to claim a reward. It’s very funny and classic Jackie!
A few other honorable mentioned include Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Fast Five, Bridesmaids, Rabies, Kidnapped, The Trip, and The Guard.
While I am going to try and see a few more films before the ball drops, this now concludes my top 10 films of 2011 list. If you haven’t seen any of the above films make sure you go out of your way to catch them as there is something in the above list for everyone.
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