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Best Movies Of 2011

Best Movies Of 2011

From Muppets to magic, MTV counts down the top films of the year.
By MTV News staff


Shailene Woodley, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Lawrence
Photo: Fox/ Columbia

In 2011, Daniel Radcliffe brought the "Harry Potter" franchise to a firecracker of an ending after a decade bewitching the multiplex. Ryan Gosling played kissy-face with Carey Mulligan in an elevator, then turned around and smashed a dude's skull in. Kristen Wiig made us laugh, Martin Scorsese made us gasp, and Kermit the Frog made us want to sing along.

Memorable moments, all. But what makes a great film — ; what makes it one of the best of the year — is not just a buzzworthy few seconds here and there, but a moviegoing experience packed with them.

How, then, do we pick the Best Movies of 2011? How do we weigh Joe Cornish's genre-busting directorial debut against Matthew Vaughn's rescue job of our favorite comic book mutants? Do we favor George Clooney's ability to elicit laughs in the most tragic of circumstances, or do we bow down to the staggeringly raw performance by Rooney Mara?

Those are questions no one person could answer. So we gathered a roundtable of the savviest minds at MTV to discuss, debate, argue and occasionally curse about everything that went down at the multiplex this year: Eric Ditzian, Josh Horowitz and Amy Wilkinson of MTV Movies and Kevin Polowy and Brooke Tarnoff of NextMovie. In the end, we came up with our 10 picks:

10. "Attack the Block"
In a year filled with alien-invasion movies from the likes of Michael Bay and J.J. Abrams, it says a lot that Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish's little indie that could, "Attack the Block," was the best of the bunch. Taking science fiction for a ride through the gang-ridden streets of South London results in a wildly inventive and hilarious twist on the genre, complete with what has to be the absolute best creature design seen in any movie all year. Believe, bruvs: This suspenseful, action-packed and endless ly charming movie was the sci-fi flick of 2011. Allow it. — Josh Wigler

9. "The Descendants"
"The Descendants" meant a change of pace for its star George Clooney. His character, Matt King, couldn't use Clooney's trademark charm to fix his broken family after a boating accident takes away his wife and the mother of his two teenage daughters. The Clooney we saw was not the suave movie star, but a confused schlub, figuring things out as he goes. The result is a complex and emotionally honest film that would be sad if it weren't so hilarious. — Kevin Sullivan

8. "50/50"
Harrowing, heartbreaking and at times hilarious, "50/50" is perhaps the most honest onscreen portrayal of cancer ever. And it's one you'll actually want to watch. The film follows 27-year-old Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) as he's diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, battling the disease with the help of friend Kyle (Seth Rogen) and therapist-in-training Katherine (Anna Kendrick). Based on the real-life experience of Rogen's friend Will Reiser (who penned the screenplay), "50/50" doesn't apologize for finding the funny in a bad situation. And that's why we like it. — Amy Wilkinson

7. "The Muppets"
It's "The Muppets" for the new millennium: Kermit and friends return to theaters after a painful 12-year absence, updated for a new generation b y writer/co-star/"it" schlump Jason Segel and songs from "Flight of the Conchords" star Bret McKenzie. If the story starts off a little depressing — the Muppets have gone their separate ways and their studio is falling apart — that's nothing a little choreographed dancing, Amy Adams and a chicken chorus can't fix. — Brooke Tarnoff

6. "X-Men: First Class"
Matthew Vaughn's prequel had a lot of things working against it, namely Bryan Singer's two "X-Men" films and the talented actors in those films who are already associated with the classic Marvel mutants. Vaughn smartly found a way to use that to his advantage, giving fans nods to Singer's films through well-placed cameos while laying the foundation for an entirely new franchise based on the characters' backstories, anchored by the very talented and bromantic James McAvoy as Charles Xavier and Mic hael Fassbender as Erik Lensherr/Magneto." — Kara Warner

5. "Hugo"
With so many different ways to see a movie, the magic of going to a theater and sitting in the dark seems like an outdated idea. Martin Scorsese attempted to recapture the feeling that made the movies such a special thing in the first place with "Hugo." Through the story of an orphan boy living in a Paris train station, "Hugo" dives into the creation of movies and reminds us all of why the movies are a place to see dreams come true. — K.S.

4. "Bridesmaids"
"Bridesmaids" is one of those rare comedic gems in which everything worked: The crazy talented cas t, led by Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Melissa McCarthy in a killer breakout performance; the one-liners, many of which were ad-libbed; that unpleasant-but-hilarious scene at the bridal store; Jon Hamm playing a d-bag — it was all so good and so funny. And not just funny for women, funny for everyone, to the tune of a $169 million box-office gross. — K.W.

3. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
All good things must come to an end. When it came time for the "Harry Potter" series to fulfill that old adage with this summer's "Deathly Hallows, Part 2," it wasn't just a good thing. It was — if you'll forgive our sappiness — a magical thing. Watching Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint grow into their heroic owns over the past decade has been a thrilling ride filled with tragedy and hope, despa ir and triumph, death and life. It wasn't just the best "Potter" movie of all time; it was one of the best movies of the year. — J.W.

2. "Drive"
In a movie year that could easily have been renamed the Year of Gosling, the flasher of abs, breaker-up of street fights and all around great Canadian guy's finest performance was as a nameless driver (regardless of what the Hollywood Foreign Press might have you believe). You either wanted to be him or be with him. No matter what, you couldn't take your eyes of him. While the box-office bow of "Drive" lacked punch (to date, it has grossed $34.7 million), the film's cultural impact has been huge, inspiring some first-rate spoofs and unleashing a so undtrack that became required listening for anyone with an iPod and half a soul. There was no cooler movie in 2011, and there is probably no other movie on this list we'll still be talking about in 2021. — Eric Ditzian

1. "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
Devotees of Stieg Larsson's wildly popular books (or the Swedish-language movie versions) need not fret: "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" is in good hands with master filmmaker David Fincher. The director follows up the excellent "Social Network" with another tour de force, injecting the murder mystery that introduces us to outcast hacker Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) and embattled journalist (Daniel Craig) with style, intensity and relentless suspense. Mara is a revelation, and the film's daunting 160-minute runtime breezes by thanks to one heart-racing scene after the next. Dark and tough to watch at times, but a triumph all around. — Kevin Polowy

Stick with MTV as we count down the Best of 2011, including the top Artists, Songs, Live Performances and EDM Artists of the year.

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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T-Pain Fights Off Auto Intruders, On 'When I Was 17'

T-Pain Fights Off Auto Intruders, On 'When I Was 17'

Singer recalls a hazard of living out of your car on latest episode, airing Saturday at 11 a.m. ET/PT on MTV.
By Shakira Atitebi


T-Pain
Photo: MTV News

T-Pain wasn't always living the lavish lifestyle he has now. The Auto-Tune pioneer opens up about his humble beginnings in this week's episode of "When I Was 17," airing Saturday at 11 a.m. ET/PT on MTV.

"When I was 17, I was living in and out of my '81 Oldsmobile Cutlass," T-Pain said on the episode, also featuring Common and "Twilight" star Alex Meraz.

"It was pretty beat-up on the outside and the inside, and it had a horrible smell," T-Pain's wife, Amber, added.

T-Pain's car put a roof over his head and provided a spot for romantic getaways. "I used to have sex in it a lot," he offered up bluntly.

During one steamy session, T-Pain and his girlfriend at the time were interrupted by intruders trying to break into the car. "It just so happened we were getting dressed," he recalled. "This guy tries to get into this car."

T-Pain wasn't worried; his car was filled with tools he could use to fight back.

"I got crazy amount of just things in my car," he said. "There's some pipes, there's a wrench. So I'm trying to pull my pants up and chuck this dude at the same time." The intruder eventually walked away.

T-Pain's gi rlfriend at the time was frantic and asked him a very ridiculous question. "My girlfriend was screaming. The stupidest question she asked me of that night was, 'Did you know that guy?' And I'm like, 'What? Why would I know this dude?' " T-Pain laughed.

"When I Was 17" — this week featuring T-Pain, Common and Alex Meraz — airs Saturday at 11 a.m. ET/PT on MTV.

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SURVIVOR SOUTH PACIFIC, Whitney Duncan, Keith TollefsonForget an Immunity Idol. What Survivor: South Pacific's scandalous resident cuckold-maker Whitney Duncan really needs to get her hands on is divorce papers. And she's nearly...


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'Hunger Games' Fans 'Freaking Out' Over New Trailer

'Hunger Games' Fans 'Freaking Out' Over New Trailer

'There were lots of tears,' one superfan tells MTV News.
By Kara Warner


Jennifer Lawrence in "The Hunger Games"
Photo: Lionsgate

Another week, another trailer debut! Last week, we got excited about Kristen Stewart's intensity in "Snow White and the Huntsman"; this week, it's all about the first full-length "Hunger Games" trailer.

