If 2010 was a cloudy day for films, then the BEST list was the ray of sunshine that came out and stayed out; the back-half of the year was loaded with some special films that will go the distance. Unlike the WORST list, this rundown was a difficult one to put together. Some excellent films did not make the cut: GET LOW, THE TOWN, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PT. 1, to name a few. This blogger agonized over this; but feels it has finally come together the right way.
Two excellent films based on heart, soul, and faith begin the list. THE FIGHTER deserves high marks due to excellent acting and a fresh take on the overdone underdog story. THE BOOK OF ELI was held together by remarkable photography and storyline that felt simple on the surface but then unfolded into a surprising finale.
A slice of our current generations’ history and state-of-mind was presented to us in the form of THE SOCIAL NETWORK; making what seemed to be a laughable plot (the history of Facebook) into a strong character drama of brother vs. brother. NETWORK is an important film that puts the state of our lives in today’s world up-front and center, and deserves multiple viewings.
Fun was the operative word for THE A-TEAM and TOY STORY 3. The former was the biggest blast to be had in the theatre while still maintaining intelligence, and the latter putting forth an emotional punch in a simple yet ingenious finale that only Pixar can deliver.
A trio of psychological mindfuckers occupy the top 5. Martin Scorcese’s SHUTTER ISLAND was such a film that demanded to be watched a second and third time; once more to just to make sure of ourselves and the third to truly appreciate the genius of it all. Darren Aronofsky’s BLACK SWAN provided the most WTF moments than any film of the year; backed by excellent acting and mind-blowing sequences. Christopher Nolan’s INCEPTION was the monster of the year, offering layers upon layers of plot that engaged the mind and banged the eyeballs into orgasm. Hands-down the most original film made in the past decade.
The Coen Bros. finally got around to making things happen in their TRUE GRIT remake. Jeff Bridges’ and his supporting cast gave an outstanding performance in a hardnosed tale of revenge that brought the old west back to life. It is a strong character drama/study backed by outstanding cinematography.
The biggest surprise of the year is also the most pleasant one.
The BEST spot goes to a little film that flew in under the radar and dropped a bomb. There are no A-list actors, no 3D, no larger-than-life egos present; just a strict, yet gentle focus on solid filmmaking backed by outstanding acting. It is a story about an obscure reference in world history that may have had world-changing implications, brought down to the level of personal relationships and struggles. The balance is perfect, and a lot can be learned from this movie. The BEST of 2010 belongs to THE KING’S SPEECH.
THE BEST:
10. The Fighter
9. The Book of Eli
8. The Social Network
7. The A-Team
6. Toy Story 3
5. Shutter Island
4. True Grit
3. Black Swan
2. Inception
1. The King’s Speech
What say you?
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