Top 10 Movies of 2011

As we reach the end of another year, let's take a look back at some of the best films of 2011.

1.      Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Pt. 2:  All I have to say is, "Wow." This finale to the Harry Potter saga really ended the series right. The action sequences are heart stopping, and the battle at Hogwarts has an epic scale as seen in "Lord of the Rings."  Daniel Radcliffe and the rest of the cast give their best performances; the emotion of the drama will leave very few people unaffected. The music is also great, leaving silences in all the right places to get the full effect of a scene. Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 is the swan song of the Harry Potter film series, and is easily the best.   

2.      Midnight in Paris:  One of Woody Allen's best films in a very long time. The film follows Gil, played by Owen Wilson, as he visits Paris with his fiancée. Soon magical occurrences happen to Gil and he must confront the shortcomings of his life. The film is subtle with its humor and Owen Wilson's awkward persona is put to great use. The cinematography takes full advantage of the Paris setting, giving beautiful shots of the cityscape.

3.      Drive: A blender of movie genres reminiscent of "Pulp Fiction," "Drive" is a fascinating mix of neo-noir, action, and slow-burning thriller. Ryan Gosling gives tour-de-force performance as the quiet getaway driver who gets caught up with the wrong people after falling in love with a neighbor. This film also has the best soundtrack I've heard in a while. The song "Real Hero" by College got stuck in my head for two weeks after watching this movie.  

4.      Rise of the Planet of the Apes:  The biggest surprise of the 2011. James Franco is good, but Andy Serkis steals the show as Caesar, a genetically modified ape who leads an ape revolt against humanity. Despite being in a motion capture suit, Serkis is impressive in conveying emotions through facial expressions and body movement. The CGI on the apes is incredible, and the climactic battle on the Golden Gate Bridge is breathtaking.   

5.      Attack the Block: When movies like "Battle of Los Angeles" make it seem that the "Earth vs. Aliens" genre is getting terribly stale, this movie comes along and puts a fresh take on it. The film follows a group of inner city delinquents from London as they are forced to fight an invading alien force. With an addition of British-flavored humor, this film is delightfully original and fun.  

6.      Warrior:  One of the most emotionally satisfying films of the year. Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton are great playing two estranged brothers who clash inside an ultimate fighter championship. Nick Nolte steals every scene he is in as he portrays the brothers' alcoholic and abusive father. If you have not seen this movie yet, go rent it now. 

7.      Captain America: I wondered how the filmmakers were going to pull off a superhero that seems too silly and dated to translate to the big screen. The success of this film can be attributed to Chris Evans brilliant performance as the title character. Evans gives the Captain a down-to-Earth charm that makes his transformation into a superhero all the more intriguing. Hugo Weaving is also great as Red Skull, the Captains nemesis. The steam punk setting and action provide entertainment that everyone can enjoy.

8.      Source Code: Imagine the movie "Déjà vu," only with a better script and execution.  This film is an action thriller in which a soldier named Steven, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, wakes up in another man's body. As if that was not strange enough, Steven discovers he is part of a mission to stop an elusive bomber's plot. "Source Code" is an action thriller that seamlessly combines sci-fi with human drama.     

9.      Super 8: Although the ending is a bit problematic, "Super 8" succeeds in combining conspiracy-laden sci-fi with a nostalgic suburban movie. After surviving the most explosive train crash in movie history, a young group of friends investigate a series of strange happenings around their small town during the summer of 1979. J. J. Abrams and producer Steven Spielberg craft a film that pays delightful homage to movies like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "The Goonies."

10.  X-men: First Class: After the sub-par "X-men: The Last Stand" and the disastrous "X-men Origins: Wolverine," the most I ever hoped for was that this movie would be decent. Not only did this movie exceed expectations, it also breathed new life into the X-men franchise. The movie traces the origins of mutants such as Professor X, Magneto, Mystique, and Beast. If one can get past some continuity errors with the other X-men movies, First Class provides thrills that all can enjoy.