Favorite Films (2011)
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- DirectorAsghar FarhadiStarsPayman MaadiLeila HatamiSareh BayatA married couple are faced with a difficult decision - to improve the life of their child by moving to another country or to stay in Iran and look after a deteriorating parent who has Alzheimer's disease.Surely the best foreign feature I have seen in years, and my favorite film this year. It explores gender, religion, class and family, and how effortlessly they can be divided. The film is so easy to relate with here in America, that it will surprise people that the film is from Iran, our political "enemy." A Separation starts out as a drama, pivots into a thriller, and ends with the audience reflecting on the value of honesty. The film resonates in your mind long after you've seen it, and that in my opinion, is what defines a great film.
- DirectorMichel HazanaviciusStarsJean DujardinBérénice BejoJohn GoodmanWhen George, a silent movie superstar, meets Peppy Miller, a dancer, sparks fly between the two. However, after the introduction of talking pictures, their fortunes change, affecting their dynamic.Ironically, this film left me speechless. The Artist is daring in its attempt to create a contemporary silent film for a generation with the attention span of a squirrel. For someone who has seen plenty of silent films with Buster Keaton, Douglas Fairbanks and Lon Chaney, this has many of the flourishes that made those films great long ago. The film follows similar plots seen in Singin' in the Rain and Sunset Boulevard of silent actors becoming obsolete because of the talkies. With captivating performances from two unknown leads and direction that used the absence of sound to clever and thrilling usage, The Artist is a feast for the senses.
- DirectorAlexander PayneStarsGeorge ClooneyShailene WoodleyAmara MillerA land baron tries to reconnect with his two daughters after his wife is seriously injured in a boating accident.Alexander Payne adapts an original story of grief, guilt and forgiveness focused around a family. George Clooney plays a husband who finds out his wife was having an affair after the fact that she now lays comatose in the hospital. As she withers away, the family travels the islands of Hawaii in pursuit of the man at fault but find out much more about themselves. That is what makes The Descendants an incredible film is how even as they struggle hopelessly to make sense of their suffering, when they finally stop trying, do they become tranquil human beings.
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsOwen WilsonRachel McAdamsKathy BatesWhile on a trip to Paris with his fiancée's family, a nostalgic screenwriter finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920s every day at midnight.As a hopeful romantic, there was much to love in Woody Allen's best film since Hannah and Her Sisters. It made time travel work in ways that was much more fluid without becoming a gimmick. With appearances from cultural figures from the 1920s, it will be very entertaining for anyone well immersed in the era. The film works for those unfamiliar with that set time too though, as it explores our desire for past times when really we should be making the most out of the present. Allen takes full advantage of the French setting and adds intelligent insight for the audience to relate with in their own lives.
- DirectorJames BobinStarsAmy AdamsJason SegelChris CooperA Muppet fanatic with some help from his 2 human compatriots must regroup the Muppet gang to stop an avaricious oil mogul from taking down one of their precious life-longing treasures.Too good to be true. The Muppets have returned to pure unadulterated form here. Everything in the film breathes life into characters that were absent for far too long. Bret McKenzie pens Oscar-worthy numbers like "Life's a Happy Song" and "Pictures in My Head." By the time Kermit pulled out the banjo for "Rainbow Connection" this viewer was channeling childhood memories. Jason Segal, who wrote and stars in the film, was completely on key with The Muppets. The film showcases the vibrant and playful imagination that made these felt heads a hit in the first place. All of us under their spell, we know that its probably magic. Thank you Mr. Henson, sleep easy.
- DirectorNicolas Winding RefnStarsRyan GoslingCarey MulliganBryan CranstonA mysterious Hollywood action film stuntman gets in trouble with gangsters when he tries to help his neighbor's husband rob a pawn shop while serving as his getaway driver.The film that will have people talking about years from now will be Drive. It is just as polished as the cars it carries. The synthpop music was an abstract choice but it goes hand in hand with Nicholas Winding Refn's talented direction. Refn jump started film noir with quite a kick in this latest feature that shows us the choices that drive people and the choices that drive them away. Albert Brooks pays off as one hell of a mobster too. I can't recommend it to everyone, as the ultraviolence can be hard to view, but if you can get through the elevator scene, the rest is a cake walk. Also, not only is it nice to see homage to Walter Hill films but Drive carries philosophical weight with clear correlation to Aesop's fable The Scorpion and the Frog.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsAsa ButterfieldChloë Grace MoretzChristopher LeeIn 1931 Paris, an orphan living in the walls of a train station gets wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.A smart family feature that is so familiar for something unlike any other film. The cinematography is truly something worth mentioning and the characters really stand out, regardless of whether you paid to view it in 3D. Martin Scorsese is a master of the craft and Hugo continues to display that. It indeed helps that the young cast shines too. I'd also like to note how well the context of the film is very self-reflexive, as we sit watching magically movie making about the magic of the movies.
