For posterity, here is my movie list from 2011. My favorites are in bold; avoid-at-all-costs are in italics.
- Oxford Murders (looked fun, but didn't grip me or leave much of an impression)
- The Kids Are Alright (Annette Benning was fantastic in this crazy dramedy about an unconventional family)
- New York, I Love You (a few bright spots, multiple storylines were more annoying than clever)
- Tangled (saw on my Whidbey Island visit, cute and funny, though without the feminist twist I'd wanted)
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (enjoyable, love the Pevenseys' adventures, fairly faithful to novel)
- Green Hornet (saw at the theater with the boys, Seth Rogan made us laugh a lot)
- Prince Caspian (enjoyable, more Pevenseys)
- The King's Speech (strong candidate for favorite, loved everything about it, can't wait to see again)
- Black Swan (creep-tastic but very well done, saw with Tracy and the Jills)
- Secretariat (felt like a classic Disney family movie, cried a lot)
- Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (followed the novel pretty close, fell asleep, may need to see again)
- Rango (fine existential moments and a stunning animated homage to John Ford, at worst it felt long)
- Love and Other Drugs (I'm a sucker for most romantic comedies, this was fine)
- Romantics (indie romantic comedy based on Galt Niederhoffer novel, lots of uncomfortable moments but overall satisfying for atmosphere, wardrobe, quirkiness)
- Inception (clever and compelling but no Matrix)
- Going the Distance (romantic comedy with Drew Barrymore and Justin Long; a tad disappointing)
- An Affair to Remember ("A" in A-Z challenge; classic; okay)
- The Apartment (part of A-Z challenge; classic; Shirley Maclaine is zany fun; favorite part was 1960s b&w)
- Planet of the Apes (the 2001 Mark Wallberg remake, in anticipation of the 2011 origin story)
- The Tourist (really enjoyed this romantic spy thriller with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp)
- Brideshead Revisited (A-Z challenge, 2008 movie version with Emma Thompson, enjoyed)
- Big Sleep (always good)
- Blade Runner [director's cut] (A-Z challenge, really should see back-to-back with original version)
- Black Narcissus (A-Z challenge; hysterical, racist, anti-feminist; I hated this movie--did I miss something?)
- (500) Days of Summer (at times charming, other times annoying; jury is out on Zooey Deschanel)
- Tamara Drewe (movie version of graphic novel, likeable)
- Thor (saw 3D by default, Chris Hemsworth was definitely hunky)
- Herb and Dorothy (watched this documentary about these art collectors twice)
- No Strings Attached (third of three Natalie Portman movies in 2011, sexy and fun)
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules (W and I saw this movie together, which made it more)
- Capote (mixed feelings about this movie, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener were each exceptional, opening scenes were chilling and atmospheric)
- Unzipped (watched three or four times, Isaac Mizrahi: I love you, that's all)
- Kung Fu Panda 2 (not as good as the first, John and I were disappointed that the voice overs were different from KFP1, then shocked to learn they were, actually, the same)
- Midnight in Paris (love, love Paris, love the lost generation, love)
- Juno (second viewing, still awesome--funny and moving)
- Casino (pleasantly surprised; sexy, bright, colorful)
- Seamless (recommended to me through online service, great documentary about young designers, Anna Wintour has a huge presence, loved it so watched it twice)
- Green Lantern (awful)
- Adjustment Bureau (more cool time travel)
- Mr. Popper's Penguins (cute and fun)
- Modesty Blaise (disappointing; a bit campier than I had hoped)
- Harry Potter 7, part 2 (highly anticipated, not disappointed)
- Foxes (how did I miss this as a teen? Jodi Foster is so poised amongst her racy friends)
- Cowboys and Aliens (worst movie of the year; John and I took the boys, who found it disturbingly violent; nothing that years of therapy can't reverse?)
- Transformers 3 (pleasantly surprised; Sam Witwicky's parents save the day; 4th highest grossing film of all time?!)
- Tron: Legacy (again, pleasantly surprised; can't be a hater!)
- Bridesmaids (definitely pee-your-pants funny, one of my favs from 2011)
- Kids (now with a vintage feel, Chloe Sevigny is great as a tough NYer)
- Spy Kids 4 (with smell-o-vision; Carmen and Juni are all grown up and waging sibling rivalry; blah)
- National Treasure (watched with the boys who were seeing for the first time, fun again)
- Cedar Rapids (I had no idea how funny this movie might be, sleeper)
- Contagion (couldn't touch a door knob for a week or more after seeing this infectious disease flick)
- A Dolphin's Tale (heartwarming movie based on a true story, 11-year-old rescues a dolphin and lobbies an army doctor to built a prosthetic tale; parallel story of boy's cousin who is recovering from Gulf War injury)
- Real Steel (the boys loved this movie about boxing robots; we're more likely to have boxing robots in our future than flying cars...what a rip off)
- Rendition (2nd of 3 Jake Gyllenhaal movies for the year; gripping and maddening drama)
- Moneyball (should win awards, a favorite)
- Elf (watched twice, once with the boys who were seeing it for the first time, they laughed in all the appropriate and predictable places)
- Source Code (clever time travel movie, good action, happy with the resolution)
- Bridget Jones' Diary (Christmas Day, loosen the belt movie with the in-laws)
- Tintin (loved, great adventure, CGI animation not as creepy as anticipated, Tintin and Snowy rule!)
