Last year was the first year I remember seeing a top ten list from Quentin Tarantino, which I posted Tarantino Archives. Only difference this year is that on top of his top films he also lists some “Nice Try” contenders, his list of the worst films, best director, best screenplay and then some.
As with any list, Tarantino’s is raising eyebrows and mostly for the films that fall out of his top ten and primarily those that made his “Nice Try” and “Worst of” lists, though I’m confused how The Artist and Our Idiot Brother end up in a tie for tenth? Do those two films share something thematically or in terms of entertainment level? I don’t see what would make him think to have them share a slot. Oh well.
Among the “Nice Try” contenders (and most of the people online are still unsure what that actually means) you’ll find Rampart is the title gaining the most attention.
Drive, which has made almost every “Best of 2011” list I have read, is a particularly interesting inclusion in that curious “Nice Try” list as he includes The Three Musketeers in his top ten and films such as Green Hornet and Green Lantern in his list of runners-up.
Personally I love the fact Tarantino does this and wish more filmmakers would open up about what films they watched and loved each year. Then again, I presume most people in the industry aren’t as obsessive about films as Tarantino is.
As for his picks this year, the worst and best don’t really interest me since we all have our favorites and least favorites, but the “Nice Try” thing is intriguing. Sure, we can argue all day over what’s best and what’s worst, but “Nice Try”? I want to hear more. What did he find right and/or wrong with those films? Inquiring minds want to know!
I’ve included all seven of his lists directly below, and thanks again to the Tarantino Archives for publishing the list.
Quentin Tarantino’s official Top 11 of 2011
- Midnight In Paris
- Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes
- Moneyball
- The Skin I Live In
- X-Men: First Class
- Young Adult
- Attack The Block
- Red State
- Warrior
- The Artist / Our Idiot Brother (tie)
- The Three Musketeers
Others considered in no particular order
- 50/50
- Beginners
- Hugo
- The Iron Lady
- Carnage
- Green Hornet
- Green Lantern
- Captain America
- The Descendants
- My Week With Marilyn
- Fast Five
- The Tree Of Life
- The Hangover Part II
- Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
- The Beaver
- Contagion
- The Sitter
- War Horse
Nice Try Award
- Drive
- Hanna
- Drive Angry
- Real Steel
Best Director
- Pedro Almodovar
- Bennett Miller
- Woody Allen
- Jason Reitman
- Michel Hazanavicius
Best Original Screenplay
- Midnight In Paris
- Young Adult
- Red State
- Attack The Block
- Our Idiot Brother
- Beginners
Best Adapted Screenplay
- Moneyball
- The Skin I live In
- Carnage
- Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes
- Hugo
- X-Men: First Class
Worst Films
- Sucker Punch
- Potiche (Trophy Wife)
- Miral
- Insidious
- Rampart
- Straw Dogs
- Paranormal Activity 3
- Meek’s Cutoff
