My best-to-the-worst movies of 2011
Some but not all of the movie jackets listed below...
Welcome to my Rotten Tomato movie reviews of 2011. You may notice not all of these films were released in 2011. I saw them for the first time in 2011, so I included them. You may not see your favourite here. (Hey... I can only view so many new movies in a year...)
There is a reasonable range of genres and will accommodate the young to the old. You will see some patterns of favourite film subjects. There are some that are easy to access for you to enjoy and some that are fairly obscure. If you want more info on any of these movies, clicking on each title will take you to the Rotten Tomatoes page.
Drive (2011)
my favourite movie of 2011. amazing what can be said with no words. thoughtful, engaging, brutal, exciting, compelling characters and i even loved the 80's flavoured score. loved it. absolutely loved it. rating: ••••1/2
Contagion (2011)
this is another example of how we humans are preparing ourselves for an inevitable apocalypse. CONTAGION is supremely creepy because of the plausibility of it all... the movie is very well written, acted and produced. solid and scary. rating: ••••
Project Nim (2011)
the tale of how so many intelligent, well-meaning people could wrong this chimp over a period of many years. as with all monumental failures, project nim is something everyone should learn from. rating: ••••
The Guard (2011)
quirky. when do you see a policeman step over dead bodies from a car crash, reach into a victim's pocket, pull out ecstasy pills and pop them... surrounded by traffic carnage. very entertaining. very funny. rating: ••••
The Cove (2008)
a doc telling the tale of an annual dolphin slaughter in japan... but much more than that. at times it was hard to watch. almost always you couldn't look away. how we manage to allow such crimes against the planet is baffling. this is a must-view for everyone and should be a required view for high school students. rating: ••••
Melancholia (2011)
it's films like this that have me thinking: "is there an secret organization presenting end-of-the-world movies" to prepare us for our own extinction?" it's dark, foreboding, beautiful... i actually enjoyed kirsten dunst. i should mention this is brought to us by the same director of that horrific horrorshow horror movie ANTICHRIST, and you can tell. rating: ••••
The Messenger (2009)
it's a small story with a big message, as it follows the lives of two soldiers assigned with the duty to inform next-of-kin of the deaths of their loved ones who have fallen in combat in iraq. too bad more people didn't see this film sooner. it's movies like this, that help end a war sooner. rating: ••••
Rango (2011)
not sure if this animated wonder was meant for children, but our kids loved it. the characters are fantastically created and so visual, down to every crazy detail. the characters are great. the action is brilliant. definitely the best animated feature of the year. rating: ••••
Fair Game (2010)
ohhhh the outrage. when you see this kind of TRUE STORY... and with the perp getting a pardon by the president, you know there is something amiss with the world. the story about cia agent valerie plame being outed as payback to her husband who spoke out against the iraq war. this is an important story, this is a MUST SEE. rating: ••••
X-Men: First Class (2011)
what's not to love about this sci-fi, comic book, action flick that will have you jamming popcorn, furiously into your mouth as we witness the beginnings of the x-men. my favourite x-men movie, yet. rating: ••••
Hanna (2011)
hannah is an action film about a young girl who was pre-determined to be a lethal weapon. it is refreshing as it doesn't go over the top in typical hollywood bravado. rather it is more a study about the young lady coming to grips with her destiny. still action packed and very european. rating: ••••
Toy Story 3 (2010)
we laughed. we cried. we fell in love with all our favourite toy story characters all over again. the toy story franchise is an institution that pioneered and evolved digital animation. sometimes when you put a bunch of brilliant artists together, they don't mess it up. anyhow, where else is don rickles and tim allen going to find work? rating: ••••
Mr. Nobody (2009)
this is an arthouse film that tells the tale of a man looking back at his past, from the future. bizarre is a word to describe it. a good 20 minutes too long but an excellent mind-funk, nonetheless. rating: •••1/2
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
whadda ya got here? comic book action, Hugo Weaving, science fiction and evil nazis. simple stuff here and well executed. a great popcorn muncher. rating: •••1/2
The Debt (2011)
an israeli covert spy operation to capture a nazi doctor goes badly. this spy flick that seems more real than most with human beings as spies, rather than superhumans capable of everything. these spies were fallible, conflicted and possessed emotion. it's a period piece that seems legit. rating: •••1/2
Warrior (2011)
the rocky of the 21st century, X2... disclaimer: i'm a MMA fan. if you're not, you won't like this. as a movie, i'm a fan. it's not trying to be high art, a few cornball clichés... but a solid romp, believable characters and a message that makes you think... if just for a second. rating: •••1/2
Rio (2011)
aptly named rio is splashy, bright, bold and colourful. great animation. the monkey-bird gang fight scene was priceless. a great family film that the kids enjoyed many times. and a fun lineup of voice actors. rating: •••1/2
