When reviewing the previous year, some people choose things like world events, politics, pop cultural events, things of that nature to paint the picture of what that time period was like. Other people focus on things that aren't important- like movies. I gladly belong to the latter group.
We all go to the movies. Even if we see different things and have different tastes, we're all entranced by the power film has over us, to make us forget our lives for a while and get lost in a good story. When the movie is good, we tell our friends to see it. We think about it when we should be thinking about other things. We spend too much money not only on the ticket for the movie, but on the concession stand food. And when a movie is bad, it will ruin our whole day. We still tell our friends about it. We still think too much about it. And we still believe we spent too much on it. We all share the same passion for movies, even if some of us have more of it than others.
It is in that spirit that I write this list. Not in believing that my opinion is all-powerful, and not that these picks are set in stone. I write in the belief that everyone has an opinion, and that everyone tries to rank the movies they've seen in their head, and knowing it can be difficult to choose the best movie out of a group. I always try to represent the common moviegoer in my writings- you'll find no independent films on this list. All of these films were widely released and widely seen, and widely talked about in other places.
As always I encourage other people's opinions and would love to know what you agree and disagree on.
So I proudly present to you my fourth annual Best and Worst Films list, for the year 2011!
"Top 10"
10. Captain America: The First AvengerThe advertisements made it look corny, and its framing subplot to connect it to the upcoming Avengers movie was unnecessary. But this movie was undoubtedly an audience-pleaser, more so than Thor, the other Marvel superhero movie of the summer. I was not the only one surprised to find that the movie actually didn't suck- that it was in fact, everything a popcorn movie should be! It was exciting, funny, and didn't require a lot of thinking but at the same time didn't insult the audience's intelligence. Chris Evans was a good choice to play the Captain, even if he was unusually straight-faced. Starting the movie with him as a super-skinny shrimp gave us a hero we could actually root for, once he was beefed up and was actually capable of kicking Nazi ass. This movie also boasts the most memorable villain of the year, in Hugo Weaving's Red Skull, a James Bond-ian villain out to destroy the world. A great surprise of a movie.
9. Horrible Bosses
One of the best comedies of the year snuck into theaters almost unannounced, but this loud, brash, and rude movie caught everyone's attention in a number of ways. First, it featured a really dark plot for a comedy- three unhappy guys plot to kill their respective bosses who are ruining their lives. Second, it has a bad-girl performance from America's girl-next-door Jennifer Aniston, who is actually believable as the office slut. In fact it has reliably great performances from the rest of the cast, most notably Charlie Day as the rambunctious nice guy who doesn't have a clue, and Kevin Spacey as the world's most evil boss, glaring his way into our subconscious. And third, it's laugh-out-loud funny from beginning to end. And don't forget to watch the bloopers playing over the end credits.
8. The Help
The grown-up movie event of the year, this film attracted not only your mom and grandma, but also anyone interested in movies about race or social change. Based on the really-big-deal book, the movie features a searing performance from Viola Davis as a maid holding onto her dignity, as well as a head-turning, star-making turn by Octavia Spencer as her sassy friend. And of course, Emma Stone is always great. Hiring a complete unknown, Tate Taylor, to direct the movie was a risky choice, one that clearly paid off, as he is clearly a director who has not yet been influenced by the Hollywood system. Most everyone agrees the book is better, but when an adaptation is this good, no one will mind.
7. Warrior
The best movie you probably missed.
Not a big hit, probably due to its being about an Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is not exactly for every taste. But people who did choose to see it got a movie that's about much more than guys beating the crap out of each other. The story of two estranged brothers who enter the same fighting tournament, without telling anyone they are related, is both moving and shocking. One brother is desperate for cash, a long shot and the ultimate underdog. The other is a revelation who knocks his opponents out in less than thirty seconds, but refuses to speak to anyone and remains a mystery to his adoring fans. Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy turn in superb performances as the brothers, but it's Nick Nolte as their former alcoholic father who will truly make you cry. The genius of the movie is making you care about its characters, so that your loyalties are torn when the two brothers inevitably face off in the ring for the final match. You feel every punch.
