The Cinema of 2011: A reflection of the Best and Worst

Tags: Attack The Block, Beginners, Best And Worst 2011, Drive, Film Dropps, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Midnight In Paris, poetry, Rango, The Descendants, The Trip, Young Adult

When Bazin, Godard, Truffaut, Rivette, Rohmer, and their peers decided to do their famed film journal Cahiers du Cinema in the years leading up to the French New Wave, which was then just a twinkle in their eye, I know that they all imagined that their work would lead here. The proverbial passing of the torch would travel through the years of scholarly film discussion and end up in my hand as I would race through a field of academia, and intellectual ideas about cinema. I am now holding this torch in my hands, and I have run about twenty feet, because I have just realized something.

Firstly, this fantasy is wholeheartedly misguided, and the other is that I don’t have anywhere to go.

I know this is pessimistic–but deservedly so. 2011 has been one of the worst years for film in recent memory, and there just isn’t much to talk about with the bright eyes of someone who is recalling greatness. The past year has had some good films, believe me. But the disturbing pattern I’m recognizing is that movies are getting worse. I know it seems like everybody is saying this, but it’s absolutely true. We’re getting quite a lot of duds and not a lot of studs, if you know what I’m saying.

At this point you’re probably wondering to yourself what the point of this article is, and if I’m on some kind of anti-depressant (Nope!). This article is a look back at the cinema of 2011, both highs and lows, in light of awards season. During this season when many of us Americans have Oscar fever (I’ve caught it! Have you!?), a lot of people are watching movies. Box office sales go up for Oscar contenders, as well as rentals. What I’m trying to do with this is give those of you who fall into that camp a guide in your movie watching quest. What movies should you check out from last year? Which should you avoid?

This is what I’m here for. I will hold your hand and let you know what is good and what isn’t, and at what point in these movies each nude scene occurs (I won’t be doing that). Since the Oscars have released their list of nominations I’ve tallied up how many films on my list match up with their list, and let me just say that the Oscars and I just weren’t meant to be. I know this entire exercise is predicated on Oscar season, but maybe what the populus needs isn’t a movie guide from the Academy. Maybe what the populus needs is a guide to movies from a guy who writes for a blog, who has seen a lot of movies, and who is really good at making cakes. I’m your guy, America.

So the last thing you’re wondering is how close does my list actually adhere to the Oscar noms. Well, of the ten movies on my top films list, only four are nominated (The Descendants, Midnight in Paris, Rango, Beginners), and that’s okay with me. The other six films on my list are the kind of films the Academy often ignores. Those types of movies, in my opinion, are the movies that will be most remembered or most talked about years from now. I do absolutely believe we will still be discussing the themes of Drive and will have completely forgotten about Moneyball down the road. Anyway, let us get on with it.

Quick word before we start: I just want it to be known that these lists are arbitrary and subjective, much like myself. I truly don’t want to ruffle any feathers with this list, I merely would like to start a dialogue with you. And it is the perfect dialogue; the dialogue in which you read this and then I never hear from you. We never argue about Drive, and I never needlessly bring up 2009’s Where The Wild Things Are in reference to our discussion of Most Underrated Movies Ever. This is meant to be civil, and I would like for us to remain friends after you read this. What I have provided you with is two lists. The first list will be my ten favorite films of 2011 with brief comment, and the second will be my ten least favorite movies of 2011 with brief comment . . . in haiku form. This is my second year doing my worst of the year list in haikus, and no, it hasn’t gotten old yet. But get back to me in 2016 when I’m thinking up yet another haiku about Adam Sandler.

TOP TEN BEST MOVIES OF THE YEAR

10. The Trip

What is it: A lot of people refer to director Michael Winterbottom as a “blue collar filmmaker,” meaning that he makes a lot of movies and takes little breaks (I guess this makes Terrance Malick a white collar filmmaker?). The Trip is his latest effort and fits well within Winterbottom’s canon in that it is nothing like any of his other movies. It is basically a more cinematic version of a travelogue type show, but with British comedians Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon driving along northern England and offering an interesting dynamic that covers humor, midlife, and stability.

