Criterion Corner presents: THE BEST 25 FILMS OF 2011

[Coquard1000]

A watered-down, less fun, more unintelligible version of "A Serbian Film" is your third favorite film of the year. Why?

[Coquard1000]

David, why do you mix documentaries with narrative films? I don't actually buy that you believe "This is not a film" is actually the best film of the year.

[criterioncorner]

@Coquard1000 what's a documentary?

have you seen "This is Not a Film?" i can't fathom how anyone who has couldn't allow themselves to even entertain the idea that it's the best film (or not film) of the year.

[youseaward]

which is the train one at about 00:13 ?

[criterioncorner]

@youseaward that's a clip from Li Yu's BUDDHA MOUNTAIN.

[fnormality]

What's the track playing at 1:56..

[nme987]

Love the video countdown. Why is it - seriously - that many of the best films of 2011 won't be released in America until 2012?

[criterioncorner]

@someonethingmrbahen it's "Lillies of the Valley" (sic.) by Jun Miyaki (from the PINA soundtrack)

[pdfscreenplays]

Is there purposely 2 #19's? Did you have to have a tie?

[2101dbe]

@pdfscreenplays ...crap.

but yes, we can pretend that it's a tie. total tie.

[reginaroadie]

Getting back to the montage, I'm glad to see you liked Tintin a whole lot. Still haven't seen it (waiting to see it with extended family on Boxing Day), but so psyched. As it stands, the only 1 animated film on my ten best list is Kung Fu Panda 2. Now before you say anything, here's my defense. Unlike The Hangover Part II, this does what a sequel should do. It expands upon the world and characters, explores the themes of the first film, has gorgeous animation and better action and jokes.

[2101dbe]

the music here is comprised of tracks that were either written for or prominently featured in films from this year... most of the tunes can be found in THE TREE OF LIFE... at :37 it's Oraculum from Girl with The Dragon Tattoo, Lilies of the Field from PINA is next, Nightcall by Kavinsky from DRIVE is in there, too.

[reginaroadie]

I really liked this video. I love end of the year montages for films and for the 2nd one I've seen so far, this was great. I like that while I probably haven't heard of half of these films, the visuals alone on them are enticing me to see them. And I especially like that it is such a diverse range of films and not predominantly American films. My only complaint are a few omissions of stuff that would be on my list. No Martha Marcy May Marlene, Meek's Cutoff or even Midnight in Paris?

[2101dbe]

@reginaroadie hey, thanks so much for the kind words! i'd (obviously) really encourage you to check these films out. anyway, for what it's worth, Meek's Cutoff was a 2010 film for me, Midnight in Paris *just* missed the, um, cutoff, and Martha Marcy May Marlene... well, that one didn't crack the top 50, for me in what was ultimately a very strong year. lots to love (olsen, hawkes, severe tone), but too angry and didactic for me to buy in.

[reginaroadie]

@2101dbe I know Meek's Cutoff was at TIFF 10, but it didn't get a theatrical release until April 11. By that rule, The Arbor (which I absolutely loved as well and one of the best documentaries of the year) should be eliminated since it was released in the UK in 2010.  It was this year that The Arbor was released in North America, so for me it counts. Although it's in a 3 way tie between Tabliod and We Were Here as the best doc of the year.

[2101dbe]

@reginaroadie distribution is so arbitrary and stratified that i prefer to operate by common sense / the zeitgeist / etc... would rather stoke awareness / anticipation for a film than chide folks for missing it, ya know? and in the case of something like my #1 choice (which won't hit limited US theaters til April), some films just can't afford to wait for us to catch up.

[reginaroadie]

@2101dbe I understand. I had heard of what happen to Jafar Panahi and was obviously concerned. But it was seeing that clip you use in the montage that makes me REALLY want to see it now.  Holy shit.

[2101dbe]

@reginaroadie that's the best thing anyone could say about this. thanks.

[MylesLoughhead]

@reginaroadie sadly the strongest elements of the film were the ones shown in the trailer.

[reginaroadie]

@2101dbe I still haven't seen Martha Marcy May Merlene yet (one of my most anticipated next to Tintin and Melacholia). And would Midnight in Paris be like #26 or 27 on your list? It's top 5 material for me. Although I did see it right after Green Lantern, and anything would look good after that.

[MyFavVideoz]

Here is the list ... # Descendants # Buddha Mountain # Trip # The Time That Remains # Drive # Pina # We Need to talk about kevin # Once upon a time in Anatolia # Shame # How to die in Oregon # Footnote # The Interuppters # A Seperation # The Turin Horse # The Adventures of Tin Tin # TGWTDT # The Skin I live in # Miss Bala # The loneliest Planet # Hugo # Melancholia # The Arbor # Kill List # The tree of life # This is not a film

[2462tara]

Thanks for this!! I've made a list, and can't wait...question for you though, would you be willing to share the tracks you used for this? The music was amazing throughout! :) Thanks!