Just In Time for the Oscars…

I would hope that those nominate and vote for the Oscars have seen all of the movies that in the running.  I have my doubts.  I saw over 100 movies last year, and there are some in the best movie pool that I haven’t even seen.  Though I haven’t seen Midnight in Paris and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, I still have enough sense to know that there is no way that War Horse should have gotten a nomination. 

First off, I saw War Horse.  Those who know me know that I constantly comment on how awful it was.   I will admit, it was an ok movie.   I was entertained by parts of the movie, but felt that it dragged on in others.  It did strive and fail to be an epic film like Gone with the Wind.  The horse should be nominated for best actor, I could support that.  The movie became awful when it started to get nominated for awards.

Now, I do feel that 2011 was not a strong movie year.  This was sadly across all categories.  There were a few movies that I felt that did shine.  The Help and The Artist were on the top of the best movies list in my opinion.  The Help took me through a full range of emotions and told an amazing story, like a movie should.  For The Artist, I realized I was seeing a silent, black and white movie about 2 minutes before it started, and thought to my self, “Oh shit.”  It not only kept my attention, but the story interacted with the chosen medium of silent, black and white film.  Well done.  

So which movies do I think were the best of 2011?

Overall: 

The Help

The Artist

Moneyball

50/50

The Flowers of War

And the Oscar goes to… The Flowers of War.  Most of you probably never heard of this movie.  Go see it, and bring a box of tissues, it’s about Japan’s invasion of Nanking in 1937.  The movie is in three languages (one of which is English) and Christian Bale Does an amazing job.  The director, Yimou Zhang, is a true artist and this movie is just amazing.

Action:

Limitless

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II

Warrior

Drive (I didn’t see this, but if I don’t mention it one of my friends will kill me)

Machine Gun Preacher

This was one of the more disappointing categories for this past year.   This was the category that brought us Thor and Cowboys and Aliens, enough said.  (Avengers better step it up, Captain America was ok, but could have been better).

Comedy:

Bridesmaids

A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas  (If you are thinking, what? Then you haven’t seen this movie.  It was surprisingly funny, and did 3D as it should be done).

I don’t do Horror, so you will have to create your own best list.

In conclusion, there were many War Horses this past year.  On the bright side, Billy Crystal is hosting the Oscars, so at least that should be a great show.