6. Bridesmaids
This movie made all kinds of headlines about how it signifies the rise of the Funny Woman- as if we haven't had them in pop culture for over a hundred years. While the news stories are mostly self-serving, the movie behind them is definitely worth talking about- an all-female Hangover, with a hilarious Kristen Wiig squirming her way through her best friend's impending wedding, and competing with another beautiful and perfect bridesmaid. Also revealed a revelation in the unforgettable Melissa McCarthy, acting sans makeup and sans restrictions of any kind to play a new version of the Quirky Friend. Brash, obscene, and offensive- but also sweet, realistic, and of course, funny as hell.
(There's a rumor circulating that there will be a sequel without Kristen Wiig. Say it ain't so!)
5. The Muppets
The first Muppet movie in twelve years was a silly, sweet, and musical take on the classic characters- brought to you by the guy who made Forgetting Sarah Marshall! Art reflects life in this tale, when the Muppets are retired and irrelevant, and only a few fans hang on to their memorabilia and wait for Kermit and the gang to return. Bringing the charm and the fun of the Muppets back- all without CGI or converting to 3D- was a blast of nostalgia for adults and a breath of fresh air for kids. It's not as good a reboot as one would hope for (why didn't Frank Oz return as Miss Piggy?), but when it's this much fun, who cares?
The best line was actually delivered by a non-Muppet actor, Chris Cooper: "Maniacal laugh, maniacal laugh..."
4. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Die-hard fans of the already-existing franchise were shocked that a Hollywood studio would want to remake the Swedish movie so soon after its release (two years!), but luckily, they handed the reins to director David Fincher, famous for such dark films as Seven and Fight Club. While keeping the story set in the same country, he adopted a style all his own- dark and grimy but technologically competent and quick. The complicated story is anchored by a solid Daniel Craig, and of course Rooney Mara is a revelation as Lisbeth Salander, the most famous literary character of the last ten years.
Is it too dark for Oscar voters? They've been known to like dark before, with The Departed and No Country For Old Men winning. This one has a solid chance.
3. 50/50
The most original movie of the year was marketed as a Judd Apatow-like raunchy comedy for guys. The film is about guys, but not strictly for the male gender. The first film to ever tackle the issue of getting and living with cancer as a comedy uses realistic situations and attitudes to tell a story with heart, humor, and yes, sex. Joseph Gordon-Levitt has proved once again how much of a shining young star he is as a young guy who unexpectedly develops a tumor on his spine. Seth Rogen is his best friend who sticks around and helps him deal with it. To describe the film as Superbad meets Terms of Endearment is an insult; this film is in a class all by itself- it's managed to pull off being genuinely funny and genuinely sad at the same time, while still having its target audience be teenagers and young adults. The best comedy of the year, and the most relevant.
2. Mission: Impossible- Ghost Protocol
The fourth film in the action series is also the best. Topping the tremendous third entry was a challenge, so they opted for doing everything totally different. This one is bigger, visits more exotic locations, and has more humor than usual. Tom Cruise is joined by the hilarious Simon Pegg, the gorgeous Paula Patton, and the intense Jeremy Renner, a superb ensemble. Each action setpiece is better than the last: sneaking down the hallway behind that screen. Renner jumping down the fan shaft to land safely on floating magnets. That intense climactic fight in the parking garage. And of course, Cruise climbing over the windows of the world's tallest building, the most adrenaline-packed action sequence in years.
Tom Cruise, you are officially forgiven for the crappy Mission: Impossible II.
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- Part 2
What does it say about us that the best movie of the year is a sequel? Or a fantasy film? Or that it's essentially only half a movie? What does it say about us, that I'm not the only one who thinks it's the best movie of the year?
It says how much love we have for the amazing franchise about the bespectacled boy wizard who finally defeats a dark lord, with the help of his faithful friends. This film corrected most of the mistakes from Part 1 (only focusing on Harry's point of view, feeling incomplete) and delivered a knockout film with real emotion, huge battle scenes, amazing special effects, heart-breaking music, and one huge revelation about Snape. Quibble if you will about the changes made from the book, or about the unnecessary epilogue, the fact remains- this film satisfied more fans than any other movie based on a book, ever. (I'm looking at you, Twilight.) Here's to the end of an era!
