Films I Remember Watching In 2011
These are all worth seeing for various reasons, some for the cinematography, some for unquietness, and some for the story, except for one; Conan the Barbarian. Most I highly recommend. There are some movies I have re-watched to see if they stand up to the test of time. I can honestly say, one of the worst movies I have ever seen I watched this year, Conan the Barbarian (2011). A bunch that were highlights for me were: 13 Assassins, You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger, Black Death, I Am Love, Ushpizin, Mammoth, Slueth, Eleanor's Secret, and The Illusionists.
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- DirectorWoody AllenStarsAnthony HopkinsNaomi WattsJosh BrolinSally's parents' marriage breaks up when her father undergoes a mid-life crisis and impulsively weds a prostitute. Meanwhile, Sally's own marriage also begins to disintegrate.Woody Allen at his best. High society, interesting and beautiful people and a tragic ending. What more could you want?
- DirectorLuca GuadagninoStarsTilda SwintonFlavio ParentiEdoardo GabbrielliniEmma left Russia to live with her husband in Italy. Now a member of a powerful industrial family, she is the respected mother of three, but feels unfulfilled. One day, Antonio, a talented chef and her son's friend, makes her senses kindle.Bittersweet in every way.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsKoji YakushoTakayuki YamadaYûsuke IseyaA group of assassins come together for a suicide mission to kill an evil lord.Great cinematography, great story about honour and the abuse of power. Action and artsy.
- DirectorGidi DarStarsShuli RandMichal Bat-Sheva RandShaul MizrahiAn Orthodox Jewish couple's faith is tested after praying to the Lord for a child on the Succoth holiday.A very well written story about a couple living out ones faith and pushing the boundaries of tradition for tradition sake. One of my all time favorites.
- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsMichael CaineJude LawHarold PinterOn his sprawling country estate, an aging writer matches wits with the struggling actor who has stolen his wife's heart.This film is like theatre. Two great actors from tow different generations duelling it out and riffing lines back and forth. A must see for any film critic.
- DirectorLukas MoodyssonStarsGael García BernalMichelle WilliamsMarife NecesitoWhen a father has to leave his family in New York, for a business trip to Thailand in the gaming industry, fatal destinies collid.A haunting social commentary film about a modern family, the sex trade, and trying to find each other in this crazy world.
- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsNatalie PortmanMila KunisVincent CasselNina is a talented but unstable ballerina on the verge of stardom. Pushed to the breaking point by her artistic director and a seductive rival, Nina's grip on reality slips, plunging her into a waking nightmare.Just great.
- DirectorChristopher SmithStarsEddie RedmayneSean BeanCarice van HoutenSet during the time of the first outbreak of bubonic plague in England, a young monk is given the task of learning the truth about reports of people being brought back to life in a small village.Yes, the story is a bit of a stretch, but what makes this film for me is how authentic this film presents sword fighting. In one of the action scenes all the fighters start to get tired after waving around their swords for 10 minutes. You just don't see this in hollywood action films. Our hero in Gladiator never gets tired. Let's face it, swinging around a sword is hard work. Also it shows how brutal hacking someones arm off is and doesn't cut away. It's true other films attempt to show the brutality of sword fighting with spraying blood and large scale massacres, but in my opinion come up sort compared to the humanness of Black Death. Others will rate this film with an overall 6, but because of the authentic presentation of wielding a sword at another human being, I give this a higher rating. This film also delves into the power of deception, religion, and what faith is. A quirky little film, but its originality won me over.
- DirectorBen AffleckStarsBen AffleckRebecca HallJon HammA proficient group of thieves rob a bank and hold an assistant manager hostage. Things begin to get complicated when one of the crew members falls in love with her.A highly polished film. Not much to say about a film that simply crosses all of it's "t's".
- DirectorEd HarrisStarsEd HarrisMarcia Gay HardenRobert KnottA film about the life and career of the American painter, Jackson Pollock.Just great acting here. Nothing fancy, no special affects. Just a good story about a man, a woman and his art.
- DirectorSeth GordonStarsJason BatemanCharlie DayJason SudeikisThree friends conspire to murder their awful bosses when they realize they are standing in the way of their happiness.One of my new favourite comedies, right up there with The 40 Year Old Virgin and Wedding Crashers.
- DirectorSylvain ChometStarsJean-Claude DondaEilidh RankinDuncan MacNeilA French illusionist finds himself out of work and travels to Scotland, where he meets a young woman. Their ensuing adventure changes both their lives forever.Sad and beautiful. The line drawing and water colour style are lovely.
