2011 in Movies: What Are You Thankful For?
The question of the week is an opportunity for you to open up and reveal more about yourself and your movie taste. Have a question you would like us and the readers to answer? Don’t hesitate to Email Me
With the year quickly coming to an end, this is the time when we begin to look back at the year in movies and reminisce about the films that were worth their weight of Christmas ham. As such, the question of the week is: What are you thankful for, from a 2011 cinematic perspective?
Personally, I am thankful for a great year in movies. Sure, there were plenty of terrible movies from No Strings Attached to Transformers: Dark of the Moon but I really thought this year offered its fair share of remarkable films. I loved Beginners for the moods and emotions it brought up, making me want to live life to the fullest. I was delighted by Woody Allen for his charmingly whimsical Midnight in Paris, which may well go down as my favorite film of the year. I was profoundly touched by The Tree of Life and by the beautiful songs director Terrence Malick used in the movie that left me completely entranced.
I’m thankful for giving Harry Potter a chance and finishing the journey with the characters as it should be, in the movie theater. I’m grateful that a joyous, happy movie like The Muppets could still be made and made right in our cynical world. That comedies like Bridesmaids and Horrible Bosses were such pleasant summer surprises. That the fifth installment of a mediocre franchise could be better than all the previous movies combined (Fast Five). That Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender were so compelling in Jane Eyre.
I’m also grateful for Ryan Gosling kissing Carey Mulligan in that elevator (Drive), for Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty’s climactic game of chess, for Snape’s ultimate act of sacrifice and for Michael Shannon building a storm shelter in his backyard. 
And shall I say thank you to Matthew McConaughey for not removing his shirt once in the surprisingly solid The Lincoln Lawyer, as well as Joseph Gordon-Levitt for keeping his sense of humor in the midst of personal tragedy (50/50) and Jessica Chastain for being so full of grace in The Tree of Life.
And finally, I’m thankful for this blog. For you, who chose to part of our tight little community. I had an incredible amount of fun this year with AM, and that’s directly thanks to you. The recent Hollywood Fantasy Draft was ridiculously fun and so was interacting with you on a daily basis. Happy holidays everyone and may 2012 bring the best in everyone.
And now, it’s your turn! What are you thankful for in terms of the year in movies? Let us know in the comments below.
49 Comments
I am thankful for the Year of the Gos! I am also thankful for a proper finish to my beloved Harry Potter series. I love that Woody has had a “proper” comeback. I am thankful for the way Hugo made me feel. I am pretty thankful for all the beauty in Tree of Life.
This was the year of the Gos indeed! He was loads of fun in Crazy Stupid Love and obviously, awesome in Drive.
In Cinematic terms I am thankful for the fact that I pay £14.99 a month to see as many films as possible at my local cinema, so when I see a terrible film (‘Season of the Witch,’ ‘Unknown,’ ‘Your Highness,’ ‘Apollo 18,’ ‘Abduction,’ ‘Texas Killing Fields,’ etc, etc) I feel a little better when leaving knowing that I haven’t explicitly paid to see what can only be described as ‘crap’.
That’s a great plan. I know these have been around for quite a while in Europe. It’s odd that it’s just not happening here in the US (not on a large scale that is)
Great list, Castor. I’m thankful for my local library system, which has allowed me to drop Netflix and still enjoy an amazing variety of films. I’m thankful for the St. Louis Film Festival and our local college film series at Webster University. In terms of specific things from movies, I’m thankful for the gripping opening sequence of Drive, the sweetness of the kids’ relationships in Super 8, the pure fun of Attack the Block, the understated offbeat style of Cold Weather, the gorgeous filmmaking of The Tree of Life, the excitement of the characters in Moneyball towards baseball and numbers, the gripping thrills of Headhunters, the cool and tense chases of Hanna, and a lot more. And of course, lots of great blogs like Anomalous Material!
That opening scene in Drive is truly awesome.
