1. Drive:
The very best film of the year is Drive. A part exploitation part neo-noir thriller, Drive represents some of the the most distinctive and stylistic pieces of filmaking in the business today. It borrows heavily from many classic European exploitation films, Taxi Driver and Steve McQueen's Bullitt and yet it manages to incorporate them into the film's style without making it seem stale by comparison. Nicolas Winding Refn masterfully directed this film, making each image feel as crisp and emotionally resonant as the next. I was particularly impressed by the way he managed to capture the nightlife of Los Angeles considering that he is a Dane with almost no knowledge of the city. The retro soundtrack whether its "Kavinsky"or "College" and the pink opening titles all managed to infuse a sudden burst of energy to the film and really helped to create the dream-like romantic atmosphere the film has. The performances of the film were also excellent with Ryan Gosling providing a quiet, subtle performance which speaks volumes internally and an excellent, villainous turn by Albert Brooks.
2. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2
While many Potter haters may not agree on this. I for one am completely for this movie, in fact to me this was not just a movie. This was an event. Finally, we got to see the beloved Harry Potter movie series come to an end. And what a finale! This film is easily one of the most satisfying conclusions to a series ever. It's easily the best in the series and the most emotionally resonant. Everything about this movie works, the assured direction from David Yates, the nomination worthy screenplay by Steve Kloves and the wonderful performances by its 3 leads. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have matured so much as actors and have managed to create one of the best friendships ever portrayed on the silver screen. Not to mention stellar work by Ralph Fiennes as the devious Lord Voldemort, Tom Felton as Harry Potter's rival Draco Malfoy and particularly Alan Rickman as Severus Snape who should have been nominated for his performance in this film. With its brilliant set design from Stuart Craig and utterly gorgeous visuals, this is a moving closing chapter to one of the greatest movie series of all time.
3. 50/50
People have to stop calling this brilliant film the "cancer comedy" because its sooooooo much more than that. Joseph Gordon Levitt brilliantly portrays an ordinary guy who gets cancer and tries to cope with the numerous obstacles of his situation. This was just a beautiful movie. From start to finish, the film managed to keep me invested in the characters and had me dying in laughter in several scenes especially one involving Seth Rogan in an art convention.....so what if this movie is about cancer and yet is still hilarious, to me that is the greatest aspect of the movie. You had a great time after seeing it and you feel great after watching it. This movie also had the best script of the year in my opinion which was penned by cancer victim Will Reiser after Seth Rogan convinced him to write a movie about his experience. Plus I left this movie with one of the best movie quotes of 2011. "you can't change your situation but what what you can change is how you choose to deal with it."
4. Hugo
Unlike any other Scorsese film ever made, Hugo will always be remembered as Martin Scorsese's first G rated film. No guns, no blood just plain old movie magic. Not only does Hugo contain the best production design of the year but it also proves itself as the best movie to love the movies this year, the other being The Artist. This film is all about the magic of the movies, cinema and the pioneers of the industry. Directed with great skill by Scorsese and wonderfully acted by Asa Butterfield and Chloe Grace Moretz, Hugo is moving as it is memorable
5.The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
When I think of this film, 2 things come into my head. Gritty and Fincher. This ambitious adaptation of the widely acclaimed Steig Larson books has been praised for many things, including its very impressive production design. Its the haunting performance of Rooney Mara that makes this movie special and of course David Fincher working at his demented best. I for one cannot wait for a possible sequel.
The remaining films:
6. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
7. Moneyball
8.Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
9. The Artist
10. A Separation
11. Super 8
12. Rango
The very best film of the year is Drive. A part exploitation part neo-noir thriller, Drive represents some of the the most distinctive and stylistic pieces of filmaking in the business today. It borrows heavily from many classic European exploitation films, Taxi Driver and Steve McQueen's Bullitt and yet it manages to incorporate them into the film's style without making it seem stale by comparison. Nicolas Winding Refn masterfully directed this film, making each image feel as crisp and emotionally resonant as the next. I was particularly impressed by the way he managed to capture the nightlife of Los Angeles considering that he is a Dane with almost no knowledge of the city. The retro soundtrack whether its "Kavinsky"or "College" and the pink opening titles all managed to infuse a sudden burst of energy to the film and really helped to create the dream-like romantic atmosphere the film has. The performances of the film were also excellent with Ryan Gosling providing a quiet, subtle performance which speaks volumes internally and an excellent, villainous turn by Albert Brooks.
2. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2
While many Potter haters may not agree on this. I for one am completely for this movie, in fact to me this was not just a movie. This was an event. Finally, we got to see the beloved Harry Potter movie series come to an end. And what a finale! This film is easily one of the most satisfying conclusions to a series ever. It's easily the best in the series and the most emotionally resonant. Everything about this movie works, the assured direction from David Yates, the nomination worthy screenplay by Steve Kloves and the wonderful performances by its 3 leads. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have matured so much as actors and have managed to create one of the best friendships ever portrayed on the silver screen. Not to mention stellar work by Ralph Fiennes as the devious Lord Voldemort, Tom Felton as Harry Potter's rival Draco Malfoy and particularly Alan Rickman as Severus Snape who should have been nominated for his performance in this film. With its brilliant set design from Stuart Craig and utterly gorgeous visuals, this is a moving closing chapter to one of the greatest movie series of all time.
3. 50/50
People have to stop calling this brilliant film the "cancer comedy" because its sooooooo much more than that. Joseph Gordon Levitt brilliantly portrays an ordinary guy who gets cancer and tries to cope with the numerous obstacles of his situation. This was just a beautiful movie. From start to finish, the film managed to keep me invested in the characters and had me dying in laughter in several scenes especially one involving Seth Rogan in an art convention.....so what if this movie is about cancer and yet is still hilarious, to me that is the greatest aspect of the movie. You had a great time after seeing it and you feel great after watching it. This movie also had the best script of the year in my opinion which was penned by cancer victim Will Reiser after Seth Rogan convinced him to write a movie about his experience. Plus I left this movie with one of the best movie quotes of 2011. "you can't change your situation but what what you can change is how you choose to deal with it."
4. Hugo
Unlike any other Scorsese film ever made, Hugo will always be remembered as Martin Scorsese's first G rated film. No guns, no blood just plain old movie magic. Not only does Hugo contain the best production design of the year but it also proves itself as the best movie to love the movies this year, the other being The Artist. This film is all about the magic of the movies, cinema and the pioneers of the industry. Directed with great skill by Scorsese and wonderfully acted by Asa Butterfield and Chloe Grace Moretz, Hugo is moving as it is memorable
5.The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
When I think of this film, 2 things come into my head. Gritty and Fincher. This ambitious adaptation of the widely acclaimed Steig Larson books has been praised for many things, including its very impressive production design. Its the haunting performance of Rooney Mara that makes this movie special and of course David Fincher working at his demented best. I for one cannot wait for a possible sequel.
The remaining films:
6. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
7. Moneyball
8.Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
9. The Artist
10. A Separation
11. Super 8
12. Rango