- DirectorDanis TanovicStarsColin FarrellJamie SivesPaz VegaThe wife of a photojournalist sets out to discover why he came home from a recent assignment without his colleague.Collin Farell in a different kind of role than his usual hero characters.
- DirectorBruce BeresfordStarsLothaire BluteauAden YoungSandrine HoltIn the 17th century, a Jesuit missionary nicknamed Black Robe by the natives and his small party of companions try reaching the Huron tribe in Canada all while facing mistrust, Iroquois warring parties and harsh winter conditions.An amazingly balanced depiction of "the new world", religion, and how Aboriginal tribes and colonizers clashed. What I like so much about this film is that it makes everyone look bad, or everyone look good. The English and French brought over some helpful things, but mostly brought destruction and deceit. The Aboriginal culture was both beautiful and brutal, though no less brutal than the "white man". Religion brought both forgiveness and judgement, disrupting an intricate tribal system. I think the film did well not to favour any one perspective, but presented all sides of a very harsh and convoluted time in history.
- DirectorRichard KellyStarsCameron DiazJames MarsdenFrank LangellaWith the press of a button, a wooden box bestows riches and death.
- DirectorStephen HopkinsStarsMorgan FreemanGene HackmanThomas JaneA wealthy attorney in San Juan comes to the police station for "10 minutes" of follow-up questions to finding a 12-year-old girl's body in a park. Another young girl was also raped and murdered weeks earlier and the evidence points to him.The ending is what redeems and makes this film. If it wasn't for the interesting ending, this film would get a lower rating from me. But saying that, you can't go wrong with two of the greats like Hackman and Freeman.
- DirectorDominique MonferyStarsRuy AbitbolPaul BandeyNatacha BodyNatanaël, seven, still doesn't know how to read. His eccentric old aunt bequeaths her house to his parents and her book collection to the young boy. Nat discovers that the books serve as a shelter for all the heroes found in children's literature. They are the original characters and are counting on him for protection. For if they leave the library, they will disappear along with their stories forever! When his parents start selling off the books, Nathanaël, who is shrunk by the evil witch Carabosse, braves everything to save his tiny friends.A beautiful little story with beautiful art. It mostly gets a high ranking from me because the art is so original and beautiful.
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsGeorge ClooneyMeryl StreepBill MurrayAn urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers' retaliation.Anderson always amazes me.
- DirectorAmir Bar-LevStarsMarla OlmsteadLaura OlmsteadMark OlmsteadA look at the work and surprising success of a four-year-old girl whose paintings have been compared to the likes of Picasso and has raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars.Debates one of the more controversial questions, what is and isn't art? Also an interesting look inside a family, the art world, and how to deal with and navigate a young child's fame.
- DirectorCraig BrewerStarsChristina RicciSamuel L. JacksonJustin TimberlakeA God-fearing bluesman takes to a wild young woman who, as a victim of childhood sexual abuse, looks everywhere for love, never quite finding it.A simple man with troubles of his own, helps a girl get straight. It's true this film crosses some lines, but the story of one human genuinely helping another seems so honest, despite the other over-the-top cult classic feel of this film. The story is so endearing, it's definitely original, and it's definitely Samuel Jackson = high ranking.
- DirectorTod WilliamsStarsJeff BridgesKim BasingerJon FosterA writer's young assistant becomes both pawn and catalyst in his boss's disintegrating household.Painful characters to watch, but also very interesting characters to watch. A painful family melodrama, but a good one none-the-less.
- DirectorLuc BessonStarsFreddie HighmoreMia FarrowMadonnaTen-year-old Arthur, in a bid to save his grandfather's house from being demolished, goes looking for some much-fabled hidden treasure in the land of the Minimoys, tiny people living in harmony with nature.One of my favourite action animated movies. More creative than a Disney flick.
- DirectorPeter HewittStarsJohn GoodmanJim BroadbentMark WilliamsA secret family of four-inch people living inside the walls of a house must save their home from an evil real estate developer.Great fun for the whole family. The characters are great. Refreshing compared to the Disney formula.
- DirectorSam MendesStarsJohn KrasinskiMaya RudolphAllison JanneyA couple expecting their first child travels the U.S. seeking the perfect "family home." They have misadventures and find fresh connections with relatives and old friends who help them discover "home" on their own terms for the first time.Dead-pan humour and a sweet couple, make this film endearing. Though some might just find this boring or the couple too odd.
- DirectorM. CahillStarsMichael DouglasEvan Rachel WoodWillis Burks IIAn unstable dad who after getting out of a mental institution tries to convince his daughter that there's Spanish gold buried somewhere under suburbia.A good family movie about a quirky father and daughter relationship.
