#1 - THE BEST OF 2011: THE ARTIST (dir. Michael Hazanavicius) - As I learned when seeing Michel Hazanavicius’ incredible The Artist, even with an absence of words, the motion picture can again be glorious, affirming, and affecting. A modern version of the silent film and set in 1927 Hollywood, “The Artist” documents the fall and rise of a Hollywood icon, a new starlet, all amidst the backdrop of the demise of the silent film and the arrival of “the talkies.” The most exhilarating experience I have had watching a movie this year. (Now In Theaters).

Other Top 2011 Movie Picks: The Descendants; 50/50; A Separation; Project NIM; The Tree of Life; Of Gods And Men; The Muppets; Harry Potter And The Deadly Hallows - Part 2; Midnight In Paris.

Worst 2011 Movie Picks: Sucker Punch; Red Riding Hood; Sanctum; Atlas Shrugged, Part I; Zookeeper; Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big, Happy Family; Just Go With It; Beastly; Monte Carlo; Spy Kids: All The Time In The World.

See More of Mike Ward’s Best & Worst of 2011 as well as his

coverage of the OSCARS online at www.shouldiseeit.net!