As lonely as I complain to be, I spent so much time watching films by myself and dissecting them and discovering new ones and loving bad ones and watching really amazing ones over again. I turned into a real movie buff in 2011 and I'm very proud of it, actually. I'm proud to post the best films the I watched throughout 2011 all of them ranging from as early as February and as late as November. Thank you for reading and happy 2012!
A Single Man (2009)
Directed by Tom Ford
Cast: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult
Synopsis: A story that centers on an English professor who, one year after the sudden death of his partner, is unable to cope with his typical days in 1960's Los Angeles, California.
On this list because: The depressing and emotional life of Colin Firth's character is captured so beautifully by Tom Ford that I became addicted and glued to the screen. Not only did Tom Ford's directorial debut impress me with a stylish approach to a very saddening story, but Colin Firth played a simple yet complicated part of a gay man in the 60s as he copes with the loss of his love. Aside from how beautifully done the script was, the film was all around very fashionable. It has this kind of Mr Porter minimal man-feel to it that I am incredibly inspired by.
American Psycho (2000)
Directed by Mary Harron
Cast: Christian Bale, Jared Leto, Willem Dafoe, Chloë Sevigny
Synopsis: A wealthy New York investment banking executive hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and his friends as he escalates deeper into his illogical, gratuitous fantasies.
On this list because: The crazy and mental state of mind that Christian Bale's character Patrick Bateman is in throughout this film is so intriguing and terribly hilarious. The story itself is beyond words; how Patrick is so anal about absolutely everything including his looks, his office, his home, music, his morning routine, etc. When it comes to finally killing someone, the very dark humor comes in as Bateman's true self comes out.
Atonement (2007)
Directed by Joe Wright
Cast: Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saorise Ronan
Synopsis: Fledgling writer Briony Tallis, as a 13-year-old, irrevocably changes the course of several lies when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit.
On this list because: I did a quick review of Atonement straight from watching it back in July here. I can still say that I feel the same way about this film, although I think I was a little over dramatic when writing it but it just shows how a great film can move you. Joe Wright directed this film beautifully showing some scenes "backwards" or showing false scenes that shock the viewers (who have not read the book). Atonement is one of those "pretty" films like The Virgin Suicides or Marie Antoinette or The Duchess that so many people love to watch. It depicts a part of 1940s England that isn't too common in films. Not only is it so beautiful to just look at, but Keira Knightley and James McAvoy give heart wrenching performances that leave me jealous of one another for many reasons. The soundtrack matches the heart ache and beauty of this film. This being my favorite track.
Berlin Calling (2008)
Directed by Hannes Stöhr
Cast: Paul Kalkbrenner Rita Lengyel, Corinna Harfouch
Synopsis: A man tours clubs around the globe with his manager girlfriend. On the eve of their largest album release he is admitted to a psychiatric clinic after overdosing at a gig.
On this list because: I watched this film on a lazy, hot and sticky summer day in July with terrible English subtitles (as this film is completely German) but I got the premise of Berlin Calling and I think that, without subtitles, you could still be able to feel the emotion in the acting and story line. I really like how Hannes chose Paul Kalkbrenner to compose the songs for Berlin Calling but then casted him anyway as the lead role. It makes everything feel a bit more real. It's hard to find a good movie that synchs together good directing, an interesting story line, phenomenal music and that's about the electronic/club scene. I went through a good phase searching for those kinds of films and Berlin Calling was just what I needed. Not to mention it has one of the greatest intros to a movie, ever.
Breakfast On Pluto (2005)
Directed by Neil Jordan
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Neeson
Synopsis: In the 1970's, a foundling lad, Patrick "Kitten" Braden, comes of age by leaving his Irish town for London, in part to look for his mother and in part because his trans-gender nature is beyond the town's understanding.
On this list because: of the mind blowing acting done by Cillian Murphy. He makes a very pretty girl and I was just so greatly shocked by how well he played the part of a trans-gender trying to find his place in the world. This may sound cheesy, but Breakfast on Pluto is such a great film for anyone who feels out of place in their town, family, group of friends, what-have-you. It depicts a head strong and courageous boy determined to get what he wants. It shows that anyone can really go out there and be appreciated and loved by someone. You can be accepted somewhere and feel normal.
Chatroom (2010)
Directed by Hideo Nakata
Cast: Aaron Johnson, Imogen Poots, Hannah Murray, Matthew Beard, Daniel Kaluuya
Synopsis: A group of teenagers encourage each other's bad behavior in a chatroom called "Chelsea Teens!"
On this list because: of the way the film was shot. The plot takes place in a chatroom but how boring and idiotic would it be to have a film of a bunch of teenagers staring at computers and phones? No, instead Hideo Nakata came up with a "real-life" chatroom area that takes place in a neat hotel. The chatroms are actual rooms and the users come in through doors, as some Internet chatrooms have. As an English culture lover living in America, I love English films. They just have this vibe that I can't exactly explain and this film has it. Chatroom also has that teenage, generation kind of feel that I am actually proud of.
eXsitenZ (1999)
Directed by David Cronenberg
Cast: Jude Law, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ian Holm, Christopher Eccelston
Synopsis: A game designer on the run from assassins must play her latest virtual reality creation with a marketing trainee to determine if the game has been damaged.
