2011: My 20 Favorite Films of the Year

2011 is over! Well, it has been for nearly a month now. I was just behind on my movie watching, and wanted to have a good amount of films on this list, and next week's list as well. I wasn't expecting much from 2011. After reading what was set to be released, it seemed like a fairly boring year. I mean, Spielberg directing a film about a horse, Ryan Gosling in a movie about driving, Scorsese doing a kiddie flick? But, that all changed when I started watching the movies, and they were AWESOME! Well, some films looked like shit, and were, but that's next week. These 20 films, on the other hand, certainly weren't, and like so many on the internets, I will now thrust my opinions upon you. I know you all have some opinions of your own, so share them with me.

20. The Trip

Two men, who know nothing food, tour small restaurants in England, because one (Steve Coogan) has been left by his girlfriend, and still has the reservations. This mockumentary is witty and fun, but what else would you expect from the two actors, and the director, from "Tristram Shandy"? You can't help but enjoy watching the two compete with each other during their time together, over anything and everything.

The moment I feel in love: Rob and Steve have an argument over impressions of Michael Caine. "You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!"

19. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Brad Bird takes the reins of a well known franchise, and leads it into the best possible direction. After John Woo's sad excuse for a sequel the franchise seemed to be over, but J.J. Abrams took it over with three, and found the best man for the job with four. This installment is a fast, fun action film that leaves you absolutely breathless.

The moment I feel in love: The incredible opening sequence following the fuse to the always exciting "Mission: Impossible" theme.

18. Rise of the Planet of the Apes

I think I only did 20 films on this list so I could include this movie (don't say you weren't warned). This reboot is right along films like "Batman Begins" and "Casino Royale" for its ability to breath life into a stagnant franchise. Weta Digital's special effects were phenomenal, and John Lithgow's tragic performance anchored the human element of the story. I used to think "Escape From the Planet of the Apes" was my favorite of the series, but "Rise" has made an argument to dethrone it.

The moment I feel in love:  A confused John Lithgow almost steals a neighbor's car, and Ceasar comes to his rescue.

17. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Gary Oldman leads a cast with superb depth in this adaptation of of John le Carre's novel. The story is tense and layered, the characters are shady and clever. The story unravels brilliantly and completely sucks you into the lies and intrigue. With beautiful sets, costumes, and cinematography, the 1970's stunningly come to life. Tomas Alfredson has created a simply wonderful film.


The moment I fell in love: Oldman's George smiley tells the tale of the time he interrogated a Russian spy.

16. Ides of March

I like films about politics about as much as I hate actual politicians themselves. George Clooney's "Ides" is another soon-to-be classic to throw on that pile. As for Ryan Gosling, he just kept giving performance after stunning performance this year, and this was just one of three that put him right on top of the new generation of leading men.

The moment I fell in love: The camera pulls back as Ryan Gosling is giving a speech to reveal that he is doing a mic check.

15. Bridesmaids

The fact that anyone would label this a "chick flick", or the "famale 'Hangover'", is an insult to how funny and heartfelt this movie was (mostly because "The Hangover" wasn't any good). Kristen Wiig showed Hollywood that women have a place in comedy, and shouldn't just be brain-dead romantic comedy stars (I'm looking at you Sandra Bullock). I may not be the first person to say it, but the scene pictured above, may be the hardest I laughed at a film all year.

The moment I fell in love: The most awkward sing-off you've ever seen between Kristen Wiig and Rose Byrne.

14. Win Win

Tom McCarthy made one of the best coming-of-age tales in recent memory. Paul Giamatti and Amy Ryan are both excellent as a couple who take the grandson of an elderly man, in Gimatti's custody, into their home. They bond, they wrestle, and you get compelling story about a a young man dealing with his rough upbringing, and a man trying to deal with a failing law practice.

The moment I fell in love: Giamatti has a panic attack, and Bobby Cannavale tries to help him through it.

13. Young Adult

Speaking of great coming-of-age tales, here is one so unbelievably twisted it actually made me a little sad. Charlize Theron is vicious and terrible. You want her to fail so badly, but you don't enjoy watching her do it, because she is so pathetic and broken. Patton Oswalt is her, sort of,  Jiminy Cricket, one she insults and berates, and he adds a great sense of humor, and tragedy, to the piece. Diablo Cody's script, and Jason Reitman's directing, are incredible, and make this one of my favorite films of the year.

The moment I fell in love: Theron tries to convince the woman at the front desk of her hotel that she doesn't have a dog in her purse.

12. Meek's Cutoff

This historical drama about a group of families lost on the Oregon Trail is quiet, bleak, and dramatic. I can't claim that this movie is entertaining, but it is a gripping, realistic portrayal of life in the times of Westward Expansion. Paranoia and mistrust run rampant through the group as they fall further into despair, and all hope seems to be lost. The cast is powerful, the directing is flawless, and the script is tense and well paced.

The moment I fell in love: You don't fall in love with this movie. You lose yourself in it.

11. Drive

A quiet man, who drives odd jobs for criminals with no questions asked, is pushed over the edge. This is another well-paced film with bursts of action, and extreme violence. The performances by the leads are muted, and beautiful. The supporting cast is filled with impressive names, doing great jobs. Unfortunately, marketing for the movie was very poor, but it was much better than anyone expected.

