The Best Films of 2011 - A Highly Opinionated List

Now while I do understand that this list is a month late, but, since it’s before the Oscars, I think it’s quite acceptable. Now 2011 wasn’t a terrible year for films as some people are making it out to be. It’s just that no one went to see the best films. Or at least a majority of the best films. Now I haven’t seen The Artist (perhaps I’ll catch it this weekend) nor am I terribly excited to watch it (except for Uggie the dog perhaps). So this list is sans the Best Picture frontrunner. So presenting to you the best films of 2011.

Special Mentions: The Help (incredible cast, great performances, but the impact falls short of the book as it fails to capture the brutal racism in the books), Margin Call (possibly one of the best Wall Street dramas ever), The Muppets (mahna mahna).


10) Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy




An impeccable cast. A complex narrative. A gloomy Cold-War atmosphere. All these three come together to make a fine spy film, one with no action but a lot of story. Director Tomas Alfredson has successfully made the thinking mans espionage thriller. 

9) War Horse



Sure you can deride it by saying it's schmaltzy. But this is Spielberg we're talking about, back in his war film mode but this time with a difference. The film is shown from the perspective of a horse! Sure it's sentimental, but its a worhty follow up to Saving Private Ryan and I can't give it higher praise than that.



8) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo




After a couple years of making oscar-bait films, David Fincher returns to his thriller roots. Rape, Violence, muder, Nazis, this movie has it all. I won't deny it, the film, like the book has certain problems, especially an elongated prologue. But Fincher rises above the source material. That and Rooney Mara's mesmerizing performance as Lisbeth Salander echoing both toughness and vulnerability in the same breath, combine to give us a really well made thriller.


7) Drive




An old fashioned noir film, but presented a sleak, modern manner, Drive is as close to a perfect arthouse action film that we'll ever get, which is arthouse without being pretentious. Stylized violence, Ryan Gosling, and a great score make a memorable neo-noir.


6) Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen always makes great 'ode to city' movies. Sure he's had several misfires over the years, with few in the recent past rising to the levels of Annie Hall, but Midnight in Paris is his best work in years. A truly well written film in which Owen Wilso (playing a Woody Allen substitute) finds a way to go to Paris in 20s. The interactions he has with historical greats such as Fitzgerald and Hemingway are a joy to watch, while the films funniest moments are when Salvador Dali is shown.


5) Moneyball



Moneyball is a sports drama unlike any other. A movie about how Oakland A's Manager Billy Beane led the team to a record breaking 20 straight wins, using the 'moneyball' technique, its more about number crunching than an actual baseball film, but at no stage in the film does it feel so. Also Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill give the performances of their careers.


4) 50/50




A cancer drama, a bro comedy, a romcom all in one, 50/50 was a true gem of a movie. Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, screenwriter Will Resier and director Jonathan Levine make cancer funny. I wish more people had seen this movie, because it truly is one of the best of the year.


3) The Descendants



A movie about a man who learns that his comatose wife was cheating on him, The Descendants is equal parts funny and heartbreaking. This movie would have been good on its own, but what makes it great is George Clooneys mesmerizing performance. If this doesn't get him the Oscar for Best Actor, I don't know what will.


2) Hugo



I'm sure a lot of people went 'WTF?!' when they heard Martin Scorsese was making a kids film. But make no mistake, this is a tribute to cinema in the guise of a children's film. Scorsese steps right out of his comfort zone to make a truly spellbinding film which is more personal than any of his previous works. It's right up there with the likes of Raging Bull and Goodfellas, and is a must watch for every cinemaphile.


1) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2





And speaking of spellbinding films, here's one which will be remembered for generations to come. The finale to one of the best film franchises ever to have graced the big screen was not only the best film of the year, but in my personal opinion one of the best of all time (And IMDB agress). It truly was the motion picture event of the year, a grand epic like they used to make and a film which catapulted the entire franchise into the league of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. I don't think I'm alone in thinking that this was a cinematic spectacle, one which we might not see for several years hence.




PS: Screw you Oscars.

The King is back!

If you're an Arsenal supporter like me, I'm pretty sure last night's game was the happiest you've been in a long time. Thierry Henry is well and truly back...legends apparently never go away. It's gonna be an interesting couple months. I'm excited as hell. 

