Yes I know I'm normally late with my Top 10 lists of the year but it took me a while to see all the movies and DVDs I had to see. So without further ado:
1) Hugo-Leave it to Martin Scorsese to create a masterpiece of a family movie. Hugo Cabret best symbolizes the child in a filmmaker's heart.
2) The Descendants-Unlike any other Geroge Clooney film you've ever seen.
3) Moneyball-Not only is it one of the best baseball movies ever made but one of the smartest too.
4) The Artist-If silence is golden, then silence was Oscar gold in 2011. This film reminds you of what a lost gem silent movies are.
5) The Help-The struggle to be free from the maid's point of view. Just as ugly but also as triumphant.
6) A Separation-You don't have to be Iranian to fully understand this divorce drama.
7) Midnight In Paris-Woody Allen's best in a long time. Reminds you why Paris is the city of legendary dreamers.
8) 50/50-Who says comedy and cancer don't mix? They mixed here, and in a great way.
9) The Tree Of Life-Not exactly the most entertaining movie of the year but of the most thought provking ones.
10) Of Gods And Men-One of the best and truest depictions of religious conviction ever to grace the big screen.
HONORABLE MENTION:
-Drive-Not just your typical crime drama but moments of real intimacy too.
-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2-It's not just a movie series but an era in pop culture that ends with a bang.
-Bridesmaids-Just when you thought everything that could go wrong before your wedding does, this movie proved your wedding ain't got nothing on this!
-The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn-Best animated movie this year. Spielberg brings a European pop culture icon to life in a thrilling way.
-Super 8-Possibly the best salute to Spielberg's adventures ever made.
OTHER BESTS:
-Best Morally Redeeming Movie: Of Gods And Men-See above review.
-Best Animated Film: The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn-While 2011 lacked the magic in its animated movies--even Pixar's Cars 2 was a dud--this was the class of this year's field.
-Best Foreign-Language Film: A Separation-See above review.
-Biggest Disappointment: Pirates Of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides-The POTC formula is so tried-and-tired I now just have to say "Hit the road Jack!"
-Favorite Movie I'm Ashamed To Admit I Liked: Bridesmaids-What could have been formulaic or yet another ridiculously over-the-top comedy is a gem thanks to Kristen Wiig's co-writing and an ensemble of bridesmaids with their own unique personalities.
-Best British Film: My Week With Marilyn-What appears to be an interesting story of Marilyn having a fling with a twentysomething British boy is also a unique look at the Marilyn few knew.
-Best Popcorn Movie: Super 8-Winning story, winning special effects and a winning ensemble of kids make for a winning summer movie.
-Best Live Action Family Film: Hugo-A family movie from Martin Mean Streats Taxi Driver Raging Bull Goodfellas Cape Fear Departed Scorsese? Yes! And a diamond of one to boot.
So there you go. My list of the best of 2011. Now to get focused on 2012. I've seen some good and some bad. Plus the Oscar fare is coming in months so hang tight!