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The AFI picks its best of 2011 and singles out 'The Artist' for no good reason

Posted Monday, December 12, 2011 at 11:46 AM Central
Last updated Monday, December 12, 2011 at 12:00 PM Central

by Tim Briscoe

Film awards are rolling in at a dramatic pace. All the regional and national critics board are highlighting their best of the year. I would like to recognize the most prestigious of these early award-givers.

And the prize of no importance goes to... The AFI Awards!

The American Film Institute has once again picked its 10 best films and TV shows for 2011. Showing why they truly are the best, they couldn't just stop at 10 selections in each category. They have special awards for two "outstanding achievements in the moving image that do not fit into AFI's criteria for the other honorees."

One of these special awards went to the Harry Potter film series while the other went to The Artist. Certainly they are recognizing the tremendous 8-film series now that it has concluded but I have to wonder why The Artist was singled out. Perhaps it's because the film is in black and white?

So, without further ado here are the AFI's Movies and Television Programs of the Year -- all in GLORIOUS COLOR because B&W deserves to be left to itself.

AFI Movies of the Year

AFI Television Programs of the Year

Time will tell if the Oscars or the Golden Globes -- let's be honest, the bigger awards -- shine their line on these selections. The Golden Globe nominations will happen later this week on the 15th while the Academy Award nominations won't happen until Jan. 24.