Skip to main content

Movies of the Year: 2011

I've started watching more movies over the past year, so I thought that I might put together my list of movies of the year. Much like my books of the year post it's a list of the best movies I watched this year, regardless of release date.

5. A Serious Man

This Coen brothers' film definitely has a niche audience, but I have to agree with some of the critics who thought that this movie was better than No Country for Old Men. It weaves together popular wisdom and biblical themes into a rich tapestry on which to explore the question of suffering.

4. The Silence of the Lambs


I do not like horror movies, but this movie and Hopkins performance are as good as advertised.

3. Sucker Punch


This may be the most misunderstood film in a long long time. Not only does it not suck, like it's critics claimed, but it's a phenomenal film and brilliantly told if you'll take the time to dig your teeth into it after you're done watching it. See my review and defense of the film here.

2. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels


This fall I showed my wife a few of Steve Martin's films to expose her to the best of American comedy. I had only seen bits and pieces before. After watching it the whole way through, I think I have to say that it's my all-time favorite comedy.

1. Black Swan


Black Swan is probably in my all time top ten. It's been years since I've seen a film that caused me to well up with pure delight (it's similar to how I felt about Godfather II when I saw that for the first time a few years ago). The story telling is exquisitely beautiful and Natalie Portman deserved her Oscar.


Now for the top 5 movies that came out this year that I haven't seen yet and hope to see next year.

5. Pearl Jam Twenty


Pearl Jam is by far my favorite band and this is the definitive documentary released for their 20th anniversary. It should be two hours of awesome music and great insight into the last great rock band.

4. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy


Gary Oldman is an excellent actor and I love spy movies. Unfortunately I can't find a movie theater nearby showing it so I guess I'll be watching on Netflix.

3. Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol


My favorite genre of movie is PG-13 action movies. Hopefully I'll catch this before it's out of the theaters.

2. Moneyball


Baseball is my favorite sport and I think that Billy Beane's insight was real. I think it should be interesting.

1. Girl with the Dragon Tattoo


I love the Swedish original. I love Daniel Craig. I love Rooney Mara. I'll be at the theater next weekend.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Dating Galatians and Harmonization with Acts

We've gotten to the point where how we date Galatians and where we fit it into the narrative of Acts will affect our interpretation in a significant manner. The first question that we have to address is, which visit to Jerusalem is Paul recounting in Galatians 2:1-10 ? Is it the famine relief visit of Acts 11:27-30 or the Jerusalem council of Acts 15 ? First, I think it's worthwhile to point out that it's not all that obvious. Scholars are divided on this issue (even Evangelical scholars). In favor of the theory of Galatians 2:1-10 referring to the Acts 11 visit are the following: This visit clearly is prompted by a revelation by the Holy Spirit. The Acts 15 gathering seems to be a public gathering, where the one described in Galatians is private. Paul never alludes to a letter sent to the diaspora churches which could have definitively won the case for him. The issue of food laws was already decided by James. Why would men coming from him in Galatians 2:11-14 be advocat...

More Calvinist than Calvin?

I'm working on a paper on the topic of divine sovereignty and human freedom. Occasionally on this topic (or the subtopic of election) you will hear people through out the barb at strong Calvinists that they're 'being more Calvinist than Calvin.' After having read Calvin carefully on the issue I don't think that there's any validity to that charge. I don't see a material difference here between Calvin and say John Piper. Here are several quotes from the Institutes to prove my point. 'All events are governed by God's secret plan.' I.xvi.2 'Governing heaven and earth by his providence, he also so regulates all things that nothing takes place without his deliberation.' I.xvi.3 'Nothing happens except what is knowingly and willingly decreed by him.' I.xvi.3 Calvin explicitly rejects a limited providence, 'one that by a general motion revolves and drives the system of the universe, with its several parts, but which does not specifc...

Paul's Argument in Galatians 3:6-14

6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. 10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham mi...