Best of 2011
These are all the films from 2011 I have seen so far. I have them listed from best to worst. IMDb says some films are from 2010, but 2011 is when they had their widest release.
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21 titles
- DirectorLars von TrierStarsKirsten DunstCharlotte GainsbourgKiefer SutherlandTwo sisters find their already strained relationship challenged as a mysterious new planet threatens to collide with Earth.A lot of people love or hate Lars Von Trier, but Melancholia is my first Von Trier film, and I think I'll go with the former. The film is the best of the year I've seen so far, and is filled with striking metaphors and imagery. A beautiful work of art! A film that makes you think. 9.5/10
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsOwen WilsonRachel McAdamsKathy BatesWhile on a trip to Paris with his fiancée's family, a nostalgic screenwriter finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920s every day at midnight.Woody Allen's new comedy is his best film in years. Hilarious, smart, and interesting! The film also has a brilliant message on nostalgia that most people can relate to. 9/10
- DirectorQuentin DupieuxStarsStephen SpinellaRoxane MesquidaWings HauserA homicidal car tire, discovering it has destructive psionic power, sets its sights on a desert town once a mysterious woman becomes its obsession.This is really a love it or hate it film. Most people dismiss it as a horrible horror comedy, but I look at it as a brilliant satire on the modern film industry. 9/10
- DirectorMike MillsStarsEwan McGregorChristopher PlummerMélanie LaurentOliver, a graphic designer, is attracted to a free-spirited and unpredictable Anna. Memories of his father encourage him to open himself up to the potential of a true and long-lasting relationship.In modern dramedys, acting can rarely have so much heartfelt and true emotion. The acting and writing is what propels this movie to being one of the best of the year. My only problem with the ending is that it should have ended on a darker note. I just feel that McGregor's character should have had more of an emotional struggle in the ending. 9/10
- DirectorTerrence MalickStarsBrad PittSean PennJessica ChastainThe story of a family in Waco, Texas in 1956. The eldest son witnesses the loss of innocence and struggles with his parents' conflicting teachings.This film mixes the self-searching of El Topo with the imagery of 2001: A Space Odyssey to create an amazing film experience. The film has one of Brad Pitt's best roles in years, and a film has to be good when even the children are good actors. The special effects are amazing and not made by CGI at all. But what do you expect when Douglas Trumbull (2001: A Space Odyssey) does the special effects? A real film to think about. 9/10
- DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsElle FanningAJ MichalkaKyle ChandlerDuring the summer of 1979, a group of friends witness a train crash and investigate subsequent unexplained events in their small town.J.J. Abrams' love letter to Spielberg features one of the most exciting plots in a long time! The film is perfectly done in the style of a Spielberg film, mixing suspense, action, romance, drama, comedy, and more in one great film! The film takes influence from many of Spielberg's works, but spices it up with tons of originality. 9/10
- DirectorMatthijs van Heijningen Jr.StarsMary Elizabeth WinsteadJoel EdgertonUlrich ThomsenAt an Antarctica research site, the discovery of an alien craft leads to a confrontation between graduate student Kate Lloyd and scientist Dr. Sander Halvorson.To be frank, people HATE this film. One half hates it because they're blinded by nostalgia (maybe they should go watch Midnight in Paris), and the other half hates it for every other reason. I personally thought it was a great counterpart to Carpenter's version. It really captures a lot of the same themes of the origi- Alright. It is basically a half remake. But it is a great film nonetheless. It has enough original content to make it worthy to be viewed by people who've seen the original. 8/10
- DirectorRupert WyattStarsJames FrancoAndy SerkisFreida PintoA substance designed to help the brain repair itself gives advanced intelligence to a chimpanzee who leads an ape uprising.A great starting point for the Apes reboot series, this film fits right into the Apes story line like a puzzle piece. The film prevents any continuity errors from occurring with the original series, and has great writing, acting, and the special effects are top notch! I can't wait until the next film. 8/10
- DirectorJoe CrossKurt EngfehrStarsJoe CrossAmy BadbergMerv CrossFat, Sick, and Nearly Dead is an American documentary that chronicles Australian Joe Cross's 60-day journey across the United States, where he embarks on a juice-only fast in a quest to reclaim his health.Although a bit preachy at times, this documentary provides an inspirational and humorous look into an interesting way to lose weight. The film provides plenty of interesting information, so you walk away learning something new! 8/10
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsMatt DamonKate WinsletJude LawHealthcare professionals, government officials and everyday people find themselves in the midst of a pandemic as the CDC works to find a cure.A real wake-up call for the public about germs! The average citizen doesn't realize how serious an epidemic can be, but this film has an accurate representation of what it can be like. But it isn't some crappy germ propaganda film. It is a great film altogether! Steven Soderbergh has come a long way. 8/10
