Waitsel’s Best Movies of 2011
GRAB YOUR POPCORN AND LET'S TALK
This year was probably the best year for movies that I can remember. Let me say that again: the best year for movies that I can remember - and I can remember a long ways back. This year we saw what is, in my opinion, the best silent film ever made, as well as one of the best films ever made, period: The Artist. We had two delightfully impressive surprises from top-notch directors working in genres that aren't their norm: Steven Spielberg's War Horse and Martin Scorsese's Hugo. We saw one of Woody Allen's most interesting, imaginative, least offensive and even charming films: Midnight In Paris. We saw the film adaptation of a book about the color line of the 1960s that is actually funny: The Help. And we saw another film adaptation of a book by Michael Lewis, author of The Blindside: Moneyball. We saw the best Mission: Impossible film ever, not to mention what is probably one of the best action films of all time: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. And we saw two more super hero movies to add to the growing list of very well-made films in that genre: Captain America and Thor. We saw two Spielberg films reminiscent of his hey-day: Super 8 and The Adventures Of Tintin. If all that were not enough, we also got one of the best Christian films to date: Soul Surfer. And if you can believe this, most of these wonderful films are up for Academy Awards! So all I can say is, "Wow!"
What's the thread through all of these films? I'd say it is nostalgia, plus fantastic production values. Being a history buff, I love the love of history displayed in The Artist, War Horse, Hugo, Midnight In Paris and The Help. I also love the attention to detail and beautiful production displayed in these films, as well as Captain America and Thor. But over and above all that, I love the good story-telling that all these movies embody, as well as the award-winning performances of Jean Dujardin in The Artist, Viola Davis and Jessica Chastain in The Help, Jeremy Irvine in War Horse, and others. Yes, this has been a year to remember: and I'm just giving you the creme de la creme. There were also some very good "little" films made, like Win/Win, to name one. So, without further adieu, roll the film.
Best Dramatic Comedy - The Artist
5-Star Masterpiece - Romantic Comedy-Drama - starring Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo and John Goodman; written and directed by Michel Hazanavicius - Weinstein Company
Rarely do I see a movie that I would call "perfect"… but this one is. It has everything: a wonderfully touching story, great performances, beautiful cinematography and score. The one thing it lacks is sound. That's right - it's a silent film. Because it is about a silent movie star, the producers decided to make the film itself silent. When I first heard about it, I doubted that a silent film would work today, let alone get to me - but it did. It is the most delightful film I've seen in a long, long time. The details of late 1920s Hollywood, when sound movies were making their debut, are perfect: no film has ever been successful at capturing that period, in my opinion - until now.
With great charisma and charm, French actor Jean Dujardin portrays silent film star George Valentin (loosely based on Douglas Fairbanks), the hottest idol in Hollywood, and someone who really enjoys the spotlight. Then he meets Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), a young woman who wants to break into film herself. George is taken with her and decides to give her a break; in the process, they fall in love. Then sound enters the picture, and movies go from silent to talkies almost overnight. As George, who is unequipped for this change, watches his star fall, Peppy's rises meteorically. It's a classic love story set against the most turbulent years of Hollywood.
The filmmakers masterfully use the medium of silent film to tell their story in a very poignant and very clever way that I predict will take the Oscars this year by storm. (Dujardin has already won Best Actor at Cannes and the Golden Globes for his performance, and the film itself has won Best Comedy and Best Score at the Golden Globes.) There are many nods to Hollywood icons, including Singing In The Rain (which deals with the same time period), A Star Is Born (which, like The Artist, deals with the rise of a young actress and the fall of an older actor), Asta (the scene-stealing dog from The Thin Man series), etc. John Goodman is wonderfully cast against type as producer Al Zimmer. For those who love good movies, this one will steal your heart.
Rated PG-13
For resources for this movie, go to my web page, "Best Movies of 2011."
My Favorite “Little” Movies
Independent, low-budget, big-hearted, well-written, well-acted, intimate little films that will bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye.
Twice a year, in the summer and at Christmas time, Hollywood rolls out their big blockbuster movies, full of special effects, including 3D. But you know, I rarely go back to those films. The movies I keep coming back to are what I would call "little films": movies that are full of intimacy, a good story and memorable characters. Those are the films that last, and, if it's possible, change lives.
Here are some of my favorite "little" movies. For the most part they're independent, low-budget films; yet, they're all well-written, well-acted and full of heart. They're the kind of movie that puts a smile on your face and a tear in your eye. I hope you enjoy them. Happy New Year!
The Artist (2011)
5-Star Masterpiece - Romantic Comedy-Drama - starring Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo and John Goodman; written and directed by Michel Hazanavicius - Weinstein Company
Rarely do I see a movie that I would call "perfect"… but this one is. It has everything: a wonderfully touching story, great performances, beautiful cinematography and score. The one thing it lacks is sound. That's right - it's a silent film. Because it is about a silent movie star, the producers decided to make the film itself silent. When I first heard about it, I doubted that a silent film would work today, let alone get to me - but it did. It is the most delightful film I've seen in a long, long time. The details of late 1920s Hollywood, when sound movies were making their debut, are perfect: no film has ever been successful at capturing that period, in my opinion - until now.
With great charisma and charm, French actor Jean Dujardin portrays silent film star George Valentin (loosely based on Douglas Fairbanks), the hottest idol in Hollywood, and someone who really enjoys the spotlight. Then he meets Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), a young woman who wants to break into film herself. George is taken with her and decides to give her a break; in the process, they fall in love. Then sound enters the picture, and movies go from silent to talkies almost overnight. As George, who is unequipped for this change, watches his star fall, Peppy's rises meteorically. It's a classic love story set against the most turbulent years of Hollywood.
The filmmakers masterfully use the medium of silent film to tell their story in a very poignant and very clever way that I predict will take the Oscars this year by storm. (Dujardin has already won Best Actor at Cannes and the Golden Globes for his performance, and the film itself has won Best Comedy and Best Score at the Golden Globes.) There are many nods to Hollywood icons, including Singing In The Rain (which deals with the same time period), A Star Is Born (which, like The Artist, deals with the rise of a young actress and the fall of an older actor), Asta (the scene-stealing dog from The Thin Man series), etc. John Goodman is wonderfully cast against type as producer Al Zimmer. For those who love good movies, this one will steal your heart.
Rated PG-13