never apologize for leaving long comments. I love that you engaged so seriously with my list. I have to apologize for not commenting on your list, but it flew under my radar. I’ve been in and out of the hospital a lot lately, so I just didn’t notice it. I promise to get back to it.

Per your specific observations, I mostly agree, but I’d be interested to hear you ‘kinda-sorta’ defend ‘Larry Crowne’. I soured on the movie almost immediately, when from the first extremely long, unfunny and predictable scene it wasted an opportunity to mix a little bit of melancholy into what could potentially have been a comedic drama about the economic collapse and the problems older workers have been faced with in its aftermath. And it attempts at ‘comedy’ was just so infuriatingly bad, from the scene where Hanks instructed Roberts on the GPS things to the recurring, to my mind slightly racist, Asian teacher character (I mean, that cell phone joke? Is it still 2001, or what?)

As for ‘Beginners’, I don’t think we disagree all that much. To the extent that something was missing for me, it was in the McGregor-Laurent storyline. The McGregor-Plummer storyline was very deftly handled, and for some reasons I cried at various times during the film. I guess it was the thought that somebody who has had to keep this kind of a secret for his whole life only got five years to be his complete self that really got to me. A friend of mine who died last year came out only two years before he died. Granted, he was much, much younger than Plummer’s character, but it still fills me with sadness to think that he only had this short time to be be himself, completely, especially considering how it obviously liberated him, just like it did with Plummer’s character in ‘Beginners’. Also, I was fascinated by how it inspired McGregor’s character to re-examine much of his upbringing, and what kind of a life his father had really led. Was he happy, etc?

Which reminds me that I should do a complementary post, to pour some praise over movies like ‘Weekend’, ‘Certified Copy’, ‘A Separation’, ‘Las Acacias’ and ‘The Trip’. And yes, ‘Drive’.

Initially, I kinda hated myself for falling for ‘Drive’. It felt a little hollow to me, more style than substance, but fuck, what style! The opening sequence of ‘Drive’ might just have been the best thing in cinema in 2011, and the more I’ve thought about it, the better I liked even the smaller roles of the movie. I mean, Albert Brooks could easily have been up for an Oscar for his menacing villain, and I also like the slightly pathetic Bryan Cranston character. That said, the explicit violence in the film turned me off more than I expected it to. It seemed speculative at times, like it reveled in the visually stunning ways in which it could get away with its violent imagery (from the famous elevator scene to the shootout to the Cranston-Brooks showdown, I was repelled throughout).

But in total, this goes to confirm my broader point. The things I didn’t like about ‘Drive’ has made it stay with me. I’m still struggling with delivering a final verdict on the film. But yeah, it did make my top 15 or so, I guess I was mostly positive.

By the way, you can find my complete 2011 list here:

http://mubi.com/lists/2011-ranked–14

I’m glad “Never Let Me Go” made it on your list. I was moved by it and I didn’t expect to. Everyone tried to keep the plot and the “twist” under wraps but when I saw it, I didn’t think the tip-toeing was necessary. I liked that it wasn’t really about what their were or what their function was but how they dealt with being what they were. There was something about watching them not really having a choice that gave me a visceral reaction.

If I were to hand the Best Picture Oscar right now, it would be to “The Tree of Life” (it’s #5 on my Top 10 list). Unlike you, I think Malick helms great pictures with a good balance of intelligence and heart without compromising the storyline for the sake of plot conveniences and commercial success. (Although I didn’t care much for “Days of Heaven.”) It’s one of the very few movies I saw this year that not once did I look at my watch to check when it was going to be over. I didn’t want it to end; the same feeling, and you were spot-on about mentioning it, I had with Kubrick’s “2001.” If I were to nominate Brad Pitt this year, it would be for this movie. I haven’t seen “Moneyball,” but I have a feeling he was nominated for that because he had more speaking parts. =X

I loved “Another Year” for the same reason you did: Sheen and Broadbent’s characters felt like real people. There were times when Sheen’s character scared me. Wouldn’t want to mess with her. I also liked that each season reflected a specific mood.

“Beginners” was a movie I enjoyed quite a lot but there was something about it that felt was missing. I didn’t find it too cute as you did. Maybe I felt it needed to be longer so soften up its rough edges. It irks me that I can’t put my finger on it. Plummer and McGregor’s relationship was brilliantly told, sensitive, yet there was an underlying tension due to the generational gap (and, of course, the “G” word). I should watch this again.

“Blue Valentine” is another great pick; I think all couples owe it to themselves to see it. Despite the forward jump in time, I didn’t find it awkward. On the contrary, I thought it was as seamless as the time jumps in “Martha Marcy May Marlene” (brilliantly edited). I’m curious if you’ve seen that movie?

