The Descendants, George Clooney - Extraordinary

There are several weeks before the end of the year but - so far - this intelligently written, beautifully photographed, intensely emotional family drama is among the best of 2011. Simultaneously heartbreaking and life-affirming, it's an absurdist, funny and voraciously smart journey of self-discovery, which has been the underlying theme of Alexander Payne's previous films: "Sideways," "About Schmidt," "Election" and "Citizen Ruth."

Read more at Arizona Reporter