Favourites of 2011

Technocentral

Technocentral wrote: »

Poor year for films, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, My Perestroika, We Need To Talk About Kevin and True Grit the only good ones I seen.

Its been a great year for film, there has been dozens of excellent films released over the part 12 months with every genre having a fine selection of titles. The only way that a years film selection can be disappointing is if you don't make the effort to seek out films beyond those that fill the local multiplexer. So many great titles have been released on DVD/Blu after only playing the IFI or bypassing cinemas altogether, films such as Enter the Void, Tree of Life, I Come With the Rain, Norwegian. Wood, Kill List, etc, etc

nyarlothothep wrote: »

In conclusion a sh1t year for films but Your Highness stood out as a jewel amongst the sh1t.

I take it you only saw 6 films this year or that your post is a desperate bid to stand out from the crowd and appear cool.

Goldstein

Pretty happy with 2011's offerings I must admit. If 2012 is as good or better I look forward to it. (Cannot fupping wait for Prometheus! Although people are in for a let down if they think The Hobbit will be a patch on TLOTR.)

I've a few left to watch but to name a few that come to mind, any year with: Elite Squad 2, Take Shelter, Drive, Melancholia, Another Earth, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, 13 Assassins, 50/50, Kill List, The Skin I Live In, Troll Hunter, Saw the Devil, Tyrannosaur, Attack the Block, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Warrior, A Separation,
...I'll take any year like that and run.

don ramo

Deleted User wrote: »

Cowboys and Aliens is another whic was far from good, I watched the first hour and found it mildly entertaining but after pausing it to go to the bathroom I couldn't be bothered with the rest.

i think i can safely say that was the worst film ive seen in a cinema in the last 3 years, cant quiet remember what film it erased from my memory but i really want it back,

from the thread here id say you could have a very good film out each week, theres about 10 films being mentioned over and over here that ive yet to watch, i just dont have the damn time to watch them,

krudler

Cowboys and Aliens had a great premise, was just a boring movie, Daniel Craig looked like he didnt want to be there and Harrison Ford cant act anything but bored these days.

Sad Professor

I didn't think C&A was that bad actually. But I agree, great concept let down by a formulaic script and uninspired directing. However, I don't think it would have been a success either way. Most people I knew thought was going to be crap just based on the title. As Firefly and Serenity show, even when they are good, the masses aren't interested in films/tv shows that mix westerns with sci-fi.

don ramo

yeah it was a great concept, but it was executed so badly, and as i said it was the worst film ive seen in cinema in some time, there are worse films, just thankfully i didnt waste as much time and money seeing them:D

nyarlothothep

Deleted User wrote: »

Its been a great year for film, there has been dozens of excellent films released over the part 12 months with every genre having a fine selection of titles. The only way that a years film selection can be disappointing is if you don't make the effort to seek out films beyond those that fill the local multiplexer. So many great titles have been released on DVD/Blu after only playing the IFI or bypassing cinemas altogether, films such as Enter the Void, Tree of Life, I Come With the Rain, Norwegian. Wood, Kill List, etc, etc



I take it you only saw 6 films this year or that your post is a desperate bid to stand out from the crowd and appear cool.

No I saw way more than 6 films and what the crowd likes is irrelevant to me.

Kinski

Sad Professor wrote: »

As Firefly and Serenity show, even when they are good, the masses aren't interested in films/tv shows that mix westerns with sci-fi.

What about Wild Wild West?:pac:

You may have a point. They seemed to downplay the Western elements in Serenity, which is one reason why I much prefered the series.

johnny_ultimate

A few other stragglers for the 'honourable mention' category:

Arrietty - Not the best film Ghibli has ever made, but it's still a captivating and charming piece of work. Beautifully illustrated world.

Project Nim - Criminally ignored in favour of the unusually similar (and considerably inferior) Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Where PotA had CGI ape rebellions, Project Nim was a poignant, affecting documentary about the ape they tried to make 'human'. The humans come off worse in both films.

Midnight in Paris - almost forgot about this gem. Easily Woody Allen's best film in decades: an instantly likeable central concept playfully executed. Comparisons to the wonderful Purple Rose of Cairo are entirely warranted.

