Union Films

Sometimes I find myself wondering about other people’s taste in films.  More often than not I find fault with what they hail as “ground breaking pieces of cinematography” and am left wondering if they were actually watching the same dross I sat through.

After reading some mind-numbingly bad reviews of the films of 2011 I decided to get off my arse and write my own. Unfortunately, I’m not a film student and so am in no way qualified to comment on “the angles at which the scene is shot” and other such nonsense; but I can rant with the best of them and as such fight the corner for what were some truly incredible films. All films listed had a 2011 UK release date.

First up: The “Honourable mentions”

Cowboys and Aliens, The Next Three Days, True Grit, 127 Hours & X-Men First Class

I think it’s safe to call this group a ‘mixed bag’. I really enjoyed The Next Three Days and really got behind the characters. However, as that is mostly due to it fitting nicely with parts of my degree at the time I’m more than a little biased. True Grit and 127 Hours were both incredible, well worth a watch if you haven’t seen them yet. Oddly I was surprisingly impressed with Cowboys and Aliens whilst slightly let down by X-Men First Class. (That I fear may prove contentious.)

So we come to my top 10. What to put where?

10.) Water for Elephants

I will be the very first to admit that I expected nothing from this one. Pattinson as a leading man and a love story gave me notions of another Twilight film waiting to happen. Yet I was more than pleasantly surprised. Not only was the storyline gripping and the cast expertly chosen, I now find myself looking forward to Pattinson’s films.

9.) Bridesmaids

I hate to say it, but this film is side-splittingly funny. Whilst average or bad female comedians can at times verge on painful, when they get it right the show us men a thing or two about just what being funny really means. A must see; though perhaps not around parents or elderly relatives!

8.) Captain America: The First Avenger

Happily, I was completely wrong about what I thought this film would be like. I was expecting wall to wall pro-American sentiment throughout so that the plot and Avengers set up was lost. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Excellent throughout, this film leaves us all waiting with a heightened sense of anticipation for The Avengers in 2012.

7.) Tucker & Dale vs Evil

Sometimes, you get lucky and stumble upon an incredible film that slipped through the mainstream net; this is an example of just such a film. A truly inspired reworking of a done-to-death horror film plot line, Tucker & Dale delivers more than its fair share of laughs in almost painfully creative ways. At times almost slapstick, this largely unheard of film is a real ‘must see’.

6.) Tangled

Let’s be honest, there was never going to be a top 10 list into which I didn’t insert some Disney (and The Lion King felt like cheating!). Tangled is a real return to form for Disney films. Classic Princess based plot lines; ‘Bad-guy-gone-good’ Hero and a blistering soundtrack make for some good clean fun.

5.) 50/50

‘Cancer comedy’ isn’t exactly a phrase I had ever envisioned myself using. When first I heard about the idea for this film I was more than a little nervous. Done wrong this would have been one of the most terrible decisions ever made in film-making. However the brutally honest look at a subject most are afraid to even mention hits all the right notes. Whilst far from light hearted, you cannot help but come away feeling slightly uplifted.

4.) Rise of the Planet of the Apes

In no way is this film about the dominance of Apes over man. Instead it is a film that leaves us looking at ourselves and thinking about just who and what we are. However, if you don’t want to go in for the deep self analysis the truly epic musical score and gripping plot line will keep you involved throughout. Just don’t try and leave early or you will miss a crucial piece of the story!

3.) Thor

By far my favourite of the Avengers films out so far, this action packed journey crosses dimensions, time and space to deliver an awesome film. With Natalie Portman as a beautiful female lead, Chris Hemsworth in there for the ladies and Anthony Hopkins towering over everything as Odin what more can you possibly ask for?

2.) Black Swan

What can I say of Natalie Portman’s Oscar winning performance that hasn’t been said at great length by the critics? Whilst more than a little trippy at times, this is so much more than a “ballet film” (as it was first described to me). I avoided seeing it for the longest time due to this tragic misconception but once I finally sat down to watch I was blown away. Portman gives one of her best performances ever, with Mila Kunis and Vincent Cassel making this a truly immersive and breath taking film.

1.) The Kings Speech

For a long time after watching this, words failed me. As anyone who knows me can attest, that isn’t a state I find myself in all that often. The Kings Speech manages to encapsulate all of the pride, feeling and passion that is hidden within us all. You need not be British, or a royalist to enjoy this film. At its core it is a film that shows the transformational power that relationships with friends and loved ones can have upon a person if they are strong enough to push through hardships. Whilst I may make it sound incredibly dull, I’ve no hesitation in saying that for me, The Kings Speech was an easy and obvious pick for the best film of 2011.

So there we have it, the ramblings of a Law student attempting to give an opinion on films without once commenting on “How perfectly shot” x,y or z scene was. As this list flies in the face of much that I have heard from others (by which I mean the films in the list are actually worth watching) I don’t doubt this may provoke a comment or two, but if nothing else it will stand as a safe guide of films from 2011 that all should see.

Andy

The worlds most immature mature student. By spending as much of my time as I can at Union Films I hope to soften the pain that comes from doing a Law degree.

More Posts