The 5th Annual GEeK Awards (2011)

Taking classes for another degree continues to slow my movie-viewing progress. Last year I watched the fewest number of films since I started the GEeK Awards. While I am not necessarily proud of this fact, I do, admittedly have better things to spend my time on lately. The year 2011 saw me take in 42 films that I had not previously rated. I re-watched a number of films already rated, so keep an eye out for my new Re-Viewed Reviews feature coming soon.

If you want to read my review for any of this year's contenders, nominees, and winners look them up on the Find A Film page.

AND THE GEeK AWARD GOES TO...

Some categories were very easy to pick this year, though some of the overall awards gave me trouble. The honorable mentions were particularly difficult to come up with. I suppose this happens when you watch mostly good movies during a year!

BEST ACTION/ADVENTURE FILM
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 (2011)

This turns out to be the only GEeK Award ever to go to a Harry Potter film. I don't have anything against the series, but I wonder if I was looking for an award to throw their way, seeing as the series is now over. Disney films aren't really deserving of an award for this genre, which cut out most of the competition. Still though, HP7.2 has all the action we've been waiting for. It may not always look perfect but they put a lot of work into the epic final battles, so it easily deserves it.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Quantum of Solace (2008)- For the sheer amount of action/stunt sequences involved.

Raising Arizona (1987)- Lots of well-shot action and active sequences plus seamless editing.



BEST ANIMATED FILM
Sleeping Beauty (1959)

I knew this would win for animation as soon as I watched it. Sleeping Beauty has long been one of my favorite Disney flicks. The medieval styling in the artwork, the use of the multi-plane camera, and the characters are all fantastic. The early experimenting with the Xerox technique worked in the dragon sequence (too bad it wasn't so hot for the next 20 years). It really comes down to the subtle details in the backgrounds that win me over. This is still an enduring treasure for Disney.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
The Great Mouse Detective (1986)- For some excellent early CGI rotoscoping that really added something to the film.

The Jungle Book (1967)- For its masterful blend of multi-plane and Xerox techniques.


BEST CHILDREN'S OR FAMILY FILM
Sleeping Beauty (1959)

The dragon sequence might be a little intense for the youngest viewers, but this film has family entertainment written all over it. Great songs, great characters, and wonderful animation combine for a real treat. Another reason it deserves this award is because the humor is appropriate for all ages. There's no split between kid humor and adult humor. I'm a stickler like that.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
The Jungle Book (1967)- It just got edged out. It possesses every good quality of Sleeping Beauty except the animation is just a little less impressive.

Marley & Me (2008)- Still not crazy about the mild sexuality and the swearing, but this is a sweet film about a nice family.



BEST COMEDY FILM
Raising Arizona (1987)

There's no sappiness to this movie. Just straight-up screwball humor. I like everything about this film- the pace, the acting, the antics, plus it's right up my alley in terms of its eclectic style of humor. I can understand it not being someone's cup of tea but it is certainly mine!

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Marley & Me (2008)- For it's unique blend of child-friendly cuteness and family oriented humor.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)- For being almost non-stop hilarious.


BEST DRAMA FILM
Amadeus** (1984)

What a film! Treachery, deception, torment- all perfect ingredients to a chilling drama. I like that this film never gets too bogged down in the serious stuff though. Tom Hulce's Mozart does get a tad annoying but his weird attitude helps keep the film fresh. Plus, it was easier (and more enjoyable) to watch the calculated ruination of a genius than it was the graceless fall of a monster (in Downfall). Plus this film has two splendid leads, not just one, plus a slew of supporting talent.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Downfall (2004)- For being one of the most powerful (albeit deflating) films I've seen in a long time.

Rebecca** (1940)- For giving me characters worth worrying about all the way to the end of a very taught and perilous journey.


BEST FOREIGN FILM
Downfall (2004)

This film wins in two ways. First, it's the only foreign film I saw all year. Second, this would have likely beat any other foreign films had I watched any. This film is something they should show in high school (with parental permission of course) because it shows just how screwed up the Nazis were. I love the European stylings- the grim color pallet, the artful cinematography, and I'm amazed Bruno Ganz didn't get a Best Actor nomination for his portrayal of Hitler. Everyone in this film deserves to have roles thrown at them left and right. I hope they all get their due some day.



BEST MUSICAL FILM
The Jungle Book (1967)

Once I get through all of the Disney animated films, I'm going to have to go back and take a look at which ones had the highest memorable song ratio. This one certainly sits near the top of the list. Every song is fun and the music either fits right into the story or the filmmakers found ways to make the characters dance and goof around in ways that just seem to work. This really was the last great Disney movie musical for a long time.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
The Great Ziegfeld** (1936)- For some intricate choreography during musical scenes (not so much for the music itself)

Sleeping Beauty (1959)- For perfectly incorporating Tchaikovsky's ballet score into the film and using it as the basis for several songs.



