I see about 150 movies a year, and to be fair there are far more mediocre ones than really good ones. Some think that movie making may be at an all time low as far as sheer quality is concerned, and there may be something to that. So much emphasis on special effects, animation, and computer generated movies. Many times the story, acting, casting and the overall plot to many movies is cast aside.
I love seeing movies that seem to come out of nowhere and really hit home. And that's what this list is all about. Movies that really surprised the public, and the critics and scored well at the movies. To be on this list all movies had to be released to local theaters in the calender year 2011.
The Five Most Surprising Movies of 2011
1/ The Way - What a wonderful little movie about a fathers love for his son. Martin Sheen stars in a movie written and directed by his son, Emilio Estevez. A father takes a remarkable walking, spiritual journey in Europe in honor of his son who died on the same walk a few weeks earlier. Why does he really make the walk? And what does he hope to discover about himself and those around him? Great story, filmed well, and totally compelling.
2/ Real Steel - Hugh Jackman starred in this futuristic robot boxing movie. I know, it sounds really strange, but this is nothing except real fun. I, and most expected a real bomb, but this is fun. You cheer for it and Jackman is great. Special kudos to Evangeline Lilly who is fantastic as the only woman in this movie. She makes it much better than it may have been without her. Great casting. Good for all to see.
3/ Warrior - I am not a Mixed Martial Arts fan at all. But this movie is splendid! Nick Nolte leads a perfectly chosen cast, and stars in this movie that although is a sports movie in theory, is so much more. This may be the best casted movie of the year. Everyone in Warrior is completely believable. This is a movie about family and honor, and should have found a bigger following than it did. Warrior is emotional and though all at the same time. Well done!
4/ Everything Must Go - I am not a Will Farrel fan either, but this little gem of a movie is really good. It's Farrel as you've never seen him. A man who has lost everything in life and love. He sets out to start all over again. It's a dark comedy to a degree, and is so surprising that Farrel can actually do good work if called on to do so. Here, he's an actor and not Will Farrel. A good rental.
5/ The Source Code - A very compelling story that looked tired and overdone in it's trailers. But this story with its good cast of Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan and Vera Farmiga turns out to be totally original and well paced. Monaghan needs to make more movies. She is one of Hollywood's best kept secrets. I love everything about her on screen.
Honorable mentions
Cedar Rapids - Incredibly funny, very adult and quirky movie lampooning the insurance industry.
Captain America - Best superhero movie in a long time.
Puss In Boots - Antonio Bandaras is hilarious as the over the top swashbuckling cat. Might be the new standard for animated movies.
There you have is the Five Most Surprising Movies of 2011. Look for the Five Best and Five Worst list here, and also be looking for the Five Most Disappointing Movies coming later this week right here at http://www.akronnewsnow.com/entertainment/movies
Feel free to e-mail me your thoughts too at scott@wqmx.com
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