As a man without a family for a few more weeks, I am reacquainting myself with the novel concept of free time. In addition to several personal- and home-improvement projects, I am trying to watching as many of the quality films released in 2011 as I can. After reading so many Top 10 Movies of 2011 lists I think it would be a fun project to make one of my own.
Anyway, here’s what I’ve seen over the past two weeks or so:
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo: This should have been a 13-part mini-series, not a movie. Way too much plot for even the two-and-a-half hour running time. And I was not buying the romance bits. Still, Rooney Mara was great as Lisbeth and David Fincher movies are always great to look at, if nothing else. Grade: B-
Beginners: Probably the most touching movie I’ve ever seen that features a talking dog. The half of the movie about a man coming out in his late 70s was hilarious and heartbreaking. The bits about his son and his manic pixie dream girl was way too precious. Still, solid movie overall. Grade: B+
Horrible Bosses: Ridiculous plot, even for an absurd comedy. But there are a lot of jokes, and thankfully most of them worked. Grade: B
Crazy Stupid Love: A romantic comedy that manages to be both sweet and funny. And provides further proof that Ryan Gosling can do no wrong. Unfortunately, the nonsensical subplot with the babysitter and love-struck son is creepy and yet still uninteresting. If not for that, this could have been one of the best films of the year. Grade: B+
Another Earth: For a film with a budget of about $10, this wasn’t bad. It’s a ponderous film that doesn’t engage the audience too much, but still resonates. Grade: B-
Margin Call: Good dramatization of the beginning of the fall of Lehman Brothers. Answers some questions, but raises plenty of others. The casting of Penn Badgley and Demi Moore are distracting, but everyone else is in top form. Grade: B+
Bad Teacher: Does not compare well with the much superior Bridesmaids and Horrible Bosses. The plot is just as ridiculous as those two, but not nearly as funny. The waste of uber-talented Justin Timberlake is especially galling: Grade: C-
Warrior: This film has no right to be so good. It’s contrived and glorifies a sport that seems designed to maximize concussions. Still, strong performances from Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy, along with some innovate directing, elevate the material. I can’t believe I would champion an MMA film, but if you aren’t moved by this movie you have no soul. Grade: B+
I have a lot of movies to catch up with you… I did see Another Earth and I agree – good movie. Amazing scene with a guy playing a saw – how many movies have that?! This is the music from this scene on the composer’s website http://www.scottmunsonmusic.com/news/music-in-film-another-earth-soundtrack