As Awards Season officially came to a close with the Academy Awards last weekend, I have compiled a list of my favorite films, in no particular order, of the past year. Of course, I have not seen all of them, so I will add to/edit this list as I see fit.
1) The Help: I've lost count of how many times I've seen this film, but it touches me every time. The story of two black maids (Oscar nominee Viola Davis and Oscar winner Octavia Spencer) trying to ignite change in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi, I laugh and cry all at the same time. Beautifully told and presented, the performances are still the most incredible feature of the film: truly spectacular ones are turned out by Davis and Spencer; with superb supporting performances from Jessica Chastain and Bryce Dallas Howard. A one-of-a-kind film.
2) Hugo: Martin Scorcese's first "kids' film" was a knockout for all ages alike. A touching tribute to the pioneers of cinema -- specifically George Melies -- the love that this filmmaker has for his art is obvious, and it translates beautifully to the screen. The amazing setting (it won Oscars for Art Direction, Cinematography, both Sound categories, etc.) only enhanced the overall magical quality of the film. It is also a very moving story, centered around an orphaned boy (the wonderful Asa Butterfield) trying to retrieve a message from his deceased father from his old automaton. A rare intelligent "kids' film" that also happened to be one of the most critically and popularly acclaimed of 2011.
3) The Artist: What set this film apart from all the others is obvious -- in an age where 3-D and special effects dominates the big screen, this film was mute and in black-and-white. What could've been a recipe for disaster turned out to be one of the most entertaining films of the year, precisely because it did so much with so little. The acting was crucial, and Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo certainly did not disappoint -- in fact, they far exceeded my expectations (in fact, Dujardin won the Best Actor Oscar). Along with Hugo, it was also a tribute to cinema of days past, and it also reminded us all that great films come in many formats.
4) A Better Life: I cannot discuss this film without crying (tearing up right now, actually). It affected me emotionally in a way that no other film ever has. Demian Bichir's performance was so poignant, so heartbreaking, that I would've given him the Oscar last Sunday without a second thought (Dujardin was absolutely deserving, too). The film, from Chris Weitz, has a simple premise, and is told rather simply, but the circumstances that illegal immigrant Carlos Galindo faces ring all too true. I think, living in LA and being so acutely aware of this issue, made the film strike me all the deeper. A must-see for Bichir's performance alone.
5) Midnight in Paris: A light and clever film from the always-quirky Woody Allen. Count on it to be only for the more "cultured" (many novelists, filmmakers, etc. are referenced), but if you can follow, you'll love it. This film epitomizes the need of only a great script to make a movie great. Allen's words and pacing are almost flawless (which earned him an Original Screenplay Oscar), and the gorgeous French setting is a bonus. An excellent and intelligent comedy.
Honorable Mentions: The Ides of March; Moneyball; Warrior; Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
No comments:
Post a Comment