
Every year I have a difficult time narrowing down my "best of the best" list - there's always an abundance. This time proved more daunting than usual due to the lack of great movies to choose from. There were a few I'm sad I missed though - My Week with Marilyn, Ides of March, Beginners and We Bought a Zoo. However, compiling my "Worst of the Worst" list wasn't difficult at all. There's always tons of those (can't believe how many awful movies I saw). Without further ado, I present my Top Ten Best & Worst Movies of 2011.
Dishonorable Mentions:
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Horrible Bosses
The Change-Up

Even though I enjoyed this movie (hey, I'm a fan of the books), I still thought it was hokey storytelling, cheesy and (as always) it had the signature brand of stiff and awful acting.

9. Red Riding Hood
“Oh, Grandma, what a big, bad movie this one is.” If you thought the Twilight movies were bad, this gothic, teenaged-melodrama love triangle is worse.
8. Captain America: The First Avenger

Blah. Blah. Blah. Here’s a movie that could have been First-Class, instead it was BORE-Class. Feels like it was made in a rush ONLY so they can make The Avengers.

7. The Mechanic
If you are about to go over a ledge of a roaring waterfall and someone tosses you a line and shouts, "I'll tow you to shore, but then we have to watch The Mechanic," take the plunge. And I don't want to hear about how you can't swim either.
6. Abduction

One of the most idiotic and cliche-ridden movies ever. It’s The Bourne Identity for underage simpletons. Cheesy mixed in with a lot of bad acting.

5. Just Go with It
Yeah, Just Don’t. The movie seemed to exist solely so Sandler and his friends could go on a free trip to Hawaii at our expense. Not only will you feel frustrated by watching this mistake of a movie, but it just lacks funny.
4. The Green Hornet

It bored many people to tears with its attempt at a tongue-in-cheek blockbuster. HUGE epic fail. If you’re longing for a super hero movie, save your time and your money and watch The Dark Knight instead.

3. Shark Night 3D
It tried to capture the magic of last year’s Piranha. Only this one was horrible with NO redeeming qualities. Don't eat the American teens! Actually, who cares. Watch Jaws instead.
2. Prom

If you are ever sucked up into an alien spacecraft, and the extraterrestrials offer you a choice between getting probed with their instruments or watching Prom then fine, OK, option B, but still...

1. Beastly
This is an awful and completely ridiculous modern take on Beauty and the Beast. This movie had some of the worst clumsy dialogue ever, the whole concept was even clumsier. It tries to cram magic and social media into the same half-baked world, and it never even approaches convincing. (rolls eyes)
Best of the Best
Honorable Mentions:
Limitless
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Super 8

This little one arm surfer girl made me cry. I know this pick may be a little cheesy and out of left field, but I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It’s inspirational, touching and makes you feel good about life in general and reminds you that anything's possible.
9. Rise of the Planet of the Apes

8. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

Who knew the fourth installment of the series would be the best one yet. This is one terrific thriller that holds some of the best action sequences around. It’s kind of like action poetry.

The film makes a great deal of sense. It's a great film about American business. This is a pretty sympathetic view of what it takes to run a large business organization. Intriguing storytelling mixed with great acting!
6. Midnight in Paris

This Romantic comedy is a fabulous day-dream. Not only is it funny and charming, but it’s surprising touching, and profound. Even if you’re not a fan of Woody Allen you’ll fall in love with this film for sure.

It's funny, touching and incredibly humane – so don't be ashamed to turn on the waterworks if you feel like it. And don't be surprised if Viola Davis walks away with a golden statuette for her performance.
4. Bridesmaids

Director Paul Feig + hilarious Kristen Wigg headlining an amazing cast of ladies = last year’s BEST comedy and one of the best comedies in a long time.

The most charming 3D adventure of last year belongs to a young boy named Hugo. This is the first real children's film by Martin Scorsese, and one of his finest films yet. If you love movies and the history of film, I guarantee you’ll fall in love.

It's a film that did the seemingly impossible. The eighth film of the series ends up being the best of the series and a truly great film in every respect. It definitely ended with a bang. I’m just sad it’s finally over.
And the #1 BEST movie of the year goes to...

From its gripping getaway opening scene to its ambiguous dramatic ending, Drive packs a powerful punch. Yes, it’s definitely gory and violent (in parts), but it has some of the best acting, directing, and editing that you’ll be completely mesmerized from beginning to end. This film is definitely a work of art and Ryan Gosling is truly magnificent!
There you have it, folks. The floor is now yours... What movies made your best and worst list of 2011?