It's that time again, and here is my list of my personal best films I saw in 2011. Obviously, this list isn't for everyone, and that's okay. I am trying to list these on the basis that movies are meant to entertain, whether it be on a psychological level or on a twelve year old level, where I just want to see stuff being blown up. If the movie entertained me, it probably made the list for some reason or another. Another thing to keep in mind is that I did not see every movie out in 2011, so I'm sure there are some good films I just never got around to see because of time, school, etc. If you have any comments, leave them on my Facebook page if you agree or disagree or just wan to talk about the films. Alright, I'm trying something different this year, starting with #10 instead of #1...
Honorable Mention
15) The Muppets
14) X-Men: First Class
13) Fast Five
12) Source Code
11) 50/50
10) Moneyball
A film based on a book, which stars Brad Pitt as Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane during the 2002 baseball season, where he tries, along with Jonah Hill as Peter Brand, to re-analyze the way scouts look at prospective players. One could ague that this is this years "Social Network", but on a smaller scale. With the screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin, the natural charm of Pitt and funnyman Hill take the script and turn it into something not only baseball fans will enjoy.
9) Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Probably the most controversial movie on the list, due to the fact that it did get critically blasted by all critics. But you know what? I'm not a movie critic, and from an audience viewpoint, I got exactly what I wanted: aliens blowing up stuff. I'm not looking for amazing acting here, I'm looking at the fact that Michael Bay totaled the city of Chicago very well. The technical achievements here are astounding, especially when the skydivers jump out of a VTOL next to the Sears Tower in slow motion. Pretty slick if you ask me. Another plus was that is was a lot darker, actually showing residents getting smoked by the Decepticons, and the whole film having the Autobots losing the battle, until the end obviously. The song montage towards the final act of the film by Linkin Park showing all the destruction didn't hurt either.
8) Thor
This movie came out of nowhere for me. It purposefully shrugged off trailers because the pictures I saw, of the costumes and sets, looked pretty dumb to me. Not something that really interested me in the slightest. Boy, was I wrong. I don't know where down the line I made up my mind to see it, but I'm glad I did. Chris Hemsworth as the arrogant Thor quickly won me over, playing the titular god of thunder with ease. Tom Hiddleston as his villian brother Loki was a great casting choice, and as was the scene stealing Idris Elba as Heimdall. The visuals of Thor really honed the experience for me, with Asgard and the detail of the city really staying with me. Clark Gregg as S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson had more screen time this Marvel movie, which I appreciated. Final note: the cameo with Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye sealed the deal for me on this movie.
7) Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Being a big fan of the original 2009 film, I've been waiting for this film with bated breath. As with all sequels to films I love, there is always some nervousness as whether or not it will live up to your expectations. This one certainly did, with Guy Richie seemingly listening to his fans about what to include in the sequel. More slow motion though process scenes by the amazing Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes, and his bromantic partner Watson, played perfectly by Jude Law. The duos back-and-forth dialog is great fun. The villian, Professor Moriarty, played by Jared Harris, does a great job as a counter-point to Holmes, as a intellect and as a sinister plotter. The end "fight" scene between them was well executed, and a good twist. Finally, some of you may know my dislike for Rachel McAdams, and I was certainly pleased to see her role lessened.
6) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
The Battle for Hogwarts rages, and the thrilling and well crafted final installment in the hugely successful and acclaimed Harry Potter series comes to a close. David Yates continues his streak of making the Harry Potter series continue to evolve and grow up with its characters and audiences. The visuals were a great treat, such as Harry and Voldemort squaring off in a duel, as were the plot points hit coming to fruition, with some storylines concluding after starting in the first film. Yates does a good job translating the book onto the big screen, giving all the characters their due, in a satisfying conclusion.
5) Drive
This masterful crime drama starring Ryan Gosling as a stunt driver for Hollywood by day, and a getaway driver by night. Gosling shows his acting chops here, with the script limiting his lines. This is where we get to see Gosling shine, with him using every movement and glance to establish the character being created. His nuanced performance is great to watch, as his mainly silent character interacts with the world around him. The whole film feels like being a getaway driver. The first half of the film, it seems, is kind of like a "wait", where if I were waiting for the bank robbers to come out of the bank. The second part of the film changes tones, much like shifting gears to get away from the cops in pursuit. This is the times where all the story-lines come together in a satisfying way. This film just oozes cool. Just be patient with it and it will be worth it.
Side note: Drive being the title of the film, I just wish it had a little more driving. But maybe that's not the point. Drive could not be just about the car, but what drives the character to do what he does.
4) Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
I had high hopes for this one from the beginning. With Brad Bird attached, who directed the stellar Pixar film The Incredibles, I felt like he could inject that same action and comedy into this film franchise, kind of the like the same way J.J. Abrams did with the third installment. What I didn't expect, though, was how good this movie would be. The fourth film is easily my favorite of the series, which is a tough feat following what Abrams did with the amazing MI:3. Bird directs the frenetic action sequences with meticulous detail, showcasing Tom Cruise's talents at stuntwork. Seeing him hang on the outside of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai was literally making my hands sweat. The gadgets need to be mentioned as well, since these are some of the best I've ever seen. One stand out in particular, where a giant projector screen is used to make it look like a hallway is empty, as the team moves through it. The comedy is well balanced too, done by the pitch perfect Simon Pegg, whose character has now become a full field agent. Hopefully, this will not be the last time we see Ethan Hunt in action.
3) Super 8
A love letter if I ever saw one, J.J. Abrams pays homage to the great Steven Spielberg, with this E.T. / Goonies mash-up. This movie is great because of one thing: the kids. Abrams perfectly captures how kids act when around each other, calling names and hanging out together. Watching them make their movie brought me back to middle school with my friends and I running around town filming stuff. The traditional Abrams style is there as well, lens flares included. He is one of the best new directors out there, and reminds me of a young Spielberg. The film also does a good job with suspense, hiding the monster until close to the final act. This film is quite funny as well, with the kids' interactions with each other and how they view the events happening around them.
2) Midnight in Paris
Directed by the fantastic Woody Allen, this heartwarming comedy about Owen Wilson as a writer in Paris was a perfect fit. Wilson, playing a writer who romanticizes about the 1920's era of Paris, is in a perfect role, pining and longing for a chance to meet the famous writers and painters of the past. He gets that chance, and every midnight converses with the past due to a time-slip. Seeing him deal with the past, and bringing what he learned to the future cause plenty of funny moments, including him trying to one-up a know-it-all friend of his fiance, Rachel McAdams (who, again, I don't like).
1) Take Shelter
Like a brewing storm on the horizon, darkening clouds in the sky, Take Shelter has the right kind of slow-burning suspense. Others may be put off at some of the slow parts, but it all pays off in the end. Michael Shannon plays a construction worker who starts to have nightmares of an impending storm. The films expertly deals with how he reacts to these dreams initially, shaking them off until they become more vivid. His family starts to become alienated because he spends all day building a storm shelter, waiting for the day to come. This psychological torment is draining both him and his family. He knows mental disorders run in his family, including his mom who lives in an assisted living home. He cannot shake this feeling, however, and his strange behavior starts to affect the whole town, who believe he is going crazy. Shannon, in an Oscar caliber performance, shows a wide range of emotions and does a great job with the material. The sense of fear and dread throughout the whole movie is prevalent. I won't spoil the ending, but it was one of the best I've ever seen.
