Every year, it's always fun to look back at reflect on the films tbat made me proud to be a movie buff and then there are the ones that made me gag and only continue to endorse the death penalty (if only there were such a thing for bad filmmakers). As I look back on 2010, this was a pretty respectable year for films, (a definite improvement over the dud-fest of last year, for sure) and while I was not able to see every flim released in 2010, I did see quite a few and these were the ones that made the most lasting impression on me.
The list:
1) The King's Speech - Simply the best, featuring arguably the best male performance of the year from Colin Firth, in addition to other excellent performances from Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter. A film about King George VI of Britain and how he overcame some tough challenges, courtesy of help from his speech therapist.
2) Inception - A great premise boasted by a great cast, a true mind-bender that gives me hope that Hollywood isn't burnt out of ideas. Who thought a film about dream thieves could be this hypnotic? Some say it's too dense and filled with many layers, but I argue that is the point and beauty of this film.
3) Rabbit Hole - An incredibly moving film about grief, loss and love and featuring some powerhouse performances from Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhardt. Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire and it does not disgrace it, in anyway. I cried, I laughed, I yelled, literaly a rollercoaster of emotions and I loved it every minute of it. Arguably the most emotionally grueling film of 2010 and a must see.
4) The Kids Are All Right - Honest, funny, heartwarming, upsetting, all of these describe this film. Well written and acted, this is a gem. Julianne Moore, Annette Benning, Mark Ruffalo and Mia Wasikowska (from Alice in Wonderland) all shine.
5) True Grit - The Coen Brothers can really do no wrong as they've been on (mostly) a winning streak for the last four years. Here comes the champion remake of 2010 and it is one of those rare remakes to eclipse the original. Featuring some sharp dialogue, wonderful performances and nice cinematography, this is a terrific flim. Some say it may collapse slightly at the end, but it didn't slight this film greatly. See it for the debut performance of Hailee Steinfield, who is nothing short of stunning.
6) Black Swan - Darren Aronofsky knows how to make a film. Taking a lesson from Roman Polanski, he crafts a film that is part psychological thriler, part horror and part lurid melodrama. With influences from Repulsion and The Tenant, this is the kind of the film that will we wonderfully welcomed in the so called 'mind-fuck' subgenre. Ballet as a blood sport, who would've ever thought? With some evocative cinematography and starting images, not to mention Natalie Portman's tour de force performance, this is a film to see.
7) The Social Network - David Fincher is arguably one of the most underrated filmmakers out there and perhaps he will get more recognition with this film and his upcoming remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. While this film is fairly normal, considering it's made by a man who's made some incredibly stylish and dark movies a la Fight Club and Se7en. The story of Facebook and how it all began. This is a very good motion picture, featuring a great script by Aaron Sorkin and some great performances from Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake.
8) Toy Story 3 - Definitely the best animated film of 2010. Pixar makes the best animated films and it's no wonder why as there films can appeal to literally anyone. While, I thought this film was a bit past its welcome, it proved me wrong. The toys are back and facing more challenges, sort of a retread of the past two films, but arguably better. I was shocked by how moved I was throughout viewing this film, I nearly cried. A film that is as equally moving as it is funny, definitely see this one.
9) The Millenium Trilogy (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with
Fire & The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
-Now you're probably thinking, wow, way to be a cheapskate and put three films down, but I could not help myself. I enjoyed all the films, however, I feel the first film, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, is definitely the strongest. A exciting mystery full of twists and turns, dealing with murder, deception and so much more. Noomi Rapace gives perhaps the best and most overlooked female performance of the year, go see it!
10) 127 Hours - To all the naysayers, James Franco can definitely act and this film proves it. Danny Boyle making a wild turn from his last award-winning Slumdog Millionaire delivers an exciting story about survival at the most unlikely odds. James Franco gives the best performance of his career. While there is some grueling and graphic imagery, it serves the purpose of the story. Also, a wild and evocative soundtrack from A.R. Rahman of Slumdog Millionaire.
Honorary Mentions: Fish Tank, Winter's Bone, The Fighter, Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World, The Red Riding Trilogy & Blue Valentine
As with every year, it's tough to choose ten films that represent an excellence in film, but I feel that these movies did their job and did it oh so very well. Some will disagree with my list and that's more than fine as everyone is entitled to their opinions. I should note that this is a list of my ten favorite films of the year as I feel it is hard to label it as it the ten best films of the year, since I did not see every single film released in 2010. In my opinion, The King's Speech boasts possibly the best male performance of the year, Colin Firth, who is simply superlative. Albeit, James Franco does great work and offers the best performance of his career in 127 Hours. This will be a tough year and perhaps, a little unpredictable too, unlike other ones. Alas, this year was quite good, so let's hope 2011 brings about some gems as well. Till then!
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