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Exploring our favourite films in the year 2011
In this blog series, George and Matt from the Monitor Audio team explore their favourite movies from the last 20 years.
Our selection of films may not be critically acclaimed or box office hits, but have stood the test of time as our favourite movies.
Do you agree with our list? Let us know your favourite movies from the year 2011 on Facebook and Twitter!
Moneyball - George's Top Pick
Dir: Bennett Miller | Sony Pictures
Director Bennett Miller brings us this biographical drama, based on a book of the same name about Oakland Athletics incredible 2002 season.
During the 2001 ALDS, the New York Yankees edged the Oakland Athletics to advance to the Championship Series and eventually the World Series. General manager of the Oakland Athletics, Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), an ex player, begins to assemble a new team for the 2002 season, after the departure of star players Damon and Giambi. With a limited budget, Beane realises that he simply cannot compete with other professional baseball teams, so looks at other avenues.
Though Beane was drafted into the major league, his short career failed to live up to the expectation. During a scouting visit, Beane meets Yale economics graduate Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) and takes a keen interest in him, after realising he assesses player value unlike anybody else. Beane hires Brand, impressed with his knowledge and use of sabermetrics to look at undervalued players. Back at the offices, the scouts are bemused at Beane’s decision to not only hire Brand, but to adopt this new approach. Pitcher Bradford (Chris Pratt), outfielder Justice (Stephen Bishop), and injured catcher Hatteberg (Casey Bond) are hired, based on their consistent stats. Already dealing with a contract dispute with Art Howe (Philip Seymour Hoffman), the team manager, Beane has to battle with Art to select his new players, as the season gets off to a poor start.
Beane has to trade star player Peña to force Howe to use their new players, convincing team owner Stephen Schott to stay positive. The Athletics go on to clinch the West Division title, but despite a record-breaking 20th consecutive win, they lose once again in the 2002 American League Division Series. Dispute their failure, Beane’s sabermetric approach was recognised and adopted by others. Beane was also offered the chance to join the Boston Red Sox, but declined.
Miller perfectly dissects the game this in this intriguing underdog story, using a razor sharp script and wonderfully creative cinematography… How can you not be romantic about baseball?
We Need To Talk About Kevin - Matt's Top Pick
Dir: Lynne Ramsay | Oscilloscope Laboratories
Based on the novel of the same name, this psychological thriller from director Lynne Ramsay follows the aftermath of a high school massacre.
In the present, Eva (Tilda Swinton) lives alone, close to the juvenile prison where her son Kevin (Ezra Miller) is being kept, before they transfer him to a Correctional Facility. Kevin committed a massacre at his high school, leading Eva to contemplate her thoughts concerning their strained relationship and incidents during his childhood that lead him down that path. As she sits alone in her rundown house, she writes letters to her husband and details the events of Kevin's life.
As a baby, Eva was unable to bond with Kevin, considering her son difficult to manage and any attempts at affection were thwarted. As he got older, although the screaming and tantrums stopped, Kevin was well behaved for his father Franklin (John C. Reilly), but deliberately antagonised Eva at every chance. One incident, that Eva believes was the catalyst in their relationship, an argument that led to her breaking Kevin’s arm. The next few years, Kevin manipulated Eva into doing whatever he wanted, using her guilt against her. Over time, Eva and Kevin began to bond, but when Eva and Franklin had Celia (Ashley Gerasimovich), their second child, Kevin became resentful. After one of Celia's pets mysteriously disappeared, she later got hold of drain cleaner, leading to her losing one of her eyes. Eva believes that Kevin was to blame, as he was babysitting, but had no proof. After years of arguing about Kevin, Franklin asks Eva for a divorce, before it is revealed that right before the massacre, Kevin murdered both Franklin and Celia.
During the attack at school, armed with his crossbow, Kevin kills several students in the gymnasium, before being apprehended. In the present, Eva confronts Kevin, on the second anniversary of the incident and finally receives an apology, although he is unable to tell her why he did what he did. Frightened of the prospect of going to a maximum-security prison, Eva slowly embraces and forgives him.
With its disturbing subject matter, We Need To Talk About Kevin is an extremely unnerving film, which details the full extent of a mother’s torment and anguish, in this dismal and gloomy story.
