Top 10 Films of 2011

Listen if you know me and do your research, you know very well where this is all going to land. But it's not about the journey, sometimes it's about the destination? That's how the saying goes right?

Here's my Top 10 Films of 2011!! Today we continue a look back on the years in this decade I didn't do "Top 10 Films" lists for, in hopes of making my eventual Top 10 Films of 2018 list look not so late. If you haven't checked out my Top 10 Films of 2010 yet, click here. On with the show.


10. Winnie The Pooh
Directed by Stephen J. Anderson and Don Hall
Starring Jim Cummings, Bud Luckey, and Tom Kenny

Not a lot of people saw this one. Why? Because in one of Disney's most brilliant marketing moves, released this film the same weekend as Harry Potter & The Deathy Hallows - Part 2. Then, when the film performed poorly at the box office, they decided to blame it on the notion that "No one wants to see hand-drawn animation anymore". So right after The Princess & The Frog brought it back to the studio, it was killed again just two years later...

....oh right, I need to provide an opinion on the actual film. This film is classic Winnie The Pooh. If you're still riding the "high" of Christopher Robin, I suggest you give this film a watch. It has the same charm and cleverness of the original 1977 classic. There's an unusual amount of slapstick and physical humor here for Winnie The Pooh, but it works. There's jokes I think kids and adults will laugh at. Where the 1977 film told three stories in a row, this one tells two (arguably three) and tries to tie them together into one fluid narrative. For the most part it works, but not all story lines receive equal attention. The animation is great. Jim Cummings continues to be great as Pooh and Tigger. The new additions to the voice cast are great, including Tom Kenny (SpongeBob) as Rabbit, Craig Ferguson as Owl, and John Cleese as the narrator. The songs are quite catchy, and reminiscent of the classic Sherman Brothers tunes (They're done by Robert and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, the duo behind the songs of Frozen and Coco, and many are sung by Zooey Deschanel, who's sweet and soothing voice fits well for Winnie The Pooh). If you or your family like these characters and have a free hour (It's actually a 63-minute film), I suggest you check this one out.


9. The Artist
Directed by Michael Hazanavicius
Starring Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, and John Goodman

Some would say The Artist relies too much on nostalgia as a gimmick. I think that's pretty rude, man. Producing a silent film, in a time that's evolved a lot as far as visual storytelling, is kind of brave when you think about it. It's a clever homage and commentary on the silent film era, and how the transition to "talkies" affected Hollywood icons of the time. When you're limiting yourself as far as dialogue, you need to "show not tell" as best you can, and this film certainly does. I will say as much as I enjoy it, The Artist does drag at times. It's a very charming, enjoyable film that evokes real movie magic. While I'm talking about The Artist, I wish Jean Dujardin got more work stateside after this film went big.


8. Rio
Directed by Carlos Saldanha
Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, and Jermaine Clement

Rio's pretty underrated in my opinion. Objectively, it's an average film. It's a touching but cliche' love story, and the animation is gorgeous for the time, literally bringing Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to life  (This is from Blue Sky, the folks behind Ice Age). The voice cast is a fun group, and you can tell they're having too. There's some real good songs throughout the film too, one of which has become one my regular "jams". It's a very entertaining 82 minutes I think kids and adults can really enjoy, and you know what? I bet it's better than the last three Ice Age sequels.

Also my original review of Rio from 2011 still exists, and if anyone saw the sequel let me know if it's worth giving a watch.

7. Horrible Bosses
Directed by Seth Gordon
Starring Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day

This was one funny film. I can still remember and recite a lot of the best moments from the film. It's a pretty outrageous story (and a relatable one? Because I'm sure we've all experienced a horrible boss at one point in our life?) and because of that the humor arising from the script is even better. The cast is also hilarious and fires on all cylinders (OK maybe not Kevin Spacey...) from beginning to end. Charlie Day and Jaimie Foxx steal all the scenes. Horrible Bosses is one of the most creative, hilarious comedies in recent years, and I just want to let everyone to know that murder is wrong and you should never kill your boss or anyone as a solution to your problems. Communication is key.


