Nick Prigge’s Top 10 Movies Of 2011
A little while back on this very site our man Max wrote a post listing 10 movies he saw in 2011 that he liked and included the following disclaimer: “This list is based on what I have seen and found interesting, moving, wonderful, or just awesome.” I loved this sentiment. I loved it a lot. And frankly, whether you’ve seen every film released in 2011, most of them, a fair amount of them, not enough of them, or barely any of them, I believe that is exactly what a year-end best-of list should be.
Therefore, in that spirit, I present my totally subjective, utterly personal 2011 Top 10. And I will also state for the record that while I liked every movie on this list (obviously), I LOVED the Top 5.
10. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Please understand that I don’t think this film is perfect. In fact, I think it has an avalanche of flaws, notably with the blah murder mystery that functions as its core. But while there were certainly “better” movies I saw in 2011, the things that really resonated with me in David Fincher’s Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (things mostly having to do with Rooney Mara) resonated with me so much I couldn’t not put it on here.
9. Young Adult
A nasty and tough piece of work cloaked in an idiotic ad campaign, its triumvirate of Jason Reitman (director), Diablo Cody (writer) and Charlize Theron (actress) absolutely, respectfully go for broke and skewer the Hollywood myth that small town visits cure all ails. Bonus points for the most game-changing single scene of the year.
8. Take Shelter
If there ever really was – to employ an oft-employed phrase – “a movie for our times”, it’s this tale of a family man who may or may not be having foreboding visions.
7. Midnight In Paris
The first time I watched this idyllic fantasy, in that moment right after Owen Wilson first gets in the car and finds himself at the party I caught myself thinking, “Man, Woody Allen always seems to think it’s a different era, doesn’t he?” Then, of course, I realized what was happening. The exhilaration…..oh, the exhilaration.
6. Senna
A documentary about Formula One auto racing legend Ayrton Senna that is less about auto racing than artistry and spirituality.
5. The Descendants
A fragmented family begins the process of putting the pieces back together. Hawaii never looked so much like everywhere else.
4. Turn Me On, Dammit!
Awkwardly hilarious and unflinchingly honest, this Norweigan film I was fortunate enough to catch at the Chicago Film Festival captures the wild emotional swings of teenage life with near perfection and does it all in just under 80 minutes. It is currently set for what will no doubt be an extremely limited theatrical run in the U.S. in March so keep an eye out.
3. Meek’s Cutoff
A slow-burning, mystic take on the wagon trail opus which ends with a beautiful bit of the unknown that must have mirrored the unknown into which so many brave and/or foolhardy souls ventured. One man’s boring is another man’s blistering.
2. Beginners
To quote Melanie Laurent in this film: “People like us, half of them think it will never work out. The other half believe in magic.” I, for one, believe in magic. And I believe in this movie. Vigorously.
1. Cold Weather
The answer to the mystery of this lo-fi Sherlock Holmes riff from writer/director Aaron Katz, The Mumblecore Malick, turns out to be that the film isn’t a lo-fi Sherlock Holmes riff at all but rather a quiet, wondrous re-kindling of youth.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SOUND OFF BELOW!
51 Comments
Yay! I’m extremly happy to see yor love for Turn me on, Damnit! It won’t end up on my top 10 list, but it really deserves some love.
I’m also a big fan of Beginners. That’s in my top 5 for sure.
Young Adult, Senna, Meek’s Cutoff and The Descendents haven’t come up here yet.
Your number 1 haven’t I even heard of. Got to check up on that one.
It does deserve love. All the love it can get. That’s why I was so happy when you wrote about it. The more words on it, the better.
I’m not sure how accessible “Cold Weather” is outside the US. It strikes me as something that could be in Overseas Release Purgatory.
This is so ridiculously off topic, but your use of “vigorously” just completely took me out of reading this post and flashed back to Mask of Zorro. Er, anyhow.
Nice list even though I’ve yet to see about half of them, I am especially glad to see Beginners. VERY ANXIOUS for #8. Never heard of neither # 1 nor #4, anxious but not completely hopeful for #9, strangely disinterested in #10 and a bit fearful that I might loathe #5. I shall see.
PS. “One man’s boring is another man’s blistering.” Was that meant for me?
Should I remember how and when they used “vigorously” in Mask of Zorro? I’ve seen that but I’m coming up empty. Did Antonio Banderas say it? He must have. It sounds like him.
And no, that line was not meant for you. Honest! In fact, I enjoyed and mostly agreed with your thoughts on the film even though we were in complete disagreement about its quality.
Yup, I just made a post explaining the Zorro reference, I sort of love that movie. Vigorously.
Nice list Nick … albeit the mumblecore #1 pick with COLD WEATHER – which I found rather unbearable.
