My Top 10 List of Best Films for 2010

Hey guys,

So I decided that this year will be the first year I create some "Top 10" lists.  My friends asked me to create a list this year, as I am one of the hardest people to please when it comes to films.  You see, I'm what some might call a "movie snob".  I hate 90% of the films that are made each year, because they are either remakes (which I abhor and refuse to give my money to) or such horrendous dreck that you wonder who sat down and signed million dollar checks every week to keep the movie funded and rolling (I'm talking about YOU, "Jonah Hex" and "Valentine's Day"!)

Looking at the list of films that were released this year, I created a list for "The Best", "The Worst", and "Much Better Than You Would Have Thought".  As my lists began to grow, I saw a long list for "Worst", a nice sized list for "Better...", and, to my great disappointment, a list so short for "Best", I couldn't even make a Top 20 if someone asked me to! 

So without further adieu, here is my Top 10 Best.  They're listed in countdown mode, with brief descriptions of why I loved them.  (I decided not to do story synopses...you either know what these movies are about or can look them up easily on imdb.com).  Immediately following the list will be a list of Honorable Mentions with a brief write up on either why it didn't make the Top 10 or simply why you should check it out.

Some of my friends may be surprised by what they find...


10. Youth In Revolt

It is rare for me to put a recent comedy in any of my “Best Of” lists, considering the abysmal films that are released that pass for “funny” these days.  However, this is one of the smartest, laugh-out-loud comedies that I have had the pleasure of coming across.  It didn’t do well theatrically, due to Michael Cera’s declining fan base (we’re all tired of the non-expression clueless look)...but I promise you, it serves him well here and his delivery leads to many a punchline.  Give it a chance guys.  It’s well worth it.


9. Easy A

I know, shocker.  ANOTHER comedy in my Top 10.  All of this rain we’ve been having here in Los Angeles might be because of this, an almost assured sign of the Apocalypse.

Words to describe this film: Hilarious. Brilliant. Smart. Pure awesomeness.  Without a doubt, the “Best 80s Movie Not Made In The 80s”.  It’s a wonderful throwback to 80s teen comedies... only better.  A smart heroine (I heart you, Emma Stone), interweaving plots created from ridiculous misunderstandings and little white lies... it’s the most fun you’ll have in a comedy this year.


8. Toy Story 3

Show of hands...who was crying at the end of this film?  Since you can’t see my hand raised, I’ll tell you: I’m amongst that group.  Such an endearingly sweet, witty allegory for growing up!  It’s a testament to the filmmakers that I was able to enjoy this film without having even seen the second installment.


7. The Kid’s Are All Right

What can I say about this little film, except that it’s a marvel, from beginning to end.  You can never go wrong with Annette Bening or Julianne Moore.  I even liked Mark Ruffalo, whom I have nicknamed “The Most Averagely Boring Actor Who Keeps Getting Work Inexplicably”!

It’s one of the most realistic portrayals of family life that has graced the screen in previous years...it just happens to have two mommies in the drivers seat.  I also love that it can never be termed “that lesbian movie”, because it’s not about the politics of two women being together or raising a family.  It’s just about two people who love each other and want to provide for their little family.  Kudos to you, Lisa Cholodenko.

6. 127 Hours

Yet another film I went into, fully expecting to hate, because I wasn’t sure how Danny Boyle would approach the subject matter.  I’m very much not a fan of “One Man, One Location” stories (i.e. Castaway, Buried, and I Am Legend).  They’re usually overly long, and uninteresting, with way too many wide shots of the city, island, coffin, etc. to “show us how alone this person is”, with equally boring ways of keeping said character occupied for two hours.

127 Hours, however, is that rare example of how a “confined story” should be told.  Between the flashbacks and the ever increasing loss of sanity as the days wear on...with water and food diminishing...and no help in sight... there’s never a dull moment. To be so riveted and engrossed in a film where we even know what’s coming and how the story ends, is a testament to the great filmmaking at work here.

I’m not afraid to admit that I hated Slumdog Millionaire with a fiery passion, and still don’t get why people love it so...but this film has redeemed Danny Boyle in my eyes, and is a much more deserving film for kudos than his previous one. 


5. Flipped

I’m going to take you on my journey with this film.  Imagine if you will, a trailer for a small film that nowhere near conveys the greatness that is within.  It looked like some cutesy, flashback to the 50s story of two kids falling in love.  Who cares, right?  It tanks in the theaters, is gone in mere weeks, and then put out on DVD.  “Shocker,” I think to myself.  So I rent it, as I will give everything a chance on DVD, because it’s free for me.

I put it in my PS3, fully prepared to turn it off within 20 minutes of viewing it.  Soon, I’m glued to my seat, slapping my forehead in exasperation at the bone-head move the boy just made... shouting at the girl to ask questions before she lets this simple misunderstanding blow up into epic proportions for no reason... blinking back tears at the end because you know things will be all right...