Thanks Dan! I know you had loads of fun at the St Louis Film Festival. The Drive opening sequence is really great. I still listen to the two tracks being used in it. Netflix has finally sent me Attack the Block! I’m waiting for this weekend to give it my proper attention. Can’t wait
I’m also thankful for AM, great work Castor and crew.
I’m also really thankful for Drive, its such a good film and one of the few waterholes in the dessert that is 2011 filmwise.
I’m also thankful that I’m getting some attention for a feature script that I have developed hopefullt I’ll have some more news on that within a month.
Finally, I’m really thankful for discovering the woderful world of podcasting. I’ll really try to elevate that more in 2012.
Wow congrats on the script. I hope it leads to something big
Thanks for your faithful company the last couple years Joel!
When I have a pressrelease I’ll give you a three hour headstart! =)
I am thankful for Michael Shannon being given the chance to be a lead in a film and the film being the most beautiful film I have seen all year. I am thankful to be done with finals so I can see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo tonight. I am thankful that there are so many fellow film lovers out there.
Congrats on being done with your finals. Get a few weeks of respite I suppose?
I’m thankful for Drive, for showing audiences that you can still make an action gory to the chilled out beat of the 80s
Yes, I’m thankful that you can still stomp on people’s head in 2011!
I have been more selective in my cinema-going this year (austerity measures). The result has been pretty good. Almost every film that I have seen this year has been worth the time and money out. Wait a sec … there was Battle: Los Angeles
I am thankful that courtesy of my fellow movie bloggers, I have been able to expand the breadth and depth of what I do here in this blogosphere!
Ahaha well, only one dud isn’t bad at all! Battle Los Angeles sure was bland. Thanks for dropping by Iba
I’m thankful for old-school guys like Terrence Malick, Martin Scorsese, and Woody Allen providing us with great films that live up to their to their past work. I’m thankful for Nicolas Winding Refn, Lynne Ramsay, and Steve McQueen for being the discoveries I’ve made. I’m thankful for Alexander Payne for coming back and making another fantastic film. I’m thankful for Ryan Gosling for being awesome. I’m thankful for Michelle Williams for being one of my favorite actresses right now. I’m thankful for “Sucker Punch” for being so bad that it inspired me to write a screenplay for Jena Malone. I’m thankful that I’m part of a community that cares about films and spread the word to the people that need someone to lean on. Thank you!
Ahaha you are probably the only person on Earth thankful for Sucker Punch
I’m thankful that I waited to see “Beginners” on DVD rather than see it in the theater because, as it turns out, it was exactly what I needed to see a couple weeks before the start of the New Year. I’m thankful for deciding to watch “Somewhere” a second time. I’m thankful for the Tribe Called Quest documentary because even though it wasn’t one of my favorites of the year I’m just so happy it exists. And I’m thankful, Castor, for allowing me to partake the awesomeness that is AM. (Also, “Midnight in Paris” as potentially your favorite of the year, Castor? Interesting. I would have pegged you as a “Tree of Life” man.)
Thanks for being a part of the team Nick. I have enjoyed reading the content you have published here since you joined us! And The Tree of Life and Midnight in Paris are running neck and neck for the #1 spot so far
We will see, I still have to think about it ahah
This is my first year as a movie blogger, so I’m happy I discovered that joy… that’s been great.
As for actual movies?
Glad the Muppets are back, glad Drive didn’t let me down, was surprised that the period between summer and Thanksgiving had so many solid flicks… it feels like it’s been a great year for movies!!
Thanks for adding to it via A.M. Cap!
Yea this year was unusual, there was almost no lull after the summer movies. Well, there was an empty void for 2 or 3 weeks after the Help and Rise of the Planet of the Apes but then Drive and 50/50 came out. Solid year indeed!
