Disillusioned writer Gil (Owen Wilson) walks the streets of Paris in search of inspiration, but through a nifty conceit finds himself in the 1920s, the age when Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and all the other ex-patriates mingled with some of the greatest European artists of the 20th century. "Midnight in Paris" is witty, absurd, and an absolute delight.

Alexander Payne’s latest comes with a great deal of hype, and while it doesn’t quite live up, it’s still an engaging drama with some humor sprinkled in. George Clooney gives another fine performance, and Shailene Woodley breaks out as Clooney’s daughter.

It’s difficult enough to breathe life into one cinematic legend, but to resurrect two in one film is quite a feat. Michelle Williams completely inhabits her role as Marilyn Monroe, while Kenneth Branagh gives his own interpretation of his hero, Laurence Olivier. "My Week With Marilyn" is a funny, touching love note to Monroe, both the icon and the woman.

Spy movies have (d)evolved into action movies rather than the elaborate puzzles they once were. "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" is a throwback to the slowly unfolding mole hunt stories of classic spy movies. Gary Oldman anchors an astounding cast that also includes Colin Firth, John Hurt, and Tom Hardy.

Tilda Swinton plays a mother whose son (Ezra Miller) has committed a mass school shooting. Wracked by the fact that she has raised a veritable monster and treated as if she is as guilty as her son, she struggles to understand and to love her son. This is a dark, dark movie, but it’s a topic we have yet to talk about honestly. And regardless of social agenda, this film is as riveting as it is uncomfortable.

"Undefeated" (not to be confused with the Sarah Palin documentary "The Undefeated," which even her fans ignored) is a documentary as enthralling as any scripted sports movie. Volunteer coach Bill Courtney tries to lead an inner city Memphis football team to a playoff win, but much more profound and inspiring are his attempts to help his young men build better lives for themselves. Whether you love or hate football, you must not miss this when it reaches theatres in February.

Muppet fans will revel in this self-aware attempt to resurrect the franchise, lovers of musicals will love the campy song-and-dance numbers, and those new to the Muppets will discover a new brand of joy. More pure fun than any other 2011 movie.

David Fincher’s remake doesn’t equal the power of the Swedish original, but it comes awfully close. His stunning imagery complements strong performances from Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara. The story and characters are compelling even after Hollywood waters them down a bit.

The most successful continuous franchise in movie history concludes in stunning fashion. It seemed impossible that the final cinematic chapter of Harry Potter would meet expectations, but the cast and crew pulled it off.

Expectations were extremely low for "Rise," but this is possibly the best action movie of 2011. Dramatizing the same themes explored in "Project Nim," this franchise reboot is both thoughtful and exciting. Andy Serkis provides the pantomime for Caesar, the motion-capture ape around which the film is built. The filmmakers were smart enough to let the primates steal the show, but as with the original Planet of the Apes, the underlying question is, what makes us human?

Exquisitely written and acted, "Moneyball" is a thinking man’s sports movie. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill both give Oscar-worthy performances in what is a rather slow yet funny and moving film that is more about dreams and perseverance than baseball.

Charlize Theron plays Mavis Gary, a character who can only be described as a hot mess. She was the prettiest girl in school, but now she is a divorced, alcoholic ghost writer who returns to her small Minnesota hometown to rekindle romance with her high school sweetheart (Patrick Wilson), now a happily married new father. Mavis is a delusional, emotionally stunted trainwreck we can’t look away from, especially when she is sparring with former high school loser Matt (Patton Oswalt). "Young Adult" is thoroughly ironic and hilarious.

Glenn Close plays the title character, a deeply scarred woman who lives as a man in 19th century Dublin. She puts on masculine clothes as both a protective cocoon and a means to support herself. Close co-wrote the script and theme song, produces, and stars. She gets tremendous support from Mia Wasikowska and Janet McTeer, who is a lock for a best supporting actress nod. "Albert Nobbs" is a gem.

"Martha" is a breakout for its first-time director, Sean Durkin, and its lead actress, Elizabeth Olsen. The film blends past and present as it delves into the wounded mind of Martha (Olsen), an opaque yet intriguing young woman who stays with her sister (Sarah Paulson) and her husband (Hugh Dancy) while she recovers from a sojourn with a cult. John Hawkes gives another quiet, menacing role as the cult leader.