The Descendants
Dir: Alexander Payne | Searchlight Pictures
Director Alexander Payne brings us this comedy-drama, which centres on a family tragedy, based on the 2007 novel of the same name.
Based in Honolulu, Matt King (George Clooney) is carefully considering what to do with a piece of land that is owned by his family, of which he is the sole trusty. The land is located on Kauai, the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, with Matt under huge pressure from his family to sell it. As discussions are taking place, Matt's wife Elizabeth suffers severe head injuries in a boating accident, leaving her comatose in hospital.
Matt has to comfort his daughters, 10-year-old Scottie (Amara Miller) and 17-year-old Alex (Shailene Woodley), when his wife’s condition fails to improve. Following her will, doctors advise that Elizabeth’s life support will soon be turned off, so Alex arranges for the whole family to come and say their goodbyes. Alex informs Matt that upon her last visit from Hawaii, she discovered her Mum having an affair. Matt speaks to close friends, who confirm that she was seeing her lover, real estate agent Brian Speer (Matthew Lillard), whom she was planning to leave him for. Despite his anger and confusion, Matt travels to Kauai, with the girls, to find him and give him the opportunity to say goodbye. After finding him, for the sake of his own family, Brian declines to say goodbye, telling Matt that it wasn’t serious. As Elizabeth passes away, her father verbally attacks Matt, accusing him of being a bad husband, but he decides not to retaliate or inform him of his daughter’s affair.
Despite the considerable tension, Matt decides not to sell the land, angering the family, who consider legal action. After Brian’s wife Julie (Judy Greer) finds out about her husbands affair, she visits Elizabeth to forgive her. Matt follows Julie, forgiving Elizabeth and finally saying goodbye, before Matt, Scottie and Alex scatter her ashes in the sea.
The Descendants is an oddly uplifting story, with a brilliantly amusing performance from Clooney. Payne really helps to restore faith in humanity, in this tragic journey, that details the complexities of life.
Bridesmaids
Dir: Paul Feig | Universal Pictures
Groundbreaking comedy from director Paul Feig focuses on a maid of honour and her struggle to cope with the impending wedding.
Annie Walker (Kristen Wiig) and her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) have been inseparable since they were little, but as they approach their mid-thirties, they live very different lives. Due to the recession, Annie lost her bakery shop and was forced to share an apartment with Gil (Matt Lucas) and his sister Brynn (Rebel Wilson). Annie has a casual but distant relationship with Ted (Jon Hamm) and when Lilian announces her engagement, she is asked to be her maid of honour.
Annie meets Lillian’s friends at her engagement party, including Helen (Rose Byrne) who she immediately dislikes. Lillian's other bridesmaids include Rita (Wendi McLendon-Covey), Becca (Ellie Kemper) and Megan (Melissa McCarthy), and together with Lillian, Annie and Helen, they visit a Brazilian restaurant before their dress fitting. As they enter the chic bridal shop and try on dresses, the group begins to feel the effect of food poisoning, with each of them experiencing severe diarrhea, ruining the dresses and the shop. Feeling guilty for booking the restaurant, Annie attempts to make it up to Lillian by booking the bachelorette party, but Helen gets her way, as the group make their way to Vegas. The group are soon on the way home, as the plane makes an emergency stop, after Annie mixes sedatives and liquor mid flight, is restrained and arrested. Helen takes over the wedding planning as Annie begins to see State Patrol officer Nathan (Chris O'Dowd).
Annie starts to have a breakdown, losing her job, moving back in with her mother, before getting kicked out of the bridal shower when she throws a tantrum, accusing Helen of turning Lillian against her. After Nathan rejects her and she realises that Ted has been using her, she becomes a recluse. Eventually Megan helps her to turn her life around and on the day of the wedding Helen reconciles with Annie, together finding Lillian, who has cold feet. Annie resumes as maid of honour, providing Lillian with the perfect send off before making up with Nathan.
An hilarious story of petty jealousy and sabotage, with its oddball characters, Bridesmaids is a fearless original comedy, full of bold gags.
