The Descendants (2011)

As a significant Alexander Payne fan I'd be lying if I didn't say I was disappointed with The Descendants, his forth feature film and his first since 2006. At least compared to his three previous efforts and especially his last and my favorite, Sideways. I don't really think as a director he is overrated like some do, but maybe his latest film is. Perhaps it is somewhat unfair to do so, but his movies tend to warrant comparison given their similar cues and nuances; all low key stories composed merely with different players and settings. I couldn't really review this one without making them unfortunately, though I tried not to let that overtake the experience too much.

Top Ten Films of 2011

10. SENNA

[Full Review]

9. I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS

Delayed, undervalued and sadly overlooked, Phillip Morris was the best kind of quirky. Short, but smartly paced with great performances from Carrey and McGregor; it is a shame more rom coms are not as funny or as easy to digest as this. With a script that leaves cringe and cliché behind and employs a successful narration device, Morris is just too colourful and positive to hate – unless you’re a homophobe of course.

Snowtown (2011)

This is not a film that should or could be easily recommended. It has moments of brilliance in it's articulation that all film fans should experience, but it is ultimately about a brutal serial killer and I could not say it is a "must-see" like some other films that are labelled as such; the lauded movies that cross over genre, boundaries and have universal appeal, as well as being superbly crafted. Snowtown will simply repel certain people too much. Blaming weak or uncultured stomachs would be a tad unfair too as the film’s major strength is its realism and some will just find it too much to bear. However, this should not take away from director Justin Kurzel's exceptional debut about the exploits of one John Bunting.