Favourites of 2011

krudler

Since the cinema year is all but over, what are peoples favourite movies, soundtracks, scenes, performances etc for 2011? lets try keep this list free, so reasons why you liked what you liked.

to start, my 5 favourite movies, in no particular order.

Warrior

Yes its a big ball of cliches, but three fantastic central performances and a compelling story make it the biggest surprise of the year for me, I'd be really, really surprised if Nick Nolte doesnt get an Oscar nomination for his role as Paddy Conlon, if you've seen the movie, the hotel room scene is heartbreaking. Joel Edgerton impresses as the former MMA fighter turned teacher who goes back to the ring to save himself from bankruptcy, and Tom Hardy is all quiet rage as the Marine who becomes a sensation in MMA. well worth a watch, the always underrated Mark Isham score is great as well, especially this track, working Ode To Joy into a training montage.

Drive

Quiet, restrained, super cool, explosively violent. with hands down the best soundtrack of the year. People were annoyed its not Fast and the Furious 6, its something much more than that. the quiet lulls where characters dont say much to each other turn into savage brutality out of nowhere. Ryan Gosling is fast becoming one of my favourite actors after this and The Ides Of March.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNPubkh9mQ0

Thor

Hands down the most fun movie I saw all year, it knew exactly what it was and ran with it, Chris Hemsworth is a megastar in the making, giving a brief but memorable performance as Kirk's dad in Star Trek's superb opening sequence then going to headline a summer movie was a big step, and he filled the role brilliantly. but Tom Hiddleston steals the show as Loki. great theme tune as well, something a lot of recent comic movies are sorely lacking, love the bit at 1.20 into this, when Thor and his buddies are charging across the rainbow bridge on horseback.

Kung Fu Panda 2

Fully deserves the best animated picture Oscar next year, and yes I'm being serious, one of the best animated movies in years. the first one was fun, one of Dreamworks best, and I'm not a big fan of most of their work, but with How To Train Your Dragon last year and KFP2 this year, they've done the impossible and outshone Pixars releases. Gary Oldman as Shen is one of the best villains of the year as well, and this scene, christ, animation at its finest if you've seen it, intercutting the cgi with beautifully rendered 2D animation showing Po's origins, one of the best scenes of 2011.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq3EKVxYtpk

from 1.50 onwards= ep.ic.

and this, Hans Zimmer and John Powell absolutely knock it out of the park as far as action cues go, 2.30 onwards it just awesome. wouldnt be surprised for a best music Oscar nomination either, superb stuff.

The Tree Of Life

Couldnt see it in the cinema thanks to it not going on release in many places, but its one of those love it or hate it movies, its long, slow moving, pretentious, but its staggeringly beautiful and superbly shot. and its got some dinosaurs in it.

manlad

Rise of the Planet of the apes- I was skeptical at the start of this but extremely surprised by the film. Some good action scenes and one of the best prequels I've seen.

Drive- Thought it was a cool movie, soundtrack was excellent and gosling was impressive with a short script.

johnny_ultimate

MOD NOTE: Alright: given that a thread of this type is inevitable, we shall allow this. NOTE: ANY LIST POSTS WILL BE DELETED, END OF. We're bastards like that.

Just finished my top nineteen (:pac:) of the year earlier. No, I couldn't narrow it down much further

13 Assassins - I've always been a fan of Takeshi Miike's eccentric film-making style, so I'll admit to a bit of trepidation when I heard he'd gone conservative (it's telling of the man's reputation that a film opening with some gutwrenching harakiri can be considered 'mild'). No need to fear - 13 Assassins instantly catapulted itself into the higher echelons of the samurai genre. It may not be the most original or innovative film Miike has ever made, but it's impossible to complain when we're presented with the longest, most exhilarating action sequence of recent times.

Attack the Block - Out-performing the Hollywood guys at their own game, Joe Cornish's feature debut is an old-fashioned monster flick with effective contemporary twists. Having a cast of largely unlikeable urban thugs was a risky gamble, but pays dividends thanks to a clever yet surprisingly straight script. In a year when Hollywood repeatedly jumped the shark with over-egged CGI monster designs, the neon aliens here are a much more memorable, iconic presence.

Black Swan - Melodramtic, surreal, sexy: Black Swan could have been a disaster. But with Darren Aronofsky's caring hand, it's hypnotic. As meaningless as the Oscars are, Natalie Portman is the rare talent who deserves every accolade bestowed on her.

Cold Fish - Sion Sono had another fascinating release in 2011 with Guilty of Romance. But it was Cold Fish that hit like a brick ****house. Excessively violent, self-indulgent and overlong: but under Sono's direction the black comedy and satire shine brightly. Add to that a dominating performance from Denden as the film's psychotic antagonist and frequent narrative curveballs: you're left with a brutally entertaining film that's quite unlike any serial killer film you've seen before.

Cold Weather - Aaron Katz moves up in budget and ambition with this delightful mumblecore detective story. It's a strange, warm and funny film following the exploits of some bumbling twenty-somethings getting involved in an increasingly absurd mystery. I personally found it endlessly endearing, but it all depends on your tolerance for all things mumblecore.

Confessions - Not content to have his Korean neighbours have the last word on revenge, director Tetsyua Nakashima's story of a teacher pushed over the edge is a whole new take on a well-worn genre. The film's greatest narrative innovation is to have the first act of the film play out entirely in monologue and flashback. It's a decision that makes the shocks that follow all the more powerful.

Evangelion 2.22: You Can (Not) Advance - I'm kind of cheating here. But for a second year running, and an overdue official Western release, I was absolutely floored by Hideki Anno's animated opus. There's an argument that the Rebuild has yet to reach the giddy heights of the (hugely underappreciated) End of Evangelion. But 2.22 is a wonderful experience on its own terms - genuinely improving upon the TV series while pulling off a few jawdropping new tricks in the process. Tsubasa wo Kudasai will never sound the same again, and Evangelion 3.0 is easily the film I'm most excited for in 2012. Transformers 3 threatened to make giant robots embarrassing forever - Evangelion is the perfect retort.

