- A Separation (as perfect a drama as you can imagine, perfect weaves multiple threads and conflicts within a gripping, totally believable story while making shades-of-gray commentary on religion, class, sexism, relationships, family and parenthood)
- Tree of Life (who cares what it's about, a total joy to watch, I thought)
- The Muppets (I love nostalgia and this was pure nostalgia in its most enjoyable form... a nostalgic movie that's about nostalgia, hilarious and utterly benign. if it didn't make you smile, there's something wrong with you)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 (epic and fitting finish to perhaps the greatest series of our lifetimes)
- The Descendants (wonderfully nuanced, perfectly acted. great film)
- Drive (so very quiet, so very intense, and then... so very (and very unexpectedly) bloody)
- Bridesmaids (year's best comedy, hands down, not even close)
- Hugo (a first for me: I actually enjoyed the 3D in this movie)
- Melancholia (so much to look at, so much to think about)
- The Artist (a fine film, total Oscar bait, but it was a weak year for movies, so it makes the top ten)
Honorable mention (a.k.a I also enjoyed... in alphabetical order): The Adjustment Bureau,The Future, Midnight In Paris, Rango, Source Code, Super 8, Young Adult