- DirectorAki KaurismäkiStarsAndré WilmsBlondin MiguelJean-Pierre DarroussinWhen an African boy arrives by cargo ship in the port city of Le Havre, an aging shoe shiner takes pity on the child and welcomes him into his home.The laughs roll in with Kaurismäki's subtle gem that enchants. The D.P. uses the gorgeous setting to paint a portrait, and the plot is much more emotionally potent compared to past work in the director's filmography. For anyone looking for a film that manages to make you smile without trying, check this out when you can.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsJamie BellAndy SerkisDaniel CraigIntrepid reporter Tintin and Captain Haddock set off on a treasure hunt for a sunken ship commanded by Haddock's ancestor.A tour-de-force of visuals and action, Tintin ushers in a revolutionary uncharted realm in animation. Spielberg brings Herge's acclaimed graphic novels to new dimensions with the look of something we've never seen. Far surpassing previous endeavors in mo-cap technology, Tintin is the animated feature of the year in my mind. Sadly, I must admit for someone unfamiliar with the comics, Spielberg spends little time on character development, but for someone who grew up reading Tintin, I was a few steps ahead.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsDaniel CraigRooney MaraChristopher PlummerJournalist Mikael Blomkvist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for 40 years by young computer hacker Lisbeth Salander.It wasn't surprising that Hollywood would look to bank in on Stieg Larsson's cultural hit. Thankfully, David Fincher was attached to make the project more than just mainstream. The subject matter matched Fincher's dark storytelling and bleak aesthetics. With a powerhouse performance by newcomer Rooney Mara, the film becomes equally relevant to the novel as the Swedish version. Just add this to Fincher's list of modern masterpieces.
- DirectorAsif KapadiaStarsAyrton SennaReginaldo LemeJohn BisignanoA documentary on Brazilian Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna, who won the F1 world championship three times before his death at age 34.A thoroughly entertaining documentary from start to finish. The pacing is so well put that by the time you reach the credits you will wish there was more. It was very relieving to be put in the driver's seat, so to speak, than just being informed by talking heads. Senna looks at the passion, competition, and commitment in F1 racing and the costly decisions one makes when striving to become first.
- DirectorJeff NicholsStarsMichael ShannonJessica ChastainShea WhighamPlagued by a series of apocalyptic visions, a young husband and father questions whether to shelter his family from a coming storm, or from himself.Director, and writer, Jeff Nichols evokes the same suspense seen in Hitchcock's best work. Take Shelter ultimately thrives on the brink between buildup and utter chaos. This taunt thriller is beautifully executed and Michael Shannon's gripping performance will surprise viewers. Fear is the driving force for most of humanity, whether we choose to admit it or not, and in this spellbinding tale of dread, fear comes full circle.
- DirectorBennett MillerStarsBrad PittRobin WrightJonah HillOakland A's general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to assemble a baseball team on a lean budget by employing computer-generated analysis to acquire new players.The film is a curveball to the average film about baseball. Moneyball reminds us how the game is only a sport to the fans, for everyone involved, it means so much more. While Billy Beane may be the heart of the feature, emotional ties are met when we see players being reduced to stats and numbers, traded when they become outdated. This behind the scenes look at America's greatest past time is realistic in its aesthetics, script and acting. Kudos to Jonah Hill for showing audiences that he isn't just a movie of the week.
- DirectorLars von TrierStarsKirsten DunstCharlotte GainsbourgKiefer SutherlandTwo sisters find their already strained relationship challenged as a mysterious new planet threatens to collide with Earth.Nihilism, the religion of provocateur Lars Von Trier. In his dark fairytale about the end of the world, which makes for a great antithesis to Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life, he shows stunning visuals to make destruction quite beautiful. As disliked as he is in the film industry, I really enjoyed this work for his strong aesthetics and bravado performance from Kirsten Dunst. In what Lars Von Trier was trying to achieve with his film, I would say he hit his mark.