I Saw the Devil - You'd be forgiven for thinking South Korea had the last word on revenge films some time ago with the Vengeance Trilogy. But those mad bastards are back for more. Jee-woon Kim's explosive thriller is another ingenious genre deconstruction from the current king of ingenious genre deconstructions. Speedily reaching the end-point most revenge films spend hours getting to, I Saw the Devil continues on for another electrifying hour and a half. Come for the thoughtful reflections on the nature of the vengeance; stay for the awesome action sequences and this year's most entertaining game of cat-and-mouse.

Kill List - I didn't know what to expect when I went in, and still couldn't quite articulate my opinion when I emerged. It doesn't matter - what is certain is that Kill List was a breath of fresh air. While British independent cinema constantly tries to out-kitchen-sink itself, Ben Wheatley's stylish, terrifying film couldn't feel any more invigorating. The Wicker Man by way of David Lynch, Kill List defies easy classification but emerges as one of this year's most distinctive, potentially brilliant movies.

Meek's Cutoff - I'm docking imaginary points for the questionable decision to shoot in 4:3 aspect ratio, but despite the squared visuals Meek's Cutoff is a superb addition to the Western canon. Kelly Reichardt continues on her quest to create cinematic poetry, and her sense of pace and tone makes her one of America's most promising, unique directors. And has night ever seemed so dark and as menacing as it does here? An exhausting and intense endurance test for the audience and the characters: and I mean that in the nicest possible way.

Outrage - Kitano goes Yakuza again, and the results are predictably endearing. Tongue-in-cheek throughout, Outrage is a constantly entertaining movie that shows one of Japan's finest living directors back in his most comfortable territory. It's no Hana-Bi, and there's a weirdly uncomfortable subplot involving a foreign ambassador, but Outrage is one of Beat Takeshi's most memorable productions in quite some time.

Poetry - Rarely has a synopsis - old Korean lady attends poetry classes - filled me with such dread. And rarely have my expectations been so pleasantly shredded. With a mesmerising lead performance from Joeng-hie Yun, we can only hope Poetry's understated beauty can help the fantastic Lee Chang-Dong enjoy the global appreciation and popularity he deserves.

A Separation - Perfect is a strong word, but perhaps not strong enough for A Separation. Critical consensus has been entirely justified - this is electrifying cinema. A portrait of two families in crisis in modern Iran, this is surely the most masterly paced film of the year. Shocking and heartbreaking in equal measure, this is a movie that encapsulates the contradictions of an entire country while also providing constant emotional payoffs. The final shot is one of cinema's most beautiful, emotive endings: where visuals say more than words ever could.


Summer Wars - Like Eva, 2011 was technically my second viewing of Summer Wars. But it was the Blu-Ray release that allowed me to truly appreciate Mamoru Hosoda's brilliant contradiction. A mix of the Matrix, Tokyo Story, The Social Network and some random rom-com shouldn't work. But against the odds it does, and ultimately the conflicting tones are what win you over to this charming and unique little gem.

Super - I like my comedy as dark as possible, and James Gunn once again proves himself as one of America's most reliable purveyors of demented laughs. Probing disturbing depths Kick Ass was too terrified of, Super is as good a superhero parody as we're going to get. Everytime you laugh, Gunn punishes you with an act of extreme violence that forces you to reconsider your relationship with the characters on screen. Special mention to Ellen Page, who plays against type here to surprising effect.

Tabloid - It's Errol Morris, so this was pretty much guaranteed to be one of the year's best documentaries. What one may not have expected was such a pulpy, occasionally breezy tone. But while it certainly works as entertainment, Morris' masterful touch ensures there is plenty of thematic depth, contemporary commentary and emotional resonance alongside the sex scandals.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - The best Cold War film the Cold War never made, Thomas Alfredson brings le Carré's spy classic vividly to life. The atmosphere is impossible to fault, but it's the cast that makes this an adaptation for the ages. From Gary Oldman to Tom Hardy via Colin Firth and John Hurt, this is easily the year's finest ensemble.

The Tree of Life - While I'm of the opinion that a critical hysteria led to some serious hyperbole, there's no denying that Terence Malick has created this year's most majestic, individual film. We can't ignore the flaws (it's overstuffed, and I certainly don't buy into the Christian ideology) but they're easy to forgive as we're led on a glorious cinematic voyage through time and space. It's a flawed masterpiece, and one that cements Malick's reputation as one of cinema's most distinguished, brilliant auteurs.

True Grit - They've homaged it countless times, so it's about time the Coen's made a Western. While the results are less idiosyncratic that one may have expected (or hoped), True Grit is instead a traditional, exciting and emotional Western to rank up there with the best of 'em. In the young Hailee Steinfeld Joel and Ethan have found a star, and the Coen regulars - from Jeff Bridges to Carter Burwell (with his moving, hymn-inspired score) - all perform admirably. And with Roger Deakins behind the camera, the Wild West has never looked quite so wonderful.

WoollyRedHat

Sorry but Black Swan is so 2010... *Johnny Ultimate, film mod banned*

I've actually seen so little this year, was looking forward to a thread like this and will avidly divulge over the film boards wide and varied opinions

johnny_ultimate

WoollyRedHat wrote: »

Sorry but Black Swan is so 2010... *Johnny Ultimate, film mod banned*

Ah, I'm going to correct you there: for those of us who waited to see it on the big screen, it was indeed a 2011 release.

WoollyRedHat

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Ah, I'm going to correct you there: for those of us who waited to see it on the big screen, it was indeed a 2011 release.

Woops, right you are, my apologies, I saw it when it came out in the cinema, was convinved it came out in December 2010 here, but I stand corrected... must of got it mixed up with Social Network! Please don't ban me for my insolence!

don ramo

WoollyRedHat wrote: »

Woops, right you are, my apologies, I saw it when it came out in the cinema, was convinved it came out in December 2010 here, but I stand corrected... must of got it mixed up with Social Network! Please don't ban me for my insolence!

