11 Great Films of 2011

Dec. 9, 2011— -- quicklist: 1url: title: 'The Artist'

text: This silent film from Belgium tells the story of 1920s silent film star George Valentin.

"I couldn't wait to tell people about 'The Artist,'" said Alynda Wheat, movie critic at People magazine. "Which is sort of odd because, you know, it's black and white … and silent. Yes, it's an homage to that era, you know, as we came into the talkies. But it is just beautifully done, so witty. And just beautifully composed, almost like a painting. Just gorgeous, great performances. You're absolutely going to be seeing 'The Artist' talked about at the Oscars."

Watch "The Year With Katie Couric" now and click here for more on "The Year" from People magazine.

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quicklist: 2url: title: 'Drive'

text: In "Drive," Ryan Gosling stars as a Hollywood stuntman who becomes the target of a hit.

"I was in love with 'Drive,'" said Wheat. "I thought Ryan Gosling was absolutely amazing, and, violent as it is, it used violence in a way that was extremely necessary. And it was just very artfully done, beautifully done."

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quicklist: 3url: title: 'Crazy, Stupid, Love'

text: Ryan Gosling also starred in this romantic comedy, alongside Steve Carrell, Julianne Moore and Emma Stone.

Gosling was "all over the place this year," said movie critic Joe Levy. "'Crazy Stupid Love', 'Drive', 'Ides of March.' The guy's got some range. He's interesting as well as really, really good-looking."

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quicklist: 4url: title: 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2'

text: J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter movie franchise is the most successful in the history of film, and fans say this year's eighth and final installment does not disappoint.

"When Snape says to Harry, you know, look in my eyes, because he wants to see Harry's mother's eyes for the last time, the love of his life, for the last time, it's the most emotionally rewarding moment," said Wheat. "It's amazing."

"Part two was just amazing," she continued. "Great use of 3-D graphics, beautiful storytelling, the most mature acting we've seen from the cast yet. I think it could have an Oscar chance. ... It has as much of an outside chance as anybody."

"Harry Potter's changed the game," said critic Levy. "The sense that the audience is growing up with the cast, this creates a real bond. Also, the movies become bigger. And bigger in ways that often work."

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quicklist: 5url: title: 'Attack the Block'

text: London teens take on a pack of invading aliens in this film from writer-director Joe Cornish.

"I hope more people see 'Attack the Block,'" said Wheat. "You know, it's not often that I'm out there stumping for a sci-fi spoof, with monsters with glowing blue teeth. But let me tell you, this was a really fantastic movie -- funny and scary and just terrific."

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quicklist: 6url: title: 'The Descendants'

text: George Clooney stars as a Hawaiian land baron whose wife is left in a vegetative state following a boating accident. Newcomer Shailene Woodley, who plays one of his daughters, gives a "sweetly belligerent performance" that may well land the actress an Oscar nomination," said ABC's film critic David Blaustein.