Best of Film 2011 so far... (The List)

I know I promised this would be up last night, but I haven't had a whole lot of time between work at Olive Garden and school... Anyway, the list follows below... Ch-Ch-Ch-Check it out!

Best Film (so far)...

This was a very hard category. I really liked a lot of movies this year. Bridesmaids shined a comedic luster not to be matched. Similarly was Crazy Stupid Love which captured love, that is both crazy and stupid at times. Drive was another film that simply haunted me and still does. I'm not even sure why the Ryan Gosling starring film has affected me so deeply, but it certainly has... I even dressed up like Mr. Gosling for Halloween in Vegas...

Aren't the resemblances uncanny? I think so... As good as Drive was/is it just wasn't the absolute best film of 2011. Another film for serious consideration was The Help. It made anyone with a pulse laugh and cry while also exposing a new generation of viewers to the racism that not so long ago prevailed in America. Awesome performances all around with Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain, Sissy Spacek, and least but certainly not least Emma Stone.

Even still, The Help falls just short. At the top of the 2011 Best Film so far list is Super 8. JJ Abrams love note to Spielberg films of the 80's is simply entertaining, while also reminding us exactly why we like movies so much. Its nostalgic when it needs to be, while not overstaying its welcome. The cast again is stellar with each character actually being a character, with real personalities and real emotion. Abrams deftly blends sci-fi with familial drama in a way that simply hasn't been seen, well since Spielberg. Super 8 might be our generations version of E.T. or Goonies, but one thing is for certain it's a film we'll never forget...

Best Actor (so far)...

Right now I got to give DiCaprio the nod, with Brad Pitt in Moneyball sitting a very close second. DiCaprio WAS J. Edgar and eventhough the film was far less than perfect, his performance was spot absolutely spot on. Ryan Gosling was also very adept in both Drive and The Ides of March, but again his performances lack some of DiCaprio's complete surrender to the character. Kudos to Leo and come Oscar time he might be finally getting his golden statue.

 

Best Actress (so far)...

This has been the year of the woman. Quite literally, films starring stong women have dominated the theatre turnstiles. Emma Stone has been busy as ever, while Kristen Wiig has shown us why she is pure comedic gold. Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, and Jessica Chastain all shined in their own rite in The Help. As it stands right now, it's probably Viola Davis as the best. Though she better watch out because Oscar's leading lady, Meryl Streep, is lurking in the shadows with her film Iron Lady being released in December. I also think Charlize Theron in Young Adult might have a chance to steal Viola's thunder, but as of yet Viola stands above the rest. Her words, "You is kind. You is smart. You is important," forever echo in my head.

Well that's my sort of list for my best of film 2011. Of course, this will change when Oscar season is in full tilt, but this at least gives you an idea of where films are this year, with The Help most certainly leading the way.

And if you don't agree with my list...



#dealwithit