50/50 - starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick. Excellent performances from the entire cast, including Bryce Dallas Howard and Anjelica Huston. A film both amusing and endearing while still able to tackle a serious subject matter like cancer as delicately as it deserves.
Attack the Block - written and directed by Joe Cornish. Filled with enjoyable pop culture references and endearing characters, Attack the Block is an impressive debut for Joe Cornish and a cast of talented newcomers. Check out the awesome soundtrack too.
Martha Marcy May Marlene - directed by Sean Durkin. Starring Elizabeth Olsen, Sarah Paulson and John Hawkes. Mesmerizing and melancholic, this film is a haunting portrait of a young woman trying to fit into the real world after spending a year immersed in a cult. The film’s atmosphere of paralyzing paranoia stays with you well after the credits have rolled. An impressive debut from Elizabeth Olsen.
Bridesmaids - directed by Paul Feig. Starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Rose Byrne. This was an endlessly entertaining comedy with heart and an uproarious cast. Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph had amazing chemistry undoubtedly derived from years working together on Saturday Night Live! and kudos to Melissa McCarthy for delivering one of the most unexpected performances of the year.
Insidious - directed by James Wan. This film schools us on what it means to have a bloody good sound effects and score team. Creepy, engaging and with excellent performances from Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson, James Wan’s little film sure snuck in from behind and left a big impression.
13 Assassins - directed by Takashi Miike. Starring Kôji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada and Yûsuke Iseya. The glory and grandeur of the samurai is in full display in this epic film that features some excellent acting and well-choreographed fight scenes. If you liked The Last Samurai, Kung Fu Hustle or Oldboy, you’ll love this film.
Submarine - written and directed by Richard Ayoade. Starring Craig Roberts, Sally Hawkins and Noah Taylor. A beautifully shot, quirky and endearing comedy, the film follows teenager Oliver Tate as he goes through the motions of pubescent life. Oliver is a bit of a combination of much-loved characters throughout film - a mishmash of Scott Pilgrim, Ferris Bueller and Rushmore’s Max Fischer. He’s ballsy and calculated when he needs to be, but when caught off guard, still totally awkward. One of the things he likes to do is a “routine search” of his parents’ bedroom, where he collects bits and pieces of information about the couple as if he were investigating complete strangers.
The film unfolds with a refreshing exuberance and snappiness, despite its muted tones and colors. As a fan of Arctic Monkeys, I really enjoyed frontman Alex Turner’s songs for the soundtrack. They definitely added to the brooding feel and tone of the film. I really enjoyed Oliver’s narrated musings, which for some reason reminded me of Beginners. If you liked Everything is Illuminated or Rushmore, you’ll enjoy Submarine.
Warrior - co-written and directed by Gavin O’Connor. Starring Joel Edgerton, Nick Nolte and Tom Hardy. My favorite film of 2011, Warrior is first and foremost a story about family. Paddy Conlon (Nolte) is a recovering alcoholic with two estranged sons: Brendan (Edgerton), a high school Physics teacher struggling to make ends meet for his wife and two daughters, and Tommy (Hardy), who joined the marines shortly after his mother died.
Although the poster emphasizes the fighting aspect of the film, at the end of the day this is a story about redemption. Paddy is trying to make up for being a drunk and a horrible father to both Tommy and Brendan. Brendan is struggling to overcome his resentment for his father and the abandonment he felt after Tommy and his mother left. Tommy is haunted by the past, which includes deserting his marine unit and having to bury his mother by himself. The mixed martial arts (MMA) tournament serves as a place for this family to face all their demons together and lay all their cards on the table.
The performances in this film were absolutely breathtaking. Edgerton and Hardy are two phenomenally underrated actors who hold their own against the impressive Nolte, who absolutely blew me away in this film. There’s an authenticity to this film, whether it be when dealing with the family issues or with regards to MMA, that isn’t trite or maudlin. As someone who hasn’t been exposed to a lot of MMA at all, I even found myself enthralled by the fight sequences. What I loved most about the film is that it doesn’t ask you to choose sides or force you to empathize with one of the brothers. Both men are equally sympathetic with moving back stories. The film does a remarkable job in getting viewers to root for both brothers, even though there is some rivalry there.
I have seen so many comparisons to The Fighter, which is understandable considering the story is about two brothers who are vying to win the same mixed martial arts tournament but for entirely different reasons. However, Warrior has much more of an emotional vise grip than The Fighter had, with much more compelling characters and performances. The film also does an excellent job balancing drama with the adrenaline rush of MMA. It’s a moving film that captures your interest and attention from the title sequence to the end credits. With such strong, academy award-worthy performances, I’m surprised this film isn’t nominated for more accolades. Definitely go see this movie if you haven’t yet.
