The Revised Top 10 films of 2011

The Top 10 of 2011

  An article by Frederick Cholowski

So it’s list time again, time for some fun. I have started revisiting my lists after Oscar time every year because of the fact that I don’t have a chance to see some of the films I wanted to see before the year is over (not being a paid critic and not having access to press screenings doesn’t help). Despite this I still haven’t had the chance to see two movies that might have maybe made this list, Shame and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (witch when seen will be considered for the 2012 list). So here we go the new, improved (hopefully) best of 2011.

Honorable mentions (films that made the first list but got booted out of the new one): The Adventures of Tintin, Harry Potter 7 part 2, J Edgar, Super 8

10. Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen returns to form with a delightful romp through the wonders of classic Paris. Owen Wilson charms and the city Paris dazzles in this pitch perfect feel good film. Let’s hope this film sparks a streak Allen’s best kind of film, charming feel good comedies with fun inventive scripts.

9. Rango

The only mainstream animated film not offered in 3D also happened to be the best. Surprised? Rango was crazy fun with references of old westerns, fantastic action sequences, and a script that appealed more towards an older crowd. Unique and fun Rango manages to be the best non Pixar animated film that has come around in a long time.

8. Margin Call

One of this year’s little indie films that could Margin Call provided an intense look into a company on the verge of financial collapse. Driven by A list talent (Kevin Spacey and Jeremy Irons to name a couple) and a tightly woven script Margin Call is an excellent example of what first time directors can achieve.

7. Take Shelter

Yet another example of an indie film that turned out to be fantastic. Fueled by a fantastic performance by Michael Shannon and from master direction from Jeff Nichols give take shelter a frightening intensity. The film is easily one of the most intense thrillers and interesting case studies to come out in 2011.

6. Hugo

Easily the best family film to be released this year, Hugo is a wondrous and charming experience. The look, the feel, and yes the 3D all contributed to a fantastic film headed up by the greatest living director Martin Scorsese; Yes a Martin Scorsese film without killing, the mob or Robert De Niro, and yet it is still fantastic. Times have certainly changed.

5. Martha Marcy May Marlene

Despite having a title that doesn’t quite roll of the tong Martha Marcy May Marlene is a thriller that cannot be forgotten. Elizabeth Olsen gives the best female performance this year and first time, writer, director Sean Durkin delivers a tightly woven script and fantastic direction that make this film so mesmerizing. The intensity of this film is off the charts and it builds to an ending that left me absolutely breathless. Frightening and exciting Martha Marcy May Marlene must not be missed.

4. The Descendants

Alexander Payne delivers yet another slice of Drama-Comedy goodness. The script, the acting, and the beautiful cinematography help flesh out what could have been just another film in Hawaii. Payne never fails on giving us a blend of beautiful drama and black comedy and he hasn’t started with this fantastic piece of film making.

3. Drive

Drive is what happens when an action film actually tries to be unique and, well, good. Cult Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn delivers with a brutal action thriller that also has time for characters and plot. It’s refreshing to see an action film that spends its first 40 minutes making room for the things that matter. That doesn’t detract from the action though as it each sequence is pulse pounding and intense. That mixed with the best score of the year (who knew techno pop would make such a compelling soundtrack) creates the best action movie of the year.

2. The Artist

What is left to say about this film that someone else hasn’t already said? Compelling and unique The Artist takes an Idea that has been dead since the era it is replicating and makes it cool again. It also has the best male performance of the year given by the French comedian Jean Dujardin who looks sounds and feels like a silent movie star. My message is don’t be scared of the silence or the black and white because if you do you are missing out on a magical piece of film making that no one should miss.

1. The Tree of Life

Ambitious, powerful and challenging, there is no other film this year like the Tree of Life. The film is an absolute feast of creativity and style all the while challenging the way stories can be told in mainstream media. Mixed in between is a wonderful coming of age story told through memory like wisps of sight and sound. While there are many wonderful films in 2011 none are as masterful or ambitious as The Tree of Life.