Waste Land - a powerful, uplifting documentary about artist Vik Muniz encouraging garbage pickers in Rio's biggest dump to transform the waste into art.

Underwater Love - Easily this year's most fun, surreal and offbeat softcore porn musical. Come for the irreverent, catchy soundtrack. Stay for the multicoloured plastic genitals.

La Quattro Volte - The main characters are (respectively) an old man, a goat and a tree, and the pacing is slow to the point of narcoleptic. But it's a beautifully realised film about man's relationship with nature, and home to this year's single most brilliant scene: a lengthy and perfectly choreographed one-shot parade scene.

Guilty of Romance - Sion Son's second best film of the year, but still a disturbing, scathingly satirical and vividly directed piece of work.

Sawako Decides - A peculiarly uplifting film about embracing your lot in life, no matter how mediocre that may be. A coming-of-age story with a difference.

Snap - Not a 'great' film, but the stylistic delivery is bold and the kind of thing more Irish cinema should be striving to achieve.

don ramo

also forgot about Stake Land, great vampire flick,

inthefade

Drive was the only really great film this year. Next year will be a better year for film, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES HELLOOO??! ;D

WatchWolf

inthefade wrote: »

Drive was the only really great film this year. Next year will be a better year for film, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES HELLOOO??! ;D

Next year sure as hell will be amazing. The Dark Knight Rises, The Amazing Spiderman, The Avengers, Coogan's Trade, War Horse, The Descendants, The Hobbit, etc, etc.

My faveourite this year was of course *drumroll please* DRIVE!

But if I were to choose a more mainstream film it would be Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes. The academy's excuse for not nominating Andy Serkis for any of his motion capture work is ridiculous.

WatchWolf

WatchWolf wrote: »

Next year sure as hell will be amazing. The Dark Knight Rises, The Amazing Spiderman, The Avengers, Coogan's Trade, War Horse, The Descendants, The Hobbit, etc, etc.

My faveourite this year was of course *drumroll please* DRIVE!

But if I were to choose a more mainstream film it would be Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes. The academy's excuse for not nominating Andy Serkis for any of his motion capture work is ridiculous.

People seem to constantly heap praise upon Serkis completely ignoring the fact that teams of digital artists spent months working on creating what we saw on screen. Yes, Serkis did deliver a great act of mimicry which then evolved into a memorable and realistic character but that would have been for naught if it were not for the FXs teams who brought the character to life.

nyarlothothep wrote: »

No I saw way more than 6 films and what the crowd likes is irrelevant to me.

To me it sounds like a 12 year old boy deliberately trying to get a reaction from people. I know that film is subjective but to tell people that the only truly good film of the past 12 months was one which relied on nothing but dicks jokes is a little hard to take seriously. Your Highness isn't even the most competently made film of the past 12 months, there isn't a single aspect of it that stands out.

bnt

Another vote for Le Quattro Volte here: on the big screen it was incredibly immersive, I almost felt as if I was in Calabria, watching life come and go before my eyes. Some of the comments on IMDB are hilarious. :cool:

nyarlothothep

Deleted User wrote: »

People seem to constantly heap praise upon Serkis completely ignoring the fact that teams of digital artists spent months working on creating what we saw on screen. Yes, Serkis did deliver a great act of mimicry which then evolved into a memorable and realistic character but that would have been for naught if it were not for the FXs teams who brought the character to life.




To me it sounds like a 12 year old boy deliberately trying to get a reaction from people. I know that film is subjective but to tell people that the only truly good film of the past 12 months was one which relied on nothing but dicks jokes is a little hard to take seriously. Your Highness isn't even the most competently made film of the past 12 months, there isn't a single aspect of it that stands out.

Seriously, throwing around insults because you happen to disagree with my film choice, how childish is that.

Mickeroo

Deleted User wrote: »

People seem to constantly heap praise upon Serkis completely ignoring the fact that teams of digital artists spent months working on creating what we saw on screen. Yes, Serkis did deliver a great act of mimicry which then evolved into a memorable and realistic character but that would have been for naught if it were not for the FXs teams who brought the character to life.

