It’s a time to reflect on the year that has passed. As we approach what, according to the Mayan calendar, is the year the world will end, we can go safe in the knowledge that 2011 was a good year for film. Slightly reducing the number from last year, I saw 65 films at the cinema. This is a list of the best at worst of those, from 10 (being the 10th best/worst and 1 being, in my opinion, the definitive worst or best film of the year).
Best 10 films of the year
10. Submarine: Richard Ayoade’s (The I.T Crowd) debut film is a rarity as it displays real cinematic flair from someone whose previous background was purely television. A moody and comic exploration into teen angst and first love, the excellent direction and a spot on performance by the unknown Noah Taylor captures the heartache of a teenager’s first love.
9. 50/50: The description of this plot is enough to turn many away, ‘a comedy about cancer staring Seth Rogan and the kid from third rock from the sun.’ However this is fantastic film, equally tragic and comic and demonstrates in an honest and candid fashion the impact cancer can have on someone’s life. Mercifully the film is in no way exploitative and in instead, in every way, enjoyable and moving.
8. Red State: Kevin Smith’s (silent bob) return to the indie scene, this is a brave film about religious terrorism and post 9/11 America. In turns a stoner comedy, a torture horror, a melodrama, a thriller and a nihilistic political statement, somehow Smith pulls it all together. The most unpredictable film I’ve seen in years.
7. 127 Hours: Behind Blue Valentine, this is the most moving film of the year. Causing a friend of mine to faint, and many more to break down into tears, Danny Boyle’s seminal film manages to transcend the screen and put its audience between a rock and a hard place, helped along with a career making performance from James Franco.
6. The Tree of Life: This film has caused more walkouts than the Human Centipede 2, with audiences baffled with its non-linear narrative and meandering ventures into the birth of humanity when they were expecting a Brad Pitt star vehicle. In turns thrilling, tedious and profoundly introspective, it invites the audience to reflect on their life a rare feat for a medium associated with escapism.
5. Rise of the Planet of the Apes: James Franco’s second appearance in this list, only he keeps his arm and hangs out with a CGI monkey (sorry, a Damn Dirty Ape). Restarting a franchise destroyed by sub-par sequels and an awful Tim Burton reboot this was the summer’s most thrilling and constantly engaging film.
4. We need to talk about Kevin: A mother trying to atone for an atrocity committed by her offspring, this film is an intense exploration of grief and shock. Lynne Ramsay brings her art house background to create a hypnotic film and Tilda Swinton’s performance as Kevin’s mother, is the best acting work this year.
3. Blue Valentine: An incredible bleak representation of a broken marriage, this film is almost as deflating as the very act of being dumped. Ryan Gosling and Michele Williams give brave, intimate and very physical performances as the unhappy couple who slowly realise that are in a unworkable relationship. Not one to watch twice, but to experience once.
2. Kill List: The scariest and most surprising film of the year, Kill List is the best British film of the decade, although certainly not for everyone. Two hit men descend into the dark heart of the Sheffield countryside as they try to complete a simple task, kill some people on a list. Incredible unnerving throughout with jet black humor and an ending that provokes eons of analysis and debate it is a must see.
1. Drive: Ryan Gosling speaks with actions not words in this spellbinding film by Danish director Nicholas Refn. A visually stirring amalgamation of violence and emotion it warrants multiple viewings to take everything in. A simple revenge plot leaves room for stellar direction and the best soundtrack in recent memory. On paper, it sounds like a direct to DVD thriller, when it fact it is the best film of the year! See it.
Honorable Mentions:
The Guard, Hanna, Midnight in Paris, Black Swan, True Grit, Insidious, Super, Super 8, The inbetweeners.
Worst 10 of the year
10. Tinker, Tailor, Solder Spy: Despite universal critical acclaim, I found the film well directed, superbly acted but all together rather dull. Sorry.
9. In Time: An interesting concept, set in the future where time is used as currency. However it quickly decends into incredible dull action sequences and Bonnie and Clyde style bank heists. Unacceptably lazy direction
8. Final Destination 5: Déjà vu for the fourth time as the horror franchise recycles the plot and even the set ups. Considering the fourth film was called, ‘The final Destination’, it appears 3D is breathing new life into this increasingly stale series
7. The Adjustment Bureau: Plot holes aplenty in this bizarre romantic sci-fi, lacking any chemistry between its stars Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, and the most boring chase sequences ever filmed.
6. New York I Love You: Along with Valentines Day and New Years Eve, this is a series of dull stories, when even those lasting five minutes feel stretch beyond their running time.
5. Transformers: Dark of the Moon: Michael Bay continues his assault on cinema. Somehow, the third installment is longer, louder and more stupid than the first two, and this time it was in migraine inducing 3D! Enough already.
4. Your Highness: A medieval stoner comedy completely devoid of laughs. Even James Franco and Natalie Portman cannot save this.
3. Cowboys and Aliens: This film has Cowboys…and Aliens….and they fight. Whoever wins between the two the audience loose.
2. Battle Los Angeles: Oooo look more aliens, this time fighting US Marines. Noisy and ugly, the camera doesn’t stop shaking throughout but cannot mask the lack of plot or excitement.
1. The Hangover Part 2: The first one was ok, the second one recycles the same spirit and mixes them with shots of xenophobia and homophobia making a cinematic cocktail that could induce vomiting. Rubbish!
Let me know if you agree or disagree and happy film watching!
