The five best films of 2011 By Angela Espinoza, Arts Editor ow before I begin, no, I did not see Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life, nor did I see Lars von Trier’s Melancholia, and on the other end of that spectrum, I didn’t see Harry Potter 7 nor X-Men: First Class either. Believe me, I’d have loved to see all those movies and the three dozen more on my list, but I have neither the time, money, nor attention-span for such a lifestyle... yet. So until the day that I become a movie-going demigod comes, please enjoy this countdown of the top five best films I did see last year! #5. Super 8 (Dir. J.J. Abrams) J.J. Abrams has proven time and again that, whether on TV or the big screen, he’s got sci-fi down. Somewhere between his thick- rimmed glasses and freakishly large forehead is the mind of a brilliant little boy obsessed with aliens, explosions, and lens flares (they’re shiny, I can dig it). If nothing else, Super 8 was a clear indication that this little boy still lives. The awe and wonder of otherworldly creatures that Abrams and even ourselves saw as children in the films of one Steven Spielberg were reflected in this adventurous, character-driven love letter to the “80s, and that’s why it’s our number five. #4. The Muppets (Dir. James Bobin) Ireviewed The Muppets just last month, and not long before that we gave them a feature, so I’m not going to delve into nearly as much detail about the film here. What I will say though is that for the first time in over a decade, we have a legitimate Muppets movie. From the awful puns to the wacky songs, everything about this film just screams Muppets. While the story can get quite silly, it’s Kermit that, as usual, gives us a tear-jerking life lesson—not once, but several times. Everything that is the Muppets is still there, and that’s all anyone really wanted. #3. Hugo (Dir. Martin Scorsese) The first few things that pop into my head when I think about this movie (along with our top two) are words and phrases one should only utter in the throws of ecstasy. To put it simply, Hugo is virtually a perfect movie. Scorsese shakes things up once again, only this time it’s because he took on the “family movie,” and in 3-D of all things. Of course, not only was he able to create a beautiful, whimsical 1930s Paris, but he was able to immerse the audience within it through what should be mandatory use of 3-D technology. From the first minute that the smoke of the train station pulls you in, it’s almost impossible to look away, if not for it’s intense cinematography, then for it’s compelling story and cast, namely Asa Butterfield as Hugo Cabaret and Sir Ben Kingsley, who portrays filmmaker Georges Méliés. #2. Drive (Dir. Nicolas Winding Refn) As hauntingly beautiful as it is ultraviolent, Drive takes things slow, and just like its nameless protagonist (played by Ryan Gosling), always knows just when to speed things up. Drive is gritty, you almost feel dirty watching it, but amidst the recurring pink neon and synth-pop soundtrack, you know there’s more to what you're seeing. This film is powerful enough that it carries its own aura; one that it wants you to leave with and think about long after it’s over. #1. The Artist (Dir. Michael Hazanavicius) Like The Muppets, I reviewed Spring starts with Winter Arts! What you need to know about Douglas’ Arts events By Angela Espinoza, Arts Editor ach semester Douglas offers HE a variety of concerts, plays, art shows, and more for us to enjoy. As a way to give back to the students, most of these events are free, and the few that aren’t are reasonably priced. Many of these events also feature your fellow students, showcasing their talents as musicians and actors alike. So, with that said, let us delve into the Winter 2012 Calendar of Arts Events! The weekly Arts at One concerts are back, opening with a show this Thursday, January 5, entitled Susana Abreu & Terra, Latin/ Jazz. This show features Vancouver- based Latin musician Susana Abreu and her backing band playing a one-hour set of world music. Other Arts at One concerts lined up include Piano Concert with Ellen and Robert Silverman on February 2, Duo Joncol — Music for Two Guitars on February 23, and a number of student and faculty showcases to celebrating the various music programs Douglas has to offer. A somewhat more educational (rather than musical) event lined up is Composer Tuesday, on Tuesday January 10. Jacquie Leggatt, head of theory at the Vancouver Academy of Music, has been asked to provide students with some insight on where her career as a Canadian musician has brought her. The first Amelia Douglas from April 12 to May 26. In March, the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival will also be hosting a screening in the Laura C. Muir Theatre (where, on that note, many of these events will be taking place). The screening will allow students to view some of the films in this year’s Festival roster; more information to come as the Festival “Many of these events also feature your fellow students, showcasing their talents as musicians and actors alike.” Gallery Opening Reception of the semester will also occur next week. This first gala, Thursday, January 12 at 4:30 p.m., will be hosted by Canadian artist Richard Alm, whose art show Dappled will be on display from then until February 17. Alm will also be at the Gallery on Friday, January 13 at 10 a.m. for the Artist’s Talk, a Q&A session for attendees. Other galleries to be placed on display include Paintings by Louise Bunn and Mary Bennett from February 23 to April 6, and Works by Xin Meng gets underway. What tends to be the most anticipated of arts events though are the annual plays put on by the departments of Theatre and Stagecraft & Event Technology. Theatre directors come in from around Canada to prepare the Douglas students’ rigorous Theatre program for what will inevitably be their shining moment on the stage. At the same time, those in the Stagecraft & Event Technology program find their skills tested as Cer ici this film last month, so I’Il be skimping out on a few details. That said, I absolutely adore The Artist—it’s a French silent film about 1920s Hollywood filmed in black and white... what else do I have to say? The Artist does exactly what a film is supposed to do; it throws the audience into an entirely different world, one with a setting and characters that they never want to go away. It’s pure, clean, uncut splendor, and you’re only hurting yourselves by not seeing it. So there you have them, if you didn’t see these five in theatres, go while you still can, or catch them on DVD before Oscar time rolls around. I can guarantee each of these films will have at least one nomination. they create beautiful and elaborate sets for the plays. The first play of the semester is Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet), a comedic play by Toronto-based playwright Ann-Marie MacDonald, which will be taking place from March 9 to 17. The play to follow is The Very Ecstasy of Love (running March 16-24), by Douglas College Theatre Coordinator Allan Lysell, recurring Douglas play director Thrasso Petras, and Charles Mee. Last and anything but least, the department of Creative Writing will be hosting the Pearls 31 Book Launch on March 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre. These book launches often feature students reading select passages and short stories from the updated Pearls books, which are lined with the best stories and poems written by Douglas students taking Creative Writing classes. Now that you've got the low- down on Douglas’ arts events, pick up a Calendar of Arts pamphlet (available throughout the school), and take the time to support your fellow students and faculty this winter.