And here's to the hope that the series will finally get recognized by the Oscars. Never gonna happen, but we can still dream, can't we?
Honorable Mention- The Lion King 3D
One of the greatest animated films of all time- still the highest-grossing traditionally animated film ever- returned to theaters this year, with a 3D upgrade. It was originally slated for a limited two-week release, but after earning number one at the box office for both weeks, Disney extended its run. Now that's the power of the king. Who cares that the 3D was clunky at times and distracting? Who cares that the ticket price was ridiculously high? This was a chance to see the movie on the big screen again- or for some, for the first time. The unforgettable prologue alone, with dozens of different animals all flocking to Pride Rock, set to "The Circle of Life," was worth it.
For better or for worse, this film has started a new trend of converting classic movies to the third dimension and rereleasing them. Next up, Beauty and the Beast, Star Wars, and even Titanic.
"Worst 5"
5. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn- Part 1The Twilight film even Twilight fans disliked. In this bizarre installment (the fourth film in the series), our "heroine" Bella marries Edward despite severe hesitations, ends up getting pregnant with a half-vampire baby immediately, and in a weak metaphor for extreme pro-life sentiments, keeps the baby despite its threat to her life and ultimately dies giving birth, all while a vampire/werewolf war is going on. Or, something like that. Technically well-made, thanks to director Bill Condon, with improved makeup for the vampires, and finally with a half-decent performance from Kristen Stewart, but all its strengths can't save an awful story that takes a strong left turn from its roots as a supernatural teenage romance.
Any chance they'll just call off Part 2?
4. Apollo 18
A horror movie unashamedly mimicking Paranormal Activity and capitalizing on the release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, this god-awful fake-found-footage film involves two astronauts on a secret mission to the moon, and encountering...a rock spider, which burrows under their skin and slowly drives them mad. If only they had thought to bring a can of Raid. Dumb, full of cliches, and no real scares. But mostly just dumb.
3. The Smurfs
A live-action adaptation of the kiddie cartoon, with the director of Scooby-Doo? What the smurf were they thinking?
At least someone had the brains to cast Neil Patrick Harris in the lead, who brings charm to the proceedings but ultimately makes you wonder if this is where his career is heading. The world did not need little blue CGI creatures who can't speak proper English.
2. The Hangover: Part II
The most highly anticipated comedy of the year turned out to be a total dud. The film plays out like a Mad Libs version of the first movie, following the exact same story pattern and just changing the specifics- Bangkok instead of Las Vegas, a monkey instead of a tiger, and I won't even go into the whole stripper thing. A few disparate laughs can't save this unpleasant film, full of plot holes and bad ideas.
Bad Wolf Pack, bad!
1. Cars 2
Woe is the day a Disney/Pixar film made this list. An extremely disappointing film that proves even the animation juggernaut can finally sell out: the sweet characters of the first film are transplanted to international locations and placed in the middle of a spy thriller, with Mater being the action hero and Lightning McQueen being the clueless afterthought. Completely nonsensical and with very few jokes, the fact that it's well-made with beautiful animation becomes irrelevant. 3D that makes your eyes bleed didn't help either.
Next time, do The Incredibles 2.
(Dis)Honorable Mention- Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
More of a spin-off than a true sequel, this has corporate cash cow written all over it. Despite the fact that the series ended nicely with At World's End, a fourth film was commissioned to show the continuing adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow. None of our favorite characters return (with a couple of exceptions), but many more new adventures await, including scaaary mermaids. More straightforward than the other films, this is actually not bad for what it is- a completely unnecessary addition to a franchise that should have ended with a trilogy.
Despite critical and public criticism, the ploy worked- the film was a huge hit, guaranteeing the fifth and sixth films. Seems the Disney execs have found their treasure chest after all.
The more I look over this year's films, the more I yearn for next year. There are so many to look forward to: The Hunger Games. The Avengers. The Dark Knight Rises. Skyfall, the next James Bond movie. The Hobbit. And yes, for some, Breaking Dawn- Part 2. I have a good feeling- 2012 will be the year for movies!
Thanks for reading, and I'll see you every month this year!
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