Year in Review: The Top 10 Films of 2011
By James Hill III
10. "Source Code"
Directed by Duncan Jones, "Source Code," which hit theaters in April, follows a soldier on a mission to prevent a Chicago train bombing. Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) goes back in time in eight minute sessions and gathers clues each time to identify the bomber and prevent the next attack. On the surface, this science fiction film appeared like many other — mostly bad — time repetition stories. As it turns out, the premise touches on some truly deep military themes.
One of the funniest films I saw all year, "Bridesmaids" is the rare comedy that manages to make noise in the Academy Awards discussion. Directed by Paul Feig and produced by Judd Apatow, the ensemble comedy — led by co-writer Kristen Wiig — follows a ragtag group of women as one makes her way down the aisle. Looking at first glance to be a clone of "The Hangover" with women, "Bridesmaids" turned out to be an uproarious comedy that deserves all of its serious award hype and more.
8. "Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol"
Holiday release "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol" comes in at No. 8 for one simple reason: it is the best pure action film I've seen since 2006's "The Bourne Ultimatum." Star Tom Cruise successfully brought agent Ethan Hunt back to life, and director Brad Bird, known for "The Incredibles" and "Ratatouille," managed to breathe new life into an old franchise, and now takes his place as one of the premier action entertainment directors in America.
7. "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
2011 was a generally good year for book adaptations with four in this list's top seven. December's stylish and excellently made mystery, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," is buoyed by Rooney Mara's stellar lead performance as Lisbeth Salander. Director David Fincher is on a bit of a roll, having directed 2010's "The Social Network" and 2008's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," and "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" is a quality addition to his resume.
6. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2"
Last year's nostalgic "Toy Story 3" managed to bring out a few tears. This year, the film that opened up the tear ducts was David Yates' July blockbuster "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2." Part Two is the culmination of a 12-year book and film series that defined the childhood and adolescence of a generation. As John Williams' familiar theme played for the last time in the film's epilogue, it didn't just signify the end of one of the year's best films; it was the end of an era.
Terrence Malick's limited May release "The Tree of Life" follows Jack (played as an adult by Sean Penn), the eldest son of a Midwestern family in the 1950s, as he navigates a complicated relationship with his father (Brad Pitt). Though often slow and difficult to understand, its filmmaking style and cinematography are unmistakably brilliant, and it features solid performances from its stars. It's not for everyone, but if you can take a more measured, obtuse style of film, "The Tree of Life" is rewarding.
4. "Moneyball"
Directed by Bennett Miller and written by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin, September's "Moneyball," a film with local flair, features a down-to-earth Brad Pitt as Billie Beane, the Oakland A's general manager who reinvents his team and subsequently revolutionizes professional baseball as we know it. Brad Pitt delivers yet another unforgettable performance, and co-writer Sorkin, writer of last year's "The Social Network," delivers another crackling script that has moments of sports grandeur as well as quiet brilliance.
3. "50/50"
"50/50," which hit theaters in September, is a film about a man living with cancer that manages to be both hilarious and poignant. Directed by Jonathan Levine and inspired by writer Will Reiser's own experiences battling cancer. While it features solid performances by Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick and Anjelica Huston, star Joseph Gordon-Levitt truly shines. Gordon-Levitt delivered a satisfying and smile-inducing performance in "(500) Days of Summer," and his performance in "50/50" is even more amazing.
2. "The Artist"
It's easy to write off a black and white silent film as hokey, but current Best Picture favorite, November's French silent film "The Artist," is truly charming at every turn. Written and directed by Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist" follows silent film superstar George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) as his career deteriorates with the emergence of "talkies" in Hollywood 1927. Leads Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo manage to jump off the screen. It may reflect an earlier time, but "The Artist" is perfect in the 21st century.
1. "The Help"
August dramedy "The Help," written and directed by Tate Taylor and based on Kathryn Stockett's novel of the same name, is both one of the year's funniest movies and one of its most moving. Its ensemble cast — featuring Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard and a radiant Viola Davis — never fails to entertain and impress. All give standout performances that deserve to be remembered as some of the year's absolute best. With a shimmering cast, "The Help" never once loses its spark.
Article by James Hill III. Design by Alec Molloy.