2011 turned out to be a better than average year in film – in some ways a great year. Other titles (not included in either of our lists) worthy of consideration and, more importantly, your patronage are The Help, Ides of March, The Iron Lady, Shame, and Win Win.

Chip Kaufmann’s Critical Top 10 Films

• 1. The Artist
• 2. Hugo
• 3. Midnight in Paris
• 4. The Descendants
• 5. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
• 6. J. Edgar
• 7. The Tree of Life
• 8. The Debt
• 9. Margin Call
• 10. My Week With Marilyn

Michelle Keenan’s Critical Top 10 Films

• 1. The Artist
• 2. The Descendants
• 3. Hugo
• 4. Midnight in Paris
• 5. J. Edgar
• 6. Margin Call
• 7. Moneyball
• 8. The Debt
• 9. Jane Eyre
• 10. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

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2011 Top 10 Personal Favorites

Chip’s Personal Top Ten

(in alphabetical order)

1. Albert Nobbs– Glenn Close and Janet McTeer give outstanding performances in this little film about a woman who masquerades as a man in 19th century Dublin.

2. Anonymous– Although worthless as history, Roland Emmerich’s take on who wrote Shakespeare’s plays is remarkably entertaining with a big emotional payoff at the end.

3. The Artist – This recreation of a silent film is well done in all departments and is a love letter to classic Hollywood.

4. Atlas Shrugged: Part One –
Critically reviled for its politics rather than its quality, this adaptation of Ayn Rand’s novel shows what can be done with no name stars and a small budget.

5. Captain America – Excellent period recreation and the proper lack of a serious tone made this one of the more enjoyable films of the year.

6. Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark– Classic old school horror film with creepy atmosphere and a bevy of fine performances.

7. Drive Angry 3D– Another over the top Nicholas Cage action fest is totally outrageous in a good way with the best 3D after Avatar and Hugo.

8. Hugo– Martin Scorsese’s most personal film about a boy and a forgotten film pioneer is fascinating and captivating with the best use yet of 3-D technology.

9. Jane Eyre– Beautiful version of the oft-filmed tale is achingly romantic with great performances from Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska.

10. Midnight in Paris – Woody Allen’s best film since Annie Hall is a joy from start to finish with a great lead performance from Owen Wilson.

Michelle’s Personal Top Ten

(in alphabetical order)

1. The Adjustment Bureau – Romance, destiny, politics and strange men in grey suits make The Adjustment Bureaugreat entertainment and a near perfect date movie (and Matt Damon helps too!).

2. The Artist – A silent film for the 21st Century, The Artistis a charming and delightful love letter to Hollywood and packs more audience appeal than one would think.

3. Beginners– Christopher Plummer and Ewan McGregor star in this off-beat and vulnerable father and son story, after the widowed father embraces a gay lifestyle at the age of 75.

4. The Debt – This espionage thriller about three Mossad agents still haunted decades later by a mission gone bad, has a killer cast and is suspense from beginning to end.

5. The Descendants – Beautifully directed and acted, The Descendantsis an honestly told story of the messiness of life as a father works to keep his family together in the wake of a tragedy.

6. The Guard– One of my absolute favorite movies of the year, Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle give new definition to the ‘Buddy-Picture’ as an Irish cop and an American FBI agent in this dark Irish comedy.

7. Hugo–Martin Scorcese’s love of the movies has never been better exemplified than in this beguiling story about forgotten orphan and a forgotten filmmaker in 1930’s Paris.

8. Jane Eyre– The best and most heart poundingly romantic adaptation yet of the Charlotte Bronte classic.

9. Midnight in Paris– An utterly fun time traveling romantic comedy from Woody Allen about an American writer in Paris.

10. The Rum Diary – The film adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s first novel is not a great film, but it has a sneaky appeal and terrific performances by Johnny Depp, Giovanni Ribisi, Richard Jenkins and Michael Rispoli.