What I'm watching

Best of 2011 watched in 2012 (excluding rewatched films)

Like a lot of film review blogs and sites do around this time of year, last year I created a top ten films from 2011 list. What I discovered from doing this though was that I don’t actually watch that many films released in a given year but wait for them to come to Sky the next year. Bearing that in mind I decided to create the top 10 films from 2011 watched in 2012 list.

1, The Descendants - There is nothing wholly remarkable about this film but the performances in it are what make it my number 1. Clooney and co just nailed it perfectly and I’d be surprised if he ever manages to top this film.

2, Warrior - The unsung great of 2011, this movie takes you on an emotional journey and makes you want to patch up any relationships you’ve let fall apart.

3, The Artist - Well deserving of the best picture win, this movie is beautifully made and a wonderful watch.

4, The Help - Four strong female performaces and an interesting story keep this from feeling too overly cliche.

5, Crazy, Stupid, Love. - This one caught me off guard but is a charming comedy dealing with the various issues and tribulations of love.

6, Drive - A polarising film to say the least but I liked it enough to merit a spot on the list. Not a lot of rewatchability but an interesting film no doubt.

7, Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol - Much like Fast Five last year, I could not have predicted my enjoyment of this film, given I’d written off the franchise, but this was just an entertaining watch all round and easily the one I’ve rewatched the most since its release.

8, Real Steel - I honestly don’t know why I liked this movie so much other than it’s a familiar tale with a twist and has two really well done performances in a relationship you completely accept as genuine.

9, The Muppets - I’ve got a soft spot for these lovable bundles of felt anyway but this film was a wonderful love letter to the show and great fun to boot.

10, Hugo - While kitschy in places, Hugo is visually stunning and an interesting look into a topic which could have been remarkably dry if handled incorrectly.

Best and worst watched in 2012 lists and a best of 2012 released in 2012 list are also forthcoming.

#290/#7 The Help

In 1960’s Jackson, Mississippi life was not good for the black community, in which being subservient to the white community as the help was their only way of living. Wanting to help get their voice out there for the rest of America to hear, recent literature graduate Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone) begins writing a book on the testimonials of those maids. Primarily focusing on Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis), a maid who has raised dozens of white babies only to see them become just like their parents, and Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer), a maid who’s outspokenness often gets her into trouble, and their interactions with the highly bigoted Queen Bee of Jackson Hilly Holbrook (Bryce Dallas Howard) and the locally shunned, newly married Celia Foote (Jessica Chastain). 

This film has some absolutely amazing performances in it. The four main actors of Stone, Davis, Spence and Howard all just knock it out of the park with their performances. Stone is kind of the every woman; acting as the conduit for the viewer but still managing to have her own personality and interesting storyline. Davis plays meek really well but also brings home the emotional powerhouse moments when she needs to. Spencer is a bit of a stereotype as the sassy black woman but she does it so well, with a really interesting character arc and on screen friendship with the Jessica Chastain character, that it doesn’t feel overly stereotypical. Lastly, Howard is one of the bitchiest characters I’ve ever seen in a movie. You hate her so much in this and it’s just done so perfectly. I said her role in 50/50 was the best I’ve ever seen her but I stand corrected. 2011 was a good year for her playing a bitch. 

Add to these performances a good story with some heart, some laughs and some good drama, as well as being well shot and edited, and you’ve got an overall great picture. The only things I would say against it are that it doesn’t deal with the racism from a black male’s perspective at all and that there is a pointless sub plot with Skeeter’s boyfriend which wasn’t needed. Not big things just lost potential and unneeded padding on an already 2 hour long film. Other than that a really well crafted film 4.5/5