In Mezzo Culture's Choice of Lists, we mean not specifically the best of lists or our favorites of list. It is much more a hybrid of both, we combine those we generally loved and those of which we marveled at it's quality. We do this for all our lists, comment below with your own.
In a year with the most sequels in the history of film (28 for those who are counting), I look back and realize what I think many do: this is a bad year for film as an art. There were some great movies, though nearly all of those were either not wide released or made nothing at the box office. Many of the films we were so very excited to see left us in staggering disappointment. Well, anyway, here is my top 10 of the year, along with some other special nods.
10. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy:
Any detractors of this movie I can understand, but just cannot agree. Many say that the film moves dramatically slow at points and doesn’t quite excite the mind like the source novel did. I’m not sure if I was more involved in a pure plot this year quite like I was the one for Tomas Alfredson’s follow up to Let the Right One In. I was one of the (probably) few who did not like his philosophical vampire film, and feel that this one is far superior. The real heart of the film here is definitely its cast, of which has some of the best actors working today. To name a few standouts, Gary Oldman is revelatory, Benedict Cumberbatch is touching, Mark Strong proves more than a familiar face, and Tom Hardy gives maybe the best monologue of the year.
9. Martha Marcy May Marlene:
With a magnetic performance by Elizabeth Olsen, this film about a young woman’s involvement with a cult and her post-life is as gripping as any film people have haphazardly labeled as “gripping” before. First time writer/director Sean Durkin crafts an artistic feat and does an absolutely amazing job making this story relatable and haunting. This is a film that everyone should see, but no one will enjoy seeing.
8. 50/50:
The fact that this film features Seth Rogen prominently and was a true delight speaks for itself. I respect immensely the entire body of work by Joseph Gordon Levitt, and Will Reiser’s semi-autobiographical tale is a fine addition to his collection. I don’t think that I was moved more by any film this year, feeling all the emotions I could fathomably think to feel in the final scene between Levitt and his mother, played by Angela Bassett.
7. Hugo:
Anytime Martin Scorsese releases a film, the collective film community's anticipation is naturally high. This time it was even higher, due to the against-type form Scorsese underwent in Hugo, which is a children's film in the way that every kid's film should be. The film is magical, educated, and a technical marvel. Scorsese directs his best work since The Departed, perhaps even better. Ben Kingsley is also a marvelous standout as George Meleis. One of the finest performances comes from Sasha Baron Cohen as the hilariously eccentric station officer.
6. Attack the Block:
Since this film was being billed as the guys that brought us Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, it had a lot to live up to. Well, it did. This film is equal parts B-movie, can’t miss plot, and social drama. Joe Cornish directs the film as though he has been doing this for decades, rarely missing a beat when it’s time. The characters here are so likeable, that even after they mug a beautiful young woman at the beginning, you still end up rooting for them at the end. Probably because they’re facing head smashing, shadow living aliens. Anyway, if you haven’t seen this, allow it. It’s like the Goonies, but if they were gangbangers and aliens invaded.
5. Warrior:
The most surprising film of the year hands down. What I (and probably the majority of people) thought it was a predictable sports movie where two brothers fight at the end of a major tournament. Ok, so that is what happens, but it’s getting to that point that makes this film. The best ensemble cast of the year, Nick Nolte is deserving of all praise as the father to his prodigal sons Tommy and Brendan, played by the fantastic Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton. The acting in this film is so great, it raises it above its usual tropes it would have otherwise. I remember after last years The Fighter I didn’t think I would see a fighting movie for a long time that could come close to it. I was wrong.
4. Drive:
One of the best films of the year took a while to get to that point in my head. The first time I saw Nicholas Winding-Refn’s visceral B movie in an A movie Suit, it hit me very hard. Notably, the head smashing elevator took a toll on me, much like the entirety of Irreversible did the first time I saw it. I hated that film though, and I love this one. Gratuitous violence is something I’ve never cared for, though I still can’t decide if this one is gratuitous or not. Gosling gives his (second) best performance of the year as the Driver. He is a superhero in the real world, damaged and damaging, navigating a world where no morality exists except the rules of the road behind the wheel.
3. Midnight in Paris:
This film was a revelation for two reasons. One, it’s just a flat out great film. Two, it’s the first Woody Allen film I have ever seen. I know, I know, he’s a legendary filmmaker, but he’s just always escaped me. If this film is one of his usual efforts, then I’ve been missing a lot. Owen Wilson plays a character that, in a way, leads the audience along to feel smarter than they are and to make sure they get the “point” of the film. He does it so well, however, that it relates a degree of fantasy to all of us watching the film. Literary and art references are abundant, but hey, what’s not to like?
2. The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn:
For years I have been saying motion capture animated films are beyond worthless, almost like 3D. I can’t say that I’m more excited to be proven wrong. As much as I love some of Robert Zemeckis’ work, it took a true master like Speilberg to bring it into full focus. The film is a master adaptation and a master adventure. It has been said many times now, but it’s true: this is the film that the fourth Indiana Jones film should have been. It is the best experience I had in a theater this year.
1. Moneyball:
Many have said that this is a film that is the antithesis of what baseball should be romanticized as, but I don’t see that in any way. In fact, Brad Pitt’s real life character Billy Beane says in the movie, “It’s hard not to be romantic about baseball.” This film, directed by a new master in Bennett Miller, is charming, eclectic, artful, and comedic as any other this year. Pitt and Jonah Hill give performances worthy (and receiving) of awards talk. The story is as much for this era as The Social Network was last year, an age where statistics and new way thinking don’t replace the romance of life, but offer a new perspective: as it is still the age old things like a father’s love for his daughter that keeps these character’s lives going. It’s hard not to be romantic about Moneyball.
Honorable Mentions:
Winnie the Pooh, War Horse, The Ides of March, and Like Crazy
(Cue The Al Pacino Monologue) Movie that Made Me The Angriest
Season of the Witch
Tommy Wisseau Award for "So Bad, It's Fun"
Battle: Los Angeles
"Heaven's Gate" Award for Biggest Disappointment
The Green Hornet
Micheal Bay Award for Brain Reducing Popcorn Garbage
Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1
Special Achievement Award
Ryan Gosling, star of Drive, Ides of March, and Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Good, But Overrated Movie of the Year
Captain America
The "Eh, Stella..." award for Male Actor
Joseph Gordon Levitt, 50/50
The Hepburn award for Female Actor
Elizabeth Olsen, Martha Marcy May Marlene
The Welles made film award for Best Director
Martin Scorsese, Hugo
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