6. Crazy, Stupid Love
Directed by Glen Ficarra & John Requa
Starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone

The best romantic comedies, at least to me, are the ones that switch things up a bit. Crazy, Stupid, Love does that by looking at the rougher side of love/modern romance. It doesn't wrap everything up in a "happily ever after" ending but it's an upbeat, heartwarming, and funny film. Also, the way it ties all the story-lines together before the third act is CLASSIC. This film stars three of my favorite actors (Carell, Gosling, and Stone). As we know, Ryan and Emma are amazing and have perfect chemistry. Micheal Scott himself, Steve Carell, can be hilarious and sincere, and he delivers one of my favorite monologues in film. Even if you're not a romantic comedy person, there's a lot to love, about Crazy, Stupid Love.


5. Kung Fu Panda 2
Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Starring Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, and Dustin Hoffman

Sequels are hard to do. Animated sequels for some reason, seem even harder to do. If you don't believe me look what Disney was up to on home-video from the early nineties 'til about 2009. Kung Fu Panda 2 is one of those rare animated sequels that works, and arguably surpasses the original. Personally it's my favorite of the trilogy. It builds so well off of the original in this touching chapter of Po's (Black) story. The animation is again superb, and the music is epic. The fight scenes are awesome (Yeah I know they're animated but they are awesome, just like in the first film) There's a lot of power in the voice cast, and Gary Oldman is the best as the villain, Lord Shen. Epic and emotional, Kung Fu Panda 2 is a superb sequel.

My original review from 2011 for this film also still exists.

4. Thor
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Tom Hiddelston

This year we really started to see the MCU take shape, with the introduction of two key Avengers. Eight years and about seventeen films later, I still consider the first Thor film to be one of their best, and one of their stronger origin films. I mean, it's really hard to rank all the films in MCU. I'll do it someday when I'm braver but this is my opinion on Thor. The Thor trilogy is a hodge-podge of sorts, when you look from here to Ragnarok, but there's a solid narrative thread throughout, and it starts here. Hemsworth does a great job in his first round with the character. Hopkins commands scenes as Odin. Hiddelston as Loki is still one of the best villains of the franchise. The script is tight, although the "fish out of water" bits on Earth are a mixed bag. The characters are memorable (Except Kat Dennings as Darcy, and you probably forgot Zachary Levi wasn't the first Fandral). I originally thought that Thor's arc felt rushed in this film, and I've sort of backed away from that criticism. Partially from now seeing it as part of a bigger picture, and partially from more viewings. There's drama, action, and humor. It's a perfect Marvel film, and a great start to Thor's life on screen.

Again, original review from 2011 is still existing.

3. The Muppets
Directed by James Bobin
Starring Jason Segel, Amy Adams, and Kermit The Frog

If you didn't love The Muppets, chances are you did and you just forgot, or you did subconsciously and never realized, and this film awakened those feelings inside you like a piercing alarm clock of emotions. The second one is what happened for me. This film, like Toy Story 3, uses nostalgia as a weapon, beautifully. The Muppets is a labor of love, from writer and star Jason Segel. There's a lot at play here. The power of nostalgia, the frailty of fame, following your dreams, and facing failure. It'll make you cry sad and happy tears. The songs and humor are spot-on in traditional Muppet-style, and you already know how wonderful these characters are. Segel and Adams are wonderful, and Walter is a welcome new addition the Muppet family. There's plenty of cameos to enjoy, as you would expect. The Muppets came back in a big way with...well, The Muppets. The world can always use more Muppets.


