# Your Favorites Films of 2011 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 15, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345 "2011-12-15T23:23:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/1 "2011-12-15T23:23:07Z")
I’ve seen a couple of top 10 type lists popping up lately in on-line media. Since I see most of my films on airplanes or Netflix, I’m always hopelessly behind and look to these sorts of things to figure out what to watch next\*. So brag about the good stuff you’ve seen this year, feel free to slag on anything that was awful or over-hyped (I thought _Bridesmaids_ was okay but not great or even all that good, but I’m a guy). You can do 10 if you want, that seems to be a magic number, but if you only liked a couple or liked a lot, go for it. \*Except for on flights, where I’m a captive audience and sometimes see really good stuff and sometimes pretty bad stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/2 "2011-12-15T23:30:04Z")
Off the top of my head… [50/50](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1306980/) [Drive](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780504/) [Take Shelter](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1675192/) [Midnight in Paris](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1605783/) Still a lot to see, though. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/3 "2011-12-15T23:35:06Z")
Oh yeah…also enjoyed [Cedar Rapids](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1477837/) [Contagion](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1598778/) [The Guard](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1540133/) I would rate those three as very good, and well worth seeing, if not quite awards material. ---
**Author:** ![judikium](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@judikium](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/judikium)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/4 "2011-12-16T07:08:30Z")
Thus far, my “highly recommended” would be: 1. Rise of the Planet of the Apes 2. Hugo 3. Drive 4. Moneyball 5. The Tree of Life 6. Another Earth 7. The Help 8. Midnight in Paris That’s having seen about twenty-three 2011 movies. Hope to get to a lot more though (I suspect I’ll like Young Adult, Shame, Tintin, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Melancholia, etc.). Wish I had caught some like 50/50, Take Shelter, Contagion, but DVD will have to do! ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/5 "2011-12-16T14:36:29Z")
Left out a few good ones from earlier in the year: [In Time](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1637688/) - A pretty good sci fi thriller. Not awards material, but well worth seeing. [X-Men: First Class](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1270798/) - Somewhat surprisingly, the best super hero movie of the year (for my money) [Thor](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800369/) - another surprisingly-good super hero movie. Keneth Branagh directs, so maybe I shouldn’t have been so surprised. [Super 8](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1650062/) - felt like a nice little tribute to Spielberg [Hanna](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0993842/) - The Bourne Identity, except with a little girl. None of these are award-worthy, but they are all worth seeing if you missed them. ---
**Author:** ![infinitii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e8c25b/32.png) [@infinitii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/infinitii)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/6 "2011-12-16T15:39:01Z")
I’ve seen more movies in theatres this year than I ever have, including a couple of different film festivals. I’m having a hard time remembering from earlier in the year, but unless I remember something fantastic, this is my list: [Circumstance](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1684628/) [Bellflower](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1242599/) [Certified Copy](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1020773/) [Sucker Punch](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0978764/) [Kaboom!](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1523483/) [Melancholia](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1527186/) [Vigilante Vigilante: The Battle for Expression](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1651151/) [Puppet](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1527710/) [Flood Streets](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1627892/) [Miral](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1366409/) ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/7 "2011-12-16T16:25:11Z")
“Contagion” was far and away the best movie I saw this year. Of course, it was the _only_ movie I saw, so… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/8 "2011-12-16T16:31:09Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > [X-Men: First Class](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1270798/) - Somewhat surprisingly, the best super hero movie of the year (for my money) > > [Thor](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800369/) - another surprisingly-good super hero movie. Keneth Branagh directs, so maybe I shouldn’t have been so surprised. You didn’t care for **Captain America**? (I mean, sure, not recommending the **Green Lantern** movie, that’s to be expected – but I rather liked **Cap**.) ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/9 "2011-12-16T16:39:15Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > You didn’t care for **Captain America**? (I mean, sure, not recommending the **Green Lantern** movie, that’s to be expected – but I rather liked **Cap**.) I was disappointed by _Captain America_. It seemed poorly-plotted to me. And I think Chris Evans is a terrible actor. So I don’t recommend it. But a lot of folks seem to disagree. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/10 "2011-12-16T16:40:57Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/11 "2011-12-16T19:14:00Z")
I would definitely say that Captain America is the best movie I saw in 2011. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/12 "2011-12-16T19:51:42Z")
I haven’t seen very many movies from this year, but I agree with all of these as being entertaining: > [@Spoke](#): > > [X-Men: First Class](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1270798/) - Somewhat surprisingly, the best super hero movie of the year (for my money) > > [Thor](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800369/) - another surprisingly-good super hero movie. Keneth Branagh directs, so maybe I shouldn’t have been so surprised. > > [Super 8](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1650062/) - felt like a nice little tribute to Spielberg > > [Hanna](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0993842/) - The Bourne Identity, except with a little girl. And I’ll add that–as dumb and ridiculous and over-the-top as it is–_ **Fast Five** _ is a pretty fun flick. ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/13 "2011-12-16T20:55:17Z")