***ban him*** (said in mortal combat "finnish him" voice)

deffinately would put Black Swan in there, a great insight into ballet and what the perfomers put into it ( i do take it there not all batsh1t crazy), and started off 2011 on a high note i must say,

The Adjustment Bureau i thought was great little film, it didnt really promise much, but i somehow found myself really drawn into the story with the caracters, and was really rooting for them throughout the film,

Limitless yet another like TAB, i didnt expect much but it was a great story and it was well told,

X-Men First Class, great to see an origin story working so well, all the caracters played well off each other, and i really hop we get to see the whole story unfold if we get the expected sequeals,

Attack The Block, i must say about 5 mins into this film i was ready to turn it off, the way they were all talk bruv ya know, but im glad i watched it, i dont thing its one to be missed, it really freaked the fcuk outta me everytime one of the things attacked,

Warrior, just way OTT fighting in there, great seeing nolte tone it down a bit and playing it to perfection, i wouldnt begrudge the man an oscar,

Drive, as has been said a cool slick movie that from what i know of people that watched it seems to get picked up differently by eveyone, i for one loved it,

Ides Of March, perfectly cast with gosling, clooney and hoffman playing each of there part to perfection, and it really showed what politics is like, no matter how good your intentions your gonna end up a bad guy,

In Time, must say i really enjoyed this, it really makes you think about the world we live in, time is money,

not gonna give reasons but i have to list my epic let downs of 2011,
Country Strong
Battle LA
Sucker Punch (my top pick)
Green Lantern
Cowboys and Aliens
i was really looking forward to all these films,

FlashD

Thought it was a really poor year, nothing really grabbed me that much.

'Drive' was excellent.

I enjoyed 'True Grit' and "The Social Network' too though I can't remember if these were at the end of 2010.

"Rise of Planet of the Apes' ..... an unexpected surprise.

Renn

True Grit was this year, yep. Cannot understand people saying it's a bad year - there's definitely something out there for everyone. Spoiled for choice this year thankfully.

johnny_ultimate

Yeah, if you think it's a bad year, it's as simple as you haven't watched enough films.

Or enough of the right sort of films.

Syferus

I don't know how it could be best done given the rules, but I'd love to hear people's favourite films of the year, that is, the best from the likely large amount of films we've all seen this year for the first time but that weren't 2011 (or borderline 2010!) releases.

Caprica

On the whole a good year for movies, my favourites in no particular order

A Separtion
Had never seen an Iranian movie before and went along to this based on the reviews. It was superb, all round great performances, you were able to see and understand all the main characters point of view. Nice to see that it is getting some award nominations now.

The Skin I live In
Am a big fan of Aldomovar and this didn't disappoint. Great performance from Antonio Banderas and I never seen the twist coming. Great soundtrack.

Farewell (L'affarie Farewell)
French movie about the downfall of communism based on a true story. A gripping story, unbelievable that one mans actions led to the collapse of the USSR. Great appearance from Ronald Reagan.

My week with Marilyn
Seen this lately and it really exceeded my expectations. Michelle Williams was great in the lead role, surely an oscar nomination is round the corner. I felt sorry for Marilyn, famous the world over but wracked with self doubt. Kenneth Brannagh was good as Sir Laurence Oliver.

The Help
Seen the trailer for this and wasn't impressed but went along based on the good reviews it was getting. Wonderfull movie, great performances from all the cast. Hard to believe that it was only 50yrs or so that those attitudes were so strong in the deep south. There was some controversy about the book the movie was based on been exagerated.

The Social Network
A brilliant script for this movie with a great performance from Jesse Eissenberg in the lead role.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Great performance from Gary Oldman, with a strong cast all round. It was quite a dense plot, so you had to stay with it all the time. HMV have the original 70's TV series on sale bought it today and will watch it over xmas.

Thor
My favourite of the Hollywood blockbusters this year, as usual most of them didn't live up to the hype. Chris Hemsworth was well trained in Summer Bay.

Haven't seen it yet but I expect the Girl with the Dragon Tatoo be one of the best of the year. Hope I'm not disappointed.

applehunter

Saw Senna in the Mahon Cineplex in Cork.

Was only due to be open for a "one night only" screening.

Such was the demand that it ran for a full month.

Night I watched the place was packed. Round of applause at the end of the film and a lot of tears shed.

dark crystal

Threads like this are why the prohibition of list threads in this forum is so retarded. There should at least be a sub forum for film fans who do actually enjoy starting and contributing to film lists. Every other film forum I frequent has them and they are some of the most popular threads of all.

Anyway....

....I can't say I saw a huge amount of films this year at the cinema, but I did really like Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which is very surprising as big budget, CGI heavy type films usually don't interest me in the slightest. I thought it was immensely enjoyable.

Syferus

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Tabloid - It's Errol Morris, so this was pretty much guaranteed to be one of the year's best documentaries. What one may not have expected was such a pulpy, occasionally breezy tone. But while it certainly works as entertainment, Morris' masterful touch ensures there is plenty of thematic depth, contemporary commentary and emotional resonance alongside the sex scandals.

I'm inclined to disagree with that - Tabloid seems to be more of a return to his wheelhouse, documentaries like Gates of Heaven and Vernon, Florida. He may have struck his most prolific cord with people with films like The Thin Blue Line or Fog of War, but he never really abandoned the eccentric tone in Tabloid.

Renn

applehunter wrote: »

Night I watched the place was packed. Round of applause at the end of the film and a lot of tears shed.

I know I'm being an awkward bollox here but can never understand clapping at the end of a film - obviously if the director/whoever was there then that makes sense but otherwise it just comes across as bizarre

kraggy

dark crystal wrote: »

Threads like this are why the prohibition of list threads in this forum is so retarded. There should at least be a sub forum for film fans who do actually enjoy starting and contributing to film lists. Every other film forum I frequent has them and they are some of the most popular threads of all.

Anyway....

....I can't say I saw a huge amount of films this year at the cinema, but I did really like Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which is very surprising as big budget, CGI heavy type films usually don't interest me in the slightest. I thought it was immensely enjoyable.

I wholeheartedly agree. I find it ridiculous.

