Greetings again from the darkness. Yep, it’s mid-year again. So you can stop holding your breath waiting for me to recap the movie year thus far! You will also get a glimpse into what’s coming up in the next 6 months. Even in a year like this, when the overall film quality has been mediocre at best, I always hold out hope for an exciting second half … and this year is no different.
Let me remind you that it will be next January before I publish my list of favorite films in order. What I provide below is groupings of what I think are the best so far. Some of these may make the year-end list, while most will not. Just for fun, I also include my list of most disappointing movies through June. As always, these represent my opinion and may or may not be aligned with your tastes, beliefs or standards.
So, as usual, let me start by contradicting what I just said. Far and away my favorite cinematic experience in 2011 has been Terrence Malick‘s The Tree of Life. It also happens to be one of the most divisive films of the year. People either connect with it or they walk out absolutely frustrated and annoyed. Some theatres have taken to posting a warning to patrons that the film does not follow a typical Hollywood narrative or story arc. Mr. Malick’s latest work is either inspiration for introspection or it’s motivation to request a refund. I understand both reactions.
Now that I cheated at my own game … here is the best (so far) of 2011, by category … and notice, they are in alphabetical order:
COMEDY
Bridesmaids – raunchy women’s comedy that even men can appreciate
Cedar Rapids– underrated script with laughs and a message
Midnight in Paris– Woody Allen’s terrific homage to literary giants
Rango – animated hilarity and genius (for all ages)
DRAMA
Beginners – touching story showing it’s never too late to love
The Conspirator – historical drama around Lincoln assassination
Hanna – action thriller that defies description
Jane Eyre – expert version of the iconic novel
Win Win – terrific script highlighting doing right by others
DOCUMENTARY
Bill Cunningham New York– NYC fashion through a brilliant man’s eye
Buck – Cowboy zen
Hot Coffee – things you don’t know about the justice system
OTHER
Barney’s Version – cynical dramedy with Paul Giamatti at his best
In a Better World – stark drama from Denmark
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – Captain Jack is back
Source Code – thrilling and humanistic sci-fi from son of Bowie
Super 8 – nostalgic Speilberg courtesy of JJ Abrams
MOST DISAPPOINTING
Atlas Shrugged: Part 1 – embarrassingly bad version of classic novel
The Greatest Movie Ever Sold – not Morgan Spurlock’s best work
The Hangover Part II – same jokes, different city
Larry Crowne – a thesis on bland and generic moviemaking
Sucker Punch – should have been greatness
Now, let’s look ahead at the second half “Coming Attractions”. Here are a few movies that have piqued my interest. They are separated by wide release films versus independent or smaller budget types that may only receive limited release.
Big Budget Releases:
Captain America: The First Avenger – will the next Superhero come on down!
Contagion – Soderbergh sci-fi with Kate Winslet and Matt Damon
Cowboys & Aliens – James Bond and Indiana Jones, together at last
Dream House – newlyweds Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Fincher re-do of Swedish cult classic
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – JK Rowling may have to get a job
The Help – film version of best seller featuring Emma Stone
The Ides of March – Dirty politics with Clooney, Giamatti, PS Hoffman, Gosling
The Iron Lady – Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher
Moneyball – Baseball, Oakland A’s style
Wanderlust – raunchy comedy with Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston
War Horse – Steven Spielberg WWI Oscar entry
Independent Films/Limited Release:
Attack the Block – Sundance favorite as London teens battle alien invasion
The Descendants – Sideways director is back w/ Clooney as mourning dad
The Devil’s Double – chilling story of Saddam Hussein’s son
Drive – action film with Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan
Page One: A Year Inside the New York Times – doc on print v. social media
The Rum Diary – Johnny Depp in Hunter S Thompson story
Sarah’s Key – Kristin Scott Thomas solving puzzle of Vel d’Hiv
While it will be 6 months before we know how many of these actually make their mark, let me know which were your favorite and least favorite movies of the first 6 months. I see a lot of movies, but I don’t see everything … so let me know what I missed!
See you at the movies!!
Movie Reviews from the Dark 