@ StDoodle:

I was surprised that Johnny Depp even agreed to do the 2011 Pirates move – especially seeing how Legolas and Kiera Knightley didn’t. I guess he really likes being Jack Sparrow… Or he really liked the money. Either way, I decided against seeing that one.

Did not see Transformers because I really, really did not want to encourage Michael Bay to make more of these movies. Or any movies really…

@ Steve:

Yeah, I agree – this season was rather focused on the human drama and relationships. But I maintain that focus on character development usually not a bad thing. I’m hoping they will get off the damn farm in the second part of the season. I’m not writing it off just yet.

I liked Rita’s death – it was a gut wrenching moment, because at that point my disbelief was still suspended. Plus I kinda liked her so it totally blew me away. Plus I did not think it was such a huge coincidence. You knew Trinity was stalking Dexter’s house at that point – he might have been out there for a few hours during which Rita just happened by.

It was much less of a stretch than this seasons big “twist” in which Dexter stupidly performs a kill at a crime scene and while on duty so that Deb can conveniently walk onto it.

Sorry, couldn’t stand this season of The Walking Dead. More like “All My Zombies”…soap operish bullshit with the occassional zombie thrown in for good measure. The show better pick up in the second half of this season, or I’m done. As for Dexter – ever since the whole coincidence, deus ex machina that was Rita’s death, I haven’t watched a second of it. Let’s see…she was going on a trip, via plane. Went to airport. Forgot something at the house. Went back to house. However, at the same time she got to the house to grab something (what, that would take 30 seconds), the bad guy just happened to be there at precisely the same time. Bullshit. Worst “twist” ever.

Well, I went to see Drive yesterday and it was a decent movie (although somewhat overrated IMO). I don’t think I’ve watched any other 2011 film, though.

Portal 2 was a great game, though. Best I’ve played in a while.

Of those top movies, I’ve seen:

Harry Potter; ok I guess, liked the books better and still felt they were “so-so,” but still better than most of the junk out there

Transformers; rented and watched at home ’cause I was really bored. Shoulda done some coding. ;)

Pirates; meh. The first one was fun, but since then… wished I’d saved this for rental, but the wife has a thing for JD.

Rio; double-date w/ the bro & his wife, this was the only movie out at the time we were all up for. While nothing spectacular, it’s ok as a kiddie movie or a date movie. Sadly, it’s probably my top pick from that list.

Luckily, I’ve fared better for other entertainment. I have a new favorite blog to follow and a couple new authors said blog has pointed me to. :)

Maybe next year, when the congress-critters “fix” all the internet problems plaguing the poor, downtrodden entertainment industry, things will get better. Yeah.

@ s1n:

I have not seen it. Supposedly it is actually quite decent so yeah – that might be the one ok movie of the year.

@ Jed:

Isn’t it sad that 8 out of the 10 top grossing movies are sequels (five of which have numbers higher than 2), the ninth is a childhood nostalgia cash-in adaptation. :(

@ Adrian:

Have not seen it. I think I might have glimpsed the trailer and it did not make a big impression on me. What’s good about it?

Drive was, for me, movie of the year. There hasn’t been any other movie that blindsided me as much as that one.

10 Highest-grossing films of 2011:
1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
2 Transformers: Dark of the Moon
3 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
4 Kung Fu Panda 2
5 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1
6 Fast Five
7 The Hangover Part II
8 The Smurfs
9 Cars 2
10 Rio

Of the movies I saw on that list there’s none I can honestly say really wowed me or stuck with me enough to even remember having seen them until reading it.

Looking at the rotten tomatoes top 100 of 2011…
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/top/bestofrt/?year=2011
Don’t even recognise more than half of the list.

My wife and I really enjoyed the Muppets movie.

Games: Portal 2 is definitely the best game this year. Deus ex HR while nice lacked the feel of power to change the world, the ending killed it. As for skyrim, well I love elder scrolls, but I could never vote for a game which lacks strong story.

Books: Haven’t read many books released this year. But the final book in the WWW trilogy was released in 2011 and I loved the trilogy.

TV Shows: Game of thrones – this needs no comments.

Movies: I can’t remember any movie that warranted something more than “meh” from me.