Nate's Top Ten of 2011...so far

2011 is HALF OVER, time for a quick review of the great films of this year so far.

#10: RED STATE
The controversial Kevin Smith movie. From what I heard, some people hated this movie and I can partially see why. Just don't go into this movie with any expectations except to see a religious action/horror flick and you'll be ok.


#9: CONAN O'BRIEN CAN'T STOP

The title explains the movie EXACTLY. This movie made me so antsy because Conan just can't stay still for two seconds. Even when he is exhausted, lying on the couch he is wondering what he should do next. I love documentaries that just le the camera roll.

#8: SUBMARINE

I missed this at Sundance but just watched it this week. Very similar to the good stuff Wes Anderson has done and a great depiction of life as a teenager.


#7: X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

I promised myself that I wouldn't go see another superhero movie until a new Batman came out. So I guess watching this one makes me a liar. This is on par with all the other really good superhero movies like SPIDERMAN I and II, IRON MAN, THE DARK KNIGHT and some of the Christopher Reeve Supermans. (I don't think there has ever been a great superhero movie.)

#6: BRIDESMAIDS

The funnies flat-out comedy this year so far. Is it too much to say that Kristen Wiig is the funniest female that has ever lived? She steals all the skits on SNL and just the look of her makes me crack up.



#5: TERRI

My favorite film of Sundance. John C. Reilly is the funniest, most sincere actor working today. This movie just felt real to me on a level that most movies can't touch. I love the relationship between the students and the principal, played by Reilly.



#4: SOURCE CODE I think I have a new favorite Sci-Fi director and his name is Duncan Jones. This film is just really, really fun. I still can't figure out whether I like the ending of not but the ride was fun and Jake Gyllenhaal was great.



#3: TREE OF LIFE

This should have been #1 on my list. I would have loved to put it there. And if Terrance Malick would have skimmed a little from the beginning and ending I would call it a masterpiece because the 90 minute story in the middle is out-of -this-world good. however, i am perfectly willing to admit that I might be wrong becausea film is first and foremost a visual art and Malick is most definitely the best at exploiting this aspect of film.


#2: SUPER 8

I don't watch many bad movies because I keep my eye on the old trust Rotten Tomato meter. It allows me to avoid movies like Transformers and Pirates of the Caribbean franchises. But what would I have done in the 80's when there was to Rotten Tomatoes to rely on? Oh yeah, I forgot, the big blockbuster movies were a little better back then. SUPER 8 has all the heart and magic of the great blockbusters like ET, Indiana Jones, or Star Wars. More please, JJ Abrams!


#1: CERTIFIED COPY

I should watch this movie while drinking tea with my pinky out...that is how pretentious I feel about making this my favorite movie of the year so far. Truth is, it is probably my favorite movie of the decade so far. Whenever Juliette Binoche is on camera she consumes your attention. And first time actor, William Shimell-and opera singer- does a fine job trying to keep up with Binoche's acting chops. I find it a rare thing to still be thinking about a movie a couple of hours after having watched it, but this movie had me wondering well into the night. My appreciation of the film grow as I think back on it.

**HONORABLE MENTIONS**

Being Elmo

Cedar Rapids

Another Earth

My Idiot Brother

Rio

Kung Fu Panda II

The Tree of Life

Directed by: Terrence Malick
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Brad Pitt, Sean Penn
Rated: PG-13
Review by: Sherri

This film was spectacular. I loved every minute of it. It wasn't really what I expected it to be, but it was beautiful, and stunning...a real work of art.

The background story is about a 1950s family living in Waco, TX. The film centers around the ralationships of the children, mostly the oldest child, and their parents. Brad Pitt, the father is loving, but rough, and strict. The mother, Jessica Chastain is gentle, nurturing and beautiful. The personalities of the parents lay out the theme of the whole film. Malick directed it to be all about relationships, humanity and nature, gentleness and ferocity. The story continues to show the oldest child as an adult, who is played by Sean Penn, remembering his childhood, and reflecting on his life.

This is not your typical movie. There are still elements and messages within it that I am trying to wrap my mind around, so I will definitely need to see it again. Malick is famous for his cinematography in his films, and it is amazing in this one. In the beginning, he created a mood, and an emotion for the whole film, with a chain of breathtaking nature shots. (Nate quickly ruined the mood for everyone in the theater by spilling his ENTIRE coke on the floor...hahahaha!!!)

If you haven't yet, you should check out some of his other films. Badlands, and my favorite of his until The Tree of Life, The new World.

Blue Valentine

Directed By: Derek Cianfrance
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams
Rated: R
Review by: *Sherri*



I just finished watching Blue Valentine, and I am speechless. I have been meaning to watch it for a long time now, and I finally did! Gosling is one of my favorite actors, there is just...a way about him. Michelle Williams is fantastic as well. This was a great movie...but one that I will probably not want to watch again. I could fill this post up with girly analizations of the characters and plot...but it is best that you see it for yourself. The story is raw, lonely, heartbreaking, sweet, and at times, downright depressing, but full of rich emotion and the whole relationship of the characters seems so real. I feel like a nerd saying this, but I don't remember the last time that I cried in a movie...until now.

Bridesmaids

Directed by: Paul Feig
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, John Hamm
Rated: R
Review by: *Sherri*

I love Kristen Wiig. She has got to be one of the funniest ladies on the planet. She is so good at physical comedy, AND she really plays her parts well! She and Maya Rudolph play best friends. When Lillian (Rudolph) gets engaged, things change, and Annie (Wiig) has to find out who she is, and how to deal with the challenges. This is one of the most hilarious films I have ever seen, but also with a rather adorable plot. Guys...DON'T FEAR, this isn't just for the chicks...Nate was rolling the entire time! There are some great one-liners that we are still saying to each other. This is one I definitely need to see again...MINUS the bodily noises coming from the weirdo next to me. (No...not Nate.)

Certified Copy...or Copie conforme

Directed by: Abbas Kiarostami
Starring: Juliette Binoche, William Shimell
Rated: Unrated
French, Italian and English with Subtitles
Review by: Sherri

Ok. I LOVE Juliette Binoche! She is so captivating in every film that she is in, from Chocolat, to Cache'...Even Dan in Real Life. She is one of my favorite actresses. Her co-star in this film William Shimell, was brilliant as well. The two had a chemistry together.

I will try not to spoil the film, but it did remind me a lot of Before Sunrise. Nate agreed, but we both still loved this film. The entire movie consists of is this amazing, non-stop dialogue. It held my interest the entire time. It was actually...a roller coaster of emotion and thought, and come to find out after some research, that is exactly what the director, Abbas Kiarostami intended. The film is in 3 languages, Italian, French and English, with the foreign parts sub-titled in english.

When you see this film (because you should), keep in mind that the director intended for there to be many questions!!

Sundance 2011 continues...

We saw a total of 15 films over the weekend, and more to come next weekend. Eventually I will get around to writing about all of them!

My Idiot Brother

Directed by: Jesse Peretz
Starring: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Rashida Jones
Rating: NOT RATED YET
Review by: Sherri


This movie was so GOOD! Probably because I love Paul Rudd, he brings all of his Paul Rudd-ness back into this film, and his ability to fall compleletly into his character in everything he does is what made this movie for me. He was such a loveable character. There is also a star-studded cast, Zooey Deschanel, Rashida Jones, Elizabeth Banks, Emily Mortimer, and others. I was a little worried that such a cast would hurt the film...Sometimes movies full of stars become about the stars, and not about the movie...But each one was great. Loved it.