The Reel Dad names the Best of 2011

Written by Mark Schumann, Father of Three
Thursday, 05 January 2012 14:29

As film critics choose the best of 2011, the Reel Dad awards his annual year-end honors, The Schumies, honoring the achievements of the year in reel nutrition.  Do you agree?

Cooking with Gas: The Descendants

Alexander Payne examines grief with such humanity and humor that the natural sentiment of the story never overwhelms the power of its message. 

Baked to Perfection: The Artist

This tribute to Hollywood mystique uses the magic of silent cinema to remember the turbulent days when the movies and its stars tried to transition to talkies.

Proof is in the Pudding: The Help

A fabulous cast reaches beyond the 1960s aesthetic to boldly examine issues that defined racial tension 50 years ago and continue to haunt relations between people.

Cream of the Crop: Moneyball

Brad Pitt avoids sports movie clichés to portray a man who wants to win one more game and leave a legacy of change that will be remembered long after his working days end. 

Bursting with Flavor: Hugo

Leave it to master moviemaker Martin Scorsese to justify all the excitement about 3-D technology and create a marvelous entertainment that breaks new ground.

Bringing Home the Bacon: The Iron Lady

The amazing Meryl Streep reaches a new high with her thoughtful examination of an aging Margaret Thatcher, the longest-serving prime minister in British history.

Favorite Popcorn: War Horse

Steven Spielberg celebrates a return to the epic movies of the 1950s and 1960s with this stirring adaptation of the Michael Morpurgo novel.

Tasty Snack: Ides of March

If real politics were as entertaining as the reel conflicts in George Clooney’s sharp commentary we might find it less painful to listen to candidates babble.

Appetizing Animation: Rango

Celebrate the traditions of the Old West in this delightful homage to movie Westerns that reminds us while destiny awaits everyone, only those who dream can ever achieve.

Tangy Surprise: Bridesmaids

From out of nowhere arrives the hit comedy of the year with a smashing cast, especially the incredible Melissa McCarthy who should be an Oscar nominee.

Welcome Return to the Kitchen: Midnight in Paris

The magic of Paris comes alive in Woody Allen’s touching and humorous tale of a writer discovering his voice while wandering the streets of the French capital.

Succulent Sensation: The Tree of Life 

Terrence Malick takes us on an artist’s journey to explore the hidden, controversial and ultimately personal issues that can carry from fathers to sons.

Flavorful Slice of Life: Buck

While the story of a horse trainer is compelling, the power of Buck is how director (and Redding resident) Cindy Meehl explores the truths of horses and the people they trust.

Piece de Resistance: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

The magic of the series reaches an artistic peak with this thrilling climax to the eight-movie saga, a creatively clear movie that easily stands on its own merits.

Savory Literary Adaptation: Jane Eyre

The adapters wisely refuse to make Charlotte Bronte’s classic novel more than it is and return to the author’s original intent to focus on Jane’s journey to self-awareness.

Most Indulgent Appetizer: My Week With Marilyn

We do not learn much about Marilyn Monroe from this synthetic biographical sketch but it looks and sounds good, especially Michelle Williams’ delicious impersonation of MM.

Flat as a Pancake: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Perhaps the book brims with excitement but this redo of a Swedish film, directed by the usually reliable David Fincher, lets the narrative clutter and the characters confuse.

Bitter Aftertaste: Water for Elephants

On the surface, everything looks good with effective period detail, but the impact shatters as soon as the characters begin to speak.