2. Drive
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
Starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, and Albert Brooks

This is the year I started to recognize Ryan Gosling as one of my favorite actors. Drive is a gripping crime drama with a mysterious and compelling protagonist. Gosling is subtle but masterful as The Driver, who in my opinion is one of the most iconic heroes in recent film history. The cast all around is very likable, and all the characters are well-fleshed out. Albert Brooks as the villain Bernie is a particular stand-out. Drive is cool, it's intense, but it's a story about what it means to be human and to give part of yourself to something bigger. It's almost like a western discussed as a modern action film. I could talk about how much I love Drive more but I got to wrap this up...


1. Captain America: The First Avenger
Directed by Joe Johnston
Starring Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, and Sebastian Stan

Surprised? I knew you wouldn't be. This quickly became one of my favorite films of all time, as did Captain America become my favorite superhero of all time. Steve Rogers isn't motivated by say, revenge for a lost loved one, or some foretold prophecy. He's doing it because he knows what's right. He sees evil in the world, and as a person, feels compelled to do something about it. How can you not fall in love with a character like that, especially when he's played perfectly by my man Chris Evans? Honestly this is one of the best batch of supporting players in the MCU. Hayley Atwell is lovely and dynamic as Agent Peggy Carter. Sebastian Stan is too cool for school as Bucky. Hugo Weaving is deliciously evil as Red Skull, and by God can we please get more of Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Phillips in the MCU?? The film is not so much a superhero film, but a WWII action-adventure in the vein of Indiana Jones, which I love. I could keep going but you already knew Captain America: The First Avenger is my favorite film from this year, one of my favorite films of all time, and starring one of my favorite characters of all time.


And those are my Top 10 Films of 2011. Up next is the year 2012, so assemble with your thunder buddies because it's about to go off the chain...

Top 10 Films of 2010

Whoa, man. It's been awhile since I've written any sort of film review or commentary. My Top 10 Films of 2018 is late…I mean normally my "Top 10 Films of the Year" lists come out around the Oscars so technically they're always late. But for me, this really, really late.

But I have an idea, gang. I've been writing/posting film reviews and commentaries since, like, 2011. The better part of this decade. But I didn't do a "Top 10 Films of the Year" list until 2013. So if I do Top 10 lists for those missing years first ('cause they're really, really, really late), and then I'll post my Top 10 Films of 2018, it won't look as late compared to those others lists!!

Cool? Cool…here's my Top 10 Films of 2010.

10. Black Swan
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, and Vincent Cassell

I recently rewatched this, and I almost took it out of the Top 10 but...GOD, what a chilling, suspenseful mindf**k of a film. It's not the type of film I normally go for but this left a hell of an impression on me. Not only does it keep you on the edge of your seat, constantly asking "What the hell is going on??" it's actually a very intelligent film. The journey of protagonist Nina (Played amazingly by Portman) speaks a lot to the fickle nature of the arts, what one must sacrifice to achieve perfection in the arts, and the duality of man. I'm surprised this didn't win Best Picture at the Oscars this year, but the Academy have never been big horror fans, and this is very horror in nature. If you can get squeamish like me, there are a lot of uncomfortable, taboo…one might even see gross, moments. Somehow that doesn't stop me from watching though. Black Swan leaves its mark on the viewer.


9. The Fighter
Directed by David O. Russell
Starring Mark Whalberg, Christian Bale, and Melissa Leo

I might hold this film (and another one on the list) in higher regard just because they're Massachusetts set…The Fighter doesn't turn a spotlight on the best section of Massachusetts, or said section's troubled past but…anyway. The Fighter is a wonderful story, not so much about boxing, but about family and the conflicts and dynamics within family, specifically the Ward-Eklund family. What I love about David O. Russell films, is he always seems to bring out the very best in his cast. This is probably one of Mark Whalberg's best roles. Christian Bale, again, completely transforming mind and body for his character. Melissa Leo, hilarious, tough but heartwarming. Seriously it's always gold when Hollywood attempts some Boston/Massachusetts accents. The Fighter's a really enjoyable film.


