Well its a new year and thought I would do a year end list. While I did not many of the movies I wanted to see this year and haven't seen many of the movies getting all the attention this time of year I still thought it would be fun to do a list.
1. The Help- while it has been called a white guilt film it is still one of the best movies I have seen this year. Great acting and good story.
2. Bridesmaids- The funniest movie I have seen all year.
3. Circumstance-One of the best movies I saw at Sundance in 2011 even it won the Audience Award and got a very limited release in theatres but wish more people had got a chance to see it. It is about two girls in Iran who fall in love. The very limited release probably had something to do with it being in a foreign language and about lesbians.
4. Martha Marcy May Marlene-Another Sundance movie but this one did get a wider release and more recognition. With great acting especially by newcomer and younger Olsen sister Elizabeth Olsen.
5. Attack the Block-In a year filled alien invasion movies this was one of the most original and coolest looking one.
6. Red State- Who knew that Kevin Smith could write an action thriller with one of the best endings of the year.
7. Sound of my Voice- Another great movie I saw at Sundance but did not get released but hopefully one day it will. About an investigative reporters that infiltrate a cult. I heard the writers originally planned this as a trilogy hope it works would love to see more.
8. and 9. Rise of the Planet of the Apes and X-Men: First Class- Two of the best action movies of they year.
10. Hanna - Another cool action movie with an awesome soundtrack from The Chemical Brothers. Hope it gets a Best Score nod at the Academy Awards.
Honorable Mention:
Although I didn't want to put it in the top 10 the movie that I probably talked about the most this year was The Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence. With it's over the top gore and violence was a big topic of conversation.
Best Documentaries
1. Rebirth - About the lives of those affected by the 9/11 attacks. It was very emotional and inspiring.
2. The Interrupters - Caught this one at the Milwaukee Film Fest about ex gang members who try to stop violence in Chicago. Very timely and impotrant film.
3. Marathon Boy - Missed it at the Milwaukee Film Fest but caught it on HBO. Very interesting documentary about an Indian boy who like to run or did he? What starts off as a interesting story about what appears to be an over enthusiastic coach turns into a political thriller. Never seen a documentary take such a weird turn of events.
4. Becoming Santa - A fun little documentary about a guy who decides to be Sana one year and his different experiences.
5. Make Believe- About a group of kids who enter a magic contest in Las Vegas. The coolest thing about seeing this at the Milwaukee Film Festival was hanging out with some of the kids afterward.
Honorable Mention:
Another movie that I talked about a lot but didn't make my list was Hot Coffee. Very interesting story but a little too one sided.
