My Films Of 2011

2011 was the year of the Cineworld Unlimited Pass, and I really don't think I have ever made a more sensible purchase. I LOVE THE CINEMA. The popcorn, the trailers, the escalators, the films - what more could you want? Of all of the films that I went to see in 2011, I have managed to narrow it down to my top 10 for your reading pleasure. If you haven't seen some of them, I urge you to do so.

1. Warrior

Such a wonderful surprise of a movie. Raw, visceral and emotionally charged, with powerhouse performances from Nick Nolte, Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton. I cried an actual river in the cinema; it was THE BEST FILM OF THE YEAR.

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Otherwise known as the death of my childhood, this film also resulted in me weeping in the cinema. No one sets a foot wrong, but some minor gripes with the things they missed out kept it from my number one spot. Snape's story is definitely the highlight. Severus, I love you - Alan Rickman deserves an Oscar for his performance.

3. Drive

Ryan Gosling keeps getting nominated for The Ides of March, but it should be for this film instead. Style with substance, this was definitely the coolest film of the year.

4. Blue Valentine

This is the most heartwarming and heartbreaking film I have ever seen. I also cried at this.

5. Bridesmaids

Funniest film of the year and not just a female version of The Hangover, as multiple comparisons declared. I think it's better than The Hangover, and I am still crushing on Kristen Wiig. Her wit, her clothes, kissing John Hamm - I would quite like to be her.

6. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Such a TENSE movie going experience. Gary Oldman leads a terrific cast in a film that I had to pay a LOT of attention to in order to understand it. Totally worth the effort though, I hope it gets the kudos it deserves.

7. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

I was so pleased that this film was as good as I hoped it would be. I liked the Swedish one, but I think that Rooney Mara's Lisbeth is much more definitive and iconic than Noomi Rapace's. Daniel Craig was excellent, and Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are truly gifted at scoring films. My only minor issue was the weird Swedish accent that most of the actors assumed - why did this happen?

8. The Fighter

Such an inspirational film. Excellent in every way. I remember crying a lot during this.

9. Thor

Kenneth Branagh. Directing a superhero movie. Starring Kim from Home and Away. What ISN'T there to love about this film?! I couldn't be any more excited to see The Avengers next year.

10. X Men: First Class

Stellar cast, with Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence being my favourites. I liked that they took this back to the start and took it seriously, whilst keeping everything that was fun about the franchise. Hope they make another one with the same team, as I thoroughly enjoyed this one.


Honourable mentions:

Captain America: The First Avenger, 50/50, Super 8, My Week With Marilyn, Rio, Sucker Punch, Source Code, Hanna, Crazy Stupid Love, Attack The Block, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Footloose, Animal Kingdom.

As you can see, a common theme of my cinema going experience is to cry. A LOT. It can't be helped - I am an emotional soul who gets too invested in things. I also like pretty much anything, however there were a few films this year that I thought were terrible. Like, TERRIBLE.

The worst films of 2011:

Kill List (what even happened?), Hall Pass (that fart/poo in the bath thing was disgusting), The Resident (why Hilary, WHY?), and Breaking Dawn Part 1 (I went to see this twice - it was horrific on both occasions).

Things I would like to tell my 16 year old self.

At the wizened age of 23, I now feel old enough to impart some wisdom unto my past self. 16 was a rough time for me - I was fat, had bad acne and was 99% sure that NO ONE WOULD EVER UNDERSTAND ME. Retrospect is a beautiful thing, but if I had a time machine, these are the things I would tell my 16 year old self.

1. Stop wanting to get your lip pierced. Or your nose. Or anything else that's on your face. You're raging at mum and dad just now, but they are right to stop you putting holes in your face. One day you will tell them this. They will be shocked.

2. Don't get a full fringe, like ever. You will make this mistake a couple of times, and it is a MISTAKE. You have a rotund face and chin chub - a full fringe will only exacerbate this.

3. Don't drink red wine. It will never stop tasting like vinegar and it will never stop making you spew everywhere. It doesn't make you look sophisticated, more that you've had too much Ribena so your lips are all purple and gross.

4. It's okay to like music out with the narrow parameters that you have set yourself.

5. Life gets so much better after you leave school and turn 18. Keep your chin up, kid.

6. STOP EATING SO MUCH. It's not your metabolism, or some sort of genetic quirk. You're just greedy. Also don't expect to ever fully conquer this.

7. Acne doesn't stop when you start getting wrinkles. I know, I'm seething about it as well. WHERE IS THE JUSTICE? Take comfort from the fact that you will get better at applying make-up. On that note, stop wearing mum's foundation. You look a hideous shade of orange.

8. Don't dwell on arguments with people. You probably won't even speak to them in a few years. If they're your real friends, they'll stick around.

9. Stop trying to impress people. Be yourself - you're pretty great. On that note, your paralysing self-doubt will morph into a pretty healthy ego in a few years. Maybe a bit too healthy.

10. Sarcasm is always funny, despite what people will tell you.

11. Appreciate your youth, and the lack of extreme hangovers. This time is fleeting, enjoy it. It may also be useful to note that skipping dinner is never a good idea, regardless of how skint you are. I'm still working on this one too.

12. What you're feeling isn't unique; it's universal. Get over yourself and stop wallowing.

13. Trust your instincts about people - you're rarely wrong.