War Horse

War Horse gives us a dramatic, visual war film. The World War I story is a bit hokey and melodramatic. Near the end, there was a comic scene that was a bit Monty Python. Very odd. I listened to an interview with Steven Spielberg about this scene, and was glad to know that the barbed wire they used was plastic. It's hard for me to watch horses in peril. Beautifully shot, but the story didn't do it for me.

Favorite Films of 2011

I've seen most of what I'm going to see of the films of 2011, so I'm ready to make my favorites list.

I have two honorable mentions.

Mister Rogers and Me is a documentary about Fred Rogers, and the message he was trying to spread. Benjamin and Christofer Wagner made a film that addresses treating people right and healthy media consumption. The New York Premiere was in October, and I was thrilled to have my daughter join me for this deep and simple film.

Also, Joni Derouchie made a documentary about Cort & Fatboy called Welcome to that Whole Thing. A little peek behind the curtain of my favorite podcast.

My original favorites list for 2011 was 40 films strong, but I whittled it down to 11. These are the films I enjoyed this year.

1. Midnight in Paris was such a breath of fresh air. A bit different, a bit the same. So charming I saw it twice.

2. Seeing The Muppets with my grandson and daughter meant that 3 generations enjoyed this nostalgia bath. The tone of the film stayed true to Muppet lore, yet gave a dash of new for a very fun film. My grandson is still listening to the sound track daily.

3. Attack the Block could be my favorite alien film in a long time. Well shot, cool effects, good story.

4. Drive is moody, menacing and violent.

5. The Artist combines joy with song with success with discouragement with joy with success.

6. Super is a creative turn on vigilante justice.

7. In Martha Marcy May Marlene we watch a girl sink into mental illness despite efforts not to.

8. Bill Cunningham New York chronicles a man's passion for photography, fashion and lifestyle.

9. Moneyball tells the story of a business model that took a lot of courage.

10. Hanna is a beautifully shot action thriller about survival.

11. Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol is the best action movie of 2011. IMAX was the perfect outlet for this.

A dominant theme this year was OK movies with fantastic performances. Other films I liked this year? Rubber, Source Code, Rango, Super 8, Everything Must Go, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Harry Potter, Janie Jones, Sing Your Song, Rid of Me, Bellfower, Trollhunter, Jane Eyre, Contagion, Being Elmo, Hugo and Winnie the Pooh. On to the films of 2012!!

The Adventures of Tintin

There's good motion capture animation, and there's bad motion capture animation. Often the characters take on a creepy look. The Adventures of Tintin refines the technology to the point where the film looks great. Yes, it's good motion capture. Along with 3D, it really has an interesting depth, and everything looks very real. It's a fun story, and the characters are introduced well. There are many references to previous Spielberg films. Most noticeable, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jaws. The chase scenes were thrilling and the pirate battles rocked. No lack of action here. A fun family film, but the children should probably be older, there is a lot of gun-play and perilous situations. I really liked this one.

Sherlock Holmes:A Game of Shadows

Sherlock Holmes:A Game of Shadows is very much the same as the first Sherlock Holmes movie. Likable characters, funny moments, action, creative action shots. Not bad, not great. It was a packed theater and people seemed to enjoy the film.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

I loved the Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The American version is a close cousin, with an ending that did not carry the same emotion as the first. The performances and cinematography were very good. The score masterfully carries the viewer through the action. I liked this film, and I may have liked it more if I didn't have such a recent version in my head. Well done.

Mission:Impossible-Ghost Prototcol

The first thing I need to say about Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol is, holy crap, what a ride! The second thing is, see this in IMAX if you can. The visual is stunning, thrilling and suspense filled. Just when I thought this franchise had run it's course, I was proved wrong. Good times on the big screen!

Young Adult

The film Young Adult begins with your typical character introductions. A woman, disappointed in her life, tries to rekindle a love from her high school days. It feels like it will be that wacky romantic comedy gone awry. But oh no. The uncomfortable moments become more frequent and prolonged. The comedy goes dark, and we realize that this is a woman living in denial. Dark comedy is tough to pull off, but Young Adult does it well.

Patrick's Evil Kidney

I'm not sure who is still reading here, lord knows I've been awful about posting this year. I'm putting this up anywhere I think a kind soul might see it. I derive a great deal of entertainment from the podcast world in Portland, OR. Their income comes from sponsors and donations. One podcast that I really enjoy is Hamfisted Radio, hosted by Dawn Taylor. Dawn is smart, funny, worldly and snarky. I have enjoyed her views on film, TV, books, politics and pop-culture. In this last year her husbands' kidneys decided they were done, and then his heart decided to follow suit. They have a little health insurance, but not enough to cover the life-saving care Patrick has been receiving. Their friends in Portland have launched a fund raising drive, and if you can spare a few dollars it would be much appreciated. The whole story and info on donating is here http://patricksevilkidney.wordpress.com/ I gave a little earlier today and plan to again after the holidays. These are two fine folks who could use a little help right now. Thanks!!

