Rythemovieguy's Top 10 of 2011

2011 has come to a close.....it may not have been the strongest year for movies, but it did have its share of "must see films." We saw the end of Harry Potter, another Hangover, giant transformers destroy Chicago, and some Bridesmaids crap in their dresses. Yet it is a silent black & white film that is stealing the spotlight late in the year. Movies really do offer something for everyone. Below I have listed my Top 10 Movies of the Year and like always I was lucky to see them all with my "best half" - so I have included Jen's list below mine...as a second opinion is always good to have.

10) The Descendants - A Difficult story to tell, but George Clooney's performance makes it work.

9) The Help - It is meant to be a little lighter on the subject matter, yet it still packs a powerful punch.

8) The Tree Of Life - The Most Ambitious film in the past 30 years.

7) Martha Marcy May Marlene - The hidden Olsen sister "Elizabeth" stars in a movie that will stick with you long after you see it.

6) Beginners - The Best movie about love this year!

5) Drive - The most stylized movie of the year is a fun ride!

4) War Horse - Seeing all the different lives the horse touched worked for me.

3) Warrior - Cliche? Yes.....but ultimately this is a story about family that had me cheering in the aisle.

2) The Artist - Refreshing to see a simple story told in such a creative way.

1) Shame - The Best movie of the year tackles a difficult subject matter with grace. Michael Fassbender is brilliant as is the cinematography and the score.

Jen's Top 10 -

10) Martha Marcy May Marlene

9) Midnight In Paris

8) Beginners

7) The Debt

6) The Artist

5) A Dangerous Method

4) The Help

3) Jane Eyre

2) Shame

1) Warrior

Honorable mention of both Ry & Jen: 50/50

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Midnight in Paris

Midnight In Paris: Woody Allen's 44th feature film is a true charmer! Owen Wilson plays Gil, a writer who is engaged to Inez (Rachel McAdams). They are in Paris with her Family for some vacation. Gil Loves Paris, but longs to go back to the 1920s when the city was the vibrant artistic capitol of the world. Low and behold when Gil goes out for a walk alone, at midnight he is transported back in time. He is able to meet such young artists that were in Paris in the 20s such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Cole Porter and Salvador Dali (played hysterically by Adrian Brody). Each day he comes back to present time and spends the day with his wife. The city of Paris looks fabulous in the movie - The opening sequence reminded me of the way Allen showed New York in his 1979 masterpiece Manhattan. Owen Wilson delivers Woody's lines perfectly - it is easy to see the Allen character in him, but at the same time he makes it all his own. This is not so much a love story as it is a tale of appreciation for a golden age of art. I could not help think that one day we will look back at this time in cinema as a golden age of the art form. A time when legends such as Scorsese, Spielberg, Coppola, and Woody Allen made films that stuck with us for generations....

Rythemovieguy's Grade: B

If this movie had parents they would be: Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and Before Sunrise

Tron Legacy on Blu-Ray

Tron: Legacy on Blu-Ray: 28 years after the original pushed the visual boundaries of film, the second installment shows up on Blu-ray aiming to do the same. In the digital effects age we live in, this is a rather lofty goal. However, I think they accomplished that goal – this is one Awesome looking movie! Not only is this eye candy from start to finish, but Tron Legacy will also give your home theater sound system a work out. Now the question is did they give us a story with enough substance to keep up with the dazzling sounds and visuals? Sadly the answer is No. Sam Flynn, the son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) goes looking for him in the digital world, which has now evolved as it tried to become a utopia of sorts. The speed bikes are back as is Jeff Bridges, who comes off as “The Dude” stuck in a video game….the only thing he was missing was a white Russian. Once reunited, the mission becomes trying to get out of the digital world. The story fails to give us a reason to care about the characters and that reduces the joy of the main action sequences near the end. That said this is still a movie to have some fun with, it is a real treat for your eyes and ears……..just not so much for the brain.

2.5 Jaws / C+