The Descendants

The Descendants is a wry, somewhat moving, slightly entertaining snapshot of hell in paradise. The Hawaii of this movie is at times idyllic, at others a mirror of American society in distress. George Clooney adeptly plays the distant father coping with two daughters, while Mom lays in a coma from which she never recovers. (If you've lost someone you loved in the past year, this may not be the movie for you.) There is some funny dialogue as well as poignant moments along the path of sorrow, illness, old age, and adultery, while Dad and his girls find their way back to each other. Overall the supporting cast may be better than George, though best actor nominations will surely come his way.

The Artist

From the stylized opening credits to the last tap, The Artist is thoroughly clever, completely enjoyable, and tearfully touching. A smartly played black and white film about silent films, The Artist pays homage to cinema's golden age. This film may turn out to be the best movie of the year, while 2011 boiled over with hangovers, bridesmaids, girls with tattoos, twilights, and horses. The Artist is more imaginative than nearly every other entry. Don't be put off by the lack of sound and color, plenty of laughs and emotions are on hand, free from anything other than a delightful soundtrack and handsome shades of black and white. Step out for a lively rendezvous with the past, the older you are, the more you'll enjoy it!