After watching The Social Network (meh) this afternoon, I feel that I've adequately seen enough films to make a top ten for the year 2010. I don't know if 2009 or 2010 was a worse year, but I do know there's a void in compelling films coming from major studios. I mean really, "The Social Network is the Citizen Kane of its generation?" Spare me.
But as always, there are some films of merit, and a lot of things I really enjoyed. Honorable mentions for The Kids Are All Right and True Grit which both fell apart at the end, but still both worth a watch.
10: The King's Speech - Directed by Tom Hooper
This film could have slid into the familiar trappings of WWII melodrama, but thanks to Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, and Geoffrey Rush and their spectacular performances, it's a story about a man with a problem, and what he does to fix that problem. Clean, human, and lovely. Also points for giving my grandmother something to enjoy.
9: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World - Directed by Edgar Wright
Despite loving Edgar Wright's first two films, I stayed clear of this like the plague thanks in no small part to Michael Cera. It really pleasantly surprised me, with the idea of the shallowness of modern relationships mixed with 64-bit Nintendo glory. I know, I know Chemguy, I need to read the comics, but this was my favorite film in terms of visual inventiveness.
8: Kick-Ass - Directed by Matthew Vaughn
This did in fact kick the superhero genre in the ass, and its rude, crude lewdness was gorgeous. Hit Girl was one of my favorite characters of the year, and I love all that Vaughn did with a $25 million, independently financed film. And it had a good heart - that scene with Big Daddy killed me.
7: Somewhere - Directed by Sofia Coppola
While its my least favorite of her films, I still loved that Coppola made a movie about very little except character idiosyncrasies. Somewhere is the epitome of why people hate "art" films, but I think its important to remember that not everything needs to be cities folding on top of each other. Makes me want to go to California. Strong performances from the normally tabloid-headline Stephen Dorff and angelic little Elle Fanning.
6: The Fighter - Directed by David O. Russell
I had NO expectations for this, and it blew me away. Christian Bale gives an even better performance than Patrick Bateman, and it was an underdog story that didn't feel predictable or preachy. Plus, it's a better movie than the buncha fawckin' queeahs in The Town. And way to give women some meaty parts. I'd love to see Melissa Leo or Amy Adams win the Oscar.
5: Winter's Bone - Directed by Deborah Granik
Best depiction of rural America in years, and a stunning lead female character in a female made film. The AV Club mentioned that this felt like a 1970s film, just like Blue Valentine, in the best way possible. And, as FilmDrunk says, it has one of the most metal scene in recent memory.
4: Inception - Directed by Christopher Nolan
I totally get that this wasn't the best character development in a film, but I was just so glad to have a movie to argue about intellectually. My view of the ending changed with each viewing, each clue. The script was awesomely written, to take such a clever concept and turn it into a huge blockbuster. And it was gorgeousss.
3: Toy Story 3 - Directed by Lee Unkrich
Nothing made me cry this year besides this film, and in buckets. Fucking Pixar does it again. I think it's a lot harder to make a film that appeals to 8 year-olds and 80 year-olds as opposed to a strictly adult film. I was five when Toy Story came out, and the films mean more to me now then they ever did then. Could they have ended on a more perfect note?
2: Blue Valentine - Directed by Derek Cianfrance
It's Cassavetes for the millennial set. I can't think of a film that better nails the subtle agony and ecstasy of relationships. I especially hooked in to Ryan Gosling's Dean, who feels like every guy I've ever been infatuated with, as countered only by Williams' practical Cindy who just can't say no. The non-linear editing worked so well to show the conception and disintegration of their relationship in perfect, heartbreaking detail.
1: Black Swan - Directed by Darren Aronofsky
I'm an Aronofsky fan through and through, and this is my favorite of his films. On a budget of $12 million, amazing things happened with costuming, music, set design, and Libatique's cinematography. It's the perfect dark, sexual take on fairy tales of being a beautiful dancer that every little girl has. The Fly, for women. Natalie Portman just nailed the duality of Nina, and the supporting roles of Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder, Mila Kunis, and Barbara Hershey were perfect as well. I chose Black Swan based on watch-ability - I've already seen it twice, and I'll can't wait to watch it again. While Blue Valentine is a remarkable film, it's too tough a watch to sit through constantly. What more can I say, I just loved this film.
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