I'm just going to say this upfront: 2011 was not a great year for movies.
Don't get me wrong, I saw a lot of good movies this year. Some were even very good. But great is really pushing it. I can't imagine going back and watching even my top three movies on this years list as much as I have my three favorites from last year: "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World", "Inception" and "The Social Network". That's not to say there weren't stand outs this year. So for the few of you who actually care, I give you my top 10 (okay, I cheated; there's 12, and you'll see why) movies of 2011. By the way this entry was written while listening to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross's stellar, atmospheric soundtrack to "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", my pick for soundtrack of the year even if the movie failed to crack my top 12 (though it was close.) Here we go...
10. "Contagion"
If there's one thing Steven Soderbergh does well, its assemble a compelling all-star cast who brings their A-game, and then tell a great story with them. ("Traffic" and "Ocean's Eleven" are other great examples of this.) "Contagion" is a fantastically well-made, this-could-happen story that isn't afraid to show the darkest side of contagious disease (including the fact that even the heroes are vulnerable), while making the very emotional human elements seem that much less cheesy in the process.
9. "Captain America: The First Avenger"
Few would argue that 2011 was "the year of the superhero movie". And while many of them were so-so at best ("Thor"), or very pretty messes at worst ("Green Lantern"), the one that stood above them all was the one least like any of the others before or since. "Captain America" could have just been more ramp-up for 2012's highly anticipated "Avengers" movie; instead it took arguably the least interesting member of the crew and made him the centerpiece of a good old-fashioned WWII adventure flick. The good guys are virtuous but just flawed enough, the bad guys unmistakably evil, and the love interest is both disarmingly beautiful (there was an audible gasp from every man in the theater when she showed up in the red dress) and take no prisoners tough. "Captain America" is refreshingly retro and a whole lot of fun.
8. "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"/"Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol"/"Fast Five"
A movie (note I did not say film) need not always be a sweeping artistic statement or emotional motivator. Sometimes, it just needs to be about two hours of solid entertainment, with a simple but intriguing plot that pays just enough (but not much) heed to the laws of physics and common sense. The three movies listed here all deserve equal mention because simply put, they nailed it. Each was a fantastic example of pure popcorn action, with plenty of dazzling, loud, exciting sequences between them. Whether it was Tom Cruise scaling the world's largest building with literally one hand, a thrilling chase through the streets of Rio de Janeiro, or the nearly complete destruction of the city of Chicago (the year's best action sequence in a close race), there was no shortage of good over the top mindless action in 2011.
7. "The Muppets"
I have to confess that "Transformers" earned a slot here largely for nostalgic reasons. The same can be said for "The Muppets", though there are so many other reasons why Kermit and company deserve to be here. It's simply sweet, good-natured, feel-good comedy that knows it doesn't need to stoop to negativity or cheap innuendo to keep the audience following. The tone is absolutely spot on, while the songs (many written by Jemaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords) fit in seamlessly. "The Muppets" is the Muppets done right.
6. "Midnight in Paris"
Believe it or not I don't think I have ever seen another Woody Allen film in its entirety, so I judge "Midnight in Paris" on its own merits. And what it is transcends the stifling "romantic comedy" label and becomes something much more. It is a sweet, heartfelt fantasy that, by the time it reveals itself as the cautionary tale about living in the past that it is, has already got you fully invested in Owen Wilson's character and his adventures living his wildest daydreams. "Midnight in Paris" is a true feel good movie.
5. "Moneyball"
Purists may balk at exactly how "true" this story is, just as they'd argue whether sabermetrics undermine the game of baseball. But true or otherwise, this depiction of Oakland A's general manager Billy Beene and his revolutionary system of building a team based on once-obscure statistics is riveting even if you don't know--or care--about baseball. Brad Pitt's typically charismatic performance, Aaron' Sorkin's signature snappy dialogue and some particularly heartfelt flashbacks to Beene's own ill-fated MLB career make "Moneyball" far more interesting, and even exciting, than a movie about baseball statistical analysis has any right to be.
4. "50/50"
While we're on the subject of "true story" movies, this one in particular, about a talented young writer and his dealings with cancer, was shamefully underseen. It is that rare movie that is hilariously raunchy one minute and genuinely moving the next, and is never unrealistic or over the top in being so. Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives what is in my opinion the year's best performance (yeah, I said it: better than Brad Pitt), heading up a talented cast that rises to the occasion and makes a fantastic story even better. Do not miss this movie when it finally comes out on DVD.
3. "Hugo"
"Hugo" is a movie for people who love movies. Like, LOVE movies. And not just love, but respect the history of, going back to the earliest days of the cinema. Every scene, every performance,every set piece is a thing of beauty, seamlessly weaving the story of film making pioneer George Meilies into a heartwarming story about friendship and discovery. All of this plus arguably the best use of live action 3D to date from Martin Scorcese, who certainly knows a thing or two about film making himself. If you can still find a theater showing it in 3D, make the trip immediately and experience it for yourself.
2. "Attack The Block"
"Attack The Block" is everything a great sci-fi action horror comedy should be, at about 3/4 of the running time and 1/10 of the budget. This British import about a gang of hooligan South London teens who must defend their "block" (think low income housing project) against mysterious but deadly alien invaders is a fully formed cult classic and one of the most purely fun movie experiences in years. Its characters are realistic and multi-dimensional, its message is never heavy-handed, and the excitement and tension build to a thrilling climax at an exhilarating pace. "Attack The Block" is quite possibly the most purely fun movie of this year.
1. "Bridesmaids"
This movie was dismissed very early on as a "female 'Hangover'", with even its advertising emphasizing the movie's raunchy hard-R-rated humor (of which there is plenty.) What it didn't always show was the kind of movie "Bridesmaids" actually was, exposing how truly inaccurate the comparison is. At its heart "Bridesmaids" is a very relatable story about taking the next step in life and friendship, and how to move on and discover what your own individual path is. Sure, it's often catch-your-breath hilarious (particularly Melissa McCarthy, who owns every scene she appears in even without saying a word), but the heart on display in every scene of this movie put it head and shoulders above the rest of this year's offerings. Without a doubt the year's best movie by any definition of the word.
This completes my list of the best of what 2011 had to offer at the movies. Feel free to disagree with any or every item on this list; after all, it is entirely a matter of personal preference. While this year the truly great offerings may have been sparse, the quality of them made up for it. We can only hope that 2012 is an equally rewarding year at the movies, if not more so.
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