My Top 10 List of Movies for 2011----Best and Worst

MY TOP 10 FILMS OF 2011 1. THE IDES OF MARCH George Clooney wrote and directed this film that harkened back to some of the great political thrillers from the 1970's. A fantastic Ensemble led by Clooney and Ryan Gosling made this film pump and I was on the edge of my seat for its entirety. My absolute favorite film of 2011. 2. SHAME This is by far the most riveting and raw depiction of an addiction that I have yet to see on film. Michael Fassbender is nothing short of perfection as a man who has everything one would want, but is suffering from a sexual addiction. The film is rated NC-17 and earns that rating tenfold. Fassbender and Carey Mulligan are simply incredible. This movie kept me in my seat for a few minutes after it ended. Very powerful. 3. THE HELP Being a huge admirer of the book, I was skeptical as to whether or not the film could hold the weight and emotion of its source material. But I was completely enthralled and thrilled with this beautiful movie. Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer lead a true Ensemble that is perfection at every turn. Special attention must be paid to Bryce Dallas Howard for one of the more overlooked performances of the year. 4. MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE Much like SHAME, I had to remain in my seat for a few moments when the end credits started rolling. This harrowing story of a young girl struggling to free herself from the clutches of a Cult made my skin crawl. Incredible performances from everyone added to the allure of this hypnotic film. If you like clean endings, this one isn't for you. It allows YOU to finish the story. Unforgettable movie. 5. MY WEEK WITH MARILYN Michelle Williams has come a long way since living on the 'Creek. She is completely captivating as Marilyn Monroe in this wonderful film set in a time of motion pictures that we will never see again. Perfect performances from all, including Kenneth Branaugh and Eddie Redmayne make this a film that won't be matched anytime soon. 6. 50/50 This was the biggest surprise of 2011. I went in expecting a Buddy Comedy and instead I got an incredibly moving story of a friendship that survives while enduring a cancer crisis. One of the best original screenplays of the year. 7. BRIDESMAIDS It's been years since I saw a movie in the cinema and actually lost dialogue because of unstoppable laughter from an audience. This is one of the best comedies to come along in quite some time with beautifully honest performances from an incredible cast. Overnight movie stars were made of Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy. The Ladies ruled the comedic box office this summer, and much deserved. 8. MONEYBALL Who knew I could love a film about two of my least favorite things, Baseball and Math? But this movie was completely enthralling and I hung on every word and frame. Brad Pitt gives his best performance to date and is ably supported by Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and a tight wonderful Cast. Absolutely loved it. 9. THE ARTIST One of the most unique cinematic experiences I have ever had. Beautifully shot in black and white with a point on eye for period detail. This silent film knows exactly how long it needs to be before the 'hook' wears out its welcome. Beautifully made and acted. 10. BEGINNERS A crowning achievement in Christopher Plummer's career, to be sure. But Ewan McGregor owns this film and is being severely overlooked this awards season. The film is gorgeously written and acted by all. But Mr. McGregor gives a performance of beautiful subtlety and in my opinion, gives the Best Performance by a Lead Actor in 2011. MY 10 WORST FILMS OF 2011 1. LARRY CROWNE How does a movie starring two of Hollywood's biggest stars fail this badly? I'm sure Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts are wondering that as much as I was as I sat with my jaw dropped watching this insipid mess. Nothing in this movie rings true. Ms Roberts (who I normally can forgive anything) gives her worst performance yet. Her drunk scene is so awful, one must look away. An embarrassment for all involved. 2. ANONYMOUS When I saw the trailer for this film, I salivated at the thought of this movie that presented the idea that Shakespeare was not the author of his plays. What a Cast! What locations! What beautiful cinematography! What an absolute bore! An hour and fifteen minutes in, I got my phone out, moved to the back of the cinema, and played Jewels until this atrocity ended. 3. ARTHUR When I heard that Russell Brand was playing Arthur in the remake of one of my favorite films from the 1980's, I was actually pretty excited. But they didn't give Brand a screenplay that had any of the charm that the original film had. And replacing the role of Hobson that John Gielgud made famous with Helen Mirren is simply unforgivable. My biggest disappointment of 2011. 4. CARNAGE Confession....I saw GOD OF CARNAGE on Broadway starring Marcia Gay Harden, James Gandolfini, Hope Davis, and Jeff Daniels. So let's face it, who could top that? But....this truly awful film version suffers from bad direction (Roman Polanski), career low performances (Jodie Foster), and a severe case of claustrophobia. What worked on stage just seems to fail miserably on film. Read the play instead. 5. RED RIDING HOOD I so anticipated what looked like a beautifully atmospheric gothic take on the Little Red Riding Hood story. But what it turned out to be is a CW friendly film with beautiful people and a really bad script that wasn't sure what it wanted to be. Not worth matinee prices or even a wasted Netflix rental. 6. THE BEAVER This was Jodie Foster's second misfire of the year (see above for CARNAGE). A ridiculous story of a man played by Herr Gibson who is unable to communicate to anyone without the help of a beaver puppet. It took everything I could do to actually finish this movie. 7. TRESPASS Eventually, the Academy is just going to demand the Oscar back from Nicolas Cage. He is atrocious in this story of a family held hostage in their home by intruders. How Nicole Kidman got involved in this Joel Schumacher mess is a mystery to me. 8. ONE DAY I am a sucker for a Romantic film. I forgive most things as long as there are one or two moments of romantic bliss. I am also a sucker for Anne Hathaway, even though I think she's not always a capable actress (see also my love for Julia Roberts). But this shamble of a film never gives you a chance to feel anything for its two leads and the concept that worked beautifully in the source novel is destroyed on film. 9. FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS I am convinced that Justin Timberlake's terrific performance in THE SOCIAL NETWORK was a fluke. He was awful in this, his second mistake of the year (see below for BAD TEACHER). This movie was unjustly compared to NO STRINGS ATTACHED which was released earlier in the year and actually worked. This film is vulgar (again, normally not a prude) and badly acted by all. Left me needing to take a long shower. 10. BAD TEACHER I laughed out loud every time I saw the trailer. I laughed out loud in the movie too....at the same things I laughed at in the trailer. The movie stinks. Terrible annoying performances from Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake. Jason Segal does his best to save the proceedings but too little too late. Yuck.