Hands down, my favorite and easily the most stylish film of the year. This movie just oozes cool. Arthur Fonzarelli couldn't have done a better job if he tried. A violent, yet touching neon noir fairy tale. Oh yeah, best soundtrack of the year too!
The most exhausting film I've seen in ages. It's powerful performances and gritty realism about the perils of addiction will leave you in awe, and probably utterly devastated as well.
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Remember that spooky kid in American Beauty (Ricky Fitts) who rants about the overpowering beauty of the world that makes his heart want to burst? This film is what he was talking about. Sure, The Tree of Life has it's flaws, but watching this film on the large screen in that dark theater is an experience I don't think I'll ever forget.
The most entertaining film of the year. I laughed, I got choked up, I laughed some more and then I yelled at the screen like an idiot during the film's climax it was that good. I don't know what's more rare, a smart romantic comedy or a film that appeals to all ages/demographics. Either way, this film wins big.
A minimalist head trip if there ever was one. Elizabeth Olsen is marvelous as the damaged young Martha. After years living in an abuse cult, she's become disjointed, paranoid and ready to pounce without notice...just like Durkin's film itself.
*NOTE*
Looks like this year belonged to Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan, with their roles in Drive, Shame and Crazy Stupid Love all atop my favorite films list.
Bummed I still haven't seen Melancholia yet. I've heard/read so many great things about this film I was waiting to craft my best of year list until I finally saw it in theaters. Oh wells. Some day soon I hope.
What were your favorite films of 2011?
I really need to get out more!! I've not seen any of these films..............yet!
ReplyDeleteI still need to see Shame. Drive was great, I'm trying to think of my favorite for last year and I'm drawing a blank. I know, The Kings Speech.
ReplyDeleteReally need to see Shame, I think it will be excellent.
ReplyDeleteShame sounds great to me man, like Ray I've never saw any of these films and that definitely needs to change and quickly!
ReplyDeleteI've only seen Drive out of your list and I agree with it been one of the best last year, nothing is jumping to mind about last year....
ReplyDeleteGood list! :D
ReplyDeleteDrive was great, enjoyed crazy stupid love, the others have yet to see. Not really sure what sticks out for me last year, is year after year they get worse. For pure entertainment Fast Five did the trick, but there was so much crap.
ReplyDeleteI saw Tree of Life and Crazy Stupid Love. Tree of Life I need to watch again, on my own, on a very quiet and slow night. I saw it with too much hype in my head and ended up with a bitter taste in my mouth because of it. Plus the people in the theater were being assholes about the movie. Crazy Stupid Love I really liked.
ReplyDeleteI missed my chance on watching Shame, so I'll have to wait for its second release on video. Drive I'll be watching today, and I'm excited about that.
Oh, completely skipped your last question. I usually forget the films I see over the course of a year, but the favorites off the top of my head are Another Earth and Melancholia. I also really liked Contagion. I enjoy movies that make me a bit worried, plus I loved the score to it. Really got me extra creeped out. I also enjoyed Midnight in Paris more than I thought I would. I have a feeling Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy will be on my list, but I haven't seen that yet. Just a few more days!
ReplyDeleteI just remembered Take Shelter!
ReplyDeleteThat, Another Earth, and Melancholia are in a three way tie for my number one spot.
I promise I'm done now.
Great list! Drive would certainly be in my top 5. I haven't seen the last two yet but I have a feeling I will love MMMM.
ReplyDeleteNever seen any of these! But I'm gonna have to! They all sound good!
ReplyDeleteThese lists make me wish I had money to go to the movies. You're an evil man, MRanthrope.
ReplyDeleteI've actually not seen any of those, but I've at least heard of some of them.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan ofGosling's after seeing Blue Valentine so will watch Drive. Shame looks like hard work though.
ReplyDeletei haven't seen any of these, ill check them out
ReplyDeleteThe only one I've seen is Shame which was awesome...but hard going
ReplyDeleteOk, I've been really shitty at watching movies this past year. Think I need to catch up
ReplyDeleteI hate sitting in the theatre, but a few of these are already on my Netflix list! Best movie I saw this year? maybe Horrible Bosses, even though I didn't want to like it I really liked it.
ReplyDeleteI watched Drive a few hours ago. Loved it. Can't describe it any better than that. It was great.
ReplyDeleteI need to see the other four movies. (About Drive, I had been pulling your leg for longtime...;-)) Thanks to you for not including Twilight.
ReplyDeleteMine - Harry Potter,Cars 2,Pirates of caribean,Horrible bosses,MI4(though I saw this in Jan 2012).
The movies I hated - Zookeeper,Fast five,Hangover 2,spykids(I dunno), I stayed away from Bieber,Rango and other crap else they would have made the list.
Drive was really good indeed. This Martha Marcy May Marlene seems interesting. I`ll check that out like now. I was looking for something to watch anyway. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteDrive is such a good movie! :D
ReplyDeleteYou have really excellent taste.
ReplyDeleteYES
ReplyDeleteDRIVE. Fantastic movie. Loved it. Loved it.
Followed
the tree of life is simply magnificent i'd say
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I can't wait to start watching
ReplyDeletehave not seen any of those, but want to see drive. man im lazy when it comes to watching movies.
ReplyDeleteI heard that drive was actually very good
ReplyDeleteI need to watch more films.
ReplyDeleteAVATAR... oh wait...
ReplyDeleteI love love love your list!! I still have to see Shame and Martha Marcy May Marlene, which I probably would have never heard of without your recommendation. They sound so good so hopefully I will be able to track them down sooner than later. I too need to also see Melancholia. I just haven't gotten in the right mood for that one yet...
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet seen any of these. I feel so behind on culture.
ReplyDelete