I'm all for good discussion about various aspects of a film, or films in generaly, but sometimes it's nice to not have to sift through a load of crap just to get recommendations from people for their Top 5 this year/Top Indie choices/Top thriller choices etc.

It's not as if lists would kill the level of discussion in here.

I find banning lists in the forum almost pretentious to be honest.

johnny_ultimate

Alright, I'll explain this again, as we find ourselves having to do every time this discussion comes up.

List threads are banned from a reason. Regular posters here will recall a number of times when the the list thread rule has been relaxed, and every time we have experimented with that the noise:signal ratio has changed radically for the worse. It isn't a pretentious mod conspiracy: the rule predates all currently serving mods, and we've been here long enough to know the disadvantages of changing it. You have someone post a best actor thread, then someone else posts a best actress thread. The best supporting actor / actresses thread are sure to appear soon after, and the best 'dog in peril performance' in a film is going to make its unwanted appearance soon after. This isn't conjecture (OK, the dog in peril bit is): we've seen it happen. Soon the front page becomes covered in mindless, repetitive list threads that no-one wants to engage in because they're just endless walls of film names. And then you have people casually wandering in and deciding that the 'best actor of all time' is a brilliant, original idea for a thread, even though its immediate predecessor is still on the front page.

So in place of all discussion or no discussion, we have decided on the former because, after all, boards.ie is a discussion forum. If you want to post endless, bland list threads, this isn't the place for it. We make exceptions when we feel it's warranted: but even the most promising list threads always descend into utter inanity before long.

So in short: there is no room for discussion on the rule, because list threads don't allow for discussion themselves

Now, let's get back on topic, shall we?

Mickeroo

I pretty much agree with Krudler's choices.

I would also add th following:

Captain America, though not quite as good as Thor in retrospect, but it had a great retro staurday morning matinee atmosphere to it, and like Thor it had a really good memorable theme for its hero. The latter half of the film let it down a bit but I still found it very enjoyable.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes also deserves a mention I think, it surprised me and a lot of people by turning out to be a solid sci-fi movie with a great central performance from Andy Serkis as Ceasar that fully deserves an awards nominations it receives (long shot nut you never know).

13 Assassins was another I thought was fantastic, really the best samurai movie I've seen in a long time and one of the best action movies of the year too, so much downright bad assery on show. Miike's best film imho.

Chonmage Purin was a samurai movie at the opposite end of the spectrum to 13 Assassins, a family comedy about a time traveling samurai who befriends a single mother and her son. Charming stuff and really deserves to be seen by more people.

Fast Five, never thought I'd see the day where a fast and furious film would be a highlight of the year for me(though I did enjoy the first one too). Certainly the best hollywood actioner I've seen in a long time, downright mental action scenes with very little obvious CG on show. Vin Diesel and the Rock are great in it too, hell they even manage to fit a bit of characterisation and a storyline in around all the action too.

Finally Midnight in Paris deserves a mention too. Probably my favourite Woody Allen movie. Steeped in nostalgia, funny, charming and romantic and probably Owen Wilson's best ever performance, certainly his best outsie of a Wes Anderson movie that's for sure.

I have a few more left to watch, particularly Moneyball and The Ides of March, which could sneak it.

johnny_ultimate

I have to admit to thinking Rise of the Planet of the Apes was this year's most overrated film. It was grand, but that was about it! Especially coming straight off the poignant, charming documentary Project Nim - which PotA stole its entire narrative spine from (except for the scenes where stuff exploded). Sure, it passed the time pleasantly enough and understood its limits (blockbusters under two hours are a novelty these days) but I thought a few of the other big budget films had more energy and character.

Mickeroo

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

I have to admit to thinking Rise of the Planet of the Apes was this year's most overrated film. It was grand, but that was about it! Especially coming straight off the poignant, charming documentary Project Nim - which PotA stole its entire narrative spine from (except for the scenes where stuff exploded). Sure, it passed the time pleasantly enough and understood its limits (blockbusters under two hours are a novelty these days) but I thought a few of the other big budget films had more energy and character.

Still haven't got around to watching Project Nim actually.

I get what you're saying. the human characters drag it down a fair bit but I just found Caesars character arch in the film so compelling and that was what set it apart for me. I thought it was a reasonably braave move on the filmakers part to make him the main character. From the first trailer I was just expecting a humans on the run from homicidal intelligent apes. Plus I'm not sure its fair to compare it to project nim either

Which big budget movies do you think wre better just out of interest?

krudler

Captain America was good fun alright, I love the stylised 40's feel of it, very Sky Captain/Rocketeer vibe off it. and Chris Evans was good as Cap. Its not amazing by any means but its a fun comic movie, my 8 year old nephew absolutely adored it anyway.

Apes I really enjoyed, especially the scenes with Caesar's stint in the facility and realising what he has to do to get out. his interaction with the other apes was brilliant, you forget you're watching pixels act.

X-Men First Class deserves a mention too, thought it was the best of a very lacklustre blockbuster season, Matthew Vaughn is becoming one of my favourite new directors. Layer Cake, Stardust, Kick-Ass, X-Men, he's making enjoyable movies.

johnny_ultimate

Mickeroo wrote: »

Which big budget movies do you think wre better just out of interest?

I'll admit to a weakness for Super 8 - despite an alien design that jumped a tankful of sharks, and Attack the Block beating it at its own game for a fraction of the budget :pac:

Harry Potter and the blah blah blah Part 2 is another that is probably going to be unfairly ignored when it comes to remembering the year. It, like the book, is an imperfect beast, but I really think David Yates hit his directorial stride during the Deathly Hollows film. It just oozes menace and there's a genuinely dark atmosphere that is wholly unusual for a film of that scale and aimed at a mass market.

And as far as dumb fun, Thor certainly passed the time. When it comes to that and PotA though, it's more that that they weren't absolute crap that surprised, rather than belonging on 'best of the year' lists IMO

Mickeroo

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

I'll admit to a weakness for Super 8 - despite an alien design that jumped a tankful of sharks, and Attack the Block beating it at its own game for a fraction of the budget :pac:

Harry Potter and the blah blah blah Part 2 is another that is probably going to be unfairly ignored when it comes to remembering the year. It, like the book, is an imperfect beast, but I really think David Yates hit his directorial stride during the Deathly Hollows film. It just oozes menace and there's a genuinely dark atmosphere that is wholly unusual for a film of that scale and aimed at a mass market.