- DirectorNimród AntalStarsAdrien BrodyLaurence FishburneTopher GraceA group of elite warriors parachute into an unfamiliar jungle and are hunted by members of a merciless alien race.One of the more memorable openings in any film. Yes the premiss is simple and overdone, but I think it's the acting that makes this film work. If there were generic actors, it would have been just another generic shallow action flick with nothing to offer. But because the actors bring depth to their characters and some clever directing is clearly happening, this action film rises above.
- DirectorMichel GondryStarsTim RobbinsPatricia ArquetteRhys IfansA woman is in love with a man in love with another woman, and all three have designs on a young man raised as an ape.One of my favourite screen writers.
- DirectorCarlos CarreraStarsAna de la RegueraAsur ZagadaMarco PérezThe true story of the border town of Juarez, Mexico where since the mid-1990s thousands of women have gone missing or turned up as sun-burnt corpses in the desert. Can new police captain Blanca Bravo stop the savagery?You must see this film. It's nothing to look at, and it's a hard watch, but it's the kind of story we all need to be aware of.
- DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsElle FanningAJ MichalkaKyle ChandlerDuring the summer of 1979, a group of friends witness a train crash and investigate subsequent unexplained events in their small town.A throw-back to classic Speilburg.
- DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsJeff BridgesMatt DamonHailee SteinfeldA stubborn teenager enlists the help of a tough U.S. Marshal to track down her father's murderer.A western well done.
- DirectorGore VerbinskiStarsJohnny DeppIsla FisherTimothy OlyphantRango is an ordinary chameleon who accidentally winds up in the town of Dirt, a lawless outpost in the Wild West in desperate need of a new sheriff.Characteristic of a witty and weird Johnny Depp role reunited with the director of Pirates of the Caribbean. And the CGI is amazing.
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsColin FarrellEwan McGregorHayley AtwellThe tale of two brothers with serious financial woes. When a third party proposes they turn to crime, things go badly and the two become enemies.This could have been a much higher rated film, but the ending bothered me and left me wanting more, maybe because it was too abrupt.
- DirectorTomm MooreNora TwomeyStarsEvan McGuireBrendan GleesonMick LallyA young boy in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids is beckoned to adventure when a celebrated master illuminator arrives with an ancient book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers.This was promising to be one of my new favourites. The animation is spectacular and stunning, the story was very cool with some Irish history, but something about the film left me wanting more. Too bad, I was wanting to put this as a 9, but something was missing; but maybe this is because my expectations were too high in anticipation. That being said, don't miss this one, it is a unique visual treat.
- DirectorKeith FultonLouis PepeStarsTerry GilliamJohnny DeppJeff BridgesTerry Gilliam's doomed attempt to get his film, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018), off the ground.This is a good documentary, but the reason I didn't give it a higher rating is simply cause this is a difficult film to take in because of all of the challenges trying to finish Terry Gilliam's dream film. But their is nothing wrong per say with the direction of this documentary, but the lack of direction with trying to complete the film this film was about. Though an interesting look at the behind-the-scene of making a movie and seeing Johnny Depp off the silver screen makes this movie a must see for movie lovers.
- DirectorDavis GuggenheimStarsJimmy PageThe EdgeJack WhiteA documentary on the electric guitar from the point of view of three significant rock musicians: The Edge, Jimmy Page, and Jack White.Being a musician, I loved getting into the heads and hearing the stories behind some of the great guitarists. Oh, and the film song they all jam on while the credits are rolling is just a terrible rendition of a great song; my band did it better. Just goes to show that even the masters are human and don't always get it right. But any music lover would love hearing stories from these greats and how they create the music they are known for.
- DirectorEd HarrisStarsEd HarrisViggo MortensenRenée ZellwegerTwo friends hired to police a small town that is suffering under the rule of a rancher find their job complicated by the arrival of a young widow.Solid action film, but nothing new. Just good acting. How can you go wrong with Vigo and Ed?
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsTim RothAlexandra Maria LaraBruno GanzA love story wrapped in a mystery. Set in World War II Europe, a professor is changed by a cataclysmic event and explores the mysteries of life.I'm usually a fan of artsy movies that draw you in and challenge your idea's about film and storytelling. But to be honest, this was a bit too convoluted for me. Don't get me wrong, it looks great, and there are great performances, but I won't be re-watching it because I want too, but to figure it out. I have read this is a very personal film for Coppola and I think this is what alienates it's viewers.
