Queer and The Fat Man’s Best of 2011 – According to REAL moviegoers.
#1
My number one film of 2011 is unequivocally Hannah. Featuring a pulsating score by The Chemical Brothers, a wretched villain played in character actress form by Cate Blanchett, and completely carried almost effortlessly by the impossibly fair-haired newcomer Saoirse Ronan, this motion picture gave me everything I could ever want. It was a coming of age tale set under the most unusual circumstances of a girl trained as an assassin and was satisfying at every thrilling turn.
#2
Coming in at number two is In Time starring wunderkind Justin Timberlake. It’s a bizarre sci-fi action flick that we didn’t agree on here at Queer and The Fat Man, but no matter the mocking I’ve received on giving this one an A+, I stand by my review. Time is money quite literally in this film as we’re imagined in the future to live only to the age of 25. After that, you have only a year left and everything you need costs minutes off your life. It’s an intriguing concept made perfectly ripe as right as the movie was released various protests over income inequality sprang up in the real world, somewhat mirroring the disparity that is sleekly portrayed in this strange tale.
#3
The third best film is brought to us by the letter J, as in JJ Abrams, in Super 8. This was one of those movies where the trailers really got me hooked from the start. A group of Middle America kids in the 80′s set out to make their own indie Creature Feature and end up in the middle of the real thing? I was so there! Fortunately, the film truly delivers on nearly every expectation. With many great child acting performances and a monster that truly terrifies, the only missteps end up being JJ’s obsession for lens flare and a relatively hokey ending. Still, this is a truly great Sci-Fi Summer Blockbuster at its very buttery popcorn best.
#4
Number four is the animated western simply known as Rango. In a year when another Pirates of the Caribbean sequel turned out not so great, I still manged to get my Gore Verbinski directing Johnny Depp in a swashbuckling type film. But I had no idea the adventure would turn out so cockeyed and… weird! I’d say the thing was beautifully animated, except almost all of the characters are quite grotesque. That’s the way things are in a town called Dirt in which a lack of water serves as the backdrop for some action packed fun. The fact that this is a kids movie almost strictly for adults just makes it all the more confusing, yet immensely funny and most importantly entertaining.
#5
Finally, in the fifth best slot is X-Men: First Class. In a year where superhero films were just not that super, leave it to the X-Men to show everyone how to do it right. Not a sequel, but a daring prequel that would recast roles many had grown attached to, actors like James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender had a lot riding on their performances as Professor X and Magneto respectively. Reflectively, I don’t know why anyone would get their tights in a bunch. While set against the Cuban Missile Crisis of the 80′s this blockbuster evenly paired effective dramatic turns with all the action one would expect from an X-Men film. And by its end, we found ourselves clamoring for a sequel to THIS entry rather than an X-Men 4 proper.
#1
Leader of the pack for 2011 is JJ Abram’s tribute horror/adventure movie Super 8. From the first trailer to the end of the movie, I enjoyed the Abram’s passion for storytelling and his sense of film history. It’s rare I get so lost in a film and feel that sense of disappointment when the credits finally roll and I’m back to reality, but this film really delivered. A solid story, great visuals, and a stellar young cast made this one of the most enjoyable experiences in a long time.
#2
My second favorite movie of the year didn’t even show up on my radar as a contender from the early trailers, but Hugo surprised me with a beautiful picture that mixed new technology with classic film ideas. Of the few films in 3D that I regret not taking advantage of, this is one – Scorsese really used his understanding of space and film making to create a depth in the 2D version that I can only imagine was stunning in the 3D. It’s definitely worth your time, even if you only watch the dizzying opening sequence.
#3
Dropping in at number three is the Queer and The Fat Man favorite Hanna. Once again, I was not expecting such a rich visual treat paired with an excellent soundtrack and powerful performance by Saoirse Ronan. I do love me some action movies and this one, despite it’s slightly lower grade, ranks as one of my favorite action movies in recent years.
#4
Number four on the big top five goes to…. Source Code! Despite having Blah Gyllenhaal (I really don’t hate him.. I just hate his face), the twisting sci-fi thriller kept me on the edge of my seat with a simple, but well thought out premise that gave some room to wonder at the end of the movie. Moon director Duncan Jones is now two for two on movies I love.
#5
Fifth, but not last (I’m looking at you, Mr. Cage) comes X-Men: First Class, a Cold War-era lesson on not messing with the human genome. After riding the Ratner train down the movie tubes, it was thrilling to see The X-Men return to their former glory with this reboot of the series. I look forward to seeing more of the same. You should note that this is the only remake/prequel/sequel on the top 5 for either of us – take that Hollywood!
A note: I only ranked the movies I have seen and reviewed. Of the ones I have seen, but neglected to review Life In A Day and Griff the Invisible were two of the most powerful films this year and would probably place somewhere in the top 10 if not the top 5. Well worth seeing if you find the time. Of those that I have not seen, but I’m hopeful will end up being favorites are The Artist, Puncture, and General Orders #9 (well, not so much that one…I’m just hella curious).
