2011 Movie Top 10: Jordan Smith
Posted 01/15/2012 04:54AM by Monk 0 Nuggets as Top 10
This past year I have spent more time engaged with the big screen than any previous year. So much so that I sadly fell behind a bit with my first love: music. That time was well spent, however. I managed to attend both the Hot Docs and Toronto International Film Festivals, and in a few weeks I will be making my way to Park City, attending Sundance for the first time. An incredible amount of quality films were released in the past year. From big budget blockbusters that were actually worth a shit, to micro budget indie docs that moved outside of genre norms; tons of excellent cinema was at your disposal. If you didn't know what to check out, or just didn't have time to hit up the theater, now is your chance to indulge in the best of the past year. I present to you, my ten favorite films of 2011.
1. The Tree of Life
What is there to say about this masterpiece that hasn't already been said? Somehow tackling cosmic creation and the fruition of a Texas bound family during the 50s, Terrance Malick and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki have crafted one of the most eye-poppingly gorgeous films to ever hit celluloid. And it's not just the visual beauty that makes this behemoth a thing of cinematic magic. It's in the intimate portrayal of human development, and the delicately layered questions of existence that run throughout the picture that make The Tree of Life the best film of the year. Malick has likely arrived at the pinnacle of his legendary career with this highly personal tail that for me, strangely, hits quite close to home.
2. Drive
Nicolas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling created a modern day Travis Bickle whose soundtrack aches to live in the 80s. It sounds like a bad idea, but somehow the result turned out to be the most stylish piece of film making of the year. Drive is idiosyncratic in its lack of character building, choosing instead mysteriosos and clear cut mobsters, but it simmers with intensity, and is peppered with extreme blasts of overtly graphic violence that is unshakably memorable in its incredible staging. Pair that with a silently stoic Gosling and a set of stellar supporting performances by Carey Mulligan, Albert Brooks, Oscar Isaac, and Ron Perlman, and you are going to want to run out to find one of those scorpion embroidered jackets our hero dons in hopes you'll exude that same level of cool.
3. Dragonslayer
Blasting out of SXSW at the top of the ranks and nabbing the top prize at Hot Docs a couple months later, Tristen Patterson's chronicle of professional skateboarder Josh 'Skreech' Sandoval's hazy, meandering journey toward responsibility is a strikingly photographed doc that captures his surprisingly candid subject with supreme authenticity. The film seems to be getting lumped in with other skateboarding films, but it is so much more than that: a coming of age tale, an encapsulation of southwestern wasted youth, a real life romance that feels like a Godard film come to life, and a non-fiction story that plays like the best kind of indie drama.
4. Super 8
Following up his extremely fun reboot of Star Trek, J.J. Abrams got his Spielberg impression on (with the help of Spielberg himself) with brilliant results. His cast of charismatic youngsters, hair raising special effects, and a story that draws heavily on that wholesome nostalgic feeling we all love so much, make Super 8 an instant classic made for lazy Sunday afternoon cable viewing with the family.
5. Martha Marcy May Marlene
Sean Durkin's vexing debut takes Elizabeth Olsen down a paranoid one way path of cultic discipline and misogynistic surrender. Olsen puts forth one of the best performances of the year, with a complete loss of social norms; she floats along, fearing the worst is yet to come. Her tortured tale is woven together elegantly, blending the past and present with subtle sensory triggers that haunt her every move. Like her sister, we deeply worry about not only her mental stability, but the allusions that her past may come to consume her.
6. Burning Man
Largely overlooked by the general populous on the festival circuit, writer/director Jonathan Teplitzky crafted a highly personal film of explicitly sensual love and soul crushing loss with a keen handle on the narrative form. He intelligently chose to dole out the drama in moments of intense memory recall, letting the audience connect the dots slowly but surely, putting together one of the most heartfelt depictions of the devastation of having to deal with cancer yet. I caught this at the TIFF, but hopefully this Australian flick gets a US release in the coming year.
7. Project Nim
Rise of the Planet of the Apes was the primate centered film about humans over-reaching themselves in the name of science that did the most business this year, but James Marsh's doc about the fate of Nim Chimpsky is by far the better picture, and it is much more disheartening in its truthfulness. Pulling from archival footage of Nim's fascinating life, and new interviews with the people who were involved in the communication experiment, Marsh has once again proven he is at the top of his craft.
8. Take Shelter
Michael Shannon can be one intense dude, and he certainly maintains his acute sense of suspense and release in Jeff Nichols's welcome return to the big screen. Constantly leading us on with thoughts of oncoming insanity, we are uncomfortably given our own decision about Curtis's mental health. The film is a remarkable take on what it would be like to be diagnosed with a mental disability you have little or no control over in the prime of your life. It makes my heart hurt just thinking about it.