The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)
this is fascinating watch, as it peeks inside the world of a morally debased defense lawyer. it seems real. that said, it really feels like an extended LAW & ORDER episode; made for TV. rating: •••1/2
Limitless (2011)
what would happen if you were given a drug that allowed you limitless mental capabilities. learn a language overnight. sort out a multi-national's strategies... then you discover the horrific side effects... would you still take it? what would you do to maintain access to it? rating: •••1/2
Bridesmaids (2011)
apparently - i've been told - women actually behave this way to each other. one of the characters really remind me of a family member. i laughed (sometimes shifting uncomfortably as i watched some realistic self imploding). good characters that were well flushed out. rating: •••1/2
Super 8 (2011)
a great popcorn muncher. a little simple but well executed. the kids are charming and the great thing about it, is it is my era. can anyone say time warp? rating: •••1/2
Stake Land (2011)
in the era of lame lovesick, pale vampires, this flick is a cool zombie-esque gut ripper that satisfies my love of post-apocolyptic society. it's a small budget movie that deserves some respect. if you like zombies, nasty vampires, post-apocolypse and low-budget solid production, this is worth the watch. rating: •••1/2
Our Idiot Brother (2011)
when all those around you who appear to be upstanding citizens, aren't... our idiot brother reminds us that there are those out there who are genuine. our idiot brother is like a warm mug of tea by a fire, while it rages bad weather outside, with lots of giggles in between. lighthearted, this flick reminds me it's the trip, not the destination that's what's really important. it's just a shame when we are so surprised at a person's honesty, we often can't handle it. rating: •••1/2
Black Death (2010)
this is a glimpse into the era of the black plague and how the govt of the day handled it. needless to say, religion figured heavily in the equation with serious consequences to some. a gloomy period piece for history buffs and those with the fortitude to engage in such a dark time. rating: •••
Fright Night (2011)
this remake about a new neighbour who unabashedly shows himself to be a vampire, gets right to it and has plenty of thrills and chills. if you like to be scared, it's something to enjoy. rating: •••
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
i'm a planet of the apes fan, so i was looking forward to this with curiosity. i wasn't disappointed. it was a bit uneven but overall, the action-packed and had you rooting for the apes. rating: •••
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)
since when did sherlock holmes become a fist-a-cuff action hero? with some visually appealing editing (thanks to guy ritchie) and loads of action, as a reader of sir arthur conan doyle, this movie is not enough brains replaced by too much brawn... but a good holiday romp, and a great depiction of the turn of the 19th century. rating: •••
Attack the Block (2011)
this is pretty good, but i felt a little old watching this. maybe cuz the ground had been covered so many times in the past... but kids relating to the characters wouldn't know that. rating: •••
Horrible Bosses (2011)
this is funnier than i thought it would be. some great characters and some great caricatures. i laughed more than a few times. it was something like an extended sitcom episode. rating: ••1/2
Thor (2011)
i collected thor comics long ago. this movie was actually more exciting than i remember him. this marvel comic blockbuster was rock solid but not nothing exceptional. thor was always best, with friends. so bring on the avengers. rating: ••1/2
Paul (2011)
to be clear, i LOVE the simon pegg and nick frost duo... and this one doesn't disappoint. we laughed but there was no pant-peeing. i think seth rogan was a good alien voice or maybe he distracted from the part. hmmm... rating: ••1/2
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (2010)
this biopic of the lead singer ian dury was an entertaining and informative. it tells the story of a rock icon considered one of the forefathers of punk, in britain. not sure if anyone beyond fans of the early punk era will get very excited about this movie. rating: ••1/2
The Horde (La Horde) (2009)
this french (dubbed to english) zombie movie is gruesome, brutal, bloody, horrific, nasty, hardcore... a definite must for zombie fans, probably too much for anyone else. if you like your horror served up raw and without all that unnecessary stuff like plot and character development, this has it... and done fairly slickly (dis ain't no grade-C movie). rating: ••1/2
The Karate Kid (2010)
a twist on the original has a very subdued jackie chan as the master in this story of a young american fish out-of-water who is acclimating in china. decent presented and best suited for young teenage boys. rating: ••1/2
The Eagle (2011)
i liked this as a period piece. not intimate with the era, i hope it was accurate. assuming that, it was great to savour a snapshot of the 2nd century... no matter how wooden the lead and how drab the depiction. rating: ••1/2
Nowhere Boy (2009)
a solid biopic of john lennon as a boy getting into his musical career. recommended for 60's rock music fans. highly recommended for beatles fans. rating: ••1/2
Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
this was a good popcorn movie. there was gaping holes in logic, but hey: this is cowboy's vs aliens. could have been better, but park your brain at the door and enjoy the ride.