And as far as dumb fun, Thor certainly passed the time. When it comes to that and PotA though, it's more that that they weren't absolute crap that surprised, rather than belonging on 'best of the year' lists IMO

Ah I really enjoyed Super 8 too actually. One thing that annoyed though was

they didn't really seem to be sure whether to make the alien friendly or not and went for a bit of both instead, which didn't quite work for me

. Still not watched Attack the Block.

I actually meant to put Deathly Hollows Part 2 in my list aswell but forgot, oh well too late now :P

Galvasean

Thor was my favourite new movie of the year for me. Having known virtually nothing of his comic book character it was a huge surprise. A near perfect blend of belly laughs and action with a very good narrative structure. I plan to watch it with the whole family come Christmas day.
Similarly Captain America took me by surprise. I was expecting it to be quite poor, but checked it out when there wasn't anything much else on in the cinema at the time when I had a couple of hours to kill. Really enjoyed it - saw it twice in the cinema. Like Thor it had a good blend of action and comedy. Not quite as good as Thor IMO, but well worth watching. I have to say they have me pumped up for the Avengers now.
X-Men: First Class was a real treat for me too. It's not without it's flaws, but some nice set pieces and again, a good blend of action and a few laughs made it an enjoyable experience. It was also great to see an X-men movie that had one of those battles where people are literally flying around in the background. Brought me back to my childhood of watching that 90s cartoon.
The Immortals was another surprising highlight for me. It's a mess of a movie and has no right to be as enjoyable as it ended up being, but just works for some strange reason. Suffice to say I'm looking forward to the sequel.

Of course the cinema highlight of the year for me was not a new film... Oh no.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC2XVBQeO2k

krudler

Galvasean wrote: »

Thor was my favourite new movie of the year for me. Having known virtually nothing of his comic book character it was a huge surprise. A near perfect blend of belly laughs and action with a very good narrative structure. I plan to watch it with the whole family come Christmas day.

I loved Thor, it had everything a good summer movie should have, laughs, characters you like, a good villain, decent effects. thought Hemsworth did a great job in his first big leading role, the right side of cocky and likeable. love the look of the Asgard scenes as well, reminded me of a big budget Masters Of The Universe for most of it. hopefully it'll spur hollywood on to make a MOTU movie on that kind of scale, the 80s one is a big goofy ball of nostalgic cheese but a retelling would be great. and hey, Hemswoth would even make a great He-Man :pac:

Tipsy McSwagger

True Grit - I loved everything about this film and it's the best movie this year IMO. Matt Damon stole the movie with his best performance in years. It's very very funny and one of those films that you can watch again and again.

Super 8 was the most disappointing film of the year, absolutely awful.

don ramo

Galvasean wrote: »

Of course the cinema highlight of the year for me was not a new film... Oh no.

oh yeah forgot about that, i had a big stupid smile on my face the whole time watching it in cinema for the first time, unbelievable, best thing i saw in the cinema this year without doubth,

krudler

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

True Grit - I loved everything about this film and it's the best movie this year IMO. Matt Damon stole the movie with his best performance in years. It's very very funny and one of those films that you can watch again and again.

the bit where the Indian wants to say something before he's hanged and the guy just sticks the hood over him made me laugh more than almost anything else at the cinema this year, I dont know why its just very Coen humour.

Tipsy McSwagger

krudler wrote: »

the bit where the Indian wants to say something before he's hanged and the guy just sticks the hood over him made me laugh more than almost anything else at the cinema this year, I dont know why its just very Coen humour.

Or when Rooster kicks the Indian young lad off the railing:D

Galvasean

Forgot to mention The Fighter, True Grit and The Inbetweeners movie. Overall 2011 was a pretty good year. Something for everyone.

expectationlost

best of 2011 Attack the block recently re watched, think the the style and execution were great, maybe not as funny as people expected, more amusing, a bit bleeding heart, a nice story and good creature.

a better all round film then Drive or any of the other lofi films

Tech3

I enjoyed Drive, The Adjustment Bureau, Super 8 and Fast 5.

Rise of the planet of the Apes was okay.

Contagion was awful. It was overrated for me.

sillo

I have the memory of a goldfish but off the top of my head, my favourites for 2011:

Black Swan: What can I say, this movie didn't exactly break new ground for Aronofsky but it was still crazy good.

Melancholia: Deeply personal on one level, utterly universal on another - deserves a place on the list just for the opening & closing 5 minute sequences, if nothing else!

and mainstream movie of the year goes to...

X-Men: First Class: A brave hotchpotch of superhero and cold-war drama, excellently done and a real gem.

Didnt really feel like narrowing this down, each film is there based on it's own merits and while some may socff that I include filsm such as Drive Angry alongside Aniaml Kingdom each film is one that I enjoyed and worked withing the confines of it's genre. Some are intelligent, deeply layered adult dramas while others are trashy low budget exploitation films with sense of fun. All of them are entertained me.

Animal Kingdom - Cinema at it's finest. Featuring some of the years most memorable moments (the overdose, shotgun death)this low budget Australian family drama goes down as an instant classic. Performances are spot on with the young star impressing in an ensemble that includes the always dependable Guy Pearce. It's intelligent, layered drama which will have you returning time after time.

True Grit - A adaptation which is every bit the equal of the Wayne starring version. Based on one of the greatest novels ever written it tells a child's tale from ac child's perspective in a manner that few others could. Bridges is good but at times it feels more like a Wayne imitation than his take on the character but in a film this visually scrumptious and deftly handled you really can't complain.

Attack the Block - It's a typical Hollywood invasion genre piece only done on a fraction of the budget and with far more inventiveness and flair. A visually stunning and well made piece of sci-fi, featuring memorable monsters and a cast of teenagers who all impress. The set pieces are more than the equal of any Blockbuster of the past decade and with far more style than most.

