Top 10 of 2011

This powerfully moving film set in the early 1960s excellently depicts heavy issues around today; women’s rights and racism. The message isn’t harshly directed to its viewers, and the great story is backed up by Oscar-worthy performances from both lead and supporting roles.

A dark comedy, which auteur Mel Gibson uses as an artistic reflection of his own celebrity troubles masked under the subject of depression. The flawless script, tremendous performances and, an unpredictably funny story craft the best film of the year.

An absolutely beautiful film that not only provides a great tribute to the silent film era, but gives a perspective on appreciating the simplicity of past film making, compared to the often senseless, plot lacking, and misusers of CGI today. This is all through "The Artist's" own brilliant story, humorous acting, and clever use of black and white.

This is a dirty film. It's the nightmare of every politician. "The Ides of March" is expertly written and paced to show a dark, cynical side to politics, and filmed in such a way to let the audience decide the fate of these unconnected characters surrounded by falsity.

This critically acclaimed Iranian film consists of a simple story that escalates into complexity with every minute, encompassing all the different characters' sides through strong performances. But that is not the only reason to love this film. The aesthetic of "A Separation" is that its themes are universal, set in a Middle Eastern region dictated by tradition, yet heavily influenced by the western world.

This provocative and compelling film about psychoanalysis is put together superbly by a well-layered script and glorious sets. The cast is solid as well, especially Keira Knightley, whose performance is spectacular, strong, and even frightening.

A dramatic romance put into the sci-fi world contains excellent visual effects that don't attempt to overpower the story which is compelling enough, and is laced with solid onscreen chemistry between the two stars, Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. "The Adjustment Bureau" is the different kind of sci-fi film that we've been waiting for.

The end of the famous decade long saga comes out as the series’ best, with a stable narrative, great cinematography, wonderful visual effects and superb acting. (Ralph Fiennes’ Voldemort steals the show). A pleasing film no matter if the book was read or not.

An amazing film that consists of beautifully sweeping cinematography with a typical (but still well told) "find yourself" story and a great tribute to film in the 1920s.

A highly underrated film of 2011. This compelling drama is eerie, but in a fantastically beautiful way, with great performances, a discomforting, effective score, and one of the best endings of 2011.