I should take this moment to mention “Cold Weather” headed up the NY Times “Overlooked Gems” list of 2011.
But seriously, I totally understand why you or anyone else wouldn’t respond to that movie. It’s weird because I don’t even LIKE any other mumblecore directors (I don’t even really like Greta Garwig all that much) but I LOVE Aaron Katz. I always feel like his films have so much more simmering just below the surface.
Hi Nick, this is a very interesting list. Cold Weather has been in my queue for a while, and now I am especially curious to check it out. It’s nice to see Senna mentioned. I just watched that last night and was really impressed with how well made it was. It was hard to keep it together at the end.
“Senna” is indeed quite emotional. I didn’t really know anything other than the broadest details going in and when it appears he’s having an ACTUAL premonition before his last race…..I mean, woah.
What a great list. Love to see the love for Turn Me On, Beginners, Meek’s Cutoff and Cold Weather. I also like that The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is on there – the film has gotten rather middle-of-the-road reviews so far.
“Girl With A Dragon Tattoo” wound up being the most perplexing movie experience I had all year. The core of that story – the murdery mystery, etc. – left me very disappointed, but everything around the core of the story (again, particularly Mara, who I’m sure I’ll talk about a few more times in the next month or two) fascinated me.
Definitely gotta catch Senna and Meek’s Cutoff.
Your list is great Nick!
Thank you! Yes, do try to catch them. I’m interested in any and all thoughts on “Meek’s Cutoff.” It’s kind of a divisive sort of film.
Oh what a shocker at the top!!
Over half of these will probably end up in mine as well. Haven’t gotten around to Meek’s Cutoff quite yet, though.
I’m predictable. I know. I can’t help it. When I find the films I love I can’t prevent myself from blathering endlessly about them. It’s just how I’m wired.
WOW, I had just been to Multnomah Falls in Oregon!! I’m real curious about Cold Weather now as you put it at number 1, though I could just watch the weather channel in the next few days, ahah.
Bummer I haven’t seen Senna and The Descendant, those might actually make my list too.
To be frank, that scene at Multnomah Falls was pretty much used just to look pretty by showing off Multnomah Falls. It doesn’t have much of anything to do with anything. You know, a little like…..Malick.
I had a feeling Cold Weather would be your #1 pick. It’s well-deserved too. I just saw Beginners after I posted my Top 5, and it’s right up near the top, if not #1 at this point. Great list! There are still a lot of movies near the end that I need to check out.
I was able to basically see everything I wanted/needed to see, aside from a couple things that still won’t get to Chicago for a month or more. And “We Bought A Zoo.” I should have issued that disclaimer at the start. I apologize. I may have to republish this list after I see “We Bought A Zoo” this weekend.
I really like this list, even though I am yet to see four of them, and only three made my Top 10 (another Senna selection, nice). I know you loved Cold Weather and seeing it at #1 is awesome. Meek’s Cutoff and The Descendants I also liked a lot. Can’t wait for Dragon Tattoo – I have a feeling I am going to like it.
Thank you. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on “Dragon Tattoo.” Have you seen the original? If so, did you like it?
I have seen the original and I wasn’t a big fan (though it does have the best story of the three films, in my opinion). There are some great moments when Lisbeth and Mikael start working together – but either side of that it didn’t really keep me interested. There was nothing part. interesting about it stylistically (a tele-movie feel very evident in the later instalments, which Fincher will eliminate). I liked Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth, but I’m also looking forward to see what Rooney Mara can do – and then there’s the soundtrack (which I have been playing non-stop).
I always love seeing Senna on top ten lists. Amazing movie. Loved Meek’s Cutoff, Beginners, and Midnight in Paris, too! This is a great list!
Senna really was amazing, wasn’t it? Great reviews all around but not on a whole lot of lists, at least from the ones I’ve seen. I found it so moving and I loved the style choices they made for it, like not having the conventional documentary talking heads.
I’ve only seen Senna and Midnight in Paris – loved both – and haven’t even heard of your nr. 1.
Very interesting list, I must say, quite different from others I’ve read until now.
Yeah, some years I’m in line with more of the consensus (like “Black Swan” & “Winter’s Bone” last year) and then some years – like this one – I’m not. It’s just whatever strikes my fancy the most.
wonderful list! i can’t wait to see Take Shelter!
“Take Shelter” will be worth the wait. Believe me.
Interesting list Nick. Not surprised that Cold Weather is #1 given your wild raves earlier this year. I definitely need to check it out.
I’m a bit more surprised (but not really) that Beginners is so high on your list since you didn’t seem to be as vocal about it.
So many movies I have yet to see, it’s a bit deflating to see a great movie after you have posted your top 10. I saw Win Win yesterday, it definitely would have taken Warrior’s place on my list.
