Every year, even though the vast majority of movie releases are all but instantly forgettable, we have some films come out that you just know will be still remembered fondly 25 years later. 2011 was no exception. It’s a bit early to know which will survive the test of time, but I’m willing to bet that a number of them will. As much as anything, it’s a situation where you have to imagine what films will be talked about in film school, among scholars, or even just over some dinner among family and/or friends. For example, last year I look at The Social Network and Inception as two films that definitely will be remembered, and they’re hardly the only ons from 2010. For 2011, there’s a half dozen that spring to mind for me, and not all of them are films I particularly love. For example, I love Red State, and while I think it will forever remain a notable entry into Kevin Smith’s oeuvre, for the general film community it’s of little note. There are also films like Bellflower and Margin Call that announced interesting new filmmakers, but likely will be looked back on to a lesser degree than the films to come. I have a half dozen contenders for the “test of time” throne from 2011. Let’s get started, shall we?

The Artist- Even though I think it’s ultimately going to be regarded as an average (presumptive) Best Picture winner at best, this is the first silent film released in any mainstream way since Mel Brooks put out Silent Movie in 1976 (by the by, if you haven’t seen it, it’s one of Brooks’ most underrated works). The fact that it’s succeeded in spite of being such a tough sell…it’s French…it’s silent…it’s about Old Hollywood, etc, all that does is add to its likely future acclaim. It may be a safe pick for Oscar voters, but it was a risky endeavor to get made and an unlikely success story. It’ll definitely have its place in film history for that. There’s no way this doesn’t stand the test of time, though it may be remembered more for its historical significance than for its overall quality.

Bridesmaids- In a similar fashion, this flick will be remembered as the one that finally got Oscar to go dirty. They’d avoided The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Pineapple Express, and Funny People (which had awards hopes to varying degrees), but this time around a Judd Apatow production got nominated. Especially if Melissa McCarthy or Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo’s script upset at the Academy Awards and take home a statue, the film’s moment in time will be cemented. Factor in how it’s a female-centric film and the uphill battle films of that ilk often have, and it’s definitely on pace to be cited in movie history.

Drive- This is just one that will be remembered on quality alone. Already a cult hit and critical favorite, lots will discover the genius of this film in the years to come, and it likely will wind up another work that the next generation can’t believe wasn’t embraced by the Academy. Of course this is just a hunch, but I’m fairly confident that the years to come will be as kind to Drive as any recent film. It certainly won’t hurt that Nicolas Winding Refn is hopefully on pace to become an A-list filmmaker and Ryan Gosling could be Hollywood’s biggest star before the decade is out. I’d be hard pressed to not see this flick wind up remembered as one of the best of this time period. I know some might say I’m partial to it since it’s my favorite of 2011, but even those who dislike it have to concede that it’s going to stand the test of time.

Hugo- Forever destined to be a companion piece to The Artist, this movie will also benefit from standing out so much from the rest of Martin Scorsese’s filmography. Between being a film about film that the film community has chosen to reward and the fact that it’s such a notable entry into Marty’s collection of works, I can’t imagine this not being referenced in the future. Also, don’t forget how it’s been praised for its immersive yet un-intrusive use of 3D. As much as it’s going to be tied in with The Artist down the road, I can see it being associated just as much with Avatar when looked back on. Plus, it’s got a very history friendly stance on film preservation, so let’s not forget that either.

Midnight in Paris- Another work by a revered auteur that history will be kind too, you really can’t ignore the fact that this is now one of Woody Allen’s most popular films ever. It’s his most successful in terms of money, and honestly it seems to be one of his most well like as well. Allen is the frontrunner in my eyes for Best Original Screenplay, and barring a sweep by The Artist or a surprise by Bridesmaids, this assumed win will be his 4th with Oscar. Not to be morbid or anything, but it might also be his last, and that will assure the film a place in history. That’s not taking anything away from its quality, which I find to be quite high (it did wind up with a place on my 2011 Top Ten list, after all), but outside factors do sometimes take over, for better or worse.

The Tree of Life- Finally, a film that I don’t care for but can easily realize is going to be remembered forever. The rare movie that somehow stood up to the hype and anticipation for most, this is an undeniably beautiful work that features a unique filmmaker at his most daring. I maintain my quibbles about the flick and feel it’s far too flawed to be the masterpiece that many find it, but I know it’s not going anywhere. Hey, I don’t love a lot of films like most do (The Godfather 1 and 2, all 3 Lord of the Rings flicks, City of God, and Goodfellas to name a few), but here I can recognize when a film is going to stand the test of time whether I gave it a thumbs up or not. This is certainly one of those cases.

There are of course others that I considered, like Margaret, The Muppets, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Shame, and Super 8, to name just a few for example (Shame came very close to securing a spot, but its lack of an Academy Award nomination hurt it in the end), but ultimately I settled on those 6 I listed above. If you didn’t see a film you’re fond of, keep in mind there are subsets of this list that they might be a part of, such as cult classics (I’m looking at Attack the Block, The Beaver, and perhaps the aforementioned titles Bellflower and Red State, among others), etc. That being said, I’m not very curious to see what films you all would imagine standing the test of time. Am I right about my selections? Which do you think won’t? Which did I leave out? Sound off and let me know where I went right/wrong (I’ve already heard a wide variety of contenders in the eyes of you all just by asking for some suggestions on Facebook and Twitter)…I’ll be excited to read it and participate in the discussion to come!

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