- DirectorSeth GordonStarsJason BatemanCharlie DayJason SudeikisThree friends conspire to murder their awful bosses when they realize they are standing in the way of their happiness.The psuedo-sleeper hit comedy of the summer, Horrible Bosses is rather juvenile, but still hilarious! Juvenile is used rather loosely compared to modern comedies, as there is not a single immature fart joke in the movie. The film has great writing, and will most likely push forward the careers of many of the actors. 8/10
- DirectorBennett MillerStarsBrad PittRobin WrightJonah HillOakland A's general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to assemble a baseball team on a lean budget by employing computer-generated analysis to acquire new players.Personally, I thought it is a bit overrated. A lot of parts dragged on and were boring, but it is still a great film. Brad Pitt has some of the best acting of his career, and Jonah Hill has a serious role for once! If Hill can keep it up, he might become a well-respected actor. I like how the film wasn't afraid that the public wouldn't like how dark the ending is. Not many films can be based off a real life story with a not-so-happy ending, and not cut it up. 8/10
- DirectorJohn Michael McDonaghStarsBrendan GleesonDon CheadleMark StrongAn unorthodox Irish policeman with a confrontational personality is partnered with an uptight F.B.I. agent to investigate an international drug-smuggling ring.This comedy was a huge success in its homeland of Ireland, and a surprise success in the US. The film's acting is great, and Brendan Gleeson's acting is hilarious and suited for him! The film is entertaining, but sadly, it doesn't have enough hilarious moments to be considered a "great" film. 7.5/10
- DirectorJoe CornishStarsJohn BoyegaJodie WhittakerAlex EsmailA teen gang in South London defend their block from an alien invasion.This action/horror/comedy/whatever-it-is is a fast paced and fun movie. The script and dialogue are pretty poor, plus it is even more difficult to understand if you don't understand a lot of British dialects and slang. The acting isn't very good either, but that is expected for young actors like the ones in the film. But the special effects are great for an independent film! Despite its flaws, it is still a fun film to waste some time watching. 7.5/10
- DirectorBrett RatnerStarsEddie MurphyBen StillerCasey AffleckWhen a group of hard-working guys find out they've fallen victim to their wealthy employer's Ponzi scheme, they conspire to rob his high-rise residence.Eddie Murphy returns to his best in this action comedy! The movie starts off slow with some poor jokes, but when Murphy comes in, he swoops down and saves the film! Sadly, there are a lot of inconsistencies and things that would be impossible. 7.5/10
- DirectorRodman FlenderStarsConan O'BrienAndy RichterStephen ColbertA documentary on Conan O'Brien's comedy tour of the U.S. and Canada after leaving The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien (2009) and severing his relationship with NBC.This documentary about Coco's comedy tour after leaving NBC gives us an inside look on Conan himself. Hidden under his coat of sarcasm and humor, he seems a bit depressed. The film lags at times, but has enough interesting material for it to be a must-see for any Conan fan. 7/10
- DirectorJac SchaefferStarsKali RochaRich SommerAmy SmartA romantic comedy starring Amy Smart and Rich Sommer that proves it's what you are on the inside that matters most. Winner of the 2010 My Movie Pitch contest presented by American Express and a 2011 Tribeca Film Festival Short Film.This short film may be cheating in this list, considering it is only eight minutes long, but it is a humorous and light-hearted short film that a lot of people can like. 7/10
- DirectorJames WanStarsPatrick WilsonRose ByrneTy SimpkinsA family looks to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child in a realm called The Further.This horror film is slightly ridiculous at times, but it is still a chilling thrillfest that takes influences from Poltergeist and Ghostbusters. Unfortunately, these influences are too noticeable, unlike Super 8, which results in a film that makes you say "Really?". 6/10
- DirectorJohn DoyleStarsColin FirthEllen BurstynPatricia ClarksonDurham is slowly dying like the tobacco business it once depended on. Leroy comes to Durham with a business plan. He rents an old warehouse from a cash-strapped old tobacco heiress.This film sucks. It really sucks. But it is hilarious. Many of the scenes in the film are so poorly acted and written, which results in a hilarious laughfest. Of course, so-bad-it's-good doesn't result in a high rating. So I only give it a 5/10.
- DirectorDavid PalmerDax ShepardStarsDax ShepardNate TuckGreg SiegelMotivated by Box Office statistics, Dax Shepard has made a decision to leave comedy to pursue his dream of becoming an international Martial Arts action star.Boring and unfunny as hell. It has a good premise, but it does everything wrong. A prime example of what NOT to do in film. 1/10
- DirectorTate TaylorStarsViola DavisEmma StoneOctavia SpencerAn aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960s decides to write a book detailing the African American maids' point of view on the white families for which they work, and the hardships they go through on a daily basis.I hated this movie. It should be re-named "Help Me, I Don't Want to Listen to These Yappy Bitches for Two More Minutes". Everything about it is horrible. A good message and possibly good acting is lost in an endless amount of "YOU GO GIRL"s and "I CRAPPED IN YOUR PIE"s. I would have left earlier, but my mother was enjoying the film and I didn't want to be rude. The film is pure boredom and torture from the beginning to the end of its overly long two and a half hour length. A severe disappointment for a film that could have been great. It might just be the most overrated film of all-time, but it is definitely the worst film I've ever seen. The following statement is 100% true: It made me unable to enjoy the art of film for the next couple of days. 0/10