I’m unbelievably grateful for Bellflower‘s Evan Glodell and Attack the Block‘s Joe Cornish for presenting two new, young, exciting, invigorating filmmakers to the movie making scene and potentially laying out the blueprint for their respective careers. Both of these films are on my top ten of 2011 list, and for good reason– they’re totally singular, fresh, gripping, meaningful, and thought-provoking films. I hope we see more of them as the rest of the decade moves forward.
I’m thankful for Tree of Life, a massive and top-heavy behemoth of art and imagery that’s probably going to take some time to really digest in cinematic canon. Regardless of being on the fence over it, I’m glad someone has the balls to release a film like this in 2011.
I’m thankful for the blogging community I’m part of, including A.M. but also blogs like Man I Love Films, Fog’s Movie Reviews, Flix Chatter, GoSeeTalk, The Droid You’re Looking For, 5plit Reel, The M0vie Blog, Front Room Cinema, and many, many more.
I’m thankful to see two masters of cinema step up to the plate and show everyone what 3D can really be used for.
I’m thankful for a much better cinematic year than last year.
Can’t wait to see Attack the Block, Netflix finally has sent it to me
I’m not sure about the long-lasting impact of The Tree of Life on Cinema or even its place in Terrence Malick filmography. All I know is that very few movies have managed to provoke such a wide variety of opinions on it.
I think Tree of Life is destined to be some kind of a classic– it’s big, bold, opaque, ripe for interpretation and analysis, and impeccably made. I think that combined description alone will save it a place in film history, though for better or worse I can’t say.
Looking back it really has been a great year of cinema. My first visit of the year was to see 127 Hours, which was then followed by The King’s Speech and Black Swan. I’m hoping to end the year with The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and The Artist – two completely different films!
I’m thankful for my fellow movie bloggers – it’s so much fun interacting with people all over the world who share a common love.
Happy holidays to you, Castor! I hope you have a great Christmas and New Year
Wow, so you are getting the great movies of 2010 at the beginning of 2011
That’s always a great start to the year. I have yet to see The Artist, it’s showing only in New York City, LA and San Francisco at this point… Merry Christmas Claire!
The King’s Speech was a highlight, as was Submarine. It has been a great year for British film particularly.
Happy holidays everyone!
Totally forgot about Submarine. But missed the last 15 minutes of it
Submarine was fantastic. Very touching film. That and Attack the Block have been big highlights for me.
Happy holidays Dan!
This is actually very true. Aside from Attack the Block, there’s The Trip, Submarine (which I didn’t see but which has gotten lots of praise), and most of all (well, aside from Block) Weekend, which is totally fantastic.
I think I agree to all the movies you thankful for, except for The Muppets and Lincoln Lawyer which I haven’t seen. It’s quite a year to me. Aside from beautiful movies I’ve seen, I’m most thankful to know some more movie bloggers that influence me in a good way of course. Including this site, too
Give The Lincoln Lawyer a chance. It’s surprisingly good given that Matthew McConaughey is in it lol
I’m thankful for your beautiful ToL music upload, Castor, amongst many other things.
I’m thankful that SENNA, A SEPARATION, THE TREE OF LIFE and INCENDIES graced theatres this year.
I’m thankful of the opportunities that have been offered me this year – including contributing here at Anomalous Material, and being invited to press screenings here in Sydney – and all of you fine film enthusiasts and writers who inspire me and challenge me each and every day!
I know you like this particular song Andrew
I’m thankful for Rango, an animated film that’s more fun for adults than kids. I’m thankful (and grateful) for it not being in 3D. Great British films making waves across the pond, like Submarine and Attack the Block. Comic films getting back to what they should be like with X-Men First Class and Thor, though betting next year’s Spidey and TDKR will wipe the floor with them!
Oh and the foreign films – TrollHunter and The Secret in their Eyes – both beautiful and great films in their own rights.
I’m also thankful for Ryan Gosling being all over the cinemas, Drive and Ides of March … thank you Mr. Gosling!
And finally Senna. Probably the most moving film I saw this year.
