In what was easily one of the hardest lists to put together in a LONG time, 2011 saw great films in the form of children living out their childhood dreams, to tattoo laden computer hackers, and boy wizards coming to the end of their long journey. But first, a tribute to those films that I just didn't have room for on the list:

The Descendants
Like Crazy
Kung Fu Panda 2
The Ides of March
Bridesmaids
Super 8

 

10. Midnight in Paris
Director: Woody Allen
Starring: Kathy Bates, Adrian Brody, Carla Bruni, Marion Cotillard, Rachael McAdams, Michael Sheen, Owen Wilson
Rated: PG-13 (For some sexual references and smoking)

Woody Allen's love letter to one of the most famous cities in the world also proves to be a poetic screenplay of the love of writing and life itself. A master of dialog, "Midnight in Paris" is easily the most fun film Allen has directed in several years and a good reminder of what a treasure he is to cinema. He also makes a strong statement that, hey, life is great and worth living in the present! The past may have given us good stuff to marvel at, but that doesn't mean there aren't great works of art still being made today.

9. Drive
Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
Starring: Ryan Gosling
Rated: R (For strong brutal bloody violence, language and some nudity)

Though criticized by audiences as being "too slow," "Drive" was never-the-less one of the most ambitious action films released last year. While I did enjoy the goofiness of "Fast Fave," Nicolas Winding Refn's film is oozing with mesmorizing visuals, haunting music, and brutal action sequences. This may he the film that actually perfectly blends mainstream action with arthouse flare. Ryan Gosling is great the mostly silent protagonist, but if you see this film for no other reason it will be for Albert Brooks menacing turn as a mafia crook. His performance makes for the most memorable antagonist of the year.

8. Being Elmo: A Pupetteer's Journey
Director: Constance Mark
Rated: Not Rated

Out of all the movies I saw this year, "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey" was the film that made me feel the happiest all year long. Though not revolutionary film making, "Being Elmo" is such a joy to watch as it chronicles the story of a boy who had a childhood dream to make the world laugh with puppets and grow up and actually get to do it. Whether you are a huge "Seseme Street" fan or not, it's hard not to smile during this heartwarming film.

7. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara
Rated: R (For brutal violent content including rape and torture, strong sexuality, graphic nudity, and language)

Dark. Disturbing. Intense. These are the words to describe David Fincher's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," which is easily one of the strangest Christmas releases I've ever seen. Based off the international best seller and a remake of the hit Swedish film, this is what a real adult action films is supposed to be. Running at almost three hours, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is first class entertainment as well as high quality film making. Expect to see a lot more from Rooney Mara, who gives a star making performance as the title character.

6. Shame
Director: Steve McQueen
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Carey Muligan
Rated: NC-17 (For some explicit sexual content)

Daring to talk about a subject that many deem taboo, "Shame" is a heartbreaking story of a man who is addicted to his own desires to the point where he gains no pleasure from them and it destroys his life. Steve McQueen directs this wonderful movie about a person we would be quick to label as a monster, but come to find out he's just like us in more ways than we realize. Michael Fassbender may be more known in "X-Men: First Class," but here is where we see a great actor in the making, being able to turn someone like Brandon into someone we sympathize with. "Shame" is easily the best film this year no one went to see.

5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part II
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Rated: PG-13 (For some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images)

Who knew back in 2001 that when we started our journey with young Harry Potter that we'd be on it for ten years? Who also knew that the final installment in this long journey woult be one of the most emotionally satisfying and touching films of the year? "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part II" takes years of the series history and wraps in up in one of the most satisfying conclusions in movie history. Who knew that despite the years of films and multiple directors that this film would wrao everything up so perfectly? There may be no more adventures with Harry after this, but we will always remember the time we had with him, and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part II" will always be one of the highlights for us.

4. Moneyball
Director: Bennette Miller
Starring: Brad Pitt
Rating: PG-13 (For some strong language)

Baseball may be America's favorite passtime, but few movies capture the beauty of the sport like "Moneyball" does. Not only does it capture the beauty of the sport, but it also captures what can make it so exciting to watch. This would make "Moneyball" a good movie in itself, but what makes it a great film is the personal story of Billy Bean and how personally involved he got in his method. The ending is sure to leave you crying for joy and happiness. Also of note is a great supporting performance by Jonah Hill, who gets to show that he can be a serious actor instead of the frat boy image he's best known for.

3. The Artist
Director: Michel Hazanavicius
Starring: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo
Rating: PG-13 (For a disturbing image and a crude gesture)

Turning back to the basics of film itself, "The Artist" is a gimmick that results in a great film. Paying homage to the old silent film days, audiences walk out of "The Artist" seemingly shocked that they enjoy it so much. If nothing else this movie proves that movies are a universal language that can be enjoyed by anyone of any country. The fact that there is virtually no dialog in this film proves this fact. Again though, this is a film and not a gimmick. In that sense "The Artist" suceeds at telling a charming love story of two people from two different worlds of film falling in love with one another.

2. Hugo
Director: Martin Scorsese
Rated: PG (For mild thematic material, some action/peril and smoking)

Martin Scorsese may have seemed like a strange person to be directing a 3D family film, but with "Hugo" he not only directs the best family film of the year, he directs one of his best films period. A tribute to the silent films of old days, Scorsese has directed a smart, touching family drama that shows his true passion for films and film making. It's ironic that a film dedicated to some of the most old fashioned types of film is made using the state-of-the-art visual effects of todays films. "Hugo" did fairly poorly at the box office, proving once again that families won't go to good family films if they're staring them in the face. Make sure to see this one in 3D if you can.

1. The Tree of Life
Director: Terrence Malick
Starring: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain
Rating: PG-13 (For some thematic material)

Though it polarized audiences around the world, for those of us who let the film settle in found Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life" one of the most beautiful and spiritual films in many years. Using his knowledge of great visuals to the best of his abilites, he creates a movie that asks some deep questions while surrounding the tough times of life with wonderful beauty. All the actors give subtle performances that are stronger than most people gave credit for. "The Tree of Life" is one of the modern day classics that stays with you long after the film ends, to the point where you'll be thinking about it days afterwards, and every new viewing is like experiencing it new for the first time. "The Tree of Life" is my pick for the best film of the year.