My Highly Subjective List of the Best Movies of 2011

Yes, I know, we’re a few days into the new year. All the real lists came out at the end of last year. Hey, cut me some slack. Actual critics get to see movies in advance. I have to scramble to see ones that came out over the holidays. (Spoiler alert: No December releases made my top-10.)

I must reiterate what I’ve said before: I can love a movie and you can hate it, and we’re both right. And vice versa. You can click for my best-of lists from 2009 and 2010. But as for 2011 . . . .

10) Blank City An excellent and thorough documentary of the do-it-yourself New York film scene of the 1970s and early ’80s. Young director Céline Dahnier interviews many of the era’s key players as we see changes in the city and its art world and how they fed off one another.

9) Moneyball Particularly strong performances from Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill anchor this true-life, rebel-with-a-cause tale of the early-millennium Oakland A’s. You don’t have to be a baseball fan to enjoy Moneyball, but, it doesn’t hurt.

8 ) Super 8 It’s 1979 and something ain’t right in the suburbs. With Spielberg’s oversight and a cast of talented youngsters (especially Elle Fanning), J.J. Abrams delivers the goods. There are fun scares, heart, and a true sense of wonder. In some regards, a more better tribute to filmmaking than Hugo—or at least to the joy of it.

7) The Muppets J.J. Abrams had Spielberg’s blessing; Jason Segel had the Jim Henson Company’s. And he respectfully comes through as well. A welcome return from our Muppet pals, in a story filled with sweetness and gentle laughs, not to mention terrific original songs.

6) Amigo John Sayles wasn’t trying to break box-office records with this look at U.S. forces in the Philippines in 1900. It’s a critique of imperialism and prejudice, with lessons that are still valid more than a century later. Joel Torre is excellent in the title role, putting a human face on the learnin’.

5) The Descendants My man Clooney plays slightly against type: a little more grown-up, and more put-upon. His superb performance is matched by young Shailene Woodley. It’s about grief, betrayal, and moving forward. And is the rare tearjerker that steers clear of melodrama.

4) Midnight in Paris A bit of a twist on The Purple Rose of Cairo, you might say. And very strong late-period Woody: charming, clever, funny. Owen Wilson is our Woody stand-in this time, bringing a whole new level of likability to the proceedings.

3) Melancholia A surreal sci-fi art film grounded by tense family dynamics. Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg are both excellent. Most powerful ending of any movie I saw this year.

2) Meek’s Cutoff A traditional “cowboy” movie stripped away to the barest of bones. The pace is sloooow, matching the arduous journey westward. The landscapes, bleak and beautiful. The theme? Maybe that our desire for someone to lead the way is matched by our desire to have someone to point fingers at.

1) Win Win The Station Agent was my favorite movie of 2003. Writer/director Tom McCarthy returns to a New Jersey setting for my favorite of 2011. The cast is perfect, led by Paul Giamatti (once again as a lovable schlub), Amy Ryan, and young non-actor Alex Shaffer channeling a low-key Spicoli. A film about family, financial struggles, second chances, doing whatever it takes, and just being a decent person. Sweet, funny, amazingly real. A hell of a movie.

Worst movie: Your Highness
Honorable mention: The Sitter
(Both directed by David Gordon Green. Come on, man!)

New releases I saw in a theater this year: 38

Perhaps you can see all my ratings and reviews by: clicking here