Friday 30 December 2011

My Top 10 Films of 2011, Somewhat

      The end of 2011 is nigh, and all I can do is make a list. That too an incomplete one as nothing releases where I am. Anyways, let me present to you the list-

Note: There is no honourable mentions in this one as some of them may make it to the final top 20, which will be posted along with my favourite performances and scenes of the year.


Special Mention
Delhi Belly (Dir: Abhinay Deo)
The best Bollywood film I saw this year. I even considered to put it in the final list, but I felt it was not as good as the rest. Still it was bloody ballsy and very entertaining, and I hope it brings about a revolution in Indian cinema for the better.


10.
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (Dir: Steven Spielberg)
I really enjoyed this film, and I didn't even like the Tintin comics. Spielberg brings all the Indiana Jones-esque energy and splendour into the film. Also, Snowy!


9.
Submarine (Dir: Richard Ayoade)
It's so cute and quirky and adorable- I wish I had made it. One of the simplest and funniest coming-of-age films I have seen, and ugh that Alex Turner soundtrack is just beautiful.


8.
We Need to Talk About Kevin (Dir: Lynne Ramsay)
Bloody creepy film that just gets under your skin. What was really brilliant was how unnerving all the Kevins were. And Tilda Swinton gives a fantastic performance too.


7.
Martha Marcy May Marlene (Dir: Sean Durkin)
A most unsettling, yet beautiful looking film. It is the debut of both Durkin and Elizabeth Olsen, who just blew me away with her extremely natural and superb acting.


6.
The Tree of Life (Dir: Terrence Malick)
Easily one of the most visually stunning films I, or anyone else has ever seen. I am among the people who was mostly blown away by the core story of the American family growing up in the 50s, and not so much by the cosmic stuff. Still, the beauty in this is just staggering.


5.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (Dir: David Yates)
Oh my childhood :'( I still have issues with it, but I cannot deny that it is a brilliant end to the beloved series. With the music and Professor McBadass and Neville and the emotional impact and Daniel Radcliffe's best performance in the series, it had to be in my list.


4.
A Separation (Dir: Asghar Farhadi)
I saw this only a couple of days back. Didn't want to like it, but ended up loving it- true story. What an impactful drama, and so well made and acted.


3.
Hugo (Dir: Martin Scorsese)
This film just killed me- there's no other way to put it. Yes there is the childlike wonder and the mystery of the automaton, but what it really is is a love-letter to cinema by one of the greatest living film makers. How can a young film-lover like me not be touched?


2.
Drive (Dir: Nicolas Winding Refn)
Yes, it really is that good. Refn has made one helluva stylish film and also made Ryan Gosling a bona fide star. One cannot watch this enough times. Just put it on repeat and be mindblown.


1.
Midnight in Paris (Dir: Woody Allen)
My favourite film maker returned with a bang and a nostalgic tale that will enchant everyone. I always believed that Paris is magical, but Woody's take on that makes it so much more. Funny, heartwarming, gobsmacking, unforgettable, brilliant- Midnight in Paris people!


And there you have it :D

10 comments:

  1. :) I enjoyed reading this, and I agree with all of your choices, though I still need to watch a few (A Separation and Drive- I realize it's sacrilege I still haven't seen Drive!). Anyway blog on!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great list and a good mix of genres! I still have to see tintin,submarine and separation!My list- tomorrow!Have a great 2012!Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great list, I can't wait to see Hugo, Scorsese is my god! By the way, I read your about me page, and you're the only person I know that likes Rock N' Roll, Jazz, and Folk (plus soundtracks), just like me. So, nice music taste as well!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great choices BUT HP7.2 above Tree of Life and Kevin? Hmm. I actually dug all of the films you listed, and though I am yet to see Hugo, the rest of your Top 4 is kickass. How great is A Separation? Pretty much flawless, I think. I actually expected DRIVE to be #1 but then I remembered how much you loved MIDNIGHT IN PARIS! Here's to an equally great 2012!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Super choices! I've decided I won't be doing one this year (I honestly don't think I've seen enough to warrant it - haven't even seen Midnight in Paris!) but I'm already planning my cinema trips for 2012 - first week of January is planned, and I'm seeing Tin Tin tomorrow. Can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  6. @Rhea- Oh see Drive ASAP! Thank you though, and thank you for commenting :D

    @Aziza- Ooh see them. They are great. Looking forward to yours. And a Happy New Year to you too!

    @Sofia- Scorsese outdid himself. So different, but so beautiful.
    Oh thank you. Hi5!

    @Andy- Well, I don't like all of Tree of Life- the family story has the main magic and We Need to Talk About Kevin scares me a teensy bit. HP7.2 had like the whole childhood ending thing, and it was actually a very good and satisfying film as well, so number 5 it is.
    I really dug the films in my list too :P. A Separation is flawless, and Drive is awesome, but Midnight in Paris is the one after my heart.
    I hope you have a great 2012 also!

    @Ruth- Thanks! Aww it's okay. This is an incomplete list. Let's hope you see loads in 2012 and you have a cracking list :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nice list! Especially Midnight in Paris at the top...where would 2011 be without that film? I still need to see Drive, though...:'(

    ReplyDelete
  8. It would be nowhere. Okay not really- it was a pretty good year still. You MUST see Drive!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ugh, I'm so annoyed that A Separation just opened in super limited release here. Keep hearing all the praise, looks like it'll get rolled over onto the 2012 list for me...

    Nice list!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Aww. I hope you get to see it soon. It's pretty fantastic.
    Thanks! And thanks for commenting :)

    ReplyDelete