The Year in Review: The Best and Worst Feature Films of 2011 by Damien Straker

2011

 
2011 was a bridge year for cinema that had to be crossed. If we were to exclude a number of award winners, many of which were already released overseas in 2010, the selection of quality films was slim at best. There were fewer independent American films than last year. The major releases included a multitude of sci-fi films that varied sharply in quality, as well as numerous unappealing gross-out comedies. It is fortunate that the year has been bookended on both sides by films in awards contention. Next year's theme is the 'blockbuster' as we await the release of crowd-pleasers like The Dark Knight Rises, Spider-Man, The Hobbit, the next Bond film Skyfall and the rerelease of Titanic in 3D. Expect more sequels, more unnecessary reboots and more than you would like next year. Is this indicative of Hollywood's overhyping and complete lack of imagination? The answer is obvious but it is impossible not to be excited about some of the more popular projects, which in spite of oversaturation of comic-book films, should provide some glossy satisfaction. Yet again Australian films this year made little financial impact on audiences. Most weren't profitable but there was one significant spark in Red Dog, which sent audiences in droves, outdoing a number of the major Hollywood studio films at the local box-office. It has also been selling particularly well on DVD too, which is pleasing. Does this mean we'll be seeing more lighthearted imitations and less challenging material? Part of the joy of this industry, whether you watch films or review them, is the anticipation of particular releases as we look to answer all of these questions. For now, consider the highs and the unmentionables of 2011.

The Best Films of the Year

1. The Tree of Life - Directed by Terrence Malick

A flawed masterpiece. It was overlong and vague but no other film this year is as interpretable to formalist qualities as this metaphysical journey. Scores and stars do not matter with this film. To say you liked or disliked the film would be irrelevant too. In years to come, people are going to be talking, analysing and breaking down this epic journey through theories of spirituality and evolution. Do not let its ambiguity deter you. Just admire it for its scale, the quality of the performances and its sophisticated composition. And yes, the six-hour version is coming.  

2. The Descendants - Directed by Alexander Payne

Few films, if any, were as moving as this one. This was in part because of Payne's subtle direction and the first class performances. Every character in this film is rounded so that no matter how big or small they are we can understand and sympathise with them. That's an achievement on its own. It's a sad, funny and intelligent comedy-drama, with great use of a unique, beautiful setting. Is there anything else you could ask for?

3. True Grit - Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen

It improves on the original, with a star making performance by Hailee Steinfeld. What courage and backbone it shows for such a young girl, around infinitively more experienced actors, to give a performance of that measure. The Coens themselves went back to the source material to include some fascinating subtext relating to Christian fundamentalism. This is by far the definitive version of the story to see.

4. Black Swan - Directed by Darren Aronofsky

      I love this film for its subtle design and aesthetic composition. Both the use of colour and the selective camera movements, all work to take us into the mind of a very tentative and fractured woman. Career-best performances all round makes this compelling and suspenseful viewing.

5. The Fighter - Directed by David O'Russell

The family dynamics are so rich here, in part because every character, male or female, matters. Bale was an unquestionable winner for Best Supporting Actor. He gives an energetic performance that grows on you with each viewing, playing a showman who comes to terms with just what a buffoon he is to the current and next generation of his family. Amy Adams, playing against type, is terribly underrated too.

6. Take Shelter - Directed by Jeff Nichols

I wish more people had seen this film. It is a very slowly drawn thriller but one that understands how to raise the stakes for its characters sufficiently. It grows on you to a point where you can't look away because you know there is so much in the balance. It's a thriller but its best scenes are quiet, restrained and incredibly involving. With patience you will enjoy it too.

7. Midnight in Paris - Directed by Woody Allen 

I've seen this film twice and on each viewing it gets better and better. It's incredibly charming, funny and beautiful but it never makes a point of how clever it is. It never sets out to explain itself. That's a quality that also spreads to its impeccable design. Its period setting is elegant but constructed in a way that visualises the artifice of the fantasy. Smart, funny dialogue made us enjoy the trip all the way.