“Winter’s Bone” dealt with poverty a direct way without losing respect for its subjects. I felt the desperation of the characters and I found myself wanting to help them even though I knew nothing about their lifestyle. Like yourself, I was very moved when Ree tried to sign up for the military for money. That scene reminded me of some of my high school friends who were eventually stationed in the Middle East. I think a lot of young people sign up, even though they don’t necessarily want to, because it’s a chance for a future. It’s sad because they sign up not because they’re poor but their parents, most of them successful, just won’t help them to pay for college. When I asked some of them why not, they say that their parents consider it a lesson for them: the value of money, independence, etc. It made me think a lot and it made me feel lucky. I don’t think I can do the same to my child if I know I have the resources.

I thought “Catfish” was fun to watch because it dared to go in many directions. That scene when they snuck into a farm in the middle of the night still gives me the creeps… I would’ve stayed in the car. With the doors locked. Possibly with a weapon in hand… And keys already in the ignition. I’ve seen too many scary movies.

I haven’t seen “Senna.” It’s not even on my Netflix queue. Racing = Yawn. But since everyone’s raving about it, maybe I’ll give it a chance?

OK, I only pretended to read “The Scarlet Letter” in high school, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying “Easy A.” Like most good teen comedies, it was funny, witty, and exhibited a certain honesty about what it’s like to be a high school student. The movie, however, did not convince me otherwise that Penn Badgley is a wooden actor. I believe he took off his shirt at one point and I just rolled my eyes. I begged him to put it back on. Gag.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II” was very enthralling and exciting but you’re right–it’s not the best of the bunch. (For me, that award goes to “Half-Blood Prince.”) Unlike you, I’ve always thought Radcliffe held his own as The Boy Who Lived. It was his haircuts that I occasionally had problems with. Like in the fourth movie, I couldn’t look at him. I know that sounds shallow but it’s the ugly (haircut) truth.

If there’s one 2011 movie that I want you to see that isn’t on my Top 10 of 2011, it would be “Drive” starring Ryan Gosling. I had my doubts because audiences are split on it but, man, it just surprised and inspired me every step of the way.

Sorry if this was too long, but I just love your movie posts, especially your end-of-the-year lists. :)

thank you for your words of support and encouragement. I’m saddened to hear that you lost a friend.

I’m glad you kept returning to the site even though I hadn’t written anything in a long time. Hopefully, I’ll be able to post more regularly in the new year. First up is a roundup of 2011 in movies. I’m looking forward to your list too, of course.

I’m so sorry for your loss. In some ways, I can relate because I lost a friend, too, in the past year. Though that loss will always be there, you’re right, it’s almost our responsibility to honor them. I know it’s different for everyone so I can only imagine what you must be going through.

As always, I look forward to reading your future posts.

Needless to say, I was highly amazed when I learned about their gutsy split with Island Def Jam and realized how incredibly staunch they are about their music. And as if this isn’t enough to impress a returning fan, I learned about their activism through the barefoot walks and their trip to Africa.

Now, I don’t mean to be cheesy (though I probably already am anyway) but I’ve also come to appreciate how genuinely nice all of them are. From what I see in photos and videos of them with their wives and children, they seem to be living with a lot of love and everyone just looks healthy and happy. A lot of people also say that they are honest and funny during interviews and are friendly towards their fans — be it during performances or when they’re spotted on the road.

Previously, I would most likely squeal or faint if I come face-to-face with Hanson. However, after learning about their wonderful endeavors, I’d very much want to just shake their hand instead and tell them what amazing people they are.

My Top 20 Hanson Songs:
1. Underneath
2. Been There Before
3. Georgia
4. Watch Over Me
5. Give a Little
6. Great Divide
7. A Song to Sing
8. One More
9. Wasting Time
10. My Own Sweet Time
11. World’s On Fire
12. With You in Your Dreams
13. Need You Now
14. Penny & Me
15. Thinking ‘Bout Something
16. Musical Ride
17. Yearbook (still can’t believe they were mature enough to do this in 1997)
18. I Will Come to You (more because of the melody, less because of the lyrics except the title itself)
19. If Only
20. Waiting for This | The Walk

I absolutely see your point about how these pictures make him look younger. I was thinking about that myself. What kind of turns me off about them, though, is the somewhat “druggy” look. When the material you’re working with is this beautiful, I say you stick with what works,

I’d have loved to see Logan as Spidey , I could easily have seen him in the role , still I really like Andrew Garfield too , just in a different way . I’m so looking forward to Perks , very cool cast too .

I’ve been meaning to post the Hedi pictures , my take is that they appear to make logan look younger if that makes sense .

there’s no denying that Jensen Ackles is beautiful. However, so far he hasn’t appealed to me on a level that would qualify for an SMA showing. That said, I’m always open to outside influence, so just might have put him in contention.