Best of 2011

It’s that time of year again. Time to take stock of all the movies and television shows I watched this past year and list the best. The movies have a link to the original review since I didn’t feel like repeating myself, whereas the television shows have a little more writing. The films were hard to pick this year as I didn’t watch as many and was not too thrilled with the offerings as in previous years. The television shows were also hard to pick this year as there were too many good shows to choose from. In any case, here are the lists. Enjoy.

TOP TEN FILMS OF 2011

1.THE TREE OF LIFE
This may very well be the most beautifully shot film I have ever seen. The visuals are spellbinding. If this film doesn’t get a cinematography Oscar nomination, I’ll be dumbstruck.
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2011/07/film-tree-of-life.html

2.50/50
Seth Rogen is amazing. (It’s weird to write that.) He's wonderful in every scene he’s in. He does the perfect blend of comedy and concern.
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2011/10/film-5050.html

3.SUPER 8
Mix E.T. with Stand By Me with Close Encounters of the Third Kind with Cloverfield with Goonies with War of the Worlds and you’ll get a sense of what Super 8 is all about.
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2011/06/film-super-8.html

4.HORRIBLE BOSSES
Charlie Day + Bowl of cocaine = Hilarious. I had tears coming out of my eyes. His sifting is priceless.
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2011/08/film-horrible-bosses.html

5.MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL
Some fantastic action sequences in this mission. Compliments go to Brad Bird who before now has only done animation. The skyscraper scene is still suspenseful.
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2011/12/film-mission-impossible-ghost-protocol.html

6.SHERLOCK HOLMES: GAME OF SHADOWS
This film is just plain fun; there’s action, humour and an intriguing story. Robert Downey Jr is fantastic yet again and in more bizarre disguises this time.
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2011/12/film-sherlock-holmes-game-of-shadows.html

7.HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PT. II
A very fitting finale to the Harry Potter saga. This film is very well paced and is filled with both intense action and emotion. I didn’t shed a tear but still felt very connected to the characters.
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2011/07/film-harry-potter-and-deathly-hallows.html

8.THE DESCENDANTS
Clooney deserves the Oscar nomination and possibly the win for his fantastic performance. So much emotion, so vulnerable, so amazing.
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2011/12/film-descendants.html

9.THE MUPPETS
I could easily relate to Gary and Walter’s enthusiasm of meeting The Muppets. It was like getting together with an old friend.
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2011/12/film-muppets.html

10.CARNAGE
Reza’s dialogue is fantastic. I love some of Jodie Foster’s word choices and how each word only drags the meeting out longer. Beautifully frustrating.
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2011/12/film-carnage.html

TOP TEN TELEVISION SHOWS OF 2011





1.BREAKING BAD (AMC)
Why: This season kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Favourite Character: Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito)
Best Episode of 2011: Salud (Season 4, Episode 10)
Jesse has to make the meth recipe solo; Saul & Skyler help Ted; Gus gets his revenge

2.PARKS & RECREATION (NBC)
Why: Each character is quirkily lovable. They ‘out-office’ The Office.
Favourite Character: Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman)
Best Episode of 2011: Pawnee Rangers (Season 4, Episode 4)
Leslie creates an all-girl wilderness group to rival Ron; Tom, Donna & Ben treat themselves

3.HOMELAND (SHOWTIME)
Why: This conspiracy thriller was full of twists, turns & stellar acting
Favourite Character: Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin)
Best Episode of 2011: Marine One (Season 1, Episode 12)
Brody gets ready for the Vice President policy summit, Carrie makes a last ditch effort

4.THE WALKING DEAD (AMC)
Why: A slow burn this season but the characters are still compelling
Favourite Character: Glenn (Steven Yeun)
Best Episode of 2011: What Lies Ahead (Season 2, Episode 1)
The gang is trapped on a highway with zombies approaching; someone goes missing

5.NEW GIRL (FOX)
Why: Jess is adorkable but the guys are just as funny dealing with her
Favourite Character: Schmidt (Max Greenfield)
Best Episode of 2011: Thanksgiving (Season 1, Episode 6)
Jess wants to impress Paul but Nick isn’t helping; Schmidt controls the kitchen

6.MODERN FAMILY (ABC)
Why: This is still the best family sitcom out there.
Favourite Character: Luke Dunphy (Nolan Gould)
Best Episode of 2011: Caught in the Act (Season 2, Episode 13)
On Phil & Claire’s anniversary, the kids get a surprise when they walk in on their parents

7.BOARDWALK EMPIRE (HBO)
Why: Some great payoffs from season one and love Nucky fighting
Favourite Character: Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi)
Best Episode of 2011: To The Lost (Season 2, Episode 12)
Jimmy switches his allegiances; Margaret contemplates testifying against Nucky

8.GAME OF THRONES (HBO)
Why: Cinematic gold. This is epic television. Lots of names though.
Favourite Character: Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage)
Best Episode of 2011: Baelor (Season 1, Episode 9)
Tyrion aquires himself a mistress but must pay a price; Ned makes a fateful decision

9.HAPPY ENDINGS (ABC)
Why: This is the new ‘Friends’. The chemistry is 'amahzing'.
Favourite Character: Brad Williams (Damon Wayans Jr)
Best Episode of 2011: Spooky Endings (Season 2, Episode 5)
Jan & Brad try to survive in the suburbs, Penny & Max compete for the same guy in costume.

