Top 10 Films of 2011

Sorry this is being posted so late but the end of 2011 saw the release of so many great films that it became difficult (and expensive) to keep up with everything. To this day there are still a dozen films I would've loved to have seen before creating my list but that would've put this release somewhere in mid to late February, something for my own sake I wanted to avoid. 2011 for me is the year of Cannes as 6 out of the 10 films came out of the festival (1 being not from this past year's festial but 2010's). Many people criticize festival president Gilles Jacobs for his selections but I think the success of this year's selection shows that he has a true eye for wonderful cinema. But enough of that, onto the list:

10. Midnight In Paris

Simply put, Allen's best work. The film is so unlike any other film that you never know what's around each corner but there in lies the joy of the film. You never want Owen Wilson's character to leave and to explore every alleyway in Allen's Paris.

9. Abel

Actor Diego Luna's first foray into directing was vastly overlooked by audiences. Young Christopher Ruiz-Esparza's portrayal of a psychologically damaged boy who wakes up believing that he is his mother's middle aged husband is both hilarious and heartbreaking and his ability to flip the switch on an instant shows that he has a successful acting career ahead of him.

8. Melancholia

There is no director out there like Lars Von Trier and each of his films is an absolute treat. Each frame of "Melancholia" could be frozen and sold as a beautiful photograph. The cast, including the usually dull Dunst, is on top of their game and Trier's opening slow motion sequence even outdoes his previous work in the supurb "Anti-Christ."

7. The Muppets

"The Muppets" shows that just like Pixar's recent work that just because a film is mainly for children that it doesn't have to be devoid of life and heart. Like a fine win "The Muppets" is a complex work where with each sip (on in this case scene) just gets better and better. The Muppets might have been out of the limelight for some time now, but for the first time they are showing that beneath the felt is something they've hidden all these years: heart.

6. Moneyball

To call this film a baseball movie isn't doing it justice. This exquisitely crafted underdog story is raised up even higher from wonderful performances by Pitt and Hoffman and surprisingly strong performances by both Hill and "Parks and Recreation" star Chris Pratt.

5. Hugo

Only Scorsese would use a children's film as his grand opus on the birth of cinema and the need for its preservation. Seeing some of cinema's earliest masterpieces in stunning clarity on the big screen is a treat and truly moving. The fact that Scorsese is exposing so many young viewers, and surely their parents, to these timeless moments in cinema for the first time demands recognition and praise.

4. The Artist

Michel Hazanavicius' love story to the silver screen and Hollywood during it's biggest revolution is nothing short of a masterpiece. The fact that a near-silent black and white foreign film was able to get as strong of a release as this got in 2011 is a testament to just how wonderful "The Artist" truly is.

3. The Skin I Live In

Almodovar's modern Frankenstein is a triller in it's purist form with an unforgettable twist. Antonio Banderas' performance as a doctor working on a breakthrough skin treatment is haunting as is the beautiful Elena Anaya's as his patient. Almodovar throws you into his world and he doesn't let you come up for air until the credits roll.

2. Martha Marcy May Marlene

"Martha" is one of those films that will leave you speechless. It's difficult to express it's power over the audience. John Hawkes performance as a charismatic leader of a cult is so believable that one could believe that at times this film is more of a documentary than a work of fiction. Elizabeth Olsen's breakout performance as one of the cult's followers is chilling at times and sympathetic at others.

1. Shame

Michael Fassbender' as a man struggling with his sex addiction is haunting and this year's best performance. With just a glance into the camera the audience can feel his guilt and his helplessness. Harry Escott's score compliments the stunning visuals and creates a perfect storm of fear, hopelessness, and, yet above all else, beauty.

And there you go. I hope you liked it and as always, I'm always up to hear your thoughts on these and other films that might not have made my list.

Worst Of 2011*

As always I must point out *that I've seen. The upside of not being an actual critic is that I'm not forced into seeing films like "I Don't Know How She Does It" or "Green Lantern." However, there's always a few that slip through the cracks. And of those films, here's the top 5 of the bottom 5.

5. Restless

Gus Van Sant has finally gone too far with his mopey teen angst stint of recent years. This film lacks any form of charm or enjoyability. You can tell Mia Wasikowska is doing her best to prop up the film but a devoid of everything performance by Henry Hopper dooms this film to failure.

4. 30 Minutes or Less

The prospect of another film by the filmmaker behind 2009's "Zombieland" was a good one. Unfortunately this film has nothing going for it. It has no laughs, no suspense, no nothing. Even the blooper reel doesn't have any laughs in it.

3. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

The Pirates franchise started out on such a great note. Unfortunately, with each new entry that note gets more and more sour. In the forth installment, Johnny Depp is completely dialing it in and Captain Jack Sparrow is now just a hallowed out shell. Even the fresh faces don't have anything to add. There is one scene involving mermaids that was a treat but that's it. The only thing keeping this film from reaching #1 on this list is Geoffrey Rush who is as much of a delight in this outing as he ever was, if not more.

2. Happythankyoumoreplease

It's a good thing that this film didn't get a wider release because is spared many audiences from sitting through an excruciating film about twenty somethings moping around wishing they were something they'll never be all while trying so desperately hard to be a Woody Allen film.

1. Cave of Forgotten Dreams

It's a shame that this will most likely be the masses only chance to get an inside look at the Chauvet Caves because every aspect of this film has been completely tarnished by Herzog. The interviews often have little to do with anything pertaining to the film. Herzog's narration is nothing but non sequitur ponderings and more so than any of his previous films which says a lot. And finally there is the 3D. This documentary should stand the test of time as a perfect example of what not to do in conversions. There is gradient in the depth. There is the flat background and then there is a crude cut out of whatever is popping out of the screen. It is more like looking at an oversized pop up book than a 3D film. I caught this film at it's premiere at the Berlin film festival which means I paid nothing to see it. I still feel like I got ripped off. Is it too much to ask to have Herzog make an enjoyable documentary or film of any format for that matter?

Best of 2011: Albums

First off, welcome to my new blog. Unfortunately, with the advent of iCloud my MobileMe site has to go away. Hopefully choosing Blogger was the right decision.

Now, onto what you really care about. I know I usually post a top 10 for my best albums, but to be honest, I couldn't come up with a solid 10 so this year I'll be highlighting my top 5 of the year.

5. Florence + The Machines - "Ceremonials"

Key Track: "Shake It Out"

4. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - "Belong"

Key Track: "The Body"

3. The Naked and Famous - "Passive Me, Aggressive You"

Key Track: "Punching in A Dream"

2. Explosions in the Sky - "Take Care, Take Care, Take Care"

Key Track: "Human Qualities"

1. Bon Iver - "Bon Iver"

Key Track: "Perth"
Bonus Key Track: "Holocene"