- DirectorNeil BurgerStarsBradley CooperAnna FrielAbbie CornishA mysterious pill that enables the user to access 100% of his brain's abilities transforms a struggling writer into a financial wizard, but it also puts him in a new world with many dangers.A solid a 7 as 7 can get. I really liked it for what it was, fun.
- DirectorMichael AptedStarsBen BarnesSkandar KeynesGeorgie HenleyLucy and Edmund Pevensie return to Narnia with their cousin Eustace where they meet up with Prince Caspian for a trip across the sea aboard the royal ship The Dawn Treader. Along the way they encounter dragons, dwarves, merfolk, and a band of lost warriors before reaching the edge of the world.Another good addition to a good family action series.
- DirectorPaul FeigStarsKristen WiigMaya RudolphRose ByrneCompetition between the maid of honor and a bridesmaid, over who is the bride's best friend, threatens to upend the life of an out-of-work pastry chef.There are some really amazing moments and hilarious scenes in this movie, but over-all it's doesn't live up to those great moments.
- DirectorHenry BeanStarsTim RobbinsWilliam HurtBridget MoynahanA man who is being driven crazy by the noise in New York City decides to take vigilante action against it.I love the story this film is telling and agree with it whole heartedly.
- DirectorCarlos SaldanhaStarsJesse EisenbergAnne HathawayGeorge LopezWhen Blu, a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota, meets the fiercely independent Jewel, he takes off on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro with the bird of his dreams.A solid good family movie. Nothing new, formulaic, but nice fun.
- DirectorGregor JordanStarsHeath LedgerOrlando BloomGeoffrey RushAn innocent man becomes one of the most wanted criminals the world has ever known.
- DirectorSergei BodrovStarsTadanobu AsanoAmadu MamadakovKhulan ChuluunThe story recounts the early life of Genghis Khan who was a slave before going on to conquer half the world in 1206.
- DirectorNicolas Winding RefnStarsMads MikkelsenMaarten StevensonAlexander MortonForced for some time to be a fighting slave, a pagan warrior escapes his captors with a boy and joins a group of Crusaders on their quest to the Holy Land.This film looked great. The cinematography was stunning; 9 out of 10. And this film also presented a very unique look into the "new world" that hasn't been seen on film before. But something about it just wasn't engaging enough for me. But still worth a watch if just for the things I already noted.
- DirectorNeil MarshallStarsMichael FassbenderDominic WestOlga KurylenkoA splinter group of Roman soldiers fight for their lives behind enemy lines after their legion is devastated in a guerrilla attack.I surprisingly good action film. Some of characters were a little "thin" and not really developed, but the main actor may have a promising career ahead of him. There were some cliche's. But for just a fun night with some popcorn, this will do. It won't disappoint.
- DirectorJoe JohnstonStarsChris EvansHugo WeavingSamuel L. JacksonSteve Rogers, a rejected military soldier, transforms into Captain America after taking a dose of a "Super-Soldier serum". But being Captain America comes at a price as he attempts to take down a warmonger and a terrorist organization.I might recommend watching this if I could remember. I kind of remember watching this and liking it, but now I can't remember :) Though I do recall a cool looking Red Skull/Hugo Weaving who was the actor of the Elven king in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Mr. Smith from Matrix and was also in a great movie, The Interview.
- DirectorSteve PinkStarsJohn CusackRob CorddryCraig RobinsonA malfunctioning time machine at a ski resort takes a man back to 1986 with his two friends and nephew, where they must relive a fateful night and not change anything to make sure the nephew is born.Clever but not very good.
- DirectorMarcus NispelStarsJason MomoaRon PerlmanRose McGowanA vengeful barbarian warrior sets off to get his revenge on the evil warlord who attacked his village and murdered his father when he was a boy.I can honestly say, this is the worst film I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot of films. I usually give most films a 7 or up, and if it's bad I give it a 5. If it's really bad a 4, but this film is an embarrassment. I didn't care for the characters, I was bored half way through, the action wasn't planned out, the cinematography was choppy and the atmosphere of this fantasy world I didn't care for. Even well respected actors could not have saved this movie. About the only thing that was good was the CGI. I looked at what else this director had done and he did Pathfinder, which I saw. I would say Pathfinder is a 4 or 5, basically a bad hollywood action film. But this was even worse than a bad hollywood action film. Something went wrong in the editing room. Or maybe the director didn't give the editor much too work with in the first place. I feel sorry for the actors who's careers this might effect. This director might not had have much of a career left. To make low budget cult and horror movies, at least there is an audience for that, but high budget fantasy action films that offer nothing, there is no audience for that.