Flicks’ movie critics name their 20 favourite films of 2011. Here we go…
1. Drive
This slick and stylish crime-thriller about a movie stuntman (Ryan Gosling) who also works as a getaway driver was a modern masterpiece of stylistic austerity and unfettered cool. A neon and synth-laden ’80s fever dream, Drive showed just how emotive and poetic the action genre can be.
“I give you a five-minute window, anything happens in that five minutes and I’m yours no matter what.” – Driver (Ryan Gosling)
2. Black Swan
A sexy, audacious psychological thriller was a hallucinatory escapade into the repressed mind of a young dancer (Natalie Portman) struggling to achieve artistic perfection. Often thrillingly close to the ridiculous, director Aronofsky wanted us to buy into the fun and such grandiose camp made for a flamboyant and vivid contemporary classic.
“I want to be perfect.” – Nina (Natalie Portman)
3. True Grit
The Coen brothers ridiculously good form continued with this authentic western, played straighter than their recent, more esoteric efforts but lacking none of their trademarked wit and eccentric charm. Featuring a star-turn from newcomer Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit played like a memory of the old frontier, an elegiac nod to days gone by when a man’s honour was his most prized possession.
“I do not entertain hypotheticals. The world itself is vexing enough.” – Col. Stonehill (Dakin Matthews)
4. The Tree of Life
It was confounding, pretentious stuff, but there was no denying the ambition or emotional weight it lended – imagine flicking through a Bible and someone’s baby book at once. A beautiful, big-budget art film that asks the big questions.
“Grace accepts being slighted, forgotten, disliked. Accepts insults and injuries.” – Mrs. O’Brien (Jessica Chastain)
5. The Fighter
Straight, classic sports drama. The match-up worked thanks to director David O. Russell’s taste for the unusual. He found new blood in well-tread fare with moments of hilarity, realism in the ring and outstanding performances – Christian Bale as Dickie, Ward’s crack-addicted brother, was one of the year’s first highlights.
“What are you doing opening your mouth in my kitchen?” – Alice Ward (Melissa Leo)
6. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
2011’s best blockbuster, a combination of state of the art performance-capture (thanks to NZ’s own Weta Digital) and thrilling, propulsive storytelling. It’s hard to beat monkeys-run-amok for entertainment and Planet managed to combine it with empathy for its animal characters. It also featured the year’s most memorable line of dialogue (from an ape, no less).
“No!” – Casear (Andy Serkis)
7. Blue Valentine
Ryan Gosling once again proved why he’s everyone’s flavour of the moment. This portrait of a disintegrating marriage was grim viewing, perhaps, but director Derek Cianfrance found beauty in the pain and meaning in the banal. It wasn’t easy to watch but the truth usually hurts.
“I like how you can compliment and insult somebody at the same time, in equal measure.” – Cindy (Michelle Williams)
8. The King’s Speech
It’s little wonder this was the runaway success of 2011. The curiousity about the blue-blooded, the struggle with class or wealth differences, and the poignancy of the bro-mance were all key ingredients in this smart, feel-good hit. It might have featured the prim and proper Royals but this excellent buddy flick was an easily accessible and very satisfying comedy-drama.
“Bugger, bugger, buggerty, f*ck. Balls, balls. Shit, shit, f*ck and willy. Willy, shit and f*ck” – King George (Colin Firth)
9. Cave of Forgotten Dreams
In three dimensions, Wener Herzog gave us our one chance at seeing the oldest paintings in existence, first discovered in 1994 but dating back over 30,000 years. Much like the mysteries of existence itself – abstract, bizarre, and fascinating – these forgotten dreams were mind-boggling.
“It is as if the modern human soul had awakened here.” – Werner Herzog
10. Source Code
Duncan Jones’ follow-up to his excellent sci-fi debut, Moon, was a simple yet satisfying time-travelling thriller that kept the mind ticking and batted away suspicions that the director might be a one-trick pony. This entertaining, intelligent puzzle was impeccably constructed and tightly focussed.
