Year End 2011 part 2: The Top 10 of 2011

The Top 10 of 2011

An article by Frederick Cholowski

The year of 2011 is over! Time to countdown the absolute best that film had to offer this year. Now this list is not “complete” because there are films I have yet to see that could be potential contenders and I usually revisit this list come Oscar time when I’ve caught up. For now though here are my top 10 films of the year 2011.

  

10. The Adventures of Tintin

Like Scott Pilgrim last year Tintin is the movie on this list that I had a ton of fun watching. From the creative action sequences, to the fun mystery plot, to the fantastic score by the legendary John Williams Tintin had it all. Steven Spielberg managed to channel the feelings I had while watching an awesome adventure movie. Above all though Tintin feels like it has a timeless quality making it a film that families may be enjoying for years and years down the road.

9. Midnight in Paris

It is easy to see why Midnight in Paris is Woody Allan’s highest grossing film. It is a charming film if I have ever seen one. The gorgeous setting of Paris in different time periods and the characters that are easy to fall in love with that make this movie light up. Not to mention the great witty writing that is present throughout. Midnight in Paris is a fantastic motion picture about life, one that kept me smiling the whole way through.

8. Rango

The best animated film of the year Rango is something truly special, an animated film that caters more to adults than to kids. From the obscure references to classic westerns to the seemingly constant use of jokes that kids wouldn’t get for the life of them Rango applied more to the parent than to the kid. Rango is also the surprise of the year for me as it delivered an experience like no other animated film had before it and I loved every second of it.

7. Super 8

J.J. Abrams’s homage to the Steven Spielberg films of old is one of this year’s best. The magic of this film is the ability to capture all the wonder and imagination of early Spielberg blockbusters while blending it with a great modern day sci-fi thriller. It finds the perfect mold of darkness and lightheartedness while telling a great childhood “coming of age story”. It’s an homage to film making at a young age, one that strikes all the right cords.

6. J Edgar

After a couple of interesting steps Clint Eastwood returns to being on top of his game in J Edgar. Leonardo DiCaprio and Armie Hammer deliver two of the best performances of the year in this film as they recreate two of the United States most powerful historic features. What truly pushes J Edgar forward though is not the plot it is the tension between the characters. There is an emotional power here that is very subtle and truly fantastic, one that makes J Edgar one of the most powerful films of 2011.  

5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

After 7 books and 8 movies the Harry Potter franchise has come to an end, and did it ever go out on a bang. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is the best Harry Potter film by far and one of the better fantasy films in recent memories. There are big set pieces and large emotional roller coasters that all lead to the ultimate show down between Harry and Voldemort. Most of all though the 8^th Potter film is the one that is the most finely crafted, it’s a lesson in story and character development on the fly. It even almost makes me forget about the massively disappointing first part of the Deathly Hallows, almost.

4. Margin Call

 Now to the movie no one watched. Margin Call is a fantastic thriller about a company on the verge of collapse. The all star cast featuring Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, and Zachary Quinto and first time feature director J.C. Chandor’s fantastic script and direction make this film a much watch for anyone who loves a good dialogue driven thriller. If he keeps making films that are this good J.C. Chandor has a great career ahead of him.

3. The Descendants

  George Clooney teams up with great director Alexander Payne in this fantastic drama about the American man on the verge of collapse. Alexander Payne’s signature blend of comedy and drama mixed with great performances by George Clooney and Shailene Woodley make for a film that is super engaging and powerful. There is never a dull moment in The Descendants making this a 2011 film that can’t be missed.

2. Hugo

      Martin Scorsese director of Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, and Goodfellas making a family film in 3D? And it’s fantastic? Tell me that before I saw Hugo and I wouldn’t have believed you. Having seen the film it gives me great pleasure to say that Hugo is a magical film that is one of Scorsese’s best. The mix of the whimsical nature of the plot, the gorgeous cinematography and the love of film that is present in this film make Hugo one of the greatest experiences of the year. Did I mention that this film has the best 3D in any film yet? Even better than the 3D in Avatar. Scorsese poured his heart and soul into Hugo and man dose it ever show. 

     

    1.The Tree of Life 

Without a doubt my film of the year this year is the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life is both challenging and powerful achievement in film. It is also the most ambitious and original film I have seen in a long time combining a coming of age story and the creation of the universe. It dares you to challenge what film can truly be. It is a fantastic film that still resonates with me after multiple viewings and is the only film this year that had a great impact on me. Abstract, challenging, and powerful Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life is by far 2011’s best film.