9. Hugo
Something most people assumed probably wouldn't or shouldn't happen: Martin Scorsese at the helm of a family film. And in 3D. Ugh. But somehow he pulled it off, and not just by a thread. Hugo is a glorious success that nods to the films that started it all (particularly those of Georges Méliès), while delving into the ideas of young independence, perseverance, shared experience, and profound appreciation for family. It's a sugary sweet cinematic treat, but it bares a big heart and a history lesson to boot. (Though, I still would recommend seeing it in regular old 2D if possible.)
10. Melancholia
Lars Von Trier can't stop torturing his female protagonists, but with such an intriguing filmography that relies heavily on just that dynamic, who could blame him? He continues his torment, this time with Kirsten Dunst in the lead. His entrancing images of a planet on track to collide with Earth, paired against the fluid liveliness of an already doomed wedding, perfectly encapsulate the experience of being inundated by panoptic depression. It's obvious Von Trier and Dunst know the topic at hand all too well, but in this case their pain is their catharsis and our pleasure.
Comments
Reno, NV
I don't watch a lot of movies these days, but I'll have to check a couple of these out, Dragonslayer sounds awesome! Will get around to Drive one of these days. Lots of praise and lots of bashing to both Drive and The Tree of Life, which I did see.
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Fishers, Indiana
Melancholia was god damn amazing. I'm so glad to see it here.
And I like what you said about Super 8. It was this weird mix of entirely harmless-feeling, yet gripping all the same. I'm glad I saw it in the theater.
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West Haven, CT
I was in love with Drive the minute I sat down to watch the opening scene. I'm not sure everyone will enjoy that movie, but I think if you have the right state of mind, you'll get some fun out of it. The Tree Of Life was good too. I just don't think its as good as everyone's hyping it up to be. Super 8 was amazing and everyone with a High Deff T.V should see it. Good list, Jordan.
Fuckings Greatest Hits: 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008
Can't wait to see Drive and Melancholia but yeah Tree of Life was by far the best movie to come out in '11.
Buffalo, NY
Thanks guys! So many great films came out this year. It was hard to whittle it down to 10. Here's my music top 10 for those interested: http://www.decoymusic.com/users/651/top_tens/2011
Minnesota
I've only seen one movie on this list (Super 8)... frowny face. Guess I'll toss most of these in my Netflix queue.
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Olympia, Washington
i always enjoy reading your reviews, jordan. you bring movies to the forefront that i otherwise wouldn't hear about.
West Haven, CT
Drive > The Tree Of Life.
Fuckings Greatest Hits: 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008
Illinois
I've had super 8 downloaded forever, I need to check it out... I'll have to check out some of these other ones too.
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Columbus, OH
I loved Super 8; it hit a nostalgic nerve for this 80s/90s kid. I really need to see The Tree of Life and Drive, especially the latter.
Also, great music top 10, Jordan! I really need to give YOB a listen.
Currently Listening To:
Lo!- Monstrorum Historia
HeavyArms- Burning Crowds
Shining- One One One
Buffalo, NY
Thanks again guys! Nick, YOB is a groove factory. Especially the newest. The record prior though, pure evil.
Reno, NV
Hey Jordan where would one get a copy of Dragonslayer, and does it even exist? Seems to be pretty underground from what I've searched. Watched the trailer and I would like to see it somehow.
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Buffalo, NY
On facebook yesterday they posted that they are trying to get Netflix to carry it, so add it to your cue and hopefully it will be on Netflix soon. Other than that, it's still getting limited releases around the country. Facebook is a good place to keep taps on it.
Columbus, OH
Yeah I listened to "Prepare the Ground", and it's damn groovy.
Currently Listening To:
Lo!- Monstrorum Historia
HeavyArms- Burning Crowds
Shining- One One One
Agreed.
Tree of Life seemed a bit too sprawling, overlong and I guess not as cohesive as I would have liked. I admire the ambition though.
Drive was a slow burner requiring patience as well but it was just amazing. The soundtrack. The violence. Movie of the year.
Reno, NV
Just watched Super 8 last night. It was just okay. A little corny, but for the corny sci-fi type movies it was better than most. Reminded me of the classic 80's movie "Explorers". Agree the characters were charismatic, especially the chunky kid. Going to have to watch Drive and Meloncholia someday.
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Buffalo, NY
For those interested, Dragonslayer is now on iTunes.
Reno, NV
Awesome!
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