Not a lot of Oscar bait this year. I can’t say I loved any of these, but they’re in the discussion: The Descendents The Artist The Help The Tree of Life (hmmm, maybe all you needed to do was make a ‘the’ movie…) ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/14 "2011-12-16T21:01:12Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > [The Guard](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1540133/) By the way, the poster for this one features a blurb from some moronic reviewer: “A RAUCOUS COMEDY!” This movie is in no way shape or form a “raucous comedy,” so if you go in expecting that you will be surprised and possibly disappointed. It is a low-key (even depressing) film, with some comedic elements. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/15 "2011-12-16T22:34:27Z")
I would say the two best were X-Men First Class and Contagion. Not the best by far but a movie I feel was underrated was Battle: Los Angles. It was a bunch of Cliches but I felt they were done in a fresh way. ETA: Hanna was also a good underrated film. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/16 "2011-12-17T17:16:06Z")
Loved **Moneyball** Liked **The Help** Went to see **Never Say Never** as a joke but really enjoyed it. Interesting “rags to riches” story. HATED **Bridesmaids** - what a turd! ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/17 "2011-12-17T19:32:58Z")
This was a pretty horrible year for films. I just looked over the list of films released in 2011 and have seen quite a few of them. Most were OK at best. But so far, I guess I would have to say: **My Week With Marilyn** was quite good - sweet story, great job by Michelle Williams and great cinematography and sets. **Drive** - I know some hated this but I liked the story and thought it was paced a bit slow in spots but still worth the wait. Otherwise, not a single film where I would go “wow” and hope wins Best Film. I still have some to see (not all released here in Vegas yet), and hope to see some good films in the next few weeks. ---
**Author:** ![hazynlazy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bb73d2/32.png) [@hazynlazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hazynlazy)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/18 "2011-12-17T20:49:19Z")
I liked Limitless, Hangover II, Source Code, Horrible Bosses, Crazy Stupid Love, Contagion, Drive, Tower Heist and Moneyball. I’m looking forward to seeing 50/50, Take Shelter, and the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I did not like Lincoln Lawyer (awful script), Your Highness (just awful), Bridesmaids (overhyped; unfunny). ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2011, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/19 "2011-12-17T21:58:25Z")
There are still 2 weeks to go and I have many movies left to see so I’ll do my list later. Everyone already knows what my very favorite movie of the year is anyway. > [@DMark](#): > > This was a pretty horrible year for films. I’m sorry the year was so bad for you. I’m glad it was a wonderful year for me. I think many of the titles already given in this thread shows what a strong year it was. Everyone’s lists has multiple movies I think are gems on it. infinitii’s list, judikium’s list, and phreesh’s list make me drool, but everyone who’s posted has mentioned movies I think are great too. It’s like that every year though, no matter how many great movies are released, and there are ALWAYS dozens and dozens and dozens, someone always says “It was a horrible year for movies.” Cracks me up. > [@infinitii](#): > > I’ve seen more movies in theatres this year than I ever have, including a couple of different film festivals. I’m having a hard time remembering from earlier in the year, but unless I remember something fantastic, this is my list: > > [Circumstance](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1684628/) > [Bellflower](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1242599/) > [Certified Copy](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1020773/) > [Sucker Punch](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0978764/) > [Kaboom!](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1523483/) > [Melancholia](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1527186/) > [Vigilante Vigilante: The Battle for Expression](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1651151/) > [Puppet](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1527710/) > [Flood Streets](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1627892/) > [Miral](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1366409/) Nice! I’ve only seen 4 of those and liked them all to varying degrees (in order of regard: Melancholia, Certified Copy, Kaboom! and…Sucker Punch, which I thoroughly enjoyed but nowhere near as much as those other three). I wanted to see Bellflower but it only played two midnight shows one weekend. I wanted to see Miral but it played for a week then left. I hadn’t heard of the others on your list but they all sound fantastic and I’ll keep an eye out for them. > [@Spoke](#): > > By the way, the poster for [The Guard] features a blurb from some moronic reviewer: “A RAUCOUS COMEDY!” > > This movie is in no way shape or form a “raucous comedy,” so if you go in expecting that you will be surprised and possibly disappointed. It is a low-key (even depressing) film, with some comedic elements. Oh no kidding, what a dumb tag line, though the more you see it the more humor is evident. I saw it for the 3rd time last night and it holds up, and does get even funnier, though hardly “raucous.” It’s often funny in an irreverent, I-can’t-believe-he/they-just-said/did-that! way, it’s also as you say very low-key and sometimes depressing (the look on McBride’s face when he realizes what he’s gotten himself into). Brendan Gleeson is always a joy to watch and Sergeant Gerry Boyle is now my favorite character he’s played, alongside his Ken from In Bruges (fitting since the two movies were made by brothers). ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2011, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345/20 "2011-12-17T22:25:10Z")
Just saw [The Descendants](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1033575/), which I would add to my list of top movies. Not sure it is Best Picture material, but it is quite good, and the cinematography alone was almost worth the ticket. Aside: Hawaii gets featured surprisingly little in American films given its beauty. Guess maybe because it’s expensive to film there? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorites-films-of-2011/606345.md?page=2)