The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012)

About this time of year, you will find endless "best movies of the year" lists out there. Some of them will blow you away because you'll disagree with the picks so much.

I believe my favorite reviewer in the country is Manohla Dargis from the NY Times. I enjoy her top ten for the year, even though I usually haven't seen half the films. This is frustrating, but half the films critics see are not available to the regular viewer, unfortunately. Also, Manohla usually has some surprises on her list. This year, she listed The Pirates! as one of her picks for Best Picture, and Hugh Grant for Best Actor.

I hadn't even heard of the movie. But I have now - and it's awesome. This is animation of the Wallace and Gromit style, which is cool. The dialog and humor are pure British, which is fantastic and refreshing. (The best thing about being a pirate is Ham Night, for example.)  I watched it twice.

Hugh Grant is the Pirate Captain, who desperately wants to be Pirate of the Year. He's been nominated and denied for 20 years or so. The problem? He's not a very good pirate, even though he loves "running people through" and making them walk the plank. Adventure takes precedence over gold. But this year he is determined, and trouble follows.

Pick it up.