Top Ten Films to See in 2011

Paul Dano in Meek's Cuttoff

Where would I start for my Top Ten list of 2011? At least two of the films on last years have been pushed back into this year (Paul and Rum Diary). Hæven I haven't heard or seen anything on or about in months. And I had that listed as my number one. So I am stuck on 2011 which I am dubbing the year of comic book films, for there is almost one a month released all year long. I love comic book movies, but what am I to do with such a quantity?! Even The Beaver, which I mentioned last year, has sat long enough to make me very curious about it.

Also, what should be mentioned is a blog post that never happened. The Venice film Festival saw the release of some of the best films of 2010. Black Swan, Miral, I'm Still Here, Meek's Cutoff, Somewhere, Promises Written in Water, The Town, and Machete to name a few. I would have loved to attend and look forward to seeing everyone of these films. There were also many shorts that would have been lovely to see. This one event marked a huge dent in film for the year. One that trickled down in the following months and even into the next year.

Well, all excuses aside, I think I am ready to get down to the actual list. And, more than a list this year, I want to comment a bit on my choices.

Mickey Rourke in Immortals

1. Miral - Julian Schnabel

I love everything he has done (Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Before Night Falls, Basquiat). Miral is just the latest in his line of suffering artists. And although I could guess at the story line and the film is probably nothing new, I still can't wait to see it.

2. Meek's Cutoff - Kelly Reitchardt
I wasn't too impressed with her last (Wendy and Lucy), but Old Joy still lists as one of my favs. I can't wait to see what she does with these actor's abilities at her fingertips. Especially, Paul Dano.

3. The Dilemma - Ron Howard
This film may set a new standard for American humor. All I can think is what Arrested Development would have been with Opie at the helm instead of behind the narrators microphone. I actually think this will be funnier than Hangover 2. And that's why this made the list and that did not.

4. Paul - Greg Motalla
This actually made two years lists. And for good reason! I can't wait to see this film. It's going to be everything that we expect from the makers of Shaun of the Dead. In fact, I think it will make Shaun of the Dead fans proud. More proud than Zombieland did or Aliens & Cowboys will.

5. Immortals - Tarsem Singh
The Cell was an unsung masterpiece and The Fall was a cinematic wonderment. This can only be of the same caliber. And Micky Rourke just adds to the mystery and excitement.

And a little break to explain some things. You may ask why certain films are not on this list. All I can say is my God the remakes this year! Footloose, Three Musketeers, Girl With the Dragon Tattoo just to name a few. And the sequels! Cars 2, Hangover 2, X-Men, Rise of the Apes, well those last two are prequels. But there is a new Pirates film, the final Harry Potter, and, after a long well deserved rest, Scream 4. I don't even think I caught them all. In fact, I know I didn't. It's crazy what the film industry has become. But many underground directors have started to get enough notice to get a real budget film.

Rango

6. Hugo Cabret - Martin Scorsese
I don't need to say anything here. I guess the only question is why isn't it higher on the list.

7. Rango - Gore Verbinski
This is the director of the Pirates films. And it's with Johnny Depp again. Is this one of those director/actor relationships that we can look forward to?

8. I am Number Four - D.J. Caruso
This is not a comic book movie. But it is a sci-fi flick that isn't Transformers or Avitar. Avitar disappointed me. I wanted more. Transformers is just another movie working on a fad and taking advantage of my childhood. Note that the Smurfs film didn't make the list. This actually looks like the T.V. series Roswell made into a film. And this comes from the director of the Salton Sea and Eagle Eye. I want to see this so it makes the list.

9. The Beaver - Jodie Foster
I mentioned this last year and now I really want to see it. I changed my mind, I believe in Mel Gibson as a crazy. He might not even need to act.

Alex Pettyfer in Beastly

10. Beastly - Daniel Barnz
I am a sucker for coming of age films, which normally coincide with teen dramas. This is a new take on the Beauty and the Beast story line. In this the Beast looks quite cool. I actually want to see this film. Just like Scott Pilgrim was a film that, for me, had more priority than Inception in theater, I expect I will see this film in it's opening week.

Honorable Mention:
Super 8 - J.J. Abrams
Hangover 2 - Todd Phillips
Cowboys & Aliens - Jon Favreau
X-Men: First Class - Matthew Vaughn
Born to Be a Star - Tom Brady
War Horse - Steven Spielberg

These get honorable mention for many reasons. There are sequels, prequels, comic book films, and some films whose directors just didn't make the list. I would bet that some of the films that didn't make the list will ultimately be my favorite from the year. That was the case this year. I mean if my Top Ten of 2010 now would look very different. And just because Rum Diary didn't make this year's list doesn't mean it won't be seen. It is already on a list, I just don't think it deserved to be on two.