Mario's Pick: Best Film of 2011

Okay, I'll be straight with you readers at GTBP, my favorite movie of 2011 is a tie between two magnum opus stories told by meticulous and thoughtful filmmakers.  Maybe they don't appeal to your sensibilities or your interests; it would be boring if we all agreed on the same thing, wouldn't it?  Luckily my pick is for Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life and Lars von Trier's Melancholia.  Both are complementary to the other and that is why they tie as my pick for best film of 2011.

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Movie Review: 'Melancholia'

Melancholia Starring Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Kiefer Sutherland Directed by Lars von Trier Rated R

Lars von Trier certainly has a way with words.  Not only is Melancholia aptly titled, but decisively true in its portrayal of mourning by classical standards, as well as contemporary about its mood.  A planet named Melancholia has entered our solar system bypassing other planets, it endangers everyone whether they believed in science or faith; or found themselves putting their trust in others.  At its core, Melancholia is about the struggles of family and the choices we make of them.

In von Trier's latest film, the director sets the viewer up in knowing how it all ends and will evoke to wonder what came before.  No way out is the name of the game and that's a terrifying way to live.  I should mention that Melancholia isn't your typical "apocalypse movie", but its essence is in viewing two sisters, Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg), cope with the escalating risks of emotional damage when Melancholia enters the space of balance. 

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Stellan Skarsgård On 'The Avengers,' 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,' and 'Melancholia'

We're inching closr and closer to the May 2012 release date for Joss Whedon's The Avengers, evidenced by all the on-set photo leaks and learning new details about the plot. As many fanboys know, Marvel has placed a "post-credit" scene that sets up the sequel or in this case The Avengers where the studio wants "to bridge elements from all of their previous endeavors, including The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, and this past summer’s Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger, into one cinematic Marvel universe." Certainly something this grand hasn't been attempted and Stellan Skarsgård has the privilege of being featured in one of these bridges. Skarsgård recently spoke to IAmRogue on being placed in the post-credit scene and goes on to speak about David Fincher's The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and Lars von Trier's Melancholia.

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What Remains of Lars von Trier's Filmmaking Career?

Lars von Trier at Cannes with Kirsten Dunst (left) and Charlotte Gainsbourg (right)

Much debate has been made of Lars von Trier's comments at this years Cannes International Film Festival declaring he sympathizes with Nazi leanings. One could assume this is von Trier's of being the provacateur he's always been.

Now this isn't about defending or accussing von Trier about his comments but, assessing the impact it has on Melancholia distribution and reception by the public. Also, how von Trier's filmmaking career will or won't continue. Honestly, i doubt that this incident will stop von Trier from getting funding for his next film, he'll run into some roadblock with those outside the people he would usually work with.

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Announcing the Palme d'Or Winner at Cannes...

Cannes Internation Film Festival

None other than: Terrence Malick's Tree of Life. Producers Bill Pohlad and Dede Gardner accepted the award on the behalf of Malick who's reclusive at public events and festivals. The win came a shock to some with mixed reaction after its world premiere in competition at this years Cannes International Film Festival.

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