BEST FILMS OF 2011

By ARMY 1601

Seeing as Awards Season is over, Spill is about to release their list of best films of 2011 (supposedly), and I've caught up on my 2011 films, I've decided there is no better time than now to pick my best films of 2011. This won't be a top ten but a top 15, seeing as 2011, in my opinion, is one of the best years for film we've seen in a while. So with out further a do, let's start this bitch. 

Eddie: "You should really be glad about this, because you know, me working for you, you'd end up being my bitch"

15. LIMITLESS

Kicking off my list, the Bradley Cooper vehicle, Limitless. A big surprise for me, I was caught off guard by it's intelligence, well thought out premise, and the good performance turned in by Bradley Cooper. As Cyrus has said before, this movie can be thought of as a well done Superhero film, one with a great twist you won't find in you're average in thriller.

TINTIN: "Hows your thirst for Adventure, Captain?"

CPT. HADDOCK: "Unquenchable Tintin"

14. THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN

The first animated feature on my list, the Adventures of Tintin, the better of the two 2011 Spielberg films. So far, Tintin is the best argument (along with Apes) for why Mo Cap performances work, as the uncanny valley is almost non existent in this film. It also helps that this film evokes the great Adventure movies its director had created back in the day, bringing back classic thrills and insane action in some of the most playful and fun scenes this year has ever seen. And everybody's favorite Mo Cap magician, Andy Serkis, turns in another great performance as the drunken Captain Haddock.

ARMANSKY: "She's one of the best investigators I have. I'm concerned you won't like her. She's different."
DIRCH FRODE: "In what way?"
ARMANSKY: "In every way."

13. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

The remake of the Swedish film based on the novel lands on my list thanks to its great performances, interesting mystery, and great cinematography. If someone were to ask me which I prefer, it would have to be this remake over the original. Why? Because Rooney Mara stole the movie! She knocked it out of the park with her fantastic performance as Lisbeth Salander, which for me will always deserve the Oscar over Meryl Streep. Along with Fincher's direction, Mara's almost alien performance of Salander makes this movie the interesting thing it is.

Grandsanta: "Arthur, thеrе іѕ a way."
Arthur: "It’s impossible."
Grand Santa: "Thеу used tο ѕау іt wаѕ impossible tο teach women tο read."

12. ARTHUR CHRISTMAS

The last animated feature on my lists, quite possibly one of the best Christmas movies ever, Arthur Christmas. From british animation vets Aardman, this fantastic movie was propelled by brilliant British humour, spectacular animation, and great voice work from the who's who of British actors. The absolute best performance is given by Bill Nighy as the cranky Grand Santa, absolute funniest character in a movie for all of 2011!

Pest: "You'd be better off calling the Ghostbusters, love."

11. ATTACK THE BLOCK

The little indie sci fi movie that could makes my list. Beating out Hollywood Big Budget Alien invasion movies such as Cowboys and Aliens and Super 8, Attack the Block was a breath of fresh air for the genre and it was SOOO Entertaining. The chemistry between the leads in the Gang and the nurse absolutely sold this movie for me on top of charming special effects done for the aliens. Another movie as proof that the indie blockbusters could beat out the big ones, Attack the Block is simply awesome.

Brandt: "YOU'RE NOT GONNA MAKE IT!" 

Ethan Hunt: "You're not helping."

10. MISSION:IMPOSSIBLE GHOST PROTOCOL

The Best action spy movie since the Bourne Ultimatum, Ghost Protocol edges out the competition for the top ten. There was a lot of pressure of Brad Bird, the maker of great animated features, to bring it for his live action debut, and he did. His direction was on form, delivering some of the best action set pieces ever brought to film with gorgeous cinematography and the best team ever assembled in M:I history. To Brad Bird and Tom Cruise, consider this Mission Accomplished.

Gil : "I would like you to read my novel and get your opinion." 

Hemingway:  "I hate it." 
Gil: "You haven't even read it yet." 
Hemingway: "If it's bad, I'll hate it. If it's good, then I'll be envious and hate it even more. You don't want the opinion of another writer. "

9. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

Woody Allen's finest film in years, Paris is simply a treat to watch. Thanks to a finely written screenplay, a talented cast, and a premise that plays out like an Adult fairy tale, Midnight in Paris is true art like a fine wine. It tells us how great certain era's in time can be, in particular, the early 1900's, but while we may envy the past, we can't use it to escape out present. 

"Caesar is Home"

8. RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

Without a doubt, the biggest surprise of 2011, the Apes surprised me with its three dimensional characters, brilliant sci fi narrative, and its focus on the ape that would start it all, Caesar. Thanks to Andy Serkis (who was robbed of an Oscar), this character is brought alive through the spectacular mo cap work done by the veteran bringing true emotion to this performance. It doesnt hurt that the Chimp-pocalypse at the end is one of the greatest climax's this year and a pleasure to watch.