- DirectorTerrence MalickStarsBrad PittSean PennJessica ChastainThe story of a family in Waco, Texas in 1956. The eldest son witnesses the loss of innocence and struggles with his parents' conflicting teachings.I had the most anticipation for Terrence Malick's latest work. Easily the most ambitious film to be released this year. Starting from the cosmos to a 1950s middle-class family in Texas, the film proposes how everything is one. Patience is a virtue in regards to the average movie goer, but for those looking for a high concept film, this is it. Plenty of symbolism involved from fire, water, and the earth itself, I enjoyed breaking down the film more than anything. There is no question that the film is a bit flawed when thinking about what exactly Malick was truly aiming at but this still testifies that he is a remarkable visionary. The best part about Terrence Malick is that he produces real pieces of art, in that some get it and some don't.
- DirectorSean DurkinStarsElizabeth OlsenSarah PaulsonJohn HawkesHaunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia, a damaged woman struggles to re-assimilate with her family after fleeing an abusive cult.It's a shame that Elizabeth Olsen may not be recognized for such a harrowing performance in Martha Marcy May Marlene. The film was edited with a keen eye to juxtapose Martha's life on the combine and her life outside with her sister. To reinforce horror into the well-structured story, John Hawkes plays the deranged patriarch of the cult Martha has entangled with where ethics are picked apart and rearranged.
- DirectorWerner HerzogStarsWerner HerzogJean ClottesJulien MonneyWerner Herzog gains exclusive access to film inside the Chauvet caves of Southern France and captures the oldest known pictorial creations of humanity.Right from the start do we understand the privalege of the film, not only are the cave paintings rare to witness but Werner Herzog helmed this trek into our paleolithic past. Since Herzog can make any subject fascinating with his enamored narration that embodies all of his documentaries, this is more of the good stuff. I also hear from friends that the 3D makes the experience even more engaging. I feel that anyone intrigued by well-made documentaries will find something to like either way.
- DirectorSteve McQueenStarsMichael FassbenderCarey MulliganJames Badge DaleA sex addict's carefully cultivated private life falls apart after his sister arrives for an indefinite stay.Michael Fassbender gives a shattering performance in Shame, that denies all other actors of worthy competition come Oscar season, I mean the man has had plenty of roles up there. This NC-17 film is navigated by Indie legend Steve McQueen, probably not who you're thinking of, showing us some unique aesthetics to help set the abysmal tone of the story. Introducing us to characters who can be eerily relatable at times, this film won't be one to forget, no matter how hard one tries.
- DirectorJason ReitmanStarsCharlize TheronPatrick WilsonPatton OswaltSoon after her divorce, a fiction writer returns to her home in small-town Minnesota, looking to rekindle a romance with her ex-boyfriend who is now happily married and has a newborn daughter.I remember leaving the theater in shock. No comedy this year dared the tightrope of subversive, dark humor like Jason Reitman's Young Adult. A film that will have you laughing at subjects you shouldn't laugh about. Diablo Cody has created characters that stay with you, which is also thanks in part by the surprisingly great chemistry between Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt. Every scene with the two is comic gold, and both deserve recognition for their roles. Charlize, in particular, plays Mavis Gary, a delusional, psychotic alcoholic who will leave you scarred. Much like Drive, the film is not for everyone. However, if you like your comedy black, then this one should not be missed.
- DirectorTono ErrandoJavier MariscalFernando TruebaStarsEman Xor OñaLimara MenesesMario GuerraChico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unites them, but their journey - in the tradition of the Latin ballad, the bolero - brings heartache and torment.This sexy, soulful animated tale is the right mixed drink for adults who want animation aimed for them. With visuals that embark through Havana, New York, Las Vegas, Hollywood and Paris, the film strikes the right note by accompanying spicy jazz alongside the colorful journey of adoration between two conflicted lovers. The film was released last year to select theaters but now makes its way to the red, white, and blue. Curious to see if it will pick up some awards a year later.
- DirectorJohn Michael McDonaghStarsBrendan GleesonDon CheadleMark StrongAn unorthodox Irish policeman with a confrontational personality is partnered with an uptight F.B.I. agent to investigate an international drug-smuggling ring.This is quite a hilarious Irish film. The Guard not only packs an intricate punch but the style is very welcome. Gleeson makes the lead role his own and takes it to the streets in a gritty, lurid tale of cheating the system.
- DirectorJ.C. ChandorStarsZachary QuintoStanley TucciKevin SpaceyFollows the key people at an investment bank over a 24-hour period during the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis.A top-notch political drama that tackles the 2008 crisis with sharp dialogue and direction that exceeds expectations. Great performances all around the table doesn't hurt the film either, of course, Kevin Spacey can always pull off a good business head. Little buzz has been mentioned about Margin Call but after so much exposure on the collapse, this is far from escapism most audiences look for. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a fact-based bite at Wall Street!