Have yet to see Senna. Hopefully it will hit DVD real soon!
I am thankful that I found more people out there that are like me. People that love film and that I have found places and a forums (FRC) to talk about stuff I love!
When it comes to Film?
Yeah man I am thankful that Gosling is finally getting noticed as much as he deserves!!
Year of the Gos it certainly has!!
And FRC has made tons of headway in the past year, keep up the good work Scott.
I’m thankful for 50/50, and for Joseph Gordon-Levitt getting a Golden Globes nod. I’m thankful for The Muppets making a return, and for Jason Segel’s role in bringing them back. I’m thankful that the latest Mission Impossible installment was better than all the previous ones, and that Tom Cruise is still the awesome action hero I hoped for. I’m thankful for The Help, and the great adaptation it was from book to film. I’m thankful for seeing the X-Men prequel and actually developing an interest in the series because this summer flick could stand alone and still be awesome. I’m thankful for all the scenes with the kids in Super 8, and the reminder that movies similar to ET are still possible to make. I’m thankful that Harry Potter ended on a strong, firm note. I’m thankful for Midnight in Paris, which was the sweetest and most delightful film of the year. I’m thankful for movies like Anonymous and Something Borrowed, movies which critics and even many viewers hate, but I enjoy because at the end of the day, you remember that it doesn’t matter if critics like it . . . it matters if you do.
I’m thankful I got to see Mystic River and Good Will Hunting and Gran Torino and The Reader for the first time this year. I’m also thankful for finally seeing Pulp Fiction for the first time, even though I think it’s overrated.
I’m thankful I completed a film class this year, even though I still question my professor’s knowledge.
And above all those, I’m thankful for sites like Anomalous Material and other movie blogs alike. It’s great to be part of a movie blogging community. Thanks for all of the great articles this year! Looking forward to chatting and discussing movies next year too
That’s a lot to be thankful for! You are absolutely right, it doesn’t matter whether other people enjoyed a movie as long as you did! Thanks for dropping by Kristin
I’m thankful for the final HP movie too, Castor, a wonderful finale to a great franchise. Well I’m thankful for X-Men: First Class, Thor, Midnight in Paris, Machine Gun Preacher, and the latest one I saw, The Artist. I agree that it’s been a great year of movies this year, but I think next year it looks to be even better!!
Oh and thanks for the always fun Fantasy Draft, Cas, I look forward to working on the pitch next year!
Wow you already got to see The Artist? Awesome! Looks like it’s finally coming out in our part of the woods, the Landmark Edina will get it on Friday.
+1 on the fantasy draft and the pitching event!
I’m thankful for Senna, mainly. If you told me that my favourite film of the year would be a documentary about a guy I had never heard of before and a documentary about formula one, I wouldn’t believe you. But it happened.
I’m also thankful of how much my taste has changed over the past year, which has made me really enjoy the smaller, artier films like The Tree of Life, Beginners and Submarine. And I’m thankful for Jessica Chastain.
I’m also thankful for being able to see Melancholia’s ending on the big screen!
And thanks for being such an awesome site
I say thank you to Christopher Nolan for being the great filmmaker he is. I can’t wait for The Dark Knight Rises!
I’m thanksful for The Muppets. I actually cried tears of joy!
I’m thankful for The Tree of Life, and I’m thankful that Terence Malick is one of a kind, because my brain couldn’t process two films like that in a year!
I thank god for David Tenant being given a great supporting role in the remake of Fright Night.
And I’m glad that this year I caught up with two great movies I didn’t see in the theaters last year….Get Low & Barney’s Version.
And I thank God that there is this blog, a place where I can share my imperfect thoughts on film.
Thanks to you Castor, and to Kevin, and to the rest of the AM clan.
Thanks Karl for dropping by! I have yet to check out Fright Night but I’ve heard it’s a worthy remake. And hopefully, you won’t mind that Terrence Malick is getting a bit more prolific down the road
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