The moment I fell in love: Ryan Gosling, with two men in the car, parks in the Staples Center at theperfect moment, after a Lakers game, and just walks away.

10. Beginners

Ewan McGregor plays the son of a man (Christopher Plummer) who is 75, has cancer, and just came out of the closet. The film, from there, becomes a delightful tale of two men falling in love. Plummer with his much younger boyfriend leading up to his death, and McGregor with the enchanting Melanie Laurent in the wake of his father's passing. Mike Mills writes and directs this quirky film, and gets some great moments from his top notch cast.

The moment I fell in love:  Plummer calls his son to tell him about his time at the club, and does his impression of house music.

9. War Horse/The Adventures of Tintin

Spielberg had the best one-two punch of this holiday season. "War Horse" was a breathtaking war epic with a lot of heart, and "Tintin" was eye-popping animated action film, that was as fun as it was thrilling. I loved them both, and because they came from the same awe-inspiring director, I had to put them together. If you haven't seen either of these, you should. Equally great, equally beautiful.

The moment I fell in love: "War Horse" - Albert and Joey plow a field that is considered unplowable.
                                            "Tintin" - The charming inside joke of the Tintin street drawing.

8. Attack the Block

Joe Cornish takes stereotypes, and flips them in this sci-fi horror about a group of inner city youth fighting aliens that attack their high-rise. The characters start this film as the villains, and end up the heroes in a movie where violence and humor collide. The cast makes every moment of the film a pure delight with insanely perfect performances. This movie is so good that I wouldn't be surprised to see the American remake in the next couple of years. Trust, bruv.

The moment I fell in love: Two foul-mouthed primary-schoolers want to join the gang under the monikers of Mayhem and Probs.

7. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

I never red Steig Larsson's novel. I saw the original film. So, when people tell me that it doesn't do anything to outdo the other film, that means nothing to me. David Fincher made a raw, visceral film about two people trying to find a killer among a family of crazy recluses, among other things. I couldn't believe how much this movie made me squirm, and how much I loved it for that fact.

The moment I fell in love: Rooney Mara's mohawk...

6. Moneyball

This is one of two sports films to make it onto the list, and it's mostly about statistics and analysis. Brad Pitt turns in one of the finest performances of his career, and Jonah Hill... doesn't play Jonah Hill. I never felt so compelled by the goings on in the front office of a sports club, because mostly you get the stories of the players trying to fight against those guys. Everything about this film is strong, right down to Peter Bogdonavich's cameo at the end.

The moment I fell in love: It's a film about baseball nerds! I fell in love during the trailer.

5. The Descendants

A film about loss, love, and family. This film may have struck such a chord with me for the personal things my family has been through this year, or maybe it was just that good. The daughters both sold this film for me. They're real portrayals of young girls in pain, and not plastic characters like so many Hollywood females. Clooney gives one of best performances in years, and Alexander Paynes shoots the Hawaiian landscape so perfectly.

The moment I fell in love: Clooney has to take daughter to a classmate's house to make her apologize for picking on the girl.

4. The Artist

This is the first of three films about this era on this list, and for good reason. Michel Hazanavicius created something wonderful. Capturing the feel of simpler time in film-making, from the way it was shot, to the performances of all of the actors. It is pure enjoyment all around, and I'm still replaying some of  the moments in my head.

The moment I fell in love: George has a nightmare about the coming era of talkies, and everything has sound, except his voice.

3. Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen has a masterpiece on his hands. Everything about this film is wonderful. Every actor. Every shot. Every line. I could not wipe the smile off of my face for days after seeing this. Allen has always been a man stuck in the art of the past, so to see him write a love letter this fantastic to a time he obsesses about was beautiful. Thank you, Woody. It's nice to see you so passionate again.

The moment I fell in love: Gil has seemingly traveled back in time, and bumped into F. Scott, and Zelda, Fitzgerald at a party.

2. The Muppets

When I first saw that a new Muppet movie was coming out, I had the same reation of Kermit introducing "The Muppet Show". I knew by the names involved that it would be a good film, but what I didn't realize was that it would be such an emotional experience. The characters were more in depth than they had ever been, and it was nice to see them break from the downward spiral the Muppets had been on for more than a decade. If you don't know what I mean, watch the "Muppet Wizard of Oz".


The moment I fell in love: "Life's a happy song, when someone's by your side to sing along."

1. Hugo

I'm not sure I can even make it through this recap without tearing up. With "Hugo" Martin Scorsese did three things: 1. prove that he can do anything. Family film, gangster flicks, a good Nicolas Cage movie. He does it all. 2. Showed that Pixar does not hold an iron grip emotionally poignant family movies. 3. Convince audiences that 3D can be used to expand the theater experience instead of a cheap, distracting gimmick (the first person to mention "Avatar" is getting elbowed).

The moment I fell in love: The opening shot of the film. The gears of the clock turn into the busy streets of Paris.

Next Week I'm doing the 20 worst films of the year. Please, any opinions are welcome. Did you have a film you felt belonged on this list? What films didn't? Did you like any on here? If so, why?