Water for Elephants
Dir: Francis Lawrence | 20th Century Studios
Based on the novel of the same name, this drama from director Francis Lawrence follows a young mans journey with the Benzini Bros. circus.
In the present, an elderly man named Jacob has wondered into the Vargas circus, sneaking away from his nursing home. As he meets the owner, Charlie (Paul Schneider), Jacob reveals his interesting life to him, as a flashback to 1931 details a young Jacob (Robert Pattinson) and how he came to be part of the famous Benzini Bros. circus. As Jacob prepares to take his final exams to become a full-time veterinarian, a tragic car accident takes the life of his parents. After discovering their crippling debt, the bank takes Jacob’s family home and out of desperation, decides not to return to school and instead jumps on a passing train.
After meeting Camel (Jim Norton) he realises he has stumbled upon the Benzini Bros. circus train. The ringmaster August (Christoph Waltz) in need of a new vet, gives Jacob a job. Jacob takes a liking to Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), August’s wife, but gets on the wrong side of the ringmaster after euthanizing one of the horses, deeming it to be suffering. The circus procures an elephant named Rosie, who Jacob must train. Jacob realises how dangerous August is, seeing how cruel and rough he is, not only with the animals, but with Marlena too. As Jacob and Marlena fall in love, August plans to kill Jacob. They manage to run away for a short time, before August’s men catch up and bring Marlena back. Upon returning to the circus, Jacob finds out that Camel had been thrown from the train. During a high profile performance, Jacob and several members of the circus save Marlena, releasing all of the animals from their cages, causing chaos. As August attempts to kill Marlena, Rosie the elephant saves her, bringing an end to Benzini Bros.
In the present, Jacob reveals he and Marlena had many children and worked together at a number of circuses over many happy years. Despite his age, O'Brien is fascinated with Jacob’s story and hires him.
Despite a turbulent tale, Water for Elephants is a wonderful old-fashioned romantic drama, with the costumes and sets beautifully portraying circus life in a bygone era.
Contagion
Dir: Steven Soderbergh | Warner Bros. Pictures
With an ensemble cast, this thriller from director Steven Soderbergh tells the story of a spread of a virus, leading to a worldwide pandemic.
After meeting with her lover in Chicago, days after a Hong Kong business trip, Beth (Gwyneth Paltrow) returns home to her husband Mitch (Matt Damon) in Minneapolis. Mitch rushes her to a hospital, after she suffers a seizure, which she succumbs to. His stepson also mysteriously dies from the illness, but after finding out that he is immune; he keeps his daughter quarantined at home.
At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Cheever (Laurence Fishburne) meets with Homeland Security over concerns that it may be biological warfare. Epidemic Intelligence officer Dr. Mears (Kate Winslet) is sent to trace everyone who had contact with Beth, in an attempt to find the cause. As the virus spreads, there is widespread looting and violence as cities are placed in quarantine; meanwhile, Dr. Mears succumbs to the virus. The virus is named MEV-1 and Dr. Hextall (Jennifer Ehle) determines it’s a combination of genetic material from pig and bat-borne viruses. Research on a cure stalls, as scientists determine that 1 in 12 of the world population will be infected. Eventually Dr. Sussman (Elliott Gould) helps Dr. Hextall develop a vaccine. Alan Krumwiede (Jude Law) claims to have cured himself of the virus, using a homeopathic cure, derived from forsythia plants. As conspiracy videos about the virus are posted, forsythia supplies run out. After it’s discovered that he faked being ill, he is subsequently arrested.
As the global death toll reaches 26 million, Dr. Hextall successfully inoculates herself, leading to the CDC providing vaccinations by lottery, based on birthdates. Dr. Orantes (Marion Cotillard), an epidemiologist with the WHO, identifies Beth as the index case. A flashback reveals a long chain of events, leading to a simple handshake between Beth and a chef in Hong Kong, which originally transmitted the MEV-1 pathogen.
A bleak and distressing vision from Soderbergh, Contagion is an emotionally harrowing and thought provoking experience.
Drive
Dir: Nicolas Winding Refn | FilmDistrict
This neo-noir crime film, from director Nicolas Winding Refn, portrays a driver’s double life, starring in movies by day and heists by night.