On this list because: of the insane twist at the end of film. There, I said it. There's a great mind bend towards the end of Cronenberg's eXistenZ. Although it reminds me of Christopher Nolan's Inception (which makes me very irritated), this film has to be the mecca of that kind of layout. Without saying too much, this film sucks you into the strange plot. You immediately realize that something's not right or that something's off balance but as the film progresses, you just think it's the weird sci-fi theme coming out. All I have to say that this is one of those early 2000s/late 90s films that fits in with The Matrix. And that the film in general is one that will be watched more than once.
Fish Tank (2009)
Directed by Andrea Arnold
Cast: Katie Jarvis, Michael Fassbender, Kierston Wareing
Synopsis: Everything changes for 15-year-old Mia when her mom brings home a new boyfriend.
On this list because: of the major emotion that is spit out during the course of this film. The story line is simple and one that people can relate to: a girl from the hard side of town has a corrupt family with a mother that doesn't care for her children. The suddenly her life is changed for better and for worse with her mom's new boyfriend played by Michael Fassbender. I will be honest and say that I only wanted to watch this just for Fassbender, but I ended up loving the film itself. The actors are not very well known but they're the kind of actors, except for Fassy, that do one film and give it their all with heart and soul put in it then are to be forgotten afterwards.
Following (1998)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Cast: Jeremy Theobald, Alex Haw, Lucy Russell
Synopsis: A young writer who follows strangers for material needs a thief who takes him under his wing.
On this list because: of many things: The mysterious, sensual and interesting plot idea. First of all, the idea of just making a short film of a promising writer that follows people around for inspiration is intriuging but when Nolan puts his famous twist on it, it becomes a masterpiece that is/was sadly a small film. Following is sort of a blur because of how it was shown. A scene would be shown at the beginning then near the middle it would finish and then add to it, maybe showing you something you missed the first time. Genius, but confusing. I loved it.
Memento (2000)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Cast: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano
Synopsis: A man, suffering from short-term memory, uses notes and tattoos to hunt for the man he thnks killed his wife.
On this list because: of the infamous way of showing the film. It's still mind blowing to me that Nolan pulled off the layout of it. The end is basically the beginning. It's refreshing as an audience member to know about as much as the main character who suffers from short-term memory loss. To unravel the mystery along with the character is so different and so much fun to watch it makes me really appreciate films more. This is what movies are about no matter if they're a romance, comedy, horror or mystery. They're made to leave us wondering and thinking while still being thoroughly entertained. Just as Memento does this, it's also a great example of incredible writing from Christopher and his brother Jonathon. Simple yet extremely complicated.
Requiem For A Dream (2000)
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Jared Leto, Jennifer Connely, Ellen Burstyn
Synopsis: The drug-induced utopias of four Coney Island individuals are shattered when their addictions become stronger.
On this list because: of how frighteningly real it was. If you want to scare kids into not doing drugs, please to everyone a favor and show them this film. Shoot heroin, get your arm amputated. Over dose on diet pills, get ECT. Devote your life to drugs, loose your life. Forget the weird sex scene, this film is about hard drugs and how it messes you up. Of course, with Aronofsky at the wheel, Requiem For A Dream was done in an artsy way but still depicted a hard and gritty way of life for addicts. The film sort of puts you in a dazed and confused state that definitely stays with you after wards.
Sunshine (2007)
Directed by Danny Boyle
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Chris Evans
Synopsis: A team of astronauts are sent to re-ignite the dying sun 50 years into the future.
On this list because: of how underrated it is. I read somewhere on YouTube that this is one of the most underrated science fiction movies. After watching it multiple times, I completely agree. I don't know why this film didn't do better because for sci-fi lovers; it's beautiful. The incredible transition shots of outer space, the drama, the terrible gut feeling at the end and the eerie but lovely soundtrack. An all around great science fiction film and all around superb Danny Boyle film.
The Matrix (1999)
Directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss
Synopsis: A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in war against its controllers.
On this list because: of how completely nerdy and epic everything is. I can't stand the word epic but it pretty much explains The Matrix. It's extremely iconic and a must watch no matter how cheesy and lame it may be. The idea, in the beginning, that Neo (Keanu Reeves) is living in the Matrix believing it's the real world and fooling the audience that it's the real world is a great mind trip. But as the story progresses, the mind trips get a bit heavier and the action gets a lot neater.
The Prestige (2006)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Cast: Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson
Synopsis: The rivalry between two magicians is exacerbated when one of them performs the ultimate illusion.
On this list because:, again, of Christopher Nolan's mind blowing writing skills. Every time I watch one of his films, I end up with my jaw dropped and spazzing out because of the build up until the end. I don't know what goes on in Nolan's mind for him to create such deep characters and wild story lines. Enough, gorming over Nolan in general, The Prestige had a great magician vibe which made the story easier to slip into confusion. But just like a great magic trick, it comes together at the end and leaves you speechless.
The Shining (1980)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd
Synopsis: A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil spirit presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and of the future.
On this list because: it's The Shining, that's why. Honestly, it's because of how Kubrick directed this. The genius camera panning through the beautiful hotel and rolling the camera through hallways. How the cameras were positioned pointing down the eerie corridors makes everything a little more Kubrick and little more Steven King. It's such a great film to watch on Halloween but also a timeless film to watch any time of the year, not matter what year.
screencaps via youtube trailers & synopsis' via imdb
