Favorite Films of the Year

I would first like to say that I do not get paid to watch movies and that is probably the reason that one of your favorites didn't make the cut.  With that said here are my 11 favorite films of the year:

11. The Tree of Life 
I'm really glad that viewers felt their minds blown by Inception last year, but that one didn't quite do it for me.  The Tree of Life, however completely blew my mind. It seriously rearranged parts in my brain and only put a few of the pieces back together.  This is not a film that I would recommend though.  It has that sad distinction of being a film that is not for everybody.  If you're a Brad Pitt fan then this isn't for you; I tried telling this to my mother who insisted on watching it with me and she didn't listen (she also didn't like the movie).  If you're a Terrence Malick fan then this film is for you! Those are my warnings for this beautifully shot film!
10. Crazy, Stupid, Love
I'm a Ryan Gosling fan by nature and I have to credit this film for making everyone else crazy for Gosling. Something in me thought that I really wasn't going to like it, but I'm so glad I did.  The film is hysterical and actually surprising for a romantic comedy.
9. Bridesmaids
This is not your average chick flick by any means necessary!  I repeat: THIS IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE CHICK FLICK! The caps were necessary.  But I should add that this will make you laugh a lot and it will probably gross you out just as much. Thank you Paul Feig!
8. Horrible Bosses
I know that I'm supposed to love Bridesmaid more, but something is amazing about a film that doesn't make me hate Jennifer Aniston!  And I also didn't cringe seeing Jaime Fox on screen (in recent years he hasn't been that funny to me).  Oh and Charlie Day is in this!  Charlie Day!  And it's extremely funny! Oh and Kevin Spacey!
7. Martha Marcy May Marlene
Elizabeth Olsen welcome to Hollywood!  That has to my top reaction after viewing this because the girl can act her patootie off!  Her performance was so unbelievably good that it almost makes me sick.  It's not one of those I'm going to cry a lot performances (or movies), it's a very understated one.  She completely immersed herself into the role that I didn't notice the bubbly personality that I had seen in interviews.  I recommend this film if you are open to films about cults.
6. Like Crazy
I'm still obsessed with the trailer for this movie! Obsessed I tell you!  The film itself was great too.  What really holds this film together is the undeniable chemistry between Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin.  Together they are gold!
5. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
One of my favorite films of the summer is still one of my favorites of the year.  If you've seen it, please follow along as I say, ANDY SERKIS FOR THE OSCAR.  He deserves a nomination at best because his performance was riveting.  Stop motion actors are actors too and I'm hoping that the AMPAS will acknowledge that this year.
4. Drive
I cannot say that it was the year of Gosling without telling you about Drive.  Ryan Gosling delivers one of the best performances of his career and he does it with very few words.  Whatever you think about Drive before watching it will not be what you think about Drive after watching it (this is coming from someone that knew they would like it, but unexpectedly loved it). And director Refn is truly a Hollywood force to be reckoned with.
3. Super 8
I feel like I'm a very nostalgic person and that's probably why I love this film so much! It's a really fantastic film and I recommend it to everybody.
2. The Muppets
If you don't walk out of this movie smiling then something is seriously wrong with you! It's so fantastic, joyous, and I want to give Jason Segel a million hugs for helping revive the Muppets!
1. The Deathly Hallows Part 2
Once again, this is a personal list.  I'm a diehard HP fan and this film was my favorite of the entire series.  Alan Rickman also deserves recognition from the AMPAS for his truly chilling performance of Severus Snape!  He literally takes my breath away!

My Favorite New Show of the Year

New Girl!  I'm going to go ahead and say that my love for Zooey Deschanel has nothing to do with the win.  I actually didn't love the pilot episode.  It made me hope that the show would get better.  I saw that it had potential so I stuck around.  I'm so glad that I did because the show quickly began to deliver!  My favorite character isn't even Jess (Zooey), it's Schmidt.  He is the true quirk of the show, and it's absolutely perfect.  His insecurities of the "fat Schmidt" he once was shine in his vanity, but Max Greenfield commits to the role, and I as a fan react with laughter.  If you haven't given into New Girl yet I suggest that you give it a try because I believe that the best shows are the ones with the ability to get better and better.  The cast as a whole is also great.  They all bring out different qualities in each other and it's pure joy! 

Watch and of course tootles!

Heroine of the Year

As my first 2011 Favorite I proclaim Leslie Knope the Heroine of the Year.

First off, if you are not watching Parks and Recreation, what the heck are you waiting for?!

Second off, if you are watching Parks and Recreation you will know that this was my first 2011 pick it was the easiest decision I ever had to make.

Now, let's talk about Leslie Knope played by the adorable and extraordinary Amy Poehler.  She works in city council for the Pawney Parks Department.  She cares more about that little department more than most real politicians care about their job.

If you've seen this propaganda then you know that us diehard fans would absolutely vote Knope in 2012.  The reason for it is because Leslie Knope is the hardest working human being alive.  She cares for average joe citizens and she doesn't say that she is going to do something without trying her absolute hardest.  I strive for the day that real politicians will care this much for us! I'd vote Knope for those reasons alone, but there's something else that has come up.

Leslie fell hard for Ben Wyatt, whom she describes "an adorable man with a cute face."  But Ben was technically her boss.  Inter department relationships are forbidden, so that was the end of that right? NO! Ben fell hard for Leslie too!  Eventually they couldn't hide their feelings from each other so they became a couple (they hid it from everyone).  At the end of season 3 Leslie was approached to run for political office, and if you know Leslie Knope, you know that's her dream.  When asked if there were any scandals in her life, Leslie lied.  Telling them about Ben could destroy her campaign.  What could she do?

At the beginning of this season we were faced with Leslie's decision.  She broke up with Ben to pursue her dream even though it broke her heart and all of ours.  I admire a woman that is willing to choose herself!  It wasn't an easy decision and it hurt her to have to do it, but in the end Ben knew that a happy Leslie was the way to go.  But was she happy? We've watched a jealous Leslie, and the tension between she and Ben this whole season.  I personally have been rooting for them, even though I am rooting for Leslie to continue with her campaign.  Eventually Leslie couldn't take it, so she said "screw it."  I look forward to watching them be an open couple (watch last night's episode if you haven't already!) and I look forward to watching Leslie continue to do great things.

In case you're wondering, Ben (played by cutie Adam Scott, is Squirrel Approved).  When Leslie broke up with him it tore him apart, but he wasn't prepared to let Leslie give up her dream.  That's a man ladies; it's nice when they fight for you, but when they let you go on and become little Leslie Knopes they are keepers.

To prove that it really was a hard decision for Leslie, enjoy this fan made video that I found on youtube:

Tootles!

The Countdown Has Begun!

Sorry if November wasn't such a great blogging month.  I intend to try and make it up to you if that's even possible.  What better way to end the year than to blog like crazy?! I shall try and provide amazing holiday goodness, and my 2011 favorites all December long!  Till then...

Tootles.