I'm not even going to bother appointing a "Worst Movie of 2011" award this year, primarily because I try to avoid seeing movies that I know I'm going to hate. Of the movies I willingly sat through, the likeliest candidate would be "Beastly". I enjoy great love stories, but this is not one of them. It's a glorification story about lust-driven co dependence, something that teens often mistake for love but really isn't. Need I mention "Twilight"?
"Beastly" probably isn't the worst film of the year, though. I'm betting that both Adam Sandler's "Jack and Jill" or "Atlas Shrugged, Part 1" were far more shittastic. Or they may be brilliant, I don't know.
Sure they are.
And now may I present to you my final five faves of 2011. These are my most favorite movies of that year, ending with the movie that I consider to be my #1 pick, which is unusual because I can rarely ever narrow my choices down to just one. For instance, if you were to put a gun to my head and make me choose my favorite movie of all time my automatic answer would be Terry Gilliam's "Brazil", but that's not entirely true. I really couldn't pick just one unless my life depended on it. In 2011, though, I can steadfastly say there was one movie that I consider to be Top Dog. And I will save it for last.
- Super -
"Shut up, crime!" That's my favorite catchphrase of the year, as spoken by Rainn Wilson in the gleefully demented, yet brutally honest deconstructionist superhero/vigilante comedy "Super". Similar to the equally hard-edged "Kick-Ass" but with far less of a slick pop culture/mainstream veneer, this is almost like a Troma Studios version of that same film (see also "Hobo With a Shotgun"). What a coincidence, because writer/director James Gunn used to work for Troma until he moved to the majors - his previous movie was the entertaining monster movie comedy "Slither". For all of its shocking gore, uproarious humor, sharp societal commentary, and the underdeveloped childlike innocence of its protagonist, the movie has a true, meaningful heart that beats like a drum and bursts forth full force during the final scene. This movie ends on a perfect note which caps off the story perfectly - you will be taken "through the ringer" during the rollercoaster ride of the story but, trust me, it's well worth it.
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes -
I been a "Planet of the Apes" fan since I was a little bastard. The original was always my favorite, but I enjoyed the sequels as well. Even the short-lived live action T.V. series kept my attention. Just don't get me started on that horrible Tim Burton-directed remake from 2001. Except for the well-done ape makeups by Rick Baker, it was crap, so you could imagine my skepticism when going to see this new reboot from some guy named Rupert Wyatt. Well I'll be a monkey's uncle if this movie didn't grab me. Surprisingly subtle, character-driven and solid as all heck, this remake of the fourth apes movie ("Conquest of the Planet of the Apes") details the primate revolution started by a super intelligent ape named Caesar. Brilliant actor Andy Serkis (Gollum from "Lord of the Rings", who previously played a big ape as the title character in Peter Jackson's "King Kong") portrays Caesar and is the heart of the movie. In fact, his portrayal is my pick for best acting performance of 2011. You become so wrapped up in the story that you completely forget the visual effects side of it. This movie ranks right up there with recent reboots like "Star Trek", "Casino Royale" and "Batman Begins".
- 13 Assassins -
Turning Japanese. I think I'm turning Japanese. I really think so, because I really dig samurai films. "Seven Samurai" is the one most often referred to as the best samurai flick - most film lovers agree that it's one of the best films of all time, period (I agree). But there are so many good ones out there - "Kagemusha", "Samurai Assassin", "Throne of Blood", "After the Rain", "The Hidden Blade", "The Hidden Fortress", "Yojimbo", "Harakiri", "Ran", and on and on. Add to that list "13 Assassins" from director Takashi "Madman" Miike. Clearly influenced by many of these films, Miike adds his own painterly eye, lyrical storytelling prowess and love of carefully coordinated chaos to this timeworn tale of a group of warriors in 19th century Japan who are hired by the Shogunate to ambush and take down a corrupt politician. It's simple - set up the villain, introduce the heroes, set up the plan, execute the plan, The End. It's the best action film of 2011, hands down. And this is one of those rare cases where I actually prefer the edited down American version over the original Japanese version. Scenes featuring Miike's perverse, over-the-top sense of humor are cut out, which, in this case, is good for the whole. Those scenes just feel out of joint with the rest of the movie - what's left is a lean, mean limb-hacking machine.
- The Muppets -
I don't get along with anybody who hates the Muppets. Those people frighten me. How anyone could something so clearly born out of love, as the Muppets are, is beyond my comprehension. Sure, the Muppet brand has been a lifeless franchise from about the mid-90s through the 2000s, but only because the bean counters took the reins and sucked most of the life out of it. There were still signs of life, however, as those who loved the Muppets tried hard to keep the dream alive - "Muppets Tonight", the introduction of Pepe the Prawn - but still it faded. Then along came, of all things, the Walt Disney Corporation. Once a faceless, soulless entity, the new head honchos at Disney realized one important thing about the art of moviemaking - Do Not Meddle. Let the filmmakers do their thing. So when they acquired the Muppet franchise they brought in talented people - actor/writer Jason Segel and director James Bobin (of "Flight of the Conchords") - and turned them loose. The result - "The Muppets", a love letter to Jim Henson and his timeless creations which brought the opening night crowd of the theater I attended to a full-on standing ovation. Pure joy.
And now I would like to present my favorite movie of 2011.
Drumroll, please. . .
- Take Shelter -
I wasn't lucky enough to catch this one in theaters, I had to wait to see it on DVD. However, as soon as I had finished my first viewing I turned around and watched it a second time in a row - it's that good. This is a hard one to recommend. When you tell people that it's a drama about a hard working man with paranoid schizophrenia who's trying his best to keep his family together, it just doesn't sound like a fun night at the movies. But from its moody opening shots to its strangely exhilarating finale, it's absolutely worth it. Director Jeff Nichols has put together a prime slow cooker of a movie, a movie that takes its time and builds deliberately towards an emotional climax, punctuated by the occasional creepy/startling schizoid vision and accompanied by the ethereal tunes of composer David Wingo. The real burden of the movie rests on its two main actors - Michael Shannon and JESSICA CHASTAIN. Shannon gives a pitched-perfect understated performance, the kind of character where every subtle tic is equal to an atomic explosion of epic emotional expression, while Chastain is the backbone and heart of the movie, the real hero of the tale. Both performances are honest and real, as are all of the supporting characters (there really aren't very many characters - it's a low budget movie, after all). In conclusion, it's my #1 recommendation of 2011.
See you one year from now with my 2012 list!
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