Set in LA, the Driver (Ryan Gosling) is a getaway driver, whilst also working as both a mechanic and a stunt driver. Shannon (Bryan Cranston) the Drivers boss, working out of his auto shop, delegates his workload. Bernie (Albert Brooks) and Nino (Ron Perlman), Jewish mobsters, are persuaded by Shannon to purchase a stock car for the Driver to race in. Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her young son Benicio live in the same apartment building as the Driver, but as they start to become close, Standard (Oscar Isaac), Irene's husband, is released from prison.
Cook, an Albanian gangster, threatens Standard’s family, by demanding that he rob a pawnshop for $40,000 to pay off the debt he owes from the protection he got whilst in prison. The Driver agrees to help Standard, for the sake of his family, but Standard is shot and killed by the owner, whilst Driver and Cook’s accomplice Blance (Christina Hendricks) are chased down. Blance comes clean to the Driver that she and Cook had planned to steal the money, before one of Cook's henchmen catches up and kills her. Cook is eventually found by the Driver and after being tortured, admits that Nino was behind the robbery. After learning of her husbands death, Irene is furious with the Driver, but when a hitman, sent by Nino, arrives at their apartment building, they flee, but not before the Driver kills him.
At Nino's Pizzeria, Bernie and Nino agree to kill everyone involved in the robbery, to ensure the Italian Mafia don’t find out they were behind it. First Cook is murdered, followed by Shannon, who refused to tell them the Drivers location. When the Driver learns that Shannon has been murdered, he follows Nino and eventually drowns him in the sea. After Bernie wounds him, as he tries to negotiate the safety of Irene and Benicio, the Driver despatches of Bernie, before abandoning the money and leaving, as Irene desperately tries to make contact with him.
This dark romantic tale is full of adrenaline, as Refn provides us with stylish and artistic action sequences, alongside a truly engrossing story.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Dir: David Fincher | Sony Pictures
Based on the novel of the same name, Director David presents this psychological thriller about an investigation into a missing woman.
Wealthy businessman, Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer) hires young hacker Lisbeth (Rooney Mara) to carry out an extensive background check on journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig). Mikael has a libel suit against his name, from Hans-Erik Wennerström, causing a rift between Mikael and his business partner Erika. Henrik approaches Blomkvist and asks him to investigate the 40-year-old disappearance of his grandniece, Harriet. In exchange, Henrik agrees to offer evidence against Wennerström, which Mikael agrees to.
Nils is Lisbeth’s state-appointed guardian, who regularly abuses her, until Lisbeth gets her revenge, blackmailing him into letting her leave. On the Vanger family estate on Hedestad Island, Blomkvist begins to interview various family members about the mysterious circumstances surrounding Harriet’s disappearance. Despite finding out that she was illegally researching him, Lisbeth helps Blomkvist with his investigation, becoming his assistant. As they begin to find disturbing links, they come across a list of names of Jewish women, brutally murdered from 1947 to 1967, indicating anti-Semitism may have motivated the killer. They are soon in the thick of it, when Blomkvist is nearly shot and then they discover that Harriet's late father, Gottfried, and later Martin, her brother and head of the family empire, committed the murders.
As Blomkvist is taken hostage, Martin admits that he and his father were responsible, but not for Harriet’s murder. Martin flees when Lisbeth helps Blomkvist escape, but dies in a road accident. They confront Harriet's cousin, Anita, who reveals she is Harriet. When Harriet killed her father, her real cousin, Anita, allowed her to assume her identity. Later, Lisbeth helps Blomkvist clear his name, stealing money from Wennerström’s account in the process, before he is later murdered.
Complex and captivating throughout, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a wonderful adaption from Fincher, with a gripping and intriguing finale.
The Help
Dir: Tate Taylor | Walt Disney Pictures
Directed by Hollywood newcomer Tate Taylor, this period drama, adapted from the novel of the same name, features an all-star cast, set during the civil rights movement in early 1960s Mississippi.
