Best Films of 2011 Pt. 2 (Brian’s 10)

In the second part of our Best Films of 2011 roundup, Criticize This! founder and editor Brian McKechnie picks the top 10 films that wowed him enough to put on a list.

10. I Saw the Devil – I have a soft spot for revenge films. Especially revenge films as slick, freaky and brilliantly made as I Saw the Devil. The film follows a secret agent (Byung-hun Lee) on the hunt for a serial killer (Min-sik Choi) after his pregnant wife is murdered by him. Once he catches him he doesn’t kill him, but instead begins to torture and haunt him in a game of a cat and mouse. It’s a dark, twisted nightmare that is a truly cinematic experience.

9. Limitless - When it comes to movies that blew my mind in 2011, Limitless is at the top. About a mystery drug that releases the full power of your brain, the film is extremely stylized and showcases the true talents of actor Bradley Cooper. It’s become a staple in my film library since it came out on DVD, and like the drug depicted on screen, I just can’t get enough of it.

8. The Adventures of Tintin – Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson teamed up for this adaptation of Hergé’s classic book series and easily gave us the best animated film of the year (using motion-capture and 3-D, two technologies I hate, no less). It’s a fun, entertaining adventure film with the vibe of Indiana Jones. What’s not to love?

7. Contagion – I’ve talked up Steven Soderbergh’s Contagion a lot since catching it in the theatre back in September and still stand behind it as one of the best thrillers to come along in the last few years. Following an outbreak of a new virus as it spreads across the world, the film is very relevant, coming on the heels of the SARS and H1N1 outbreaks, and made me very anxious and paranoid. Plus the giant ensemble cast, which includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Matt Damon, Jude Law, Laurence Fishburne, and Marion Cotillard, are all utilized to their skills and never wasted.

6. Beautiful Boy/We Need to Talk About Kevin – Beautiful Boy stars Maria Bello and Michael Sheen as a married couple on the verge of divorce when their son (Kyle Gallner) goes on a shooting rampage at his college before killing himself. Dealing with a similar theme but on a totally different scale, We Need to Talk About Kevin shows the perspective of a mother (Tilda Swinton) coping with life after her teenage son is put in prison for killing classmates with a bow and arrow. Albeit depressing, both films are powerful and deal with the subject at hand perfectly.

5. Hanna -  Who knew Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride & Prejudice) could make such an intense and wild thriller? That’s exactly what he did with Hanna, a film about a young girl (Saoirse Ronan) raised in the woods and trained by her father (Eric Bana) to be an assassin. It’s a crazy ride that kicked off the 2011 movie season just right. It also has one of the best scores of 2011, courtesy of The Chemical Brothers.

4. Another Earth – With its blend of quiet emotion, heartfelt performances, and a solid underlying sci-fi story, Another Earth was a huge summer surprise that put actress Brit Marling on my radar as someone to watch (I still believe she deserves an Oscar nom for her work in this). It’s not for everyone, but if you open your mind and let it in, you might just find something amazing about it the way I did.

3. Take Shelter – Michael Shannon’s unnerving performance as a man who fears the apocalypse is upon us took Take Shelter from being an ordinary film to an extraordinary film. Along with a stellar performance from Jessica Chastain, and an amazing script, Take Shelter is a perfect example of how a well executed independent film can leave a huge mark on viewers. Here’s hoping the Academy recognizes it, or at least Shannon, come Oscar time.

2. The Descendants – Alexander Payne’s follow-up to 2004’s Sideways, The Descendants delivered everything a movie should and made me want to watch it over and over again. It’s funny, sad, wonderfully written and features the best performance George Clooney has ever done in his lengthy career. After numerous viewings it’s become one of my favourite films of all time and I will cherish it forever.

1. 50/50 – Out of all the films I caught at the Toronto International Film Festival this year, 50/50 left the biggest impact on me and I’ve often found myself thinking about it for no particular reason. It’s a brilliant combination of drama and comedy, with perfect casting (Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen are both top of their game here), writing, and direction. It’s not just one of the best films of 2011, it is the best film of 2011. I only hope more people get to see it when it arrives on DVD later this month.

Honourable mentions: The Adjustment Bureau, Warrior, The Help, Bridesmaids, Chasing Madoff, Winnie the Pooh, Hobo With a Shotgun, Super 8

Agree? Disagree? Let us know what movies you loved this year in the comments below.

Top image: A scene from I Saw the Devil. Courtesy D Films.