John Maguire's favourite films of 2011

The Tree of Life: Terrence Malick tackles life, the universe and everything in between with his semi-autobiographical, epoch-spanning film about a boy growing up in 1950s Texas. Poetic, spectacular an

**The Tree of Life**

Terrence Malick tackles life, the universe and everything in between with his semi-autobiographical, epoch-spanning film about a boy growing up in 1950s Texas. Poetic, spectacular and only occasionally overblown, it is as entrancing as it is baffling.

**The Guard**

John Michael McDonagh's hilarious black comedy was the most invigorating Irish film of the year, with an indelible performance from Brendan Gleeson as a devil-may-care rural garda.

**Animal Kingdom**

David ...