2011 Wrap-Up: Top 20 movies of the year, and the worst five I saw
10) "The Adjustment Bureau." This sci-fi story isn't getting any attention by other nationwide top 10 lists, but this was a fun love story starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. However, forces of nature - angels? - try to keep these lovebirds apart. This film mixes in science fiction, theology, great special effects, and incredible chemistry between its two stars.
9) "Moneyball." A baseball movie set almost entirely in the boardroom, Brad Pitt stars in the true-life story of Billy Beane, the top executive for the Oakland Athletics. When the A's top three players leave the team via free agency, Beane fills out his roster with guys who can get on base, even if they don't hit for power or run the bases well. This movie hits all the right points about the inequality of baseball team payrolls without getting too heavy-handed. Even non-baseball fans will find this intriguing.
8) "Ides of March." This is a smart political drama, set in Ohio during the presidential primary. Whichever candidate wins Ohio is likely to win the Democratic nomination, and eventually, the presidency. Ryan Gosling stars as a political aide, who also is a social climber. He begins this movie with youthful excitement and exuberance about how his candidate is going to change the world. By the end of the film, which is just a few short days later, he is jaded and bitter, as he has seen some personality flaws in the governor.