8. Despicable Me
Directed by Pierre Coffin & Chris Renaud
Starring Steve Carrell, Jason Segel, and Miranda Cosgrove

So like Shrek, Despicable Me probably hasn't aged too well in the eyes of the public, due to the savage nature of pop culture, and the studio's (Illumination Entertainment's) own greed to franchise the hell out of it. I mean, the Minions are just annoying nowadays. But the original Despicable Me is still a very good film. It does have a lot of funny moments (not all of them coming from Minons) and it's a creative, heartwarming story. It's just a shame they franchise'd the hell out of it. Steve Carrell is wonderful as Gru, really all the voice cast is, from Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario, to Julie Andrews as Gru's mother. Despicable Me is a sweet, charming film that has stood the test the time, wether you want it to or not.

Also I find it weird that two animated films about super villains turning good for personal reasons came out in 2010 but only one of them got any real traction…any MegaMind fans out there? Did the right one win the hearts of Hollywood? A question for another day perhaps...


7. Kick Ass
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicolas Cage, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse

I guess you could say I've grown to enjoy Kick-Ass more since I first publicized my opinions on it years ago. Is Kick-Ass himself still not the greatest protagonist? Yeah, kinda. Is Nic Cage still freaking amazing? Yes of course. Does Vaughn know how to do action scenes? You bet he does. There's cliche' bits but there's plenty to enjoy here. When it comes to shock value, Matthew Vaughn has more restraint here than he does in say, the sequel* or the second Kingsman, and I appreciate that. Kick-Ass takes everyone's fantasy of wanting to become a superhero, and slaps it in the face with a cold-towel of reality. I've still yet to read the graphic novel but it's an interesting concept to watch on screen. I've become a much bigger superhero fan since 2010, so that could partially be why I've come to enjoy Kick-Ass more these days.

*I was really nice to the sequel back in the day…but wasn't it crap? Do I have to rewatch Kick-Ass 2? I don't want to.

6. Inception
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Inception is one of the most original heist/action films to come out in recent years. Its blend with science-fiction (can we consider this science fiction?) makes it so. The concept is truly inspired, which should come as no surprise when Christopher Nolan's writing and directing. The set-pieces are awesome, the world-building is top-notch, and there's a lot of heart in the heist. Cobb (DiCaprio, this is probably one of his best roles) has a lot at stake personally in making sure this job goes well, and many other characters do as well, but not as much as Cobb. This is his story. Also, this is a great cast, particularly Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, and Marion Cotillard. Hey, remember that this film is also where we got the typical, iconic Han Zimmer-type score (You know what I mean)? Inception is a prime example of Christopher Nolan at his very best, as far as filmmaking and storytelling.


Alright it's going to start to get hard, here…there's like two really great dramas and three awesome animated films in the top 5. Let's forge ahead...

5. The Social Network
Directed by David Fincher
Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake

I'm not sure there's a more important drama to today's generation than The Social Network. Does that make sense? Is it even an agreeable statement? Oh well. It is super-compelling to learn the story behind literally the biggest social media platform in existence, which has become so ingrained in our day-to-day culture. What could just be a simple "rise/fall of a company" tale is elevated by themes of friendship, partnership, and betrayal. Facebook itself isn't taking center stage, it's the people who made it and their relationships, which makes for a more interesting watch. There's a lot at play here. The film turns a lens on how we value social media as a society, how people work with or hide behind it, and the inner-workings of college community or "youth culture". Jesse Eisenberg gave a career-defining performance in this film, removing himself from the "Diet Michael Cera" shackles society had placed upon him. Andrew Garfield is a real standout, and who knew Justin Timberlake could act so well?
Heh, a film about social media destroying friendships, wonder if there's more meaning to that…


4. The Town
Directed by Ben Affleck
Starring Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, and Rebecca Hall

Once again, Boston-set film, Hollywood attempting Boston accents, and I can't get enough of it. I'm going to say it. I miss the old days of Ben Affleck. Before being Batman in the DCEU broke him (I'll always mourn the loss of an Affleck-led Batman film). The Town is some of Affleck's best work, because he's working in his turf. A heist film set in the geography of Boston is really fun to watch, even if you're not from here. A car chase through the North End and a robbery at Fenway are some of the film's highlights. Affleck's joined by some of the most talented character actors in the business (Is it fair to call them that?) like Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, and Chris Cooper, and watching them all do a Boston accent is pure perfection. The film is also like a modern-day, Boston-set Robin Hood, which just sounds fun, right? There's real emotional stakes for Doug (Affleck), so audiences can invest beyond "Will they pull the job off?" The Town is a cornerstone of Ben Affleck's career, and it's shame it went through the awards season mostly unnoticed.