Why this: There is a real confidence in a movie that believes all you need for quality cinema is two dudes and a car. The Coogan/Brydon dynamic is all you need to chug this movie along, and the film covers one of my favorite comedic themes: pseudo-intellect. Coogan deems himself an intellectual, while he looks down upon Brydon’s silliness. Of course, you know this set-up makes for a few interesting turns but the pay offs are satisfying anyways. The way the movie deals with midlife stability versus instability really caught my imagination as well. There is a mood both funny and frightful in watching Coogan’s character continue to chase something well into his 40′s, unsure of whether he will ever feel a comfort in himself because of it.

Is Ryan Gosling in it: No.

Hypothetical Oscar: Best Food Cinematography

9. Martha Marcy May Marlene

What is it: First time writer/director Sean Durkin takes us into the world of a young girl (Elizabeth Olsen, the other Olsen sister) who has just escaped the clutches of a cult in upstate New York. She is reunited with her sister, but paranoia looms large in her new life outside of the cult.

Why this: The suspense is terrific. There are a couple of awesome performances as well, coming from Olsen and from one of our greatest working actors John Hawkes as the could-be magnanimous cult leader. I feel as though there hasn’t really been a film like this one, at least in terms of subject matter. The film gives interesting insight into the busted psychology of someone who would first of all, join a cult, and then sever ties with it in favor of an unforgiving outside world.

Is Ryan Gosling in it: No.

Hypothetical Oscar: Best Olsen

8. Midnight in Paris
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What is it: You know what it is. Woody Allen’s latest picture that deals with nostalgia, love, literature, intellectual pursuits, uptight white people and the usual fare of the iconic director. It is a time travel movie with no science or pretentious implications, and it deals in light-heartedness very well. And that’s not a knock! I was so pleased to see a movie that wasn’t so heavy handed or dark. The movie is also deceptively smart, as it takes a real professional to do this premise well.

Why this: I had given up on Woody Allen. This is a shame considering that he is one of my favorite filmmakers, but I just couldn’t get over the string of bad movies he has put together for the past few years. But I am excited again, and am hoping for more Allen/Wilson collaborations. I feel like the best word for this movie is delightful, as corny as that sounds. I saw this movie at a matinee screening with only old ladies in the audience. I feel as though we bonded during the movie and I might even consider them lifelong friends (theirs, not mine). That is the kind of delight I mean when I praise this movie. I certainly can’t get that from a movie like The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

Is Ryan Gosling in it: Nope.

Hypothetical Oscar: Best Hemingway

7. Rango

What is it: I’m still not sure. It is some kind of tale about finding yourself . . . or something. There is a lizard in it and he falls out of a car and becomes a sheriff? There is an owl mariachi band? Loose Chinatown references? Clint Eastwood? I don’t know, but this movie was pretty terrific. It is supposedly a kids movie, but I have my doubts.

Why this: Because it’s great! The animation is good, the acting is good, the weird story is good, and it is just good kinetic fun. I’m really just surprised a movie like this even got made in today’s climate. When we say we want original movies, I think this is what we mean (to an extent).

Is Ryan Gosling in it: Yes. Oh wait . . . no . . . no he’s not.

Hypothetical Oscar: Best What Was That

6. The Descendants

What is it: A grown-up movie! I feel like they don’t make these anymore, but you’re sure to get a real movie whenever Alexander Payne decides he wants to work again. This is just a flat out great drama that doesn’t sugar coat or hand hold in its running time, and don’t expect easy answers. It is one of those movies that isn’t terribly easy to explain to your friends, and doesn’t lend itself to the naïve black-and-white binary of morality that most modern cinema seems to revel in.

Why this: Seriously, how refreshing is this movie? Payne offers us a piece of art that is actually worthwhile and actually makes you think about life when you’re through with it. We don’t get that enough anymore (Transformers being the exception, of course). Please see this movie. Also, Beau Bridges.

Is Ryan Gosling in it: Nah.

