2011 in the Movies: most overlooked

John Sayle's AMIGO

What are 2011’s most overlooked films? The Guard and Take Shelter are on some Top Ten lists, including mine, but they still haven’t gotten the buzz that they deserve.  These are two of the very best films of the year and are not to be missed.

Kill the Irishman is a gritty crime drama with a charismatic lead performance by Ray Stevenson.

Terri is something completely new in a teen mifit movie.

As in most films by the master director-writer-editor John Sayles, the historical drama Amigo intertwines the stories of a large ensemble cast while keeping each character recognizable, distinct and textured.

For a guilty pleasure, I will go with TrollHunter, a hilariously deadpan Norwegian take on the horror genre.

DVD of the Week: Kill the Irishman

Kill the Irishman is based on the real story of Danny Greene, a 70s Irish gangster who took on the Cleveland Mafia. Ray Stevenson (Titus Pullo on Rome) stars as the ambitious hood with uncommon charm, ruthless determination and knack for survival.  All-in-all, it’s a worthy crime drama with an excellent cast of veteran “mobsters”: Christopher Walken, Vincent D’Onofrio, Tony Lo Bianco, Paul Sorvino, Steve Schirripa,Robert Davi, Vinny Vella and Mike Starr.

Other recent DVD picks have been The Music Never Stopped, Source Code, Potiche and Another Year.