The year is almost over, but it was a very eventful year for movie-going fans. We saw some great films come out, and a few bad ones as well. Lots of surprises, as we all know Hollywood likes to pull our heartstrings.
One of the biggest surprises of the year was the casting of Robert Pattinson in the role of Rev. Richard Taylor. This was a bit of a shock as we all know he is best known for his work in the band, The Twilight Saga. We all thought he would have been too busy with that to have time for a role in a movie. But he proved us wrong. He is a very talented and skilled actor and the audience seems to agree as he has a 9/10 rating on IMDB.com.
The Year In Review
Well, this is it. The final installment of our movie review series for the year. It’s been a great year and we want to thank all of our readers for continuing to read our reviews all the way through. We appreciate all your support and hope that you continue to check us out for anything movie-related. Also, please make sure to check out our other blogs as well for more content.
2011: Turning Points
So what did we learn this year? Let’s take a look…
1. Horror Films Are Still King
This will come as no great surprise to anyone who has followed our reviews this year. Horror films still reign supreme, as our top 3 grossing films were all horror films. Even more impressively, our top 10 films grossed $400 million+, which is an all-time high for our franchise. We had quite a few indie horror films this year as well that did really well, like The Conjuring and It Follows. This is a testament to the enduring popularity of the horror genre, which is as great as it ever was. Perhaps this is because horror fans still get to enjoy new and innovative effects with today’s technology, which helps make the experience more authentic.
2. 3-D Is The Future
The future of film definitely looks 3-D and for some time now, fans have been asking for a 3-D update to our movie review site. Well, we have one and it is finally here! The technology is accessible and affordable enough for the average movie-goer, and it is definitely growing in popularity. People are realizing how much more they can see in theaters when they watch films in 3-D. This is undoubtedly good for the economy, as more people are going to the movies and spending more money. It’s great if you are a movie buff who wants to see every single film in theaters, but it’s not for everyone. Those who dislike watching films in 2-D may see no point in paying for 3-D glasses when they can get the same experience for free by watching films in 2-D.
3. CGI Is The Future
Another development that we saw this year is the rise of the VFX-heavy film. With effects-driven films like The Avengers, Transformers 4 and Alice In Wonderland (which made over $1 billion), it is clear that CGI is where it’s at. In fact, if you look at the latest Harry Potter film, you will see that it’s very hard to distinguish between CGI and practical effects. It’s all cool effects and amazing visuals, but it is still not a film that one would call “vintage”.
With effects-driven films becoming increasingly prominent in today’s entertainment landscape, it’s clear that filmmakers are finding ways to tell unique and innovative stories using this exciting new technology. It should also be noted that it is not only effects that are driving this trend. The rise of the VFX-heavy film also coincides with a shift in Hollywood towards more adult-oriented content. It’s a great way for filmmakers to explore new ideas and new ways to tell stories.
4. It Is A Family Affair
One of the biggest surprises of the year was the tremendous performance of the Twilight Saga. Fans have been waiting for this movie since Breaking Dawn was released in 2010, and it did not disappoint. It was the most successful installment of the franchise this year, making nearly $400 million worldwide. It is also the highest-grossing film of all time in the Philippines, where it is known as the “most watched movie ever.”
This year was also the big comeback for the family-friendly movie Gone With The Wind. The epic love story between Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh set a record when it was released in 1939, and it still holds up well today. It is considered by many to be the greatest film of all time, and it continues to be popular even after all these years. Families are able to enjoy this timeless classic together while knowing that it is not too violent or racy for younger audiences.
5. CGI Is Revolutionizing The Way We Watch Films
Thanks to advancements in CGI technology, fans are now able to see motion capture performances that were once reserved for the big screen. It used to be that only a select few actors could pull off a performance like this, but now it is possible for everyone. This is great for film enthusiasts, as it means there are more ways than ever to experience a performance live. For example, there is now the option of seeing a play on Broadway, and then seeing the same play on the big screen a week later with a different cast. With all the technological barriers lowered, it is easier than ever for creators to bring their visions to life and really test the limits of what is possible. This is resulting in a whole new way of storytelling, and it’s exciting to behold.
6. Blockbuster Vs. Independent Film
It is a well-established fact that Hollywood studios release blockbusters, these are large-scale films that make tons of money and secure significant audiences, while indie films are usually smaller in scale, made by smaller studios and go more often unsponsored. So, it should come as no great surprise that many of the big films of the year were from Hollywood. There were exceptions though, like The Tree of Life and Whistle, and it seems that audiences have now seen enough to realize that there is more than one kind of film out there. The independent film is not dead, and audiences are responding positively to the increased availability of these kinds of films. It also helps that the indies are becoming more and more creative and unique, while the blockbusters mostly stick with tried and tested formulas. If there is a lesson to be learned here, it is that audiences should be more open to new things, as they could really enjoy something different if they gave it a try. This is what keeps cinema alive and interesting.
7. CGI Is Increasingly Being Used For Character Animation
It seems like nearly every other new cartoon and animated film of the year was some variant of CGI. Marvel’s Rise Of The Guardians is a great example of this, as all of the characters were designed using advanced technology, meaning they could all be animated. It is great to see this kind of innovation and creative use of technology, as it allows for greater diversity in both story and character design. This trend will continue, as more and more films are using CGI instead of traditional hand-drawn animation as a way to tell their stories.
8. 3D Plus Is The Future
It seems that the year 2011 was the big year for 3D Plus. It was featured in two of our top 3 grossing films this year (Tron: Legacy and Dark Shadows), and it was also the focal point of the Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, as this is the format that Mike Carson, the character played by Tina Fey, uses to watch films. It is great to see 3D technology used for such creative and innovative purposes as seen in these films, as it makes them stand out even more. It also seems that audiences are beginning to appreciate this innovation and seek it out, especially since it allows them to watch films from all angles.
9. Conclusion
Well, that’s it. We hope you enjoyed reading our review of the year 2011. It was a very interesting and eventful year. Not only did we see some great films come out, but we also saw several that we considered to be very bad. It’s always good to see how other people view the movies that we love. Maybe they will see something different than what we see and will help change our mind about certain aspects of a film. In any case, we look forward to reading your reviews in 2012.
Thanks for reading and have a happy New Year!