Favorite films of 2011

As 2011 draws to a close, let's take the time to reflect on the movies that made me a happy panda. Last year, i picked a regular(ish) Hollywood-kinda movie, a B-movie gore fest, and an arty film. I'm doing the same this year. Here we go:

"Drive" - One of the hippest movies i've seen in a long, long time.  A slow burner with bursts of horrific violence, an elevator scene that is pitch perfect from start to finish, a fantastic score that fits the style and mood of the film like a glove, and everything you'd want from a movie.  And the ladies love Gosling.  Hell, even i wanted to take the guy out.

"Hobo With A Shotgun" - Ever since "Grindhouse," some filmmakers (the awesome ones) have started to give their films a retro look to go along with the B-movie schlock we all grew up with and loved.  Visceral movies.  Violence, nudity, and gore.  No bullshit.  If it wasn't so jarring, it'd be refreshing.  Also, any movie that can make me cringe with a gory scene is one i'm going to keep with me forever.  Ahhhh.

"Melancholia" - A stunning, beautiful film about the end of everything as an analogy for the human condition.  Heady stuff, but perfectly scripted, perfectly acted, perfectly shot, and music by Wagner to match the anxiety, dismay, and despondency.  I couldn't take my eyes away.

Honorable mentions:
"Attack The Block," "Tree of Life," "X-Men: First Class"

And, there's probably some that i haven't seen yet that are awesome, but we'll get to that later.  Viva le cine!