Rare is the film to touch me so deeply that I have to get online and tell all of my friends to go out and rent it or put it in their Netflix queues.  Told in a clever way (you see an event unfold through the eyes of the girl, then the director “flips” views and shows how the event went down through the eyes of the boy), it will make you relive your own “first love”, and resonate with you for days after viewing.  The absolute feel good movie of the year.

4. The Town

I know what you’re thinking, because it’s the same thing I thought when I saw the trailer: (Deep sigh, overly dramatic eye roll) ANOTHER bank robbery/heist flick?  Greeeeeat.  Don’t have enough of THOSE out there...

And yet, it’s so much more than that.  The characters...their motivations...their desperation... jump off of the page and are brought to vivid life by this talented group of actors.  Ben Affleck is in fine form here, both in front of and behind the camera...even Blake “I Only Speak Out Of The Corners Of My Mouth” Lively gave a pretty good, layered performance, showing us that she’s more than just a Gossip Girl. 

Keep it up, Ben, and we’ll soon forgive you for Pearl Harbor and Daredevil...


3. True Grit

True Grit is one of the funniest films this year.  What’s that?  Yeah, you read right.  FUNNIEST.   Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to laugh as much, and as hard, as I did in this film.  The Coen Brothers have a true gift in that area, and they brought the dark humor out tenfold in a film that could have just been a boring retread on a tale of revenge. 

I went into this film fully expecting to hate it.  It had a few things going against it when I sat down in the theater: a)I HATE Westerns. To me, they’re one of the most boring genres around. b)for every Coen Brothers movie I loved (No Country For Old Men, Fargo), there’s one I hated (A Serious Man, The Big Lebowski...yeah, I said it. Deal.)  

So imagine my surprise when I realized that not only is it not a traditional Western, but it’s probably the Coen Brothers’ best film to date!  The direction and cinematography is breathtaking, the performances flawless and inspired, the script crackling with some of the best characters and dialogue ever written.  The balance of humor and seriousness is perfect.  

Sorry John Wayne.  Sorry Clint Eastwood.  In my book, this is the Best Western ever made.  My hat’s off to you, Brothers Coen.


2. The Fighter

I knew I was going to love this movie from the trailer alone.  The wonderful Amy Adams and Melissa Leo?  Check.  Christian Bale at his method best? Check.  A tale of an underdog trying to leave his past behind to move on to a better future? Check.

Another pitch perfect movie in all aspects.  For one, you won’t find a better ensemble piece this year.  The chemistry between the actors is electrifying...you almost forget you’re watching a movie and not a real life Boston family fighting for loyalty and love.  You want so desperately for Mickey Ward to succeed, with all of the curveballs that keep getting thrown at him, that by film’s end, you let out a long breath, not remembering when you started holding it.

For all of you who were thinking “ugh, it’s just another boxing movie”...I urge you to reconsider.  It’s not “Million Dollar Rocky”.  You will love every minute of this film....and find yourself a little saddened when the credits start to roll...because your know this story is just beginning, and you want to follow this family for just a little longer.

1. Inception

Reasons why I chose this film as my number one pick for best of the year:
a)It was almost 3 hours long and I didn’t check my watch once.
b)It’s the most original film that has come out of the studio gates in years.
c)It made me forget that I’m not a big fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, and almost succeeded in making me one.

Of course, those are just a few of the reasons why I loved this film.  From the superb acting, to the haunting score, to the action set pieces, and the brilliantly intricate “look-away-for-10-seconds-and-you-miss-a-lot” script, it’s everything all films should aspire to be. 

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Black Swan - I know, you're shocked it didn't make the 10.  Listen, it was a great movie, and Aronofsky could teach a master class on filmmaking. However, when it came down to figuring out the list, I had to have FELT something emotionally by the end of the film, or been pleasantly surprised by a film.  Black Swan gave me exactly what I knew it would, and therefore, is my number 11.

Winters Bone - Another great movie.  Can't find anything wrong with it.  The lake scene (for those of you who know what I'm talking about) is harrowing and hard to watch.  It just missed the 10 as well.

Date Night - Listen, stop hating on this movie.  If you go in knowing it's a screwball throwback to a 50s or 80s comedy film, you'll love it.  Don't expect the sarcastic, annoying, raunchy crap that passes for "good comedy" these days (*cough* Judd Apatow crapfests *cough*)

Please Give - an Indie Lovers' delight. And it has Catherine Keener.  Need I say more?

Micmacs - I don't watch many foreign films.  I find most of them unnecessarily long winded and muddled.  This, however, is one of the best foreign films EVER made.  Engrossing from start to finish.

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work - as with foreign films, not a big fan of documentaries, but this one is a marvel.  Will never look at Joan Rivers the same way...and that's a good thing.


Stay tuned for my Top 10 Worst Films coming next...