Hypothetical Oscar: A real one

5. Beginners

What is it: A meditation on starting over. It is kind of like your New Year’s resolutions but not stupid. It is the story of Ewan McGregor (but he plays a fictional character) and his relationship issues as well as his father, Christopher Plummer (also being fictional), coming out at age 75 while living the rest of his life as a homosexual man. It is a really touching film that may err a little too much on the side of quirk. It’s another one of those grown-up movies.

Why this: It really does ooze feelings, and emotions, and gushiness. I love it. What does it mean to start over? What does it mean to not really know the people you love? How do you love? Who do you love? You probably won’t have those questions answered for you but you will say, “Aw, that was good. I feel good”.

Is Ryan Gosling in it: I prefer McGregor anyway.

Hypothetical Oscar: Best Gay

4. Young Adult

What is it: The antithesis of a crowd pleasing movie, that’s what. Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody reteam for a movie that is about bitterness, the perpetuity of high school, arrested development, frustration, American entitlement, and so much more! Charlize Theron plays a young adult fiction writer who returns to her small Minnesota town to reclaim her high school sweetheart from the clutches of his seemingly decent wife and child. Hilarity ensues! Also sadness. Much sadness.

Why this: I was skeptical at first, but it won me over in the end. The scathing things it says about certain aspects of our culture, the trappings of the high school caste system, and an ending that made me go, “ohhhh, that’s interesting,” really made me love this movie. I don’t recommend it for the masses, but for those of you who love dark comedies . . . yeah, this will work.

Is Ryan Gosling in it: Are we still doing this bit?

Hypothetical Oscar: The Harold and Maude Award for Unlikely Sex Scenes

3. Poetry

What is it: It is the only foreign language film on my list, and that makes me a bad person (maybe). It is a South Korean film about a single grandmother raising her grandchild all while she is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, deals with tragedy, and takes a poetry class. It also bears a strong resemblance to my favorite foreign language film of last year, the Korean film Mother (although the tones are wildly different).

Why this: I am probably the first person to say this, but this movie really is poetic. I mean, the way it is structured from first shot to last shot, it does seem to have a rhythmic nature. It also reeks of melancholy, which I love. Really though, the lead performance is astounding, and the story of this woman is both intriguing and heartbreaking.

Is Ryan Gosling in it: He probably saw it.

Hypothetical Oscar: Most Korean

2. Drive

What is it: One of the most divisive movies of the year. A lot of people say it is all style and no substance, void of a soul, and utterly pretentious. I disagree. Drive is an art house action movie that plays like Tarantino if he had restraint, and is quite possibly the most endlessly meta movie of the year (besides Rubber). This film isn’t just cool, I think it is also an interesting meditation on mythology and Hollywood, and maybe, just maybe, mental illness.

Why this: This will be one of the iconic movies of 2011, and I honestly don’t think we have enough of those. We have BIG movies, but they aren’t iconic. Being iconic means being memorable, which this movie is in spades. The Jacket, the bullet/hammer scene, the mask, the soundtrack, the matchstick, and other such things make the movie stick out and really give it a visual identity. I could go on about my theories of self-mythologizing and mental illness and blah, blah, blah, but let’s just reflect on how cool this movie was, okay?

Is Ryan Gos– Yes!!!!!!

Hypothetical Oscar: The Steve Guttenberg Too Cool For School Award

1. Attack the block

What is it: A British movie about weird looking aliens invading a British ghetto. It’s my favorite movie of the year!

Why this: Attack The Block is what Super 8 wishes it was–a homage/original movie that deals with kids in the face of a disaster. Perhaps Spielberg-esque, but I would venture this movie is far better than an Amblin film of the 1980′s (this movie is light years better than the goddamn Goonies). Not only is this movie entertaining, a spectacle, and iconic/memorable(remember Drive?), but it also has a really cool socio-economic undertone that doesn’t preach too heavy. This movie is awesome, and will inevitably be remade in America, to little success.

Is Ryan Gosling in it: He wishes!

Hypothetical Oscar: Best WHOA THAT WAS COOL

TEN WORST MOVIES OF THE YEAR IN HAIKUS

Jack and Jill