Yea but the best special effects in the history of cinema would have been all for naught too if you take his performance out of the equation. It's a two way street. The CG was outstanding, probably some of the best I've ever seen in some places but when I refer to Serkis' performance I'm talking about the facial expressions, the mannerisms etc. not how real the ape looks.

Take Gollum for example(leaving aside the fact gollum talks), the CG there has dated quite badly in some places but it doesn't really take away from the performance one bit. He was brilliant in King kong too.

nyarlothothep

nyarlothothep wrote: »

Seriously, throwing around insults because you happen to disagree with my film choice, how childish is that.

Nice stealth edit, you remove your insults and then try to take the moral high ground. Have the deceny to repost your original reply to me.

I wasn't insulting you in my post, I just find it hard to believe that anyone who wasn't trying simply to get a reaction can find Your Higness to be the best film of the past year.

nyarlothothep

Deleted User wrote: »

Nice stealth edit, you remove your insults and then try to take the moral high ground. Have the deceny to repost your original reply to me.

I wasn't insulting you in my post, I just find it hard to believe that anyone who wasn't trying simply to get a reaction can find Your Higness to be the best film of the past year.

Sounded like an insult to me. Your Highness genuinely is my favourite film of the year.

Sad Professor

Deleted User wrote: »

To me it sounds like a 12 year old boy deliberately trying to get a reaction from people. I know that film is subjective but to tell people that the only truly good film of the past 12 months was one which relied on nothing but dicks jokes is a little hard to take seriously. Your Highness isn't even the most competently made film of the past 12 months, there isn't a single aspect of it that stands out.

nyarlothothep wrote: »

Seriously, throwing around insults because you happen to disagree with my film choice, how childish is that.

Deleted User wrote: »

Nice stealth edit, you remove your insults and then try to take the moral high ground. Have the deceny to repost your original reply to me.

I wasn't insulting you in my post, I just find it hard to believe that anyone who wasn't trying simply to get a reaction can find Your Higness to be the best film of the past year.

Alright that's enough you two.

Okay, so nyarlothothep thought Your Highness was the best film of the year. Yes, I find this bizarre as well, but he's entitled to his opinion the same as everyone else, so let's just leave it at that please.

hatful

I'm still looking forward to seeing the Tree of Life, 13 Assasins, Project Nim, Win Win, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, A Separation and a few other suggestions from this thread.From what I have seen I thought Thor was awesome! Incendies, was good too, greek myth inspired but set in the middle east. Drive was superb, reminded me of the many years I spent playing video games. I also enjoyed Harry Potter, Bridesmaids and X-men. Limitless was surprisingly good. Take Shelter is my number two but it was just beaten to the top spot by Animal Kingdom.

Optimalprimerib

I found tin-tin a pleasant surprise. It looked ugly on screenshots but beautiful on action. It also was a lot of fun.

Super 8 was a movie I was really looking forward to as I loved all the Spielbergesque blockbusters (even war of the worlds) and I thoroughly enjoyed this despite it's flaws.

Drive, I am not sure how I felt about this. One minute a quirkily quiet indie flick, then out of nowhere.... I am happy I watched it but I don't think I'll watch it again.

The kings speech was a glorified bromance, good but nit Oscar winning good.

X-men was easily the best of the comic book movies, although thor was not bad.

Irish Aris

Wasn't very active in cinema going - started again frequesnt visits the last 3 months.

The Ides of March was a film I really enjoyed.
Also the Awakening - I knew nothing about it and turned out an amazing thriller!!

eleven1

krudler wrote: »

Since the cinema year is all but over, what are peoples favourite movies, soundtracks, scenes, performances etc for 2011? lets try keep this list free, so reasons why you liked what you liked.

to start, my 5 favourite movies, in no particular order.

