FILM: Top 10 films for 2011

With the year more or less at an end, its time to have a retrospective look at my Top 10 cinematic picks for 2011. One might think this would be a straight pick from the ratings I denoted at time of viewings, but to make it interesting for myself (don't get many readers), it is my opinion of how I feel about the films now, with the year having past.

Also, to keep it current, I have opted to exclude films eligible for the awards season of 2010 (i.e. The King's Speech, True Grit, The Fighter), even though I saw them in 2011. This may seem unfair, but those films have had their dues already and don't require any more, having already been judged. I must also point out that I can only judge films I have seen (obviously). There have been 30 in total this year I've viewed at the cinema, which isn't a bad effort, but there are many I have missed that I will credit, later in the piece.

Okay to get cracking from 10 - 6 all at once, they are as follows:

10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II
9. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
8. Elena
7. 13 Assassins
6. Win Win

Its funny how 10 - 6 differ above, from my initial ratings upon reflection. Harry Potter Part II for instance, I rated quite highly for its excitement, but have found with time its resonance has waned. Rise of the Planet of the Apes in contrast for me has picked up in appeal for amusement and effect I don't think I appreciated enough upon first viewing. I also wanted to get the Russian film Elena in there, for being of such stark contrast to everything else I had seen. It was the film least made for an audience (in the western sense) and deserved to be commended for its stubbornness. I'm Japanese, so 13 Assassins was a given with Takashi Miike doing what he does best and Win Win showcased the well established talents of Paul Giamatti and developing talents of actor-turned-director Tom McCarthy.

Moving on to the top 5 big boys. At number 5...

5. We need to talk about Kevin

An uneasy film with some real power, attributed mostly to the nerve-popping performance by Tilda Swinton. Could have easily have been a farce with its fairly extreme storyline but its balance and tone kept it on track for this years most emotionally draining 90 mins. 

4. Moneyball

  

Paves the way for a new type of sports movie to be made, free of formulaic constraints that have dominated the genre in years past. A film with depth that investigates its content with real respect, and forces you to do the same. A good all-round effort.

3. 50/50 

The tone for this one was perfect. A hundred percent genuine in feel, 50/50 convinces you in its emotional integrity. It's delivered with dignity that compliments the struggle in a very accessible way. Gordon-Levitt's contribution is humanistic in reach and doesn't draw itself to performance. The film has lighter moments, but never seeks laughs at the expense of its story, which all works to make it one with greater meaning and permanence. 

2. Drive 

An unassuming little gangster film with shavings of romance and heart. There's a moralistic sense of nobility that works here, which is what really 'drives' the film, and pits you in with the hero in all his unselfishness. There's nostalgic joy with this one too as it draws upon the very best films of the genre from the 80's with its look and style. The accompanying soundtrack could also be the best of the year and really does seal the film nicely. Gosling deals well with the intense and subdued, and Albert Brooks makes for a great foil. Hard to fault.

And finally, my number 1 pick of 2011...

1. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Hands down for me, the obvious and easy choice for the year. A classic that will no doubt stand the test of time for many a year. Everything about it is meticulous. The plot threading, the layered composition, the articulated performances, the mise en scene, the ambiance. Just when you thought spies did nothing but run, chase and shoot, here is one that tiptoes and whispers to keep you on edge. Its largely bureaucratic for the most part which is a British specialty, but it's what makes it so fun. You're feeding off scraps of hearsay, rumour and innuendo the whole time, which keeps you wanting more. Only with great craft can this be devised and achieved. Director Tomas Alfredson compiles a cast including the very best of young and old with Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, John Hurt, Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch to name a few. There are basically no weak links, and the film challenges you to maintain a degree of focus to keep up with its precision. Its a film that demands to be revisited and revered as a masterful work of art. You just don't get much better. A real gift of a film which stands apart and proud as my number one pick of the year. 

Notable Omissions: There are a few films that rated quite highly for me, that haven't made my top 10. Probably most surprisingly (and arguably unjustly) was Terrance Mallick's Tree of Life. Being a huge fan of his films, I found this one a bit too out of my mental grasp with its abstractness. I like to think I can indulge myself in the cerebral, but here I found myself too often, too disconnected. Probably the most beautifully shot film of the year, I just couldn't get into the text, and felt frustrated in my efforts to do so. Hanna, was also up there as a tiny little thriller but failed to completely follow through on its premise for me. It was all very good, but when you set up such an idea at the start of the film, you must finish strong. Slight missteps cost glory, and so it did. TRON was great glitzy geeky fun for me, but was a bit lightweight in other areas. This didn't bother me in the slightest, but when put up against some good calibre competition, superficiality has to be put aside. Being a J.J Abrams fan makes omitting Super 8 a little sore, but in the end it didn't do enough. He's a filmmaking tease, but usually delivers with agreeable satisfaction. Like Hanna, this just fell short, and Spielberg's sentimental shadow in the background did not go unnoticed. You've enough of your own skills J.J! You don't need the help!

Films not seen: Had a chance to see a preview for The Artist but unfortunately couldn't make it and have been ruing the missed opportunity, as it seems ingenuous in a way that could rival my adoration for Tinker Tailor. The rocks the filmmakers had to produce a silent film in this day and age, and furthermore pull it off, to me is quite astounding and reviews likewise have been glowing. Lars Von Trier's Melancholia was another one I missed which would've been a good bizzarro fix, if his past glories are anything to go by, and the Australian gangster film Snow Town, reminiscent of the very good Animal Kingdom, was another that I was hoping to see. The Descendants, directed by life-crisis specialist Alexander Payne is being touted as a serious contender (not itching but will see it), and Hugo by Sir Martin Scorsese (knight of the realm in my book) is an intriguing departure of type, for the legend. Shame also produced one of the best trailers for 2011 and may have also made my top 5. I also feel bad for not getting to as many Indy films & documentaries like Take Shelter and Senna, but happened to be far too poor during festival season in London.  

Verdict for the year: 2011 was definitely a year of consistently good films. My top 2 films stand apart for me, but the next bunch are all pretty close. Compared to last year its a tough call. There definitely weren't as many good films in that crop, but possibly more I would bracket in similar standing to Tinker Tailor and Drive (namely The Social Network, A Secret in their Eyes, A Winter's Bone, Inside Job and Boy). As a whole, both years really do more or less balance out. Maybe 2010 edges it because The Social Network blew me away, but its photo finish if we're measuring. 

Prospects for 2012: Prometheus. Nothing else needs saying, other than of course that this could be the greatest year for film in the new millennium. Ridley Scott returning to the Alien franchise. Quite simply there is no master of detail and atmosphere surpassing to he. The only thing that might top that is a return to the world of Blade Runner, which is set for the following year (I think). The Hobbit also looks to bring more of the same good stuff presented in the LOTR trilogy and The Dark Knight Rises should also be well received so long as we can understand Tom Hardy's dialogue as Bane (previews have suggested he is vocally illegible).


In finishing, it has been a year of good value viewing. Whilst there may not be so many included that will make my collection, very few have been time-wasting efforts. It has been a satisfying build-up year, and I just hope that 2012 will do justice to the solid foundations laid down.