I Now Wish To Speak To The Dead One

Top 11 Films of 2011

11. War Horse - It’s fairly cheesy at the beginning. And some parts just plain don’t make sense. But somehow, Spielberg pulls it off. The film has some truly great parts, and the ending is flawless. Not to mention, it’s a gorgeous film. 

10. Jane Eyre - The follow up from director Cary Fukunaga’s brilliant debut, Sin Nombre, comes a more Hollywood-esq remake. Except that it’s nothing like a Hollywood. Two exceptional performances from Fassbender and Wasikowska, make this a much watch. Don’t be surprised, however, by the spellbinding atmosphere the film slowly creates. This is a film that needs to be seen more than once. 

9. Hugo - This film is just pure joy. I don’t think I’ve ever put a children’s film on my top ten list. I didn’t know what I was going to get from Scorsese doing a kid’s 3D film. Man, was I blown away. Best use of 3D this year. Watch this film, and tell me you don’t want to start making films. Similar to The Artist, but better.

8. 13 Assassins - Learning that Takashi Miike made a film that was basically an ode to Seven Samurai, I was more than excited. Miike has that strange blend of disgusting horror and hilarity. This film is neither completely horrific or hilarious. It’s actually a legitimate film, with great drama at the helm of it all. The battle at the end is exactly what I would want from a modern day Seven Samurai, with a little Miike twist to it. 

7. Take Shelter - This was one of those films last year, that was hyped so much, and that I was so excited for, that it disappointed me just a tad bit. I think one of the biggest reasons was that I watched the trailer, and it sort of gives some of the better set pieces away. Despite my slight disappointment, I couldn’t shake the film from me. Michael Shannon’s performance is brooding. He plays a strong father, with something lurking within. And once you finish the film, and start to revisit everything, you realize how terrifying the film really is. I’m gonna be pissed if Shannon gets snubbed for his performance. 

6. Martha Marcy May Marlene - Probably the most ambiguous film of 2011, and you’d think it would be higher on the list, right? Maybe any other year, and it would’ve, but this year actually provided me with some great ambiguity. Still, though Martha Marcy is an anomaly. In a good way, that is. As far as I’m concerned, Elizabeth Olson gave the best performance as an actress, this year. Sure, I haven’t seen The Iron Lady or My Week With Marilyn, but both of those are people who’ve already existed. Olson breathes life into this woman who doesn’t seem to have much to say. But we follow her. We watch her get uncomfortable. We don’t understand her, but we want to. It’s a hard watch, but it’s Olson’s performance that gets us through it. I won’t even begin to explain the film. Writer/Director Sean Durkin’s debut that weaves us through images that jumble. We don’t really understand Martha Marcy, do we? 

5. Shame - Did the most anticipated film of 2010 live up to my expectations? Sort of. In a way, I sort of forgot how intense and real Hunger was. Shame isn’t a pretty film to watch. It’s intense and real. Fassbender’s performance is subtle, but colossal. Brooding in his shame. What’s great about Steve McQueen’s direction is that he’s so visual. This film rarely relies on words, but when it does, it’s an added bonus. It’s a character drama that allows McQueen to let the camera watch the people living in his film. Though Drive and Shame are totally different films, there is a strange resemblance between each one. Ultimately, it’s a film that shows Fassbender and Mulligan going at it. It’s not a pretty show. But that’s what makes it so great.

4. The Skin I Live In - I’m not sure why I put The Skin I Live In ahead of Shame. But I’m doing anyways. I’m going with my first instinct. The Skin I Live In is the first Almodovar film I’ve seen, and it’s close to perfection. It’s not nearly as hard to watch as Shame, but it gets into pretty freaky territory. Somehow, the film is actually pretty comical, despite it’s disturbing content, but I figure only Almodovar could pull that off. The film is beautiful. The colors are so vibrant. Antonio Banderas performance is great, but I feel like people haven’t recognized Elena Anaya as the prisoner. It’s a great film. Shocking and hilarious. That’s all I ever want in a film.

3. The Tree of Life - I could care less what people say about this film. It’s literally a fucking masterpiece. The similarities to 2001 are undeniable, but it’s done in a totally different way. It’s almost like the opposite of what 2001 was. This film is the definition of an auteur. Some people look at Auteur theory as a sort of bad thing. That if any other filmmaker did this film, it would be shunned. I disagree with that outlook. If any other filmmaker did this film, they would also be considered a great filmmaker. But the fact remains that no other director, other than Terrance Malick, could ever make a film like this. 

2. Kill List - I wanted to put this at the top of the list. I really wanted to. But I just couldn’t. However great the number one choice is, this film is nearly there. It’s so much more than a hitman film, and translates to the best horror film of the year. Watching it a second time, there is so much more to the film, than meets the eye. There’s one point in the beginning, that matches the ending, it will literally blow your mind. This is the ambiguous film I’ve been dying for. Don’t come into this film looking for answers. You’ll have to come up with your own. One thing I will let fellow film lovers in on, is there are some great Shining-type moments, that accompany the atmosphere. The score is just the icing on the top. 

1. Drive - I’ve posted numerous reviews on my blog already. I don’t need to say much anymore. I was actually surprised that I chose this film as my top choice. I think it had to be after I posted two reviews of it, and couldn’t stop thinking about the flawless scenes. Drive is going to get snubbed for a nomination for Best Picture. So is Gosling. So is Refn. Hopefully Albert Brooks will pull in a Best Villain, (ahhem) I mean Best Supporting Actor award. This film is literally amazing. It’s the best this year. Go fuck yourself.

Top 13 Most Anticipated Films of 2012

Fuck 10. Here are 13 movies I’m most excited for in 2012:

1. Prometheus - I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am for this film. The cast looks amazing, and the atmosphere even better. This one’s gonna be a doozy.

2. Gravity - I’m not a huge Sci-Fi fan, but when established directors start to dabble in it, you have to force yourself to look. I would be excited for any Alfonso Cuaron film. But the fact that it takes place in space, makes it even more exciting. Not sure about Sandra Bullock, but I trust Cuaron.

3. The Master - New P.T. Anderson flick. With Philip Seymour Hoffman. Come on now. 

4. Wettest Country - Second collaboration between John Hillcoat and Nick Cave, after their masterpiece, The Proposition. Couldn’t be more excited. Just look at that cast!

5. Django Unchained - New Tarantino. Come on now. This will be a great Western year.

6. The Dark Knight Rises - Alright. Here it is. Yeah, I’m excited. It’ll be good. Whatever.

7. Lincoln - After seeing War Horse, Spielberg has renewed his faith in me. Plus, it’s Daniel Day-Lewis. Talk about a collaboration.

8. Cogan’s Trade - The Assassination of Jesse James was a near masterpiece. With this film, I expect Andrew Dominik to hit his stride.

9. Moonrise Kingdom - A new Wes Anderson film. Come on now. Look at that cast!!

10. Looper - I loved Brick. I didn’t see his second film. But I want to see this. Another Sci-Fi flick. I guess Cowboys and Aliens foreshadowed something in 2011.

11. Gangster Squad - Zombieland was a solid film, and I just love gangster films. Can’t go wrong with Gosling, either. Excited for this.

12. Stoker - Chan-wook Park’s US debut. With an amazing cast. Come on. 

13. The Avengers - The big dumb superhero movie to crush all others. Sign me up.