10.THE KILLING (AMC)
Why: This procedural looks at all involved and keeps you guessing.
Favourite Character: Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman)
Best Episode of 2011: Undertow (Season 1, Episode 9)
Bennet is questioned but can’t be held; Stan decides to take matters into his own hands

TOP EPISODES OF 2011 (of shows not on the list)
THE BIG BANG THEORY (CBS)
The Russian Rocket Reaction (Season 5, Episode 5) Sheldon attends a party hosted by Wil Wheaton. Howard is offered a job in space but his ladies won’t let him.
COMMUNITY (NBC)
Remedial Chaos Theory (Season 3, Episode 4) Troy and Abed share an apartment but their housewarming party takes on several possible scenarios.
CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (HBO)
Palestinian Chicken (Season 8, Episode 3) Larry and his friends enjoy an anti-Semitic chicken restaurant despite protests.
EPISODES (SHOWTIME)
Episode Seven (Season 1, Episode 7) Sean learns of Beverly’s affair when saying farewell to Matt resulting in an all out fight involving the throwing of colgne.
HOUSE (FOX)
Bombshells (Season 7, Episode 15) Can House be there for Cuddy? Cuddy has a series of dreams that give her a glimpse of their relationship.
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (CBS)
The Ducky Tie (Season 7, Episode 3) As Ted tries to tell the gang about running into his ex, Barney makes a bet with Lily that may change his tie forever.
LOUIE (FX)
Oh Louie/Tickets (Season 2, Episode 7) Louie quits his sitcom which looks like his bomb ‘Lucky Louie’ then confronts Dane Cook about the stealing of his jokes.
THE OFFICE (NBC)
Garden Party (Season 8, Episode 4) Andy hosts a garden party at Schrute Farms to impress Robert California but Andy’s family embarrasses him.
PARENTHOOD (NBC)
Sore Loser (Season 3, Episode 9) Sydney has been spoiled and does not lose well. Crosby and Adam celebrate a new client which leads to problems for Adam.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (NBC)
Justin Timberlake/Lady Gaga (Season 36, Episode 22) Sketches include: Liquorville, Merry-Go-Love Tunnel, Barry Gibb Talk Show & Three-Way Digital Short.

What’s on your list?

Film: The Descendants

GENRE: Drama/Comedy
RATING: 14A for language and sexual references
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 55 minutes
STARRING: George Clooney (Ides of March, Up in the Air)
Shailene Woodley (The Secret Life of the American Teenager)
DIRECTOR: Alexander Payne (Sideways, Election, About Schmidt)
WRITERS: Alexander Payne (Jurassic Park III, Election)
Nat Faxon & Jim Rash (newcomers)
PLOT: A father tries to reconnect with his two daughters when his wife is in a coma, only to find out his wife cheated on him.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:
1 This film is superbly written. The lines and voice-overs are pitch perfect. The pace is a little slow but it kind of needs to be for this kind of story. The plot is interesting and keeps you invested the whole time.
2 Clooney deserves the Oscar nomination and possibly the win for his fantastic performance. So much emotion, so vulnerable, so amazing.
3 Some great comedy is mixed in with the heartfelt emotion. Clooney running in loafers in good stuff but Alex’s friend Sid (Nick Krause) brings some much needed lightness to the proceedings. His comments in the car are priceless.
4 Serious moments and speeches in Hawaiian shirts seem odd for some reason. It seems darkly funny. I hope Payne intended this.
5 Welcome back Matthew Lillard, haven’t seen you in a while. I think you were playing Shaggy in some Scooby Doo films back then.

RECOMMENDATION: Wait for the DVD
UPCOMING REVIEWS: Best of 2011 & 2012 Previews

Film: Carnage

GENRE: Comedy/Drama
RATING: 14A for langauge
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 16 minutes
STARRING: Jodie Foster (Panic Room) John C Reilly (Chicago)
Kate Winslet (Titanic) Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds)
DIRECTOR: Roman Polanski (The Pianist, Chinatown)
WRITER: Yasmina Reza (God of Carnage - play)
PLOT: Two pairs of parents have a meeting after their sons are involved in a fight which leads to an evening of childishness and chaos.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:
1 This film is truly a showcase for the four actors involved; they get the opportunity to show off their comedy chops and overact the emotional stuff. The best of bunch, in my opinion, is Christoph Waltz who eventually embraces the chaos as his cell phone goes off repeatedly.
2 There are moments in the film when the one couple is almost out the door and then get sucked back in. It didn’t track for me, I would have just left. I don’t know if this is in the original play script or not, but it seemed a little too convenient for the story.
3 The film is 76 minutes long. Each minute is filled with uncomfortable tension. Thank goodness it wasn’t three hours.
4 Reza’s dialogue is fantastic. I love some of Jodie Foster’s word choices and how each word only drags the meeting out longer. Beautifully frustrating.
5 The vomiting looked real. Seeing people vomit makes me want to vomit. Not a good thing. Feeling queasy just writing it. Gotta go.

RECOMMENDATION: Wait for the DVD
UPCOMING REVIEWS: The Descendants