Xavier "Killing Shaw will not bring you peace"

Lehnsherr/Magneto "Peace was never an option"

7. X-MEN FIRST CLASS

Another surprise, Matthew Vaughn brought back everyone's favorite mutants back to the big screen in style. A talented cast brings us the expected emotion from the X-Men origins story, but the standouts are James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender (A HUGE face in 2011). They really sold the relationship that everyone was pondering about the whole time watching the original trilogy, and the pending heartbreak that would come with their differing opinions clashing. The greatest prequel of all time in my opinion (Rise of the Planet of the Apes a CLOSE second), and one of 2011's best blockbusters.

"Paradise? Paradise can go fuck itself !"

6. THE DESCENDANTS

Alexander Payne's second best (behind Sideways), is also one of the best of 2011. The compelling family drama, and relationship between Clooney's character and his daughter, played well here by Shailene Woodley, are as interesting to watch as they are entertaining. Quite possibly George Clooney's best performance ever, he is seen here more vulnerable then ever before, giving a true emotional performance, that's amazing to watch.

Tommy "Mom needed you. I needed you. You were my big brother and you bailed on me."

5. WARRIOR

The most underrated film of 2011, Warrior is well deserved of the title, "the Rocky of MMA", its also a unique family drama that tugs at your heartstrings, and will leave you wanting to shed a tear by the end. The performances are top notch from Tom Hardy playing the silent bad ass, to great standout from Nick Nolte, who really deserved his nomination, and possibly the award. If you haven't seen this yet, pick it up, and prepare to feel more for your family.

"With Pleasure..."

4. THE ARTIST

There are few times when I agree with the Oscars, the last two years, they did screw it up. But this year, in my opinion they got it right. In a modern world, filled with HD, surround sound, 3D, and other gimmicks, the Artist manages to entertain much more than any other movie this year. Hazanavicius has pure balls to be able to release a silent movie in this day in age, but what makes it is the performances done by its two leads, and a great story that highlights some things that go on in the modern day entertainment world. The Artist is true art.

If you ever wonder where your dreams come from, look around: this is where they're made"

3. HUGO

When I heard Scorsese was tackling a kids book for his new movie, I was a bit confused. I understood why, he was making a movie his own daughter could watch, but how would this legend of filmmaking would work within a much lighter material then he's use to, boy was I happy. Hugo was a brilliant, well told, love letter to the earlier age of film, and the true magic and illusion of film. It truly was a mystery that I was compelled to watch unfold. The kids are fantastic in their roles (Asa Butterfield is the stand out), and Kingley, in another Scorsese film, puts on a brilliant emotional turn in the third act of this film. Also, if you still have the option, this must be seen in 3D, the opening scene alone has jaw dropping cinematography.

"You can't change your situation. The only thing that you can change is how you choose to deal with it."

2. 50/50

Cancer is no easy task to tackle in a movie. If you to sad and sappy, you might just end up being cliche and preachy, and if you dont take the material seriously, you might just come off offensive. Luckily, the cancer dramedy this year was able to strike the right balance. One moment you'll want laugh your ass off, and the next you'll want to cry, and the movie makes those extremes work with its balance, thats so hard to pull off in a movie like this. With a great comedic turn by Seth Rogen (where he is not that annoying character) and an emotional performance by one of Hollywoods hottest rising stars, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, this movie is a winner.

AND MY PICK FOR BEST FILM OF 2011 .........

"Harry Potter...... the boy who lived......... Come to Die...."

1. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2

Without a doubt, the best film of 2011 was the finale to what has been, a spectacular fantasy film series that grew up with its fans. The Potter fan in me won out when making this list, I couldnt deny the fact that this film was able to balance its great storytelling with it's spectacle and special effects, its proof that big filmmaking for blockbusters can be done well and will not turn out like crap. Say what you want, it may be the other half of the last book, but to me, it stands on its own as a great film, with character development in its third act that will astonish its viewers, and great performances from all its leads, and in particular, Alan Rickman, who was robbed of an Oscar nomination this year. Deathly Hallows Part 2 is a landmark film that will stand the test of time as one of the best fantasy films of all time.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
RANGO (ALMOST MADE MY LIST! GREAT MOVIE)

SOURCE CODE

HORRIBLE BOSSES

THE MUPPETS

THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU

MONEYBALL

And thats my list, SOUND OFF IN THE COMMENTS, let me know what your favorites were (Although, I expect to hear a lot of talk of DRIVE)