Fast Five (2011)
fast chases, cool tatts, hard bodies and set in rio de janeiro to spice things up. just switch your brain into neutral and enjoy the the implausibility of it all. btw, why does the rock seem to be sweating profusely on every shot? was there not towel technician available? rating: ••1/2
Sanctum (2011)
this is a cool thrill ride deep in a network of caves. claustrophobes will squirm, others may yawn, but it does have it's moments. i think i forgot any details about it about 72 hrs later. have a star for looking great in 3D. rating: ••1/2
Mr. Popper's Penguins (2011)
not bad. a cute family flick that is utterly forgettable. a popcorn muncher with the little ones on your lap. half a star for canadian Jim Carrey representin'. rating: ••1/2
Quarantine 2: Terminal (2011)
i loved the first quarantine. it was really creepy. this instalment had a lot of running around. it didn't have the dread the first one had, but it wasn't terrible either. horror fans will enjoy. movies fans, well... rating: ••
Repo Men (2010)
Repo Men has some great moments, but those moments are fleeting. the premise is cool (corrupt company sells artificial organs to people who can't afford them, only to hunt them down and get them back to resell them). but the movie's direction is confusing and ultimately falls apart in a spray of bullets. rating: ••
Gnomeo and Juliet (2011)
the kids loved it. i was a bit bored. but the 3D was great. at the end of the movie it didn't seem like much happened... or much that i recall. rating: ••
The Hangover Part II (2011)
holy deja vu. it was interesting to see Bangkok, but the comedy was harsher and kinda flat since the first movie relied so much on the element of surprise. this is a classic example of hoping that by playing the same thing over again but really loud, doesn't really succeed.i would have given it the half star for being shot in Bangkok, but then i take a half star away because the father-in-law relationship was so unrealistic. rating: ••
Colombiana (2011)
zoe rocks. the action is there. it has some good moments. but the movie is a leaky boat and you're glad to pull into shore by the end, cuz you're almost sunk from totality of the holes in the logic of it all. rating: ••
Cars 2 (2011)
i really enjoyed the first CARS animated feature. this one >yawn< couldn't hold my attention. i'm not sure if it really cared to. it just didn't seem to go anywhere. drag. rating: ••
The Thing (2011)
enh. lacked the jolts, made me yawn and frankly it's been done. when i'm watching a movie and looking at my watch, you know it missed the mark. but you can't fault the norwegians for wanting their own thing horror flick. rating: •1/2
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011)
to think of all the terrific movies that came out in 2011 that could break the $50m mark... and this makes almost $100m and counting. is it that hard to make a decent kid's flick?! i mean, it's pretty clear that people will take their rugrats to just about anything around christmas. the movie was okay for my five year-old, barely. a half star for the most entertaining part: the exploding volcano. rating: •1/2
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
this movie was a dog... just like the first two installments. it is empty, brainless action which insults the viewer. i wouldn't let my 8-year old watch this piece of junk. rating: •
Do you agree? Let me know in the comment field below.