Take Shelter

Mental illness is a tough topic to treat properly in a film. In Take Shelter we watch a man suffer fear, paranoia, delusions and hallucinations. He has a job, loving wife and a child, things look dandy. He has mental illness in his family which feeds the paranoia. Watching these characters interact is like watching a dance. They are together, they move apart, they find their way back together, they move apart. All very intricate all very real. Beautiful, powerful performances pull this film together to an unsettling conclusion. Very fitting.

Becoming Chaz

Chastity Bono had always felt out of place in her body. She made the decision to change genders, and took on the name Chaz Bono. In the documentary, Becoming Chaz, we see Chaz when he is a few months into his hormone therapy. There are honest statements about identity, sexual orientation and life lessons. I find Chaz Bono to be very articulate, honest and caring. Opening his transgender status to the public is so brave. His journey is explained well, with humor and dignity. An interesting film about an interesting guy.

Hugo

I have been boycotting 3D films for a while now. 2D serves most films very well. When I heard that Martin Scorsese was going to get behind a 3D camera I gave in. Hugo was worth the expense and annoyance of 3D glasses for the visual spectacle. Truly gorgeous. The technology was put to good use. The story was fine, the first hour dragged a bit for me. All performances were very good and Scorsese makes his signature appearance. This film is a wonderful homage to films, film making and dreams. Well done.

The Descendants

Family dramas come and go, but a film like The Descendants combines a strong screenplay, honest performances and an exotic setting to tug at our emotions and tell a compelling story. The emotions are laid out for all to feel. Throughout the film, I kept thinking, "there are even problems in paradise." I liked this one.

My Week with Marilyn

In My Week with Marilyn, the story of one week on a film shoot with Marilyn Monroe gives a bit of insight to Monroe's vulnerability and allure. Michelle Williams is luminescent in the roll, and disappears into the character. A mesmerizing performance.

Like Crazy

Falling in love, bad decisions, consequences, moving on, struggle and adult decisions are all a part of the realistic story told in the film Like Crazy. A quiet examination of long distance love that is bolstered by outstanding performances and an ending that will make you think. I liked this one.

The Muppets

For me, watching The Muppets with my daughter and grandson was pure joy. Three generations grinning in the dark, singing along and tapping our toes. This movie is a nostalgia bath, with a nice update for the characters, snappy musical numbers and and evil force for the Muppets to triumph over. I will admit to tearing up when they play The Rainbow Connection, one of the best versions ever. Another movie that will find it's way into my DVD collection some day. Well done!

Bellflower

Bellflower starts as a romance. When things go wrong there's a lot of flame, blood and pain. The movie goes dark quickly. Themes of friendship, loyalty, love and betrayal run through this story. The cinematography is gorgeous and the chase scenes are breathtaking. I'd like to see this film again.

Margin Call

In an unnamed company, at an ambiguous time, Margin Call tells the story of the key players in a financial collapse on Wall Street. I don't understand the world of traders, but in this film we are made to understand that there are risks, and the outcome is not always good for everyone. The performances in this film are outstanding.

Martha Marcy May Marlene

The film Martha Marcy May Marlene is the story of a young woman struggling with mental illness. The strength of this film is that it portrays her conditions just as confusing and hard to understand as they are in real life. The performances and structure of the film put the viewer close to those feelings of frustration and confusion very effectively. There is a lot to think about with this film. I liked it a lot.

Being Elmo : A Puppeteer's Journey

In the 60s I was introduced to the Muppets through Sesame Street. In the 70s the Muppets came to prime time TV. In the 80s my kids fell in love with the Muppets and carried me along. In the 90s Elmo became a sensation. Now, my grandsons are fans of the Muppets and especially Elmo. The appeal has spanned decades. The documentary Being Elmo:A Puppeteer's Journey is the story of Kevin Clash, and his dream to be a puppeteer in that Henson world. And boy did he! The behind the scenes on Sesame Street and the history of Clash's work is as interesting as Elmo's rise to stardom. The day after I saw this at IFC in NYC, My daughter and I ran into Clash and Elmo at BAM in Brooklyn. Very cool to see them after seeing the film. Well worth seeing.

Attack the Block

Alien attack on a teen gang in a housing block in London? This is a movie? You bet, and it's a good one! Attack the Block is beautifully shot, the chase scenes are amazing and the aliens are threatening and awesome. I thought I was burnt out on alien invasion stories, but this is a good one. This was one of the best films of the year for me.