Friday, February 24, 2012

My Top 10 Films of 2011



Oscars are just 2 nights away and naturally I leave this list to the last minute. Not that the Oscars even matter anymore. When you have a movie like Hugo as one of two front runners, you lose all hope. Futhermore, the fact that Tilda Swinton or Michael Fassbender weren't even nominated, is a travesty. However, another reason I procrastinated in compiling the list is because silly me wanted to give Madge's latest effort a chance. While is W.E. is not as bad as critics will have you believe, it's like Madonna went to film school for a month and afterwards wasn't sure which director to emulate, which resulted in a cacophony of different styles. But I was in a funny mood that day, and quite enjoyed looking at pretty things onscreen and Wallis Simpson is an interesting persona to me, so I ate it up. Finally, W.E. teaches you that it's ok to spike your friends' champagne cocktails with benzedrine to get a party started.


But enough about Madge, here are some of my favourite films this year:


1. Drive

This neo noir, artsy actioner had me falling in love at first sight as soon as I heard the synth soundtrack during the opening heist scene. Too sleek and cool for its own good and wonderfully ultra violent, it's the beautiful brutality of the elevator scene that has made this film the most memorable of the year.


2. The Tree of Life

I can't even begin to articulate my thoughts on this ambitious film because I'm still reflecting on it. Difficult to convey my feelings in words, it made me reflect on my childhood and life in general, yanking on my heart strings, but in a pleasant way. Its poetic and non-traditional narrative had me entranced.


3. Melancholia

From the breathtaking opening scored by Wagner's 'Tristan and Isolde', to the dysfunctional wedding melodrama and ending in an anxiety inducing but strangely uplifting apocalypse finale, this has become my favourite Von Trier film.


4. A Separation

If you had said to me, "Hey babe, let's go see this movie about a contemporary Iranian couple getting a divorce and tensions run high", I'd be quick to dismiss it. And this is where my ignorance can be problematic. ie. I can't bring myself to watch Pina because I loathe contemporary dance, actually, all dance. A Separation was probably the biggest surprise of the year. Nothing short of brilliant in the way that it blends topics such as offspring obligations, marital roles and government bureaucracy and wisely shows that truth is seldom black and white.


5. We Need to Talk About Kevin

The premise is as follows: I gave birth to the Devil child, what happens now? This story follows Tilda Swinton, in an astounding performance, as a mother dealing with an atrocity committed by her son. This is perturbing look into a parent's worst nightmare. I enjoyed how a straightforward story like this could be so cinematic, be it the symbolism in the oversaturation of the colour red, the constant flash-backing storyline, and even the music selections.


6. The Kid with a Bike

A naturalistic cinéma vérité style story about a young boy's loss of innocence that doesn't descend into schmaltz. Beautifully acted and well paced, you forget you are watching a movie.


7. The Skin I live In

A modern day Frankenstein tale. At times its so bizarre you think, how much weirder can this get. But it's never boring, and because it's Almodovar, you just accept it. Never overexplanatory , nor does it slip into the "too vague" category, the ending is strangely poignant.


8. Midnight in Paris

As much as I enjoyed the crowdpleaser The Artist, I think Midnight in Paris is a better film when it comes to the best whimsical category. And not just because I enjoy watching Rachel McAdams playing cunty roles, but as a fellow nostalgist, I loved the clever dialogue and the historical literati come to life. Also, Paris in the rain. 'Nuff said.


9. Kill List

At first I was confused because I thought this was supposed to be horror film, and I thought I was watching a Mike Leigh film. And then it started to turn into a heist story. And then strange things begin to happen and every single scene in this movie drips with ominousity (Yes I realize that's not a real world) until it explodes in the WTF ending. In short, don't miss this. Also, I suggest the use of subtitles, because I'm not up to date on english slang.


10. Weekend

This story of a two night stand between two men is probably the most romantic movie I saw this year. A very improvised looking story with long takes, it's honest and real. You get to know the characters as they get to know each other. A wonderful gem.



Honorable Mentions:

The moody and haunting Take Shelter, the existential crisis of Cafe De Flore, the meditative nature of eating a potato in The Turin Horse, Tinker Tailor Solder Spy for being doused in cigarette smoke and tweed, Shame because we are all addicted to something, the hilarity of Bridesmaids, Margin Call for telling a a depressing story so well, Le Havre for being such a delightful pleasure to watch, Martha Marcy May Marlene for inspiring so much dread, Snowtown because it got under my skin, and finally Hanna for being so much more than some silly assassin flick and because Cate Blanchett is amazingly nutty in it.


Disappointments:

How a movie about sex and sexual frustration be so boring, I can't understand. I'm looking at you A Dangerous Method. The redeeming factor was the production design and all the boats featured, especially Jung's cherry wood sailboat. I'm not even joking.

Also, although an interesting concept I was let down by Dogtooth's successor, Alps.


Better than expected:

The Killer Elite has Robert DeNiro, Jason Statham and Clive Owen sporting a glass eye. It's quite enjoyable in the same vein that Taken was a few years ago.


A movie to watch while ironing.

Sometimes when I'm doing chores like ironing I like to multitask and so I just want to put on a movie that is not even remotely good for fear you may disrespect it by not giving it your full attention. You also don't want to put on anything too stupid because it will just agitate you. You just need good filler noise. I suggest to you, Tresspass starring Nicholas Cage and Nicole Kidman and directed by Joel Schumacher. Yes, it's silly, and you don't even have to pay too much attention to the story, it's just background noise. Also, Cam Gidget is in it and I'm strangely drawn to him.


Anyhow, that's it. Enjoy, or not, the Oscars.


Fin!


ps. Apologies for the misplaced or lack there of commas and semicolons.