2011 wasn’t quite the year in movies that 2010 was. There were a lot of good movies, but not as many really great movies as the year before. What 2011 had that most years don’t was multiple solid entries in the superhero, sci-fi, and action movie genres. The blockbuster summer movies were not just fun to watch this year, they were actually good movies.
So, I was a bit surprised when a lot of those summer movies didn’t make the list, but ended up as honorable mentions instead. If this was a favorite movies of the year list, it would look different. There were also a few movies I’ve been wanting to see but haven’t been able to. So before we start our list, here are a few notable misses of mine from 2011: A Separation, Attack the Block, Beginners, The Ides of March, Margin Call, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Melancholia, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, The Muppets, My Week With Marilyn, Take Shelter, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Win Win
5. 50/50
This is a romantic comedy about getting life-threatening cancer. That sounds like it should be terrible, but it works. There are real moments in the movie that don’t sugarcoat how hard cancer can be; not just for the affected, but for those around them as well. The comedy and romance keep the movie from becoming a depressing melodrama. Cancer is not easy, but the people who care about you can make it bearable. This movie really understands that in a way most other movies don’t.
4. Hugo
This is director Martin Scorsese’s love letter to the movies. The love of the subject really shines through, but there are other reasons the movie works. The 3-D effect is actually used to tell the story visually instead of being just an unnecessary effect. Most importantly though is the love of the characters as well. Every character in the train station has their own story, and even if it’s small one, Scorsese treats it with importance.
3. Drive
This is a spare and minimalist action movie. The audience is only given essential information. The car chases and action scenes are quick and intense. The main character, the Driver, is more iconic than fleshed out. The minimalism is what makes this film better than the loud and overblown summer action flicks. The audience is drawn more into the story and their attention is kept better because there is nothing superfluous. The direction is spot on as well.
2. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
This is everything a sci-fi move could be. It has an interesting, but believable premise. It has great action scenes. It has fun but not too hammy performances by great actors. Most surprisingly, it has three-dimensional characters a viewer actually cares about.
1. The Artist
This movie really blew me away. Director Michel Hazanvicius’s control of film language is unmatched this year. A black and white, silent movie (with music) could have been a massive failure. The narrative is always easy to follow even without the characters speaking. When the sound barrier is broken, it is broken for reason that doesn’t pull you out of the movie. The whole thing feels both modern, yet true to the original silent films at the same time.
The Artist has been criticized as slight, because its main narrative is “just a love story”. But it’s an expertly told romance which features two incredibly appealing characters. And when you think of “great” movies, you think of those moments that stay with you. The Artist has a few of those with the sound nightmare sequence, the disembodied dancing legs, and more. Despite being told silently, this was the most effective story told all year.
Honorable Mention – Arthur Christmas, Bridesmaids, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Descendants, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Midnight in Paris ,Thor, Warrior, X-Men: First Class