Mike's Film Picks: Best Movies of 2011

                                          By Mike Beard

2011 was a great year for quality movies.  Of the films I have seen so far this year, here is a list of my personal favorites.

Best Picture: The Artist. Who would have thought that the best film of 2011 would be a black and white silent film about the last days of the silent film era?  Director Michel Hazanavicius took the daring chance. He put together an outstanding cast led by Jean Dwardin and Bernice Bejo featuring John Goodman, James Cromwell, Malcom McDowell and Penelope Ann Miller to create a beautiful feel-good bonbon.  The perfect way to end this sour and loud year.  In the words of Washington Post reviewer, Ann Hornaday, "The Artist is not just a diverting novelty, but a psychic necessity." 

Hugo.  Director Martin Scorsese makes the most of a large cast of seasoned actors to bring alive this paen to movies and a pioneer film-maker.  Scorsese has fully mastered the art of filming in 3-D—adding depth without gimmicks.  The opening travel-shot in a Paris train station is worth the price of admission.  The excellent cast includes Ben Kingsley, Christopher Lee, Jude Law and Emily Mortimer.  Despite the advertising, this is not a children’s film.  Rated PG.

Le Havre.   Finnish writer-director, Aki Kaurismäki, working in France, deftly presents a contemporary immigration fable of compassion and community.  A suprisingly humorous tale of a young African illegal immigrant and a shoe-shiner.  Not as sappy as it sounds here.  In French with Engllish substitles.  Rated G.  Janus films.

Moneyball.  Brad Pitt furiously chewing gum as Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A's  who developed a radical new way of picking players.  Co-star Jonah Hill gives an excellent performance.  Rated PG-13. On DVD: Jan 10, 2012

Win Win.  A charming sports/comedy/drama centering on a beleaguered attorney and part-time wrestling coach who schemes to keep his practice from going under by acting as the legal caretaker of an elderly client.  Paul Giamatti gives his usual excellent performance.  Rated R.  On DVD: Aug 23, 2011

Drive.  Ryan Gosling stars as a Hollywood stunt driver for movie productions by day and one who steers getaway vehicles for armed heists by night. Albeert Brooks is sensational as a dark, chilling menace. Stunning visuals and fast-paced action.  This is very violent film,  Rated R.  On DVD: Jan 31, 2012

Midnight in Paris.   Woody Allen’s romantic comedy about three fantastic eras in the history of Paris.  A loving tour through some the classic characters and sights of this fabled city. It stars Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates, Carla Bruni, among others.  Raged PG—13.   On DVD: Dec 20, 2011

The Ides of March.  An outstanding cast in a political drama about a Presidential campaign: Ryan Gosling, George Cloooney, Marisa Tomei, Paul Giamatti, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Evan Rachel Wood.  Written/Directed by George Clooney. Rated R.  On DVD: Jan 17, 2012

Beginners.  Christopher Plummer is outstanding as a 75 year-old father who comes out of the closet to live a fun and tumultuous gay life.  Ewan McGregor is excellent as the middle-aged son who must come to grips with the changes in his and his father’s lives.  Rated R.   On DVD: Nov 15, 2011


Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.  Gary Oldman expertly brings George Smiley to life again in this excellent version of John LeCarre’s classic spy novel aided by a superb supporting cast of seasoned British actors.  Rated R—some violent scenes.

The Way.  Emilio Estevez wrote the story and directed his father, Martin Sheen, in this warm and witty account of a father who takes up his dead son’s place on the The Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James. The father encounters several interesting characters and situations along The Way.  Rated PG.

Martha Marcy Mary Marlene.  I hesitate to list this disturbing, powerful psychological thriller. Elizabeth Olsen (younger sister of the Olsen twins) stars as Martha, a young woman attempting to reclaim a normal life after fleeing from a Manson-like cult and its charismatic leader.  The film opens in the midst of Martha’s life in the cult with no information of how or why she got there. It ends in the midst of her atttempt to reform with no hint of how Martha’s story will end.  Elizabeth Olsen is being touted for an Oscar for her compelling and unforgettable performance .  This is a difficult and harrrowing film to watch much like last year’s film “Winter Bone.”   Reviewer Tom Long accurately calls MMMM “A purposely disturbing portrait of a damaged psyche.”  Rated R for violence and sexual situations.  On DVD: Feb 21, 2012