BEST ROMANCE FILM
Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Yes, the romance between the two lovebirds happens very quickly and very thoroughly, but it's a fairy tale. That's just how things work, right? For me, it's sweet and true love fairy tales are always winners because they touch us on a deeper, more innocent level.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Mrs. Miniver** (1942)- For giving us a delightful (though dated) tale involving two spouses who are very much in love with each other.

Rebecca** (1940)- The romance may be really sudden and hard to swallow at first, but it is undeniable by the end. Romance that grows on you- I like that concept!



BEST SCI-FI OR FANTASY FILM
Super 8 (2011)

As a rule of thumb, I will almost always skew towards sci-fi for this award. I love the nostalgic flavor of 70s and 80s sci-if. There is something far more wholesome about it that way. There is enough mystery about the film to keep you guessing and it has that old-school movie magic that wows you the whole way through the film.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt. 2 (2011)- For giving us the best fantasy throwdown spectacle in years.

Sleeping Beauty (1959)- Because it's a charming fantasy tale and a great film.


BEST THRILLER FILM
Rebecca** (1940)

This film kept me on my toes. Anymore, you can usually make a pretty good guess as to what is going to happen in a thriller film because everything is so derivative anymore. Not this film! Just when you think you have it figured out or what's going to happen next, Hitchcock adds another little twist. No stereotypes here (though elements of this film later became convention in mystery tales). You're never allowed to settle your mind down until the very end.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Blood Diamond (2006)- Because you never know just who is going to make it out in one piece, physically and emotionally.

Super 8 (2011)- For giving us a clever little adventure tale that puts kids in danger without violating our trust.

BEST OVERALL FILM
Amadeus** (1984)

The scope and excellent cast make this film a triumph. It's plenty dark but it is also enjoyable and entertaining. That unique combination is the hallmark of a great film. Downfall was every bit as impressive as this film but Amadeus boasts a deeper cast and fantastic music. Was it a given that a film about Mozart would be full of the composer's music? Yes, but it's done so well that it seems more like an epiphany than the obvious. Also, they nailed the period details here.





WORST OVERALL FILM
Just Go With It (2011)

This film boasts just one good performance (Aniston) and a paper thin plot. The concept itself is idiotic and disgusting by modern standards and it is made worse by trying to push Sandler's character off on us as a likeable guy. Maybe I'm showing my prudish side, but this film is shallow and pathetic. Having a woefully predictable ending doesn't do it any favors either.







BEST FILM FROM 2011 THAT I SAW IN 2011
Super 8 (2011)

What? You were expecting me to bow down to Harry Potter? Deathly Hallows pt. 2 was half of a film! Super 8 is a full story that gets in and get out in a delightful way. Maybe it's the nostalgia factor that wins it over for me. Then again, I do skew in favor of sci-fi films. I do think it comes down to being one complete story. Harry Potter is satisfying to the masses but Super 8 hits a niche market, one that I proudly belong to.







BIGGEST GUILTY PLEASURE
Robin Hood (1973)

It was this or Song of the South, which would have been a controversial pick. I'm not running from controversy though. I picked Robin Hood because I think subjectivity led me to give it a higher rating than it actually deserves. The story is good and the characters are amusing, but the animation just isn't up to Disney snuff. It really is an enjoyable film and has contains songs that will always be personal favorites of mine. I just can't shake that nagging feeling that I failed to be impartial enough on this one.






BEST REVIEW OF THE YEAR
Eat Pray Love (2010)

This is always a hard category to pick a winner for. I wrote some darn fine reviews this year but, as a 'blogger' who posts as soon as I get something written, my editorial process is nil. Yes, I proofread, but it's hard to proofread your own work because your brain tells you something is spelled or structured right even if it isn't. I use a zero tolerance policy for grammar and spelling, which saw a lot of strong reviews get thrown out of the running. I did not like Eat Pray Love at all but I didn't just rant on it like some web forum hack. Every ounce of venom and derision in that review targets a legitimate flaw in the film. I didn't wander off into tangential background information, I didn't rant just for the sake of ranting, and (of my options) it was the most satisfying read of the bunch.

Lots of love getting spread around this year for the GEeK Awards. Here a quick breakdown of how it all turned out:

Films Winning 3 Awards:
Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Films Winning 2 Awards:
Amadeus** (1984)
Super 8 (2011)

Films Winning 1 Award:
Eat Pray Love (2010)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt. 2 (2011)
The Jungle Book (1967)
Just Go With It (2011)
Raising Arizona (1987)
Rebecca** (1940)
Robin Hood (1973)
Der Untergang [Downfall] (2004)

AND THE NOMINEES ARE...

