As 2012 heads our way like the runaway train in Taking Pelham 123, now is the time to reflect on times gone by and see what were the top films of 2011. Classic drama? Tick. Superhero shenanigans? tick. French farce? Tick. Vomitting bridesmaids? Tick. And existentialist, philosophical biographies? Tick, tick, tick. So check out the top films of 2011 with our best of the best film reviews; there is sure to be something for everyone in the mixed up bag of delights that is our collection of 2011 five star cinema reviews.
True Grit
Cowboys, horseback riding, revenge and justice come courtesy of Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld. It was nominated for 10 Oscars and won a BAFTA earlier in 2011.
True Grit Film Review
Adele Blanc-Sec
Luc Besson's tribute to the fiesty Indiana Jones style heroine of Jacques Tardi's comic books. Action, adventure, comedy and a big helping of super-cool Frenchness guarantee this one charts on the best comic-book films list for years to come.
Adele Blanc-Se Film Review
X-Men: First Class
James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender star as the youthful Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr in the prequel to the X-Men films. The special effects department have a field day with various different super powers as they zap, ping and explode all over the screen, and we find out how Charles Xavier ended up in his wheelchair and where Magneto got his special hat from.
X-Men First Class Film Review
Cold Weather
A mumblecore take on the detective stylings of Sherlock Holmes and his moustachioed buddy Watson, Cold Weather was written and directed by Aaron Katz in his traditional low-budget, loveable slacker kind of way.
Cold Weather Film Review
Senna
A closer look at the genius of racing driver Ayrton Senna, with a documentary that explores his skills behind the wheel and the ultimate tragedy that saw his fatal crash on the Imola track in San Marino.
Senna Film Review
Bridesmaids
Billed as the female version of The Hangover, Kristen Wiig's comedy takes a bride and her various maids through food poisoning in the wedding dress shop, drunken plane flights to Vegas, penis impressions and karaoke style speech-offs.
Bridesmaids Film Review
The Tree of Life
A big old mix up of childhood memoir, metaphysical fantasy, visual poem and existential history of the world. Starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn.
Tree of Life Film Review
Kill List
British horror from Down Terrace's Ben Wheatley, which goes down a very dark, scary and unsettling route. As if the title wasn't enough of a clue, the protagonists actually sign a contract in blood, just to underline the coming nastiness. Not for the faint hearted, but a winner for anyone with a strong stomach.
Kill List Film Review
Jane Eyre
At least 20 different films of Jane Eyre have been made over the past 50 years, but Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender take Charlotte Bronte's classic novel of love, drama and class difference to another level. Tortured romance at its best.
Jane Eyre Film Review
Melancholia
Despite his ability to talk himself into holes bigger than moon craters and get himself banned from Cannes, Lars von Trier's film has been a gigantic hit with fans of apocalyptic dramas, with Kirsten Dunst taking the Best Actress award from the French film festival from which the directed was asked to leave.
Melancholia Film Review
We Need to Talk about Kevin
Another film festival hit, this time in London, Lionel Shriver's compelling novel was brought to life by Tilda Swinton and John C Reily, with Ezra Miller as their disturbed son, full of evil intent. Also featuring a filmscore from Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood.
We Need to Talk About Kevin Film Review
Mysteries of Lisbon
A lavish period drama from the late departed Raul Ruiz. Featuring many classic themes from vegeance to thwarted romance, this is the only one of 2011's films to skips about from one story to another, and take a full four hours to get from start to finish.
Mysteries of Lisbon Film Review
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