Warrior

Yes its a big ball of cliches, but three fantastic central performances and a compelling story make it the biggest surprise of the year for me, I'd be really, really surprised if Nick Nolte doesnt get an Oscar nomination for his role as Paddy Conlon, if you've seen the movie, the hotel room scene is heartbreaking. Joel Edgerton impresses as the former MMA fighter turned teacher who goes back to the ring to save himself from bankruptcy, and Tom Hardy is all quiet rage as the Marine who becomes a sensation in MMA. well worth a watch, the always underrated Mark Isham score is great as well, especially this track, working Ode To Joy into a training montage.

well said , i liked warrior very much it was very nice to watch , i strongly recommend it .

stealinhorses

My top five for 2011:

Blue Valentine - one of my favourite films. Emotionally charged, with great acting and camera work. It's one that stays with you after you leave the cinema and haunts you. It's so romantic that it hurts. I loved it.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - just a fantastically tailored film (pardon the pun), with a great ensemble cast led by the ever-in-form Gary Oldman.

It's Kind of a Funny Story - I'm not really one for these sort of movies, but I found this one extremely charming and heartwarming. I haven't felt so good about myself after watching a movie in a long time.

The Fighter - I know this one is kinda last season, but I watched it in January and what can I say - excellent cinema.

The Ides of March - the dialogue was great, the tension was palpable and the message quite fitting.

Honourable mentions go to Drive, The Conspirator, X-Men: First Class and Scream 4.
I haven't yet seen Melancholia, Warrior or I Saw the Devil and I'm sure they could challenge for the top 5.

Dots1982

Snowtown was the only movie that will stay with me this year. Very well made for a low-budget Oz flick. Pity it only got a week in very selected cinemas.

Sad Professor

Yeah I thought Snowtown was excellent. It's a bit difficult to follow if you aren't familiar with the events. The film was clearly made for Australian audiences who would know the case very well. But even though it left me confused in a few places, I just loved the whole style of it.

sillo

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Confessions - Not content to have his Korean neighbours have the last word on revenge, director Tetsyua Nakashima's story of a teacher pushed over the edge is a whole new take on a well-worn genre. The film's greatest narrative innovation is to have the first act of the film play out entirely in monologue and flashback. It's a decision that makes the shocks that follow all the more powerful.

Can't believe I forgot this on my list - this was perhaps my favourite movie of the year. It was so shockingly beautiful from an aesthetic standpoint - and so disgustingly grimy from an emotional one. That dichotomy really, really worked for me.

JP Liz V1

I'm probably on my own here but I really liked Bridesmaids, it was funny and the cast worked very well together, Wiig did a great job as the lead character and McCarthy was hilarious maybe it appealed more to be as a chick

I loved Warrior top class performances all round but expecially from Joel Edgerton another Aussie with a bright future and he finally seems to be getting bigger roles

Ryan Gosling had a hat trick of top films with Drive, The Ides of March and Crazy Stupid Love (his bromance with Steve Carrell and romance with Emma Stone were delightful to watch)

Horrible Bosses thanks in part mainly to Charlie Day was very funny also again the cast worked so well together but Day stood out for me

krudler

I enjoyed Horrible Bosses, despite it getting bad reviews from nearly everyone I know who saw it, thought it was really funny in place, Colin Farrells character especially, he should do more straight comedy roles.

Harry the Red

I really didn't get what all the fuss was with Thor. I found it worse than all the other movies leading up to The Avengers and now that we're on that, I only found Iron Man to be ok. It just got annoying.

Harry the Red

Sorry to post a second message (I forgot this)... X-men First Class wasn't good! I thought it was worse than 3! The whole time I was thinking "Who does James McAvoy think he is?". Fassbender was good. Not as good as Ian McKellen, but I liked him - although that shot of Magneto and Xavier playing chess in front of Lincoln memorial was ridiculous. McAvoy doesn't carry the power that is needed to play Professor X, something that Patrick Stewart definitely has. Last thing (I'm sorry that I have to take out my ranting on you guys), that scene where the young mutants are showing off their powers is TOO childish. I know they were supposed to be stupid and childish, but WOW.


Hmph, 127 Hours was good anyway

Mindkiller

I watched X-Men last night and while parts of it ramp up the cheese to near unbearable levels (How did JFK maintain his poker-face when he really knew that a psychic mutant played missile volleyball with the Soviet and American ships?), I thought it was 10 times the movie that Captain America and Thor where. I'm really not sure why Thor is featuring so prominently in lots of people's lists. One of the worst superhero movies I've seen. My top 10 list of bad superhero films would include most of the 'Avengers' leadup films. At least First Class didn't reek of a quick cash-in.