MTV News contacted a few of the book and film adaptation's biggest fans for their instant reactions to seeing Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence), G ale (Liam Hemsworth) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) in all their first-trailer glory.

"It's pretty incredible," said Sara Gundell of Examiner.com. "This is probably the most excited I've been about this movie since I don't know when."

"We had a little treat. We got to go down to Lionsgate a few days early and we got to see the trailer there," revealed TheHob.org's Megan Scott.

"So we've been freaking out for three days now," added Hob colleague Amanda Belcher.

"We've been absolutely freaking out," Scott agreed.

"The first time I got to see it, I was crying — and I've never cried before with a trailer," admitted Arianna Ruiz of HungerGamesDWTC.net. "It's just so emotional and it's so wonderful to see my favorite book brought to life, and I'm sure it's the same for everybody else as well."

"There were lots of tears," Scott said.

"Yes, lots of tears, [during] the reaping scene especially," Belcher added. "We all teared up. How could you not with Katniss screaming and you see Primm being carried away? But I think we were tearing up over the excitement of finally seeing this and how good it really is."

While Gundell is still skeptical of how faithfully director Gary Ross and company will adapt Suzanne Collins' best-seller for the big screen, the trailer has helped alleviate a few pre-conceived fears.

"I'm still cautious going into 'The Hunger Games,' but after seeing the trailer, I'm about 10 times more optimistic than I was beforehand," she said. "It definitely has raised my hopes."

Check out everything we've got on "The Hunger Games."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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Hugh Jackman Hopes To Saddle Up For 'Unbound Captives'

Hugh Jackman Hopes To Saddle Up For 'Unbound Captives'

Robert Pattinson is also signed on to star in the Western, which has a 'beautiful script,' Jackman tells MTV News.
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Hugh Jackman
Photo: MTV News

Pretty much from the moment the movie "Unbound Captives" was announced, fans were signed on and ready to camp out for opening-day tickets. Why? Because it's a Western with A-list actors.

Robert Pattinson, Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz are attached to it.

Set in the 1800s, the film revolves around a woman (Weisz) whose husband is killed and two children are kidnapped by Comanche warriors. She enlists the help of a frontiersman (Jackman) to help rescue her children (one of whom will be played by Pattinson) from the tribe.

When MTV News caught up with Jackman recently to discuss his latest movie, "Real Steel," we asked him for an update on "Captives."

"I was thinking about that this m orning. I'm absolutely attached, it is one of the best scripts I've r ead in a long time," Jackman admitted. "And as you know, Hollywood has a hard time with Westerns; it's hard to get them made and this is a really beautiful, beautiful script. It's written by Madeleine Stowe, who's going to direct it as well, so I really hope that one gets made. I think that's a really important movie."

Earlier this year, Pattinson told MTV News he was also still very interested in making the film, but wasn't sure about when production might begin given that Stowe had committed to star in ABC's new hit "Revenge."

Weisz has also expressed her continued interest in "Captives." "It's a great screenplay, and [Pattinson and Jackman] are both great actors," she said. "I like to work with all kinds of talented people, whatever the age."

For breaking news, celeb rity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Jamie Foxx Clarifies Hairdo, On 'When I Was 17'

Jamie Foxx Clarifies Hairdo, On 'When I Was 17'

'I had the major curl, not the Jheri curl,' he explains on new episode, airing Saturday at 11 a.m. ET/PT on MTV.
By Sara Waber


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Photo: MTV

Jamie Foxx reveals the appalling misconception of his hairdo during the '80s on this week's episode of "When I Was 17," airing Saturday at 11 a.m. ET/PT on MTV.

"When I was 17, I had the major curl, not the Jheri curl," Foxx says. "A lot of people get it twisted and confused, and they say 'Jheri curl.' "

What's the difference, you're wondering? He explains, "I had the little curls in the front and the big ones in the back."

His friend Gilbert shares who else worked this 'do: "I would link the major curl to women or pimps, for the most part."

But growing up in a small town in Texas, Jamie's major curl must have helped him stand out from the crowd.

"Where I grew up was Terrell, Texas, right outside of Dallas: 12,000 people, a small town where everybody knew everybody," he says.

Besides maintaining his hairdo, Foxx tells us how he spent the rest of his time when he was 17: "It was just real simple. It was about having a crush on a girl, walking her from the football stadium, holding hands. You go park, and the cops bang on the door, 'What y'all doing?' "

Nobody likes a flattened major curl.

"When I Was 17" — this week featuring Jamie Foxx, Tia and Tamera Mowry, and Chris Bosh — airs Saturday at 11 a.m. ET/PT on MTV.

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