As 2011 draws to a close, we’re compiling some of the years biggest highlights.
The year in review series continues here with a look at eight sleeper movie hits you may have missed from around the world in 2011!
Not every great film gets the recognition it deserves. All sorts of politics come into play when it comes to the distribution of films.
But we at rukkle believe that every great film should be championed so we’ve put together a list of what we felt were some incredibly powerful films that never made the leap out of the arthouse cinema into the multiplex.
TAKE SHELTER
While this drama might not have made a bomb at the box office, it was certainly a hit amongst critics and featured one of the finest performances of the year from Boardwalk Empire’s Michael Shannon.
This is a brilliant thriller about a man who starts having visions of an apocalyptic storm who must struggle to decide whether he is a prophet or a madman.
Saying more about the current mindset of many a family man in a time of economic instability, Take Shelter is a thoughtful, thrilling and elegant piece of cinema. Catch it on DVD!
THE GUARD
A clever take on the cliche-ridden Irish comedy, The Guard was a massive success domestically and made enough of a splash abroad to earn its star Brendan Gleeson a deserved Golden Globe nomination.
Following a policeman with little care for protocol and often, the law, this comedy sees him paired with by-the-book American FBI Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle).
Hilarious, very clever and full of quotable one-liners, this has performed much better internationally than its modest budget would suggest.
MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE
People love films about cults but unfortunately there aren’t that many good ones. The topic is usually covered by TV movies and in very little depth.
This drama is about a girl after she has left a cult and the psychological scar it has left her with. As she tries to rebuild her life, constantly looking over her shoulder, we see flashbacks that give us small but insightful glimpses into life on the commune and the absolutely terrifying leader Patrick (a superb John Hawkes).
Despite a small release this film has earned a lot of deserved attention and will get a large international release in early 2012.
WEEKEND
It is rare to see a gay love story told with the delicacy and maturity of a film like Weekend. UK director Andrew Haigh’s debut film follows two men after a one-night stand talking through their feelings and following an unlikely road to romance.
The film may not have lit the box office alight but its international praise means we will be seeing bigger things from this young filmmaker. Definitely a film to keep your eyes peeled for.
TROLL HUNTER
Found footage like you’ve never seen it before. This Norwegian film reached a global market with it’s unlikely but extremely fun subject matter.
Step aside vampires and werewolves, there’s a new monster in town.
TUCKER AND DALE VS. EVIL
This clever, cool little horror comedy which turns every “creepy inbred hicks vs teenagers in the woods” convention on its head.
Two best friends, country bumpkins but all-round nice guys Tucker and Dale go in to fix up their cabin in the woods. At the same time a group of annoying teenagers set about having a party nearby.
Through a series of mishaps, bad timing and prejudices, the teens all start to die one by one with all signs pointing to innocent hicks Tucker and Dale. Hilarious and very likeable this quiet indie hit is sure to have a very long shelf life.
RED DOG
A gigantic hit in its native Australia, Red Dog is based on the true story of a dog who united a disparate local community while roaming the Australian outback in search of his long lost master.
Full of colour and humour and beautiful cinematography this is a rare cheerful indie film and one which proved massively popular at home and abroad.
SNOWTOWN
Just in case you thought Australian cinema was going soft, in comes Justin Kurzel with his brutal serial killer drama Snowtown.
Difficult to watch and set in what looks like the dreariest town in all of Oz, this disturbing but gripping and fascinating true story about notorious murderer John Bunting made waves all over the world this year.
With a unique style and an eye for talent, watch out for Justin Kurzel, who is sure to go on to great things.
Join The Conversation
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Credits: This post was produced for rukkle by Charlene Lydon. Visit Carlene’s film blog here
