Review by: Sean Kayden
I present my arbitrary decision of the five “best” movies of the year. The reason it’s not the typical top ten is because I haven’t seen all the films I initially had planned to watch this past year. Additionally, the 2011 box office proved to be fairly disappointing from my perspective. As a disclaimer I haven’t seen “Midnight In Paris”, “Beginners”, “The Artist”, “Take Shelter”, “We Need To Talk About Kevin”, “Martha Marcy May Marlene”, “Hugo”, “Shame” and “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”.
5. Source Code – “Source Code” will undoubtedly keep you completely mesmerized from beginning to end. A true keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller that does more than just provides you a quick thrill or two. “Source Code” is equipped with a quartet of strong performances from Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga and Jeffrey Wright, a dynamic screenplay and faultless direction. The ending may spark some controversy with the most devoted sci-fi fans. I honestly thought the film was going to end at a particular point, but it carried on for another five to seven minutes. Personally, I was still fully satisfied by it. I felt that the extended ending brought a whole new element and meaning to the movie. “Source Code” has a bit of an Inception feel to it, but definitely more restrained and less convoluted. This is an innovative, outrageously compelling, and thought-provoking film with plenty of heart and soul to boot. It’s the reason why we go to the theater and if more movies like “Source Code” can be developed, then mainstream Hollywood may not be a complete wash after all.
4. Drive – Director Nicolas Winding Refn is an aberrant visual artist. “Drive”, his latest work of art, combines striking imagery and an essence of cool that’s been missing in American cinema for quite sometime. Essentially, Drive is about a chivalrous Hollywood stunt driver and loner (Ryan Gosling), who moonlights as a getaway driver. He quickly finds himself caught up with the wrong people in a heist that goes terribly wrong. Yes, we’ve all seen movies of this conformation before, but I can promise you that you haven’t seen it like this. At face value, “Drive” is minimalistic and straightforward, but at its core, this uniquely developed drama/suspense film is ultra sleek, eloquently violent, beautifully composed and superbly acted. Refn’s penchant for violence and gore is overwhelmingly present here, but the bursts of brutality is enthralling, if not disturbing. While not for the faint at heart, the violent behavior in “Drive” is artful and vividly produced. These particular scenes rank among the finest of the year. On a technical level, “Drive” is flawless. Every scene, every shadow within a scene, and the precise way light is used matters. Nothing feels wasted or oversaturated. Always taut and suspenseful, you’re eyes will never veer off screen. The film easily takes over all your senses with every single scene telling a story within itself. It’s simply the coolest film of the year. With powerhouse performances and Refn’s skillful directing, “Drive” is a tightly and impressively constructed motion picture worth seeing.
3. The Devil’s Double – “The Devil’s Double,” based on the novel by Latif Yahia, is the disturbing true story of a man who is forced to become the double to Saddam Hussein’s sadistic son. The film isn’t all that deep or intricate, but the electrifying, career-making performance by Dominic Cooper is worth the price of admission and then some. Cooper takes on the dual roles of Latif Yahia, an Iraqi soldier from a middle class family and the unpredictably insane Uday Hussein. In the end, “The Devil’s Double” is one of the coolest, sexiest, and most violent films of the year. While not for everyone, those who enjoy a departure from mundane boring life will be undoubtedly glued to the screen while watching it. Everything from the beautiful set design, to the killer 80s soundtrack, to the polished and stunning cinematography, to the ultra slick direction was top notch. Director Lee Tamahori (“Die Another Day”, “The Edge”) shaped a very sleek and tense thriller with “The Devil’s Double” that provided unsettling chills on more than one occasion. At any rate, I found “The Devil’s Double” to be absolutely engrossing, outrageously entertaining and bat-shit crazy. Not to mention, be on the lookout for Dominic Cooper because the guy is the next big thing for all the right reasons.
2. Warrior – In vein of last year’s powerful film, “The Fighter”, “Warrior” is about two brothers both fighting for something greater than themselves. Tom Hardy brilliantly portrays Tommy Riordan, an ex-Marine haunted by his past who returns home to his former alcoholic father, played by a battered and wounded Nick Nolte. Joel Edgerton takes on the persona of Brendan Conlon, a high school physics teacher and ex-MMA fighter unable to make ends meet. In a turn of events, the brothers’, who haven’t seen each other in 16 years will soon cross paths as they face off in Sparta, a Grand Prix tournament of MMA fights. While the set-up may be dauntingly cliché, director Gavin O’Connor somehow is able to throw punch after punch at your vulnerable heart in what is the most unrelentingly impassioned packed film this past year. “Warrior” is part gritty family drama, part sports action flick, and part feel-good crowd pleaser. Translation? Raw, gut-wrenching, and compelling. Well over two hours, “Warrior” never eases up in toying with one’s emotions. It does an outstanding job continually pulling at the strings of one’s own heart. If you surrender to its tricks, you may find yourself tearing up in multiple scenes. By the end of the movie, you’ll not only find yourself on the edge of your seat, but also wiping those tears away and rooting for these guys as if they were your own brothers. Never does “Warrior” seem false or manipulative in the earnest ways it touches your heart, mind, and soul. This movie just feels right in this day and age. The constant struggle of overcoming the odds and believing in one’s self despite any obstructions in your line of sight. It’s a stunning achievement that a mainstream movie like this packs so much pure entertainment, affecting moments and uncompromised compassion. “Warrior” excels on nearly all levels making it a definite must-see for all ages.
1. Win Win – Paul Giamatti stars as Mike Flaherty, attorney by day, high school wresting coach by night. He’s having a tough time both finically and keeping his wife and two daughters happy. The wresting team is on a continuous losing streak and isn’t living up to the school’s motto of “The Home Of Champions”. Through some questionable business dealings with an older client, Flaherty is surprised when he’s faced with the elderly man’s grandson, who has his own personal baggage. However, the troubled teenager is a star athlete that may just be what Flaherty needs to turn his team around. But when the kid’s recently released from rehab mother comes into the picture, Flaherty’s life is soon turned upside as she attempts to disrupt things. The young boy (Alex Shaffer) and Flaherty’s wife (Amy Ryan) give strong supporting performances. “Win Win” is a near faultless sports-comedy-drama that has a great share of laughs, angst, and heartfelt moments. It’s truly the best American film of the year that any family could relate to on some level. With rich and wonderful characters, a strong screenplay and humanistic approach, “Win Win” will touch your heart unlike any film this year.
Published by Mountain Views News on January 7th, 2012
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v06/htm/n01/p11.htm
*Note since this review I have viewed both "Beginners" and "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy". However, it still doesn't change the current top five.
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