Matt’s Top Ten Films of 2011 and Awards

Just like our fellow reviewer Brian White, I waited to see the highly anticipated The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (you can read my review HERE). Turns out I could have written it a week ago and not much would have changed. Anyway, I’m injecting some spice into thee ol’ top ten list; with a mini “Why So Blu Awards” included. I can only imagine the reactions I am going to receive from this list. What some may call “forgettable”, I call “instant classic”. While there are four major films I would have loved to see before making this list (Young Adult, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Martha Marcy May Marlene, and The Artist), I guess we’ll do with what we have. So sit back, relax, and enter Matt’s top ten films of 2011. 

 

Matt’s Top Ten Films

of the Year and Awards

 

10. Horrible Bosses – Starting it off at number ten, we have Horrible Bosses. This is the fifth comedy to be included on this list. Don’t think this is a good movie? How about asking fellow writer Brian (review HERE), I’m sure they will have nothing but good stuff to say about it! While my bosses have been pretty chill, I would hate to work for these crazy nutjobs (except Jennifer Aniston).

 

 

9. Rise of the Planet of the Apes – If you have yet to watch Rise of the Planet of the Apes, you are missing out on some of the most brilliant special effects of all time. No extensive uses of CGI, no bullsh!t. Andy Serkis IS Caesar. Utilizing WETA’s spectacular motion capture technology (used on Avatar) to create an ape might result in the first person to win an oscar without actually appearing on screen. Caesar is home. Check out our theatrical movie reviews HERE and HERE and a most excellent Blu-ray recap HERE.

 

 

8. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol – Listen up Michael Bay, THIS is how you make a proper action flick. Not only is Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol a fantastic entry into the Mission: Impossible franchise, but it successfully outdoes it’s predecessors. Tom Cruise, who did his own stunts in this film, including climbing Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building, proves he has the balls to do anything. A powerhouse film. Check out our theatrical review HERE.

 

 

7. Cedar Rapids – Ever since I watched Cedar Rapids, I have not been able to get it out of my mind. Ed Helms is so harmlessly outstanding in this role that it makes the film near-perfect. I have watched this movie fifteen times and counting, and I’m never going to be sick of it. Read Aaron’s Blu-ray review HERE.

 

 

 

6. Super – When crime screams through the city, it’s up to the man with a wrench to shut the crime up. With the help of his sidekick, Boltie, the Crimson Bolt fights the corruption. Like Kick-Ass, this film takes the premise of ordinary becoming extraordinary, yet makes it way darker. James Gunn is one of the most twisted and brilliant directors out there. His movies are all great (Slither is in my top twenty of all time) and Super is a superb addition to my James Gunn collection. Read our theatrical review HERE.

 

 

5. X-Men: First Class – I’ll cut straight to the chase here; X-Men: First Class is my favorite Marvel film since Spider-Man 2. How does Matthew Vaughn follow up his megahit Kick-Ass? He reinvents a dying franchise using a wide variety of impressive effects. We have powerhouse performances here from James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, as well as a great ensemble cast. This movie is the bomb, yo! Read our Blu-ray review HERE.

 

 

4. Bridesmaids – Bridesmaids is comedy gold. This is in NO way a chick flick; and if it is, you mine as well call me a chick! Kristen Wiig is outrageously funny in a totally committed role, and Melissa McCarthy has certainly made a name for herself. Is there anything that Judd Apatow cannot do? Read my Blu-ray review HERE.

 

 

 

3. Red State – Red State seems to have audiences split apart. To fully enjoy the flick, you should probably be a Kevin Smith fanatic; otherwise, you may not understand what all of the hype is about. Red State is a frantically shot, well-acted thrill ride. Michael Parks and Melissa Leo are standouts here in Oscar-worthy performances. In my mind, Red State is a classic.

 

 

2. Drive – Nicolas Winding Refn not only crafted the perfect cast, he also managed to craft a P-E-R-F-E-C-T film. I don’t like throwing the term “masterpiece” around (although I do it a bunch), but when a film involves Ryan Gosling stomping a mans head in an elevator shaft playing to a killer soundtrack, the phrase is applicable. Read Aaron’s review HERE.

 

 

1. Attack the Block – Well, folks, here we are. My number one film of the year. Attack the Block came out of nowhere and completely blew me away. Not only that, but it manages to be one of the most entertaining horror-Sci-fi films of ALL-TIME. This is easily my favorite british film next to Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Attack the Block daftly blends horror and comedy into one fantastic film. Believe, bruvs. Thank you Aaron Neuwirth for letting me know about this film! Read his Blu-ray review HERE.

 

 

 

 

Honorable Mentions:

Hugo
50/50
The Muppets
Melancholia
Crazy, Stupid, Love
Rango
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
Source Code
The Last Circus
The Hangover Part II
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

 

Ten Worst Films of the Year:

1. No Strings Attached
2. The Mechanic
3. Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son
4. Unknown
5. Jack and Jill
6. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
7. Green Lantern
8. Puncture
9. Breaking Dawn Part 1
10. Cowboys & Aliens

 

Best Film: Attack the Block

Best Director: Matthew Vaughn (X-Men: First Class)

Best Screenplay: Joe Cornish (Attack the Block)

Best Cinematography: Hugo

Best Actor: Ryan Gosling (Drive)

Best Actress: Kirsten Dunst (Melancholia)

Best Supporting Actor: Andy Serkis (ROTPOTA)

Best Supporting Actress: Chloe Grace Moretz (Hugo)

Best Visual Effects: Hugo

Most Pleasant Surprise: Attack the Block

Best Comedy: Bridesmaids

Biggest Twist: Source Code

Most Underrated Film: Super

Biggest Disappointment: Cowboys & Aliens

Best Soundtrack: Drive

 

So, what did you think? Did I surprise you? Did you expect this? Let me know in the comment section below. Here’s to a great year of film, and here’s to another great year of film in 2012!