Moneyball was great. The mark of a great sports film is one that will interest people who have no interest in the sport.

Melancholia was beautiful and unsettling. I'll be watching it again.

My film of the year (so far) is probably Drive. A style over substance film for sure, but a gripping neo-noir crime thriller all the same

krudler

Mindkiller wrote: »

I watched X-Men last night and while parts of it ramp up the cheese to near unbearable levels (How did JFK maintain his poker-face when he really knew that a psychic mutant played missile volleyball with the Soviet and American ships?), I thought it was 10 times the movie that Captain America and Thor where. I'm really not sure why Thor is featuring so prominently in lots of people's lists. One of the worst superhero movies I've seen. My top 10 list of bad superhero films would include most of the 'Avengers' leadup films. At least First Class didn't reek of a quick cash-in.

I liked it because it was something a lot of big blockbusters arent these days: fun. It knew exactly what it was, cheesy saturday morning blockbuster stuff, and it did it really well.

Mindkiller

The 'cheesy saturday morning blockbuster stuff' was more apparent in Captain America. With Thor it seemed most of its budget was spent on the very elaborate opening 30 minutes. After that we had a very dull rom-com and a flaccid climax with a big metal robot. Captain America barely edges out as the better of the two. First Class is in another class (do ho ho) altogether.

Mickeroo

Mindkiller wrote: »

I watched X-Men last night and while parts of it ramp up the cheese to near unbearable levels (How did JFK maintain his poker-face when he really knew that a psychic mutant played missile volleyball with the Soviet and American ships?), I thought it was 10 times the movie that Captain America and Thor where. I'm really not sure why Thor is featuring so prominently in lots of people's lists. One of the worst superhero movies I've seen. My top 10 list of bad superhero films would include most of the 'Avengers' leadup films. At least First Class didn't reek of a quick cash-in.

I liked First Class a lot too but i think its very unfair to call any of the movies produced by marvel as quick cash-ins. I think the way marvel have treated the movies they still have the rights over is the way it should be done, they've been very careful with what directors they've picked for each property and each time the movies have played to the strengths of the characters. They way they've translated the marvel universe to the screen has been great and as a fan of comics its something I never thought i'd see. Now the films aren't perfect by any means but they're all pretty good imo ( even the Hulk one). As much as I'm stoked for the avengers the fact the others had to tie in made them suffer a bit (Captain America and Iron Man2 in particular.

If you're looking for quick cash ins look no further than properties not made by marvel - Daredevil, Elektra, Wolverine or X-Men 3. The fact that First Class turned out so good was a miracle considering the effort the studio made to make it suck, it was greenlit, written and released in less than twelve months iirc. I think its quality was a result of the talent involved more than anything to do with the studio not wanting a quick cash-in.

Mindkiller

Mickeroo wrote: »

If you're looking for quick cash ins look no further than properties not made by marvel - Daredevil, Elektra, Wolverine or X-Men 3.

Haven't seen any of these films. I try to avoid the ones that get horrible reviews, which is why I was so surprised with how well-received Captain America was. The majority of the action was delivered in boring montages. There was no sense of any escalating crisis during the film. It felt like a totally perfunctory movie. It had to be made for there to be an Avengers movie, and it shows. Whereas the original Iron Man works fantastically as a stand-alone film.

I understand that they need to establish the characters beforehand, but I wish the Avengers foreshadowing was a little less blatant. It cheapens the movie, makes it feel like an extended teaser. Sam Jackson must be loving these paychecks.

At any rate, watching First Class makes me want to watch the first two X-men films. See if they've aged well.

Mickeroo

Mindkiller wrote: »

Haven't seen any of these films. I try to avoid the ones that get horrible reviews, which is why I was so surprised with how well-received Captain America was. The majority of the action was delivered in boring montages. There was no sense of any escalating crisis during the film. It felt like a totally perfunctory movie. It had to be made for there to be an Avengers movie, and it shows. Whereas the original Iron Man works fantastically as a stand-alone film.

I understand that they need to establish the characters beforehand, but I wish the Avengers foreshadowing was a little less blatant. It cheapens the movie, makes it feel like an extended teaser. Sam Jackson must be loving these paychecks.