“What would you do if you knew you only had one minute to live?” – Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal)
11. Rango
Whilst expectations of animal antics might have pitched Rango towards kids, the story of a chameleon (Johnny Depp) with existential issues was perhaps more appropriate for an older crowd. With the feel of something that a bunch of enthusiasts have put together for their own amusement, the result was a highly entertaining, mescaline-fuelled trip through the Nevada desert.
“I think the metaphor broke my spleen.” – Rango (Johnny Depp)
12. Another Year
Veteran British director Mike Leigh delivered a superb drama exploring family ties and those without them. Cutting right to the heart of getting older and being alone, it was a rich and expertly nuanced film, treading a fine line between wry comedy and tragic pathos. As with all his films, Leigh reflected both the joy and the struggle of living a real life.
“Life’s not always kind, is it?” – Geri (Ruth Sheen)
13. Catfish
The come-from-nowhere hit of the year. A Facebook-romance, mystery-thriller documentary about… well, that would be spoiling the surprise. Genuine surprise is such a rare commodity in cinema these days that, and Catfish achieved just that.
“You’ve just found, like, the tip of the iceberg.” – Ariel Schulman
14. Midnight in Paris
Like his main character, Gil (Owen Wilson), it’s clear Woody Allen loves Paris and would have liked to have lived there during the 1920s. This was his ode to the city’s cobbled streets, the river and garden landscapes that inspired Monet. Midnight in Paris left smiles on our faces, and a yearning to visit the Paris of yesteryear.
“I’m jealous and I’m trusting. It’s cognitive dissonance.” – Gil (Owen Wilson)
15. Love Story
Florian Habicht’s (Kaikohe Demolition) award-winning documentary (kind of, it’s also a drama and a comedy and a romance) about love, cake and New York City was a truly unique indie that had no problem winning audiences over with it’s singular take on The Big Apple and a new romance.
“Florian, this is fantastic!” – Frank Habicht
16. Bill Cunningham: New York
This crowd-pleasing documentary on 90-year-old, famed New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham was a heart-warming insight into one man’s extraordinary life, a window to the fabulous veneer of the Big Apple (again – such a popular city) and a must-see for anyone interested in the creative process. And it made for one hell of a story.
“If you don’t take money, they can’t tell you what to do.” – Bill Cunningham
17. Bridesmaids
Described by many as “The Hangover for chicks”, this cracker (written and starring Saturday Night Live’s Kristin Wiig) about a group of bridesmaids and their misguided attempt to throw a wedding party for their friend was a guaranteed good time, be you lady or gentleman.
“I’m glad he’s single because I’m going to climb that like a tree.” – Megan (Melissa McCarthy)
18. Inside Job
This sobering documentary (winner of the Documentary Oscar in 2011) painted an enthralling and, more importantly, comprehensible picture of the global financial collapse of 2008. We may have exited the cinema feeling utterly powerless but this was a must-see for anyone with even the slightest interest in how the planet is run.
“He was making millions of dollars and thought it was because he was smart.” – Charles Morris
19. Contagion
A film that you’d be best to suggest any germaphobes in your life should avoid like the plague. A star-studded action-thriller centered on the threat posed by a deadly disease, It’s a reminder that we’re hardly in as much control of the globe as we think.
“Someone doesn’t have to weaponise the birdflu. The birds are doing that.” – Dr. Ellis Cheaver (Laurence Fishburne)
20. Melancholia
Melancholia (opening on December 22 but worth a mention here) is an ‘art-house disaster movie, inspired by director Lars Von Trier’s personal experiences, which, needless to say, are kind of grim and weird. The film introduces apocalyptic themes as a rogue planet, previously hidden behind the sun, threatens to collide with Earth. OTT but beautiful.
“Life is only on Earth. And not for long.” – Justine (Kirsten Dunst)
