Max’s Movie Madness: 2011
What a year! This is my favorites list as of last weekend, but as of late I have not been able to make it to many movies, so my 2011 list is a little stifled for the moment. As we get closer to the Oscar season, my viewings will fill out and the list will become more complete. (especially with films like Tintin, MI4, and The Descendants still to view)
*It also should be noted (as always) that this is my selections for my favorite films of the year, not the best.
Enjoy and comment!
10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
-As it was with the finale of another great fantasy series (*LOTRcough*), the last movie in the Harry Potter frachise was rife with emotional moments that worked to connect the threads from the rest of the series. Payoff of the best kind.
9. Insidious
-Done with the economically and independent style, this PG-13 horror films got under my skin unlike others of its kind this year. Sporting steampunk paranormal investigators and terrifying spectres, its imagery alone is enough to be memorable throughout your nightmares, save the last 30 seconds of the movie.
8. Rubber
-Just the absurdity of a sentient killer tire was enough to hook me, but the delving into the philosophy behind such a ridiculous premise and being different degrees of self-aware make it something else en-tire-ly. (hehe, bad puns)
7. Bellflower
-A visceral and explosive experience. A bit jarring and weak for a time (whose 1st film isn’t?), the film pulls through with its saturated apocalyptic show of love in Cali.
6. Hugo
-Charming in every way, Scorsese brings one of the only decent excuses to see a movie in 3D. Brilliant is the way it also delights cinephiles will its loving devotion to the works of the greats, such as Melies and the Lumiere Brothers.
5. The Muppets
-The best in a string of nostalgia trips, I can’t express my joy in seeing my felt buddies on the screen again. Even better was the combination of “Flight of the Conchords”-style songs with the classic Muppet pathos.
4. Hanna
-A fairy tale veiled in an intriguing Euro-spy sheen, Hanna excels at everything, including the fantastic score by The Chemical Brothers.
3. Super 8
-Wonderful memories of The Goonies, Stand By Me, and the Spielberg movies of old flood back with this epic collaboration of JJ and SS. The best part (aside from the excellent train crash) was Michael Giacchino’s score, replicating the orchestral John Williams magnificence, binding the film together wonderfully.
2. Attack the Block
-Also dredging into the 80’s, ATB recalls the darker sides of the Amblin days with greater ease than Super 8 with great characters, FX work and a language of its own. I expect great things in the future from Joe Cornish, best believe.
1. Drive
-Hands down the best experience I had at the movies this year. Everything about this movie screamed perfection, and while it is not quite perfect, it screamed it none-the-less. You name it, this films has got it.
Honorable Mentions:
Super
Melancholia
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Captain America
50/50
Crazy, Stupid, Love
Bridesmaids
The Help
Midnight in Paris
War Horse
Dishonorable Mentions:
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Green Lantern
Sucker Punch (not so much for what we were given, but for what could have been done better)
Red Riding Hood