Alright…I'm going to start pissing people off now...

3. Toy Story 3
Directed by Lee Unkrich
Starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack

Toy Story 3 is a really great film and a perfect conclusion to the trilogy (I know what's coming in June! Leave me alone, I'm focusing on what we got right now!) There's a lot of heart, and it's a great story about growing up, the changes we face as a result, and how it affects us and those around us. At the center of it are a cast of characters audiences have loved and grown up with for years, which makes it a much more emotional watch. Pixar has always known to tackle mature themes in their films, and Toy Story 3 is like, the gold standard.
Nine years later, I find myself not enjoying the sections of the film where the toys are at Sunnyside as much. The escape sequence is top-notch, and Lotso is superb, but everything else is just ok to me. I don't want to say it's filler, because it does hold narrative value, but it just doesn't land as well as the rest of the film. Overall the film still packs a punch, because it aims for the nostalgia factor. I myself had just finished my first year in college when this came out so this did hit a little close to home. Toy Story 3 caps off the original Toy Story trilogy in a masterful way that will resonate with kids and adults for years to come.


2. Tangled
Directed by Byron Howard & Nathon Greno
Starring Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, and Donna Murphy

What makes Tangled so great is it's classic Disney updated for modern times…and it did that before Frozen. Maybe we give Frozen too much credit, and forget to remember Tangled paved the way for Frozen-but I digress. All the elements of a great Disney film are here: superb animation, wonderful music and lyrics from Alan Menken, and wonderful characters. There's also plenty of action and slapstick humor. Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi have wonderful chemistry as Rapunzel and Flynn (also Zachary Levi is my hero and because he's in Tangled that makes it one of Disney's best films), Donna Murphy is another great Disney villain, and Pascal and Maximus are some of the best Disney sidekicks in years. At a time where many people thought the classic Disney formula wouldn't work anymore, Tangled dared to prove them wrong, and prove them wrong it did. If not for Tangled, films like Frozen and Moana, films that stay true to Disney but also tweak their classic formula, probably wouldn't have been made…and you know what? Tangled deserves more than a fancied up restroom area in DisneyWorld, dammit…also why was it nominated for Best Animated Feature???


1. How To Train Your Dragon
Directed by Chris Sanders & Dean DeBlois
Starring Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, and Craig Ferguson 

I've grown to love the How To Train Your Dragon films more and more as time goes on. The animation has always been breathtaking. The voice cast is low-key one of the best ever assembled. The music...do I even need to say it? But I love the story and messages this entire trilogy tells. It's a coming-of-age story that deals with growing up, sacrifice, loss, and staying true to yourself. Most importantly though the friendships, the relationships that define us. All of this is on display right in the first film, where Hiccup (Baruchel) and Toothless' journey begins. It's well-told from beginning to end, and really what's so great is much of their bonding is told without dialogue. The filmmakers just let them interact and let the animation and the music do the storytelling. Its' not just a bunch of Hiccup talking to someone who won't talk back. It's actually brilliant. And the father/son dynamic between Hiccup and Stoick (Butler) is also very touching, and both Baruchel and Butler are giving it their all. Anyway, have I convinced you enough why this is my Top Film of 2010? Because I could keep going…

Revisiting all these films from 2010 made me realize what a strong year for animated films it was, and probably one of the strongest we've had in recent years. It's why I confidently put three of them as my top 3. I enjoyed revisiting a lot of these films. It made me realize a lot of patterns in my taste of films, and how much my tastes have and haven't changed. Next up is The Top 10 Films of 2011.

