David O'Connell2011 Year in Review
January 13th 2012 03:08
1. DRIVE. Nicolas Winding Refn's latest stands head-and-shoulders above the pack for me. Mesmerising intervals of silence juxtaposed with Ryan Gosling's perfectly understated performance, jagged bursts of violence and a strangely appropriate 80's musical aesthetic. And all relayed with cinematic style to burn.
2. SNOWTOWN. Justin Kurzel's chilling, unforgettable debut is the finest Australian films in years. Its unrelenting grimness will likely repel multiplex-friendly crowds but this superbly pitched film, led by Daniel Henshell and a frightening believable group of first timers has the staying power to one day be regarded as a genuine classic.
3. THE IDES OF MARCH. George Clooney makes a third fine film from behind the camera (can we forget about Leatherheads forever?). Try naming a finer assembly of dramatic actors and with a clever, surprising screenplay fed into their mouths, expectations were high but more than ably met.
4. BLACK SWAN. Darren Aronofsky's film seems like ancient history but this darkest of psychological character studies opened the year on a high. Clint Mansell's adaptation of Swan Lake continually subvert the lashings of visceral horror to a sublime degree. Natalie Portman has never been better. Especially loved the breathtaking, poetic climax.
5. OF GODS AND MEN. Though it may be slow as molasses, Xavier Beauvois's film is one of the most moving, divinely instructive portraits of religious devotion ever committed to screen. Every deliberately paced moment feels justified and necessary.
6. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS. This magical refraction of Owen Wilson's open-eyed dreamer to a time and place of unparelleled artistic enrichment instantly envelops us in its spell. It's undoubtedly Woody Allen's best work in many years - and perhaps one of his best ever?
7. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN. The stunning impressionistic, non-linear jigsaw-puzzle-like opening 30 minutes of Lynne Ramsey's new film ranks as the strangest, most disturbing but compelling stretch of cinema this year. The rest isn't bad either!
8. ANOTHER YEAR. Mike Leigh's dour, sweet, pathetic film runs a gamut of emotions through its diverse range of typical Leigh characters. Despite the great work of Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen as the stable older couple, nothing compares with the stunningly uninhibited performance of Lesley Manville as the hapless Mary.
9. RANGO. A no-contest for the animated film of the year, with John Logan's screenplay the real star. The visual invention, general wildness of the narrative and an army of colourful characters, both major and minor, are a real treat.
10. INCENDIES. Denis Villeneuve's complex film gets better upon repeat viewings, even with that stunning twist somewhat negated. Lubna Azabel in particular gives a searing performance though this is a flawless, vivid, superbly executed film in every way.
The next 10:
11. RABBIT HOLE
12. PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES
13. SENNA
14. THE YELLOW SEA
15. THE SKIN I LIVE IN
16. MONEYBALL
17. MEEK'S CUTOFF
18. SUBMARINE
19. NEVER LET ME GO.
20. TRUE GRIT
Best films unreleased in Australian cinemas in 2011:
(Thankfully many of these are on their way, although a couple have sadly been overlooked for cinema release and are already out on DVD)
1. A SEPARATION
2. ELENA
3. TOMBOY
4. MICHAEL
5. LITTLEROCK
6. COLD FISH
7. TROLL HUNTER
8. KILL LIST
9. TYRANNOSAUR
10. MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE
Worst films of the year:
(As usual there were some truly deplorable, embarrassing, cringeworthy pieces of awfulness to endure. These were the pick of the litter.)
SCREAM 4
RESTLESS
SANCTUM
SUCKER PUNCH
BLAME
SHERLOCK HOLMES 2
| 51 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Nice to see "Drive" at number 1. haven't compiled mine yet but have begun the process.
"Snowtown" was an incredibly impressive Oz production.
Liked all the rest on the list, but haven't seen "Of Gods and Men".
Kidman sabotaged Rabbit Hole for me.
"Kill List" is top of my still to see list.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Drive was the clear standout for me, couldn't entertain anything else.
Kill List is fantastic; can't believe it didn't get a cinema run here after MIFF. It's just been released on DVD, will have to pick it up myself for a second look.
Snowtown was a great Australian film - though apparently not as great as Red Dog if the AAFTA (old AFI) awards are to be believed!! (Seriously, what a joke!)