I might have gone off about Beginners more had I not seen it in the midst of my usual year-end moviegoing rush to try and pack everything in. That said, the DVD which I had no choice but to purchase is just patiently waiting for me off to the side of my TV and when I finally DO watch it again…..all bets are off.
Win Win was a good movie. I enjoyed it a lot. I’m a little worried that I didn’t get a chance to see Carnage before this list but I think I’ll be ok. I’m quite content with these 10.
Nice list Nick. I don’t think I have even heard of COLD WEATHER… I am such a naughty film lover!!
Thanks for sharing
Cold Weather certainly isn’t for everyone but then I also wouldn’t be a rabid fan of it if I didn’t recommend that you try and check it out.
Just saw Beginners last night and LOVED it. I can understand how it’s high on your list. Nice list, Nick!
Thank you. Yes, agreed, “Beginners” is – cliche be damned – movie magic.
Nice list Nick, I’d pretty much agree with all of those except for ‘Young Adult,’ but that is simply because it hasn’t been released in the UK yet. Also, its nice to see a personal list, too many people put too much of an emphasis on what they believe to be the best ‘x’ amount of films from last year, but its nice to see the other side.
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on “Young Adult” when you get a chance to see it. It’s a movie that leaves you with a lot to think about and discuss.
What do you mean by blah murder mystery surrounding TGWTDT’s core? I’m confused on what you mean. I personally loved it. I mean, I’d understand what people wouldn’t like about it, but the script I thought was fantastic, the length was the only thing that was iffy. The beginning of the film seemed really really (really) fast. It slowed down a bit, but I feel like it could of included more. Like, they were trying to make every page in the book itself at the beginning.
I thought there was a goldmine of potential with the stories of Lisbeth and Harriet playing off each other, both having such similar backgrounds despite differences of time, but instead of truly following up on that angle the story resorts to what? Snooping around in houses. Talking Killers. Car chases and explosions. Secret Idenities Revealed. I don’t mean to be harsh – I mean, it’s on my list! There was a whole lot I loved! – but I’ve seen those sorts of things in hundreds of movies. It was all so shockingly ordinary. That’s not the fault of David Fincher, that’s (I assume, I haven’t read the book) on the source material.
Lisbeth & Mikael. Their relationship. If they had really made that the focal point I think it could have soared.
Thats a good list Nick. Happy to see Cold Weather getting some love, a great mumblecore film. Your the first person I have seen with that film in the top spot. I notice Drive is not in your top ten. Did you not see it or not care for it?
I did see “Drive.” And I liked it quite a bit. I had no major issues with it but it just didn’t hit home with me personally like these 10.
Interesting list. I’ll admit that I hadn’t even heard of Cold Weather, so I may have to check that out.
Rest assured, it comes with my ultimate stamp of approval, though many people in the past have dismissed my ultimate stamp of approval as idiotic, so who knows? But I loved it, loved it, loved it.
Some movies I haven’t watch until now. Interesting that there’s many of different choices here. But I like that you put Beginners in #2, I love it too, it’s in my top 5
Yes! Another “Beginners” fan!
Great list, Nick! I haven’t seen a single one of these films, and some frankly weren’t even on my radar. So I wouldn’t be able to agree or disagree, but I really appreciate the heads up on some of the more obscure choices!
I’ll keep my eyes peeled!
I hope you get an opportunity to check out a few of them! It’ll be worth it.
Guess I need to see “Cold Weather.” And actually figure out what that Norwegian movie is/how to see it.
“Turn Me On Dammit!” is set for a US release in March! Probably very limited. Probably just the largest of large cities. But keep your eyes peeled.
New Yorker Films picked it up for distribution over here. So everyone say it with it with me: God bless you, New Yorker Films!!!
What – you got something against commercial fare?
Kidding – though I haven’t seen more than half this list, I’m digging the sounds of it. There’s some unconventional, off-the-beaten-path fare here, with a big flick at the tail end.
You know, it’s weird, pretty much every year I have at least one fairly “commercial” movie that I fall madly in love with and cling to and that sticks out like a sore thumb on my list. (Like “Salt” last year.) I guess maybe, like you say, “Dragon Tattoo” is that movie, but I don’t know. It was just an indie year for me. Check some of ‘em out if you can. I’m telling ya, these are some kick ass films.
Meanwhile, I feel like it was a pretty commercial year for me. Having a baby in the house kept me from seeing anywhere near my normal number of new releases, and it’s not that I avoided indies, but didn’t take to some of the biggies and ended up not seeing many of the praised-yet-not-as-much ones like Beginners and Take Shelter.
Adding to it? I just saw Hugo tonight…that’s vaulting into the top 3 somewhere, amybe even to my top spot. I’m shocked.
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