Also I really need to do a review of How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World...

Film Review Throwback - "Cars 2"

Long ago there was a time when Pixar had a perfect track record and the only sequels they made were of Toy Story. Then someone decided a sequel to Cars might be a good idea...

So apparently the Film Gods heard our prayers and Cars 3 is actually pretty decent. I haven't seen it yet so let's look back at the first sequel to Cars. The first and so far only one of their films to have a Rotten Score on Rotten Tomatoes...

Cars 2
Directed by John Lasseter and Brad Lewis
Starring Owen Wilson, Larry The Cable Guy, and Michael Caine

First off, look at this poster:

You see how Lightning McQueen (Wilson), the main character from the first film is front and center, and his friend and supporting player Mater (..The Cable Guy? What even is his last name..) is in the background. What you're seeing here are lies. Filthy marketing lies. McQueen is not the star of this film. Mater is, and that was their first and biggest mistake.

Mater isn't Dory. He can't carry his own film. Mater is more annoying than lovable. That's just the truth and you know it. Anyway, McQueen is offered a chance to race in the World Grand Prix: Three races across Tokyo, Italy, and London. McQueen brings his Radiator Springs crew along, including Mater, now his crew chief, replacing Doc Hudson (Voiced by the late Paul Newman and written out of the film in respect).

Mater in all his Larry The Cable Guy-ness, embarrasses himself and McQueen in front of the competition. He goes off on his own and is mistaken for a secret agent by Miles Axelrod (Caine) and Holley Shiftwell (Emily Mortimier)...it gets pretty off the rails there but Mater and his spy friends soon uncover a dangerous plot at the heart of the World Grand Prix, it's eventually up to Mater to save the day and his friend McQueen, proving himself more than just a country bumpkin and who cares...

Someone clearly watched too many of those "Mater's Tall Tales" shorts and thought that could work as a feature film. The whole "numb skull character, mistaken identity, chaos ensues" plot has been done many times before, and this version doesn't do enough to justify its existence. Frankly Caine and Mortimer's characters are pretty dumb themselves, to believe Mater is a spy for like, two-thirds of the film.

Furthermore why is the sequel not about McQueen and his racing career? The whole heart of the film is lost when the spotlight is turned on Mater. Also why is this a spy film? If Pixar wanted to make a spy film why did it have to double as a sequel to Cars (Probably the same reason a college film doubled as a Monsters Inc. prequel)? Maybe that's okay though because McQueen kind of has some regression as a character here, and is just a dick to Mater in the film, probably as a way of plot to get him to go off a be a spy…

Also there's some environmental message sneaking through the cracks of this film and I-just, why? Why, when Wall-E already did it? Forget it I'm wrapping this up quick. The voice work is still good despite the lackluster writing. I haven't watched it in a while but if I'm remembering correctly the late George Carlin's replacement as Filmore wasn't too distracting (Why did Doc Hudson get written out but not Filmore?). Michael Caine…I don't know man. Frankly I don't think this is his proudest of paychecks, and it almost sounds it in his voice work. The animation is still Pixar at its finest, but it's wasted here.

So Cars 3 sounds pretty good, but not "Grade-A Pixar" more like "Grade-B Pixar", which is always what the Cars franchise has symbolized. The plot makes it sound like we don't even need to watch Cars 2 to get anything. We can just hop over it from the first film. Hell maybe Cars 2 was just in Mater's head like all those shorts.

Anyway Cars 2 is definitely the weak link in both the franchise and the Pixar catalog. For years to come, no matter what the anticipation or outcome of future Pixar films will be, people will still say "Can't be as bad as Cars 2." Stay tuned for my review of Cars 3 and….I hope to God there's minimal Mater…


Huh. Turns out Larry The Cable Guy's real name is Daniel Whitney...