Drive - The film of the year, one that you can return to time after time and never bore of. The cast are electrifying and the action scenes are brutal and all the more effective for it. The opening scene is destined to be included in the all time greats and the understated nature of the set pieces add a hint of realism largely absent from action cinema in general.

The Art of Flight - 1Featurign some of the most beautiful looking images ever put on camera. Even non snowboarding fans are sure to be blown away by the visuals on offer. Throw in an fantastic soundtrack featuring M83 and We Are Augustine and you have the makings of masturbatory fare for anyone with and interest in cinematography or film in general.

Meek's Cutoff - A understated, adult western destined to be considered a classic. Performances are excellent all round and Bruce Greenwood deserves some love come Oscar time. The leisurely pace may not be for everyone but the constant sense of dread and the framing make for one of the most nail biting experiences in a long time.

Super - Super is for want of a better word super. A pitch black comedy with some startling acts of brutality but it's heart in the right place.

I Come With the Rain - One of those films which is completely mis-sold by the trailer. A visually stunning and inventive noir style film with a plot that is best described as layered. The current release may not be the directors fished version but with the years most striking imagery it's certainly the most interesting releases of 2011 and leaves you desperate to see the film as intended.

The Big Bang - A fantastic slice of B Movie neo noir with an interesting story, superb visuals and a great little plot. For a direct to disc release it manages far more inventiveness than most Blockbusters.

Art of the Steal - A well made commentary chronicling the art heist pf the century. Informative, well made and never boring it offers a frank insight into a fascinating story.

Faster - An entertaining 70s style revenge tale with some great action, fine performances and an unexpected ending which helps it stand out from the crowd.

The Illusionist - A gorgeous piece of animation and a beautiful story told without the need of dialogue.

The Middle Men - The Social Network with added nudity. One of the years most over looked titles featuring a fine cast, an interesting tale and some truly inspired moments.

The Fighter - A great understated performance from Wahlberg adds a human figure to this based on truth tale which feels at times like yet another Rocky retread. Interesting, intelligent and well made.

Outrage - Takeshi Kitano returns to the genre which helped shape his image. A visually stunning, tongue in cheek film which mixes scenes of frank and brutal violence with pitch black humour.

I Saw the Devil - An intelligent, well made and intense revenge tale. The extreme and realistic violence are there to serve the plot unlike so many other revenge tales which exist solely to string together scenes of violence.

Drive Angry - pure and utter nonsense but a lot of fun. The bastard child of Race with the Devil and Rosmarys Baby its a visually stunning piece of cinema with fantastic 3D and a real sense of fun.

Get Low - A brilliant comedy with the always reliable Robert Duvall. It's a whimsical jaunt with a great script, a fine supporting cast and an ending which will leave tears in your eyes. One of those great little films which deserves so much more.

13 Assassins - I expected over the top violence orchestrated in the demented manner of Takashi Miike. No one will ever accuse it of being original or inventive but with one of the longest and most exhilarating action scenes ever put on screen and a sense of fun it's certainly one of the most entertaining films in many a year.

Hobo With a Shotgun - The only word to describe this is trash. Trash of the most infectiously enjoyable variety with wanton, over the top violence, a great tongue in cheek central performance and a script which has fun with the concept. You won't leave the theater any smarter but it will certainly put a smile on your face.

Winter's Bone - Every now and again a little film comes along which takes everyone by surprise, that John Hawkes has starred in many such films in recent years says a lot about what a talented and versatile actor he is. The concept may be old hat at this stage but the unique setting and characters more than make up for this. An deeply layered, adult drama which stands up to repeated viewing.

Fast Five - That the fifth entry in a series should be so much fun is plain odd. Watching the film is akin not to enjoying the latest entry in a series that most gave up on 3 films back but like a rather good TV show finally finding it's feet when all the elements come together. Exhilarating action, a cast having fun and enough over the top stunts and situations to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thor - Some films don't have to be deep or overtly intelligent just entertaining which is something Thor has in spades. The plot is coherent and manages to establish the characters without felling like a retread of previous Super Hero films. The set pieces are more than satisfying and the cast are obviously having a lot of fun with the material. It may not be remembered in the same hushed tones as The Godfather in a hundred years from now but it will be a staple on Bank holiday afternoons.

Tucker and Dale Versus Evil - There are few films in the attractive young people get menaced by hillbillies genre that work quite as well as this on. The inventive central idea may be a little stretched but it's handled with such a deft hand that you barely notice through your near constant laughter.

Mother's Day - A remake that far superior to the original. It takes a forgotten low budget 80s shocker and updates it with a smart script, adult characters and great gore scenes making it one of the more memorable horror films of the year.

Stake Land - The Road with Vampires may be the initial impression but beneath this lurks an intelligent, adult drama sporting fine performances, memorable set pieces and sense of nihilism absent from cinema since The Road.

Rango - The best film Johnny Depp has made in over a decade. With gorgeous animation, a fine voice cast and an interesting twist on the western this is animation for adults.

Captain America - Much like Thor this comic book adaptation feels far fresher than most others. With great period detail and playing like a 1940s serial there's a real sense of time and place only with added pulse rifles. Evans is great as our hero and is ably supported by a fine cast of character actors playing the roles with just the right amount of tongue in cheek.

Win Win - An affable, subdued drama with the always dependable Paul Giamatti at his best. It's an easy going affair with a simple plot and characters you care about. It's old fashioned, heart warming fare which will put a smile on your face and keep it there.

Machete Maidens Unleashed - A fascinating look at low budget film making in a place where human life is cheap. With great contributors and a sense of wit it showcases many of the forgotten classics of 70s and 80s exploitation cinema. The biggest complaint would be that too much time is devoted to Apocalypse Now but that's made up for with more babes, blood and bullets than you can count.

Final Destination 5 - Yet another fifth entry in a series most have forgotten that manages to be the best to date. With characters we care about, inventive set pieces and a constant sense of dread it's the perfect Friday night fun.