- DirectorJames MarshStarsNim ChimpskyStephanie LaFargeHerbert TerraceTells the story of a chimpanzee taken from its mother at birth and raised like a human child by a family in a brownstone on the upper West Side in the 1970s.An intriguing look at nature versus nurture that should not be ignored. The film takes an in-depth look at a scientific endeavor during the 1970s which involved teaching a chimp sign language and how far it could act human. From the director of the astounding Man on Wire, comes an arresting documentary about how far science will go, no matter what the risks may be or what damage may be delivered.
- DirectorJoe CornishStarsJohn BoyegaJodie WhittakerAlex EsmailA teen gang in South London defend their block from an alien invasion.The film blends rich British humor with B-movie action to deliver a product in the same rankings as Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead. For any fan of those Brit flicks, this sci-fi revision is a must. Attack the Block is extremely energetic and the film will garner cult status, no doubt. Not only does the film perfectly bash the overblown genre that is the alien invasion but it offers a look at race and class in the inner city.
- DirectorJonathan LevineStarsJoseph Gordon-LevittSeth RogenAnna KendrickInspired by a true story, a comedy centered on a 27-year-old guy who learns of his cancer diagnosis and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease.Written by Will Reiser, a cancer survivor, the script sets off with a warm cast. Gordon-Levitt along with Gosling are far and away the two best young actors working today. The audience will transcend between the highs and lows, laughs and tears with someone coping with stage 4 cancer. Seth Rogen, well, plays Seth Rogen. He's buddy buddy and his friendship with Levitt is very believable. It seems like the subject matter would have been harder to balance but director Jonathan Levine handles 50/50 with finesse.
- DirectorMike MillsStarsEwan McGregorChristopher PlummerMélanie LaurentA young man is rocked by two announcements from his elderly father: that he has terminal cancer and that he has a young male lover.This quaint piece of film is easily likable. Mike Mills continues to be a promising player in the world of Indie film making. The characters are perfectly cast but the one worth keeping your eye on is Christopher Plummer, who steals nearly every scene. The film offers little more than typical existentialism but its creative enough not to become forgettable.
- DirectorJean-Loup FelicioliAlain GagnolStarsDominique BlancBernadette LafontBruno SalomoneIn Paris, a cat who lives a secret life as a cat burglar's aide must come to the rescue of Zoe, the little girl he lives with, after she falls into a gangster's clutches.The film lights up the skyline of Paris with mischievous visuals to suit this child's film noir very well. The best cell-animated film this year, I highly recommend to any avid fan of golden-age animation. At times, you wish the movie explored more of the darker themes of the story they seem to only dabble. Still, there is no question that it shall be a hit in the United States just as it shook up the Berlin Film Festival awhile back.
- DirectorTate TaylorStarsViola DavisEmma StoneOctavia SpencerAn aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960s decides to write a book detailing the African American maids' point of view on the white families for which they work, and the hardships they go through on a daily basis.Here it is, the "feel-good" film of the year. With a divine cast anchored by Viola Davis, The Help will leave you emotionally drained. Crafting lively set and costume design, the cinematography is purely prismatic. The only disappointment with The Help is that the film seems to sugarcoat some of the racial indifference during the 1960s, replacing the provocation with more mainstream appeal. This is just a minor set back to what is still a pleasing tale that I don't recommend you miss.
- DirectorStephen J. AndersonDon HallStarsJim CummingsCraig FergusonJohn CleeseWhile searching for honey, Pooh and his friends embark on an adventure to find Eeyore's missing tail and rescue Christopher Robin from an unknown monster called The Backson.The Hundred Acre Woods has not looked this beautiful in years. When nearly every animated film is popping at us in three dimensions, it is refreshing to find Pooh and company in authentic cell animated form that we grew to love. The film's length is short but sweet as honey because one will leave the theater relishing in the nostalgia. Although the script is basically aiming at children exclusively, this new Pooh adventure harkens back to the beginning of its storytelling aesthetics which is quite enjoyable. Oh, by the way, it has an original song by Zooey Deschanel called "So Long" that fits the film like an oven mitt on Pooh's noggin.
- DirectorGore VerbinskiStarsJohnny DeppIsla FisherTimothy OlyphantRango is an ordinary chameleon who accidentally winds up in the town of Dirt, a lawless outpost in the Wild West in desperate need of a new sheriff.Now the story of Rango is a familiar one, no doubt about that, but the way its told is simply hilarious. A film that the children will love for the visuals but the adults for the number of references ranging from Chinatown to Sergio Leone. The characters are very detailed and the style is sharper than most animated fare. Not to mention the voice acting is worthwhile in comparison to the other favorites on the list. ILM has created an eccentric acid western that seems to be the frontrunner for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars. If it wins, its well worth it.
