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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.
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