There are a number of films released over the past year that I've yet to watch due to them not playing cinemas near me or due to my Multi Region Blu-Ray player dieing on me a few weeks back or simply down to not having the time. Some of them may very well appear in my top films of the past year. They include The Last Circus, Tree of Life, A Separation, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Evangellion 2.22, Kill List, Melancholia,Cold Fish, Confessions, Cold Weather, Poetry, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Ides of March, The Skin I live In, My Week with Marilyn, and a few others.

Trippie

I thought Win Win was one of the best films this year. Saw it on a long haul flight home and it surprised me so much I watched it again after Midnight in Paris. Everything about the film was great I thought

kraggy

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Alright, I'll explain this again, as we find ourselves having to do every time this discussion comes up.

List threads are banned from a reason. Regular posters here will recall a number of times when the the list thread rule has been relaxed, and every time we have experimented with that the noise:signal ratio has changed radically for the worse. It isn't a pretentious mod conspiracy: the rule predates all currently serving mods, and we've been here long enough to know the disadvantages of changing it. You have someone post a best actor thread, then someone else posts a best actress thread. The best supporting actor / actresses thread are sure to appear soon after, and the best 'dog in peril performance' in a film is going to make its unwanted appearance soon after. This isn't conjecture (OK, the dog in peril bit is): we've seen it happen. Soon the front page becomes covered in mindless, repetitive list threads that no-one wants to engage in because they're just endless walls of film names. And then you have people casually wandering in and deciding that the 'best actor of all time' is a brilliant, original idea for a thread, even though its immediate predecessor is still on the front page.

So in place of all discussion or no discussion, we have decided on the former because, after all, boards.ie is a discussion forum. If you want to post endless, bland list threads, this isn't the place for it. We make exceptions when we feel it's warranted: but even the most promising list threads always descend into utter inanity before long.

So in short: there is no room for discussion on the rule, because list threads don't allow for discussion themselves

Now, let's get back on topic, shall we?

So create a sub-forum then.

That way the list threads won't be taking up the first page of the discussion forum.

And if you're going to tell me to stay on topic, then where can one bring up issues with mods? Don't say pm because people can't voice their opinion and see the opinions of others about the same subject.

kraggy

kraggy wrote: »

So create a sub-forum then.

That way the list threads won't be taking up the first page of the discussion forum.

And if you're going to tell me to stay on topic, then where can one bring up issues with mods? Don't say pm because people can't voice their opinion and see the opinions of others about the same subject.

List threads are pointless as they don't encourage discussing and are generally boring as hell. If you are so desperate for lists then go to imdb where there seems to be millions of lists covering every aspect of cinema.

kraggy

Deleted User wrote: »

List threads are pointless as they don't encourage discussing and are generally boring as hell. If you are so desperate for lists then go to imdb where there seems to be millions of lists covering every aspect of cinema.

You may find them boring, but others find them useful. You wouldn't have to go into the sub-forum if one was created.

You could stay in the discussion part. As for there being list threads on imdb, that's irrelevant. What's good about boards is that you can tell the different tastes of various posters and what they interested in because it's so a small forum. And we're mostly Irish here so we tend to understand each other better.

kraggy

kraggy wrote: »

You may find them boring, but others find them useful. You wouldn't have to go into the sub-forum if one was created.

You could stay in the discussion part. As for there being list threads on imdb, that's irrelevant. What's good about boards is that you can tell the different tastes of various posters and what they interested in because it's so a small forum. And we're mostly Irish here so we tend to understand each other better.

Why haven't you requested a Film Listing Forum (No Didcussion Allowed) in the forum requests area of boards?

I don't think we need a dedicated area for users to make lists in order to know what they're into. Anyone who regularly reads the forum will have a good idea of what different users enjoy. I don't get your last point, are you inferring that Irish users have trouble understanding what nonIrish people are into?

This thread works far better with users going to the effort of writing a line or two saying why they enjoyed a film. If we all just posted lists then many of the smaller films that we love would be ignored by most. It's far too late at night to argue the merits of discussion versus lists but suffice to say that one makes for interesting reading the other for banal and boring fare.

Sad Professor

Stay on topic please, folks. If anyone has any feedback on the no-list rule, pm myself or another Films mod. If you want to request a dedicated forum for posting lists, do so in Forum Requests and the admins will consider it. Or maybe start a blog of your lists and include a link to it in your signature.

We’ve had this discussion before. The no-list rule is a necessary evil in order to encourage discussion. Despite the rule, we still allow a fair few listy-type threads provided some discussion takes place.

Back on topic.

Captain Darling

I really liked True Grit. Jeff Bridges character in it was brilliantly funny, tough and touching all at the same time. The young girl that played the lead in it was brilliant too.

The beauty of the landscape was exceptional as well. Breathtaking stuff.

Sad Professor

My top 20 films of the year (in no particular order except for the first 5 or so):
The Tree of Life, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, A Separation, Poetry, Black Swan, Confessions, Melancholia, Take Shelter, Beginners, True Grit, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Beginners, The Skin I Live In, I Saw the Devil, Meek’s Cutoff, Blue Valentine, Miss Bala, Drive, Hugo, Incendies

Most of the above have been discussed already, so I’ll just highlight a few of the ones that haven’t:

Miss Bala is a crime thriller told from a very unlikely perspective, that of a beauty queen contestant caught up in the Mexican drug trade. There’s a scene early in the film in which she goes to a cop to report a crime that she witnessed. The cop drives her straight to the drug lord who was behind it. This sets the tone for the rest of the film. It depicts a Mexico in which corruption is everywhere and there’s no hope in sight. Stephanie Sigman is beautiful and excellent in the lead role and there’s some serious Michael Mann-style action scenes. A film that really deserved better than the 3 or 4 days it got in the IFI. Trailer below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g357MHuj8WE

We Need to Talk About Kevin is about a mother dealing with the guilt of having raised a teenage sociopath. It’s a subject that is easy to make broad statements about. It’s the parents fault, it’s the video games, they are born that way. But the film deals with it with the complexity it deserves. A truly unforgettable film with a career-defining performance from Tilda Swinton.