Despite a low number of films viewed, 2011 saw the fewest number of films eliminated from contention. Only six films didn't make the minimum 3-star requirement for earning nominations.

Nominees for Best Action/Adventure Film
The AristoCats (1970)
The Black Cauldron (1985)
Blood Diamond (2006)
The Bucket List (2007)
The Fox and the Hound (1981)
The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)
The Jungle Book (1967)
One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
Quantum of Solace (2008)
Raising Arizona (1987)
The Rescuers (1977)
Robin Hood (1973)
The Sword in the Stone (1963)


Nominees for Best Animated Film
The AristoCats (1970)
The Black Cauldron (1985)
The Fox and the Hound (1981)
The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
The Jungle Book (1967)
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)
One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
The Rescuers (1977)
Robin Hood (1973)
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Song of the South (1946)
The Sword in the Stone (1963)


Nominees for Best Children’s or Family Film
The AristoCats (1970)
The Black Cauldron (1985)
The Fox and the Hound (1981)
The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
The Jungle Book (1967)
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)
Marley & Me (2008)
One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
Robin Hood (1973)
The Rescuers (1977)
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Song of the South (1946)
The Sword in the Stone (1963)


Nominees for Best Comedy Film
The AristoCats (1970)
The Bucket List (2007)
Date Night (2010)
Marley & Me (2008)
Parenthood
Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
Raising Arizona (1987)
Sliding Doors (1998)
You Can't Take It With You** (1938)


Nominees for Best Drama Film
Amadeus** (1984)
Blood Diamond (2006)
The Bucket List (2007)
Cavalcade** (1933)
Cimarron** (1931)
Grand Hotel** (1932)
The Great Ziegfeld** (1936)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)
The King's Speech** (2010)
The Life of Emile Zola** (1937)
Marley & Me (2008)
Mrs. Miniver** (1942)
Parenthood
Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
Rebecca** (1940)
The Rescuers (1977)
Sliding Doors (1998)
The Social Network* (2010)
Der Untergang [Downfall] (2004)


Nominees for Best Foreign Film
Der Untergang [Downfall] (2004)


Nominees for Best Musical Film
The AristoCats (1970)
The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
The Great Ziegfeld** (1936)
The Jungle Book (1967)
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)
Robin Hood (1973)
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Song of the South (1946)
The Sword in the Stone (1963)


Nominees for Best Romance Film
Cavalcade** (1933)
Date Night (2010)
Grand Hotel** (1932)
The Great Ziegfeld** (1936)
Marley & Me (2008)
Mrs. Miniver** (1942)
Rebecca** (1940)
Robin Hood (1973)
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Sliding Doors (1998)
You Can't Take It With You** (1938)


Nominees for Best Sci-Fi or Fantasy Film
The Black Cauldron (1985)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)
The Rescuers (1977)
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Sliding Doors (1998)
Super 8 (2011)
The Sword in the Stone (1963)


Nominees for Best Thriller Film
Blood Diamond (2006)
Date Night (2010)
Quantum of Solace (2008)
Rebecca** (1940)
Super 8 (2011)

The Descent (2005)
Eat Pray Love (2010)
Just Go With It (2011)
Letters to God (2010)
Love and Other Drugs (2010)
Oliver & Company (1988)

There were plenty of films snagging multiple nominations. Here are some quick stats about this year's nominees and 2011 in general:

Films with 5 nominations: The Aristocats, The Rescuers, Robin Hood, Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone
Films with 4 nominations: The Black Cauldron, The Great Mouse Detective, The Jungle Book, Marley & Me, Sliding Doors

The average rating for 2011 films was 3.41
The median rating for 2011 was 3.5

Amadeus** (1984)
The Aristocats (1970)
The Black Cauldron (1985)
Blood Diamond (2006)
The Bucket List (2007)
Cavalcade** (1933)
Cimarron** (1931)
Date Night (2010)
The Descent (2005)
Eat Pray Love (2010)
The Fox and the Hound (1981)
Grand Hotel** (1932)
The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
The Great Ziegfeld** (1936)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)
The Jungle Book (1967)
Just Go With It (2011)
The King's Speech** (2010)
Letters to God (2010)
The Life of Emile Zola** (1937)
Love and Other Drugs (2010)
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (2007)
Marley & Me (2008)
Mrs. Miniver** (1942)
Oliver & Company (1988)
One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
Parenthood (1989)
Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
Quantum of Solace (2008)
Raising Arizona (1987)
Rebecca** (1940)
The Rescuers (1977)
Robin Hood (1973)
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Sliding Doors (1998)
The Social Network* (2010)
Song of the South (1946)
Super 8 (2011)
The Sword in the Stone (1963)
Der Untergang [Downfall] (2004)
You Can't Take It With You** (1938)