Ok, I decided to do a list after all. I considered not doing one this year because I felt like it was kind of a slow year and I was struggling with even coming up with my top 5. Two of the movies on my list (6&7) are technically from 2010, but they were released at the end of 2010 and I didn’t see them until 2011.

I also feel guilty saying this was a “slow year” for movies, because there are a lot of films that I have yet to see that probably would have made the list. There are some (Hugo) that I have no excuse for not seeing, and others that I’ve been dying to see (Take Shelter) that have still not been released.

I’m just writing a couple short sentences about each of my picks below simply explaining what it is about the film that impacted me enough to put it on my top 10 of 2011. We also recorded a podcast reviewing our best and worst picks. Look out for that, it should be up shortly. I realize I’m posting this a little late, but hey, if Quentin Tarantino can post his “best of” list in mid January than the rest of America should be able to as well.

And here are my picks:

10. THE FUTURE

The film is narrated by a cat. I loved it, and I’m not even a cat person.

9. TERRI

Azazel Jacobs dodges all the familiar cliches in his familiar genre and introduces us to some new, talented, young actors.

8. HOW TO DIE IN OREGON

Saw this at SXSW ’10 and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Powerful and controversial, this documentary sticks with you long after the credits roll.

7. BLUE VALENTINE

Great acting in a tragic story that is familiar to many. And I know it’s been said before, but seriously one of the best end credit sequences, maybe ever.

6. MARWENCOL

One of the best documentaries I’ve seen in a long time. It’s on Netflix Instant and is a must-see.

5. MELANCHOLIA

Like a bad nightmare that feels too real to forget right away, so instead, you’re haunted by it all day. Not the most fun to watch, but a powerful piece of work.

4. MONEYBALL

A good story made into a GREAT story by superb writing, and brilliant direction from Bennett Miller.

3. DRIVE

This almost felt like one of Cronenberg’s later films, but with the fun, adventurous spirit of a film like True Romance.

2. BEGINNERS

Funny, sad, smart, and sincere. Mike Mills gives us a personal and original film, and takes some directorial risks that seem rare today. I feel like we haven’t seen an “independent” film like this in a while, and I miss that.

1. JUST GO WITH IT

What can I say? I just… went with it. I’m kidding. Adam Sandler, please stop making movies.

1. THE TREE OF LIFE

Critics went from loving it to calling it self-indulgent and pretentious to loving it again. Personally, I think it is an undeniable masterpiece. Not only the best film of the year, but maybe the decade. Just because more people are familiar with Terrence Malick and his signature style does not make him any less credible.

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:
THE DESCENDANTS
SUPERHEROES (documentary)
HESHER
DRAGONSLAYER (documentary)

WORST:
WARRIOR (Overrated and chock-full of cliches.)

TV (BETTER THAN MOST MOVIES RELEASED THIS YEAR):
BOARDWALK EMPIRE
TREME
BREAKING BAD
LOUIE
GAME OF THRONES

MOVIES I HAVE YET TO SEE:
TAKE SHELTER
SHAME
THE INTERRUPTERS
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
A DANGEROUS METHOD
CERTIFIED COPY (Now on Netflix Instant. Really need to watch this.)
HUGO (Shameful, I know. Scorsese is one of my favorites and I have still not seen this.)
MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE
WAR HORSE
50/50
THE ARTIST
A SEPARATION
TYRANNOSAUR
MARGARET
PARIAH