- DirectorDavid YatesStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintHarry, Ron, and Hermione search for Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes in their effort to destroy the Dark Lord as the final battle rages on at Hogwarts.It's the end. To think how far this franchise has come from the beginning is amazing. I will always enjoy the novels far more than the movies but the last few have been great. David Yates knew what audiences wanted and delivered a magical conclusion. The young actors have obviously improved since their start and their future looks bright. Looking back at the whole series, The Prisoner of Azkaban will always be my personal favorite but Part 2 was still a delightful capper to the series.
- DirectorRichard AyoadeStarsCraig RobertsSally HawkinsPaddy Considine15-year-old Oliver Tate has two objectives: to lose his virginity before his next birthday, and to extinguish the flame between his mother and an ex-lover who has resurfaced in her life.Oh, to be young and awkward. Submarine is coming of age territory seen in plenty of great Indies but if done right, as is the case with this little feature, keep them coming. The plot is an easy diversion into bombast hilarity. However, the plot is not where the film wins appraise. It is the direction of Richard Ayoade who sets the Indie apart from others. He plays with a witty blend of aesthetics and humor where Mike Mills' Beginners did not, even when it had the opportunity.
- DirectorDavid CronenbergStarsMichael FassbenderKeira KnightleyViggo MortensenA look at how the intense relationship between Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud gives birth to psychoanalysis.David Cronenberg has created yet another work that descends into the human psyche, where the weaknesses of the characters ironically make his films stronger. Much like The Fly, Videodrome, and A History of Violence, the archetypes test their boundaries by seeing just how far is too far. Although Cronenberg can do better and has, the film makes quality entertainment out of this historical fiction. Howard Shore, the composer, creates haunting music here that makes the film all the more compelling.
- DirectorRupert WyattStarsJames FrancoAndy SerkisFreida PintoA substance designed to help the brain repair itself gives advanced intelligence to a chimpanzee who leads an ape uprising.For someone not too big on CGI, I was floored by the quality seen in Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Of course, when CGI and Andy Serkis come together, you should expect to be dazzled this time around. One can't help but love the franchise references hinted in the film, and the tricky camerawork by second time director Rupert Wyatt. Here's to the future of what looks to be Hollywood's new moneymaker.
- DirectorGeorge ClooneyStarsPaul GiamattiGeorge ClooneyPhilip Seymour HoffmanAn idealistic staffer for a new presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail.Phenomenal acting on all fronts, The Ides of March doesn't dish out any new thoughts on political campaigning and the people behind them. What it does well is reinforce these ideas to simply make an entertaining film, agreeable material that plays it safe for both parties. It doesn't offer anything substantial in ways that made Primary Colors or Frost/Nixon so momentous but it is worth seeing for anyone interested in the thought-process of campaigning and the media.
- DirectorPaul FeigStarsKristen WiigMaya RudolphRose ByrneCompetition between the maid of honor and a bridesmaid, over who is the bride's best friend, threatens to upend the life of an out-of-work pastry chef.Don't believe the hype. Its a great film with some very funny moments but some people make it out to be the greatest thing since sliced bread. The cast is fun and who doesn't love Kirsten Wiig's comedic presence. It was also great for the film to point out that in the world of raunchy comedies, women can be just as outrageous, if not more so, than men.
- DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsJames McAvoyMichael FassbenderJennifer LawrenceIn the 1960s, superpowered humans Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr work together to find others like them, but Erik's vengeful pursuit of an ambitious mutant who ruined his life causes a schism to divide them.At this point, I'm pretty sure Michael Fassbender can do anything. James McAvoy and him rejuvenate the dieing X-Men franchise while sticking real close to the source material. The fanboy in me enjoyed the film a lot for its constant action spread throughout while containing a good script to level it higher than most of the superhero movies churned out this year. That is a compliment considering how many came out last summer alone. In addition, it was nice to see Jennifer Lawrence duking it out as Mystique, not long after her riveting performance in Winter's Bone.
- DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsElle FanningAJ MichalkaKyle ChandlerDuring the summer of 1979, a group of friends witness a train crash and investigate subsequent unexplained events in their small town.The production value for this film is a marvel. J.J. Abrams has only made two features and yet has already established a mise-en-scene tied with his name. This mysterious tale which bares similarities to E.T. and The Goonies is not a rehash of those films. It is a new rendition of child adventures that more contemporaries should attempt, where the story pulls off spectacle and emotion as one. The young cast keeps you involved while the imagery leaves you in awe.