Best Films of 2011

I actually almost forgot I had a blog. Apparently having a second child not only leaves you with almost zero free time, but it causes blog memory loss. Anyway, I was googling doppelgänger and found this cool blog name, and realized it was mine, so I decided to post about something I enjoy, the cinema. As previously mentioned, free time has become close to non-existent, so I haven't seen as many films as I would have liked. I have yet to see Tree of Life, Undefeated, The Artist, Take Shelter, Contagion, or The Ides of March.

After trying to compile my top ten, I came up with only 14 films I had the "pleasure" of seeing this year. Needless to say, several won't make my list (Captain America, Beginners, Thor, Crazy, Stupid Love, and The Lincoln Lawyer).

10. Young Adult - Diablo Cody and Ivan Reitman (both of Juno fame),created a dark, disturbing film with masterful performances by Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt.

9. The Help - Being one of a half dozen people who have yet to read the book, I can highly recommend this film for the ensemble acting alone. Octavia Spencer won a well deserved Oscar and Viola Davis was robbed.

8. Super 8 - Yes, it may be The Goonies meets ET, but any film with Kyle Chandler playing a dad gets a thumbs up by me (although he will always be Coach Taylor). Seriously, this film was fun and I felt 8 years old watching it.

7. Drive - Shockingly a tad more violent than I expected, but Gosling delivered. Film noir for the millennial generation with an amazing soundtrack. Definitely worth seeing, but not for the faint of heart.

6. Bridesmaids - My introduction to Kristen Wiig was funnier than I anticipated. For those thinking this is a female version of The Hangover, think again ... It is funnier.

5. The Descendants - Payne doesn't disappoint. My man crush on Clooney still exists. And the funniest two scenes possibly in a film all year. Plus, Shailene Woodley will be a star. Book it.

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - True, I knew how it would end, but I could care less. The magic cinematic voyage of our favorite wizard is over, and it couldn't have been any better, unless it had been nominated for a best picture.

3. Midnight in Paris - Seeing Hemingway in this film more than makes up for having to watch one of my least favorite actors, Owen of my own last name (who actually was well cast for this role). Woody's best film since Match Point deserves a larger audience. Do yourself a favor and watch this film.

2. Hugo - Scorsese at the helm of a children's picture about the love of cinema. Need I say more? If you didn't see it in 3D, it is your loss.

1. Moneyball - I will admit, I had doubts about how such a great book about stats in baseball could ever be translated for the big screen. I was wrong. Very wrong. This film was outstanding. Brad Pitt is at the top of his game and the script co-adapted by Sorkin sparkles. Once again, Hollywood hits a grand slam making a baseball pic.

Well, that's it ... Agree, disagree, but whatever you do, be sure to see my top 3.