BEST FILMS I SAW IN 2011

Best Off – lists are an interesting occurrence. Every December, whether in print or on the web, publications of all kinds rush to provide different lists of the best that the preceding year had to offer; in music, movies, restaurants, news events, books etc. Considering the subjective nature of these lists, the anger and arguments that result from them in the letters columns of newspapers, or the comments sections of websites and blogs around the globe, Best Off-lists add nothing to our daily lives but frustration and rising temperatures. It is an annual exercise that is essentially worthless. There is no reason to believe that my opinion, or yours for that matter, on what is “Best” is in any way more appropriate or correct than any other.

Except that by perusing such lists we may broaden our horizons somewhat, and become aware of titles or items that may have escaped our attention or which we have previously ignored. Opinions, if backed by reasoned argument, may also allow us to not only learn more about new things to explore, but about one another through likes and dislikes.

Regarding films (whether they can still be called that in this digital age, where digital prints and projectors are the norm in most major movie theatres is a different topic), I saw this year, I have added a couple of my favourite shots of the 10 titles I liked the most in 2011. Thought this might be more fun than a standard 1-10 list. 

I should emphasize that what I see is limited to the South African distribution network. Independent or arthouse releases are not a major priority, and unfortunately I believe there are only 3 theatre complexes remaining in the country that focuses on those films. So, my Best Off- list is compiled of films released in South Africa in 2011, as well as a few new titles that, while they have not been released here, are available for import.

These are not in any particular order.

Just in case, the shots are from these films:

The Tree of Life

Senna

Black Swan

Somewhere

True Grit

Never let me go

Let me In

Uncle Boonmee who can recall his past lives

Winter’s Bone

Drive

Feel free to list your own.

To start

Of dreams formed in darkened halls at 24 frames per second, and in the bright glow of analogue and digital video streams in living rooms. Images, burned into consciousness, form ideas and shape mannerisms, fill with dread and awe, and become part of everyday life.

The influence that film has had in my life has been vast, and cannot be related easily. That it could have had a complete different effect on you, is one of the joys of film; dividing us on merit and meaning one day, only to unite us in fright or wonder the next.

In these posts I’ll explore some of my thoughts and emotions on and caused by various films. Perhaps you’ll join me by sharing yours (to be clear, I know that right now I am addressing only myself – does knowing that you are crazy make you sane?). I was inspired (read nudged) into committing these ramblings into writing by an extraordinary young lady. I thank her and hope that she’ll continue to overlook and forgive my overindulgent tendencies.

Enough of that. The rambling will commence shortly.