.

I agree with you there, I felt the first half of Captain America was brilliant but the 2nd half was just an extended montage covering events that should have been spread out over a sequel or two for no other reason than he had to

be frozen by the end

to appear in the Avengers next summer. It cheapened some things

like Bucky's death for example

which didn't have the impact it should have. Thor had the perfect balance of tying in with the other films without detracting from its own story I thought though.

Mindkiller

Yeah, the first third or so of the film was very good. The war bonds bit I mean. There's an air of irony and cynicism which is lost later on when 'Cap' goes off to kick ass. The 'lets throw the shield at the audience's heads a few times' lark got old fast. I think the idea of Captain America is a lot cooler than the 'Cap' himself.

Sad Professor

It had a few good bits, but Captain America bored me senseless for the most part. And Thor, while a lot of fun, was let down but some seriously bad editing. Branagh fell into the same trap that Forster did with Quantum of Solace and it almost ruined the film.

krudler

The thing I didnt like about Cap was they did the overcoming adversity bit twice, with him first getting into the army then being taken seriously as a soldier. nothing wrong with the hero proving himself, every single comic movie does it, just doesnt need to be done twice in the space of 20 minutes. other than that though I liked it, its a good origin story.

I like what Marvel are doing with their own movies, I really wish Sony had lost the rights to Spiderman as I'd love to see Marvel take a crack at it themselves. the trailer for the new one looks too emotastic again,and thats what ruined the third movie (well one of the dozen things that ruined it) Spiderman should be a wisecracking smartarse, not a moping teen. whats the obsession with "dark" comic movies, Spiderman and Superman are meant to be fun, leave the dark to Batman.

deem79

The Ides of March was intersting, if a bit simplistic.

DisneyXFan

Tangled BY FAR. Saw it 10 times and I can't get enough of it. Its really good yet it even made me cry like a 2 yr old. If anyone didn't see it I suggest that you should rent it out.

candy-gal1

krudler wrote: »

Since the cinema year is all but over, what are peoples favourite movies, soundtracks, scenes, performances etc for 2011? lets try keep this list free, so reasons why you liked what you liked.

to start, my 5 favourite movies, in no particular order.

Warrior

Yes its a big ball of cliches, but three fantastic central performances and a compelling story make it the biggest surprise of the year for me, I'd be really, really surprised if Nick Nolte doesnt get an Oscar nomination for his role as Paddy Conlon, if you've seen the movie, the hotel room scene is heartbreaking. Joel Edgerton impresses as the former MMA fighter turned teacher who goes back to the ring to save himself from bankruptcy, and Tom Hardy is all quiet rage as the Marine who becomes a sensation in MMA. well worth a watch, the always underrated Mark Isham score is great as well, especially this track, working Ode To Joy into a training montage.

Drive

Quiet, restrained, super cool, explosively violent. with hands down the best soundtrack of the year. People were annoyed its not Fast and the Furious 6, its something much more than that. the quiet lulls where characters dont say much to each other turn into savage brutality out of nowhere. Ryan Gosling is fast becoming one of my favourite actors after this and The Ides Of March.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNPubkh9mQ0

Thor

Hands down the most fun movie I saw all year, it knew exactly what it was and ran with it, Chris Hemsworth is a megastar in the making, giving a brief but memorable performance as Kirk's dad in Star Trek's superb opening sequence then going to headline a summer movie was a big step, and he filled the role brilliantly. but Tom Hiddleston steals the show as Loki. great theme tune as well, something a lot of recent comic movies are sorely lacking, love the bit at 1.20 into this, when Thor and his buddies are charging across the rainbow bridge on horseback.

Kung Fu Panda 2

Fully deserves the best animated picture Oscar next year, and yes I'm being serious, one of the best animated movies in years. the first one was fun, one of Dreamworks best, and I'm not a big fan of most of their work, but with How To Train Your Dragon last year and KFP2 this year, they've done the impossible and outshone Pixars releases. Gary Oldman as Shen is one of the best villains of the year as well, and this scene, christ, animation at its finest if you've seen it, intercutting the cgi with beautifully rendered 2D animation showing Po's origins, one of the best scenes of 2011.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq3EKVxYtpk

from 1.50 onwards= ep.ic.

and this, Hans Zimmer and John Powell absolutely knock it out of the park as far as action cues go, 2.30 onwards it just awesome. wouldnt be surprised for a best music Oscar nomination either, superb stuff.