In 1963, Aibileen (Viola Davis) is the maid of Elizabeth (Ahna O’Reilly) and de facto carer for Elizabeth’s neglected daughter Mae Mobley. Meanwhile Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan (Emma Stone)- a friend of Elizabeth - graduates university and heads home to her parent’s cotton plantation. Skeeter is invited to a gathering at Elizabeth’s where she is made uncomfortable by the social circles racist attitudes towards their maids and a presentation by Hilly (Bryce Dallas Howard) insisting that they install separate bathrooms for their maids. She decides to write a book of interviews with African-American maids about their experiences working for white families.
Whilst visiting her mother, Hilly notices her mother’s maid Minny (Octavia Spencer) – best friend of Aibileen – using the guest bathroom and fires her on the spot. She soon becomes employed by social outsider Celia (Jessica Chastain) who hires Minny in secret from her husband so not to appear unfit to run the household. Celia treats Minny with respect, something with Minny is wary about but they soon become friends. Skeeter approaches Aibileen and Minny to interview for her book, however her editor tells her that two maids aren’t enough, Aibileen rallies together other maids, who are more empowered to tell their stories after a fellow maid was brutally arrested for pawning a ring she found whilst working in Hilly’s house. Minny also adds in a story admitting to baking a pie with her excrement, passing it as chocolate and giving it to Hilly as a peace bearing. The book is published and becomes a success, causing gossip around the city and Hilly is enraged that the ‘poop pie’ incident is in the book. Celia’s husband Johnny comes home and reveals to Minny that he knew that she had been working there the entire time, he appreciates her friendship with his wife and offers her permanent job security. After Aibileen stands up to Hilly at Elizabeth’s house, she is fired and has a tearful farewell to Mae Mobley. She reflects on her ordeal and plans to become a writer.
Even though it glosses over most of the racial inequalities of the 1960s, The Help offered the mainstream a powerful and emotional story of segregation and prejudice, held up by a charming script and acclaimed cast.
Horrible Bosses
Dir: Seth Gordon | Warner Bros. Pictures
An outrageous black comedy, from director Seth Gordon, details three friends who are desperate to murder their abusive bosses.
Financial executive Nick (Jason Bateman), dental assistant Dale (Charlie Day) and chemical company accountant Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) all have very different bosses. Dale is being sexually harassed by his boss Julia (Jennifer Aniston) and Nick is being manipulated by his boss Harken (Kevin Spacey), as he seeks a promotion. Kurt gets on well with his boss Jack (Donald Sutherland) until he suffers a fatal heart attack and his heartless son Bobby (Colin Farrell) takes over, making his life hell.
Bobby has a cocaine problem and his decisions soon threaten the future of the company, leading to Kurt suggesting to Nick and Dale that they should kill their bosses. Despite initially rejecting the idea, they go on the search of a hitman, meeting ex-con Jones (Jamie Foxx). For a small price, he agrees to provide expert advice, suggesting that they should each kill each other’s bosses. They reluctantly agree, but as they observe Harken, Julia and Bobby’s everyday lives, they soon trip up. They steal Bobby’s phone, but accidently drop it in Harken’s home. Julia seduces Kurt and Harken then discovers Bobby’s phone. Whilst Nick waits outside Bobby’s house, Harken kills Bobby, believing him to be having an affair with his wife, leading to Nick fleeing and being temporarily picked up by police in connection with the murder. They later discover Jones has never murdered anybody, but take further advice to get Harken to confess on tape. After realising their plan, Harken follows and rams their car off the road, attempting to frame them for Bobby’s murder.
As the police arrive, the navigation-system recorder provides police with Harken’s confession. As Nick is promoted and Kurt retains his job, Jones helps Dale blackmail Julia and Harken is sentenced to life in prison.
Although it’s extremely far-fetched, there are a lot of laughs and has a hugely satisfying finale. Brilliant cast with great chemistry, Horrible Bosses is an ingenious dark comedy, with some ridiculous set pieces.
Honorable Mentions:
Warrior
Dir: Gavin O'Connor | Lionsgate
Attack the Block
Dir: Joe Cornish | Optimum Releasing
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Dir: Stephen Daldry | Warner Bros. Pictures
Hugo
Dir: Martin Scorsese | Paramount Pictures
Limitless
Dir: Neil Burger | Relativity
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