Best Films Of 2011 So Far: The Unexpectedly Good Ones

At its halfway point, 2011 has seen a number of blockbusters already -- think "Bridesmaids," "Hangover II," "X-Men" -- but it's also seen a range of more quiet films that have moved us, without being laugh-out-loud funny or gimmicky.

Here are our picks for those films that gave us more than we were bargaining for when we entered the theater. Give us your picks for the unexpectedly good films of the year in the comments.

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Certified Copy

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Abbas Kiarostami's "Certified Copy" follows two strangers, who in the span of one day cover the course of an entire relationship, as they walk the streets and fall the roles of husband and wife. It's bizarre, to be sure, but by subverting reality ever so slightly, it makes for a more powerful comment on how relationships progress, and regress.

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Abbas Kiarostami's "Certified Copy" follows two strangers, who in the span of one day cover the course of an entire relationship, as they walk the streets and fall the roles of husband and wife. It's bizarre, to be sure, but by subverting reality ever so slightly, it makes for a more powerful comment on how relationships progress, and regress.

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philwoods said on 14 Thursday 2011 pm31 5:35 pm: I bet your life is better and more interesting for your cats.

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Comments

[Cocoa Magic]

12:38 AM on 08/26/2011

Not sure how much I agree but the best movies of 2011 can easily be found at http://stage.filmcrave.com/list_top_movie.php?yr=2011

[an]

03:17 AM on 07/23/2011

isn't this list supposed to be films that were supprisingly good? so why have 3 films on there from men who are among the most celebrated filmmakers in the world??? were you shocked that films by terrence malick, woody allen, and abbas kiarostami were good - particularly given the hype they received coming out of cannes? as for me, i was looking forward to these films as was much of the world...

[onionboy]

03:45 PM on 07/25/2011

Thank you. That's what I was thinking...especially with Tree of Life on there. People wait for the next Malick flick like it's the last meal on Earth.

Surprises is that I was hoping for. Frankly, that X-Men First Class was the biggest SURPRISE as far as I'm concerned. I expected it to be borderline horrible. It was a complicated script with shades of gray and lots of 3-dimensional characters. It's certainly not what I was expecting. It was not as good as Win Win for me, but then when I see a movie starring Paul Giamatti I have high expectations.

[Lefty Pockets]

06:12 PM on 07/22/2011

What happened to American independent cinema? People I know who go to Sundance tell me American offerings there stink up the theaters.

[SteveDenver]

07:16 AM on 07/21/2011

I'm not into high fashion, but BILL CUNNINGHAM: NEW YORK was an unexpected pleasure.
WIN/WIN is such a subtle, ingenious story. Bobby Cannavale was hilarious.
Too bad BEGINNERS isn't listed, another film of subtle genius from Mike Mills (The Station Agent, The Visitor).

[diva362171]

02:39 PM on 07/29/2011

Loved Win/Win. You should check out Uncle Boonme Who Can Recall His Past Lives. Astonishing!

[racetoinfinity]

04:07 AM on 07/19/2011

If only TOL had been less hackneyed.

[garystartswithg]

12:55 PM on 07/21/2011

i was so mixed about that film -- the acting is good but the intended audience wasn't me -- i am not a boomer in need of turning my narcissism into a religion.

[jessiependergrass]

10:23 PM on 07/18/2011

Paul Giamatti is wonderful. I can't think of something where I didn't like him in it.

[sextonfan]

09:02 PM on 07/27/2011

"Lady in the water"?

[wmholt]

10:22 AM on 07/28/2011

Ha! Agreed. Not his fault, though.

[DingoBuzzy]

11:46 AM on 07/29/2011

Hated the movie, loved Giamatti's performance.

[CJ40inWI]

01:34 PM on 07/18/2011

Nice pics but unfortunately where I live, none of these flicks would ever be shown on the big cinema complexes we have here. : (

[SteveDenver]

07:11 AM on 07/21/2011

That's a bummer... Netflix

[Jahnsart]

11:02 AM on 07/18/2011

I really loved the Tree of Life...It was so thought provoking and raw, with no commentary or attempt to make you choose what to feel...it allowed me to see the fruitlesness of my own ideas of what my life is about and what I make my life mean to me...I thought the scenes of space and the vastness of the cosmos, with the pleadings of the mother were profound...But then again, it is just the way I am...Or is it?

[Rogo99]

08:56 AM on 07/15/2011

"Cedar Rapids", with Ed Helms taking the lead in a funny and quirky little film with some other medium-size stars you know.

[Mahi Joe]

07:22 AM on 07/15/2011

Hmmm, did they forget "Undefeated?"

[SteveDenver]

07:19 AM on 07/21/2011

fave for making me laugh!

[Studebaker Hawk]

12:56 AM on 07/22/2011

It's an outrage (heavy snark).

[Mahi Joe]

07:22 AM on 07/15/2011

The documentary on Bill Cunningham was most excellent.

[SteveDenver]

07:17 AM on 07/21/2011

We kept thinking: "We're gonna see the end of him" when he repeatedly pulls into traffic on his bicycle.

[oxjr]

10:25 PM on 07/14/2011

'Screaming Man' is going on my must watch list. Nothing like a little world cinema to remind us that we are all just humans.

[Michael Desantis]

09:03 PM on 07/14/2011

I hope Tree of Life comes to my Theater.

[mbluetyphoon]

08:33 PM on 07/14/2011

Midnight In Paris - absolutely lovely film.

[sextonfan]

09:03 PM on 07/27/2011

Completely agree :)

[cmfrtblebbw]

08:33 PM on 07/14/2011

Like in political elections, movie goers argue endlessly, and then pick the least of the evils.