The Best Movies of 2011: #60 – #41
34 down, 60 to go. And in case you missed it:
Day 1: #94 – #81
Day 2: #80 – 61
Onward!
60. Meek’s Cutoff
Weak ending, but can’t help but dig a movie that’s the essentially the real-life version of The Oregon Trail.
59. The Book of Eli
Surprisingly effective post-apocalypse ditty from two guys who haven’t done jack since Menace II Society.
58. Hanna
Lost steam after a while, but big points for getting The Chemical Brothers involved and for Joe Wright doing something totally out of his comfort zone.
57. Source Code
More good stuff from Zowie Bowie. Way better than its cow pie of a trailer.
56. Super 8
Wonky ending saved by a great cast of youngsters and a crap ton of nostalgic fun.
55. Shame
A round of applause for being the ballsiest movie in town and for Fassbender rocking the shit out of it, would have liked more of a connection to match, though.
54. The Ides of March
Really smart, really sharp, and a (unfortunately) dead-on critique. Just a little too much yelling for my taste.
53. The Skin I Live In
Some seriously crazy shit, even if it did take a bit to get going.
52. Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon
Outrageously comprehensive, unusually revealing look at a band I really used to dig and are easily written off as something their not.
51. Melancholia
Loved soaking it all in and it’s further proof that no one makes movies like Lars von Trier, just wish I’d connected more with Dunst’s character and hadn’t felt like offing myself when it was all over.
50. Hobo with a Shotgun
Totally off-putting and definitely not for everyone, but what a total madhouse of a movie. Boy, do I miss me some Rutger Hauer.
49. The Change-Up
Crude as all hell, totally unoriginal, and it seems like everyone hated it but my friends and I. We laughed our asses off, so I’m sticking by it.
48. Rango
Unreal character designs and art direction, a lot more fun than I was expecting, and how about that cameo from Timothy Olyphant!
47. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
James Franco as a genetic scientist? Whatever. Eat your heart out, Tim Burton.
46. If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Incredibly thought-provoking look at the blurry line between right and wrong when the world’s at stake. Not sure why this got nominated over so many other killer docs though.
45. Fright Night
The last thing this world needs is another remake, but that’s how you do it right.
44. Pearl Jam Twenty
Seriously in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at an awesome band that hates the spotlight.
43. Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop
Should have come out a year earlier, but that Coco’s as funny as he is classy.
42. Margin Call
Hell of a cast and mighty pertinent. Still no Inside Job or Too Big To Fail though.
41. Hugo
Totally unexpected and totally delightful love letter to the past using technologies of the present.
Alright! We’re officially halfway done and getting into good the stuff, so check back tomorrow for the next 20, y’all!
Cut The Crap Movie Reviews 
Some of these movies were on my Top 10, I’m really intrigued to see what you deemed worthy of Top 10
Lol. Any day now.
CHANGE UP and FRIGHT NIGHT? Seriously? Oh, Aiden!
Hahahaha. The Change-Up is definitely my black sheep for the year. What can I say, genuinely found it hilarious. And while it could have toned down the swearing and vulgarity and whatnot, Fright Night might be the best horror remake since The Ring. It’s my list, dammit! 🙂
NOT IT’S NOT YOUR LIST!!! 🙂 I don’t mind swearing and vulgarity at all — it’s just that it was lame swearing and lame vulgarity.
Yeah, I’ll give you that. It was pretty hit-or-miss for me, too. Still, it was an upgrade over the original.
I’m a little surprised with your list. Hugo is way better than 41. I’m predicting it wins best picture. Also, Book of Eli came out in 2010. Pretty good list though.
Thanks for the heads up on Eli and I think most would agree with you on Hugo. But The Artist had that one the bag, yo.
Yeah, I need to go see The Artist. Sounds like it deserved it.
Book of Eli was released in 2010.
My B, yo.
Hugo = BEST movie I’ve EVER seen. Sobbed the entire way through it. It was just beautiful.
Haha. Glad you liked it so much, it was a good one alright.
Margin call was a surprisingly good movie too. Glad its on your list.
Agreed. Surprised it got an Oscar nod for its screenplay, too. Good stuff though.
It looks like it has already been mentioned, but I thought the Book of Eli was released in 2010? I suppose it doesn’t matter — that movie was terrible, and an utter waste of its talented cast.
Shame, The Ides of March, and Hugo all made my top ten of the year. Ouch.
Digging the list, though, dude.
Hahaha. Yeah, apparently that did come out in good old 2010. If I had the energy to re-number the list, I’d take it out, but alas, it’s somehow staying.
And can’t knock you for having those three in the Top 10, fine movies right there, especially Hugo.
And thanks! Dig the comment!