My Best Films of 2011

Most “Best of 2011” lists stick to things that actually came out in 2011, but since I’m often a little behind the curve this list is built from films I viewed for the 1^st time in 2011 (regardless of when they were released). Enjoy.

10. Bridesmaids – I was rather reluctant to see this one. After hearing nothing but glowing praise for months, I ended up seeing it with my school friends. It was funnier than I expected, but also managed to have a relatable theme and actual character development. Kristen Wig was the star, but Melissa McCarthy by far had the best (and most disturbing) performance. “Bridesmaids” was the most unexpected gem of the year.

9. Inside Job – This documentary about the financial crisis surrounding the housing bubble won the Oscar last year, but I only saw it last month. The documentarians did an amazing job of taking a complex situation and explaining it with simple graphics. I am still baffled that so many people were willing to talk to them. It will make you angry, but in a good way.

8. Contagion – As a public health professional, I am morally obligated to love this film. Steven Soderbergh did a great job of incorporating actual science into what is essentially an action movie. He effectively blended the clinical aspects with the human stories, although sometimes the film seemed slightly lost in the number of personal narratives. I do not know how Soderbergh gets such amazing casts for even small roles (see: Ocean’s 11), but once again he cast the film perfectly. Disclaimer: The fact that I saw the actual filming on location in Atlanta almost definitely influenced my love for this film.

7. Harry Potter 7.2 – It was the end of an era. I liked HP 7.1 more, but overall this was a solid, entertaining conclusion to a global phenomenon. Can we talk about how much better those kids’ acting got? Thank god for that.

6. Never Let Me Go – I do not really go for sci-fi films. But when it is really a tragic chick flick masquerading as sci-fi, I can get behind it. With ethereal cinematography and beautiful clothes, it was lovely just to look at. Also, with Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield you can’t go wrong.

5. True Grit – I always love the Coen brothers, but I was surprised I enjoyed a western so much. Let’s be honest, having the hero be a young girl probably helped. Hallie Steinfeld held her own against Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon quite well. This film was also funnier than I had suspected. Finally, the song in the closing credits: absolutely perfect.

4. Win Win – A film about a middle-aged loser part-time wrestling coach might not sound intriguing, but “Win Win” perfectly walks the line between emotional drama and comedy. With complex characters and realistic portrayals of family relationships, this film is reminiscent of “Little Miss Sunshine” & I loved it. Definitely a winner (see what I did there?).

3. Temple Grandin – This is an HBO film that I discovered when Claire Danes won the Emmy, the Golden Globe, & the SAG award for Best Actres (since it was a TV movie she was not eligible for an Oscar, but she was way better than boring Natalie Portman). The film is about Dr. Temple Grandin, a brilliant autistic girl in the 1960s who figures out how to work in the world around her and becomes a famous animal behaviorist. Temple is amazing and Claire Danes is amazing playing her. My favorite part is when the guard won’t let Temple onto the feedlot so she dresses up as a boy, makes herself a fake press pass, and drives right in. Like I said, brilliant.

2. Psycho – Yes, this Alfred Hitchcock classic was released in 1960, but I only saw it last week. I hate horror movies. Hate. And I loved Psycho. If I liked horror movies, it would be my number one. Both of my parents saw it as children and talked about how utterly terrified they were for days. It is a film that definitely says with you for a while. Watch it. You will love it. (Note: it is unrated, but would probably be PG by today’s standards).

1. Meek’s Cutoff – “Meek’s Cutoff” is this year’s “Winter Bone” – a vague, mildly depressing movie that I try to convince everyone I know to watch. The good news is “Meek’s Cutoff” is rated PG so it is more Mormon-friendly. And it’s about pioneers!  Told from the women’s vantage point, it is the meandering tale of a small group lost in eastern Oregon and their internal debates over whom to trust: their unreliable guide or an Indian they captured. If you can handle slow, ambiguous movies I highly recommend it.

Honorable Mention: The Help

Probably would have made the list if I had bothered to see it in 2011: Midnight in Paris, Certified Copy, The Descendants, 50/50