Usually I like to get my Top 10 list up before the Oscar noms come out, but life got in the way, as it likes to do. 2011 was a rich year for movies, and my list surprisingly skews a bit mainstream. Guess I’m not a hipster after all.

Without further ado, my favorites:

10. Source Code

A near-perfect thriller from Duncan Jones, son of David Bowie and the director of “Moon.” It’s bursting with intriguing ideas, and anchored by a moving performance by the brilliant Vera Farmiga. The only sci-fi thriller in recent memory to bring me to tears.

9. Higher Ground

Speaking of Very Farmiga, have I mentioned that I have a huge crush on her? She writes, directs and stars in this even-handed look at evangelical Christianity in a small town. At times devastating, but deals with religion in a refreshingly non-partisan way.

8. 50/50

The hilarious cancer movie. So it can be done. Very funny and very poignant, with great performances across the board (except for Bryce Dallas Howard, who has made “one-note” a career choice). The script is a deft balancing act and I was thrilled to see it pulled off perfectly.

7. Shame

An unflinching, harrowing look at sex addiction, with layers and layers of subtext. You could pick at this one for days and still find something new to analyze. The lead performances by Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan are as good as it gets.

6. Mission Impossible 4

Stunts! Effects! Explosions! And yet I actually cared about the characters. You can’t do grand spectacle any better than this, people. Every second was riveting. And how did they get Tom Cruise on the side of that building? That scene was seamless.

5. Moneyball

I don’t care about baseball. Never have. This movie is remarkably compelling despite that. With an ultra-sharp screenplay by Aaron Sorkin (does he write any other kind?) and charismatic turns by Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill (pre-skinnifying), it manages to make sports and finances an interesting combination, which is quite an accomplishment.

4. The Help

A cavalcade of incredible acting, this ostensibly homeworky history movie is a million times more entertaining than anyone thought it would be. From start to finish a complete joy (with the exception of, once again, Bryce Dallas Howard, making the least interesting choice at every turn). Otherwise, this is a hug, in movie form.

3. The Descendants

Alexander Payne (About Schmidt, Sideways) makes his least snarky, most mature movie yet. He somehow gets great performances out of children (and I mean great), and whether you like his form of minimalism or not, George Clooney is very naturalistic here. Plumbs family dynamics and mortality in a subtle and beautiful way rarely seen in film.

2. The Artist

As the race to make movies bigger and technologically better goes faster and faster, it turns out the gutsiest move was to make a silent black & white film. Who knew? Like the Help, this one may look like homework, but it is a pure shot of happiness. That dog deserves an Oscar. I wish I could bottle this movie and drink it every morning.

1. Hugo

In a year of incredible movies, Hugo stood out as the best by far. Initially it may seem like Scorcese would be an ill fit for a children’s film, but it became obvious that this was a labor of love. The best use of 3D I’ve ever seen (even James Cameron has quoted that this movie did it better than Avatar), and it’s filled with gorgeous visuals. But it’s the movie’s huge heart that won me over. I’m not ashamed to admit: I cried like a baby.

Honorable Mentions: Bridesmaids, Drive, Young Adult, The Tree of Life, The Trip