MY FAVORITE FILMS OF 2011
I know I’m very late on this, but I’ve got some MAJOR things happening in my life (both good and bad) that are very exciting/gravely terrifying.
1. Warrior - Predictable, yes, but this was the most rewarding film experience of the year. Solid performances from everyone and great choice of music - THE NATIONAL.
2. Contagion - SODERBERG IS BACK! An excellent thriller with one very tender moment that could destroy you. Also: best diegetic use of a pop song of 2011.
3. Moneyball - I’m not into sports films, but considering how crummy a year 2011 was, feel good films are always welcome. The audience was cheering at my screening. Magical. Also: best cameo of 2011!
4. Drive - This film makes me love living in LA and reminds me that spending time in mah Prius is pretty BADASS.
5. Senna - Possibly the best documentary since Capturing the Friedmans. Dudes were crying at the screening!
6. Beginners - I had high expectations for this film and was happy that the film exceeded them.
7. The Artist - It’s easy to hate on this film, but I was smiling 100% of the time I was watching it.
8. Submarine - Please don’t refer to this as British Rushmore. My single of the year was written for this film. One of the best depictions of teenage romance I’ve seen in a avery long time.
9. Win Win - A little film that could have been an afterschool special, but Tom McCarthy keepsit real.
10. 50/50 - I cried a few times, yeah. EVERYBODY DID. Some great use of nondiegetic pop music.
11. Melancholia - Like Breaking the Waves, it’s kinda slow, but the ending makes up for it. Like a snowball that keeps building. The prologue is worth the price of admission.
12. Young Adult - I have a secret. I LOVE Diablo Cody. Also, Bandwagonesque was the 2nd CD I ever bought (the first being U2 Achtung Baby)
13. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - A smart thriller that takes its time, but the payoff is there. Also: the second best use of diegetic of a pop song in 2011.
14. Shame - The most difficult film of 2011 to digest. I was haunted for days after seeing this.
15. Tree of Life - I can’t explain why this film affected me so much.
16. The Skin I Live In - After being dissapointed with Talk To Her, I kinda stopped watching Almodovar films. DUMB MOVE.
17. Super 8 - My favorite summer film. People were kinda “meh” over this film, but I was taken by the emotionality. Reminds me of ET, an all time favorite.
18. Bridesmaids - The most fun I had in a theater all year.
19. Attack the Block - The second most fun I had in a theater all year.
20. Transformers 3D - I’m a bro and am allowed to like such films.
Honorable Mentions: Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Harry Potter (the last one ever), Another Earth, X-Men: First Class, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, Midnight in Paris, The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo, Like Crazy.