The Tree Of Life

Couldnt see it in the cinema thanks to it not going on release in many places, but its one of those love it or hate it movies, its long, slow moving, pretentious, but its staggeringly beautiful and superbly shot. and its got some dinosaurs in it.

almost everything there you mentioned, brilliant, couldnt fault them!




tree of life, really!!
sorry, and maybe its just my ignorance or whatever, but imho it felt like a total waste of 2hrs of my life and the cinema ticket price, and i never say that about a movie, ever.
serves me right though for saying to my mate, lets go see anything but transformers 3, or whatever, there was nothing on that day.

Optimalprimerib

Sad Professor wrote: »

It had a few good bits, but Captain America bored me senseless for the most part. And Thor, while a lot of fun, was let down but some seriously bad editing. Branagh fell into the same trap that Forster did with Quantum of Solace and it almost ruined the film.

What trap was that?

joseph brand

Sad Professor wrote: »

It had a few good bits, but Captain America bored me senseless for the most part. And Thor, while a lot of fun, was let down but some seriously bad editing. Branagh fell into the same trap that Forster did with Quantum of Solace and it almost ruined the film.

Just watched this last night. Started playing Bejeweled on my phone half way through this yawwn fest. Suddenly woke on my couch at half 3. What happened at the end? Who cares?

The part where

Craptain America arrives back to base with the rescued soldiers all behind him, walking tall and proud, offered himself for disciplinary action

was the final straw for me.

It probably doesn't help that I am not an American, neither do I possess an American flag to wave while I watch.

I had high hopes for this movie and they were crushed.

Mindkiller

A lot of people say the cheese in Cap America is meant to be taken tongue in cheek, that it's relentlessly self-deprecating the whole way through. I only found it to be like that in the war-bonds bit. The rest of it was just plain bad.

Syferus

I just watched The Adjustment Bureau and it was one of the most enjoyable mainstream Hollywood confections I've seen in quite a while. Matt Damon fills is role with aplomb while Emily Blunt is captivating enough to believe Damon's character couldn't forget about here. Seeing John Slattery chasing people around New York City with a fedora in tow is as close to unbridled glee as I'll get.

And on that - New York City itself is used absolutely impeccably as a set. I was there late last year and it captures a huge amount of the milieu of the city.

The over-arching story has been done in other ways, and probably better, in films like Wings of Desire but this take does stay very consistent with its world and it hints at greater questions enough to make the ride more than just a thriller or a romantic drama.

Even the ending, which some didn't like, makes perfect sense in the context of the theme of predestination and free will. A darker ending would paint a very bleak picture completely unfitting of the energy in the film, while having them, say, 'suffer' a fate where they live contented lives with much less success than they would otherwise have attained would give the impression free will doesn't exist after all and that the entire exercise was somewhat of a sham. Like Harry says near the end. everyone's being tested in different ways, even the Bureau - their very existence tells you free will exists, even if it is tampered with at times.

It captures that sense of irrational love very well and allies it to impressive chase sequences. A very delightful ride and certainly among the films from 2011 that I'll remember fondly.

Brain Stroking

Favourites of 2011 in no particular order:

Another Earth
Tyrannosaur
We Need To Talk About Kevin
Melancholia
Drive
Margin Call
Midnight in Paris
Carnage

Still to see (which based on critical reviews may make it in):
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
The Tree of Life
Hugo
The Artist

saintsaltynuts

We Need To Talk About Kevin.
The Guard.
The Fighter.
Tyrannosaur.
X Men:First Class.
Drive.
Kill List.
Worst:Scream 4.

OldeCinemaSoz

I sure liked RANGO.



A great little movie.

And speaking of which, I'm going to
do the decent thing and dig out CHINATOWN from the
decaying ol' external hard drive as a tribute for a
viewing now...

:cool:

Damn if Rango ain't a frackin' cracker?