8. Source Code - Directed by Duncan Jones 

A thriller that moved us, made us think and occasionally laugh, all under two hours. Who would have thought? Can Hollywood use this as blueprint for all its future plans? The confrontation with the bomber and the way it subverts that stereotype is still one of my favourite moments this year.

9. The Help - Directed by Tate Taylor

I think you would have to a real cynical bastard to dismiss this one. It is not a film about White egotism or simply racism, as it is so easily dismissed. It is about how people form selective groups and become elitist in their attitude, class and perception. Importantly to me, it values literature as a means of changing the world. Considering the subject matter, something difficult was accomplished: a near-perfect balance was found between the drama and conflict in the fine performances and the lighter comedic moments too. All of the women here are genuine actresses who made us believe in this material. 

10. Win Win - Directed by Thomas McCarthy

Can anyone play "the loser" better than Paul Giamatti? This bloke is one of the most underrated and hardest working actors in Hollywood, taking thankless characters and turning them into completely rounded and sympathetic leads. He's in great touch here as a man who cuts too many corners just to help his family. It's a little gem of a film and I just loved its message regarding hard work and its self-depreciating humour.

Top Australian Films:

- Red Dog - Directed by Kriv Stenders

A movie so charming and funny that it became infectious for audiences. It found new clever ways to ask   what are Australian values and to subvert those stereotypes. What a pleasant surprise this was. 

    - Mrs. Carey's Concert - Directed by Bob Connolly

On the big screen the concert scenes are dazzling. Most importantly though it sets out to do the       impossible. It unravels the labyrinth that is the mind of a teacher and why they ask the most of their        students.

    - Sleeping Beauty - Directed by Julia Leigh          

I wish more people gave this movie a chance. Some people walked out and others laughed at the    end.     This is a true art house film that opened itself up to ideas of voyeurism and isolation. It was bizarre,      challenging and completely unique.  

Best Foreign Film:

        - The Skin I Live In - Pedro Almodovar

A tribute to Hitchcock's Vertigo and a first class thriller in its own right that asks us the value of        impressionism. This has to be nominated for Best Foreign Film.

The Worst Films of 2011:

1. Battle: LA

It does nothing right. Its badly shot, the dialogue is laughable and the CGI subpar. I can't remember a mainstream Hollywood film being so comfortable and transparent towards blatant military propaganda messages. This film will tell you that war is cool. It's a bore.

2. Jack and Jill 

Unfunny, offensive and entirely puerile. After watching this film I was stunned (disgusted) to see that this cost close to $80 million dollars to make. Think of what we could have done with that money.

3. Insidious

As scary as merry-go-round and not as thrilling. One of the worst uses of a colour filter you will ever see.

4. Burke and Hare

A comedy about two bozos who kill people and then sell their body parts. Hilarious. 

5. Bridesmaids

It wasn't half as funny as thought it was. Its less of a film and more of a series of overlong and painfully obvious sketches stuck together, several of which are cruel and demeaning and others which are just plain stupid. There's rarely a scene or a line of dialogue that feels plausible.

6. The Hangover: Part II

Yes its lazy and a rehash but more should have been made at how irresponsible this movie was. A kid getting his figure cut off is not my idea of a joke. And then there's the transsexual scene. Why did I put myself through watching this?

7. No Strings Attached

Remember that scene in Annie Hall where Woody asks a couple why they are happy? The girl says: "I'm very shallow and empty and I have no ideas and nothing interesting to say. Her boyfriend adds: "I'm exactly the same way." That's this movie.

8. In Time

A great starting idea but embarrassing execution. The script played out like a lousy first draft. Horrible on the nose dialogue from someone who should know better and a flat Justin Timberlake. Cheaply designed visuals too.   

9. Red State

Beyond messy. Constant changes in character, genre, tone and perspective that amounted to absolutely nothing. Two people walked out early on. I bet they had a good time.

10. Paul

One of the big disappointments this year. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost struck gold with Hot Fuzz  and Shaun of the Dead. Yet their visit to America saw them leave their wit and their satire behind. This offered little more than broad stereotypes, a gallery of obvious sci-fi references and boring car chases.