404 ERROR - AUTHOR IS PLANNING TO BE INEBRIATED BEFORE AND AFTER NEW YEARS

WARNING: THIS BLOG IS GOING TO BE OUT OF COMMISSION FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS. THIS IS TO GIVE THE READERS AN ADVANCE NOTICE. THE AUTHOR OF THIS NOT SO WIDELY READ BLOG IS TAKING A TEMPORARY LEAVE OF ABSENCE. THE TIME SPENT AWAY WILL NOT BE TO THINK, SORT OUT PRIORITIES OR REMODEL THE BLOG. RATHER, THE TIME WILL BE SPENT DOING FAR MORE IMPORTANT THINGS SUCH AS DRINKING, GETTING SLOSHED, AND TRYING TO FIND A GIRL EITHER WILLING OR DRUNK ENOUGH TO KISS THE AUTHOR AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT ON THE 31ST OF DECEMBER. NO FATTIES. BUT KNOWING THIS AUTHOR'S LUCK, THERE WOULD BE NO GIRL AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT. THERE WILL OF COURSE BE HIGH BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVELS AND MAY OR MAY NOT INVOLVE REGURGITATING THE SAME. IN THE MEANWHILE, THIS BLOGGER HOPES THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE ONE HELL OF A NEW YEAR, AND NOT HAVE TO BRIBE THE COPS TO LET YOUR RESPECTIVE PARTIES GO ON. HE ALSO HOPES THAT YOU ARE NOT SWINDLED INTO BUYING HOOCH, AND THAT YOU DO NOT PREVENT UNDERAGE DRINKING (AS LONG AS THE KIDS ARE 16 AND ABOVE). HE THANKS YOU FOR THE SUPPORT  YOU HAVE SHOWN THIS SORRY EXCUSE FOR A BLOG, AND HOPES THAT THE CURRENT AVERAGE OF ONE COMMENT PER POST EITHER IMPROVES OR AT LEAST STAYS PUT IN THE NEW YEAR.

Happy New Year guys. See you on the other side
Love,
Anish. 

Best TV Shows of 2011

Since I haven't managed to catch all the films of 2011 (waiting for their DVD screeners. Piracy zindabad!), and since all american tv shows are off air till the new year, I though I'd do a 'best-of' list regarding the TV shows. There's of course an added caveat that since no non-television critic can watch all TV shows airing, my list of course would be woefully incomplete. I haven't had a chance to watch critically acclaimed shows such as Breaking Bad, Homeland, or even Community (aside from the random episodes I saw in its first season). Anyways, I'll leave you to judge for yourself.

8) The Walking Dead

It's a show set in a post apocalyptic wasteland filled with zombies, what's not to like?! Well technically, this show could have been much higher up on the list. In all honesty, the first season wowed me. And while the second season is still good per say, its a lot slower, and with lesser zombies.

7) New Girl

Common, everybody loves Zooey Deschanel. Yes, that woman from 500 Days of Summer. She plays the same quirky character she's always played, and no, I'm not complaining. The rest of the cast is pretty great as well, and the show is genuinely funny...for the most part. 

6) How I Met Your Mother

Seven seasons and counting! Sure, there are several complaints that it's become too repetitive, and season 7 is more of a drama than a sitcom. Me, I don't find these problems. Sure, every once in a while there's an episode which is kinda dumb, but mostly season 7 has been great so far. It's had some of the most emotional story lines ever in a sitcom, and yet it manages to keep the laughs coming. 

5) The Big Bang Theory

Season 5 is better than ever. With the added regular characters of Bernadette and Amy, the already 5 member cast has become an awesome 7 member cast. Also, how can Sheldon having a Sheldonesque girlfriend in Amy not be funny? 

4) Castle 

I thought the season 3 finale was the high point of the series. But season 4 tops it. Right from the emotional impact of the season opener, to the episode where Castle is in a hostage crisis, the latest season of Castle has grown from strength to strength. The supporting cast especially Ryan and Esposito too received their share of action. Also the 'will they-won't they' camaraderie between Castle and Beckett never grows old.  

3) Shameless

Generally remakes of popular British shows aren't that great (The Office being an exception), but this show was brilliant. I haven't seen the British original, but this show stands well on its own. A dramatic comedy about a working class family, has an assorted bunch of quirky and interesting characters. This show is dark (really, really dark), but its always fun, and packs in an emotional punch. 

2) Happy Endings

It started off late, following Mr. Sunshine (a show I was rooting for). The entire first season (telecasted out of order) was crap. It had to be one of the worst Friends rip-off I'd ever seen. It had terrible ratings, and was bound to be cancelled. But then a strange thing happened. Matt Perry went into rehab, therefore Mr. Sunshine had to be cancelled. Since the channel didn't have anything else, Happy Endings was renewed for a couple episodes. And the spark that I saw only in the pilot (and perhaps in one or two episodes) turned into what I can now safely say is one of the funniest comedies on TV. Sure, its a show about six friends in Chicago, but its strength lies in its idiosyncratic humour and the super chemistry between the cast. Also, the sole gay character in the show is the most non-stereotypical gay character every. And yes, its a bloody good thing (not to mention, hilarious). 

