I know Twoj hates lists, but I just can’t help myself. I love lists, not because I want to cram my opinion down your throats, but because maybe I can turn you on to something you’ve never experienced.
Alas, this is not my list. This list of the top films of 2011 was written by the ultra-talented Evan Stevens, a dude whose opinion matters more than mine because: 1) he’s smarter and 2) he’s seen more movies.
*this list was originally featured on his blog A Monster Among Us*
For those of you who may know me already have a deep understanding of my love of cinema. For those of you who don’t, movies are one of my favourite things. I collect them, I go to the theater as much as I can, and I follow the movie business as close as I can (none of that gossip-celebrity bullshit- more of what’s getting released, who is doing what, etc).
2011 was a great year for movies, especially for comic book fans. There were some huge duds (see: Green Lantern and Dylan Dog) and some surprises (Captain America, Thor, and the redemption of X-men via First Class after the terrible missteps of X3 and Wolverine). And yet, comics aside, it was generally a very good year. I can’t say that there was an astounding amount of top-tier movies, but there were actually quite a few good movies released this year. That said, there were a few that have come to be ranked as some of my favourite movies of all time, not just of the year. These films just had that little something extra.
I can only rank the films that I saw. Although I do go to the movies a lot, being a fully-fledged student and varsity athlete with many different side-projects on the go, there isn’t a whole lot of time to get out to see all the releases (not to mention the strain it puts on my wallet). So here are the best that I saw this year:
Honorable mentions to the top 10:
Thor- Thor proved that Marvel could open up its lore a bit into the realm of magic and gods and mainstream audiences would still eat it up. It got by with several strong performances, a sharp script and lots of cool special effects. A believable love story may have helped (who falls so deeply in love in a weekend?) but it may have opened the Marvel vault up for some of the more fantastical characters like Dr. Strange and the realms of their non-earth comic heroes and villains like Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, and Thanos and the Infinity Gauntlet.
Bridesmaids- Who knew chicks could be funny (cough…). Riding on the back of some hilarious performances by snl alumni and a sharp script, this was the movie that Hangover 2 wished it could be.
Everything Must Go- It is always nice to see Will Ferrell do something other than his child in a man’s body routine. We saw that Ferrell could act in Stranger Than Fiction while keeping his somewhat boyish charm, then Everything Must Go only reaffirms that he’s got some acting chops as well as comedic genius.
Paranormal Activity 3- The third and probably not final film in the found-footage franchise, this one is by far the best. Aided by the directorial efforts of the mind behind 2010’s oddly unsettling “Catfish,” PA3 ups the scares, adds something to the back story and keeps us entertained for its entire run time.
Time for the list
10) Winnie the Pooh
In an age where movies directed at children are full of flash, CGI hilarity and little substance, it was a relief when Winnie The Pooh came back to the mainstream. Crafted in soft, hand-drawn styles reminiscent of the Disney of yesteryear, Winnie the Pooh had substance, fun and a warmth that is hard to come across in today’s cinema. It also has that nostalgia factor going for it for us older kids.
9) Midnight In Paris
This Woody Allen film may not be his best work, but it sure is something fun. Owen Wilson gives a very strong performance as a man lost in his own time, aching to be able to live in his golden era- the 20s. Wandering the streets of Paris at night his dreams come true when he is picked up by a taxi that takes him back in time (not as hokey as it sounds). Woody Allen playfully points out that it is so prevalent in our society, that things were so much better in any other decade than right now.
8) Super 8
Take Steven Spielberg’s films of child adventures (The Goonies and ET) and combine it with the spectacle of Independence Day (albeit, not on such a grandiose scale) and you get J.J. Abrams’ Super 8. Boosted by strong performances from its young cast, Super 8 is fun, funny, action-packed, and over all a great film. If you enjoyed The Goonies and E.T. you’ll probably like Super 8. It is more of an ode to those old Spielberg films than anything else; the bonding and friendship of youth.
7) X-Men: First Class
Thank god for this movie. Saving face from the Terrible Wolverine and the severely misguided X3, First Class went right back to the start, how the main characters came to be. It goes into Professor X’s and Magneto’s relationship as friends and ultimately enemies. Although it did nothing to help the continuity of the comics, it was still a great movie. Michael Fassbender’s tormented portrayal of Magneto is something to watch and Kevin Bacon does an excellent sinister Nazi Doctor.
6) Warrior
I am a big hater of mixed-martial arts. I think it is just going back to the days of Gladiators and is only one step above a true blood sport. Wailing on someone just to prove you’re tough. Cool story bro. But Warrior helped to change all that. Stellar performances by Nick Nolte, Joel Edgerton, and Tom Hardy add to a very human story that plays right into all the cliches of a fighting movie, but does so with so much heart and passion that it just doesn’t matter. This is one of those movies that you just can’t help but pump your fist at during certain points. On the flip side it may also make you break down inside with the very human nature of its conflict. Although it is not in my top 5, it is still one of my favourite movies of the year by far and well worth checking out. It is also nice to see how big Tom Hardy got in this role in preparation of his role as my favourite Bat-villain: BANE in next summer’s The Dark Knight Rises.
Part 2- Coming tomorrow
The acting performance of his life "sober"