Incendies is about a Canadian brother and sister who, at the request of their recently deceased mother, travel to an unnamed Middle East country (most likely Lebanon) in search of their brother and father. This is intercut with flashbacks of their mother and the events that led to her leaving the country. There’s not a lot to be hopeful about in the world depicted in this film. There are scenes of horrible slaughter, hatred and tragedy. Many will find the conclusion difficult to accept. Taken literally it’s completely illogical and contrived - but emotionally it seems to work, serving as an effective metaphor for the horror caused by civil war.

Take Shelter is about something that nearly everyone can relate to: the fear of uncontrollable forces in the world. In the film these forces are represented by a storm that Michael Shannon’s character keeps having visions of. Shannon tries to prepare by building a tornado shelter in his backyard to protect his family, but his obsession with it risks becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. Truly a film for our times. Biblical imagery and implications of mental illness abound in it, but at its heart it is a film about an ordinary man trying to hold on to what he’s got. The film’s conclusion is simultaneously terrifying and uplifting.

The Skin I Live In was unfairly dismissed by some critics as lesser Almodovar, which couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, this ranks among his best films, containing all the twisted humour and heartfelt humanity we’ve come to expect from him. The less you know about the film the better as it contains a fairly shocking twist half way through. I guessed it, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment. Part sex thriller, part creepy horror, part melodrama, part black comedy; no other film this year got under my skin like this one did.

Honourable mentions:
Win Win, Animal Kingdom, Snowtown, Super 8, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Norwegian Wood, Midnight in Paris, The Yellow Sea, Tyrannosaur, Moneyball, The Help.

The only major films I missed this year were Kill List, Biutiful, Submarine and Attack the Block.

A really brilliant year overall. Okay, I experienced my annual despair at the garbage in the multiplexes during the summer, but for every Transformers and POTC there was also some quality entertainment in the form of Super 8 and Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Mike Litoris

I'm sure there are other but the one film that sticks out in my mind is Margin Call. I really cant pinpoint what made the film stand out for me. A complete departure from the recent style of movie making. Had me gripped and interested from begining to end and felt real. Style and direction reminds me of All the Presidents Men.

johnny_ultimate

Also feel its apt to point out that 2011 was a damn good year for high quality reissues. Of course you had the Screen attracting big audiences with their projected DVDs (its working out extremely well for them, so who am I to argue?) but there was a significant amount of amazing quality restorations too, many enjoying theatrical releases. It was great to get to see some classics like Battleship Potemkin (what an experience!) and Days of Heaven for the first time as they were meant to be seen. A few gems I previously hadn't even heard of - like Cutter's Way and the superb Cría cuervos - were equally welcome additions. Disappointed I never got to see Jurassic Park though IFI had some excellent seasons and retrospectives too - basically got a crash course in Terence Malick with their glorious original prints! And the Blu-Ray release of Harakiri finally won me over to the joys of BR home re-releases - absolutely pristine stuff.

Actually, my cinema experience of the year was seeing Sunrise at the IFI open day - always find it amazing when films almost a century old can still prove so bewitching. And Hugo - a fine film unfortunately buried between far more commercially viable blockbusters - was a flawed but affecting ode to all things classic cinema.

I'm trying to figure out what the worst film i saw in 2011 was, Gulliver's Travels is one that sticks out. A poorly plotted, badly acted mess of a film which didn't even have the decency to credit the author upon whose book it was based. Cowboys and Aliens is another whic was far from good, I watched the first hour and found it mildly entertaining but after pausing it to go to the bathroom I couldn't be bothered with the rest.

LighterGuy

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm trying to figure out what the worst film i saw in 2011 was, Gulliver's Travels is one that sticks out. A poorly plotted, badly acted mess of a film which didn't even have the decency to credit the author upon whose book it was based. Cowboys and Aliens is another whic was far from good, I watched the first hour and found it mildly entertaining but after pausing it to go to the bathroom I couldn't be bothered with the rest.

I know what you mean.
I felt it was boring and dragged out. But apart from that, you'd expect a bit more from a movie called cowboys and aliens. I think it focused on being a western more than anything else.
My girlfriend enjoyed it as i'm sure alot of people did. But I have also heard alot of people didnt aswell. With a big hollywood blockbuster prouduction with a budget of millions you would of expected more.

Technocentral

Poor year for films, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, My Perestroika, We Need To Talk About Kevin and True Grit the only good ones I seen.

rednik

Tinker tailor soldier spy and Drive are the standouts for me.

nyarlothothep

1. Your Highness

An excellent ribald bawdy medieval fantasy romp which consists of more than just dick jokes, it has scatalogical gags, stoner humour and gaming in jokes, an excellent satire of the D&D gaming culture in this respect. All the cast put in superb perfomances, the special effects are great for a film of a medium to modest budget. But ultimately its hilarious and had audiences laughing out loud. Danny Mc Bride is a genius for this film and I would hope to see Your Highness 2 in the future.

2. Moneyball

Enjoyed the slow pace of this film which stands in contrast to most modern films. Brad Pitt's character is a tragic figure.

3. Fright Night

Didn't care much for the original, the guy who plays the magician is brilliant, the fx are good, the whole vibe of the film is enjoyable, its funny, well paced and the different elements from casting to performances to direction just fit together really well.

4. Thor

Not a great film but it was the best of the super hero action films this year and certainly better than most of the films this year. There was a certain old world charm about the film as a classic one dimensional tale about a Norse god punished by being tied to a mortal coil. Good performance by whoever it was that played him, Kenneth Branagh introduced some elements of Shakespearean over acting and theatricality which I enjoyed, the visual conceptualisation for Thor's dimension was also visually appealing.

5. Horrible Bosses

About the best comedy apart from Your Highness which I've seen this year, that said it was a bit sh1tty but it works all the same.

6. That Sherlock Holmes film I saw recently, not great, but I liked the visual style and mood/ambiance.

In conclusion a sh1t year for films but Your Highness stood out as a jewel amongst the sh1t.

Galvasean

nyarlothothep wrote: »

In conclusion a sh1t year for films but Your Highness stood out as a jewel amongst the sh1t.