1) Modern Family

Strange. Quirky. Hilarious. Slapstick. Heart-warming. All these adjectives don't even begin to describe what has been the best show on tv since its very inception. Already in its 3rd season and still as strong as ever, Modern Family is truly, truly brilliant. Every character is downright hilarious. Of course Phil and Cam take the crown, but the rest of the cast isn't too far behind. Plus, the little montages at the end simply put a wide smile on your face. If there's anything certain in life, its definitely that Modern Family is the most fun you can have in 21 minutes.

These were of course my favourite tv shows in 2011, with New Girl taking the awards for both 'Most Pleasant Surprise' and 'Best New TV Show'. A special mention for Person of Interest, which is a good show. Not grand by any means, but definitely a show worth watching.

Also the award for the 'Most Disappointing New Show' goes to Terra Nova. Not because it's bad or un-watchable. It's simply because when you mix futuristic technology with dinosaurs, coupled with a huge budget and Steven Spielberg producing, one expects a lot more than simply 'watchable'.

The 'Most Irritating Show which people will keep watching' is of course Two and a Half Men. Now that Charlie Sheen's trademark 'I'm an alcoholic and a sex-addict' jokes are gone, Alan's irritating shenanigans completely take over. Can't believe I  (along with millions of other people) still watch this.

One of the best films of 2011 that you'll never watch

So its awards season again. And frankly speaking, I get more disappointed every year. The most deserving film rarely takes home the Oscar, and most of the time, the best films don't even get nominated. I could keep ranting about how the Deathy Hallows Part 2 deserves at least a best pic nomination, Alan Rickman deserves his nomination, but this post is about another movie. A movie you've probably never even heard about.


50/50 was one of the best films of the year. It was a comedy-drama about Cancer, and starred the likes of Joseph Gordon- Levitt (you know him as the guy from Inception), Seth Rogen (you know him as the guy in such comedies as Knocked Up, The 40 Year Old Virgin) and Anna Kendrick (you know her as...I think she was in the first Twilight film). The screenwriter based the movie on his experience with Cancer, and this movies biggest achievement is how it manages to get the comedy to go hand in hand with a subject matter like Cancer. At the same time, there's a whiff of a traditional rom-com, which doesn't seem unnecessary at all. Basically Joseph Gordon gets Cancer in the film, Seth Rogen is his best friend who wants to get laid for the most part, and Kendrick is his therapist. Add in an over-bearing mom, and you have one of the sweetest, most dramatic and the funniest (not Bridesmaids funny) movie of the year.


From the performances, to the story, right down to the music (any movie which features High and Dry and Yellow Ledbetter qualifies as good music), all of it was pitch perfect. And here's the strange part. Few people have seen it, and no one wants to award it. But when endless sequels and comic book movies and the so called 'award-baiting' films have the limelight, there really isn't hope for a film titled 50/50 is there? Do watch it if you can. It doesn't have a glittering vampire, robots, or some directors attempt at trying to figure out the meaning and the origin of the universe. But it does have a heart.





PS: I don't have an issue with well made event films (Deathly Hallows part 2, X-Men: First Class, MI4 etc) or well made award-baits (Midnight in Paris, The Help). I do have a problem with films like The Green Lantern, The Smurfs, Melancholia, and films where the constantly whining chick gets married to a glittering vampire at the age of 17, while her former werewolf lover tries to mate with her new-born monster kid (did i get that right?)

Keeping with the season, I decided to give the blog a little Christmas-y look. Tell me what you think.
Also, in case you wanna change around the look of your blog (ie add snowflakes and all), tell me and I'll do a post on that. Cheers

Grooveshark playlist of the month

So these are the top 10 songs which are on my grooveshark playlist for the month. Genre is mostly limited to alternative rock, indie and folk.

1) See You Soon - Coldplay

2) Waiting for an Invitation - Benji Hughes

3) Walk - Foo Fighters

4) This Time Tomorrow - The Kinks (a classic!) 

5) Song for You - Alexi Murdoch

6) Yesterday Was Hard On All of Us - Fink

7) New Slang - The Shins (been stuck in my head since I saw Garden State.....over a month ago!)

8) Here Comes a Regular - The Replacements (another classic! Unfortunately I could only find covers on youtube. Damn you record companies!)

9) Slow Your Breath Down - Future of Forestry

10) Holocene - Bon Iver (one of the few actual songs that were nominated for this years Grammy Awards. Other 'artists' nominated this year were Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars *feels like throwing up*)

 

Enjoy :)