My Best Cinema Experiences of 2011
The end of the year has become a bit overwhelming in terms of "Best Of" lists. We evaluate things so much in terms of quality (or at least attempt to), but I hear very few people speak of true pleasure. Quality and pleasure often are not the same, but these end of the year list camouflage that a bit. We don't go to or watch movies just because they are good. We love films because they are fun -- and it's never just the content that makes the experience so great. It's the company and the context.
What was the most joyous experience of the year for you, for me? Since this blog is really only about film, I am going to have to leave out most of what's on my more expansive list (and after all that stuff is still a private matter, isn't it?), and instead focus only most on my most joyous cinema experiences of 2011 -- and for that matter experiences that didn't involve my own movies (as the festival premieres of MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE, COLLABORATOR, and DARK HORSE were all pretty damn wonderful). It's a pleasure to do so in that remembering, recognizing, bring it all back and more so.
THE SKIN I LIVE IN: My wife and I saw SKIN in Karlovy Vary, which has to be one of the loveliest places to screen a film. If you have a chance to go, don't delay. It's a spa town, nestled in a valley, with a wonderful hotel, and an extremely well-curated selection. The main theater there is huge -- I think 4000 seats but I am not sure. The screen is colossal none the less. Gigantic. And the people love movies; students camp out in the hills to attend screenings all week. SKIN was a hard ticket to get, even with a festival pass. I begged for days, succeeded, but then got confused on the time and we almost missed it. It was hot that day, very. We ran along the river through crowds of tourists and the only seats were on the floor up front. The kinkiest film that Hitchcock never made loomed above us as we caught our breath and tried to cool down. Each twist and turn above us was a total surprise. I was appalled in the best way on a regular basis. And when the leopard scene occurred, well, very few films ever blow my mind but Pedro does constantly. I can think of no other filmmaker who has been such a pleasure to watch him become a true master. When Vanessa and I left the theater we couldn't stop talking about it., As much as I loved the movie, I loved far more that I had someone to share it with who felt so much like I did, and that we had experienced it together in such an over the top way.
THE DISPOSABLE FILM FESTIVAL: I got to be a judge for this San Francisco festival this past year and it was another great marriage of subject and setting. All the films in the selection were hand-crafted gems made on a shoe-string budget. They represented the diversity and quality of individual artist today. If they were not inspiring enough, the festival is held at The Castro Theater, one of the greatest houses to worship cinema ever built. I had never been there and it is so gorgeous. When I travel, despite not being at all religious, I can not help but visit churches and be amazed with what worship, devotion, and conviction can achieve. Sitting in The Castro seeing such handmade work, I wanted to go on a global pilgrimage to all the great movie palaces, before it's too late. Sign me up for that tour if you hear of it, okay?
MARGARET: Hands down, Kenneth Lonergan's film is the best American film of the year. Great work not only does not get seen, but often not even released. Even when it was first released, I had my doubts. I couldn't believe that a film by this writer/director, with that cast, could be any good and not have been screened for so long. Shame on me. The movie was a wake up call. I saw when it came along a second time. I had just gotten MoviePass and was delighted to see the theater where it was playing on their list of cinemas; it meant I had no risk. The great thing about a subscription theater service is I can try out movies like never before -- the only thing I am sacrificing is time. But I digress. Or maybe not. Maybe it was because I accepted the movie with no preconceptions, but I was so thrilled at the quality of the writing & performance. Naturalism is currently my fave cinematic aesthetic and Lonergan used it to make the micro epic, and he did it so bravely, warts and all, I felt I knew each of his characters or at least passed them on the street. I saw it with my wife, and as we left the theater, fully engaged, I thought of all the great films we experienced together and felt that despite how close this excellent film came to never being screened, that life was actually good and everything will be okay and I must never forget how fortunate I am.
So, tell me, what were your most enjoyable cinema experiences of 2011?
Email Updates
Get the latest headlines from Hope for Film delivered to your inbox every day.
9 Comments
bryan | January 1, 2012 2:25 AM
I'm not saying these are the best, or even my favorite movies of the year, but I really enjoyed BELLFLOWER, THE COMPANY MEN, and SOURCE CODE. (Note: I'm including THE COMPANY MEN b/c of it's actual limited American release date on January 21, 2011) It's a shame Duncan Jones hasn't gotten more recognition than he has. It was a travesty MOON wasn't nominated last year for an Oscar - Picture? Actor? Screenplay?
Dan Janvey | December 31, 2011 10:16 PM
MARGARET!!!!
YES!
Ron Merk | December 31, 2011 11:30 AM
This year the films that I liked best are films that remind me of how good films used to be. Call me old fashioned (I prefer classicist!) but I liked "My Week With Marilyn" for it's great performance by Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe (she nailed it better than any actress ever) and Spielberg's "War Horse," which shows that simple drama, well done, without lots of fast cutting and car crashes, has the power to satisfy an audience. One documentary I saw that had great power was "Semper Fi." There was an element in each of these films that reminded me how films used to thrill me, touch me, and keep them in my heart. There are so few films at present that do this, or even seem to want to do this. So, that's my "list" for 2011.
Ted Hope | December 31, 2011 10:20 AM
Jon, I dug Melancholia, and had a good experience too, but this wasn't just what movies I liked -- this list is on the whole wrapping, kit, and kaboodle. My Melancholia was just a movie -- albeit one of my top ten "movies" of the year.
I many have to do a second post as I now remember other great experiences, like seeing my son watch three docs in three days (Black Power Mix Tape, Senna, Tribe Called Quest) and declaring reality cooler than fantasy.
Troy | December 31, 2011 1:06 AM
You are right about the Castro. Talk about a movie temple. I am in awe every time I go there-- be it a weekday screening of "Umbrellas of Chernborg" or the Film Noir festival or Peaches Christ's Holiday screening of "The Shining". it's a national treasure.
Eleanor McCarthy | December 30, 2011 5:13 PM
Ted is the first film person I've encountered to write about the interior & exterior conditions we bring to film viewing. Who we're with, where we are, whether we're hungry for a film--all are conditions the film-maker has no control over. Movies were best for me when I saw them at art houses in college towns with folks who responded during and after. That was my golden age of film!
Jon Reiss | December 30, 2011 4:16 PM
I loved The Skin I Live In as well - also Melancholia. I'm surprised its not on your list. Thanks for the push to see Apes - been ambivalent.
Dan | December 30, 2011 3:10 PM
I liked "Senna" very much. Also "The Redemption of General Butt-Naked" and "Last Train Home".
tully | December 30, 2011 3:00 PM
I know Kim was a big champion of WITHOUT, but I also know that I had Mr. Jackson send the film to you directly (twice in fact!) to make sure you watched it. I had a strong hunch that you would appreciate its awesomeness.